"Hey! Nadia!"

Nadia watched as Grace practically ran to her, trying to catch her before she disappeared into her apartment building. She'd seen her a couple of times at work but Grace always seemed to busy to talk and she knew that the situation had to be uncomfortable. It was for Nadia, at least, and so she decided not to pressure Grace and give her time to wrap her mind around it.

Luke married Echo. There was no changing that, no way around it and Nadia really liked her. She really liked that entire family... except maybe for Ben. That man was just a big child. She shook her head, telling herself she was lucky she wouldn't have to see him again. Despite the way everything seemed to run so smooth at the wedding and the way that Echo's family had really taken to Luke and Adelia, there was still something bugging Nadia. It was her- Grace. Her only friend since she could remember and there was no way that she could just push that all aside and forget her.

"Hi." Nadia said with a tentative smile as she turned to face her.

"I didn't see you at work today." Grace replied as she reached her.

"I took the day off." Nadia said, tucking her hands into her pockets.

"Well I noticed that. I almost didn't believe it when they told me. Nadia taking a day off?" Grace said with a laugh.

"There's been way too much going on lately, I needed a break." Nadia said, letting out a sigh of relief as she saw how casual Grace was being.

"I thought you might say that, so..." Grace held out a bag hanging from her wrist. "I brought donuts."

Nadia laughed.

"Oh my, that's perfect." Nadia said, "Come on."

Grace knew Nadia so well, she knew that when she was tired or upset, there was nothing that could quite put her back together as well as something sweet. Boy, did Nadia have a sweet tooth and now, as she unpacked the donuts and offered Grace coffee, she remembered that she also had a very sweet friend.

"I missed you." Grace said, sitting across from her at the counter.

"I did too but you didn't have to stay away." Nadia said.

"I didn't want to make things awkward. I know I was acting irrational, it was just sad to realize I wanted something and know that I realized it too late." Grace said. Nadia watched as Grace folded her hands in her lap... was she blushing? That was strange. Grace had never seemed so contrite before.

"It's awkward, I know. But I'm glad we're having this talk. We can get it all out and then move on with our lives." Nadia said . "I know it might take some time but eventually, you will move on."

"Yeah... I know." Grace said, "I'm not used to losing."

"I know that." Nadia replied.

"She seems like a nice person." Grace added and Nadia nodded.

"She is. They're happy." Nadia said. Grace looked up at her.

"He loves her?" She asked.

"I think so, although you know how he is. If he does, he won't talk about it." Nadia replied. Grace stood, walking around the room for a moment before nodding to herself.

"Well who knows?" Grace said, laughing and shaking her head. "Maybe one day, when enough time has passed, she and I can even be friends."

Nadia knew that was doubtful, she had a feeling that there would never be any type of natural friendship between those two women but still she smiled.

"How is she adjusting?" Grace asked. Nadia looked down at her donut. She didn't want to talk about Echo, felt like it wasn't right but she could understand Grace's curiosity.

"Good." Nadia said. "She's got Adelia around to help guide her, keep her company."

"Don't tell me Luke is back at work already?" Grace asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah but I think he's just trying to get things done before the honeymoon." Nadia said, watching Grace's reaction carefully. Grace nodded and shrugged.

"Makes sense." She said casually. Nadia was confused. How was it that a woman who was so reluctant to admit she'd lost was now so comfortable talking about the whole thing? Was she trying to make it less weird for Nadia? Somehow, it wasn't working.

"What about you? How's everything?" Nadia asked, trying to change the subject.

"Same. I got a new apartment." Grace said and Nadia nodded. She figured this would have to be the case. Even with her job, the apartment Luke had kept her in was out of her budget.

"That's great. You'll have to invite me over." Nadia replied.

"I will but for now... I gotta go." Grace said, glancing at her phone. "Walk me out? I have something for you in my car."

"Yeah." Nadia said, following her out the door. At least Grace hadn't insisted on continuing the conversation after she changed it. That was a good sign. Things might still be a little awkward but hopefully, that would change soon.

As she watched Grace drive away, she held up the scarf that she'd given her. An early Christmas present. This meant that Grace would not be seeing her for a couple of weeks at least. Usually, Grace hung around all the time around Christmas but Nadia understood. They both needed time to adjust.

"That has to be weird, right?"

Nadia frowned. She was used to people sneaking up behind her without warning, she worked in a clinic after all. Besides, Marco had a bad habit of doing that, just sneaking up out of nowhere. It was understandable, she supposed, considering his line of work.

"I'm not still on the watch list, am I?" She asked, turning towards him.

"You're family. You're always on the watch list, always will be." He said, knowing she wasn't happy about it. Nadia had always refused to just fall in line when it came to family things.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Nadia groaned as she began walking back towards her building. "There are plenty of men around here, guarding the streets. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

It wasn't that Nadia had anything against Marco personally but, she didn't like thinking about how closely she was monitored sometimes.

"Actually, I'm on my way to check on her." He said, looking in the direction of Luke's house. "But I couldn't help but notice you and Grace."

"So you came to say hi?" Nadia said with a sigh. "Want to come in for a donut?"

"Sounds tempting but maybe another time. I really do have to go make my rounds." He said.

"I didn't think you did the security detail yourself." Nadia said with a raised brow.

"She's a VIP." Marco said with a smile.

"Right." Nadia replied. "I was there this morning, poor thing was trying to bake."

Marco chuckled.

"I didn't think she knew how." He replied, trying to picture Echo struggling with the oven.

"I said TRYING." Nadia said with a smile. "She's hopeless."

"So you spend the morning with the wife and the afternoon with the ex?" Marco asked and Nadia tilted her head.

"Grace has been my friend since I was a kid." Nadia replied.

"Echo is family." He replied.

"I know that. There's nothing wrong if I'm friends with both of them." Nadia replied. Marco sighed and nodded.

"You're right. There isn't. As long as your careful and don't overshare." He replied. Nadia frowned.

"Why would I?" Nadia said. "I'm not being disloyal to Luke but staying friends with Grace. And I'm not being disloyal to Grace because I like Echo."

"I hope not." Marco said, turning as if to leave.

"But if we're going to talk about loyalty..." Nadia blurted out before she could stop herself. Marco turned back, raising his thick brow.

"You have something to say?" Marco asked.

"Do you have something to confess?" Nadia said, taking a step towards him. "Not really, right? It's not like it's obvious."

Marco gritted his teeth.

"I have to go." He said, turning on his heel and practically stomping away.

Nadia regretted what she said almost as soon as she said it. Damn it. She hadn't meant to say that- she just lost her temper. She noticed over the last couple of months how mindful Marco was of Echo, noticed how he watched her and how much his tone changed when he was talking to her. She'd known him all her life, she knew that he would never do anything to betray Luke.

"Ughhhhh...." She grunted, smacking herself with her hand on the forehead as she turned to walk inside. Did she really have to go around making everyone of her friendships as awkward as possible?

---

"Jesus." Luke muttered to himself as he walked outside. It was getting dark already, which meant that he'd been in that last meeting a lot longer than he intended to. He couldn't help it, not really. There was a lot to get done, still no word on the Russo brothers, and in less than a couple of weeks, he was going to take Echo away for their honeymoon.

He smiled as she moved towards his car, thinking of how he'd love to get away with her. The idea of them being alone with nothing to do and no one to see was like heaven. He was sure that's exactly what it would be. Still, he didn't like leaving his new wife alone this much, would have liked to be able to spend more time with her but it couldn't be helped. He'd explained it to her as best he could and after some consideration she had simply nodded. How in the world did he get so lucky as to have his wife be someone so understanding?

His wife. It was a great word, one he enjoyed more and more each time he said it, one he enjoyed hearing as it was said. She was his now. He chuckled at the thought, thinking she was adorable each and every time she protested at the word "mine." Of course he knew she was her own woman, she was never going to lose that but a part of her really was his. They both knew it, they both loved it. He'd spent the weekend locked up with her, making sure she knew it, marking her beautiful skin with his kisses. The thought of it brought a curl to his lips.

"You're in a good mood."

Luke looked up, the smile immediately fading as he caught sight of Grace leaning against the driver's door of his car. He hadn't spoken to her in months... what could she possibly have to say?

"Happy to be heading home to my wife." he emphasized the word as he approached, waiting for her to move.

"I heard, congratulations." She said with a sweet smile. "I wish you both the best. "

"Thank you." He replied skeptically.

"Everyone was talking about how enamored you two look." She continued. "I was honestly a little surprised to see you leaving the office so late. You just got married this weekend."

"There's a lot of work to be done." he said, trying not to lose his patience. She nodded.

"I know, it can't be helped." She said with a sigh as she stepped aside from the door. "I won't hold you up any longer. I just wanted to give you my good wishes."

"I appreciate them." he said, opening his door and getting in.

"I really do wish you both the best." She said, moving in so he couldn't close the door. Luke had to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

"I really have to go." he said, turning to her and she smiled.

"That's a good idea. You shouldn't leave your new wife alone too much." Grace said, stepping back. "Although at least you know Marco can check in on her while you're at work. I know if I was her, I'd be feeling a little abandoned right now and would welcome the distraction that someone as charming as Marco could bring."

Luke stared at her for a second, not missing what she was implying. It was ridiculous, of course, but irritating nonetheless.

"Goodbye, Grace." He said, closing his door and turning on the engine.

"See you later, Luke." Grace whispered as she turned and walked away.