Kate was surprised for a moment when Alexis wrapped her arms around her, but she quickly raised her arms and held the girl close. She shushed her gently, brushing her hand over her wet hair as she held her.

Sometimes, Kate took for granted that Alexis was an adult. But she remembered being that age. Her mom had died not long around then, and while Kate had wanted to feel like an adult, losing her mom had made her feel like a lost child again. It was hard to see the life you had known fall into shambles; to end up in a free fall and want nothing more than someone to hold you like a child and tell you it was all going to be okay. Kate's father had chosen the bottle instead, and she'd just buried herself so deep into her grief she had lost herself for a while.

"It's going to be okay," Kate said gently, closing her eyes and sighing. "I know what it's like to lose everything, Alexis. I promise, we'll figure it out. We'll make it okay again."