Perched on the chair beside Miriam's bed, Yael listened to the machines, thankful for every beep, but at the same time, each one left her a little emptier. Sorrow filled her heart, making it impossible to think of anything other than losing this amazing woman. She'd been here since the odd encounter with Peter the night before, dozing fitfully in the uncomfortable seat. Though her grandmother had slept the entire time, Yael treasured the hours, unable to stop the guilt shrouding her. If only she'd stayed in New York after 9/11, they would've had plenty of moments together. On the other hand, they might not have found the open honesty they now shared.

Casey sat in the corner typing furiously on his laptop. Initially, she thought it was weird for him to be there so often, but watching him and Miriam interact made it impossible to deny their bond. He'd been around for Miriam when no one else was. She would forever be grateful for that. Plus, Yael loved having him near. Even silent, he made the unbearable easier.

"Yael," her grandmother wheezed, pulling the oxygen mask from her face.

She leaned forward. "I'm here. Try not to talk. Rest."

"Be resting soon enough." Miriam's laugh was dry, void of life. "Want to talk to you alone. Then you and Casey together."

Yael glanced at Casey, and he nodded before exiting the room.

"I hope you're not thinking of saying goodbye." Already her throat constricted and her eyes grew moist.

"Don't fall apart ... on me. I have things to say."

Yael took a few moments to pull her emotions together. Miriam was right. She had to be strong.

"Much better." Her grandmother sucked a deep breath through the mask, then moved it out of the way. "I'm thankful for the time we have spent together. True happiness at the end."

"I should have come sooner," Yael said in a low, shame-filled voice.

"Don't." Miriam's tone was full of conviction, and it startled her. "If you hadn't been through the experiences you have, you wouldn't be the amazing woman I see."

Yael couldn't stop the tear slipping down her cheek.

Her grandmother continued, "Learn to recognize it in yourself. You are not your past. You've done nothing to be ashamed of. I am ... proud of you."

"Thank you." Yael wiped at her eyes. "It means the world to hear you say that. Part of why I'm doing so well is because you had faith in me, you challenged me, regardless of my mistakes."

"Nonsense. Only pushed because you needed it." She coughed, covering her mouth with a tissue. When she pulled it away, Yael caught sight of blood and her veins turned to ice. "Tell me. Honestly. What do you want for your future?"

Yael had every intention of saying she saw herself at Malkah Enterprises as expected, but the words stalled on her tongue.

"That's what I thought." A small smile tipped Miriam's lips. "Does working for the company bring you joy? As much as baking?"

"No, but Mom and Dad—"

"Would not want you wasting time doing something that does not make you happy." She paused to catch her breath. "Nor would they want you to continue working merely because you think it's what they'd expect. Your firefighter convinced me to give you peace."

"Haustin? What are you talking about?"

"Implied you felt trapped at work, but were too polite to say it. He wants to make sure you're happy... I agree."

Yael frowned at her grandmother, and irritation flared. Haustin had no right to speak to Miriam on her behalf, especially during their first meeting. On the surface, they barely knew each other, and he couldn't understand the complicated issues involved. His behavior yesterday burst their little bubble, and she was beginning to see him, and their relationship, in a whole other light. Think about him later, Yael told herself, concentrating on the matter at hand and unclenching her jaw.

"I can't walk away in the middle of this rehab project. It was my idea for God's sake."

"It's a wonderful undertaking, Yael, and I'm sure someone else will be able to make sure it continues to run smoothly once the first building is done." An eyebrow rose. "And you neglecting to address the matter at hand only solidifies what Haustin brought to my attention."

"I wouldn't have anything to do with Malkah Enterprises?"

A frail hand lifted, as if brushing away the thought. "Oh, I'm sure we'll need you for charity events and publicity, plus you'll be a member of the board. Your name is still Malkah."

"Grandmother, this is ridiculous, I—"

"No. I have spoken, and it is final."

"I, I don't know what to say."

"Tell me what you want," she repeated softly.

"I envision myself in a little bakery, maybe the first of a franchise." Her fingers traced the tattoo on her wrist. "I can imagine it down to the very last detail—the colors on the walls, the type of chairs at the tables, even the font in the window. Baking, and the joy I find in it, saved me. It still does, but I feel guilty to wish for it."

"Ridiculous. I see in your face how much you love it. So, do it. Do it with my blessing and thank that handsome man of yours."

"Is this the morphine talking?"

Miriam's wispy chuckle turned into a coughing fit, resulting in another bloody tissue. After she sipped the water Yael offered, she said, "This is a grandmother talking."

"And Malkah Enterprises?"

"Casey is more than capable. I trust him to take it into the future, to safeguard what this family has built. As soon as I feel up to it, I'll teleconference with the board. You don't belong there anymore, not in a career you are obligated to pursue. A blind fool could see it."

Now Yael did cry. "Thank you, Grandmother."

"I need to know you'll be happy," she said. "Go get Casey. Not sure how much longer I can stay awake."

Yael stood on shaky knees and stretched her sore muscles. Zombie-like, in shock from the conversation, she wandered into the hall. Part of her wondered if she'd fallen asleep and dreamed the entire thing. Miriam had given her the most amazing gift, with Haustin's help of all things, as well as her forgiveness, which had already come days ago. Yael felt lighter, oddly enough.

Casey was in the front room facing the window, hands tucked into the pockets of his plaid, knee-length shorts. No work clothes for either of them today. He turned when she entered, and the grief she saw mirrored her own. She made a note to ask him how the investigation was going later. It'd taken a backseat to other things.

"She's ready for us."

He studied her and she wondered for the millionth time what might have been if she hadn't run into Haustin that night. It didn't hurt to wonder, did it?

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"Being here instead of at work. I don't feel so alone."

"Work can wait. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Casey reached up and touched her cheek. "I'm worried about you being prepared."

The inevitability of what he referred to cut deep. Opening her mouth, with every intention of giving him a reassuring answer, she choked on a wounded gasp instead. She covered her face with her hands and tried to force the sadness back down. His arms closed around her. Allowing herself a minute or so to cry, she absorbed Casey's strength.

Gathering her wits, she separated from him. "She's getting tired."

"Wait. What else is going on with you today?"

Yael took a step back from him, knowing what he meant. Ever since her near relapse, she'd been moving on auto-pilot.

"It's nothing," she mumbled, not wanting to tell Casey and, at the same time, needing to talk about it to someone.

"Yael."

"Haustin came to my house. High and drunk. It was ugly." She stared at the floor, refusing to look at Casey.

"There's more." A statement, not a question.

"He," she swallowed, struggling to keep emotion from her voice, "he wanted us to get high together. Said it was pointless for me to keep resisting." Casey cursed under this breath, but she continued, "I couldn't shake his words, or the possibility he might be right. Baking usually helps. It didn't. So I left, searching for a dealer."

Casey grabbed her by the arms, gently, and bent so she had to meet his concerned gaze. "Did you?"

"No." She wrenched out of his grip. "Do you think I'd show up here if I had?"

"I don't know what you'd do. I don't know that version of you."

"Well, I wouldn't." Yael glared at him, heat flushing her cheeks. "I'd never let her see me like that, or you. I realized what I was doing and stopped."

"Are you still craving?"

"You're an asshole."

"Are you?"

"Yes," she whispered, then cleared her throat. "I always am. Only now, I can control it. I know the signs and can walk away."

"Good." Casey released her. "And I'm only an asshole because pissing you off keeps your mind off drugs."

"Or makes me want them more," she fired back.

"But you're stronger than that."

"I am."

"Plus, making you mad distracts me from how much I want to throttle this Haustin character." His jaw clenched. "You know you deserve better than him, right?"

Yael shrugged, not wanting to get into that whole dilemma, of fretting over whether she and Haustin were any good for each other. Right now, Miriam mattered.

"We should go. Miriam can't be kept waiting."

"This conversation isn't over."

"Maybe, maybe not."

Casey shook his head, but dropped it and followed her, their footsteps slow. Miriam dozed, barely able to keep her eyes open. He sat beside the bed and gently took her hand.

"Are you sure you have the strength? We can do this later."

"I'm fine," she argued. "I am making alterations to the will, specifying how I expect the company run." She wheezed in and out a few times. "Casey, you will remain CEO as long as you want. The board will agree if I recommend it."

"And Yael?" he asked.

Miriam focused her red, watery stare on Yael. "As a member of the board, Yael will hold my shares. Once her project is off the ground, she will pass it on to someone else and be done."

His gaze slid over to Yael. "Finally."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, and don't reference our first meeting where I was less than charming, but it's easy to see you're not happy at Malkah Enterprises. I'm surprised you stayed as long as you did."

"Mostly I stuck around to prove you wrong." She smirked.

"Which you've done, time and time again."

"I don't fit there anymore." Yael lifted a shoulder. "Getting Dad's project started was important to me, a way of ensuring his legacy carried on, but I want something different. Something that's all mine."

Understanding crossed his face. "A bakery."

"Yes. I won't step completely away from Malkah Enterprises, I can do appearances and stuff, not to mention the always stimulating board meetings and charity dinners, but you have it under control." She made a split-second decision. "Besides, I'll keep my business in the family. I'm going to rent the space in our first rehab building."

"Wonderful," her grandmother gasped.

A well of excitement bubbled inside her and she knew she'd never be able to thank Miriam enough for pushing her in the right direction or for letting her go. Or Haustin, damn him, for caring enough to force Miriam's hand.

"We'll be vulnerable, Casey," Miriam barked in the form of a half-cough. "Don't let anyone convince you to sell it off. Yael will be one of the majority shareholders, I'd like it to stay that way. I am confident I made the right decision." Sleep won, dragging Miriam into unconsciousness.

"Do you think I can live up to her expectations?"

Casey's uncertainty startled Yael. It wasn't often he questioned his abilities. She answered, never taking her eyes from her grandmother's face. "Absolutely. I trust her, and you. Miriam would have never let me walk away if she didn't have full confidence in you. Her giving me a clean break should answer all your questions."

"I guess you're right." He rubbed a hand over his face, then watched Yael intently. "You're okay with this?"

"Very much. My parents would have understood. This is right." He beamed at her, flashing a smile that stole her breath and caused her skin to prick. Giving in to the warm sensation, she fell into their typical banter and batted her eyelashes. "Now I just need to negotiate a good price for my shop space with a certain CEO I know."

"I think we can work something out. I'm cheap."

"I don't doubt that."

They laughed quietly, and Yael let her gaze return to Miriam, grateful for the gift her grandmother had given her. Freedom.