Harriet found herself standing outside Riley's unit, glancing down at the paper bag she held, something she'd picked up from a shop in Zurich the other day. She pressed the doorbell and waited a few seconds.
"Oh, Harriet!" Sienna blinked in surprise before smiling warmly and opening the door wide. "Come in."
Harriet nodded as she stepped inside. "Is Riley here?" she asked, rubbing the back of her neck.
Sienna chuckled softly. "She's in the kitchen," she replied, glancing over her shoulder. "Riley, Harriet's here!" she called, peeking into the kitchen.
A soft bark caught Harriet's attention, and she looked down to see a small Pomeranian. She blinked, crouching down. "Hey there," she greeted, smiling as she extended her hand, letting the dog sniff it.
Riley appeared, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "Harriet? Did you just get back from Zurich?" she asked, watching her sister pet their dog, Mochi. Harriet scooped up the dog before standing up and extending a small paper bag to Riley.
"Got back last night after a call from the hospital," Harriet said, handing over the bag. "Thought I'd drop by and give you this."
Riley raised an eyebrow as she accepted the bag. "Thanks, I guess?" she laughed, setting it on the countertop. "So... did you talk to Zoey?"
Harriet settled down on the floor near Mochi's playpen, continuing to pet the dog. "Yeah, finally had a chance to explain myself," she said, smiling as she played with Mochi.
Riley glanced over at Sienna, who was busy in the kitchen, then walked toward the couch nearby. "So, you two are good now?"
Harriet leaned her head against the wall and nodded, sighing softly. "Yes, we're good now," she chuckled. "Though, she's still in Zurich. I couldn't convince her to come back with me, but I know she'll be back at... our home," she said, her voice softening on the last words.
Riley smirked. "Our home, huh?" she teased, shrugging. "Well, at least you two are good. That's what matters most."
As Sienna rejoined them with a tray of snacks, Riley helped her set everything down. "Come on, join us for a snack," Riley called, as Harriet continued playing with Mochi like a kid.
Settling beside Sienna, Riley noticed Harriet gazing out the window thoughtfully. "What's on your mind?" Riley asked with a curious smile.
Harriet looked over and grinned. "Actually... there's something I wanted to tell you." She paused, chuckling nervously. "I'm planning to ask for Zoey's hand once she's back and has things sorted."
Riley, mid-sip, nearly choked on her juice. She coughed, and Sienna patted her back, laughing. "Waitâwhat?"
Sienna playfully ruffled Riley's hair. "But, Sienna and I are getting married this year," Riley blurted, still catching her breath.
Harriet chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to get married the same year as you two. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about proposing to Zoey," she explained, a soft smile on her face.
Sienna smiled warmly at Harriet. "If that's where your heart is leading you, then you should absolutely go for it."
Riley looked from Sienna to Harriet, sighing. "Well, now that I think about it, it'd be nice. You're both adults, after all," she said, shrugging.
Harriet playfully waved a hand. "You two act like you're way older than me. Just so you know, I wasn't asking for your approvalâI'm seven years older than you, after all," she teased, laughing.
"Right," Riley said with a smirk. "Almost forgot you were older, since I'm getting married before you are," she added with a shrug.
"Oh, someone's feeling smug," Harriet laughed, rolling her eyes.
Harriet sat across the table from Vera, setting a paper bag down in front of her. She smiled as Vera tilted her head, raising a curious brow.
"What's this?" Vera asked, pointing to the bag.
Harriet shrugged. "Just a little thank-you for all the help you've given to Zoey," she said, nudging the bag gently toward Vera.
Vera rolled her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. "You know you didn't have to, but I appreciate it," she replied, picking up the bag and placing it beside her. "Besides, you helped me uncover what Vien was really up to."
Harriet chuckled, shaking her head. "You're my friend first, before you became my sister-in-law."
"Correctionâyour best friend first," Vera said, lifting a finger with a smirk.
Harriet laughed, nodding. "Right, right," she agreed, glancing at Vera with a contented sigh. "Guess that leaves me as the only single one in the Pierce family, huh?"
Vera scoffed, shrugging. "So what? You've found Zoey, you're moving on, and you've started fresh. That's a big step. Don't rush yourself," she said, lifting her glass and taking a sip.
Harriet gazed out the window, smiling. "Yeah, it's funny how fate brought Zoey and me together," she murmured, almost to herself.
Vera's smile softened, watching Harriet's unguarded happiness. "So, is this just a thank-you gift, or is there something more?"
Harriet hesitated, then looked back at Vera, lowering her gaze with a small smile. "You know, Vera... I've never been this sure about anything in my life. I've always gone with the flow, just coasting along," she admitted with a sigh.
"And...?" Vera leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, intrigued.
"And this time, I'm sure. I want to settle downâwith Zoey," Harriet said, her voice full of quiet conviction.
Vera blinked, processing the words, then covered her mouth as her eyes widened. "Wait... are you saying...?" she trailed off, her excitement barely contained.
Harriet bit her lip, trying not to smile too broadly. "Yeah, I'm planning to propose. God, I feel so awkward even saying it out loud," she muttered, rubbing her temple.
Vera laughed softly. "Goodness, Harriet! I never imagined we'd be talking about this today!" She fanned herself playfully, her excitement spilling over. "But seriouslyâwow. Finally."
"I've been stuck in the past for so long, Vera. I want to make things right, make Zoey feel as special as she truly is to me," Harriet said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Vera covered her mouth to stifle a squeal, clearing her throat to keep her composure. "Harriet, I am so proud of you. You deserve all the happiness in the world. And Zoeyâshe deserves this too. Go for it," she said, giving Harriet an encouraging smile.
Harriet nodded, her expression determined. "I will. I'm going to ask for Zoey's hand."
"You should," Vera said, smiling warmly. "We'll all be here to support you."
Harriet returned the smile, her gaze drifting out the window. "I'll do it, no second thoughts. I'm going to make Zoey feel like the most special woman in the world." A thrill of anticipation filled her as she thought, God, I can't wait for the day I finally get to call Zoey my wife.