The diamond before the fall

*The Tour*

Heiley smiled, relieved. The moment with Emily felt weird, but... maybe she was just nervous too. Meeting new family is hard. She followed her dad to the dining room.

They walked into the dining room. Emily’s eyes widened at the lavish setup — crystal, silver, the five-course feast Nancy made. But she didn’t look greedy. She looked... impressed. Almost shy.

Mr. Harris pulled out chairs for Sarah and Heiley. “Please, everyone, sit.”

Emily slid into her seat, smiling softly at Heiley across the table. “This is beautiful. Thank you for having us, Mr. Harris. I know this must be... a lot. For everyone.”

Heiley blinked. That was... thoughtful. Maybe she’d misread Emily before.

“So, Heiley,” Emily said, voice gentle, “what do you like to do for fun? Dad Harris said you’re amazing at designing.”

Heiley picked up her napkin, relaxing a little. “I design jewelry. It’s kind of my thing.”

Sarah chimed in, beaming. “Heiley’s a brilliant designer. Martha always said she had her mother’s eye for beauty.”

Heiley shrugged, a real smile now. “Mom taught me.”

Harris turned to Emily. “Emily, what about you? Any hobbies?”

Emily leaned in, earnest. “I’m into jewelry designing too. Actually... I looked up Baldwin Designs after Mom told me about you. Your last collection was incredible.” She bit her lip. “I’d never be as good as you. But... maybe I could learn?”

Heiley’s chest warmed. Nobody outside the company ever noticed her collections. “Really? You saw the Midnight line?”

Emily nodded fast. “The moonstone pieces? They made me cry. My mom... she loved moonstones too.”

Sarah reached over, squeezing Emily’s hand. Harris looked proud. Heiley felt her throat tighten. Maybe... this could work. A sister.

Heiley’s dad smiled across the table. “Speaking of Baldwin Designs, Emily, you’re welcome to visit anytime. We could use fresh eyes. And Heiley, it’d be nice for you to have someone your age around the office.”

He glanced at Heiley. “Might help with... all the pressure. With the board meeting Friday.”

Heiley nodded, missing the way Emily’s eyes flicked up at ‘Friday.’ “Yeah. Friday’s just the quarterly review. New line launch. No big deal.”

Emily smiled, warm. “That’s what Dad Harris said. I’m just excited to see you present. You’ll be amazing.” Under the table, her hand didn’t move. No threats. No foot press. Just a normal dinner.

He turned to Heiley. “Heiley, you okay with Emily checking out Baldwin Designs? Maybe the two of you can work on a project together?”

Heiley hesitated, then smiled for real. “Yeah, I’d like that.” For the first time since Mom died, she imagined having someone to talk design with. Someone who understood except her daddy.

Emily’s face lit up. Genuine. “Really? I’d love that. Thank you, Heiley. Seriously.”

Sarah dabbed her eyes. “See, Harris? I told you they’d get along.”

Conversation flowed as they dug into dinner. Heiley actually laughed. For the first time in months, the house felt less empty. Dinner wrapped up, and Heiley’s dad pushed back his chair. “Why don’t you show Emily around the house, Heiley? Give her the tour. You girls should get to know each other.”

Heiley nodded, standing up. “Sure.”

Emily smiled, following Heiley out of the dining room. “Okay!” She glanced around the hallway. _One light fixture probably cost more than Mom’s rent._ But her face stayed sweet.

Heiley led Emily through the grand foyer, into the living room with its view of the flower garden.

As they walked, Emily asked, “So, what’s your favorite part of the house?”

Heiley glanced around. “The library, I guess. It’s quiet.”

She led her up the curved staircase, pointing out family photos and art pieces. “This was my mom’s favorite painting,” she said, pausing at a portrait.

Emily stopped, studying it. “She’s beautiful. You look like her except the eyes. They're your dad's.”

Heiley nodded slightly, moving on. “The library’s up here.”

She pushed open the doors, revealing shelves of books, a cozy reading nook.

Emily’s eyes widened. “Wow, this is incredible!”

Heiley smiled, a bit more at ease. She suddenly remembered. “Shoot, I left my phone in my room. Come on, I’ll grab it.”

She led Emily to her bedroom, and Emily’s eyes widened as she stepped inside. “Wow...” she breathed, taking in the massive room with its own sitting area and balcony overlooking the pool.

Heiley smiled awkwardly, grabbing her phone from the bedside table. “Yeah, it’s... big.”

Emily wandered to the window, staring out at the view. “This is insane. Everything in here looks super expensive.”

Heiley shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “My mom ordered everything. I know she always wanted the best for me.”

Emily turned back, eyes still wide. “Your room’s like, twice the size of mine.”

Heiley laughed awkwardly. They walked out of her room, passing by a closed door. Emily’s curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped, nodding towards the door. “What’s this room?”

Heiley followed her gaze, her expression neutral. “That’s Troy’s room.”

Emily raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Who’s Troy?”

Heiley shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Friend and he is like a big bro to me.”

Emily’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she didn’t press further. “A friend, huh?”

Heiley changed the subject smoothly. “Want to head down to the garden? It’s cool there.”

Emily nodded, following Heiley downstairs and out to the garden. The evening air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers as they strolled along a winding path.

Heiley stopped in front of a sleek sculpture and suddenly remembered her mom. “This was one of my mom’s favorites,” she said, studying it.

Emily tilted her head. “It’s beautiful. What’s the story behind it?”

Heiley leaned against a nearby bench. “Mom said it’s about balance — like, finding your center in chaos.”

They stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, taking in the art and the view.

Nancy appeared at the garden path, smiling politely. “Miss Heiley, your dad’s calling you guys inside.”

Heiley nodded, pushing off the bench. “Thanks, Nancy.”

She turned to Emily. “Guess we have to head in.”

Emily nodded, and they followed Nancy back towards the house.

They entered the living room, and Heiley’s dad looked up from his phone. “Heiley, Sarah and Emily are staying over tonight.”

Heiley’s expression was neutral, but her eyes flicked for a moment.

Her dad continued, “They’ll bring their things and settle in tomorrow. We’ll be a family of four now.”

Sarah smiled warmly, putting a hand on Emily’s shoulder. “We’re excited to start this new chapter with you guys.”

Heiley nodded slowly. She turned to her dad. “I’ll be in my room, Dad. Goodnight.”

As soon as Heiley was out of sight, Sarah turned to Harris, her expression concerned. “Do you think she’s okay with this? I mean, us being together... I was her mom’s friend.”

Sarah’s eyes followed the direction Heiley had gone. Emily's followed her too then looked down at her hands. _One night gone. Four days remaining to Friday._ She smiled at Sarah. "She just needs time, mom."