"I can understand that," he says. "For all the good that's happened here, it's hard not to think of what we're missing out on there."

There's less of that for Darlington, something he knows thanks to Alex, but he holds onto that awareness for only a moment before he pushes it away again. Rosenfeld may still be in his future, but it could just as easily be only a potential one, a fate he can learn to avoid or avert in his time here.

Kirby's resolve breaks the moment the two of them step into the foyer; tail still wagging, he noses happily at Darlington's hands, then Caleb's, huffing a happy noise of greeting. "Stay down," Darlington says, firm but warm in his warning. "Come on, I know you've met Caleb before."