The boundary between them was important; it was the line keeping their daughter from facing misery. Jo couldn't disappear with an infant as she had when it was only her, nor could she hope to fade from his memory by simple avoidance. For one, unlike last year, she was confident he would find and follow her. Not out of any affection or love for her, but for the baby. His child. However, it would name her a horrible parent to do so as well.

The line had to exist, if only to keep the peace for Ilona. To love him again meant to ruin their relationship once more — to face chaos and heartbreak anew.

Which was why when he reached for her, she made no move to follow him back. Instead, Jo squeezed her eyes shut against the star filled sky and pleaded with her own heart to cease its pursuit of reunification. She willed her thoughts to regain control over her impulses so that they could shrink back into their friendly acquaintances status.

"I'm fine." Jo told him as she turned to face him once more. Despite the firm set of her jaw, there was no mistaking the storm of emotions behind her blue eyes. Emotions that could hold no weight here with him. "I'm sure there are other magical zoos you may take her to in the future. She'll enjoy it immensely." Jo continued instead, adding a tight, tense smile to help sell her swift change of trajectory. "You will both enjoy it."

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