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“Thanks, Siena.” Bunny stood up, and when Siena opened her arms for a hug, Bunny embraced her warmly.

“It’s going to take a while to get used to this.”

“Tell me about it.” Bunny chuckled as they both stepped back from the embrace.

“You’ll get used to it. Just don’t beat yourself up too much when you sometimes slip back into control-and-in-charge Bunny.”

“Oh, she’s not going anywhere. Dickhead-and-bad-decision Bunny, however, is going on a very short leash indeed.”

“Excellent.” Siena buttoned her coat up again and turned around. “I’ll see you in the new year. Say hi to Bea for me.”

“Will do.” Bunny waved, and Siena returned the gesture before turning around and walking away briskly.

Bunny didn’t bother sitting back down. She drank the last of her coffee standing, laughed as it clattered again when she set the cup down, paid, and left. Heading home had never felt so wonderful and warm.

Even on a cold snowy afternoon.

THIRTY-EIGHT

bea

One Year Later…

The high Bea was riding wasn’t going to end with the final song of the charity fundraiser. Bunny’s fingers clenched in her own, were exactly what she needed to remind herself that even though it had been one year since the last fundraising concert, this wasn’t going to end.

The ring on her finger didn’t feel new since it had been there a few months already, but Bunny squished it against her hand hard while they stood together on the stage and sang the encore. This show, while similar to the one last year, was also vastly different. They were ready for it without even having to try, although Bunny did make them rehearse endlessly.

It’d be too easy to get out of that.

Bea laughed when Bunny spun her in a circle on the stage, her eyes alight with a mischief that Bea knew all too well by this point. Bunny dipped her down and kissed her, the cheers roaring wildly. Bea threaded her fingers through Bunny’s hair, keeping their mouths pressed together until Bunny lifted her up.

“I love you,” Bunny murmured.

“Love you, too,” Bea said with a grin and a laugh. “Come on, I want to go home.”

“Soon.” Bunny winked.

The show was over. At least mostly. It wouldn’t take long for Bunny to drive them home and Bea could find herself encompassed in Bunny’s comfortable bed—her comfortable bed. Even though it had been two months since they’d tied the knot at the courthouse, it was still hard to believe that this was her life.

Touring.

Concerts.

Marriage.

Bea wrapped her arm around Bunny as they walked off the stage together. Piper and Jo followed closely behind, the giant rock on Jo’s left ring finger a warm reminder of just how far they’d come in the last year. The wedding was next week, on the first of the year, and Bea was ready for it to be over and done with.

She wanted some calm, some time they could all spend together just lingering in the family that they were creating. Bunny wrapped her arm around Bea’s back and kissed her cheek. “What do you say we get into our clothes as fast as possible and burn rubber on the way out.”

“I like this idea,” Bea teased. “But you’ll have to deal with Siena first.”

Siena was headed in their direction at a quick pace. Bunny pushed Bea toward the bus and put her hand up to stop Siena in her tracks. Bea followed the silent instructions from Bunny and walked toward the bus. By the time she and Bunny were in the car and headed home, it had been another thirty minutes.

Leaning into the seat, her eyes half-closed, Bea melted into the moment. She’d never wanted anything more than this. She had love and she had hope. They had never done a major press release about their relationship like Siena had wanted to,but it was enough. Bunny’s hand against her thigh caught her attention, and Bea turned her head, lips curling up at Bunny’s glance.

“Everything okay?” Bunny asked.

“Everything is perfect.” Bea’s voice was soft and gentle, satiated almost. And perhaps it was because of that. She was comfortable and settled, and it was perfect—truly. Bunny scrunched her face up, and Bea caught her before she could run down that train of thought. “No, you don’t. Tonight was a good night. Stop analyzing how it could be better.”