Page 2 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

Falling in love was tumultuous—violent. It gripped your insides with questions and longing.

Being in love was peaceful. It washed over you like gentle ripples of a stream, or the peaceful sound of crickets chirping on a starlit night.

Being in love banished questions and replaced them with a sense of belonging.

Loving someone made you part of something greater than yourself—something that promised to hold you even when the world around you fell to pieces.

Andi handed Riley her flowers and took Billie’s hands.

“I’ll bet you didn’t picture this a few weeks ago,” Andi said.

She winked at Billie. “I didn’t either. What I did see—what I’ve always seen is you,” she continued.

“Your heart. I never imagined the life we have. I thought I knew what a family should be—what a marriage should look like. You taught me, Billie. Loving you, sharing every part of me with you, gives me hope. It restores my faith in this thing we call living. You fell into my life like raindrops. Quietly. When I resisted, you kept washing over me. Steadily. Gently. Until you swept away my fear and sadness. I feel you when we’re apart.

Marrying you isn’t about my need for a promise from you.

It’s my way of acknowledging that you’re part of me.

As much as my children. As much as the air I breathe, Billie.

I don’t expect we’ll always be happy. There will be times when we confront grief.

I’ll irritate you or you’ll challenge me.

Our children and grandchildren will do the same.

We won’t always agree. But even when things feel unsettled or you feel unsure, I’ll love you.

And I will be grateful that you love me.

I know there isn’t anything we can’t overcome together, because I don’t want to face any part of my future without you.

I don’t need things or promises and guarantees.

I give myself to you because I trust you, I cherish you, and I love you.

I don’t believe even death could part us. ”

Andi wiped a tear from Billie’s cheek. “Thank you,” she said, “for choosing to love me, for building this family we share with me. It was worth the wait—every moment in my life led me to you. I am so grateful—for all of it—because this is where I was always meant to be. With you.” Andi slipped a gold band onto Billie’s finger. “I love you, Billie.”

Billie took a deep breath. “You’re right.

I didn’t imagine this two weeks ago. Getting married on a beach in Hawaii.

I wouldn’t care if we were at the town hall in Whiskey Springs.

I want to marry you for all the reasons you just gave.

I know what it’s like to be lonely—to be afraid, to wonder if anyone could find love—real love.

Not the kind that makes you giddy with excitement.

Love that anchors you. You can still spin me around, Andi,” Billie confessed.

“Just looking at you. But you also steady me. You see me. I’ve never let anyone see me—not the way you do.

I didn’t have a choice. You were already inside me.

You saw through every defense I tried to erect.

You never let me hide, but you also let me come to you in my time.

You give me space. But you always find a way to reveal me.

I’ve never trusted anyone as completely as I trust you.

I don’t want to conceal anything from you—not a thing.

I’ve always wanted to have a family. You know that better than anyone.

I don’t think I understood what it meant to have a family until you loved me. ”

“Billie.”

“It’s the truth. Andi, you taught me what it means to be part of a family—not just to be in love.

Not to live with someone or share her bed.

To be a family. To argue and know, even in a heated moment, I’m safe.

Safe to be and feel my truth. I know we’ll always find a way to make things work—to compromise.

Not because we have to, but because that’s what we both choose.

I don’t want to give you things because I think you need them or expect them.

I want to give you everything because you give me that every day.

Being part of your life is the best part of mine.

I love watching you with the boys and the way Owen crawls into your lap.

I love to listen to your voice lift when Riley calls.

Your love for them—it fills a room, Andi.

That’s what made me fall in love with you.

It’s how much you give all the time without knowing you’re giving at all.

You think everyone gives to you. We all give to you because you’re our anchor.

All of us. Me, the boys, Riley, Owen—even Fallon. She won’t admit it, but it’s true.”

Andi sniffled.

“You are both the gentlest person I’ve ever known and the strongest. I know you don’t expect promises, but today is a promise.

I wanted this day to happen so I could promise you I will spend the rest of my life as your anchor.

If you let me. I love you, Andi. More than any word or wedding could express.

” Billie’s hand trembled as she guided the ring Andi chose onto Andi’s finger.

Andi guided her hand. “See what I mean?” Billie said.

Andi tipped her head. “You keep me steady. Always.”

Andi took Billie’s hands and held them as the officiant proclaimed their marriage. The kiss that followed was unhurried. Andi’s hands held Billie’s face. She fell away under Billie’s spell. Happy. Grateful. Whole. “Thank you,” she said when Billie pulled away.

“I know I just said this,” Billie replied. “I love you, Andi. I don’t even know how to explain the way I feel.”

“You don’t have to,” Andi said. She let her lips fall against Billie’s softly. “You never need to explain.”

Billie held onto Andi for a moment and took a deep breath before turning to their family.

Andi accepted hugs from both her boys and then from Riley. She looked at Fallon. Billie gestured to the boys to give Andi a moment alone with their friend.

“It looks good on you,” Fallon said.

“Marriage?” Andi asked.

“Happiness,” Fallon replied.

“I meant what I said,” Andi told her. “I wouldn’t change anything.”

Fallon understood. “Neither would I.”

Andi put her arms around Fallon. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Andi.”

Andi pulled away. “That’s enough of that. I have no intention of ruining this mascara.”

Fallon chuckled. Typical Andi.

Owen ran between them. “Gwama?”

“Yes?”

“We can eat now?”

Andi laughed. “Yes, sweetheart, we’re all going to have dinner. I’ll even get you a special drink with an orange that looks like mine.”

Owen beamed.

“Sucker,” Fallon whispered.

Andi shrugged. “The perks of being grandma and not Mom—I get to give him sugar and send him back to you.”

“Oh, great.”

“Come on, Owen,” Andi said. “Let’s get Billie.”

“Can Gwama Bilwie get some orange too?”

“Grandma Billie gets anything she wants tonight.” Andi heard Fallon snort. She turned around and winked.

“We may never see Billie again,” Fallon told Riley.

“Why?”

“If Andi gives her anything she wants tonight, it might kill her.”

Riley whacked Fallon’s arm. “Somehow, I think she’ll survive.”

But she might never be the same. Fallon giggled.

“Stop it.”

“I’m just happy,” Fallon said. “It’s been a long time coming—for both of them.”

“I suppose it has.”

Up ahead, Dave held Becky’s hand. He and Jacob were laughing about something.

Owen appeared to be telling Billie a story.

Fallon wrapped her arm around Riley’s waist. It was a joyous occasion.

A moment. Something Andi said in her vows struck Fallon as truth.

Happiness existed at moments. It didn’t exist at every moment.

Love did. Gratefulness could. Those two things were the cornerstones of creating a family: love and gratefulness.

“What are you thinking?” Riley asked.

“Just wondering who’s footing the bill for this dinner. I’m hungry.”

Riley patted Fallon’s stomach. “Guess you’d better break out your wallet, babe.”

Fallon laughed. “Probably so.”

ONE WEEK LATER

Fallon understood change was inevitable.

She wondered how many things could change in two weeks.

Carol added Buffalo Cauliflower and Crunchy Brussels Sprouts to the menu at Murphy’s Law.

Fallon was about to ask who would order either dish when she noticed Pete munching on a sprout with his Budweiser.

As if things couldn’t get stranger, Beth plopped down on the stool beside him, and he ordered her a beer.

Apparently, Pete was becoming a fixture in Beth and Evan’s lives.

Fallon eyed the interaction suspiciously.

She could easily picture Pete developing a crush on her affable sister-in-law.

She hated to see him get crushed. There was no way Beth would ever entertain the idea of dating Pete.

Pete? Then Ida told her that Dean was trying to schedule a time to visit.

Something about wanting to talk to her and Barb.

That can’t be good.

She had a brief call with Dan Bath. He didn’t offer much new information. She suspected he was holding something back.

I wonder if that has anything to do with Dean ?

It would be pointless to deny that her thoughts still lingered on Liv’s death. But she was learning to let go a little more day to day. She showed Riley a few potential house plans. She was thrilled by what appeared to be excitement in Riley’s eyes.

Bonus.

She hadn’t told Ida she was considering moving down the street.

She’ll think I’m keeping tabs on her and threaten to increase her babysitting fee again. From free to free.