"Hey." Billy dipped his face close to my ear so I could feel the words as much as hear them. "The plane is ready."

"Oh, right," I said as I pulled my gaze from Leena and Josh playing with their new toys.

"Well, we have to go catch our flight," I announced to the room.

"Oh, of course," my mom tried to lift her voice, but there was a hint of sadness to it.

"We'll be back soon," Billy promised. "Leena promised to show me the best sledding hill around." He then turned to me to add, "we'll probably have to bring Tim with us."

"Sounds great," I smiled.

"No," Leena protested. "You can't go yet."

"I'm sorry, Leena, we have to get home so Billy can have Christmas with his kids, too," I explained.

"Can I come with you?" Her eyes were so wide that my heart broke as I looked down at her.

"Not this time, kiddo. But hopefully soon," I promised.

"When?" She demanded.

"Hey," Billy interjected. "I tell you what, I have to be back in the Northeast in a few weeks, and then I head home for two weeks. I'll give your mom the dates, and if it works for her, maybe the three of you can come back to Duluth for a few days. You could meet my kids, and they can show you our sledding hill."

"Really?" Leena seemed pleased at the idea.

"Of course. We'll figure out the timing with your mom, okay? But you have to be good," Billy cautioned.

"I'm always good. Josh is the one that gets into trouble," Leena argued.

"No!" Josh protested.

"Well, you both will have to be good," Billy offered as he tried to stifle his laugh.

Our goodbyes extended longer than they should have, and my mom insisted on sending pecan pie back with us when she learned it was Tim's favorite. By the time we got back to the condo, our car was already waiting to take us to the airport. I didn't argue this time when Billy took my suitcase for me. Even the private plane made sense. It was worth the few extra minutes we spent with my family.

"Hey," Billy whispered into my ear, "we're home."

I opened my eyes to find that we had already landed. "I love you," I murmured as I shook the sleep from my mind.

"I love you too." He smiled as he helped me from my seat.

The sun was long down as we drove to Sarah's to pick up the kids. Billy's hand clutched mine while he navigated the streets in silence; we even turned off the radio. All that surrounded us was the hum of the road. It was so peaceful and warm that a bit of annoyance flared when the tires came to a halt in front of the glow of Sarah's house.

"Hey." Billy caught me before I entirely pulled away from him. "Before everything gets hectic, merry Christmas, Lil. I love you more than I can ever express to you." Sincerity filled his face and stole my breath as I looked up at him.

"I love you too, Billy. I can't wait to be your wife," I cooed, expecting him to dip his face and kiss my forehead, but instead, he lifted my hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of my hand.

"Daddy!" Viv called as she ripped open the door while we made our way up the walk. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Vivee. How are you?" Billy greeted her with a tight hug.

"So great," she squealed.

"Merry Christmas, Jackson," Billy said over Viv's head.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," Jackson returned as Billy detangled himself from Viv and gave Jackson a quick hug.

"Merry Christmas," I added from the doorway.

"Merry Christmas," Viv offered, with only the slightest hint of disinterestedness.

"Merry Christmas, Lily," Jackson said as he hugged me.

"I missed you, kid," I murmured as we embraced.

"I missed you too," he agreed.

"Merry Christmas," Sarah offered to Billy and me as we entered the doorway.

"Merry Christmas, Sarah," Billy gave her a brief hug, which seemed more successful than their last awkward attempt. "How were they?"

"Oh, the usual little brats," she teased as she mussed Jackson's hair.

"Well, brat runs in your family," Billy teased back.

"Oh, Billy," but she smiled and playfully swatted his shoulder.

"Do you have plans tonight? You're welcome to come along to my mom's place," Billy offered.

"Actually, I have some plans, but thank you for the invitation." Sarah declined.

"Mom has a boyfriend," Viv interjected in an annoyingly juvenile tone.

"Does she now?" Billy smiled. "Good for you, Sarah. It's been too long."

"Well, it's new," Sarah gave Viv a teasing glare as she spoke.

"He's welcome to the New Year's show if you want to bring him along. The more, the merrier." Billy seemed relaxed in the conversation. He absently let his arm fall to my shoulder.

"How very kind of you." Sarah's voice seemed genuinely pleased. "I'll let him know."

"Okay, well, we'll get out of your way. Merry Christmas." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before hugging her once again.

"So," Viv started from the backseat as we headed to Mary's. "Anything you want to share with the group?"

"Nice, Viv." Billy shook his head and glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

"Well," Jackson piled on with a giggle of his own.

Billy grasped my hand and lifted it to his lips before answering with, "we had a wonderful trip."

"Dad!" Viv and Jackson shot in unison.

"Fine." Billy didn't mask the pleasure he was having. "She said yes."

"Of course she did," Viv lamented. "I told you; you were ridiculous for even being nervous."

"You were nervous?" I teased.

"Nervous, ha!" Viv continued from the back, eliciting an elbow from Jackson.

"That's enough, Viv," Billy halfheartedly scolded as I tucked into his side.

"You were nervous," I whispered to myself.

"If I weren't nervous, it wouldn't be worth it," Billy whispered back before kissing the top of my head.

"I think I'm going to puke," Viv announced from the back. "Is this what I have to deal with from now on?"

"Viv," Jackson scolded for Billy. "I'm happy for you," he added. "Now, I don't have to keep these two in line alone."

"Two? I'm the father. You don't keep me in line?" Billy argued back to him.

"Mmhmm, keep telling yourself that, Dad," Jackson joked.

When we arrived, the driveway was packed, and every light was on in Mary's house. The kids rushed ahead of us, eager to continue their festivities.

"Don't say a word!" Billy shot after them with no response. "Hi," he added as he pulled me from the car and shut the door behind me.

"Hi," escaped me with a breath.

"I love you," his face was close to mine, and I felt his words float over my face.

"I love you, too."

He lifted my hand again and kissed it softly before letting our entwined fingers fall between us. Just as he was about to turn to the house, I tugged on him, drawing his attention.

"I have to ask you something." Tears welled at the thoughts swirling in my head.

"What?" Billy brushed a tendril of hair behind my ear as a flair of worry soared in his eyes.

"Can we not do the whole wedding party thing today?"

"Wedding party?" Confusion knit Billy's brows together.

"You know, best man, maid of honor, all that stuff. Can we just be engaged for a minute?" The image of me walking alone down the aisle sunk deep into my core.

"Yeah, of course, but..." Billy's words halted as he pondered my request. "Can you talk to me?" He didn't stifle the worry anymore.

"Not yet, it's just stuff with my dad," I offered, but my voice cracked, and a tear threatened to spill. "I will when I process."

"Okay," he soothed as he pulled me to his chest. "No wedding planning."

"Hey, Mary is withholding the rest of the food until you two get inside, and I'm starving?" Tim yelled from the doorway.

"Are you? Are you starving, Tim?" Billy shot over my head.

"You don't know me! Maybe I've been fasting!" Tim shot back.

"Tim, the day you resist food is the day I die," Billy argued back, but released me from his arms, grasping my hand for the walk inside.

"Hey, Lilipop." Timmy smiled when we reached the porch. "Merry Christmas." His words were careful and soft.

"Hey, Timmy," I murmured into his shoulder as we hugged.

"How's today?" He asked as he pulled away and inspected my face.

"Peaks and valleys," I managed with a small smile. "But I have this one," I added as I reached for Billy's hand again.

"Well, can't be peaks all the time," Timmy teased. "Merry Christmas, buddy."

"Merry Christmas, Tim." Billy agreed as we crossed the threshold into a sensory overload of warmth and family.

Billy's hand released mine as he helped me with my coat. Once we had shirked them, his touch fell to the small of my back. It was reassuring, but it also reminded me of how fragile I was. The care and protection he exuded made the creeping mourning rear in a throbbing pang.

The family converged. I don't even remember the announcement. I was clinging to Billy in a storm of questions, coos, and requests to see the ring. Billy answered nimbly, all the while keeping a protective arm looped around me.

"Okay," Timmy mumbled, as he grabbed one of my hands and pulled me away from Billy.

He and Billy exchanged a nod before Timmy ushered me into the kitchen.

"Lily," Mary beamed from her spot behind the kitchen island.

"Merry Christmas," I greeted, happy to be away from the bustle of the whole family and finally able to exhale the breath I had been holding.

"Sounds like we have some good news." She fluttered her hands as the commotion still bounced around the house's walls.

"Of course. I hear he was nervous," I teased a bit.

"It wouldn't be right if he weren't nervous," Mary noted as she continued to cook.

"Ah, that's where he got that line," I noted.

"Can I help?" I offered as Timmy and I slid onto stools at the counter.

"If by help you mean eat, yes." Mary offered as she moved plates piled with food toward me.

"Don't mind if I do," Tim said as he picked at the offerings. "Have to keep up my strength for all my best man duties."

"No," shot from my mouth like a bullet, causing even Mary to focus on me.

"What?" Timmy absently said, still focused on his piece of stuffed bread.

"No best man duties." My voice was full and determined.

"What do you mean, no best man duties? I've been the best man my whole life." Timmy still wasn't entirely focusing on what I was saying.

"I told Billy I didn't want to deal with the wedding party stuff yet," I grumbled to myself.

"Deal with it? Lil, Billy is my best friend. I've been his best man twice before. Of course, I'm going to be his best man again." I had Timmy's focus now.

"What about Jackson?" I offered.

"What about Jackson? Lil, I'm the best man."

"You don't get to decide that," I argued.

"Well, neither do you. The groom picks." Annoyance was stiffening Timmy's posture, causing him to tower over me.

"It's my wedding, and I get a say on it."

"You little fucking bridezilla. If this is a joke, it's not funny," Tim shot off his stool, knocking it to the ground.

"Let's take a moment, please." Mary tried to use her calm voice, but it came tight.

"Timmy, you can't be Billy's best man." My voice came as a pleading.

"Like hell, I can't." His words were a scream now.

"What the hell is going on in here? Why do I keep coming in on you two at each other's throats?" Billy was at my side quickly, a protective hand on the small of my back.

I felt small between them. They stood like redwoods on either side of me.

"I can't be your best man? Did you know about this?" Tim baited Billy.

"What?" Confusion filled Billy.

"He can't." I looked up at Billy with tears in my eyes.

Billy's confusion melted as his hands lifted to either side of my face. "He can't?"

"No," I croaked.

"Okay, it's okay. We'll figure it out," Billy soothed.

"We'll figure it out? Are you fucking kidding me? I'm your best friend. We don't need to figure anything out!" The situation incensed Tim.

"Timothy, stop your yelling right now," Mary commanded.

It did nothing to dissuade the anger coursing through Tim, but it muted his protests.

"What is going on?" Tess was suddenly by Tim's side.

"She says I can't be the best man," Tim growled through gritted teeth.

"Of course, you can't. You idiot." Tess slapped him on the shoulder before turning to me. "It's okay, sweetie. Jackson can be the best man."

I opened my mouth to agree, but nothing came out as swirls of my dad and angry Tim warred in my head.

"Has everyone lost their damn minds?" Tim threw his hands up in despair.

"Only you, dear." Tess' tone was scolding. "She lost her dad, Tim."

"I know that, and I'm sorry about that. I've been there. Lil," Tim was pleading now. "Haven't I been there? Why would you kick me out like this?"

"Oh, hey, man." It suddenly clicked with Billy. "It's going to be fine."

"How is it going to be fine? She is kicking me out!" Tim argued.

"Tim, she's not... let's just relax. There are many things to figure out, and we don't need to plan a wedding today. It's not like we're knocked up on anything." Billy then turned to me and added, "we're not knocked up, right?"

"No," a welcomed laugh bubbled from me, beating back the sadness that had been churning my mind. "Timmy, you can't be Billy's best man because you have been there. You've always been there when I need you."

"So, why are you doing this, Lil?" Hurt replaced the anger in Tim's voice.

"You're going to feel like such an ass." I could hear the smile in Billy's voice without needing to look up at him.

I slid from the chair and closed the gap between Timmy and me. "Timmy, my dad's gone, so he won't be at the wedding."

"I know, Lil. I'm sorry about that. Both of you were very close to him." Tim's hands fell to my hips as he spoke.

"There are so many people staring at us right now," I noted as I buried my face in Tim's chest for a minute.

"I'm such a dick," Tim surmised.

"No, I just..." the words choked again.

"It's okay, Lil. We don't have to figure anything out today." Tim's hand smoothed my hair.

"No, I want to make sure you know exactly how important you are to me." I sucked in a thick breath to seal my resolve.

"To both of us," Billy corrected behind me.

"Timmy, will you walk me down the aisle?" I looked up at him, hoping not to burst into tears.

"It would be my absolute honor." Tim pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug.

I needed it. The pressure pulled me back together again.

"I'm so sorry I was such a dick," Tim whispered as he continued to hold me.

"No, I should've been better at explaining. I just..." the words fell off again.

Tim pulled me away from him enough so his forehead could lean on mine. "I'm not crying. You're crying," he teased, drawing a laugh.

"We're definitely crying," Mary announced.

I looked over to see her and Tess leaning on each other with tears in their eyes.

"Aw, I'm sorry, everyone." Heat stung my face as I realized the attention.

I jerked my eyes around the room, looking for Billy again. He was there right behind me, looking on with a distant smile and the unmistakable look of tears in his eyes.

"Hi," I said as I fell from Tim to Billy's waiting arms.

"Hi," he whispered back as his lips hit my forehead.

"Hi," I added again, knowing it would make him smile.

"For the record, I did no wedding planning today," he noted with a tease.

"Is it okay? I kinda stole your best man," I winced.

"You certainly did." His dimples pricked his cheeks. "I didn't stand a chance," he added with a tease.

"Hey, you two, two feet apart! I didn't raise that kind of girl!" Timmy shot from behind us.

Billy and I both turned to him with annoyed looks.

"Hey, I am taking my role very seriously. There's going to be a lot of rules to review and definitely a curfew," Tim added.

"Okay, never mind. He can be your best man," I joked.

"Nope, no backsies," Billy teased.