I stirred a little, the vibration of my phone slowly but surely rousing me from a deep sleep. I was wrapped up in Wrens body, after a heavenly night of rediscovery and love making.
Since we weren't alone in the house, we had to be quiet, and slow, gentle and careful. I didn't know how intense that physical intimacy would be, not after so long, and now with such a deep love, it was... indescribable. If I had been in a better place in my life right now, outside of our relationship, I could see myself proposing, and it wouldn't be years from now. Why wait, when you know, you know.

My eyes finally opened slowly, registering the vibration. I reached over to the bedside cabinet, grabbing the phone, it's cold exterior making a shiver run through me. I had forgotten to put the heating on overnight, my visitors would kill me. I glanced a little hazy eyed at the caller ID.

Charlie

I looked to the time, Five AM. For a moment I panicked, thinking of Veda, but then I remembered she was asleep in the room next door with Josephine.

I clicked to answer quickly.

"Charlie, what's happened" I asked, already worried.

"I'm sorry to call so early" he apologised.

"Its fine. Are you okay" I replied.

I could hear some noise behind him. He wasn't home, he was outside somewhere.

"My Gramma died" he finally told me. His voice was strained, like he didn't want to cry, but the emotion was there.

I sat up "I'm so sorry" I replied, removing myself from Wrens limbs slowly, and exiting quietly, down the stairs.

"I mean, she wasn't that well. I don't think I realised quite how much, not until I lived with her" he confessed.

I sat myself on the couch and covered myself in a blanket, pulling my knees up under my chin "I've learnt recently, that it doesn't make a difference, if a loved ones death is expected... it hurts just the same. No amount of knowing in advance takes the pain away when it finally happens. I'm just sorry Charlie, that she's gone. I know you all loved and thought alot of her"

"Thanks. I just wanted you to know. Im sorry too. I don't think I'll make the dinner Millie. Not this time" he apologised.

"That's fine. I understand completely. Do you want me to do anything. Can I help in some way?" I asked. "Should I bring back Veda tonight"

There was a pause, and I heard him speaking to someone else in the background as he got into a car "No, keep her with you for now. I need to clean up the house and organise some things. If you can, keep her until Friday. Daniels with me. He happened to be back in the neighbourhood last night, saw the ambulance and lights in the driveway. He came running"

"Daniel" I asked "he's okay... he's back"

Charlie sighed "Yeah, he's finally resurfaced"

"Is he okay" I asked again, concerned that he had been looking out for himself for so long.

"He's good. He's been with friends. He's wanting to see a recruiter with me this week"

"He's enlisting" I asked, taken aback.

"I think it would be good for him Mill. Give him a direction and a family, and keep him out of trouble"

"He's not even eighteen" I worry.

"He only needs a guardians consent Mills. That's me, now that Gramma's gone"

"Of course" I realise. "Charlie please consider coming for dinner during the week instead. Wednesday perhaps. My visitors will be gone. It will be just us. Please bring Daniel. I want to meet him. I know Veda would love that"

He seemed to consider that, but his response wasn't what I hoped to hear "Daniel isn't at a place he wants to meet you. It's nothing personal Millie. He doesn't know you. He just doesn't feel it's necessary. Don't take it to heart okay, he's a teenage boy who doesn't think of anyone but himself. I know if he met you, he'd really like you. I know you changed my mind"

I bit my lip, and my eyes were filled with tears. A rejection no matter how much you expected it, just like death, it would always hurt.

"Are you upset" Charlie asked, as a few moments passed.

"I'm just sad" I told him honestly, "that we didn't all know each other sooner. That we didn't get that childhood together to bond. I'm sad that Millie is our connection to each other, and that her connection is a painful one. I'm sad that I remind you all of her. That I remind everyone of her. I just wish for once, that my identity wasn't contaminated by hers. I wish it was different, that's all"

"Im sorry, that I judged you so harshly because of her" Charlie finally replied. "For what it's worth... I don't look at you and see her. Not anymore. I see my sister"

The tears fell.

"Thank you" was all that I could manage.

"I think we should tell V, about Mom" Charlie suggested, catching me by surprise,

"Why now" I asked.

"Because I don't want her to hurt us anymore Mills. You're right. It has to be different going forward. We have to do what she never did, and tell V the truth. We shouldn't assist that woman with her lies"

"We do it together" I told him.

"I'll be there" he promised.

***

Charlie had phoned later again that morning, and told Veda of their grandmothers death, and she was sad, as expected. Josephine had done a beautiful job of consoling her, and making those first moments safe and secure, to feel whatever it was she needed to.

We had all sat with Veda, held her, and listened as she told us stories about her Gramma, and shared a little of her. Not one of us knew her, but by the time Veda had told us her last tale, we felt we had.

Allie made pancakes, and Willa made coffee. Veda and Josephine went back upstairs to get dressed, and Wren and I sat together on the couch. She watched me closely, knowing I was feeling fragile.

"It's not you baby" she whispered, brushing my hair across my temple lovingly "like Charlie said, Daniel doesn't even know you"

I nodded, and leant my head against her shoulder " I know"

"One day he will come, and we will be waiting for him, with open arms" she reassured me.

"Thank you" I told her, gazing up and admiring her icy blue eyes "for being you...and loving me"

She smiled softly, and leant down to kiss my nose "it's not hard baby" she said, softly stroking my cheek with her fingers "Everyone who knows you... falls. It's the Millicent Dawson charm. You're magic my love"

I smiled and wanted to laugh "Wren, I'm a mess of a twenty something"

She grinned "You couldn't be a mess if you tried. My perfectly put together sweetheart"

"Even in the kitchen" I asked, amused.

"You order takeout perfectly" she poked.

"I have perfected my Greek takeout order" I agree.

Wren licked her lips "have you now" she asked teasingly.

I nodded "mmhmm" I confirmed, gesturing to her. "But I have the perfect recipe now... to make it at home. No more takeout ... and a lot more eating in"

"I'm listening" Wren encouraged, with a wicked little smile.

I sighed, and ran my finger tip along her clavicle, dipping to her chest, and tracing the soft flesh between her breasts "Se latrevo"

Wren widened her eyes "You adore me. Baby you learnt some Greek" she asked proudly "aww babe, Agapi mou"

I nodded "S'agapo"

She sighed, holding my hand to her chest "I love you too"

"Okay love birds" Willa greeted from beside the couch "who wants to help me sort through the attic"

We looked at her, both waiting on the other to answer first.

"Don't be so thrilled about it" Willa laughed "it's just a reshuffle. Allie and I want to go through it, and empty out what's junk, and then take some things back that are Teddy and Harpers"

"Fine" Wren agreed begrudgingly "but only because I want to find the hidden treasures. I know Moms probably got some WNBA memorabilia up there worth a fortune"

Willa laughed "I'm not sure she imagined her eldest daughter pawning her trophies"

Wren stood up "I'm only joking. Although" she mused "I wouldn't mind discovering some vintage sportswear. That could be cool. Oooh imagine if she left a box of sneakers"

I laughed as she took off at speed, and Willa shook her head "she just wants to get to them before Olympia does"

"I know" I agreed. "Ruthless those two"

Josephine appeared, halfway down the staircase, with Veda behind her "Where is Wren running too" she asked.

Willa looked over her shoulder "The attic" she told her "Looking for treasures that Olympia might want, and claiming them for herself"

"Ooh" Josephine reacted, looking back to Veda "wanna go find them first"

"Duh" Veda replied, as they both raced back up the stairs.

I was glad, that Veda seemed to be okay, despite the heavy news. This kid had quite the bounce back to bad news. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"There's no treasure in the attic, is there" I asked Willa.

Willa placed her SnapBack on with both hands, and firmly tugged it down over her light chestnut hair, with an amused look on her face "I mean, it depends what you think of as treasures. To me, it's all treasure. Memories and mementos of times past. To the kids looking for sneakers right now ... no, that treasure isn't going to be located"

"Sneaky" I accused.

Willa held her hands up, protesting her innocence "who am I to dash their dreams, and whilst they look, they help me sort through it. It's a win win. Honestly, don't they know their Mom at all. Theodora had a whole removal van just for her sneakers and clothes. That kid of mine wouldn't leave a sneaker to the dust bunnies, even with a gun to her head"

"And how are they" I asked "How's Olympia been doing"

"They are good. They've taken Olympia to look around UCLA this weekend. She's starting to check out her offers. She's been an exemplary student since you moved her up a grade. Bash is with them too, he's tagged along for the trip to Disney afterward"

"Of course he has" I smiled. "I can't wait to see them all again soon"

"Christmas" Willa asked, hopeful, and with her fingers crossed.

I crossed mine back "Christmas" I repeated.

***
Allie and Willa were at one end of the attic sitting and looking through their belongings carefully, and Wren, Veda, and Josephine were checking box after box for Teddy's treasures.

I was moving around the middle, peeking under sheets that adorned larger pieces of furniture. The sheet I had just moved, revealed a little chest of drawers, with a little bird engraved in the wood. I ran my hand over it "this is beautiful" I observed.

Allie walked over and looked to see what I was admiring "Oh my goodness, it's Wrens nursery furniture"

Wren heard her name and came over to look too.

"Nobody wanted to get rid of it" Allie explained "and I think Teddy was going to come back and retrieve it when they found out they were pregnant with Josephine, but she never found the time"

Wren uncovered the other pieces, including the crib, and she ran her hand down inside of it "it's gorgeous" she mused "and it looks solid"

Allie nodded "it was expensive. It will last generations"

Wren looked to me with a quick smile, and I can imagine that the same thought ran through both our heads. We ourselves would fill it one day, with the next generation.

"Can we bring it back to Oregon" Wren asked Allie.

Willa walked over, hands on hips and looked at it, then she took our her tape measure and gave it all the once over "I don't think my trailer would even be big enough for it. It's definitely going to require a uhaul"

"How very lesbian" Veda added, appearing beside us with a gigantic skeleton hand in hers.

"What the hell is that" I asked her.

Josephine was in the far corner uncovering what appeared to be a six foot piece of leg bone.

Norman jumped up beside it, having been moseying around the attic around us all, and his tail flicked the last piece of sheet away, revealing a giant skull.

I went wide eyed. Wren too.

"So" Josephine mused "that's what happened to the BFG"

"What is it" I asked Willa, a little more seriously.

Willa walked over, and uncovered the entire thing like a magician "Its a twelve foot skeleton that Theodora dragged home when she was pregnant with Olympia. She wanted the first Halloween that Wren remembered, to be festive"

"I remember that" Wren whispered, lost in her memories for a second, a warm smile lifting her lips "Mom took me to pick out all of the decorations. It was fun"

***
We sorted through the attic, and helped Willa and Allie get rid of things they didn't need anymore. We stuck notes on the things we all wanted. Wren sticking one on the nursery furniture. I hadn't missed that.

Everyone had a glorious dinner, cooked by Allie and the girls, and then before we knew it another night drew in and it was my last night with Wren before she went home.

We sat out by the fire pit until late, snuggled up watching the stars overhead.

"I've loved this time with you" she told me, her head leaning on my shoulder.

I squeezed her knee under my hand "me too"

"I never thought I would be any good at long distance" Wren mused. "And I was correct ..."

I laughed.

She looked up to me with a goofy smile "I just mean that it's hard, but, and that's a big but, I've actually enjoyed all of our time talking. The good mornings, and the goodnight... and falling asleep with you on my pillow. Its been quality time in some weird way, and yet given me the time to see what life is like without you in it physically"

"And" I asked "is it better having an online girlfriend"

She shook her head dramatically "absolutely not. It's made me want you more... and forever. If it's not clear Millicent Dawson... I want you wifed up, and I want that life, and that crib, and all of those wonderful memories that my grandparents go on about, and I want them with you. When you come back...I want us to be working toward our goals next year, and finding that house. Our first. I want to move in together. To start life with you. I'm ready...if you are"

I held her closer and kissed her nose "I jumped a long time ago baby. I was just waiting to hear the splash"

She kissed me softly, the caress of her lips over mine creating a wave of heat through my belly. She stopped herself, and leant back, looking into my eyes and capturing my chin with her fingers tenderly "If I have to move, and come East to be with you... I'll transfer" she offered seriously "I mean it Millie. I'll move here if it means you get to keep Veda, and that I get to keep you. Oregon is my parents dream location, but ours can be wherever we want. We don't have to stay there. As long as we are together... I'll be happy...I swear"

"You being parted from your family doesn't sound like happiness to me" I replied, just as seriously.

Wren sat up slightly "Millie, you, you are my family"

"We will find a way to have both" I promise.

I just had to wait for this decision, which would arrive soon, and the moment I got it, if it went the way I hoped and prayed...I would be on the first flight home, to Oregon, to Wren, and to the family we had all come to love.

Family, I have learnt... is everything. Whether it be the family you were born into, or the family you choose for yourself.

Everybody needs and deserves somewhere, and someone, to call home.

***

Two chapters left to go. See you tomorrow 😇