Tessa hadn't heard from Patrick since Friday afternoon. He had a house full of guests and a party to set up. She offered to come early to help, but felt relieved he didn't take her up on it. On Friday, she had spent more hours than necessary trying to find the right graduation gift for Hannah. She wanted something of value to show she was invested, but she wanted her to love it. The simple thing would be a gift card, but she wanted an actual gift. She never shopped in Portland but wanted something unique she wouldn't find at the mall. She browsed a boutique on Exchange Street. The jewelry counter caught her eye. There were some nice sterling silver handcrafted bracelets. She recognized the logo from cards that sat on the counter at The Landing for handcrafted fine jewelry. It must have been fine, because it was also expensive.

She chose a bracelet made with colorful sea glass. The smooth cloudy glass would be a piece of Maine that Hannah could take to Boston with her. It was also something she could return if she hated it; Tessa assured herself as she second guessed her purchase.

She spent time wrapping it. She wasn't very creative or crafty, but she had a talent for wrapping. When she had finished, it looked professional.

"Oh, pretty!" Maya's eyes were big when she saw the wrapped gift.

"It's for Hannah. Please don't touch it."

"Why is she getting a present?"

"Because she's graduated from high school and we're going to her party."

Maya frowned. "But Mommy, she doesn't like us."

Maya was quiet and reserved, but observant. "Hannah doesn't know us. She misses her Mommy and is probably sad."

"Do I miss my Daddy?"

Tessa was at a loss for words. "I think you do, but you don't remember him."

"Does Daddy know Hannah's Mommy in heaven?"

"I hope so, baby, but I don't know."

Wouldn't it be nice if David and Erica were cheering them on together?

Tessa had texted both Rachel and Megan to find out when they planned to arrive at the party. She said it was so her kids would have friends, but she was the one who needed the friends. She hadn't seen Rachel and Korra since word spread of her and Patrick, but she trusted them to be supportive.

Unable to hold off any longer, she loaded the girls into her car. For the first time since her pregnancy, she actually felt nauseous. Just her luck she would throw up at Patrick's house in the middle of Hannah's party. At least, she knew her way to his master bathroom.

When she pulled up to the curb, the girls jumped out of the car and ran towards the house. They felt at home because of their previous visits. She took her time getting out of the car. Sending the girls ahead paid off because by the time she walked up the drive, Patrick was walking towards her.

His eyes took in her dress. It was longer than the one she wore to dinner. He smiled. "You look sick. No one will bite."

"Are you sure?"

He laughed, but she hadn't been joking. He reached for her hand and she wanted him to hug her, but he didn't. "Rachel and Korra are inside. They were looking for you. Are you ready to meet my mother?"

"Can we skip it?"

"Nope. I met yours."

She sighed. "Okay, but don't leave me."

He laughed. Nothing felt funny to Tessa.

The house was not as crowded as she expected based on the cars lining the street. There were a few people in the kitchen, but the backyard was full of people. Patrick took the gift from her and placed it with some others. "You didn't have to."

"You know I did."

He didn't argue. She was glad he still had her hand. She didn't care if his kids saw them holding hands; she needed the support. He led her into the kitchen. There were mostly women, including Kristi. Kristi smiled at her. He led her to a gray-haired woman wearing a bright tee shirt and shorts with Birkenstocks sandals.

"Mom, I want you to meet Tessa Simon. Tessa, this is my mother, Dawn."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bennett."

"Dawn, please, dear. Oh Patrick, she is beautiful."

Tessa felt her cheeks grow warm. He smiled and Dawn took her hand and pulled her into the living room away from Patrick. She looked back at him, but his mother shooed him. "I don't bite, dear."

She silently pleaded with Patrick before calling out to him. "Can you watch the girls?"

He nodded and looked torn between leaving her and following his mother's orders.

"I'll meet your daughters later, but first I need to get to know you."

"Okay." Her voice was shaky. She had survived the formidable Simons, she should be able to survive a woman in Birkenstocks.

"So you and Patrick are dating?"

"Yes, for a few months."

"And what do you think of my son?"

She smiled. "I like your son. Before you ask what my intentions are, I'll tell you I have no intentions if your grandchildren don't accept me in his life. He's a good father and his children need to come first."

She nodded. "I like that, but I'd like my son to be happy. Can you make him happy?"

"I think you need to ask him that."

"Fine, can he make you happy?"

She paused for a moment. It didn't have to be a complicated question. "You know we both lost someone we loved, so happiness for us has layers. I hope he can, but I can't think about it until I know his children will give me a chance."

She honestly didn't know where her answer came from or if it was even the truth.

"You're a smart woman. I'll do my best to help my grandchildren understand. They're vulnerable."

She nodded. "That's why I don't want to hurt them more."

The older woman smiled. "Let's go find my son before he gets angry with me for stealing you."

Dawn led her out onto the deck with her hand on her arm. Tessa suspected it was her way of showing she supported her. She approached a tall, older man.

"Kevin, meet Patrick's Tessa."

When he smiled, she saw Patrick's eyes.

After she met Patrick's father, she walked towards Patrick. He was in the yard playing a game with his friend, Paul.

He smiled, and she rolled her eyes. "You survived." He held out his hand, and she took it.

"What are you playing?"

"Corn hole. Do you want to play?"

She shook her head. "I'll watch."

"Okay." He brought a chair over for her to sit in.

He threw bean bags across the lawn to a wooden ramp with a hole. She quickly assessed the object was to land the bag in the hole. The two men joked but were competitive.

He looked over and wink at her. Rachel and Korra joined her. Korra was egging both men on.

Rachel said, "You look happy."

She nodded. Her eyes were like magnets to Patrick's every movement. After his game, he stayed by her side. Even when she warned him about his kids, he continued to hold her hand. It felt real between them. Her girls played as she kept an eye on them. She talked with her friends and others she just met. Once or twice she saw his children looking their way, but they stayed away. He even took her by surprise when he wrapped his arm around her from behind and held her in front of his friends and family, including people who knew Erica.

After she helped the girls fill their plates, she stood nearby with Megan while they ate. Tessa had a few items on a plate that she nibbled at but wasn't hungry. Once the girls ran off to play, she walked inside. When she saw others waiting for the downstairs bathroom, she climbed the stairs to use Patrick's.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she heard voices.

"She's pretty," a voice said.

"Not really." Tessa recognized Hannah's voice. "Did you see them?"

"They're cute."

"They are not cute. Besides, she won't be around for long."

"Why?" another voice said.

"Because he will only ever love my mother. He told me so. He also said he's just using her for sex. Just like with all the other women like Sasha who makes the jewelry and when we were in Hawaii with some woman at the bar."

Jewelry. The woman who made the gift she bought Hannah. Tessa didn't wait to hear what the others thought of her or him. How could she be so stupid? She willingly fell into his bed after only a couple dates. After meeting his mother, she thought they might have a chance to become an actual couple. She should never have agreed to go out with him. She trusted him and told him things she never talked about.

Walking into the yard, she found the girls. "Come on. It's time to go."

They complained, but she whispered sternly. "Now!"

Patrick walked towards her. She couldn't look at his face. "I need to take them home."

"It's just six o'clock."

"It's time."

She turned and walked towards the street holding two little hands. Chloe was talking, but she couldn't comprehend a single word. She sensed Patrick behind her. She opened the back door.

"Buckle up."

"Tessa?"

She shook her head. "I shouldn't have come."

"Why?"

She shook her head and ducked into the driver's seat and drove away.

She was a fool, but she wouldn't let it happen again. It would be a lot easier to move on if she wasn't pregnant, but she survived losing David. She could survive anything.