Spring break, something I had previously spent a little wet and wild, in various degrees of undress, with people I vaguely remember, but most definitely don't care too. I most always spent spring break away, with friends on the team, or significant others at the time, taking a little last break before we got thrown back into basketball and the vigorous schedule.

This spring break, I was passing the state sign into Utah for a whistle stop tour of the Jameson/Anderson's. Harper would introduce me to her family, leaving mine, and our insane night of hostage situations, behind us.

Willa is driving, Allie is riding shotgun, their little interactions as we made our way from Oregon to Utah had been cute. I forgot how cute those two could be, but stuck in a car together for sixteen hours, gives you time to appreciate little things you observe, and also time to slip into madness. Stuck in a car with a little one, who was overtired was an experience. Wren wanted to get out and run, to be released from her seatbelt, and I felt Wrens pain, because I wanted to do the same.

Harper and I were sat beside each other in the back. I had made a good pillow for a good portion of the trip, and in turn, I could just sit and take her in. My beautiful wife, I had to wonder how I ever got so lucky to call her mine.

We had stopped overnight in Idaho, last night. It had been a cute little hotel, a nice view, some good food for our belly's and a chance to let Wren explore. We did a little hiking before we left, in the national park, moments like those took me back to my childhood and how Willa would take me hiking with her, happy memories, feeling seen for such a little thing, feeling loved, and getting free from the restaurant was always fun.

Now I was older and could appreciate a moment long passed, and I appreciated Willa more. She really was like another sister to me, sometimes more so a guardian, someone who took me on that never had to, and she did it so well. The fact she had always feared being a mother, it was sad to me, because Willa had feared the one thing she excelled at naturally as a human being, nurturing, caring, loving and keeping you safe. She was everything she feared she wouldn't be. This week I would meet Willa's father for the first time, at the Jameson BBQ at Bens. I wasn't sure how I could share the same air with a man like her father, who turned his back on his own flesh and blood, his baby no less, who could ever turn away from Willa Jameson and her pure heart?!

***
"We are here" Allie calls excitedly as we pulled into the Anderson driveway.

"This is a beautiful house" I observe, peeking out the window. It was a large stone fronted home with a big red front door and a wooden slatted wrap around. The yard at the front was well maintained. Allie had inherited her gardening prowess from someone in this house, no doubt about that.

"It is isn't it" she replies "mama and daddy bought it when they married. We all got brought home to this house. I will be so sad when it leaves the family one day. It's honestly like we are the bones of it now, like mama is still in the kitchen, Augusta and Merrit pushing dolls in prams around the halls and Abe doing his puzzles in the window seat. And nobody can forget Hyrum, being born in the bedroom one sunny morning, feeling as if he was angel himself delivered to us as the dawns breaking rays spilled over mama..." and Allie sighs as we all sit and hang on her words in silence.

"I love you" Willa says reaching over and kissing her softly.

I look to Harper beside me as she squeezes my hand "I want a house like that" I say quietly.

She smiles "me too...somewhere we can be for all of our lives. A house that becomes part of us and every family tale we tell" Harper replies.

"We will find it" I promise "once my career settles down a little. I want that for us...and for Wren, and any future babies too"

"I can't wait" Harper returns brushing her lips over mine.

"Here's dad" Allie says jumping out of the car and she runs into her fathers arms as he walks down the path toward us.

"He's tall..compared to Allie anyway...she didn't get the height" I observe.

Harper looks on as she unbuckled Wren. "No, Mama is just like her Mama...quite literally. She has not one physical feature of Grandpa Anderson, but she does have his love of gardening and his big heart"

As we all get out of the car I am apprehensive to meet him, a man of the church, from a life entirely opposite to mine. I know him through others to be quite liberal, a man of good character and not the typical man of his faith.

Joseph smiles as Harper approaches with Wren on her hip "my granddaughter and my great granddaughter" he greets, spreading his arms for them to step into. He encases them in a loving embrace and closes his eyes as he does. Joseph was warm, and sincere, and as you watched him love on his family, you could see it, the love, it poured out of him. It found each of them and forced them to feel it and to know it, that this man loved you and you were, quite literally, adored.

I smile and think of my father, he was the same way, none of his girls ever felt anything but adored. He made us all the overly confident and loud women we were today, because he never trimmed our wings or quietened us. My father let us bloom, he fed our mischievousness, he set us free to be who we would be, never once trying to change us to suit a mould society wanted of us. Now we were like a pack of wild horses, unable to ever be tamed by man's hand, but completely free to roam as we were, a sight to behold, a sound to stop and appreciate, the wild and beautiful, mustangs.

"This must be your Theodora" Joseph says smiling at me, his large brown eyes sparkling under fluffy grey eyebrows,his arms reaching for me as I step forward "come on...nobody escapes a hug" he says dragging me in.

"Nice to meet you" I squeak as I'm hugged tightly.

Harper smiles beside him "now let me just say... you fit right in Theodora...it's a name suited for this family. I could quite easily have named one of my girls that...and I love it. Our Harper has chosen her suitor well" he says releasing me.

He holds my arms with his outstretched "and my goodness you are sent from heaven aren't you...look at those dimples" he observes with a smile.

He turns to Harper "you landed on your feet with this one" he says letting my arms go.

Joseph takes Wren from Harper and throws her up into the air, catching her as she began to giggle. "My goodness" he says as he sits her on his arm "Helena looks back at me again" he observes lovingly and he strokes Wrens cheek tenderly "Wren my little great granddaughter...you are an ember aren't you...from your great grandmother... I love to see it" he says kissing her nose and she laughs as his beard tickles her cheek.

Allie and Harper walk either side of him as we all walked up to the house.

Willa is at my side, her arm wrapping around my shoulder "you had an in as soon as he knew your name" she says with a nudge "he's great isn't he" she asks.

I nod "he is amazing" as we entered the Anderson home, spending three days meeting each and every one of them. We loved on the new babies, shared Wren around, but most importantly we just spent precious time marinating in the Anderson's, and the incredible light they brought to the world around them.

Allie had been lucky, her family were so loving and wonderful, you could see where she had got it from. She too, was a most wonderful and generously loving grandmother to Wren, and a Mama to Harper. Then for Willa, her wife, god they loved each other so deeply it was hard to understand how they were apart so very long, it must have been beyond torture to love someone like that for so long and not even be together. To not even tell each other you felt that way for one another, or confess the overwhelming way they took your heart and made it home...always leaving you feeling like you were never there, because home, it became them.

Harper and I were so lucky, we had our hiccups but we arrived at our destination together, much, much sooner. To have lived without Harper for years...no I couldn't have done it. I was not that strong. I would have become a shadow of myself if I had not ever returned to Harper or learnt the truth.

Thankfully we were now on our path to forever, together, and we had so much to look forward to. It wouldn't be long before we got the urge to create another little soul to join our journey, but first we had the year of weddings, babies and family's coming together. I had to meet the Jamesons next, and I wasn't quite as buzzing for that visit.

***
Ben and Jennifer spill out of their house with Benjamin and Able running ahead of them excitedly to see Harper. It was hard to believe these were Harpers siblings, since they were so much younger than her. Able was only a couple years older than Wren.

Harper isn't much like Ben, favouring more Allie, but she did have the Jameson eyes and her height fell somewhere between the both of them. She was taller than Allie, but shorter than Ben.

Jennifer is a a ball of sunshine with a beaming smile and golden hair that looked like butter running down her shoulders. She is not too much shorter than Ben, tall, built very narrow, her frame is petite and she wouldn't look out of place in ballet, with the way she held herself.

"My girls" Ben calls as he reaches Harper and pulls her into his arms, kissing her forehead repeatedly, and then Wrens.

Benjamin and Able hug her thighs. "Harper Harper" they sing excitedly.

"Hi Teddy" Jennifer greets, coming over hand outstretched.

I shake it as she looks at me nervously "Hi Jennifer" I say with a smile "it's nice to meet you"

She goes in for a hug "I can't not hug you I'm sorry... I'm a hugger" she announces as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes. I note the scent of roses, like a Turkish delight scent, and I think to my time in Europe and thank god I am far from it now.

"Well my entire family are also huggers, although theirs might just be classed as manhandling, or at worse GBH" I return jovially.

Jennifer's nervousness fades away. "They sound like my kind of people... fiercely loving" she says. 

That sounded much nicer than the way I described it, and I laugh "fiercely loving" I note and I nod "yes... that's them"

"Come on then Teddy" she says wrapping her arm in mine. "I have a yard full of Jamesons who are dying to see who Harper brought home... and don't concern yourself with the ones who aren't so willing or loving... just walk on by and into the arms of the less bristly ones.  I promise they aren't all bad... and most of us can't wait to see you"

"Harper" Kate calls coming out, she is Willa's mom and I've met her many times over the years "Teddy" she adds pointing toward me "you look wonderful" she says sweetly before going and kissing Wrens cheek and Harpers.

"My grandchild and my great grandchild... an absolute vision" Kate remarks as she loves on them.

Ben sidles over as his mom greets Harper, and he sticks out his hand "welcome Teddy..." he begins.

I smile and shake his hand.

Jennifer releases my arm "I will let you two have a second" she says smiling and gathering the boys back toward the house.

"It's good to know Harper is in the capable hands of a WNBA player. I've watched your games and caught up on your seasons ... and Teddy you are incredible" he says rocking back on his heels, his hands thrust into his belt loop. "I swear to god I was absolutely speechless" he adds.

He reaches up and squeezes my shoulder.

"Thanks... Ben, I appreciate that" I reply back with slight surprise.

"Could you find some time to shoot some hoops with little Benjamin and I" he asks.

I nod and smile appreciatively "of course I would love that"

He nods and gives me one last squeeze of the shoulder before releasing me "we would love that too" he says and he points to the house "let's go initiate you into the fray" he comments and my stomach flips at the thought.

The Utah Jamesons, lord give me strength. Harper walks over and Wren reaches for me.

I lift her into my arms and Harper takes my spare hand "let's go" she whispers "I love you" she adds as she leans up and kisses me. "You look a little apprehensive" she notes.

I look down to meet her gaze "I've heard way too much about these people... I know they are family but all I keep seeing is Willa's face. I feel like I'm doing the dirty even being here amongst them"

"Well I'm afraid they come as a pack, but there are some good apples, and Willa loves them all, don't forget that"

I nod "yes I know"... "I just wish they had loved her more"

***
"Willa" Allie says softly and she tousles my hair to get my attention as she sits beside me. I am on her daddy's porch with a cup of coffee, my eyes on the view ahead.

"Sorry I was a million miles away" I return as I turn to her and smile "is Gus ready to get home with the babies?" I ask.

Allie nods "yes she's just packing up everything. I'm sure Louis must be missing them whilst they've been here. I love you for offering to take them home. I think an hour there and an hour back is a little much for daddy now if he will insist on driving that stick shift"

"I don't mind" I say as she leans over and kisses me softly.

"I know you are not a million miles away Willa" she adds.

I raise my eyebrows "you are a few streets over at Bens right? Thinking of them all there" she asks.

I frown and look away.

"Do you want to go" Allie asks curiously.

I shake my head "no... yes... no... honestly Allie of course I will always feel that tug for them. I would do anything to be there with them, but equally, I wouldn't want to put myself somewhere that would hurt"

"Eliza and Brig are there, Your mom, Byron, Louisa, the kids, Harper and Teddy... there's many people there who would love to see you. Willa if even a small part of you wants to be there, then perhaps you should. The only person there who could hurt you, is your father, and that's only one person among many who love you"

"I don't think its a good idea Allie" I whisper.

She takes my hand "I will go with you" she offers "and I won't let your hand go I promise"

"Allie you haven't seen them all together since Ben... wouldn't you feel uncomfortable" I ask quite concerned.

She smiles softly and brushes my cheek "not if I'm with you" she says lovingly.

I feel a wave of love wash through me and I lean sideways and capture her lips. "You are the best part of me Alberta... the best half" I whisper.

I slowly sit back and she shakes her head gently "No Willa... your heart makes you believe that , but it's you that is the better half... which is why if you want to do this, to reunite, I'm here to share the looks, the anxiety, and the adrenaline, as we walk in there... together. Why shouldn't we? We can ring Ben and double check, but I'm sure he will be fine with it"

"But what about Gus" I ask.

She smiles "we can take Gus home and then go straight there" she offers.

I nod "okay..." I say anxiously "we are doing this"

She pulls my hand up to her lips and kisses my finger tips "we are" she confirms. "But this time we go back in together, no soldier left behind" she adds playfully. "And Teddy's in there, she is extremely protective... and very strong. I have no fear at all"

I think to Teddy, and I know that is quite true, Teddy would stand in- between and defend anyone she loved. I fell into that category... and I would do the same for her.

"And I found this" Allie says handing me a little piece of well folded yellow paper. I take it in my hand and unfold it slowly "it was tucked down under the slat in my bed" she offers, and as I unfold it I see Allies writing.

If I had said
Would you have stayed
Would you lie here
Upon my bed
Hand in hand
Life entwined
Together

I sigh and fold it back up, placing it in my pocket and I look back to Allie's icy blue eyes and caress her cheek "yes I would have" I return.

She kisses my hand at her cheek "I would have left with you, if I had ever said, or ever known, what that humming, the drumming, the sound of you meant to me"

"But then we wouldn't have Harper... and she is quite the gift to us all. Harper is the blinding light pouring from a dark place, and it makes it all worth it..."

"Exactly" she whispers back. "Harper is the gift for what we endured"

"She is" I say thinking of her and of course Teddy, they existed together, only because of Alberta and my separation. Harpers existence was only possible, because of it.

"And Wren is the same... for Harper" Allie says.

I nod "the light from the dark"

***

Teddy has my hand in hers and Wren in her spare arm. I feel no apprehension what so ever walking into this party, because my life was Teddy and Wren now. Although the Jamesons were my blood, if they couldn't accept us, I didn't even care, I didn't have to see them again if I didn't want to. Those that mattered would always be here for us, and those that didn't, wouldn't, and I was at peace with that.

The most important thing to me was my mama and daddy, they accepted me, all else could be lost if I had them. I could quite easily live with a smaller circle of family. Teddy was my wife now, and I would never shy from showing her affection incase I offended anyone else. To show love shouldn't be shameful, the world needed more of it, not less of it.

The doors open and Able and Benjamin excitedly run back out into the large back yard, the grass below the crowds feet, barely visible.

The Jamesons were now a sea of humans up ahead, aunties, uncles, my grandparents, and so many cousins I had lost count.

I spot my cousin Charlie, we have only days between our birthdays and have always been close, she is herself 'in the closet' and bi, with a secret IG account and a secret life nobody knew about.  I have told her a million times that her mom and dad, Eliza and Brig, would be very accepting, they were of Willa, and they were of me. This was her moment though,  and her news to tell when she herself was most comfortable.

"Cuz" she calls running over.

I let Teddy's hand go and wrap my arms around her "I missed you" she says sweetly.

I don't want to let her go because I missed her too "come and visit us" I beg.

"Willa always has her door open for visitors, you know that" I remind her.

She smiles warmly "I will, but I have my mission soon" she announces.

I cock an eyebrow at her, as she looks to Teddy "Teddy" she greets with a wide smile "it's nice to see you in the flesh" she says, as she leans forward with a hug and a tickle of Wrens belly.

"And you Charlie" Teddy returns.

Jennifer comes over, grabbing Teddy, and whisking her and Wren across the grass to see Eliza, who is desperate to get her hands on Wren.

"Charlie" I say worriedly "a mission... really" I ask surprised... "are you sure you want to" I add, knowing she had been hesitant too.

Charlie takes my arm and she walks me over to a quieter corner "My Mom and dad are so excited about it and to be honest Harper...I am too.I want to go. I love the church even if they don't love me entirely, not all of me, but my sisters went and I want to go too. One day things might change. I may feel the church no longer supports my life if I had a child and a girlfriend, like you. I am sure I would feel I couldn't do and have both. I would of course choose my girlfriend and child, but currently I'm okay with it, and hopeful things will change"

I stroke her arm "I support you whatever you want...you know that"

She snuggles against my arm and squeals "I'm so excited you are here" she says and then she follows my gaze to Teddy who is talking animatedly with Eliza. Wren is at their feet toddling around quite happily.

"Can I just say..." Charlie begins "Teddy is ridiculously hot"

I swipe her with my left hand "hey that's my wife"

My eyes widen, and I hide my smile as Charlie tickles my side "your what" she asks  playfully.

I turn away from everyone laughing "don't you dare tell anyone" I beg jovially.

She leans into me and squeals again "Harper you lucky lucky thing" she whispers "Teddy is ... wow" she whispers "I am speechless" she says turning us back around "congratulations cuz ... a married woman" she reflects shaking her head.

"But, don't worry" I add "we are having a big wedding and you are obviously invited" I inform her.

She looks back toward Teddy "does she have any queer sisters or hunky brothers" she asks.

I let out a loud laugh that Teddy turns to, when she hears it, her dimples popping as she waved at me, before she went back to her chat with Eliza and Louisa.

"Teddy's sisters are not queer and even if they were and weren't married...I would quite honestly never set you up with a Nomikos ... they are not for the faint of heart and you my sweet cousin would be far to sweet and gentle for them" I admit.

She looks amused "No brothers then" she asks.

I shake my head "sorry none, and I imagine if there was, he would be quite hen pecked by now, and a little fragile" and the thought makes me laugh.

I walk with Charlie back through the Jamesons and my grandma grabs me "hi sweethearts" she says lovingly looking to me and Charlie "I love seeing my grands together" she admits excitedly and she points to my grandfather stood next to the grill assisting Ben and Brig with the BBQ.

"Grandad hasn't seen you yet, will you go say hi he has missed you Harper" she asks.

I nod "of course" I say "I will just get Wren and Teddy"

She looks a little cautious, like she wasn't sure how he would be about that, but she doesn't voice it. "Okay sweetheart thank you... god you are gorgeous aren't you" she says squeezing my cheeks "the perfect mix of Alberta and Ben..." she whispers.

She walks away, chasing little Benjamin playfully across to his play area. "I'm coming Benjamin" she calls after him.

"Time to face grandad" Charlie says, and I do feel slight anxiety, but only because I didn't want him to make Teddy feel uncomfortable.

I walk over and Wren spots me and toddles over until she's got hands spread up toward me, and she's wiggling her hands "mama" she says.

Teddy watches her. I pick her up and join Teddy beside Eliza "Aunty Eliza" I greet affectionately.

I lean in to kiss her cheek "Harper" she acknowledges sweetly and she kisses mine "I was just catching up with your other half about Turkey. I travelled through that way after my mission, it was amazing to meet someone who has been there too" she says.

Teddy smiles "we bonded over the bazaars" she says.

I take her hand "I'm afraid I must whisk her away now. Grandad wants my presence, and I want to introduce her" I confess, albeit nervously for Teddy.

"Good luck" Eliza whispers "but remember that we love you... always have and always will" she reminds me, and she kisses both Teddy and I as she moves away.

"Are you ready" I ask Teddy.

She nods "as i'll ever be... but I could quite happily never meet him" she confesses.

I frown "I know"

I squeeze her hand and look to Wren who looks to me with her icy blue eyes and smiles "then we can get you lunch little miss" I suggest.

We both take a deep breath, and move through the family, saying "hi" as we go.

Aunty Charlotte looks down to our hands and looks away, disapprovingly. I didn't mind not speaking to Charlotte again.

We reach my dad, Brig and grandad, and dad turns "my first born baby" he acknowledges "foods almost up" he says as Brig and Grandad turn around.

Grandad is tall, his hair is all grey now, he smiles at Wren and I. "There they are" he muses "My red heads" he adds affectionately and then he looks to Teddy and sees our hands connected and he frowns "a friend of yours" he asks.

I shake my head "no grandad, this is Teddy... my girlfriend" I reveal, which sounds so wrong, now that she is my wife.

"Oh I see" he says a little taken aback. "I'm not sure this is the place to be holding hands" he offers.

Teddy shakes her head "you are exactly how I pictured"

I frown, here we go, this was all about to fall apart in seconds.

"Why can't we hold hands" I ask him.

Grandad looks unamused.

"Dad, that's enough" My dad says noting the tension.

Grandad looks to him "Ben this isn't appropriate" he says more directly.

My dad shakes his head "this is my house and I say it's fine" he throws back.

Grandad looks surprised as my dad continues "You may wash your hands of Willa, but I will never do that to my child... I love her" he declares.

I am so relieved to hear him say that again, defending us.

"Don't you dare bring Willa up" grandad says as if he's hurt by the mention of her "nobody says her name to me" he barks.

Brig places his hand on grandads arm "you're making a scene" he says, to remind him where he was.

"I'm taking our child away from the homophobia" Teddy says, taking Wren and walking away.

I shake my head at my grandad "you won't ever change will you" I say exasperated.

His eyebrows knit together as I say it. He looks pained "Harper I love you, please don't be like that. I just don't love to see a girlfriend here... this is a family event"

"Teddy is family" i state firmly.

He shakes his head "no she's not" he says matter of factly.

"Yes she is, she's my wife" I reveal bluntly.

My dad and Brig snap their attentions back "wife" dad asks.

"Yes, we legally married so Teddy could adopt Wren" i state "don't worry you've not missed the wedding. We will have one, one day... it was just legalities"

"Harper" dad blurts shocked "you should have told me"

I look to him apologetically "daddy don't be upset. Teddy plans to come to you and have a conversation when we do this properly later on... "

"Oh Harper" my grandad says shaking his head.

Before he can say anything else, there is a commotion behind us, and we turn to find Willa and Mama walking in, hand in hand.

I smile "she did it" I whisper to myself "they came"

Dad nods "they asked if they could, and I said of course"

I hug him so tightly, and run down through the family, colliding with both Willa and Mama "you came" I say excitedly.

They both smile "we did"

Teddy appears beside me, Wren with a snack in her fist that she was now chewing on.

"Willa" Grandma says coming through "oh my baby you are here" she says lovingly "I didn't think you would ever come again" she says through tears of relief "and Allie... welcome back" she acknowledges.

"Willa" Charlotte greets, appearing from the side "it's been a long time" she says, and she smiles and grabs her for a hug "you cut your hair" she notices, releasing her and touching its ends "you look so youthful still... I guess not having kids keeps you young"

It was a back handed compliment that Teddy seems to grab and thrust right back to her "how many did you have..." she asks Charlotte "ten"

Mama tries not to laugh "I have a full and loving family" Charlotte declares.

Teddy looks back to her "so does Willa" she informs her "I've never seen her house empty" she states "with people that choose to be there..."

"I don't even know who you are" Charlotte says looking to Teddy disapprovingly.

"Thank god for that" Teddy retorts.

"Teddy is my wife" I reveal.

Charlotte looks to me wide eyed "I'm sorry what" she asks.

Eliza appears "Willa and Allie. Oh my god I'm so happy you came. I miss you guys!"

There are a lot of hugs that follow, because mama was right, everyone had missed Willa. The family all loved seeing her after so many years, her absence had always left a gaping hole, and as you watched her siblings and nieces and nephews love on her, you could see her load lighten. The only family here who offered any kind of displeasure, were Charlotte and grandad, but Teddy had that in hand with Charlotte, and grandad actually looked like he had seen a ghost.

"I will be right back" I say to Teddy, and I head off after him as he enters the house.

"Grandad" I call after him. He stops mid stride through the family room. He turns, and it is evident he is crying "oh grandad please don't run away"

He shakes his head "I can't see her"

I frown "why" I ask.

He sits down on the couch with a thump, his head in his hands "Oh Harper" he says through tears "when she's not here it's easier to think she's gone" he admits.

I shake my head in disbelief "dead" I ask.

He nods hesitantly "it is easier to grieve her that way... because seeing her... it hurts so much more to see her and not hold her"

"Grandad you are the only one that's keeping that going... accept her and Mama, and make this right. Willa is the most extraordinary person I've ever met. I can't see how her loving a woman can strip all that away and make her a second class citizen to you... make her evil"

"She's not evil..." he acknowledges "and I know she's incredible... you don't need to tell me. She's my flesh and blood and she's always been a wonderful kid. But I can't be a part of this... and I can't accept her turning her back on our church, and us"

"You know if you stopped for a moment and had a single thought of your own, removing the church's view, you would see she actually only left the church. She never left any of you... you left her" I remind him.

"I have to go" he says standing and leaving abruptly.

I stand there and shake my head, because he would never change his stance. I knew it, we all did.

Grandad never did accept Willa, and he never did accept me and Teddy. This day would also be one of the last times I saw him. Sadly, sometimes for your own well being you have to move on from family and friends who don't lift you up, but instead drag you down. My daughter would not have family around who didn't support her family, end of story.

That afternoon after he left though, with Willa and mama, Teddy and Wren, it went from strength to strength as the remaining family pulled Willa back into their lives. All of her siblings, but Charlotte, would now become regulars in her life again. Wounds were healed that day, and Willa left as a more healed soul, her mom, my grandma,was healed too, knowing her children were reunited and Willa was back in the bosom of the family where she should be. Grandad couldn't ruin that for her anymore, and she learnt how to do life without him, when she needed too, so that she didn't have to lose anyone.

A year later though, Grandad died, he passed in his sleep peacefully, a brain aneurysm they said. To everyone's surprise, in his will, grandad had left Willa everything, every last thing he owned, he left to her. The note left was a simple one;

For my darling Willa,

If I can not take you into eternity with me as part of our eternal family, my youngest daughter, than I bequeath you everything earth side. I loved you then, I love you now, I will love you eternally... and I only ask two things of you, look after your mom for me, and please forgive me.

Your loving father x

***

"Morning" Jennifer calls from the kitchen as I enter with Wren on my hip.

"Hey... have you seen Teddy" I ask.

She laughs and points outside whilst throwing a cloth over her shoulder "she went out at the crack of dawn for a run and your father and brothers intercepted her when she came back. They've been playing a thrilling game of basketball out the front with the neighbours, for half an hour" she reveals.

I walk over and peek out from the window.

Teddy is in black shorts, a black sports tank, and her hair is up and out of the way. She is showing Benjamin a move, his little face lights up as she circles around him and he manages to dribble the ball away from her himself.

"He couldn't do that half an hour ago" Jennifer muses. "Look at your dad" she says laughing as he tries to get the ball around Teddy, and she with ease, catches it between his legs and threads it through, sending it through the air to Able who is clearly on her team.

Able catches the ball and they all throw their hands up in excitement "Able couldn't catch a ball earlier, either" Jennifer adds "she's something" she observes, looking away and coming to lovingly take Wren as I swoon at Teddy from the window.

"I made her some pancakes and cut them up for her to have with a little fruit compote. Do you think she would like that" Jennifer asks.

I turn and nod "I would have said no, but Teddy has taught me that our daughter likes many more things than I realised recently. You should see what Teddy makes for her at home, this little lady eats like a Queen. She even started making batches of things and freezing them en masse. I'm not sure Willa appreciates her garage freezer being packed full" I say laughing. "But we won't ever go hungry, or should I say...Wren won't"

"She will be back playing on the court full time soon won't she" Jennifer asks.

I deflate a little at the thought. I would have to give her up for a few days a week soon, and I selfishly didn't want to. I never wanted to not sleep next to her at night either. It wouldn't be long and we would need to have the chat, the moving house chat and I didn't know right now how we would work that out. Connecticut was two hours away and I had work in Manchester, but it didn't need to be this season. I knew if Teddy did get CT she would make the drive back and forth like she had done previously.

If Teddy ended up moving elsewhere though, we would most definitely have to go too.

"Yes she's going to camp in a week or so" I return.

She sits Wren at the table in a high chair, and hands her a plate of picky bits for breakfast, that Wren attacks with gusto.

"You will miss her being at home... she sounds like quite the housewife" Jennifer observes.

I smile "She really is. I was amazed when I went back to work, she suddenly had Wren in all these activities, made a bunch of mom and baby friends, and they all meet for park dates. Teddy's even promised to start a mommy and me exercise class in the park this summer for them all... can you imagine?!" I say shaking my head and taking a sip from a warm mug of tea.

"She has dinner on the table in the evening too, so between her and Mama we are very well fed. She keeps the house immaculate somehow, and her baking skills are second to none. She baked a cake last week with Wren that wouldn't look amiss on display in a bakery"

"Ooh she's a keeper" Jennifer mused "I think I should have married a woman. I mean I love your dad, but he's no housewife" she says with a chuckle.

"A Wife is the way to go... I recommend it" I say with a grin.

***

"Well your dad vanished didn't he?" I ask Willa as we wake up in bed at my dads the morning after.

"He did and I'm kind of glad he did, it meant I could enjoy everyone else without feeling the heaviness of his gaze"

"I'm sorry my love" I whisper into her chest, my fingers clutching the material of her t shirt beside her waist. "I wish it had been a full reunion"

"Allie it was more than I expected. I would never have gone without you. I know it wasn't easy walking back in with me after all these years...but I've never felt so proud of you. Thank you" she says softly, running her hand down my bare arm.

We lie there, listening to the bird song outside the window and I smile thinking of Harper yesterday. "Harper cannot stop telling people that Teddy is her wife" I say with amusement.

"I know" Willa says with a little laugh.

"It would have come out sooner or later the way Harper goes on... she just loves her so much you can feel it can't you, like an energy that pours out of them when you are close"

"I think that's pheromones" Willa laughs.

I flick her stomach. "I don't want to know what they get up to in their private time, thank you Willa. She's my little chick"

"Okay" she teases.

"Allie, you know. I think this may be the first time I've woken up in your bed in the Anderson home since we actually got together" she muses.

I sit up and look back to her, my red hair falling down my shoulder "no" I say disbelieving "oh my god you are right, this is our first time here as a couple. I think the last time we shared this bed over night, we were both seventeen years old" i realise with surprise.

"I'm off out" daddy calls up the stairs.

I wink at Willa as I call back "see you at lunch"

I remember my father telling us he was out to a church group in the morning, where he helped teach youth to read.

I fall casually over Willa's chest and look to her caught under me "You know what this means" I whisper teasingly, running my hands over her chest "we can recreate the first kiss, and what should have happened after. Things I dreamt of for far too long..." I say cocking an eyebrow.

Willa gazes down at me affectionately. "Where do we start from? when you were furiously maddened at me at the thought of me going to kiss Lehi, or at the door... that you pressed me too" she asks.

I smile "let's go with the door, because now I know that Lehi is gay, it just doesn't madden me so much... his husband is rather lovely"

Willa laughs "I knew there was a reason I always adored and felt comfortable with Lehi, and it was because he posed no sexual threat whatsoever" Willa says on reflection.

I jump up from the bed and point to the door "come on then" I say jovially.

She jumps up and backs up to the door laughing, her white vest showing the curve of her breasts, and her bed shorts high on her firm thighs...looking rather lovely.

"I think I was doing this" she says reaching for the door knob.

I frown "were you trying to escape" I ask as my lips lift in amusement.

"I confess I thought about it, but you jumped me before I could act on it" she reveals.

I shake my head "the things you learn" I confess playfully. I cock an eyebrow at her and jump at her in the same vain I did twenty five years ago. Her laugh was caught by my kiss as I connect with her lips, and our tongues brush, the familiar warmth leading a trail from my stomach down. I remember then,  how I gripped her, and I slide my hands down her now familiar curves to the flesh of her hips, and grip her with passion. The kiss becomes more intense, as she pushes me back toward the bed by her hands, taking my waist, before my legs connect with the mattress and I sit automatically as the kiss breaks.

I'm left looking up at her and her dilated pupils... "so this is how it would have gone" she promises.

She lifts the hem of her t shirt and climbs onto my lap, her beautiful breasts revealed as the top flys across the room landing on my desk.

I look at Willa and shake my head a little, after all this time she still had the ability to take my breath away, even after so long and years of roaming each other's bodies. Willa's body was so familiar to me now, as if it was my own. I had caressed every inch of her, and I knew that blindfolded I could lead you to every freckle, every dip, every scar and each and every spot that she was ticklish in. Willa's body was home, her heartbeat, the only sound I needed to hear and to feel for the rest of time. Her voice was soothing, and her scent, unmatched, with how it had always made me feel. If I could bottle the smell of her, I would, it was always welcomed as she breezed in from work and brushed by me, or when I opened her closet and the waft of her clothing hit me. Even after all these years together, she still had her own individual scent, we had not merged. The perfect mix of her signature body spray, clothing detergent and just the warmth of her skin after being pressed to its fabric all day. 

I gaze up at Willa as she helps me lift my bed shirt over my head, an appreciative sweep of her eyes over my bare flesh as she guides me down onto the sheets and comes down on top of me. My breath hitches, as her soft and warm flesh pressed to mine.

We had all morning until my father got home, and let me tell you something, we more than made up for the lack of physical intimacy in that bed in our youth. The wooden bed slats that had lasted for thirty years, they didn't last longer than that morning.

***
As spring break ended, we all returned home to the east coast. Our visit to family had been in the most part successful. Teddy had met everyone she needed to, and more importantly we had survived the news of our legal marriage, physically unharmed.

We looked ahead to a busy few months. Teddy was back to basketball, and we were all back to work. There was a wedding looming on the horizon, with two Nomikos babies due to arrive by fall. Apollo and Clio. Things were about to get real.