#oh! and the wife of the guy who owned the chain had a boutique and she made my prom dress! not FOR me but she made it and she had come out

[bunnyb34r]

Man I really fucking miss the local craft store chain that was near us

:( I think id love working there honestly like it was always so chill there

I used to get sticker books there for $1 and that's where we got Bean and all of The Bbs from

They had the best clearance sales it was wild

[angst-fairygodmother]

Light Fingers (The Umbrella Academy)

Diego’s vigilantism brings him repeatedly across the path of a young cat burglar. But as he finds himself developing feelings for the thief, he begins to wonder if there’s more to her than meets the eye, and whether they’re really on opposite sides. And as their relationship deepens, it brings with it a plot involving his estranged adopted father, and threatens to destroy all of them.

CHAPTER 9: FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Word Count: 2597 Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Reader Rating: T Cross-posted to AO3: here

Previous Chapter: Tireless || Masterlist

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“Is there one you’re trying to match?” the clerk asked as Diego stared in bewilderment at the case of rings. 

“Oh. Uh, no. We didn’t really...do things the traditional way,” he explained awkwardly. 

“I see…” the clerk nodded knowingly, in a way that made Diego fairly certain they actually didn’t. “Well, we have some nice simple sets in case you decide to go back and fill in later, or you can buy it now with these ones?”

He pressed his lips together in thought. One the one hand, why get a ring symbolizing something that never happened? On the other, Y/N deserved all of the nicest things he could offer her, nicer than he could actually. 

“Let me see what you have,” he stated decisively, even though it was a decision not to decide until he had thoroughly looked over all of his options. 

At first, everything in the tray that the clerk pulled out looked exactly the same, and exactly like the kind of thing Y/N would hate, all unnecessarily large gemstones and gaudy detailing. And then one, nearly lost in the sea, caught his eye: the ring was solid silver, and made of three uneven, textured bands woven together. He pointed it out to the clerk who raised their eyebrows in surprise but offered it up, explaining that it had been a custom piece the purchaser never picked up. Upon closer inspection, Diego realized that the bands were each shaped to look like a different material: rope, barbed wire, and chain, all intricately braided with knots like roses where the three shapes met. It was perfect, like fate had designed it for you. 

“This is the one,” he breathed, awed by the luck of finding it, actually feeling tears sting at the corners of his eyes.

“An...excellent choice sir. I’ll just box it up for you. Unfortunately we don’t have any that would sit right with that one as a stack, but we do have one men’s band that has a similar braided motif if you’d like to take a look at that and forgo the third?”

He nodded, and the clerk moved over to another case to pull out another ring, this one a solid, flat silver with an engraved “rope” spiralling loosely around it. It wasn’t a perfect match, but it complimented the other well. He had never been one for metaphors, but this one smacked him in the face hard enough to not be ignored. 

He paid the clerk for both rings, not even caring about the price, and checked the time, deciding there was enough to visit the consignment shop down the road and at least find a clean shirt to wear.

~

“Heeey, Daniel,” you said cheerfully. “What are you up to this morning?”

“I was sleeping, since I have a day off for the first time in who knows how long,” your brother answered, voice still cottony from sleep but twinged with a sharp irritation. 

“Great! Can I ask you a huge favor?” you smiled pleadingly at the receiver, even though you knew he couldn’t see you. 

“What did you do?” you could almost picture him scowling as he leaned forward, all professional now.

“Nothing. It’s actually about what I want to do. It’s a long story, and kind of complicated. There’s this guy. I’ve been dating him for a few weeks, but also we’ve kind of had a...thing for almost two years,” you paused marvelling at the realization you had known Diego for so long and yet also that it felt like so much longer. “And we decided to…” you trailed off, knowing that his protective instincts would kick in, and also that he was prone to being judgmental. “Look, can you please, please, please meet us at City Park in an hour and be our justice of the peace?”

“What?!”

“I know that it sounds nuts and that as my big brother you have every right to question my sanity, but, don’t fight me on it. I love Diego, more than anything. Please?”

There was a long pause and you wondered if he had put down the phone, or fainted, or something.

“Are you sure about this?” he finally asked.

You took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to answer that. 

“No,” you finally answered. “I don’t know how to explain. It’s just this…feeling I have. Maybe it’s a mistake, but I’m taking a gamble. Chasing what I want. It’s worth it. He’s worth it.”

You heard a rustling and the slam of a drawer. Daniel sighed. 

“You’re going to need two witnesses.”

“I know, I’ll get that bit sorted. Does that mean you’ll do it?”

“You know I’ll do anything for you, Munchkin. I want you to be happy.”

“I am,” you assured, unable to keep the smile from your face, or out of your voice. “I really, really am.” 

You said your goodbyes and hung up the payphone, trying to hold in the overwhelming joy you wanted to scream to the universe. Continuing down the street, shoulders slightly hunched to the morning breeze, you stopped short when you passed a little boutique, something in the window catching your attention. 

As luck would have it, the owner was just flipping the open sign in the window, and when she saw you looking at the display mannequin, she offered you a small smile and waved you in, as only charming old ladies can. 

~

Your heart was in your throat as you walked briskly toward the park where you were supposed to meet your brother and Diego. You wanted to drag out the distance, afraid that rejection waited for you at the end, that he had decided your whole plan was outrageous and left, maybe for good. But at the same time, you were anxious to get there, both because of the frosty chill in the air, and more importantly, because of the excitement that made you feel like you were about to burst.

Patch kept pace with you easily, her long coat fluttering behind her and a soft smile on her face. Every once in a while she stole a glance over at you, marveling at how beautiful you were in the lilac dress you’d bought, your hair swept back and up by a thousand tiny bobby pins, (on anyone else the look would have been ruined by the black boots laced to your knee, but somehow on you it just added to it) and also pondering whether this was all some elaborate prank. She wouldn’t put it past you and Diego. 

When the gazebo was finally in sight, three silhouettes on its open platform, your feet skidded to a stop. 

“I can’t do this,” you said suddenly, turning to walk away before Eudora caught your arm. 

“What are you talking about, Y/N?” she asked softly, giving you that patented look of concern that made you want to spill every secret and fear you’ve ever held.

“It’s been three weeks,” you cried, tears spilling down your cheeks and making you grateful you hadn’t taken the time to stop for mascara. “And we just decide this morning to…? The first time we said ‘I love you’ was yesterday. This is crazy. He’s crazy.”

“Y/N,” she said, taking you by the shoulders, grounding you with her touch. “It’s alright to be nervous, or scared, or have your doubts. And you don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to. You get to decide what happens next. So, if you want to walk away, I’ll walk with you. Do you want to?”

You thought for a moment. But any attempt to rationalize or approach the question with logic like you thought you should was drowned out by the sound of laughter, the crinkle of warm brown eyes, the feel of a hand in yours and your heart beating out a rhythm matched to his that seemed to say “I’m home, I’m home.”

You shook your head, swallowing thickly. “I don’t want to run; I want to do this?”

“That sounded like a question. Are you sure?”

You swallowed again, nerves making your tongue feel heavy. “Yeah. Yes. I’m absolutely sure.”

She smiled at you and you couldn’t help answering the expression with one of your own. 

“Good,” she said. “I think we should probably keep moving then, before he has a heart attack waiting.”

You laughed, wrapping her quickly in a hug and murmuring a word of thanks.

~

Diego felt his knees go weak and his stomach do flips as he watched Y/N and Eudora approach up the cracked cobblestones of the park path. She was always beautiful, but now she looked actually angelic in the pale purple dress that trailed down to her calves. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening, even though he had been standing around for quite a while now, rings heavy in his pocket, as he talked with her brother and his wife (people he had met only once before, and now were part of the small group there for the most important day of his life) and they went over how the whole event would play out.  

Part of him wished he had been able to track down Klaus, or maybe extended a temporary olive branch to Vanya, or maybe even Luther, just to have someone there. But Y/N was there. And that was really all that mattered, the two of them. And Patch was as much a friend to him as to her, so it was something. A shabby-looking dark haired man walked past his peripheral vision and he turned his head quickly, hoping beyond reason. Unfortunately, it wasn’t his wayward brother and he sighed. 

Eudora and Y/N finally climbed up the steps, and Diego forgot all about his nerves and concerns when the woman of his dreams smiled at him, slipping her hands in his as they faced each other.

“Hi,” he murmured. 

“Hi yourself,” she countered. “Ready?”

“Never readier.”

Daniel cleared his throat and began to speak.

~

“Thank you for being here this morning, as Diego and Y/N enter into this union, a commitment of everlasting love, respect, and partnership. They join together now not as halves of a whole, incomplete without the other, but as equals, each complete and choosing the other as a compliment to themselves. They have seen each other for what they are, and what they are not, and actively decide to accept and cherish in all that entails,” your brother started. 

You shot him a glare, cutting him off before he could launch into a lecture. 

“Knowing my little sister, and the impromptu nature of today, I am prepared with something of a traditional reading, or we can forgo in favor of the more essential elements of the ceremony?”

You and Diego looked at each other. He shrugged. You rolled your eyes. “Skip the reading.”

Daniel moved on, turning to Patch and Amelia and asking, “Do you, as witnesses to this day, support, encourage, and affirm this union?”

They both looked over at the two of you, nearly lost in your own world and smiled. In near unison, they agreed. Several more formalities passed in something of a blur.

“Do you have rings?” Daniel asked, quirking an eyebrow in an expression nearly identical to the one Diego was familiar with from you.

“I do,” he said, fumbling in the pocket of his jacket, thrown over the rail behind him to pull out the small blue box. “I just hope I picked good ones.” 

You gasped as he opened up the box, showing you the rings he had picked out that morning. Your hands shook as you took it, looking closer at the detailing. 

“Oh Diego,” you sighed, smiling waterily at him. “They’re perfect.”

Daniel whistled lowly, losing his official mask in favor of being just your brother for a moment. “Damn. If I didn’t know better I’d think these were custom-made.”

Diego shrugged, blushing uncomfortably under the dual praise. “Nope, just got lucky.”

“Well, maybe that’s a good sign then, for the marriage,” Amelia chimed in, beaming at the pair of you. “Which we still need to finish…?”

“Right,” Daniel said. “Where were we? Vows!”

“I, Diego Hargreeves, take you to be my spouse. I promise that from this day forward I will regard you as my equal, my partner, and my closest friend. I will love and cherish you above all others. Our decisions will be together, in consideration of your needs and wishes as well as my own. For better or worse, sickness or health, no matter what we are going through, I will be there at your side, with love and support. Until the end of the world. I love you, so much.” He smiled, flashing you a wink before slipping your ring onto your finger.

You laughed, winking right back before reciting the same promises in turn and slipping the other ring onto his hand, keeping your fingers locked together after.

Daniel discretely swiped a tear from his eye. 

“With these rings and vows exchanged, a promise made before witnesses and a symbol of that bond between you, it is my greatest pleasure, by the power vested in me by the state, to pronounce you as married, joined in spirit and in law.”

Diego grinned, sweeping you into a kiss, holding you tight against him, until three voices around you cleared their throats.

“Breakfast?” Patch asked. “On me, as a gift to the newlyweds?”

~

An hour later, you sat beside each other (everyone else having left to go about their day), people passing by blithely unaware that for the two of you life had just changed, both staring down at your interlocked hands and the bands on your fingers. 

“Did we actually just…?” he asked breathlessly.

You laughed. “You were there Diego. You said the words, same as I did.” 

You hesitated, fearful still that he hadn’t intended it to be real, that it had been a joke or a fantasy you had taken too far.

“It’s not too late to undo it, though,” you explained hurriedly. “I mean it’s a weekend so Daniel won’t file the certificate with the city until at least Monday, so we can ask him to just rip it up and forget it ever happened. Or if he does file it early somehow, annulling this kind of thing is pretty easy since we haven’t mingled assets or anything. I just thought...well I don’t actually know what I thought.” Tears started to well up as you stumbled over yourself in your rush. 

He tilted your chin up with his free hand, kissing you tenderly, as if he could pour every feeling and thought in his heart into the one action. 

“I don’t want to undo it,” he murmured, eyes crinkling with mirth. “I just can’t believe we actually got married in the first place.”

“Well believe it. You’re stuck with me now.” You laughed, kissing the end of his nose. 

“There’s no one else I’d rather.”

Your heart swelled at the confession as he pressed his forehead to yours.

“Well, husband, what do you say we go home, spend the rest of the day as newlyweds should?”

He smiled, groaning as he stood and his battered body protested the idea of moving. As you let him tug you to your feet, you felt probably almost as bad as he did, aching from head to toe, the events of the night catching up to you.

“Or maybe we spend it sleeping…” you mumbled.

[riseandshinelittleblossom]

Hoping for Home Ch 5(Part 1) ~ “Rise Up”

Summary: Sixteen years ago Libby Scott was supposed to become Queen of Cordonia, but Fate had other plans. Catch up here (ya know ya wanna). Big thanks to @ritachacha and @ao719 for helping me out with this one.

Song for this chapter: “Rise Up” - Andra Day

Disclaimer: I don’t own the TRR characters, they own me

Tags: @fullbeaumonty @ritachacha@speedyoperarascalparty@cocomaxley@leelee10898@itsstillnotwhatyouthink@choiceswreckedme @indiacater@drakesensworld @carabeth@daniv2278 @cosigottahavefaith @gibbles82 @innerpostmentality @blackcoffee85@perfectprofessorherokid @darley1101 @jovialyouthmusic@liamxs-world@thequeenofcronuts @blznbaby@stopforamoment @zilch3382@wannabemc2 @jlouise88  @lodberg

     “This would look stunning on you.” Hana mused, plucking a dress from the boutique rack to show to Emma. It was a white chiffon, a-line dress; floor length with a lace overlay and long,lace sleeves.

     “They're all so beautiful. I never imagined I'd have so many to choose from.” Emma beamed. She took the hanger from her surrogate aunt and disappeared into the dressing stall.

    “You're going to need one too, Mack.” The countess said softly.

   “I know, but I want Emma to choose hers first. I don't wanna pick something to clash with hers on her big debut.”

    Just then Libby stepped out of her stall wearing the signature Duchess's dress. It had been almost seventeen years since she'd worn the frock, but the local dressmaker had done a little bit of fitting a few days prior and the work was exquisite.

   “It fits you like a glove.” Hana told her grinning from ear to ear.

   “You look fabulous! I've always wanted to see the Valtorian Duchess's house dress. I love the bold colors.” McKenzie lamented taking in the bright red and orange garment. There was gold trimming everywhere and elaborate gold embroidery along the bodice. Just below that was a blue ombre pattern that complimented the vibrant colors surrounding it perfectly. The gown boasted a sweetheart bust with a sheer illusion neckline, a shimmery Phoenix emblazoned across it.

   “The matching cape is very lovely, your Grace.” the young brunette said sincerely.

    Libby gave her a brief curtsy just as Emma stepped back into the room.

   The Duchess's lips parted to remark, but no words escaped her. Instead she reached up and covered her mouth with her hands, in awe of the young lady that had taken the place of her little girl.

    “Em! You look amazing!!” McKenzie squealed launching herself towards her new friend and grasping her hands. The two teens bounced with excitement.

   Wordlessly Libby crossed the room to the accessory counter reaching into one of the drawers and then another. She stepped over to her daughter and held up a long, wide crimson ribbon, adding it as a sash just below the breast of Emma's dress.

  “Crimson is our house color.” she explained, her voice all but broken. “And our sigil is the Phoenix. A mighty bird that is always reborn, no matter what happens to it.”

   She wrapped a gold chain with a jeweled phoenix charm around her daughter's neck and clasped it.

   “'Ever rising,’ right?” Emma asked as she fingered the trinket.

    “You’ve got it, kiddo.” Libby said with a sigh, placing her hands on Emma's shoulder and turning her to face the mirror. “You are a vision, Emmy-Lou.”

      After McKenzie had changed, the women headed to Will's estate room.

    “We're just about done here.” Mark said as he opened the door. He placed a hand at Hana's hip, kissing her gently before he stepped aside to let the ladies in.

   In the center of the room stood the young Lord of Valtoria in a black tailored suit. He cast his eyes over his shoulder to look at his mother who was once again stunned into silence.

   “Drake and Uncle Mark said I had to wear the red. What do you think?” He asked smoothing his hands over the deep crimson vest he wore.

    “I think...Will you are the most handsome young man I have ever seen.” Libby told him reaching out to adjust his tie.

    “Well, are you two ready?” Abel asked his eyes darting between the twins.

    Will buttoned his blazer and grabbed his sister's hand, giving it a squeeze which she returned.

    “I am now.” he smiled at her.

     Just outside the ballroom doors Libby turned to Drake, brushing off his suit jacket.

    “I wanted to ask you if you would escort me in. After all these years, I'm a little embarrassed to be announced alone in my own estate.”  she admitted without meeting his eyes. She was still brushing imaginary lint from his suit, so Drake reached down capturing her nervous hands in his, holding them still as he caught her gaze.

   “I've stood by you so far, you think I'd let you do the hardest part alone?”

  She shook her head with a smile.

  “You know Maxwell and Li are-”

   “Inside.” She exhaled slowly. “I know.”

    Drake nodded, placing one of her hands in the crook of his arm. “Let's knock em dead then.”

  Libby squared her shoulders and held her head high offering a gentle nod to the herald as she and Drake stepped through the doors.

     “Elizabeth Scott, Duchess of Valtoria, escorted by Sir Drake Walker, Guardian of the Realm.”

     Liam whipped his head around, his jaw dropping as he watched his best friend enter the room with Libby on his arm.

    “I guess Libby has more than one secret up her sleeve, doesn't she?” Olivia remarked leaning into her husband.

    “I, I don't understand. Drake is escorting her? How did he…?Why wouldn't he tell me he'd been in contact with her?” The King tried and Liv patted his arm.

   “Darling I'm sure Drake had his reasons. Let's not jump the gun.” She ran her polished nails against his fists that he hadn't even realized were tightening.

        “They're all staring.” Libby whispered through her toothy grin.

     “Uh huh, so just wave.” Drake told her.

  The room began to spin. Even back when balls like this were a more normal occurrence in her life, Libby had never quite gotten used to having all eyes on her.

   She and her friend made their way to the dais, Drake taking her hand and guiding her as she stepped onto the raised platform. The room was a sea of people and the duchess felt as if she were drowning, her heart racing in her chest; but she never faltered, her head was still raised high and outwardly she was grace personified.

   The waters of the room seemed to part as she stared out into them and there, across the room, she saw him.

    Maxwell stood near the back with one hand jammed in the pocket of his heather gray trousers, the other held a champagne flute. Libby couldn't tear her gaze from him, though she tried. As if by some sort of prompting he looked up at her, and even at such a distance she could see the spark behind his eyes, the one she'd fallen in love with over a decade ago. Solemnly, he raised his glass to her, bowing his head before tipping the fine crystal to his lips.

    Libby's breath caught, but she managed to return the gesture, the room continuing to spin as all eyes focused once again on the doors.

         “Lady Emma Louise Scott and Lord William James Scott, heirs to Valtoria.” the herald announced.

     The double doors swung open once more revealing Emma and Will as they strode, arm in arm, into the room.

    Liam's jaw hit the floor as he immediately began scanning the room. He finally found Maxwell and they locked eyes, both men in a state of perplexity.

   “Well they aren't babies at all. They're-.”

   “Not now, Liv.” Liam interrupted. He watched Maxwell swallow the rest of his champagne and slam the flute down so hard he could scarcely believe it didn't shatter. Maxwell turned quickly and in no more than two long strides he exited the ballroom.

   “Excuse me, dear. I need to find Max.” He told his wife, who nodded still trying to hide her own shock.

    Liam found Maxwell in the hallway, headed for the front door.

   “Maxwell, wait. Stop! Let's talk about this.” He set his pace to a slow jog until he caught up to his old friend, grabbing the man by his elbow.

    “What is there to talk about, Liam? Clearly they're your kids! That's the only way their age can make any sense. They're teenagers. Not babies. Libby was your girl all those years ago, so unless they're younger than they appear…. Congratulations, Your Majesty. Looks like you finally have your heir...and a spare.”

   “You don't know that. It only takes one time, Maxwell. One night in a hotel in Las Vegas. Don't you think we owe her a chance to explain?” Liam tried to reason.

  “Owe her?! I'm sorry, Li, but neither of us owe her shit. That's the way I feel about it. I'm sorry but I can't be here.” He ripped his arm from the King's grasp still headed for the door. His steps were slower this time and Liam knew he had planted the seeds of doubt.

   “Wait just a goddamned minute, Beaumont. Both of you should really hear her out.” Drake's voice came, as smooth and as even as ever. Liam's eyes narrowed and both he and Maxwell whirled around to face him.

“HA!” Maxwell exclaimed. “Oh yeah. That's rich coming from you, Walker. You disappear to the States for two years and come home with Libby on your arm! Are you screwing her now too?”

   “That's outta line, Max, and you know it.” Drake barked.

   “Actually, he makes a good point, Drake. Sex lives aside, you knew about this. Whatever is going on here, you knew.” Liam piped up.

   “Look, I found Libby totally by happenstance. I walked into a coffee shop a month and a half ago and there she was. I was just as surprised as you two are now when I saw her twins.”

   “Definitely not something that Liam or Olivia or I would want to know.” Maxwell seethed.

   “Indeed. Did the idea of calling any of us to let us know you'd found her even occur to you? Drake, why would you keep this hidden from us?” Liam asked.

    Drake looked Maxwell square in the eye as he repeated words the Lord of Ramsford had once said to him.

   “It wasn't my secret to tell.”

    Maxwell ran a hand down his face.

   “Yeah, fuck you, Walker.” He spat.

   “Maxwell, please. I know you must be reeling right now, but try and calm down.”

   “It isn't what you guys think, okay? She was...she was scared. She didn't wanna end up like one of those women on the Maury show.” Drake explained.

   “The Maury show?” Liam inquired and Drake sighed.

   “It's an American talk sh- look it's not important. She was worried about making you two jackasses look bad, alright? She didn't know what else to do so she just….stayed gone.”

  Liam crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thought.

  “Well it's my belief that gone is where she should have stayed. I'm out of here.”

   Once more Maxwell turned towards the door, and again Liam grabbed him.

   “Let's not barrel out of here without thinking. Max, I know how you must feel but-.”

   “Stop saying that to me! You keep saying you know how I feel but you're full of shit, Liam! I was IN  love with her, alright? You were in love with the idea of her. Of what she represented.” Maxwell shouted, every vein in his next poking out as his face reddened to a shade that neither of the other men present had ever seen on him before. There were tears welled in the corners of his eyes, although Liam wasn't sure if they were from anger or sadness.

    Drake closed the distance between himself and his friends, pulling Maxwell into a tight embrace. The broken man tried to resist the gesture at first, but Drake held fast and finally Maxwell relented. He wrapped his arms around Drake and allowed his heart rate to slow down, matching his friend's steady rhythm.

   “I can't. I just can't. After everything…”

    “You won't be alone, brother. Drake and I will be with you.” Liam reassured him.

    Maxwell pulled away from Drake and licked his lips, reluctantly nodding as his friends ushered him back into the ballroom.

       Liam scanned the room for his wife while Drake and Maxwell wandered towards the bar.  Finally his eyes landed on the queen, his heart stopping when he found her engrossed in conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Ramsford and Libby. He swallowed hard and made his way over to them.

    “Your Majesty.” Libby greeted him dipping into a low, graceful curtsey.

    “Oh I'm so glad you've found us, My King.” Olivia smirked, noticing Liam's clandestinely sweaty palms right away.   

    “I was just reminding the Duchess that it is tradition that the Head of the house share the opening waltz with her monarch.”

    He knew she was playing games now. Olivia loved to press buttons and her hand resting on her now popped hip told him that she was enjoying the idea of he and Libby being forced together just a little too much.

  “Of course, My Queen. Duchess, may I have this dance?”

     Libby took Liam's outstretched hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. The musicians took notice that the Lady of the House was on the floor and began to play.

   “It's so nice to see you in good health, Libby.” He said through slightly gritted teeth.

  “And you as well my King.”

    He could tell that she was beyond nervous, her voice cracking slightly just as it had when she had first come to court for his social season. However Liam wanted answers so he cut straight to the point.

   “Your children are beautiful, by the way. They're how old exactly?”

   Libby beamed, unable to hide the pride she felt for her children despite the circumstances.

  “They will be sixteen next week.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she finished.

  “I see. Tell me, do you think that Maxwell and I do not know how to calculate birth dates? Or were you simply hoping we wouldn't show up?”

   “You need to talk to her!” Bertrand whispered harshly his lips barely moving so as not to cause a scene.

  “You don't think I know that, B? I'm... I'm trying.” Maxwell told his brother.

  “If you were trying you would be over there waiting for their waltz to finish. How is she to know from across the room that you wish to speak with her?”

   Maxwell rolled his eyes. He knew that Bertrand was right, as usual, but he couldn't get his feet to move from the spot in which he'd planted them. He knocked back the bottom of the whiskey Drake had gotten him, then reached for the older Beaumont's gin and tonic which sat on the table beside them. He finished that too, sucking his teeth as he winced at the harsh taste.

   “That was mine.” Bertrand said, as if that meant anything at all to Maxwell.

   “Take one for the team, B.” He said clapping his brother on the shoulder and walking towards Libby and Liam.

   He pushed past other dancers with little to no regard, finally coming to the perfect place beside the couple he was looking for.

   As the music swelled Liam twirled his partner, but instead of finding the arms of a waiting dancer Libby crashed into Maxwell's broad chest.

  “Oh, I'm sorry! Forgive me it's been a long time since I've-Maxwell?”

  He raised his brows at her rocking on his feet, hands jammed into his pockets. They stood awkwardly a moment, Libby gawking at the man as if he were a Martian. Finally, Maxwell grabbed her hand, his other arm finding its place at her hip and he began the waltz.

   They danced in silence for a few measures. He lifted his arm and twirled her elegantly beneath it and when she returned to him, he leaned into her ear.

   “Mighty brave of you to show back up here like this.”

   “Maxwell, I'm so sorry….”

   He threw his head back as he let out a hollow laugh.

  “You're sorry? Oh, well that makes up for everything! Why didn't you lead with that, Little Blossom?”

   Libby looked up into Maxwell's eyes as she tucked her lips into her mouth, her cheeks flushing. Her mind was racing, stomach in her throat. Even after all the years that had passed she was still finding it hard to breathe standing so close to him.

  “This is the part where I ask you if they're mine or not, right? Ask you if they're Liam's? Maybe they belong to some other guy completely.-the one you ran to when you left?”

   “There was no other guy.” Libby's face contorted in a mix of shock and confusion. “Maxwell, come on. You know me better than that. I would nev-.”

   “If there's one thing I am certain of, it's that I don't know you at all, Libby.”

    Maxwell stepped back, turning away from her and disappearing back into the crowd.

   Libby twisted her fingers together as she watched him walk away, biting her bottom lip to stop it from quivering.