Page 99 of Only You and Me

BEN

It’s been a long ten days, but the hospital finally released Trina. She expected that Fitz and Emily would come over this afternoon, but it was a pleasant surprise for her when they were waiting at my house with lunch from her favorite Chinese restaurant.

We sit outside, eating our fill and making light conversation for a half hour before voices float on air from around the corner. Seconds later, Annie and Shayna appear, followed by Finn carrying a cooler, and Jack with what appears to be a large cake.

“Welcome home!” Annie and Shayna shout in unison.

I’m momentarily worried this might be too much for Trina, but when I look at her, she’s smiling and looks pleased. Maybe she just needs some normalcy in her life.

Truthfully, there was talk of discharging her home a few days ago, but they kept her for two extra days to do serial chest X-rays after her chest tube came out, so she’s likely ready for visitors.

Shayna and Annie go inside to cut the cake, and Finn passes out cold drinks, leaving the cooler by the table, then takes a seat.

“Finn.” Trina’s seriousness gets all of our attention and everyone else stops talking. Finn looks up at Trina, a questioning look in his eyes. “Thank you. I’m told your quick thinking and assessment skills likely saved my life.”

“Thank you, Captain. I appreciate your words. But I just did my job like you all taught me. Any of the crew would have done the same.” Finn’s cheeks are pink, and he looks down at the table.

Trina… snorts. “Are you kidding? Neither of these old guys,”—she points to Jack and Fitz—“are limber and agile enough to climb through a tiny rear window like you did. Thank God you were there. I think I’m gonna tell Chief that the rest of the crew all need to do yoga.”

Everyone chuckles, and Fitz feigns offense. “Hey, I’m limber.”

“Yeah, and I’m agile as fuck,” Jack teases.

“He most definitely is,” Annie chimes in as she walks out with plates of cake. “What are we talking about?”

“Ew,” Trina and I say simultaneously, and it causes a breakout of laughter around the table.

Annie and Shayna take seats at the table with the rest of us so we can all have our cake together.

“Oh, Emily, I meant to ask. Did you stay off your phone and your e-reader for the three days like the doctor said, because of your concussion?” Annie asks.

Emily’s eyes dart to Fitz and he’s frozen, hand poised in the air, holding a fork with a piece of cake on it, his eyes wide. He sets the fork down.

“Three days? Is that so, Annie? She was supposed to stay off them for three days?”

“Yeah. Let me guess, she didn’t last twenty-four-hours,” Annie says.

Fitz narrows his eyes at Emily and she grins.

Trina chuckles like she knows what’s coming.

“Oh, she lasted,”—Fitz narrows his eyes playfully at Emily—“But I’m wondering why she’s been making me read to her from that smut book you all are reading for book club. Not just for three days, but all week.” He doesn’t take his eyes off Emily.

She shrugs. “It’s more fun when you read it. Especially the spicy scenes. You could narrate the audio book versions, babe. Sorry, not sorry.”

Laughter breaks out across the table, and Trina watches, smiling. This is exactly what she needs right now. But if it becomes too much, I’m not above kicking everyone out.

As if she can feel me staring at her, Trina turns to look at me. Her eyes light up and she smiles widely. “Can I talk to you in private for a second?” she asks, her voice hushed.

“Sure.” We stand and I follow her as she walks about thirty feet from where our friends who are family and family who are friends sit, then spins on her heel and looks at me. “Let’s tell them all now.” Her eyes are twinkling and there’s not a hint of doubt in her eyes.

“You mean… that we’re together?”

“Yes. Well, and that we’re married. And that we’re getting married again. These are our people, Ben. My sister, my best friend, your brother and one of your sisters are here… I want them to know.”

“You’re sure? I don’t want you to feel pressured to tell?—”

“I’m positive.” Her smile is so bright, leaving no question that she’s ready. “I know we bicker, and we always will, but I love you. I’m proud to be with you. So, we should share it with them.”

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