#hannahchen

"Home? Give the kids some time to themselves?"

"Home," Cintia agreed.

"Nance? Miguel? Ready to go?"

"Ready!"

"Looks like we're the last ones here," Phoebe said. "We should probably be getting out of your hair. Great party, Leonor. And congrats again."

"Please give Al our congratulations, too," Hannah said. "I'd tell him myself, but I haven't been able to find him."

"I will," Leonor promised.

* * * * *

Leonor made sure the door had closed behind Phoebe and Hannah before letting out a relieved sigh.

She was tired, her social battery depleted. Her feet were sore, her cheeks even sorer from smiling all day long. But she was happy. So, so happy.

"That's everyone!" she sang out, rolling her shoulders and making her way toward the bedroom she would now officially be sharing with Al. "I was starting to think we wouldn't get any time alone tonight . . ."

The new Student Wellness Center (The Well) just opened last week. Many people would think that unless you needed  physical therapy, or to see student health, CAPS, or nutritional services, you really have no reason to go there. But in the event that you do need to go, or just have some spare time, upon visiting this new center you will see why it is a hidden gem (though barely hidden, as it is located right off of the BC plaza behind Penn Pavilion). The all-glass walls let the sun in, making you feel welcome, no matter what the reason for the visit is.  

 Also, amidst all the Duke construction, the wellness center has a calm and relaxing aspect to it – perfect for light studying! Here is the view from my personal favorite study spot!

 They say to never reveal your hidden favorite study spot, but hey, why not.

 If you get lucky, sometimes people will be playing the piano!

 As you can see, the modern design of the Wellness Center contrasts nicely with the gothic architecture of the rest of campus. Even though it is practically at the heart of west campus, it feels like a nice get away from your usual college routine. As a bonus, all of the workers here are extremely nice! And, very conveniently, Duke opened a new pharmacy literary five steps away from the wellness center! Now you no longer have to make the half mile trek from East Campus to Harris Teeter to pick up your prescriptions or last minute toiletries.

 Also, if you are feeling extra stressed out. CAPS offers a program called KORU, which is a meditative yoga class designed for stressed out college students. If interested, the deadline is approaching VERY soon. Sign up quickly!

"They're cute, aren't they?" Citlali asked.

"Hmm?"

"Phoebe and Hannah." Citlali nodded toward the two women, who'd been swaying in place, oblivious to anyone else, since Domingo had picked up his violin. "They've been together nearly thirty years by now, but they're still head-over-heels."

Something about the way Carl cleared his throat made Citlali forget about Phoebe and Hannah. She looked up at him.

He looked nervous. She was surprised. She'd only seen him nervous once before.

"I'd like to have something like that myself," he said. "With you. Could you see that?"

She swallowed a lump in her throat, her pulse fluttering.

"Carl, are you--proposing?"

"I don't want to steal any of Leonor and Alvin's thunder, so I'm not getting down on one knee. Not here. But, ah, yes. I am. If you'll have me. I'd like to marry you. Be a real father to Miguel. Have a family. I'd like all of it."

"Oh."

"Well?" There was a quaver in his voice she'd never heard there before.

A wave of tenderness washed over her, almost like pain.

She pressed closer, feeling the thumping of his heart against her own chest.

"Yes."

Miguel was the only kid at the party, but that was OK. He wasn't that close with the other kids, so he even preferred it that way. He liked dancing with Carl and his grandpa, playing games with his aunt Nancy, being doted on by his aunt Leonor and his three grandmas. (Even though Grandmas Hannah and Phoebe weren't paying him much attention at the moment.)

"How are you so fast?! I didn't even see you move!" he demanded of Nancy.

"Practice, little man. Practice."

A few steps away, Peter was only too aware of the fact that Trevor and he had been in the same room together for hours and had yet to say so much as hello. Every time he approached, Trevor suddenly seemed to be deep in conversation with someone else.

"Enjoying yourself?" he said to the closest unoccupied person, who happened to be Yesenia.

Yesenia was startled. She'd forgotten herself for a moment, had allowed her mind to wander, her careful smile to slip, and Peter had caught her. Blushing, she did her best to tack it back on.

"Yes, of course."

"Riiiight." His voice had taken on a slight, uncharacteristic drawl. The drink in his hand clearly wasn't his first.

Peter glanced down at the glass. She must have been staring.

"Uh. Can I get you one?"

She shouldn't, not if she was going to keep up her happy facade all night.

"Sure."

The drink helped. Yesenia tossed it back it too quickly, then poured herself another.

"Easy there."

His glass was freshly filled to the brim, too. He's one to talk.

Jeremy and Meda were the first to leave. Jeremy delivered their goodbyes while Meda bundled up for the walk home.

The living room was crowded with so many people gathered, and some guests soon spilled into the kitchen.

Sam hovered at the edge of an animated conversation Nadya Fuentes-Haddad was having with the mother of the bride, trying to look interested and not as if she was hiding from anyone.

Meanwhile, out in the living room, Domingo uncased his violin and took up a spot in the corner of the room.

Domingo: "Who feels like dancing? I think I know a romantic song or two."

It was only fitting that the bride and groom had the first dance.

Al: "This is the first time I've had you to myself since we said our vows."

Leonor: "I'm all yours now."

She rested her chin on his shoulder, and they swayed together in contented silence.

Carl: "I wonder, would the beautiful lady do me the honor?"

Citlali: "I'd love to."

Phoebe: "Woah! Took me by surprise, there."

Hannah: "Just showing the kids how it's done."

Hannah: "It's freezing. How long have you been out here?"

Phoebe: "Oh . . . I don't know. I don't feel cold."

Hannah: "Any particular reason you prefer to be out here than in our warm bed?"

Phoebe: "Just restless, I guess." She sighed. "I was thinking . . . about how long he's been gone."

Hannah: "Oh."

Phoebe extended her arms plaintively.

Phoebe: "He walked out of that door, he came this way, and then . . . where did he go? Where, Hannah? If only I knew where to look . . . If only I could be sure he's still out there somewhere, safe . . . but it's been years, and we have nothing. He's just gone."

Hannah gently took her wife's hands in her own. Despite Phoebe's claims of immunity to the cold, her fingers were icy.

Hannah: "I don't know where he is, but I do know that he's still out there somewhere. And this I don't know, but I believe . . . I believe we will see him again."

Phoebe: "No offense, Han, but I'm really not in the mood for the whole 'intuition runs in my family' spiel again."

Hannah: "I know you're skeptical. That's OK. I just don't want you to lose hope."

Phoebe: "I haven't lost hope. I'm not giving up on him. I just wish we had some actual evidence. I want Griff back home."

Hannah: "I know." She squeezed Phoebe's frozen fingers. "I know."

Phoebe turned her gaze to the vast star-speckled sky. For a few minutes, Hannah gazed with her in silence. Somewhere out there, if he was still alive, Griff might be looking up at the same stars.

Hannah: "We should get back inside."

Phoebe lowered her eyes back to solid ground, to the little red house she called home, to her wife, and she allowed herself to be led out of the cold.

When Peter finally returned, it was well after dark. He came in so quietly it gave Hannah a start to emerge from the bathroom and see him standing at the sink.

Hannah: "You were out for a long time."

Peter grunted, scrubbing harder at the sink.

Hannah: "Catch anything exciting?"

Peter: "Mm."

Hannah: ". . . Peter, are you all right?"

Peter: "What? Oh, yes, fine. Great."

Hannah: ". . . OK. Well, I'm going to bed. Good night."

Peter: "Mhm."