#jrob64

It had been an exhausting day for Emma Swan-Jones in her role as sheriff of Storybrooke. How in the world could such a small town have so many ‘emergency’ calls in the scope of eight hours? One of these days, she was going to ask Regina to call a special town meeting to explain what actually constituted an emergency, and what was simply a frivolous misuse of the sheriff’s time. Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater’s wife trapped in a pumpkin shell - emergency. Granny requesting Ruby’s arrest for indecent exposure because her skirt was too short - not an emergency.

As she neared the home she shared with her husband, Emma’s bad mood began to lift. She knew Killian would be waiting to greet her with a warm embrace and heart-stopping kiss, as always. Maybe she could even talk him into giving her one of his spectacular foot rubs that never failed to relax her.

She got out of her car, went through the front gate and was starting up the porch steps, when the front door flew open. A broad smile crossed her face seeing her husband rushing onto the porch, sure he was as eager to see her as she was to see him.

“Sorry, Love,” he said, racing past her. “Dave called. One of his sheep is giving birth and he needs my help. I’ll be home soon.”

Emma watched him jump into his truck and drive off toward her parents’ farm. Then she slowly turned and went into the house, her sour mood firmly cemented. He hadn’t even stopped to give her a hug or kiss, and she definitely wouldn’t be getting a foot rub.

The birth of a lamb could take minutes or hours. Either way, Killian probably wasn’t going to be home for a while, which meant she would be eating dinner alone. Going into the kitchen, she hoped to see something cooking on the stove. Usually, either Killian would have dinner almost ready by the time she got home, or they would cook it together. Seeing the empty stovetop, she pulled open the oven door, finding it equally empty. She crossed over to the refrigerator, scanning its contents. When absolutely nothing appealed to her, she slammed the door shut and turned to lean against it, arms crossed.

This called for extreme measures. Going to the cupboard where Henry hid his secret stash of food, she pushed aside the paper plates and styrofoam cups - things Killian refused to use, claiming they were ‘modern atrocities’ - and pulled out the box of cinnamon Pop-tarts. She took out one foil wrapped pack and pulled it open. After removing one of the two pastries, she started to return the other to the box, then stopped. “Oh, what the hell? If this is gonna be my dinner, I might as well eat both of them,” she mumbled to herself.

Ten minutes later, she was sitting on the sofa with the toasted Pop-tarts and a mug of hot cocoa. “Dinner of champions,” she muttered, before taking a huge bite.

*********

Two evenings later, Emma was sitting on the sofa again - this time snuggled into her husband’s side, his arm wrapped securely around her, holding her close. She was just beginning to doze off, when his ‘talking phone’ buzzed on the coffee table. Removing his arm from her shoulders, he leaned forward to pick it up. After reading the text, he clucked his tongue and got to his feet.

The abrupt movement nearly made her topple over. “What are you doing?” she asked with a note of aggravation in her voice.

“Happy just texted me. Sleepy was supposed to be the dwarves’ designated driver tonight and they’re unable to rouse him from his nap. I’m going to go pick them up from The Rabbit Hole and deliver them home.”

“How many are there?”

“All of them,” he threw over his shoulder, already pulling his black leather coat off the hook by the door.

“So, let me get this straight - you’re picking up all seven dwarfs and taking them each to their own home? That’s going to take you at least an hour.”

“Probably more. I can’t fit all seven in the cab of my truck so I’ll more than likely have to make three trips.”

“Maybe I should help you,” she offered.

“No need, Love. It’s quite chilly out tonight. You stay warm and cozy here at home.” With those words, he was out the door.

Emma stared at the closed door for several seconds. “Warm and cozy, my ass,” she grumbled.

*********

The next week, Emma was at the sheriff’s station, waiting for Killian to bring her lunch, as usual. Noon came and went, then twelve-thirty. Finally, at twelve-forty five, her phone rang with Killian’s number lighting up the screen. “Hey, Babe,” she answered. “Did you lose track of time? I’m getting kind of hungry.”

“Sorry, Love. I’ll be unable to deliver your lunch today. I’m down at the docks helping Eric clean the barnacles off of his fishing trawler and we’re only about half finished. You know how I hate starting a job and not seeing it through to completion. Besides, I’m really quite the mess and I doubt you want me anywhere near your food. I hope you understand.”

Emma sighed. “Yeah, I understand. I’ll get my own lunch today, but I’ll miss seeing you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Swan. See you tonight. I love you.”

She was opening her mouth to respond, when she realized the call had already ended. “Love you, too,” she whispered.

*********

Over the next three weeks, Emma was left alone several more times when Killian was called away by Storybrooke’s residents for a variety of reasons. Granny required his expertise in creating a new boiled mackerel dish to add to the menu. Snow needed help with a bluebird suffering from a broken wing. He offered to walk Pongo while Archie met with a new patient. Anton asked him to help harvest a new crop of magic beans. He filled in for the Rabbit Hole’s bartender when he cut his hand on a broken glass, and gave Ruby feedback on which pair of black leather boots to purchase. Even Henry got into the act, asking him to be his guest for career day (which only made Emma a little bit jealous).

They were sitting down to eat dinner one evening when Killian’s phone buzzed with another text. As he reached for the phone laying on the table, Emma slapped her hand down on top of his. He looked up at her in surprise. “What’s wrong, Love?” he asked, clearly puzzled over her behavior.

“Please don’t leave me,” she said firmly.

“Leave you? I would never do that,” he protested.

“You do it all the time,” she responded, despising the whine she heard in her voice.

Killian’s brows shot up to his hairline. “What do you mean?”

“Have you not noticed how you’re so busy helping everyone else, that we hardly have a peaceful evening together anymore? Or that you’re too busy at lunchtime to bring me my lunch and sit down to eat with me like you always used to do?”

He seemed to wilt a little. “I’m simply trying to help my friends.”

“And while I appreciate that you’ve made so many friends and they all trust you to help them with their problems, I miss you, Killian.”

His head dropped. “I’m sorry, Love. In my pursuit to ingratiate myself to the residents of Storybrooke, I’m afraid I’ve neglected you.”

She stood up and walked over to stand in front of him. “I wouldn’t say you neglect me. I guess I’m just being selfish…”

“You’re not being selfish at all,” he insisted, standing so his eyes could meet hers. “I have been spending too much time away from you, but I promise to rectify that immediately.” Picking his phone up, he turned it off without even checking the new text.

“What if that was important?”

He pocketed the phone, then cupped her face in his hand, his hooked arm wrapping around her waist. “Nothing is more important than you, Emma. Now, let’s eat dinner and enjoy the rest of our evening together.”

“Hmm, I think I have a better idea.”

“And what is that, pray tell?” he asked, cocking a brow.

“Why don’t you show me some of those more enjoyable activities that you prefer to do with a woman on her back?” she smirked.

He grinned wickedly. “Fair warning, Swan. When I jab you with my sword, you’ll feel it.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it, Captain,” she said, then took off running toward the stairs. Killian was hot in pursuit, all thoughts of other Storybrooke residents besides Emma Swan-Jones driven completely from his mind.

*********

I hope this put a smile on your face!

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Emma Swan had never planned on having a big ritzy wedding. Truth be told, she never really planned on having a wedding at all. When you grow up the way she had – constantly moving from foster home to foster home, constantly being abandoned as soon as you started getting attached to someone – you learn people don’t stay. Marriage is a fairy tale every bit as fictional as the story of Snow White and Prince Charming.

But then she’d met Mary Margaret Blanchard, who was as close to Snow White come to life as it was possible to get. And then Mary Margaret met David Nolan, Prince Charming in the flesh, and the two of them had fallen deeply, passionately, irrevocably in love. A year and a half ago, they’d married, and now in about two months when Baby Boy Nolan was born, they’d be a family of three.

Suddenly, Emma realized that lasting love – True Love – was more than just a fairy tale. It was a very real possibility. Then when she met and fell in love with Killian Jones, she’d realized that lasting love wasn’t just for Snow White and Prince Charming. She could have it too.

Oh, it hadn’t all been smooth sailing, of course. When you’ve lived your whole life with high and thick walls around your heart, they don’t get knocked down in a day, but Killian had a way of getting under her skin and showing her that he was in it for the long haul. When Killian loved, he loved for life – and he had finally convinced her that he loved her.

A year and a half ago, just before David and Mary Margaret’s destination dream wedding on St. Simons Island, Georgia, Killian had proposed aboard the Georgia Queen riverboat, and she’d said yes. She, Emma Swan – orphan, lost girl, the one no one ever really wanted – was engaged, and what’s more, she truly believed this was a love that would last forever.

So Emma was getting married. Still, she figured she’d have a simple ceremony – no fuss, no frills, just Killian and her sealing their love with timeless vows before their closest family and friends.

When she said as much to Mary Margaret on one of their weekly FaceTime calls, Mary Margaret had reacted with as much shock, dismay, and confusion as any normal person would if Emma had proposed having her wedding at a nudist colony on Mars.

“Oh, but Emma you can’t just show up some random Wednesday before a justice of the peace at the courthouse! You need a wedding – a real, big, lavish wedding at a church or some beautiful, romantic destination. You deserve it! Besides, I’ve already started planning.”

She’d then proceeded to hoist a five-inch three ring binder, stuffed to the gills, into frame.

Emma groaned. “This is going to give me a months-long, pounding headache with all the preparations and stress, isn’t it?”

Mary Margaret let the tome of wedding preparations fall to the table before her and made a dismissive gesture with her hands. “Don’t worry. The girls and I will help! You won’t have to worry about a thing.”

She’d been so insistent – and so excited – about it all, that Emma had agreed. As for Killian, he’d assured her that all he cared about was becoming her husband. “Swan, if you were to tell me you wanted us to marry on an ice floe in Antarctica, I’d be fine with it,” he said, referencing a conversation between Liam and Emma soon after David and Mary Margaret’s wedding the year before.

And so preparations had begun, and with every passing day – with every new section appearing in Mary Margaret’s binder – the whole affair had gotten more elaborate. Now, only a month from the big day, it felt like they still had a mountain of stuff to do to get ready.

Mary Margaret had been right, though. All the girls in their group had helped with the preparations – well, all but Ruby. “I’m sorry, Emma,” she’d said, eyes red and puffy from crying. “I wish I could be more helpful, but right now… I’m just in a really dark place.”

It was true enough. While most of the couples that had formed two and a half years ago on one of their annual girls’ trips were still going strong – Liam and Elsa married with a six month old daughter they’d named Georgiana Eleanor – Georgie for short, David and Mary Margaret married and expecting, Regina and Robin recently engaged and living together with Roland, Belle and Will not formally committed, but still very much a couple, and of course Killian and her getting married – Ruby and Graham had split up a few months after getting back from David and Mary Margaret’s wedding. With Ruby liking the bustle of New York City and Graham wanting nothing more than nature, peace, and tranquility, they’d decided they simply wanted different things.

It had come as a bit of a shock to the rest of them, but Emma wasn’t entirely convinced the split was permanent. While on the surface, Ruby and Graham’s relationship had always seemed rather casual – built mainly around their sizzling hot physical attraction – Emma knew her friend well enough to know her feelings for the handsome outdoorsman were far more than skin-deep.  She had to believe a reconciliation was still possible.

Emma sighed and shook her head. Her friend’s love life would have to wait. There was still SOOOOO much to do to get ready for the wedding, and with their annual girls’ and guys’ trips – doubling as bachelor and bachelorette parties – falling just a month before the ceremony, there wasn’t a moment to waste.

“Everything okay, Love?” Killian asked as he took the exit off the freeway and waited for the Google Woman to give him further directions toward the Savannah rental home they had all chosen this year.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Emma said. “It’s just….is this trip really a good idea with the wedding a month away? How are we ever going to be ready in time?”

He rolled to a stop at the light, and turned toward her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.  “I know all the preparations have been stressful for you, Love, and that’s why I think this trip is exactly what we need. Besides, I’ve no doubt Mary Margaret has everything well in hand.”

“Maybe she did before,” Emma said, “but now she has baby brain, and it’s hard for her to think beyond the constant nausea and the fact she has to pee every five minutes.”

“Still, we’re right on schedule, and a few days to relax and unwind won’t be amiss,” Killian said, a bit of teasing smolder coming into his eyes. “Besides, we can’t have you so burnt out you’re unable to enjoy the honeymoon. I have some rather steamy plans for the wedding night that will require your full and prompt attention.”

At the subsequent waggle of his eyebrows, she laughed and then leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry, Captain,” she said, “I’ll be more than ready to follow your instructions.”

Ten minutes later, they pulled into a parking space in front of their home away from home for the next week – a stately townhouse on historic Jones Street – and Emma determinedly put her wedding planning stress aside.  Killian was right. She deserved a vacation – they both did – and come what may, she was going to enjoy every moment of it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Belle and Will arrived, it was obvious that something wasn’t quite right between them as they mounted the steps into the rental, their luggage bumping along behind them. Between Will’s jovial nature and Belle’s sweet, peaceable temperament and optimistic outlook, the pair generally had an easy, light air between them. That was not the case as they entered the foyer, though. Unvoiced tension crackled between them as both stood uncertainly in the townhouse entryway; so much so that when Killian greeted them, offering to take one of the librarian’s bags and giving her a hug, he would swear he felt the tenseness in her shoulders.

He nearly asked both of them if they were alright, when Will abruptly announced that he needed the ‘little boy’s room’ after so long in the car and stomped off as soon as his mate pointed him in the right direction. 

For her part, Belle seemed to sense Killian readying a query, and spoke first to cut him off. “So, let me guess. Everyone’s here but Ruby. If she didn’t get to make a fashionably late grand entrance, she’d be disappointed.”

Killian grinned slightly at that, nodding to acknowledge that she was absolutely correct in her estimation. But again, before he could get a word in, Belle prattled on.

“We would have been here sooner; I had the best route from the airport all mapped out…” she trailed off for a second, eyes going a bit hazy with either worry or intense thought – Killian wasn’t sure which – then she shook herself, focus returning, and continued, “but I admit I got in my head about something else, and I wasn’t paying close attention. Will tried to follow my directions, but construction sent us off course, and well…” she shrugged with a helpless sort of ‘what can you do?’ gesture and concluded. “Here we are at last.”

Killian listened, assuring her none of them had been there long and helping her shlep her own and Will’s bags up to the second floor rooms in which they would stay. The whole time he tried to tell himself that all he was sensing was residual frustration over a prolonged and complicated drive, but Belle seemed more troubled than that, something else weighing on her. He also reminded himself not to pry into the other couple’s business. They would work it out, surely, or they wouldn’t have come. At least, he hoped that would prove true; Emma didn’t need anything else to juggle and worry over. Mary Margaret was already about to send his fiancée over the edge with her constant requests and suggestions to “help” make their ceremony “as magical as Emma deserved” – not to mention Liam and Elsa’s constant reminders to stay quiet when little Georgie was napping or that they needed to stick to a proper schedule so the babe wasn’t out of her normal rhythm.

He would have to either wait until one of his friends sought his counsel – or leave Will and Belle to sort out whatever issue they were having for themselves.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some two hours later, when everyone else had arrived, settled their belongings in their rooms, and had gathered in the main sitting area to catch up and coo over slightly fussy but still adorable baby Georgie, Ruby blew through the door with all her usual enthusiasm and flair. Emma could tell it was more than a bit of a brave face her friend was putting on, to look as though she was just the same as always, but it took knowing the other woman as well as Emma had come to over the years to realize a lot of that brazen recklessness was a facade. Calling out a jubilant greeting, Ruby flicked her shining, red-streaked dark hair over her shoulder as she parked her gigantic wheeled suitcase by the bench in the hall and dropped so many bags on the seat that Emma wondered how Ruby had made it up the stairs at all.

Will, who had never hesitated to speak exactly what was on his mind and think about it after, piped up cheekily in response to her greeting. “‘Bout time ya got ‘ere, Red,” he quipped, using his own teasing nickname for her, “The rest of us are nigh to starvin’ from waitin’ on ya.”

Ruby came to stand in the arched entryway to the sitting room, hand on hip in an insouciant pose, unbothered by Will’s jibe. She gave an unrepentant shrug and grinned mischievously, “Hey, looking like this takes time and effort,” she lobbed back. Liam and Elsa rolled their eyes at Ruby’s nonchalance, their attempts at keeping their frustration over Georgie’s upended schedule subtle failing miserably.

Ruby’s carefree attitude disappeared though, when her gaze took in Graham seated on a padded footstool at the far corner of the couch, where she hadn’t noticed him until then. The wide smile that had painted her scarlet lips faltered, and she seemed to sag wearily for a moment, the playful flirtatiousness dissipating in spite of her effort.

It was quick, but Emma could see the corresponding way Graham’s eyes were drawn to Ruby as well. Those big blue eyes warm with frank appreciation, even if it was somewhat clouded by his furrowed brow and the longing that muted the expression painfully. 

“Oh…I thought,” she sputtered, “I didn’t know you were….I didn’t mean…Just…Um…you’re here?”

Graham glanced aside, mumbling something about how he should have stuck to his guns and stayed home this year.

“We asked him here ages ago,” Killian said, “before the breakup; you know we booked the place more than a year ago.”

“And it only has six bedrooms….” Ruby said, the implications suddenly striking her. “That means…”

“I’ll take the couch,” Graham said abruptly, refusing to look at her.

“You don’t have to,” Ruby said. “I can always get a hotel…”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Graham said. “We’re both adults. I’m sure we can handle being under the same roof for four days. I don’t need a bed. I’m used to roughing it. The couch is fine for me.”

“Oh, uh, okay,” Ruby said lamely.

“Well this is like one of those boring Shakespeare tragedies Belle made me read, innit, with all this tension?” Will said. “Except nobody dies. At least not yet.”

Killian reached over and slapped him up the backside of his head. “Will, there is a little thing called tact. Perhaps for your next study session, you could look it up.”

“I was just sayin’ what all of us were thinkin’,” he groused, rubbing his head.

“That’s the problem,” Emma said with an elaborate eyeroll. “You’re always ‘just sayin’ before that tiny lima bean you call a brain thinks better of it. Now, are we going to stand around talking all afternoon, or are we finally going to dinner? You know the rest of the gang is meeting us at the restaurant, and if we keep Regina waiting, she’s going to kill us.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Robin stood and waved as the rest of their party came through the door of The Six Pence Pub, their chosen restaurant for dinner. David, Mary Margaret, Robin, Regina, and Roland had caravanned together from Pigeon Forge and went on to the restaurant instead of the townhouse to procure a table for the very large party. All of the other ladies immediately surrounded Regina to see the three carat diamond ring adorning her left hand while the men offered their congratulations to Robin.

“Oh, Regina,” Emma sighed, hugging her friend tightly, “It’s beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”

Regina smiled softly as they all sat down. “Tell us everything,” Belle urged, the other ladies nodding in agreement.

“You all remember that Robin asked me to move in with him while we were on St. Simons for Snowing’s wedding last year,” she began, using the affectionate nickname Belle had come up with for Mary Margaret and David the year before, referencing their Snow White and Prince Charming personas. “Well, we were celebrating our anniversary with dinner at The Melting Pot in Gatlinburg. It’s Roland’s favorite for a special occasion, and since it was a celebration, Robin made us reservations for their Golden Anniversary 4-Course Celebration. When it was time for the chocolate fondue,” Regina’s smile turned bright and happy as she recounted what happened, “Roland carried the dessert tray, with the ring in the middle of it with our server behind him carrying the fondue. I still don’t know how Robin managed that, they both refuse to tell me.” She shook her head fondly at the man and boy she loved at the other end of the table. “I was so surprised, I almost missed what Roland said.”

“What did he say?” Elsa asked eagerly. 

The look on Regina’s face made Emma’s heart melt a little. It was clear to her that her friend was truly in love with Robin and that she loved Roland as much as if she’d given birth to him herself. Remembering the conversation they’d had two years before about opening their respective hearts to love and happiness, Emma had never been so thankful  that they’d both done so.

“Robin was sliding out of the booth to get down on one knee when Roland burst out. He just couldn’t stand it,” she said, her eyes shining with the memory. “He said ‘Will you marry us, Miss Gina?’”

A chorus of awwwwwws sounded from the ladies around the table, grabbing the attention of the men on the other end just as their server arrived to take their orders. Once he withdrew, Regina smiled at Robin and continued the tale. 

“Robin knelt and picked Roland up to sit on his knee. He said I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known and he loved me with all his heart. He was so grateful that I’d chosen to be with him, and he wanted to make that permanent. So he repeated what Roland said.” The humor on her face was contagious, and the ladies all laughed before Regina added a quick addendum. “He didn’t call me Miss Gina, of course.” 

Once the laughter died down, Mary Margaret spoke up. “Tell them what you did the next Monday, Regina.”

Four heads turned back toward her. “I filed paperwork to adopt Roland,” she said, her smile full of love and pride. 

Belle clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, that is perfect,” she gushed, wrapping her arms around Regina. “I’m so thrilled for you.”

“It won’t be final until after we’re married, but he’s already calling me ‘Mama’,” she informed them, the happiness inside her showing in her sparkling eyes and coloring her cheeks. 

“See? I was almost right,” Emma said. “Last year before the wedding, when I said you were the first of us to be a parent. Now it will be legal.”

“Now it will be legal,” Regina repeated.

The conversation between the reunited friends continued as their meals were served and consumed. By the time they were all done, Roland’s eyes were drooping and the baby had been asleep for over an hour. Liam and Elsa were the first to leave to head back to the townhouse, hoping against hope that they’d be able to just put Georgie down without waking her. Not long after they’d left, the rest of the party followed them, knowing the next day would be a long and busy one.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once the entire group returned to the townhouse, the children were put to bed, and the women were either taking showers or already turned in for the night, the men met in the living room to discuss their plans for the bachelor party on Saturday. 

After tentatively agreeing on an agenda, Graham looked at Will, who was sulking at the other end of the sofa. “Alright, Mate, out with it.” 

“Out with what?” 

“We know something is bothering you,” Graham continued. “You act like somebody just kicked your puppy.”

“You’re one to talk,” Will grumbled. “The way you’re moping around here and avoiding Ruby like the plague.” 

“Both of you are wet blankets on the party so far,” Liam admonished. “We’re supposed to be here to celebrate my little brother’s last month of bachelorhood.” 

“Says the man who can’t stay out past nine o’clock because he has to follow the schedule of an eight-month-old,” mumbled David. 

“You’ll find out in a few months how much a baby changes things,” Liam said indignantly. 

“I don’t think I’ll let an infant dictate my entire life.” 

“It does make a difference,” Robin chimed in. “I remember when Roland was born…” 

“Can we please not turn this into a discussion about babies,” Killian interrupted. “I love my niece, but I’ve heard enough about all that to last a lifetime.” 

Liam shot him a disgruntled look, but kept his mouth shut. 

Turning to Will, Robin said, “Graham is right though, Will. You’re not yourself, and although that could be a breath of fresh air, we’re a bit concerned about you.” 

Will glanced around at his circle of friends, then blew out a sigh. “Fine. Well, ya know how Belle is so smart and keeps tryin’ to make me that way, too?”

“Without much success,” Killian quipped. 

Will narrowed his eyes at him, but kept going. “I think she might be gettin’ tired of me and may even be plannin’ to dump me while we’re down here.” 

Various expressions of shock colored all their faces. “What makes you think that?” Robin asked. 

“I went to pick her up for our date the other night and I let myself in, like I usually do,” he began. “She was on the phone in her bedroom, and I accidentally overheard her talkin’ to someone. She was sayin’ how much he means to her and how excited she was to meet him when she got to Savannah.” 

“Did she mention his name?” David asked. 

“I thought she said Professor Fa or La or somethin’ like that,” Will shrugged. “Anyway, he’s somebody really smart, and I’m sure Belle will have much more in common with him than she does with me. I think my days bein’ her boyfriend are numbered.” 

“I’m sorry, I just can’t see Belle doing that,” Liam stated, his brows furrowed in disbelief. 

“He’s right, Mate,” Killian agreed. “That seems completely out of character for her.”

“She’s been actin’ real secretive lately, too,” Will continued. “If I even get close to her laptop, she closes it real quick like she doesn’t want me to see what’s on it.” 

“How did she act when she came out of her bedroom that night and realized you were there?” Robin asked. 

“She just said, ‘Oh, Will. I didn’t know you were here.’ She didn’t seem embarrassed or upset or anything.” 

“You’re probably making a mountain out of a mole hill,” Graham threw in. 

“She hardly had anything to say to me on the way here,” Will said. “The whole flight, she was on her phone lookin’ at somethin’, smilin’ like the cat that ate the hat.”

“The canary,” Liam corrected. 

Will looked confused. “What’s a canary got to do with it?” 

“Never mind,” Liam said, trying to suppress a chuckle.

“Anyway,” Will continued. “When I asked her what was so interesting, she kinda turned the screen so I couldn’t see it. I tell you, she’s plannin’ to break up with me. And after I uprooted myself from Kentucky to move all the way up to Maine, just to be with her. You’d think that would count for somethin’.”

“I still think you’re jumping to conclusions,” Graham said. The others nodded in agreement. 

Will looked at all of them in turn. “I sure hope you guys are right, but my heart’s tellin’ me it’s about to get busted.” 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~