In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry you make it double

 Truth be told, Gavin didn't want his parents over for the Easter celebration at Kat's grandparents, but then his mom was curious about Kat and her family. He couldn't help but be furious.

"What? We embarrass you that much?" Her question was true, and yet it felt like she was trying to put him on a guilt trip.

"No, it's not that." He informed her it would be crowded, and he knew how she disliked crowds. Besides, she liked to have formal dinners, yet these days, he felt his parents were getting ready to be empty nesters. His sister was away at college, and he knew they couldn't wait for him to leave, too. They tended to be into going out without the kids. "You just won't like it." He swelled a frown as if this was his gig, not theirs.

He'd seen all the wine and beer they'd brought back from the Wall of Wine. Didn't she want to stay home and sip her Dirty Shirlies?

"Well, we could go for just a little bit." She sounded as if she wasn't interested in Easter Egg Hunts or cookouts.

"Mom," Gavin wailed. "Do you have to?" He winced as if she was going to wreck everything.

"I'll go just for a bit," She smirked as if she had something up her sleeve. As much as he reminded her that she knew Kat already. His mother came back with, "But I want to meet the rest of the family."

So his day with Kat was his mom's great monologues with Kat's mother about how Gavin was when he was little.

"I thought he would have lots of girlfriends by now. Especially, the way he liked to kiss everyone in preschool." She told anyone who would listen. Of course, he thought she was the only one getting a good laugh. "Oh, and he kissed the boys, too." His mom batted her eyelashes as if she couldn't wait to think of another tale to tell about Gavin.

"You think she's already drunk?" Kat cornered Gavin.

"No, she'd be wanting to dance with everyone if she was," He sighed. 

Of course, she gave him a hug and held his hand strongly as if she'd be by his side no matter how bad the embarrassing stories got. Gavin smiled back as if he was glad he had Kat.

Right here right now

 

"You look like you are  up to no good." Oliver couldn't help but smirk when he met up with Brick. Of course, he had much more on his mind than spending time with his adopted nephew, but they were both put to work getting items for the weekend Easter egg hunt.

"Oh, you know, it's been a good season," he nodded about being on the basketball team at the university. He'd played more on the court than he ever imagined. "I'm thankful for that."

They pushed a grocery cart along, looking for chocolate bunnies and flavored Peeps, and jelly beans. Oliver remembered the cake mix and icing. It was a tradition to make a white cake and decorate it with Peeps. It was something the kids got to do. This year, cupcakes were included, too. It seemed the house was filled with happiness during the holidays. Of course, Oliver and Gabby still lived in an apartment, and it was very obvious these days that a baby was on the way. Hopefully, by May, but Oliver thought it would come sooner.

"And-" Brick started.

"And?" Oliver looked at him out of the corner of his eye. 

"Well, Lily and I wanted to make it right, you know." He shrugged. "We're married."

"Married?" Oliver's brows furrowed. "You?" He had to laugh, yet he felt kind of bad that he wasn't the one married. It was something he always wanted, but he hadn't had the best situation with Carrie's mother, and he wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. Still, he and Gabby were together. It wasn't perfect, but they always seemed to work it out. She was supportive and still working, and of course, there was Betty who would be there to help when the baby was born. Even Gabby's parents were excited.

"Yeah, we decided we wanted to, even if we are still in the dorm. It's a vow between us, you know. I feel better about us and the future." Brick told Oliver.

"You are so brave," Oliver sighed. Maybe he would take the plunge, but knowing Gabby, there wouldn't be a wedding until after the baby was born.

A friend indeed

 "I'm glad you didn't forget about me," Rafe said when Mercer dropped by. Of course, the place was a mess. A work in progress, no less. He invited Mercer in, who didn't want coffee, so he offered him a bottle of water. Surely, that wouldn't be contaminated.

"Such a long time," Rafe said.

"Has it?" Mercer said he didn't think so. "I saw you at Christmas."

"Oh." Rafe nodded. He guessed he was right. Finally, he was having some alone time. Ruby went to thrift with Gabby, and she took the baby with her. She was braver these days on her outings, so Rafe gave her the thumbs-up. Honestly, he wanted to nap, but he knew she expected him to do laundry and the dishes.

He stretched a bit as if he needed to get in the mood to do something. Of course, Mercer helped too.

"You don't have to," Rafe shrugged.

"I don't mind, really."

Rafe thanked him as Mercer picked up in the living room. He even vacuumed while Rafe loaded the dishwasher. 

Finally, Rafe got around to putting a frozen pizza in the oven. The kitchen was so pristine that he hated to mess it up.

"So what have you been up to?"

"Just work, and you know, we go and see Sterling's daughter  on the weekends." Mercer shrugged.

"That must be hectic."

"We've got it down to a schedule. It's good." Mercer told him with a smile.

"Good, wish I knew your secret." Rafe winced in thought.

"Are you and Ruby really happy?" Mercer looked at him out of concern as they ate pizza together with Root Beer.

"Um," Rafe nodded.

"You don't think-" It was as if Mercer didn't want to say anymore. As if he shouldn't have questioned Rafe to begin with.

"It's not perfect, but is anything?" Rafe laughed. "We get along, but we know we both have our faults. It's just we both need more sleep, but every day is an adventure, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with." Rafe smiled. 

He didn't want to mention his brother, Mercer's ex. That was the past, and Rafe definitely lived in the present; that was all that mattered.  They talked then about Easter and what the summer might hold for them.

"Maybe we can all meet up one weekend in Shandoah. It would be good for the youngsters to be friends."

Rafe liked Mercer's idea.

Maybe you mean every word you say

 

"Are you serious?" Mercer thought Lily had to be joking. Especially by that laugh of hers. She and Brick got married?

It was just an accident that they were at the coffee shop at the same time. He was doing some last-minute errands before he went back to the university, and there she was. They didn't even live far from each other at the University, but he never saw her.

"Of course," but she couldn't stop laughing as if it were the funniest thing she'd ever done.

"Don't tell me? You two got hitched on the Internet?" Honestly, he didn't think people did that anymore, but then again, this was Lily and Brick.

"How did you know?" She asked as she picked up her cup of creamed coffee.

Mercer broke into a chuckle. He shook his head no, but had to ask why.

"Oh, we just were fooling around and thought it would be good to do. You know, show our faith in each other." She shrugged as she took a sip of coffee.

Mercer nodded. "But it's not real, is it?"

"If you have to have faith, that's all you need, isn't it?" She looked at him as if he should take the challenge. "I see you've gone blonde?"

"Oh, you know, it was just something last-minute that Sterling did to me before I left for Spring Break." Mercer shrugged back.

"Oh, really, what else is he doing to you?" Her smart mouth was in its usual tone. 

Mercer looked at his coffee. He didn't feel like telling her anything about Sterling. Perhaps, he could say they were partners, but most of all they were best friends.