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.

Where there is a will there is a way

 

Something was going on with Brick. Kat thought her cousin was smiling way too much, but he was home for Spring Break, and Kat smiled along with him. Of course, he wanted to know all about Gavin.

"You're too young to have a boyfriend," he informed her first thing.

"Didn't you know Lily back then?" She didn't mean to make him feel old, but he and Lily had known each other forever.

He looked at her a bit silly and laughed. Before long, Gavin showed up like he always did. He would hang out watching TV or coloring a picture with Kat's little sister. Usually, he helped with puzzles, and sometimes, they would walk to the park. It wasn't a heavy-duty relationship. Their tradition was to get pizza at the Youth Center on Friday nights. And then there was bowling which could take a good portion of a Saturday morning and a Sunday afternoon.

Thankfully, Brick didn't quiz him too much, but asked if he wanted to come with him and shoot hoops.

"I don't like basketball," Gavin said rather dully. 

"What are you, a zombie or something?" Brick winced with a smile. "Come on, show me what you got." He got his basketball, which he never left home without.

"But, he just said he doesn't like basketball."

"Well, then I'll teach you." Brick was optimistic. It was a beautiful day. Besides, they could take Chloe to the park with them.

Gavin looked at Kat as if he'd rather be here. She gave him the eye. "Just for today." She shrugged back as if he knew who the real show off was. It was Brick. After all, he was on the college team now. Maybe he was expecting fans to drop by, for all she knew.

She nudged Gavin on the way and told him she thought Brick was being weird. "He's never this happy."

They trudged along as Brick led the way.

"Are you getting married?" Chloe beat them to the punch line once they got to the court.

"What?" This cracked Brick up. He made a lay-up, dribbling like a professional. It was amazing how those huge feet of his could get off the ground. But he was graceful and perfect on the court. Gavin stood stoic while Kat crossed her arms.

He then pushed the ball to Gavin, but Kat stepped in and caught the ball. She easily aimed for the hoop, and it went in. Gavin looked at her in shock. 

She told him her brother and Brick had taught her. Actually, she'd watched them enough.

"Well, there was nobody to ever play basketball with," Gavin said in defense.

"You got people now," Brick threw the ball to him, and he caught it. Gavin held the ball for the longest time, but awkwardly dribbled it. Kat was certain he'd never even aim for the hoop, but he did. Of course, his wrists were made for bowling, not basketball.