Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 Years Later
It was hard to get everything set up when a full grown Australian Shepard was whining at her feet. Beyoncé balanced three trays on her arms expertly; years of experience down at Bailey's had definitely paid off. She set down the three trays on the table, aligning them so that their circular outlines touched evenly.
"Kelbey!" She hissed. "Watch it!" The dog whined again, her tail wagging furiously. Beyoncé leaned down and ruffled its head roughly. "Who's a bad dog? Who's getting in my way, huh?" She cooed. The dog licked at her face eagerly. She decided that since the guests weren't getting there until later in the afternoon, and since it was only one o'clock, she had some free time to tire Kelbey out. She smiled to herself. A few years ago, it wasn't possible to tire the hyperactive herding dog but now, she looked down at the dog, her muzzle slightly frosted.
"Come on! Let's play!" She suggested, running out into the backyard. The dog ambled behind her and she threw the ball. Kelbey fetched and she threw it a few more times. Her backyard was fairly large. She lived in a one bedroom, one floor house that was decently sized on the outskirts of town just like Ashley did. She gazed at the hedge fence surrounding her property and sighed contently. She'd done very well for herself. Her parents visited every now and again, as did Sarah and her family. Thomas had grown up, he was now twenty and harboring a not-so-secret crush on Beyoncé. She found it cute, the boy would always stumble over his words and blush when he saw her. His mother found it incredibly entertaining that her son still had a puppy-love for the woman who babysat him when he was still having trouble sleeping without a night light. They also brought along Laney, who was now fifteen. Her mother told her the story about Beyoncé and Kelly, how the two of them came to stay with them and wound up helping Sarah give birth. She also told her about Beyoncé and her story and how she showed up on their doorstep a few months later and promptly left again. Laney took it upon herself to write it down. A lot of their visits were comprised of Laney interviewing Beyoncé, much to Beyoncé's mild embarrassment, about her journey. Beyoncé related that part of her life, from the initial trip she and Kelly took to the trip she took alone after Kelly had died. The teenage girl was fascinated by the whole thing and after she finished, she published it quietly, using a pseudonym for Beyoncé. It didn't sell many copies but what was important was that the story was out there.
Rhonda and Carmen visited often. Beyoncé fought the urge to tease Carmen a little bit about what she had heard in the hospital but truth be told, she was grateful. It had been Carmen's voice that she heard last before waking up and she attributed her decision to that. They treated Beyoncé as a family member, so much so that Beyoncé started calling them her adopted aunts. They sent her birthday and Christmas gifts and invited her to all of the family functions. It was strange, she thought, but not wholly unwelcome.
The dog's movements got slower and slower but she didn't want to disappoint her owner. Beyoncé finally stopped and led the dog back in where she collapsed on her pillow and promptly fell asleep. Beyoncé sighed with relief, she could finally get work done before the party. It had been such a long time since the choir members all got together and Michelle's 33rd birthday seemed like the perfect occasion to call a party. Everyone was flying in to celebrate so Beyoncé tried to make it as organized as possible. She set up the drinks on her kitchen counter and checked on the lasagna to make sure that it would be ready on time as well. She had a little time for a breather and she went over to the couch to relax. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, scratching Kelbey's head. The picture that Rhonda had taken of the two of them sleeping stood in a gold frame on her mantle and she looked at it with aged eyes.
"Kelly..." She whispered before drifting off to sleep.
Beyoncé woke from her nap and busied herself with the rest of the preparations. Alan was bringing the cake and she cleared a spot in her living room for the presents. Soon, the first doorbell rang. Solange stood in the door, dressed in a pink skirt and a white top. The two of them embraced warmly.
