Marriage.

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"Eff! What the hell?!?"

"Hey Panda."

"Hey Panda? Eff you've completely dropped off the face of the Earth! Did you mad? Is that it?"

"Panda, calm down. I–I just went to visit my brother and his family."

"I know. I called him and he told me."

"Cook went with you? That's sweet."

"Well, we got married–how's the baby?"

"Awe he's the sweetest Angel. Thomas and I have actually been able to sleep through most nights. I was scared something was wrong with him because you know that's not that normal for babies and–what did you say?"

"What?"

"What did you just say?!?"

"When? You've down all the talking mate."

"YOU GOT MARRIED?!"

"Oh yeah. Yes."

"Without me?!? Your best mate!"

"Will you still hate your best mate when she tells you she wants you to throw her the biggest bridal shower?"

"But you hate stuff like that."

"Oh Panda, I'm quickly changing my mind over here."

"Okay, okay! I'll do it. I'll make it a bridal shower you love."

"Don't overwhelm yourself, yeah? You just had a baby."

"Don't worry, Thomas can help. When are you coming home?"

"That, I don't know. We haven't decided yet. Both of us were looking to have some alone time before heading back."

"Just give me a heads up, yeah?"

"Sure thing."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks Panda."

"One last thing before you go. Did you take his last name?"

"Hyphened it but, yeah. I did."

She squealed as I hung up the phone.


"Are you sure you know where you're going?"

"Yes. I knew where I was going when you asked me 10 minutes ago too."

I narrowed my eyes at Cook, and he smirked playfully at me. Two hours later, we ended up at a remote cabin.

"Wait, isn't this Freddie's family cabin?"

"Yeah. I called his dad and told him we got married. Told me we could use it for a few days."

"Wow. I haven't been here in so long."

"You've been?" He sounded surprised by that revelation.

I nodded. "You?"

"He's brought me and JJ here a few times."

"Do you remember where he kept the key?"

"No, but his dad told me." Cook bent down and grabbed a rock that turned out to be fake from the ground. He pulled the key out and unlocked the door.

Old memories and emotions flooded me when I walked in. Everything was the same. Cook had the same expression as me, I guess he was feeling it too.

"Okay... it's getting cold and will only get colder as the sun goes down. I'm going to go get some wood."

"I'll put the bags in the room."

He kissed me and left. I sat the bags down in a corner of the bedroom. My eyes drifted to the bed and lingered there for a bit too long...

"Promise you'll love me forever."

"Until the die... and after that."

My breath caught and I stumbled out of the room as quickly as I could.


"I'm back."

"I made tea."

He cocked his head, "Tea?"

I shrugged, "There was nothing else."

"Good thing I thought about food and drink while I was out." He carried in some take out along with some sodas and beers.

The wood crackled and roared. It was warm and inviting. A feeling I'm not quite used to yet.

"Hey." He ran a hand through my hair bringing my attention back to him. "Where are you?"

"I'm sorry. I'm just having—I just feel—

"Anxious? Overwhelmed?"

"Is all the above an option?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't think about memories of Freddie when I decided to come here. If I knew coming here would bum you out—

"No, I'm not bummed out. I just didn't expect it." I grabbed two beers and handed him one." "This is technically our honeymoon. We should start enjoying it."

Our glasses clinked together as we began to eat our food.

As a family.

As a family

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