A/N: It took a while, but we've reached adulthood. If you've read Twenty Years On, some of this will be familiar. This chapter more or lets gets us to the events of that fic.
In theory, a five hour flight across the country would be a perfect time to catch up on sleep. Phoebe, however, spent her entire trip to San Francisco wide awake, her mind awash with anxiety and emotion. The drumbeat inside went on incessantly through the entire flight. Am I making a huge mistake? Can I really make it so far from home? How could I do this to everyone I love?
As the plane landed, Phoebe forced herself to ignore the flips her stomach was making and focus on the task at hand. She grabbed the few possessions she bought with her and took public transportation to the house she was staying at. A group of Ashland Social Work graduates were living together, and they agreed to let Phoebe crash on their couch while she looked for a job.
When she arrived, two of the three normal residents of the house were there. Phoebe formally introduced herself (she had only communicated with her new roommates via email and phone prior) and was shown to her sofa/bed/entire allotted living space. Phoebe knew she needed to get started on finding work right away, but the long trip and constant worry had taken a toll on her body. She forced herself to call her father and Keesha before giving in to sleep.
Another day, another long drive home. It was Friday night, at least Keesha was pretty sure it was. Today's freelance assignment sent her all the way to Dayton to cover some festival or something or other. Keesha was frankly too tired to care all that much. The important thing is that the story got filed before deadline. Unfortunately, she was still an hour away from home and precious, precious sleep. She had already been informed she had a job in Akron the next morning. It had only been a few months, and Keesha had already traveled just about every corner in Ohio and had a story published in just about every paper of significance.
It was around ten when Keesha finally stepped inside the Franklin condo. Her mother had already gone to the bed (making it yet another day where mother and daughter didn't speak), but her grandmother stayed up to chat with Keesha while she wolfed down what was left of dinner. By eleven, Keesha was out cold, barely giving herself time to undress and brush her teeth. Just another day.
Coincidentally, ten o' clock Pacific time was when Phoebe was trudging home from work. She came home to an empty house. Her housemates were out partying, their work weeks having been completed that afternoon. Phoebe, however, had still been unable to find a social work job. As such, she was working at a nearby grocery store as a checkout clerk. She was still trying with everything she had to find a job in her chosen field, but the uneven scheduling of the grocery store was making that was hard to job search when you had an afternoon one day, and helped open the store the next.
The one plus was that someone moved out recently, so Phoebe was upgraded from a couch to an actual room. It was barely the size of a walk-in closet, but at least she had some privacy and a place to store her meager possessions. Phoebe walked into her room and forced herself to change out of her work uniform before going to bed. She would Febreze it in the morning and hope she smelled presentable. After some quick freshening up, she went straight to bed, not even bothering to eat. She hadn't paid for any of the food in the house anyway, so she didn't feel she had the right to eat any of it.
Once in bed, she focused on falling asleep. She couldn't let herself think about how it had been months and she still didn't have a job in her chosen field. She couldn't let herself think about how far away she was from everyone she cared about, and how she couldn't call any of them right now because it was way too late back East. She couldn't let herself think about how her housemates mostly thought of her as a rent payment instead of a person. One of them even thought her name was Sharna for some reason.
Mostly though, she couldn't let herself think about how her San Francisco dreams had so far turned into nightmares.
Dressed in her only suit, Phoebe left the agency and took a deep breath. After over a year of scraping by, she had her best chance yet at finally landing a job in her field. This agency dealt primarily with helping people get needed social services. One of her former roommates had worked there before, and recommended Phoebe when another opening came up. That and her resume were enough to get her an interview. That alone felt like major progress. It had been a few months since Phoebe last had one. She didn't want to admit it, but time was running out, and she was close to the point where she had to consider other options. If this didn't work out, the Peace Corps was suddenly looking like a great idea.
Even accounting for her rustiness, Phoebe had a good feeling about the interview. Despite her lack of experience as an adult, the agency appeared impressed with her work in college and even prior to that. Her field experience at school fit with the agency's mission, as they dealt a lot with battered women. It was enough to leave Phoebe cautiously optimistic that this was finally the right opportunity.
Nevertheless, there were still plenty of butterflies in her stomach. The agency told her it would about a week before a decision would be made. That left a week for Phoebe to try not to think about it, to try not to think about how getting this job could finally let her start her adult life. Phoebe naturally daydreamed of moving out of her current arraignment, finding a new place, and having a fresh start. However, experience had dampened the optimism of her youth. She couldn't let herself think those things were possible. Yet.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone chirping. It was a text from Keesha. How did it go?
Well, I think. I want to think this is the one, but…
But nothing! You've worked your ass off. No one deserves that position more than you.
Keesh, c'mon…
Shut up Pheebs and take the compliment. Believe in yourself like I and everyone else who knows you believes in you.
Normally the wordsmith of the old gang, Phoebe found herself virtually unable to respond. Her thoughts were a mishmash of gratitude for the support and resignation that Keesha was right yet again. Phoebe had been trying throughout her life to gain self-confidence, but it had been an up and down battle over the years. Right now, it was mostly at a low point exacerbated by the long period of underemployment. Keesha's never ending belief in Phoebe had always been important to her, but right now it was one of the few things keeping her going. All Phoebe could do now was send an emoticon of thanks and wait.
The week passed by at a glacial pace. Finally, Phoebe got the fateful phone call. On the other side was Mary Jenkins, the director of the agency. After some early pleasantries, Mrs. Jenkins got to the point and offered Phoebe the job. She could barely contain herself in accepting.
After a jubilant phone call to her father, Phoebe dialed Keesha.
"Congrats Pheebs!" Keesha practically screamed into the phone.
"Thanks Keesh, and thanks for all your support for, well, ever," Phoebe replied, fighting back tears.
"Let it out," Keesha gently commanded. "You're going to be helping people. Other than possibly saving desert animals, it's what you were born to do."
"I know! It's…I've been trying for so long, I was getting discouraged. I can't wait to start! It feels amazing." Phoebe suddenly paused. "Oh Keesh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't celebrate like this when you're struggling…"
Keesha couldn't shut that line of thinking down fast enough. "Don't apologize for something good happening to you. I know things haven't been great for me, and I know you're worried, but guess what? I've been worried about you just as much. Maybe more so because you're so far from home. So damn it Pheebs, be happy for yourself for once. My time will come."
Phoebe let the line go silent a moment. "I know it will," she said in a soft voice.
"Love you Pheebs."
"Love you Keesh."
Keesha sat at the dining room table waiting for Casey to return, head kept off of it only by her arm. She had nothing left to give emotionally. She was alone. Her mother had gone out to work on the arraignments. She sat in stone silence until she heard the front door open.
Keesha first saw Casey, but ignored him in favor of Phoebe, who followed him into the house. Without a word, Keesha threw herself into the arms of her best friend and sobbed, having no idea how she still had the ability to make tears.
"I…I don't understand. She was so full of energy. There was no sudden decline. She seemed fine that morning, and just like that…" Keesha collapsed into sobs once again, unable to state that her beloved grandmother was gone. Phoebe didn't say anything as she gently led Keesha to the living room couch.
Once Keesha had cried herself out yet again, she put her head up to look at Phoebe. "Does it ever stop hurting?" she asked.
Phoebe gave Keesha a sad smile. "As time goes by, it gets better, little by little. You'll have moments, even days, where the grief comes out of nowhere and you have to use everything you've got to get through it, but the pain is never as bad as it is right at the beginning." Phoebe sighed. "It never goes away though. The pain stays deep in your soul forever. It just stops letting itself out all the time."
"What if it doesn't?" Keesha asked in a soft, scared voice.
"It will, but until it does we're here for you."
Keesha sniffled. "Thank Pheebs. You and Casey, I don't know what I would've done without you two." When he heard, Casey immediately drove back to Ohio, and when Phoebe heard, she spent hours on the phone and texting Keesha support until her flight back East. "I love you both."
Phoebe smiled. "Thanks, but reinforcements are coming?"
"What do you mean?"
"I got a hold of the rest of the gang, and they're all on their way. They should get here by the funeral."
"Really? Even Wanda?"
"Even Wanda, although I'm not quite sure how. I hope she didn't go AWOL."
Keesha threw her arms around Phoebe. She had intended to tell all her friends, but in her grief stricken state could only manage to reach out to her best friend and boyfriend. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you." The two stayed in that embrace for a long time.
Phoebe stepped outside the church and took a seat on a bench near the front steps. The service for Mrs. Franklin had concluded and everyone was mostly milling about. Phoebe had not left Keesha's side all day until that moment, when Keesha went to the bathroom and refused to let Phoebe go in with her. Chastened, Phoebe decided that was as good a time as any to get some fresh air.
She sat lost in her own world when she heard, "There you are!" She shook herself out of her head to see Ralphie heading towards her. He asked if he could sit down, and Phoebe nodded towards the spot next to her.
Ralphie got right to the point. "So Pheebs, I just wanted to say thanks for being there for Keesha and making sure we all got here for this."
Phoebe smiled sadly. "Thanks, but of course I would do that for Keesha. I would do that for any of us." She paused, noticing Ralphie looking at her with concern. "Is that all you had to say?"
"Um, no." Ralphie took a deep breath. "How are you doing?"
"Well, I've been better of course, but why do you ask?"
"Because Pheebs, you've been running around this whole time taking care of Keesha." He grabbed her hand. "I wanted to make sure someone was taking care of you."
Phoebe blushed at the physical contact, even though it was clear it was far from a romantic gesture. "I've talked to Daddy a bit, but no, I've been focusing on what Keesha needs."
"I understand, and it's why she's so lucky to have you as your best friend, but we all know you were really close to Mrs. Franklin too."
Something inside Phoebe hit her with enough force to knock her back. "Yeah, I remember when we were getting ready for Prom and she called me her other granddaughter. It felt amazing. She was the closest person I had to a mother growing up, and…" At that point, Phoebe couldn't take it anymore and started to cry, finally letting the emotion out that she had been holding in all week.
Ralphie wasted no time in enveloping Phoebe in a hug as she cried. "Thanks Ralphie," sniffled Phoebe once she finished. "How did you know I needed that?"
"Because I noticed the tension in your face of you trying to hold it together, and I was willing to bet you had been too focused on Keesha to deal with your own grief." Upon seeing Phoebe's incredulous look, he put up his hands in defense. "What? I can notice things. I wasn't the only one."
Phoebe's face softened and she put her head on his shoulder. "Thanks Ralphie."
"Anytime Pheebs."
Phoebe had been on the job for a few months now, and every day her co-workers thought the same thing: She's going to burn out. Phoebe hit the ground running at the agency on day one, and to the amazement of everyone there, kept it going thus far. Phoebe was often the first in the office in morning, and almost always the last to leave. In between she traversed all over the city visiting cases that weren't visiting her in the office. Her cases loved her for it. Mrs. Jenkins, the director, was on one hand thrilled with her newest employee, but concerned on the other. Phoebe was by far the first new employee she had convinced they were going to save the world. Many others had throw themselves into the work those early months, only to quickly become disillusioned and leave. Phoebe was by far the first new employee Mrs. Jenkins had to have this talk with.
"Is something wrong?" Phoebe asked after greeting her boss and accepting her offer to sit down.
"In a way, no, but in another way, yes," Mrs. Jenkins replied in a firm voice.
"Um, I'm not following."
"Phoebe, there's no need to sugarcoat it, you've been amazing since you started here. I wish all my employees had your enthusiasm."
"Thanks!" Phoebe beamed.
"However," Mrs. Jenkins continued. Phoebe's face fell. "I'm concerned about how hard you've been going. You started here six months ago, and other than when you went back home for that funeral, I don't think you've taken any days off. You can't keep up this pace. No one can."
"But, I have to try right? So many people out there need our help." Phoebe pleaded her case.
Mrs. Jenkins was unmoved. "Yes, a lot of people need help, but if you burn yourself out, then you won't be able to help them." She sighed. "I've seen it happen plenty of times before, and it's always painful to witness. You have great potential in this field. All of your cases seem to love their 'Miss Phoebe,' but if you try to save everyone, in the end you won't save anyone."
Mrs. Jenkins paused to allow what she said to sink in. Phoebe took a deep breath. "I understand what you're saying, but it's hard. I waited a long time for this opportunity, and I feel I have to take every advantage while I'm here. I owe it to my cases to give them everything I've got."
If Mrs. Jenkins had a reaction to Phoebe's words, she didn't show it. "Please keep thinking about what I said. Don't miss the forest for the trees."
"Yes, ma'am," Phoebe responded as she stood up to get back to work.
"Keesha, I don't understand why you won't take any jobs from the Youngstown paper anymore."
"Because Youngstown is a shithole and the paper takes forever to pay me. I've told you that before, Mom! Jeez!" Keesha braced inwardly for yet another fight.
"I don't think you're in a position to turn down work," her mother said icily.
"I've been all over the state the past two years! I just had a piece published in Scientific America! When I'm not working, I'm chasing them down so they actually pay me! At some point I have to slow down. My body and my car can't take this pace anymore. If you paid any attention at all, you'd notice that."
"How dare you say I don't pay attention, Keesha. I'm your mother, and I'm going to worry about you…"
"By making it clear you want me out of this house," Keesha interrupted.
'That's not what I said!"
"No, but I can feel it in your tone, and I hear that all the time. What else am I supposed to do?" Keesha felt her body tense up. That was becoming a frequent occurrence.
"You could try harder to look for a full-time job and not spend so much time on blogging and Facebook."
"It's called social media, Mom. It's another way to get my name out there, and to write what I want for a change!"
"Keesha, stop yelling!" her mother retorted, beginning to raise her voice herself.
"I can do what I want! I'm an adult!"
"This is still my house, and if you want to be treated like an adult, act like one."
That clichéd response sent Keesha over the edge. With an annoyed growl, she stormed out of the condo that these days felt painfully constricting. She got into her now beat-up Honda, figuring a drive would calm her down. This is the last straw. We can't keep going like this, Keesha thought. Since Keesha moved back home, tension had existed between her and her mother. That tension had only gotten worse since Keesha's grandmother died. Keesha didn't want to ruin her relationship with her mother any more than it may have already been.
Luckily she had a plan. Little by little she had been saving up money, and recently she began clandestinely searching for apartments. It wouldn't be a lot, but at least it was some distance and she would be on her own with no help from anyone. Her father offered to help pay many times, but Keesha always refused. She already felt beholden to one parent. There was no way she was going to be beholden to the other.
Figuring her angry drive should at least be productive, Keesha took a detour to the apartment complex she was looking at. Admittedly, it wasn't much. The units were small, even smaller than the apartment she lived at in college. They weren't especially pleasant looking either, and Keesha wasn't one hundred percent sure they weren't hiding a roach problem. None of that mattered. What mattered was that it would be her own space where she could be herself and grow as a person. It was beyond time.
Keesha normally didn't give in to impulse, but before she knew it she had a lease in her hand and was writing a check for the security deposit. She left the complex in a daze, but also with a schedule to move in on the first of next month.
About halfway back to where she currently lived, Keesha realized that she should probably tell someone about this new development. She pulled into a gas station and quickly fired off texts to both Casey and Phoebe. To her surprise given the time difference, she heard back from Phoebe first.
That's great that you're getting out on your own! But shouldn't you have discussed this with your mother first?
Keesha sighed at Phoebe's do-gooderism kicking in. Maybe, but oh well.
I get that you need to move out, but please talk with your mother first. Don't leave angry.
Keesha sighed again. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew Phoebe was right.
OK, I promise I'll talk to her.
Great! This will be good for you, Keesh. I promise.
Keesha tried to think of a response until she noticed Casey had replied. He more or less said the same thing as Phoebe. Keesha smiled. If the two most important people in her life agreed, that usually meant she should take the advice. She restarted her car and prepared herself for the awkward talk to follow.
The phone rang and Keesha nearly dropped it once she saw the number, her hands were shaking so much in anticipation.
"Keesha Franklin speaking," she answered, forcing her voice to steady.
"Hello, Ms. Franklin, this is John Pierson from Scientific American. I'm proud to offer you our Staff Writer position in Washington DC. How soon can you start?"
Inside, Keesha jumped for joy. Outwardly, she remained professional. "Thank you very much, sir. I accept. I can start in two weeks. I just have to tie up some loose ends here and move. I'll let you know if it takes any longer than that, but I don't anticipate it."
"Excellent! HR should be in touch later today or tomorrow. Welcome abroad!"
Keesha put down the phone. Alone in her apartment, she dropped all pretense of decorum, whooping it up in raw celebration. She had been freelancing at Scientific American for a while now, and when a full-time job opened there, she pounced at the opportunity. Outwardly, Keesha had projected confidence as she always did, sure that her previous work there gave her a leg up. Inwardly it was a very different story. Keesha had gotten her hopes up many times that she would get full-time work, only for reality to cut her off at the knees. The normally ever sure of herself Keesha had become filled with doubt, and with all of her friends and boyfriend not around, she also felt more and more alone. All of that could be put behind her now. Again under control of herself, it was time to inform the most important person in her life.
As she dialed the number, however, another thought came to her. Thank you Miss Frizzle, wherever you are. I would never have loved science the way I do without you, and without that, none of this would've happened.
At work, Casey was surprised to get a call from his girlfriend. They talked often of course, but Keesha was usually on the road or writing when he was at work. Casey braced himself before answering, figuring it was either really good or really bad news.
"Hello…"
"I got the job!" Keesha yelled into the phone.
"Really? That's…yes!" Casey yelled back.
"I know! I'm hoping to get down in two weeks, so get ready."
"Awesome. Perfect timing too. My roommate moved out last month, so it's just me right now. It'll be nice to have someone else helping out with the rent."
"Among other things," Keesha slyly added.
Casey chuckled. "But of course, milady."
Keesha breathed a sigh of relief. "I guess it's true that sometimes it does all work out."
The couple talked for almost an hour before someone realized Casey was occupied and forced him back to work. From there, Keesha went right back into planning mode. She said two weeks and she meant it.
A few hours passed before she realized she hadn't let Phoebe know. Her parents either, but that realization literally made Keesha shrug. She looked at the time. It was nearing six on the West Coast, so Keesha took the gamble that Phoebe wasn't working for once. That gamble failed when she got Phoebe's voice mail. Keesha texted Phoebe to call her, then suddenly realizing her fatigue, decided to go to bed early. Much more work, and celebrating, was ahead.
"So, how's the new roommate? Caitlin's the name, right?" Keesha asked.
"Right. It's going OK, so far," came Phoebe's reply from the other end of the phone. Now that the two had each found steady work, regular phone conversations became possible again, and both took full advantage. They had also begun experimenting with Skype. "She did call me a stereotypical Birkenstock wearing hippie though."
"I couldn't imagine where she'd get that from."
"I know! I only own one pair of Birkenstocks."
"Please tell me they're not your pair from high school."
"Ewww. Even I got tired of the smell of those. This pair is new." Phoebe paused. "Seriously, she seems nice, even though she's in politics."
"Politics? How so?"
"She's an aide for our local Assemblyman. She helps run his office here while he's in Sacramento." Phoebe paused again. "Maybe I can use her as an in to ask him to fight for more funding for the agency."
"Phoebe Terese trying to get close to The Man. The world has truly got insane," Keesha said drolly.
"Hey, if it gets us more money to help people it'll be worth it." Phoebe paused. "Especially if that means having to go to less fundraisers with tech bros who are more interested in trying to grab my ass." Phoebe let out a noise in disgust.
"That blows Pheebs. I'm sorry," Keesha said in sympathy, not sure what else there was to say about it.
"Thanks. How's life in DC?"
"Traffic sucks and everyone is obsessed with status, but it's nice. Honestly, it's just great to be with Casey again, even if I have to retrain him in the art of not leaving clothes on the floor."
Phoebe giggled. "Men. Leave them alone and they think they're back in their college dorm."
"So true, but he's getting better. I'll have him under my control soon enough." Keesha said the last sentence in her usual deadpan, causing Phoebe to giggle.
Their conversation was interrupted by a distinct meow. "What was that?" Keesha asked.
"Oh, that's Caitlin's cat, Sadie. She already loves me." On her end of the line, Phoebe picked up the cat and snuggled her with her free hand. "I think she's the real reason Caitlin chose me."
"Animals love you, Pheebs. They just know."
The two continued catching up, and before they knew it, an hour has passed. It had been a while since they were able to do that.
Both looking resplendent, Keesha and Phoebe beamed as they watched Arnold and his new wife's first dance. Arnold had met Kathleen while at law school at Georgetown. She was studying elementary education at American University. Under the backdrop of Washington DC, the two fell in love, and Arnold wasted little time in proposing after he graduated and passed the bar. Kathleen was working at a Virginia suburban school as a third grade teacher, a fact the gang had yet to stop teasing Arnold about.
When the dance was completed, the floor was opened up to the rest of the party, and Keesha and Casey wasted no time showing everyone how it was done. Phoebe, who did not have a date, smiled even wider. Keesha and Casey had only grown closer now that they were finally living together, and it seemed destined that they would be the next in the group to get married. It filled Phoebe's heart with joy to see her best friend so happy.
Phoebe eventually turned her eye towards the rest of the dance floor. She came across the person after the bride and groom that everyone was paying attention to: Carlos's date.
Phoebe hadn't had the chance to talk to Carlos yet and get more details, but one thing was obvious to her: Carlos's date was the most gorgeous woman she had ever seen. Her flowing black hair cascaded perfectly down her shoulders. Phoebe couldn't stop watching it move as Carlos twirled her around. Even when her hair was quiet, Phoebe would still find herself staring at the women's caramel skin and perfect curves. Phoebe was enthralled with her every move.
The music temporarily stopped and Keesha and Casey returned to the table, jarring Phoebe out of her thoughts. There was something about Phoebe's look that didn't sit right with Keesha.
"Pheebs, you OK with Arnold getting married?"
"What?" Phoebe made a face. "Yes, of course. That was a long time ago, Keesh. Arnold is happy. Kathleen is great. We're all here. Why does everyone keep asking if I'm OK with it?"
"Who else has asked you?"
"Wanda."
"She probably did that just to mess with you," Keesha figured. She turned to the dance floor to see Wanda shaking her moneymaker in front of Arnold's horrified extended family, giving special attention to a disgusted Janet. "She's really living it up, isn't she?"
Phoebe nodded, but her eyes were intently looking at Wanda. "I'm just glad she could make it and wasn't deployed again."
Their conversation was interrupted by Carlos and his date.
"Hey, the Twins are here!" Carlos practically yelled, grin plastered on his face as he reached over the table to hug both of them. "And my man Casey!" Carlos gave Casey a half handshake, half hug, acting as if they were long lost friends. The boisterous greetings were interrupted by Carlos's date clearing her throat. Even that sounded amazing to Phoebe.
"Oh of course, where are my manners," Carlos began, but his date took the ball from there.
"Hi everyone, my name is Martina," she said with a slight accent. "To answer your questions, yes, I'm Carlos's girlfriend. Yes, I'm from another country, Colombia to be specific. Yes, he knows how lucky he is."
Carlos just nodded. "That more or less covers it."
Keesha laughed and stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Martina. I enjoy your directness."
"Thank you," Martina replied with a smile, shaking Keesha's hand. She looked at Keesha and Phoebe. "So you two are the Twins Carlos has told me about. Let me guess, you're Keesha and this is Phoebe." Martina pointed at each of them. "And this is Keesha's boyfriend Casey," she said as she shook his hand.
"Correct," said Keesha with a smile of her own. "I hope it was all good things."
"Yeah," Phoebe croaked out, still intimidated by both Martina's beauty and how she carried herself.
"Of course." She turned to Carlos. "You were right, Keesha would be the one doing all the talking." Phoebe could only blush at that remark.
"So, how long have you two been together?" Casey asked to steer the conversation and bail Phoebe out.
"About two years now," Carlos responded. "I saw her at a bar, took a good look at her beauty, and made my move."
"Shut up Carlos. We met in a salsa dancing class. I took pity on your terrible moves, and by damned, you charmed me enough that I kept you around." Martina leaned in and kissed him, showing the others she was teasing. The other three laughed.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it," Carlos continued. "We've been living together for a few months. It's going well I think."
"Of course it is for you. You get to dazzle in my awesomeness." Martina added coolly in a way that somehow didn't sound arrogant or boastful. "Pardon me. I have to use the restroom. It was nice meeting your all." She gave a friendly wave as she took her leave.
Once Martina was out of earshot, Keesha pounced. "Do not screw this up, Carlos. I mean it. Do. Not. Screw. This. Up."
"Why does everyone keep telling me that?"
"Because she's amazing!" Phoebe piped up. "And uh, seems really good for you." The auburn haired young woman blushed.
"Salsa dancing? Smooth move man," Casey added, again taking the focus off of Phoebe's embarrassment.
"Yeah it was." Carlos grinned. "I'd give you the same advice, but you're covered. I'm trying to get Ralphie and Tim to do it, but they're not having it."
"Yes, he's 'covered' Carlos," Keesha remarked. "I see Martina hasn't completely smoothed out your Carlos-ness."
"Hey, she likes me for me," Carlos replied while pretending to dust off his lapels. "I can't complain. She's pretty awesome."
"I'm just happy you're having a good time. I know you were bummed to lose the best man gig to Ralphie," Phoebe interjected, having regained her voice.
"He's so much bigger! How was I supposed to beat him in a chugging contest?" Carlos bemoaned. He left to find Martina, shaking his head all the way.
Keesha and Phoebe looked at each other. "That was…interesting," said Keesha, choosing her words carefully.
"Yeah, I mean, Carlos, of all people, settling down," Phoebe added.
Keesha turned to Casey. "OK, that's enough rest. There's way too much lame white people dancing right now, plus whatever Wanda is doing. Let's show up some fools."
Casey smiled. "Absolutely."
"Hold down the fort, Pheebs," Keesha commanded.
"Will do," Phoebe softly responded before retreating into her thoughts and her glass of wine.
Keesha entered her DC apartment with a sigh of relief. She had just gotten back from a trip to Florida to research a story. The trip itself wasn't that bad. The flight and commute home were. At least now she could finally relax, although much later than she had hoped.
Lucky for her, Casey was at the ready with a glass of wine. He grabbed her bags while leading her to the living room couch. When he returned, Keesha wasted no time in burying herself in Casey's arms, head on his shoulder.
"Oh, how I've missed this," Keesha practically cooed.
"You were only gone three days. We went without each other for almost three years," Casey playfully replied.
"Don't remind me. I never want to go through that again. I could stay like this forever."
Casey grinned and kissed her forehead. "Me too."
"Is this how you imagined living together?" Keesha asked, a faint hint of trepidation in her voice.
"I didn't imagine weeks of lecturing on cleaning," Casey started before stopping. "On second thought, I kind of did, but I earned those lectures." He laughed. "Seriously, it's even better than I imagined."
Now it was Keesha's turn to grin. "Me too. What say we head to the bedroom and make it even better?"
"You read my mind." Casey couldn't get up from the couch fast enough.
Phoebe collapsed onto her bed with a contented sigh. It had been another long day traversing the streets of San Francisco, doing whatever was needed for her cases. She had been trying to take Mrs. Jenkins's advice to slow down, but it still hadn't taken. She wouldn't have it any other way, but it didn't make her any less tired at the end of the day. As her roommate's cat entered the room looking for attention, Phoebe got up with just enough energy to grab her library copy of The Optimist's Daughter and get ready for her night's reading.
Phoebe had just begun to sink her teeth into the book when she felt a buzz from her phone. She looked to find a text from Keesha.
Skype me as soon as you can. Trust me, it's good news.
Phoebe took a moment to stare at the phone, wondering what could possibly be so urgent. She snapped out of it and grabbed her laptop (her college graduation gift from the family). Once it booted up, she opened up Skype and texted Keesha. A minute later, the two were connected.
"Hey Pheebs!" Keesha was beaming. Phoebe hadn't seen her best friend like this in a long time.
"Hey Keesh. How it's going?"
Keesha giggled in excitement. Instead of saying anything, she showed her left hand to the screen, revealing a diamond ring.
Phoebe immediately put her hands to her mouth and squealed in delight. Keesha could only squeal in return.
"Casey asked me tonight. I mean, we had been talking about it, but I still can't believe it," Keesha said, her mouth going at warp speed.
"Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for you." Tears began to well in Phoebe's eyes.
"Thanks Pheebs. I do have a question though."
"What?"
"Will you be my maid of honor?"
"Of course I will!" The tears now flowed freely onto Phoebe's cheeks, which only caused Keesha to start to cry herself. The two sat in silence until Casey suddenly appeared on screen.
"Hey Pheebs. Looks like you heard the news."
"Yes! Congratulations! I can't wait for the wedding!"
Casey chuckled. "Good, but I do have to ask you something."
"What?" Phoebe asked with a confused look.
"Will you marry me?"
"What?" Phoebe asked again, now with even more confusion. She looked at Keesha for a clue, but the dark haired woman just smiled.
"Well, everyone had told me that by asking Keesha to marry me, I was also essentially asking you too, so I wanted to make it official," Casey deadpanned, which sent Keesha into a laughing fit.
"In that case, then yes, you can," Phoebe replied with a giggle.
A/N: The text messages have proper grammar for readability purposes. I'm well aware no one texts like that.
I left Phoebe's social work job intentionally vague because of my general cluelessness on the topic.
The next chapter will be the last, and will take us to a familiar event in my fic canon.