The rest of summer skimmed by in a haze of heat and passion. Boomhauer and Leah were entwined in each other when they were together, much to the annoyance of Hank, Bill, and Dale, who were often witnesses to superfluous moments of kissing and suggestive glances. Peggy, Minh, and Nancy, on the other hand, roundly encouraged it.

Boomhauer was surprised at himself for being so happy with just one person. For his entire dating life, he had gotten bored with being with the same person for more than a few dates. The exceptions, of course, being Katherine and Marlene. But only two people over decades, over possibly hundreds of different women, were like two drops of water in the ocean.

And Leah...was like a waterfall.

Soon Thanksgiving was upon them, which was an especially difficult time of year for Leah, as her mother had died around then. Leah went back to Oklahoma to spend the holiday with her family, while Boomhauer's parents flew in to Texas.

Boomhauer and his family joined together at his grandmother's house, and they all sat around a long dining room table with the leaf put in. It was a full house, with his parents, his grandmother, a few aunts and uncles, cousins, and his cousins' kids. His family always lived for these big familial gatherings, but he could take them or leave them.

Patch suddenly burst in, late as always, bringing in a rush of cool air from outside in with him. It had been a while since the two of them had seen each other. Things were still prickly between them ever since Patch had been involved with Katherine. Even though he and Katherine had long since broken up, it was still the principle of the thing. He had some nerve, dating his brother's ex girlfriend. Whatever happened to sibling solidarity?

Their mother used to get on both of their cases about "settling down" but had long since given up. Instead she overplayed her enthusiasm when holding the babies of Boomhauer's cousins, tossing pointed looks at him and Patch out of the corner of her eye. While it would be nice if Leah were there with him, it was especially nice that he didn't have to deflect any questions he knew his mother would ask Leah about giving her grandchildren.

Not to mention, he knew Patch would try to hit on her.

Thanksgiving with Leah's family was hosted at the home of Michael, his wife Angela, and their young boys Warren and Easton. Leah had to appreciate the fact that Dan had never been to Michael's house before, and therefore there wasn't any possibility of him skulking around. But she also hadn't heard from him in months, not since Boomhauer helped her with getting a restraining order, and a new phone number. These were things she should have done herself ages ago, but somehow could never muster the emotional energy to handle.

The holiday went about as smoothly as Leah could have hoped. Though the mood in the house was restrained, her mother's death hanging over them like a veil, Angela made for a great ringleader to keep the mood as upbeat as possible.

Leah helped Angela in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and prepping dishes, keeping her mind busy while still having an enjoyable time. The occasional peal of baby laughter rang into the kitchen while Simon played with Easton. Leah couldn't help but smile every time she heard it.

Leah's dad sat quietly in the living room, his eyes in and out of focus on the TV. But he was sober, she could tell, and had been for a while.

Progress…

Michael set up the dining room to accommodate them. The table was spread with all the food Leah and Angela had worked hard to make, beautifully plated and smelling delightful. Even Leah's dad looked impressed when he sat down. Finally, a real emotion.

Easton sat at a booster seat between his mother and Leah, taking his time with peas and cut up pieces of turkey. Angela proudly spoke about the new things he was beginning to do, and again Leah's father looked impressed. He always smiled with softened eyes when it came to his grandsons. Leah was glad Warren and Easton were getting that version of her father, the one she had grown up with, emotionally available and attentive, rather than the version he had become, merely a shell of his former self.

"So, how is life in Texas?" Angela asked Leah.

"It's going very well...I've made a few friends, I've been working on my house and in my garden, I've been finding lots of neat local places. I think I've really settled in by now."

Playfully, Angela asked, "Any boyfriends?"

Leah paused. "Well, there's a guy I've been seeing."

"What?" Her father looked shocked, as did Michael and Simon.

"Why do you all look surprised?" Leah asked.

No one answered at first, but Michael slowly broke the silence. "I guess we weren't expecting that." Angela must have given him a look, so he quickly added, "But that's great. What's he like?"

"Well," Leah grinned, turning towards Simon, "He drives a '68 Dodge Super Bee."

"Marry him."

Leah laughed.

"That's your neighbor, right?" asked Michael.

"Yes-"

"Neighbor?" Her father's voice raised in concern, "You sure that's a good idea?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

He faltered, but followed through with his thought. "Having someone so close by-"

"He doesn't hit me, if that's what you're implying."

"Leah," Michael exasperated.

"I'm not implying anything," their father said gently, "I just worry."

Angela spoke quickly, in an attempt to smooth things over.

"What's he like?"

Leah gave a look of relief. "Well, he's pretty quiet, but he's also a lot of fun. He's very sweet, and he treats me very well. "

"Oh, he sounds great! I'm so happy for you, Leah. We all are." Angela beamed at her.

"I'd like to meet him," said Leah's dad.

"Okay, come visit me," Leah suggested brightly, "Then you can meet him and see my house and-"

"I'm not sure if I can, uh, for a while…" He caught Leah's look of disappointment and mumbled, "I don't think my program wants me to travel yet."

Sigh. True as that could be, he always had excuses. Ever since her mother died, he never wanted to do anything.

No one ever seemed to make time for her anymore. No one except her neighbors in Arlen. Her neighbors, who all had rallied behind her when her father was hospitalized, who all took her out for a night of fun after a rough week, who threw her barbecues, or just invited her to come hang out. She was always in their plans, always in their thoughts.

Suddenly a wave of homesickness struck her. She couldn't wait to go back.

Her time to head home to Texas came when her visit had finished a few days later. Leah was going to miss her family. It had been nice to spend time with them again. Things seemed to feel a little better this year. It felt a little lighter, less hushed than the years past had been.

She left Oklahoma feeling guilty, however, as she had once again decided not to visit her mother's grave. She had never gone back since the funeral, and even four years later it still felt too painful.


Rainey Street was strung with twinkling lights and wreaths of pine as cool December twirled in. The overall mood of the alley was festive and bright, making it the most cheerful holiday Leah had in years. She had a delightful time working through her gifting list, especially when she was getting things for Boomhauer.

Boomhauer used to avoid being on the hook for holiday gifting by not dating around Christmas time, but this year he was really looking forward to seeing Leah open the things he got for her. He also had fun helping decorate each other's Christmas trees. Everything in general was more fun with Leah, really. It was hard to believe he used to prefer keeping himself so closed off and alone.

Leah's law firm and their partner offices were hosting a large Christmas party at a fancy hotel in McMaynerberry on Christmas Eve. She asked Boomhauer if he would want to go with her, and he accepted. Free food and alcohol was a difficult incentive to turn down.

Boomhauer wore a Christmas sweater, and Leah chose a pretty red dress that fit the festive occasion. She wore her hair down, gently waving over one shoulder.

The hotel was very nice, a place big and sleek with an atrium housing green plants and geometric furniture. The conference room rented for the Christmas party was lit with beautiful icicle lights, and long tables of food and hors d'oeuvres that lined the walls. It was packed already with lawyers and paralegals and administrators dressed in their holiday best. Leah pointed out some people to him, either people she worked with or people she knew from the other offices. Boomhauer even met her boss, a respectable and polite man with a friendly smile.

"I'm glad you came with me," she told Boomhauer later that evening, "I hate going to these things alone."

Before he could respond, however, something very unexpected happened right in front of him.

Marlene, the Marlene, the Marlene he had asked to marry him, and who left him a pathetic, sobbing mess, had appeared before him and Leah. She looked nearly the same as he remembered, athletic and toned with soft brown hair, and a pretty face that was perhaps a little haughty, but elegant all the same.

"Hello, Leah," she greeted politely, "and… Boomhauser!"

He stiffened, and he wondered if Leah felt it as she held onto his arm.

"Hi, Marlene! You know Boomhauer?"

He appreciated Leah's ever so slight emphasis on the correct pronunciation of his name.

"Oh, yes… well, when you told me you lived on Rainey Street and I told you I used to, ah, date someone from there…"

Leah chuckled. "Wow, I guess we have even more in common than we thought."

Oh, yeah. They're both into running. But Leah was certainly more mellow and free-spirited, while Marlene was very no-nonsense and analytic. The perfect traits for a lawyer, which he had known she was. He should have known that Marlene and Leah worked in the same circles.

"You two certainly look cute together!" Marlene smiled as she looked them over. "I'm glad you found such a nice girl like Leah, Boomhauer."

God, this was so awkward.

Leah and Marlene chatted together for a few minutes while Boomhauer stood uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at Marlene. He briefly hoped the building might catch on fire, so he would have an excuse to leave.

"Well, I better go keep mingling," Marlene sighed, and downed the rest of what was in her champagne flute.

"It was nice seeing you," Leah waved, "Merry Christmas!"

"You, too! And you, Boomhauer." She smirked with amused eyes before passing them, disappearing into the crowd.

He felt himself breathe a sigh of relief.

"Should we just ignore that?" Leah asked him.

She was always in tune with his feelings, and again he felt a rush of appreciation for her.

"That was one of the ones that ended badly. Badly for me, that is."

He had briefly told her about Marlene and Katherine before, just the summaries, during one night when they were being open about their past relationships.

"Want to leave?"

"I don't mind staying. That whole thing was no big deal."

Leah now downed the rest of her wine glass.

"Nah, let's go. My boss saw I was here, so now I look like a good employee for showing up. I did my part."

They made their way through all of the people, stopping every now and again to say hello to somebody Leah knew. Boomhauer was grateful they didn't run into Marlene again.

Once they began driving back home, Leah had time to reflect on the evening.

"I can't believe she called you Boomhauser."

Boomhauer remembered the night he proposed to Marlene, and even when he was down on one knee she called him the wrong name.

"Yeah, I know."

Leah scoffed. "You deserve better than that."

"Hey, I have better. I have you."

Leah smiled.

They rode through the quiet of the night, admiring the Christmas lights adorning the houses they passed. Leah was feeling tired, with her head resting back against the seat, her mind on the thought of lying beside Boomhauer under the cozy covers…

She turned to look at him, watching as the street lights above threw his sharp face into occasional relief.

"You know how everyone calls you Boomhauer?"

"Yeah."

"It feels impersonal when I call you that."

"What do you mean?"

She thought for a moment. "I don't know. I guess I just feel weird calling you by your last name."

"Even my mother calls me Boomhauer," he shrugged.

"Okay," Leah laughed, "But wouldn't you feel the same way calling me Costello all the time?"

He thought about it. He supposed she had a point.

"I guess."

Leah turned away now, again sleepily looking out the window at the Christmas lights.

He tried to picture her calling him by his first name, something no one else did. Anything she said sounded wonderful, and maybe her calling him something more personal was a good idea…

They were parked in his driveway now, everything completely dark except for the illumination of the moon hanging above them.

"Okay," he said.

She turned to him, dreamy and beautiful. "Hmm?"

"You can call me Jeffrey, if you want."

She perked up at that, sitting up alert. "Really?"

"Sure."

"If it's going to make you uncomfortable-"

"It won't. I want you to. Just you."

Leah smiled, her sparkling eyes dancing in the moonlight.

"Okay...Jeffrey."

He smiled.