Title: Snapshots: Anthology of a Life Well Lived

Author: Kimberly21570

Fandoms: Guiding Light / All My Children

Pairings: Olivia and Natalia / Lena and Bianca

Disclaimers and Other Assorted Ramblings: The characters of Olivia and Emma Spencer, Natalia Rivera, Shane Lewis, Edmund Winslow, and Maureen Reardon are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, Zach Slater, Alexander Cambias, Maggie Stone, Jake Martin, AJ, JR and Babe Chandler, and Marissa Tasker, as well as the entity Enchantment Cosmetics are owned by All My Children, ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The original characters of Jordan, Alexandria "Lexie" Montgomery-Kundera, Amelia Slater, Francesca "Cheska" Stone, Jacob and Dylan Jackson-Morgan, Tara, Cassandra, Constance, and Katarina are the property of this author, and any resemblance to fictional characters, or real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, AMC, ABC/Disney, or any other person or entity. With the exception of a brief reference to the 3.27.2009 episode (which would have occurred much earlier in this story), the dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

Rating: This section of Chapter 8 is rated R for strong sexual content. If you are averse to male/female pairings, don't read the final section of this update. It's not overly explicit, but there's no mistaking what's happening.

Synopsis: It's a stroll down memory lane for Olivia and Natalia, Lena and Bianca, and their friends and family, as two of our favorite couples' daughters prepare to enter into wedded bliss, in a double wedding… of sorts…

Author's Note: This update has not been proofread, so any/all mistakes are my own. Let me know if you spot them, and I'll get them corrected as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to the transitions in time, as this chapter contains flashbacks within flashbacks.

Given that the content in this update occurs on Thanksgiving weekend—albeit two years from now—I thought this a perfect time to post it. Reflecting back, it's difficult to imagine that our little Jellybean would be in college now. Oh, how the years go by…

That said, there is a touch of Natalia reflected in Emma's choices in this update, but her inner Olivia is about to come out in a big way…

Happy Thanksgiving to my Otalia & Lianca families. I hope y'all enjoy!

Kimberly

xoxo

Snapshots: Anthology of a Life Well Lived

Copyright September 2012

"I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning.
I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying.
It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around.
Don't even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, 'round, down…"

Gary Allen, Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)

Chapter 8.3—Showers and Thunderstorms / The Thunder Rolls:

The Montgomery-Kundera Household, Pine Valley—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 11:45 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

It was just about kickoff time, and several members of the Montgomery-Kundera clan, along with Maggie and Jake were gathered on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, to watch The Game as it played out on live television from Michigan Stadium. The remainder of their guests had yet to arrive, and it was already a full house for them, just as it was at The Big House, with lots of noise, a plentiful array of Thanksgiving leftovers for everyone, and libations that flowed like water for the adults. And much like those tailgaters at the stadium, the sense of togetherness made the experience all the more fun.

Even within their group of family and friends, rivalries abounded. AJ swore by the Wolverines, while JR was a diehard Buckeye's fan. Jake and Uncle Jack were as well, which made for a particularly interesting day, because in addition to being a hockey fan, and a self-proclaimed Red Wings fanatic, Zach also enjoyed football, and on the college front, he was all about the Wolverines. That set just perfectly with Jordan. She had decided they were her team the moment Emma announced she would be attending undergrad at the University of Michigan; and she proudly donned the navy blue Michigan jersey Emma had made for her, with her name, and the number 10 emblazoned upon it in gold. She had their official baseball, basketball, and soccer jerseys as well, and she loved them all. Mostly because they were gifts from Emma.

"Wolverines!" AJ exclaimed, his voice deep and fierce as he came vaulting through the front door, a boundless ball of energy. He earned a scowl from his father—and a gregarious slap on the back from Zach.

"Attaboy," Zach praised, giving AJ's shoulder a squeeze.

AJ beamed, and JR waved him off. "Enjoy it while you can, kid," he said. "You'll be cryin' in your Kool-Aid once my boys throttle your asses."

"As if, Dad," AJ volleyed, as Jordan made her way to his side. Casually, he draped an arm around her waist.

"Two words," JR said confidently. "Dylan. Morgan."

Jordan laughed. The two of them were ridiculous.

Making her way to the front door, Bianca greeted Babe and Marissa with hugs. "I see they're at it already," she teased, tossing a glance toward the crew of men that had gathered in their living room.

Babe rolled her eyes. "Already?" she said dryly. "Mine were at it at before breakfast."

Bianca and Marissa shared a look. "Men," they proclaimed in concert, causing all three of them to laugh.

Turning from the banter, Jordan sent AJ in search of snacks and a drink. And then crashing into the sofa between her dad and her Grandpa Alexander, she settled in for the game with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn mixed with M&Ms®, an ice-cold Coke®, and a wild anticipation. Her G-pa, as Jordan called him now that she was grown, always took the side of the underdog in sports tournaments—either that, or whichever team Zach was rooting against. It was purely for fun, but they enjoyed the rivalry. And between the two of them, the only time tensions ran high was when Zach's beloved Red Wings didn't fare well on the ice.

It was a phenomenal game, the teams matched well in terms of tenacity and skill, and with every play fans around the country hung on the edges of their seats. And in their house, the tension was palpable. It was anyone's game, and that made it all the more exciting, the separate factions taking turns, alternately cheering and booing with the flow of each play. As the game drew to a rousing conclusion, Dylan scoring the winning touchdown as time ran out on the clock, Jordan found her thoughts drifting toward Emma again. Where was she? What was she doing? Was she celebrating the Buckeyes' victory with Dylan and his family?

All throughout the afternoon, all she could really think about was Emma. Every time AJ touched her, or kissed her, when he held her hand, it just felt… off. She hadn't pulled away, but she wasn't really there, either. And that wasn't fair to him. None of this was. He hadn't done anything wrong.

And that's how she knew it was time.


The Montgomery-Kundera Household, Pine Valley—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

After AJ and his family left, she occupied herself for a few hours, mostly spending time with Cheska, who was only a year younger than her, giving Emma time for whatever came next. And when she couldn't wait a minute longer, she finally fished her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, hitting Emma's speed dial, that same sense of wild anticipation thrumming through her veins.

Suddenly, she felt inexplicably nervous. Like something major was about to transpire, but she didn't know what. Her insides trembling, she fidgeted as the line rang once, twice, then three times before Emma finally picked up.

"Happy Thanksgiving," Emma said brightly when she answered. They hadn't talked all week, which was unusual for them, and Emma was thrilled to hear from her. "Sorry I didn't call on Thursday. Things were really crazy here at The Arbour, with my moms hosting dinner for everyone and all."

Jordan smiled. It was so good to hear her voice. The moment she heard it, that rush of anxiety waned. "No worries," she said easily. "We had a crazy full house all day, so I probably wouldn't have been able to hear you anyway."

"Sounds like it's still full," Emma commented, noting all the background noise.

Laughing, Jordan confirmed Emma's suspicion. "Yeah, everyone was over for the game, and now they're just hanging out, being rowdy," she said, regarding her family with fondness. "Dylan was awesome today, by the way. Sorry you guys lost though."

A bright smile splayed across Emma's face. "I don't care about the game," she said. "I'm just happy for Dylan. This could change his whole future."

"I'll bet he was super excited," Jordan presumed. "He has reason to be; he gave the scouts a lot to consider."

"That, he did," Emma said, admiration evident in her voice.

They chattered on amiably about school, and friends, and life—all the usual tea—for quite a while, and then, noting that Lexie was in the family room with Cheska and their cousin Amelia, Jordan exited the kitchen and moved toward her bedroom in search of some privacy and hopefully, a little quiet. Ever since that trip to Provincetown for Emma's birthday, she'd been thinking about her and the conversation with Aunt Maggie. And now, there were things she needed to say. She only hoped that Emma was ready to hear them.

A moment later, as she pushed the bedroom door closed with a soft "click," the world turned quiet, and the energy between them shifted, as it often did when they were alone. "What's going on?" Emma asked intuitively.

"I, uh… there's something I need to tell you, Em," Jordan revealed.

"What is it?" It wasn't like Jordan to be so hesitant. Emma was curious, and perhaps even a little concerned.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and… I made a decision," Jordan said with certainty. "I actually should've done a long time ago."

Emma's brow furrowed. "Done… what?" Cautiously, she emphasized the mysterious something that Jordan should have done.

"I… I think it's time, Em," Jordan said tentatively. "With AJ, I mean. I'm going over there later, and I'm gonna…"

No, No, No, No, NO...

This was not fucking happening.

Thrown, Emma felt her heart wrench in her chest, and she gasped, her mind racing with all manner of thoughts, not a single one of them good. The last serious conversation they'd had involving AJ was the one about sex and how Jordan was glad she'd decided to wait. And now, she was saying it was time.

"Please, don't, okay, Jordan?" Emma begged. Not that she had any right to, but it was taking every ounce of strength she had not to completely spin out. This interference was mild by comparison. "Please don't do this."

"I'm not a child, Emma," Jordan said with determination. "I know what I want."

"Please, stop," Emma pleaded.

"Emma, I…"

"I'm sorry, Jordan. I just… I can't with this right now," Emma insisted. "I have to go."

A moment later, Jordan was left with only the sound of silence and a multitude of resounding questions in her head.


The Arbour/BGRC Properties—Ann Arbor—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

After disconnecting the call with Jordan, Emma spiraled into a full-blown meltdown. It was a tragic sight, and had she possessed the ability to reason, she would've been grateful she was alone in her suite. Heart aching, her entire body wracked with sobs, she curled up into a ball in the center of her bed, allowing the rush of grief and loss to consume her. This was entirely your fault, her mind tormented. She wanted you, and you turned her away. You have no one but yourself to blame. If only you hadn't been such a fucking coward…

The negative thought spiral persisted for what felt like hours as she lay there, sobbing into her pillow. Her heart felt hollow, the echo of heartbreak resounding in its depths, and the only consolation was that she couldn't possibly fuck things up any worse.

Once she managed to compose herself enough to mobilize, she made her way downstairs where she hit the bar with a ferocity that shocked even her mother, downing several shots before switching to mixed drinks. Watching her slam a few of those as well, Olivia approached her, concern etched in her expression. "What's going on, Jellybean?" she asked, a gentle hand brushing across Emma's upper back.

"I don't wanna talk about it, Mom," Emma said firmly. "I just wanna forget…"

"Forget what, Em?" Olivia sounded alarmed. They were in a building with hundreds of rooms… and beds. Just like the castle in San Cristobal. What if…

She felt her stomach churn. "Did someone hurt you?" She sounded panicked.

"I'm fine, Mom," Emma insisted. "I'm just a little upset."

"No one touched you?" Olivia asked.

Confused, Emma's face crinkled. "What?" she questioned. And then she shook her head. "No…"

Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god," she muttered. And then she swept a gaze across her daughter's image, noting how utterly distraught she seemed. 'Upset' didn't even begin to describe what she was seeing. But she wouldn't push. Emma was a grown woman. If she wanted or needed to talk, she would.

Just because she wouldn't interfere by pushing for details, didn't mean she wouldn't intervene otherwise. Grasping Emma's glass, she pulled it away, earning groans of protest for her efforts. "I think you've had enough of this," she said sternly, recalling the afternoon she spent downing whisky and playing Rock Band with Shane and Edmund when she was running away from her feelings for Natalia. She'd regretted that excursion for days—for more reasons than one. She set the glass down on a nearby table. "Strong coffee is the only thing on your menu for the rest of the evening."

Emma rolled her eyes, just like she had as a teenager. "Coffee doesn't do shit to sober a person up," she remarked.

"No, it doesn't," Olivia agreed. "But it also doesn't get you sloshed."

Emma made a face at her.

Undeterred, Olivia took Emma by the arm then, giving her a gentle tug. "You don't have to talk about whatever's going on, but let's at least find someplace to sit that's not in the middle of this celebration. Your mama will have a shit-fit if she finds you like this."

Emma sighed. She hated it, but she knew her mother was right. "Fine," she groused, allowing herself to be ushered into the lounge area, where she could at least beat herself up in relative silence since all of the action appeared to be in the ballroom that night. She might have to face her reality sober, but at least she wouldn't have to broadcast her idiocy to the entire world in the process.


The Montgomery-Kundera Household, Pine Valley—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Later that evening, Maggie found Jordan out on the back deck, her feet dangling over the edge. The air was still, yet that late November chill clutched firmly to it; those evanescent Dog Days of Summer long-since vanished. The pool had long been covered, the leaves fallen from the trees, baring hidden truths, but the lake glistened in the moonlight just beyond, and there, staring out over the tranquil waters, she appeared to be lost in thought.

Maggie hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disturb her. And then she saw the telltale sign of distress—Jordan's entire body was shaking as she quietly cried. Allowing her a chance to compose herself, Maggie made a point of allowing the door to close loudly. "It's chilly out here, Honey," she said with an exaggerated shiver. "What are you doing?"

Jordan turned toward her, tears streaming down her cheeks, unchecked. "Trying to figure out what I did wrong," she said. Her eyes were filled with sadness and confusion, and Maggie's heart ached for her.

Crouching down onto the deck, Maggie slid in next to her. "Did wrong when?" she asked. She hadn't noticed anything amiss throughout the afternoon, so it surprised her that there was a problem.

"On the phone," Jordan answered. "With Emma…"

Ah, Emma… Now things were starting to make sense. "Do you want to talk about it?" Maggie offered.

"All day long, all I could think about was her," Jordan shared, as tear-filled eyes scanned the darkened horizon beyond the lake toward the towering mountains that formed the backdrop of her childhood memories here—so many of them containing Emma.

A knowing grin spread across Maggie's face. "From what you've told me, that's a regular occurrence," she said lightly.

The humor in Maggie's tone drew a wobbly smile from Jordan. "True story," she confirmed. "But it was different today."

"How so?"

"I made a decision that affects her too," Jordan answered. "I'm breaking things off with AJ."

"Oh! Okay," Maggie sounded a little surprised, but definitely not opposed to the idea. "Well, that sounds like a good thing to me, especially where Emma is concerned. So… what happened? What's got you so upset?"

"I just don't understand, Aunt Maggie," Jordan cried, burying her face in her hands. "I was trying to tell her I was ending things with AJ, and she just flipped out and hung up on me."

Flummoxed, Maggie's eyebrows furrowed. "That doesn't sound like Emma at all," she noted. "Are you sure nothing else was going on?"

"I'm positive," Jordan replied. "We were having a great conversation, and then I brought up AJ, and she couldn't get off the phone fast enough. And now she won't answer my calls."

"Maybe she's feeling a little jealous," Maggie wondered aloud.

Turning toward her godmother, Jordan met her sincere gaze with an insistent one of her own. "She has no reason to be jealous," she said candidly. "Honestly, Aunt Maggie, I should've broken things off with AJ months ago, because Emma Spencer… god, she's everything to me."

Delivered on a husky sigh, Jordan's proclamation brought tears to Maggie's eyes. Smiling, she draped an arm around Jordan's shoulder, and pulled her close. "Then hold on tightly to her, Baby Girl," she said, lightly kissing Jordan's temple, "and don't ever let her go."


The Arbour/BGRC Properties—Ann Arbor—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

After the game, Dylan was on a natural high, and family and friends joined him and several of his team members in celebration—first at the stadium, and later back at the hotel, where they partied together in the ballroom and beyond until well into the evening. And then the impromptu gathering disbanded, leaving Dylan and Emma completely alone for the first time in what felt like years.

Heartbroken, Emma had locked her feeling up somewhere deep inside, snuffing out her pain in the only way she knew how, and then fueled by alcohol and reverie, time stood still, as they lingered in the fireside lounge, talking and laughing together. It felt as though they were back in high school, like nothing had ever changed. In her despair, Emma allowed herself to be drawn to him, just as she had all those years ago, and she didn't resist when he offered his hand, drawing her into his arms.

As she sat in his lap, he leaned in to kiss her, and she pressed her fingers against his lips. "You're not seeing anyone?" she quietly inquired. She couldn't imagine that he wasn't dating someone special, and she simply would not interfere with someone else's relationship—not even to help her forget about Jordan.

"No—," he answered softly, as her fingers fell away. "You?"

Even as she shook her head, her heart clenched in her chest. "No—," she denied, her thoughts flashing on an image of Jordan in the firelight that summer—that sexy mop of rowdy raven curls, those enchanting dimples, and intense, dark eyes that sparkled when she smiled.

Willfully, Emma tossed the image aside. She has a boyfriend, and she's about to fuck him, she reminded herself. You can't live with your life on hold, waiting for someone who will never be yours.

She uttered the word, and he smiled in response. How can it be that no one has claimed your heart? He didn't waste another moment wondering, before his lips met hers.

It felt comfortable, safe, as he held her, and kissed her. His thick fingers tangled in the waves of soft chestnut that gathered at the nape of her neck, and Emma melted against his torso, readily losing herself in him. The warmth of his mouth against her own enlivened her, as the familiar scent of his cologne surrounded her, suffusing her senses, and blurring all conscious thought. She was barely cognizant of the fact that they were in public—in her mothers' hotel, no less.

Neither of them knew how long they lingered, lost in the moment; but when their kisses finally slowed, he pulled away, reluctant to break the spell. Brushing his hand against her cheek affectionately, he smiled into those teal-blue eyes he had come to know so well. "We should probably reconnect with family," he suggested, though giving up this time alone with her was the last thing he wanted at the moment.

Nibbling her bottom lip, she nodded. "That's probably a good idea."

He kissed her one more time, before lifting her from the comfort of the sleek leather sofa, effortlessly finding his purchase with her still wrapped in his arms. Setting her on her feet, he curled an arm around her shoulder, drawing her against his side.

Casually, her arm fell around his waist, and together they walked toward the elevator.

Having fished her keycard out of the back pocket of her jeans, Emma swiped it, calling the elevator to the atrium. And then they were stepping inside, both of them lost in thought.

Mindlessly, Emma punched in the code to access the floor for the penthouse suite, and they rode in silence to the top floor of the Arbour.

The closer they came to the penthouse door, the more intense the war raged inside her. A part of her—the part that so desperately needed to forget her feelings for Jordan—wanted to invite him into her room, rather than sending him to the room he shared with Jacob at the other end of the penthouse. And the part of her that acted on reason told her it was a bad idea. Very bad.

She knew the decision could easily be made for her, because her younger sisters were asleep in the room next door, and her head told her to leave it at that. But the ache in her heart wouldn't be assuaged, and she found herself in his arms, kissing him again, as though the past two-plus years had never happened. And then, as her hands wandered his firm, muscular torso, she heard her voice, murmuring to him, inviting him not into her hotel room, but back to her on-campus apartment where they could be alone—for the entire night.

The husky sensuality in her tone told him exactly what she had in mind. And though his head told him to question the sudden shift in her resolve, his heart quickly shut all argument down. He loved her. Deeply. And he had waited years to hear her say those words. Now wasn't the time to question; it was the time to live out his dreams. Without another moment of forethought, he found himself asking if she was okay to drive—after all, she'd hit the bottle pretty hard earlier in the evening.

Emma nodded. "I'm fine, I promise," she assured, her gazed locked on his. "I stopped drinking hours ago."

"Why were you drinking so much anyway?" he asked, concerned. "That's not like you at all."

The corners of her mouth twitched into a shaky smile. "Just… celebrating your big win," she lied.

Dylan shook his head. "I call bullshit, Em," he said directly.

Delivered with a determined stance and an unwavering gaze, Dylan's comment rattled Emma to the core. "Look, I don't want to talk about it," she insisted, in a tone that would tolerate no argument. "Now, do you wanna come back to my place, or am I just leaving you here? I want you to come home with me, but either way, I'm going."

"What about our folks?" He knew they were expected for breakfast in the morning, and he had a bus to catch soon thereafter.

"We can set the alarm," Emma suggested, anxious to be on their way. "We'll be back before they even know we were gone."

That was all it had taken to convince him.


The Chandler Mansion, Pine Valley, Saturday, November 27, 2021, 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Later that night, a storm brewed in the distance. The atmosphere stirred, a rumble of thunder shattering the stillness, and then the fierce November winds awakened, howling through the dense grove of Northern Red Oaks that stood guard at the perimeter of the Chandler estate, rattling the French windows and doors in the study. But inside, the thick, ornate draperies that shrouded the panes ensured that the warmth of the fire that blazed in the hearth remained.

Flanked by walls of rich, solid oak, the hearth itself, with its elegant ivory mantle, looked as though it hailed from the pages of a Victorian novel. Its fluted columns, dark marble inlay, and intricately carved accents imparted a sense of romance to the hearth, and the crackling fire added the finishing touches to the innate ambiance of the room.

Having just said goodnight to his parents as they were heading upstairs, AJ Chandler stretched out on the floor in front of the fire, settling into its warmth. But his respite was short-lived. The doorbell rang, and he sprang to his feet. It was late, and the staff had retired for the evening.

When the heavy wooden door swung open, he was pleasantly surprised to see Jordan standing there. "Hey!" he greeted, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Hi…" Jordan said, sheepishly. "I hope it's all right, me just dropping by."

Stepping aside, he gestured for her to come in. "Of course it is," he said, as he closed the door behind them. He slid over beside her, lightly touching her arm as he bent to kiss her. "I'm glad you're here."

She fell against him, hugging him tightly for a moment. And then wordlessly, she met his gaze.

He smiled into her eyes, and took her hand, ushering her into the study. "What's up?" he asked, as they settled on the sofa. Not that he minded in the least, but it wasn't like her to just show up unannounced.

Jordan took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as she steadied her nerves. Her heart was racing, palms sweating, and her stomach churned so violently she was nearly certain she might vomit at any given moment. "I need to talk to you, Ace," she announced.

His face adopted a look of concern. "Is everything okay?"

Soft brown eyes clouded with tears. She knew she was about to break his heart, and she hated herself for it. But better it happen now, than six months down the road. "It will be," she answered quietly. "Someday…"

AJ looked confused. "I don't understand," he said.

"I was confused myself, at first," Jordan admitted.

"About what?"

"About us," Jordan answered.

"Now I'm really confused," he said, brow furrowed.

"I don't… I don't really know how to say this," Jordan hesitated.

"Did I do something wrong?" AJ asked.

Closing her eyes, Jordan buried her face in her hands. "No," she answered. "And that's the problem. I feel like a jerk for doing this, because you're an amazing boyfriend. You're an amazing friend!" she said, stressing the friend part.

"Fuck…" AJ sighed, realization dawning. Eyes shuttering, he lowered his head. "You're breaking up with me."

Her heart ached for him, and she reached out, gently touching his arm. "I'm so sorry, Ace," she said softly.

When he looked up, meeting her gaze, his blue eyes were filled with tears. "Why?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Because I'm not being fair to you, AJ," she answered.

"Is this about…" he shrugged, "you know?"

Jordan arched an eyebrow. "Sex?" She wondered now how he could be mature enough to handle sex, if he couldn't even say the word.

"Well, yeah…" he sheepishly admitted. "'Cause… if it is, I can wait. I swear. I'm not mad that we haven't."

"I love you, AJ Chandler," Jordan said sincerely. "But not the way you deserve to be loved. I want you to be with someone who's as crazy for you, as you are for them."

"And you're just not…"

Delivered on an exhale of sadness, AJ felt his entire world crashing down around him. He'd waited so long for Jordan to love him the way he'd always loved her. And then she did, and everything felt right with the world.

Until now.

Until she'd just crushed his soul.

"And you don't ever think you could be?"

He sounded so sad, and more than anything Jordan wanted to be able to say "Yes," but she knew she couldn't. She couldn't lie to him, any more than she could lie to herself about her feelings for Emma. "No, Ace," she said sadly, as she wrapped an arm around him.

Nodding solemnly, AJ released a soft sigh. "I should've seen this coming," he said.

"What makes you think that?" Jordan asked, not wanting him to blame himself.

"Ever since last summer, you've been… different," he answered. "Did something happen? Did you meet someone new?"

"I met lots of new people last summer," Jordan answered. "But not like you mean." He didn't need to know about Emma; not right now. That would hurt him far too much, and she hated that she had hurt him at all. Had she known her feelings for Emma would ignite last summer, she never would have started anything with AJ. Until then, she'd thought he was what she wanted. And then Emma happened, and everything changed.

As always, he took her at her word. "Do I still get to keep my best friend?" he asked, feeling more vulnerable than he ever had in his life.

A soft smile played across Jordan's lips. "I sure hope so," she answered, "because I still need mine too."

He smiled at her through his tears. "You'll always have me, Jordi," he promised. "I can't imagine life without you."

"Ditto," Jordan said, drawing him into a tight hug.

When she finally released him from their embrace, he walked her to the door. Noting the increase in winds and the rain that was beginning to fall, he cautioned her to be careful driving home—the storm was kicking up. And then he kissed her on the cheek, bidding her a good night. And as she drove away, she couldn't help but feel equal parts heartbroken and excited for the future.


Emma's On-Campus Apartment, University of Michigan—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Less than fifteen minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot at Emma's on-campus apartment building. Pulling into a space near the south entrance to her building, she shifted the car into neutral, released the clutch, and engaged the parking brake in one fluid motion. She switched off the engine then, and releasing her seatbelt, she turned toward Dylan, who was already unfastening his own restraint.

Her eyes twinkled with mischief, as she bit her bottom lip. That signal told Dylan that she was up to no good, but in the very best possible way. Reaching out, she hooked the neckline of his hoodie with her index finger, as a sexy grin trickled across her lips. And then Dylan felt himself being drawn toward her. He went without a moment's hesitation.

She kissed him, and he fell easily back under her spell, as if it had never been broken. This girl, this woman, owned him, heart and soul. He was putty in her hands, and he knew it. Always had been. Always would be—if he had his way about it. Silently, he prayed that he would, as he returned her kisses with growing fervor.

And then she was whispering to him, suggesting that they move inside.

Dylan's OSU hoodie stood out like a sore thumb on the U-M campus, drawing attention to them, as Emma climbed out of her car, and into his arms. A hook-up between a U-M girl and an OSU guy—or vice versa—was considered traitorous at best. But neither of them noticed the questioning looks or the gaping stares of passersby, as they made their way toward her front door, their mouths never parting for a moment.

Clearly preoccupied, Emma barely even registered the presence of her roommates, Sutton and Gage, as she and Dylan entered the apartment. And though the scene resulted in raised eyebrows from the stunned twosome, they didn't interfere with Emma's business. Instead, they simply excused themselves, and retreated to Sutton's bedroom. It was the farthest away from Emma's, thus allotting her and her guest the utmost privacy. Given the frenzy they were witnessing, neither Sutton nor Gage had any doubt as to what was about to transpire behind closed doors.

Once inside her bedroom, Emma closed the door, forcefully pressing Dylan against it. Easily half his size, her petite build belied the power that lurked beneath, and Dylan found himself practically subdued; though, in the best possible way. His heart pounded in his chest, as her hands boldly explored beneath his hoodie.

Reaching between their bodies, he released the zipper on her Wolverines' hoodie, effortlessly casting it aside, along with the matching jersey and lacy bra she wore beneath. Their mouths barely parted for a moment, as she swiftly managed to discard his hoodie, and the jersey that lay beneath. And then his hands made quick work of the snaps on her jeans, as her fingers worked to release his belt buckle.

She groaned against his mouth, as he tucked his hand inside, stroking her with expert precision through the thin veil of her silken panties. She was drenched with desire, and Dylan growled in response. "Jesus, Em!"

"Leave Jesus out of this, and just take me to bed," Emma commanded, as her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his jeans. It had been months since anyone had touched her—she had a worn-out silver bullet to prove it. She didn't even want to contemplate the condition of other personal accessories. Fuck Maury for leaving her hanging like that. And fuck Jordan for what she was probably doing with AJ right now!

Without hesitation, he sprang into action. Lifting her from the floor as if she weighed nothing, his mouth fell to her left breast. It had been so long since the last time he held her in his mouth this way, and his groin ached with want for her. A voracious suckling drew a husky whimper from her, and he released a deep groan that trickled out around the edges of her nipple, as he kicked off his sneakers, chucking them aside.

Instinctively, her arms encircled his neck, as her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. The heat of his mouth, the pressure of his tongue, felt blissfully familiar as he easily covered her areola, and suckled her nipple. Her head dropping back, chestnut locks draped across her upper back, and she groaned out her pleasure, as he carried her toward the bed.

Gently, he lowered her to the mattress, and his mouth found hers again, his tongue exploring, as he removed her sneakers and socks with one agile hand. And then he stripped away her jeans, kicking out of his as well, before covering her body with his own.

She whimpered at the full-body contact—he was so much heavier than Maury, and the weight of him pressing down against her felt almost revitalizing. And then he shifted his body between her legs, and she felt the heat of him against her for the first time in more than two years. It penetrated the thin barriers that still lay between them, and she felt him growing increasingly harder as she moved with purpose beneath him.

"Shit," Dylan cursed, as he tore his mouth away from hers unexpectedly.

"What is it, D?" Purposefully, Emma rolled them over, gazing down at him with concern.

Dylan worried his bottom lip, as he deliberately shifted away from her, averting both her gaze and the bodily contact that was instigating his growing erection. "I, um… I wasn't exactly expecting this, Em. And I don't… I don't have anything on me," he sheepishly confessed. Truth was, he hadn't had anything on him since the night they almost made love a little more than two years prior—the night Emma broke things off with him before leaving for college.

Emma grinned. She knew exactly what he meant. An eyebrow arched. "What kind of jock are you, anyway?" she teased.

Blushing, Dylan stuttered incoherently, drawing a hearty laugh from Emma. "No worries, Sport," she said playfully, as she patted the center of his chest. "I'll take care of it. Be right back."

"What? Where are you…"

"It pays to have slutty roommates," she grinned, as she eased herself off of his body. They weren't really slutty, but they did have steady boyfriends, and thus, they were always prepared.

Grabbing the shirt that was draped over her desk chair, Emma slipped it on. Not bothering to button it, or to even put on pants, she slipped out into the living room, padding barefoot across the thick carpeting toward Sutton's bedroom door. She knocked lightly, and then opened the door—that was the level of comfort they had established during the years she and Sutton had roomed together.

"Hey…" She greeted them casually as she stepped inside.

Gage Carlyle sat cross-legged in the center of Sutton's bed; a common occurrence since day one of their cohabitation. Slowly, his smoky-gray eyes scanned Emma up and down. "Really, Emma? Some guy from Ohio State?" His tone held a hint of scolding. The OSU hoodie hadn't been lost on him when Emma came stumbling into the apartment, barely able to keep her hands off of the man.

Laughing, Sutton punched his arm. "That's not just any Ohio State guy. That's Dylan."

His eyes held a devilish twinkle as he grinned. "That's Dylan?" He was practically salivating.

Emma laughed. "Of course it is," she said reasonably. "Do you really think I would bring some random guy back here?"

"Quite honestly, I didn't expect you would bring any guy back here. Ever."

"You have a point," Emma granted.

"Speaking of," Sutton interjected. "What are you doing in here, while he's in there?" She emphasized locations, as she pointed in the direction of Emma's room.

Grinning, Emma informed them that she needed "supplies." That was certainly a first.

"Ah… Romeo doesn't come prepared?" Sutton smirked at her witty play on words.

Stifling a laugh, Emma grimaced. "Romeo didn't know he needed to be prepared," she explained. "This wasn't exactly planned."

Noting the unspoken concern that clouded Sutton's eyes, Emma met her gaze, and offered a reassuring smile. "And yes, I'm sure this is what I want. I can't keep putting my life on hold, waiting for something that's never gonna happen."

Sutton smiled in response. She loved how well they read one another. Nodding, she tipped her head toward the bedside table. "Help yourself."

"Thanks." Emma attempted to stifle a blush.

"Ooh, Girl! If I were you, I'd take more than one," Gage commented, as he watched Emma slip her hand into the box in the drawer. "He's hunky. I'd do 'im at least twice."

Playfully, Sutton shoved Gage's shoulder. "Oh, please. You'd fuck a total bagger if it meant getting your rocks off twice in one night."

Completely unruffled by the teasing accusation, Gage shrugged. "Well, that's true enough," he said without even a hint of embarrassment. Having a steady boyfriend didn't preclude extracurricular activities, especially since they were both similarly inclined.

Grinning, Emma shook her head. "You two are something else," she said, as she slid the drawer closed.

"We aim to please," Gage commented.

"Thanks, Sutton," Emma said. Her eyes twinkled as she taunted Gage with not two, but three condoms.

"Over-achiever," he accused.

"Damned straight," Emma declared.

Gage smirked. That was just way too fucking easy. "At least for tonight."

Impressed with his quick-witted comeback, Emma grinned at him. "Touché," she conceded, and then she was sauntering out the door.


The Montgomery-Kundera Household, Pine Valley—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 11:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Jordan knocked lightly on her mothers' bedroom door, hoping she wasn't disturbing them. It was still early for them to retire for the night, and their light was on, so she thought her chances were good. But even if she were interrupting, she knew they would welcome her in with open arms, insisting that she wasn't. There had never been a single time in her life where that wasn't the case.

Without even opening the door they knew it was Jordan. They'd heard her car in the driveway a few minutes prior, and both offered a prayer of thanks that she'd made it home safely in that storm. Setting their shared book aside, Lena said, "Come in…"

Cracking the door open, Jordan peered inside. "Hey," she said in greeting. "Is this a good time?"

"Of course it is, Honey," Bianca welcomed. It wasn't unusual for her to come in for a chat when she got home at night.

"Great," Jordan sighed, sounding relieved. "Because I really need to talk."

Bianca glanced at the clock. "You're home early," she noted, sounding surprised.

Jordan blew out a breath. "Yeah… about that," she said, climbing into the bed between them. "I, uh… I broke up with AJ tonight."

Caught off guard, Lena arched an eyebrow. It wasn't six months ago she was contemplating taking their relationship to the next level. "What happened, Sweetheart?"

For the second time that night, Jordan found herself at a loss for words. Falling silent for a moment, she contemplated them carefully. "This will probably come as a shock to you, given how big a deal I made of things a few months ago, but… I'm not nearly as straight as I thought I was," she confessed.

Bianca had to work hard not to release that laugh that bubbled up in her chest. "Oh, Honey, that's not news," she said, making due with a subtle grin. "We figured it out a few months ago."

"We just weren't certain you were aware of it yet," Lena added.

Bewildered, Jordan's brow furrowed. "How?"

"Baby, we've seen you with Emma," Bianca reminded, as she gently stroked her daughter's raven curls.

Eyes rolling, Jordan laughed. "Aunt Maggie says we're as obvious as playing Where's Waldo in a nudist camp."

A hearty laugh burst from her parents' chests. "Well, she's not wrong," Bianca affirmed.

Jordan groaned, her head dropping back against the headboard. "I can't believe you all knew," she sighed. "I thought I was being so careful not to let it show."

Leaning close, Lena bumped her shoulder against Jordan's. "You forget your mom is a master matchmaker," she teased. "Remember Tara and Cassandra?" she said of the two young women they'd met at karaoke a few years ago. Those two hadn't stood a chance once Bianca was on the case.

"And don't forget Constance and Katarina," Bianca piped in, referring to the nanny who had accompanied Lena and Bianca on their honeymoon to look after Jordan, and the love she thought she'd lost as a young woman. Once she'd heard their story, Bianca hunted Katarina down, and helped them reunite.

"Not to mention, she introduced Aunt Maggie to Uncle Jake," Lena added. "And encouraged Grandpa Alexander to ask Babcia out," she said, referring to her mother.

There were far more examples, but they thought that was enough. Jordan got the picture.

Glancing at Jordan, Bianca took a moment just to look at her daughter. "How serious is this for you?" she asked, attempting to gauge the situation, to figure out just exactly how aware Jordan was of her feelings.

Swallowing hard around the lump that suddenly formed in her throat, Jordan met her mother's sincere gaze. "I'm in love with her, Mom. She's the one," she confessed, her pulse racing with the excitement of it. "And I know you probably think I'm too young to know that for sure, but…"

"Stop right there," Bianca said gently.

"What?" Jordan looked confused. Bianca was always so adamant about being cautious with one's heart; she couldn't imagine she wouldn't argue this point.

Bianca smiled. "Do you know how old I was when I fell in love with your mama?"

Jordan shook her head, indicating that she wasn't aware. "I know you were young when I was born, but… I never really thought about it," she admitted. "I've just assumed you've always loved her."

A soft smile flickered across Lena's face as she caught Bianca's gaze. "You're probably right about that," she said. "She was so certain we were meant to be, and I was helpless to fight against it. Not that I wanted to," she was quick to clarify.

"So… how old were you?" Jordan asked, curious about the point Bianca was trying to make.

"Barely nineteen," Bianca answered candidly. "Your Grandma Erica was absolutely beside herself."

"Because you were too young to know real love when you felt it?" Jordan surmised.

Lena nodded. "She was too young, and I was far too old for your Mom, in Erica's opinion."

"But you didn't listen to her," Jordan added to the narrative of her parents' love story.

"Not for a moment," Bianca said proudly. "And I've never regretted it."

"You don't think I'm too young to know?" Jordan asked, checking in.

"Oh, my sweet, sweet love," Bianca said with deep affection as she caressed her daughter's cheek. "If your heart is telling you she's the one, then don't let anyone or anything try to convince you otherwise. Not even your mamas."

Lena was nodding as Bianca spoke. "Your mom is right," she agreed. "We raised you to trust yourself, to trust your instincts, and that's never more important than when it comes to love."

Releasing a pent-up sigh of relief, Jordan's smile lit up the room. "I can't wait to tell Emma," she gushed. She was going to be so surprised! And once Jordan turned eighteen, nothing would get in their way. She was certain of it.

But even as she celebrated in her mind, her thoughts turned to AJ, and her smile faded just as quickly. "But… I feel like such a jerk at the same time."

"Why is that?" Bianca asked. She had her suspicions, but wanted to confirm.

"Because AJ is hurting so much, Mom," Jordan said. "And I feel so guilty for being happy."

Pulling Jordan close, Bianca pressed a kiss against her temple. "You have such a beautiful heart," she whispered.

Jordan smiled into her mother's eyes. "I got it from the two of you," she said with affection, as she glanced from one to the other, and back again.

"We couldn't be more proud of you," Lena declared.

"I'm proud of you for following your heart, Jordan. But I won't bother sugarcoating things. And I won't fill your head with a bunch of useless platitudes," Bianca said, putting on her therapist voice. "This will be a painful time for AJ. And it'll hurt for you when you think about it—at least for a while," she said forthrightly. "Best thing you can do is allow yourself to feel it when it hits you. Just sit with it for a while. Eventually, you'll notice that the waves don't last as long anymore, and someday, they won't happen at all."

Bumping her shoulder against Jordan's again, Lena grinned. "That'll be a hundred bucks," she teased, drawing a laugh from her wife and daughter.

The laughter played across Jordan's lips, and she smiled at her mothers again. "Thank you both for always being here for me," she said sincerely. "I'm so blessed to have you."

Lena and Bianca came together then, and wrapping Jordan in a double-sided hug, they each kissed a cheek. "We're the ones who are blessed, Mój Mały," Lena whispered. "We wouldn't have traded you for anything in the world."

Delivered on a poignant breath, Lena's statement drew Bianca's gaze into her own. And they shared a brief moment of silent conversation, both of them knowing it was the truest thing either of them had ever said, despite the history that lay buried deeply beneath the surface.


Emma's On-Campus Apartment, University of Michigan—Saturday, November 27, 2021, 11:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Emma's eyes were clouded with unbridled want—and something else Dylan couldn't quite discern—as she crawled toward him on her bed. Upon reentry to her room, she offered him a suggestive grin, as she dropped the three condoms on her bedside table, and stealthily slipped out of the shirt she had donned to retrieve them.

"You really are planning an all-nighter, aren't ya?" Dylan murmured as he eyed the telltale packages. He struggled to subdue his excitement, as she straddled his muscular thighs.

"Who needs sleep?" she asked provocatively, as her right hand lightly teased him through the soft cotton of his light gray boxer briefs. A puckish grin tickled her lips, as she watched his body react. He had grown no less aroused in her absence, and that excited her even more.

Dylan groaned as he felt Emma's skillful fingertips against him. Fuck! he silently cursed, wondering why he hadn't jacked off in the shower earlier. Anything to take the pressure off now. "Don't touch me yet, okay, Em?" he gasped, as he pushed her hand away. "We'll be finished before we even get started."

Grinning, Emma teased him. "Little fast on the trigger there, eh, Sport?"

He laughed, as he sat up. Drawing her against his body, he nuzzled against her cheek. "Don't tease, okay? I haven't jacked off in four days."

"Fuck," Emma grimaced. "Why the hell not?" She couldn't even fathom going that long.

"Believe me, I've been asking myself that for the last thirty minutes," he confessed, as his mouth skimmed the taut cord of muscle in her neck.

Emma laughed, and then pressed for the truth. "And what's your answer?"

Dylan gave her a bashful grin. "Coach said the tension would improve my performance."

Bluish-green eyes sparkled with mischief. "How'd coach know you were gonna get laid tonight?"

A hearty laugh billowed up from deep in Dylan's chest. "My game performance," he clarified unnecessarily.

"Well, I think it worked," Emma grinned. She leaned in, lightly nibbling his ear. "I was so proud of you today," she murmured.

"Yeah?" Dylan sounded pleased. "Even though we kicked your ass?"

She playfully tousled his thick, dark hair. "Yeah," she confirmed, her gaze locked firmly on his. And then her fingers were tangling in those dark curls, tightening, as she drew his mouth to hers. "You want me to take the edge off?" she murmured against his mouth, as her other hand lightly stroked him again. She just couldn't help herself.

A visceral groan ripped from his lungs, and his cock moved like an animal beneath her touch. "No!" he gasped, as he abruptly pushed her hand away again.

When she looked at him in surprise, he touched her face, and then kissed her again. "I'm sorry," he whispered against her ear. "I just… it's gonna be intense, I can tell. And I…"

His breath was warm against her ear as he released a slow sigh.

"And you what, D?" she prodded. Her lips lightly skimmed his neck.

"I wanna come inside you this time," he confessed on a ragged breath.

Emma smiled against his neck. "Yes…" she whispered. And then her mouth found his again. Anything to make her forget…

Their kisses were long, and slow, and deep, and they spoke volumes about the way he revered her. She wasn't just some being to be used or possessed and then thrown away; but rather, a woman to be held, and loved, and cherished. He had his mothers to thank for instilling that understanding in him from an early age.

Finally, Dylan tore his mouth away, laying a trail of heated kisses toward Emma's breasts. Her arms encircled his head, holding his mouth against her, as he devoured her breasts and nipples as though her were starved for her. The responses, the low growls and deep moans, he received from her, both verbally and otherwise, were enlivening; they spurred him on with increasing vigor. And when he could stand the tension no more, he shifted her forward, gently lowering her to the bed once again.

His tongue lightly teased one achingly aroused nipple, then the other, as his hand slipped beneath the fabric of her panties, finding her. She was wet, and warm, and he growled against her breast, as her body arched into his palm, seeking deeper contact.

His fingers were so thick and powerful, and immediately, her body remembered the sheer pleasure of them bringing her to climax. Mostly he'd just gotten her off by teasing at her entrance and squeezing and stroking her clit. And then there was the time he slid his fingers deep inside. It had only happened once, the night she broke things off with him that first time, but her body knew him, knew his touch, and instinctively burned for more. This time, she wouldn't stop him until she knew all of him—until he possessed her, and made her forget what she couldn't have.

Nuzzling against her ear, he whispered to her, telling her how much he loved her, as he stroked her with knowing fingertips that slowly traced the slick valleys and pathways between her legs. She groaned again in response to his familiar touch, and her breath caught on a pang of something akin to guilt, as the words registered in her heart and mind. She knew it was true. She had always known.

What more could she ask in this life?

That image of Jordan in the firelight flashed through her mind in response, and she willfully thrust it aside. Jordan was an unattainable fantasy. Dylan was her reality, her here and now. He was good to her, and he made her happy. And he could be her future, if only she would let him.

Forcing back tears that she couldn't bring herself to face, she brushed her lips against his ear, and whispered, "Show me, Dylan," in invitation. "Show me how much you love me."

Guided by her insistent fingertip, his mouth found hers again. Sprinkling those soft, supple lips with tender kisses, his hand continued to caress her, taking her almost to the brink of climax. And when finally, he embarked on a trail of warm, slow kisses across and down her body, the heat of unshed tears stung in her eyes as she closed them, surrendering herself to him in ways she never had before.

TBC in Chapter 8.4…