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 and Rafe Rivera are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters Bianca Montgomery and Lena Kundera, are owned by All My Children and ABC/Disney. The characters Sterling and Blair Wesley and April Stevens are owned by Teenage Bounty Hunters creator Kathleen Jordan and Netflix. The characters Mariah Copeland, Tessa Porter, and Faith Newman are owned by The Young and the Restless, Bell Dramatic Serial Company, Corday Productions, CPT Holdings, Inc., and Sony Pictures Television. The original characters of Jordan and Lexie Montgomery-Kundera, Bella Spencer-Rivera, Sutton and Kelsey Keller, Dylan Jackson-Morgan, and Kinsley Tate 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, Netflix, Young and the Restless, Bell Dramatic Serial Company, Corday Productions, CPT Holdings, Inc., and Sony Pictures Television, or any other person or entity. All dialogue, some settings, and all story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

Rating: Overall, Chapter 8 is rated R for strong language and sexual situations, this particular update is rated PG.

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: Pay particular attention to the transitions in time, as this chapter contains flashbacks within flashbacks.

So… it's that time of year again—my birthday—and as is tradition, it's time for my gift to my ever-faithful FFW, WickedWanda926. I'm sure this update will please her, and all of you as well, because it finally gives you a little of what you've been clamoring for since nearly the beginning of this little saga.

I do hope you all enjoy!

Much love,

Kimberly xoxo

Snapshots: Anthology of a Life Well Lived

Copyright September 2012

"No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm."

— Charles Kettering

Chapter 8.6—Showers and Thunderstorms:

Rhapsody, The Beacon, Springfield—Tuesday, June 12, 2029, 6:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time

If only life were that simple…

The pessimistic nature of that thought was as rare to Jordan as the latte she sipped, and yet, its rarity didn't make it any less true in that particular instance. To say that their relationship had taken them on a rollercoaster ride would have been an understatement. There were twists and turns that neither of them could have predicted—and a few that could have been avoided all together, if only...

But Jordan digressed.

She didn't want to think about those times right now. Instead, she wanted to focus on the happy times with Emma, like her twenty-first birthday celebration, their first real date, and that oh, so long-awaited first kiss…

The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—Sunday, April 20, 2025, 11:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

A light breeze blew across the sand, and the gentle rhythm of waves echoing around them was the only sound Emma and Jordan heard as they relaxed beside the fire they built for their siblings in the stone firepit earlier in the evening. Hot dogs, chips, and s'mores—a rare delicacy to the kids—had been on the menu because their mothers had gone out for a nice dinner together, leaving Emma and Jordan in charge. And to their mutual delight, everything had gone well, both with the kids and between the two of them.

The emotional chill that had settled between them upon Emma's arrival, thankfully, had thawed; though an environmental chill remained—it was April on the Vineyard, after all. But neither of them seemed to mind. They used it as an excuse to huddle close beneath that familiar old quilt after everyone else went to bed.

"Remember the first night we spent out here together?" Emma asked, her tone revealing a touch of nostalgia.

Jordan's smile flashed in the firelight. "You mean back when I was still jailbait?"

Amused, Emma lolled her head to the side, giving her an exaggerated eye roll. "I'm never gonna live that down, am I?"

Laughing, Jordan bumped her shoulder against Emma's. "Probably not."

A soft smiled played across Emma's lips, and she closed her eyes, turning quiet for a moment. "Thank you," she said softly.

"For?" Jordan inquired.

"Giving me a second chance," Emma answered. "I definitely didn't deserve it."

Beneath the quilt, Jordan snaked an arm through Emma's and leaned her chin against a muscled shoulder. "I could never stay angry with you for long," she said softly.

"Lucky me," Emma whispered. Silently, she wished the same had been true of others, but then again, her sins against them had been far more egregious, and she struggled to even forgive herself, let alone expect forgiveness of them.

They were still for a moment, and then Emma glanced toward Jordan, tilting her head, that titillating barely-there smile making her look so much like her mother. "Would you like to have dinner with me?" she invited.

Glancing around at the remnants of their evening—the nearly empty chip bag and hot dog bun wrappers, half a package of graham crackers, a few pieces of leftover chocolate bar, an open bag of marshmallows, and a few random soda cans—Jordan arched an eyebrow. "I think I just did," she said coyly.

Emma made a face at her. "Funny," she said drolly, drawing a soft chuckle from Jordan.

Suddenly Emma's throat went dry, and her insides began to quiver—and not in a good way. She prayed she wouldn't vomit. Taking a deep breath to quell her nerves, she bolstered the courage to expound, "I meant, like… a real dinner, out somewhere… just the two of us."

Suppressing the urge to squeal out loud, Jordan tilted her head, falling effortlessly into Emma's gaze again, the copper flecks in those deep mocha eyes sparkling in the waning light of the campfire. "Are you asking me out on a date, Miss Spencer-Rivera?" The corners of her mouth tipped into a flirtatious smile.

Deep pools of aquamarine danced in the firelight, as Emma smiled at her. "I believe I am, Miss Montgomery-Kundera. That is, if you're so inclined."

"Oh, I am very much inclined." Jordan glanced at her almost bashfully. She couldn't believe it was finally happening.

"Despite my unfinished business?"

Jordan shrugged. "We have to eat, right?" She was far too giddy to care right now. Emma had asked her out on a date! A real date! Jesus, why do I feel like such a teenager right now?

The sigh of relief that Emma exhaled relaxed her entire body, and she grinned, almost giddily, herself. "Tomorrow night?"

"Perfect."

"It's a date."

"Took ya long enough," Jordan teased.

A quiet smile on her lips, Emma turned toward her, capturing her gaze once again. "I really am sorry for that, Jordan," she said sincerely. "I swear I'll…"

But Jordan stopped Emma's promise with the gentle press of her fingertips to Emma's lips, smiling softly at her. "You're worth the wait," she whispered.

Emma blushed under that steadfast gaze and the tingly sensation those fingertips were causing in her lips, and willfully, she tamped down the urge to do something overtly sexual. She didn't want to start what she knew they couldn't finish. Instead, she shifted her focus, thinking about Jordan, about how honest, and strong, and faithful she was, always. "So you are," she said softly as she took Jordan's hand into her own, their fingers threading together instinctively.

Feeling her heart swoon at the gesture, Jordan gave Emma's hand a light squeeze. How could something so simple have such a profound impact? She must've held Emma's hand a million times before, but never had it felt so intimate, so meaningful. She smiled to herself then, and turning more fully into Emma's body, she draped an arm across her waist. "This is turning out to be the best birthday week ever," she quietly declared, laying her head against Emma's shoulder once again.

A sense of peace fell over Emma as she felt Jordan settle against her body. "Better than our weekend in Provincetown?" she asked, pressing her cheek against the top of Jordan's head.

Jordan smiled at the memory, and Emma felt it against her shoulder. "I guess only time will tell…"


The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

"Emma and I were thinking of going into the city tonight," Jordan mentioned during breakfast the following morning, hoping she sounded more casual than she felt as she stole a glance at Emma who was sitting a bit closer than normal beside her.

Sensing Jordan's inner anxiety, Emma piped in. "You know, grab some dinner, maybe check out some clubs," she added, hoping to take some of the strain off Jordan.

"That is, if it's okay with you all," Jordan adjoined, seeking permission, though she knew she didn't need it.

Bianca smiled at her eldest daughter as she passed the bowl of scrambled eggs. "Jordan, you're a grown woman. You don't need our permission to go out with your friends."

"Thanks," Jordan said, accepting the bowl. "It's more of a respect thing—y'know?" she said, smiling at her mother.

"I know, and I appreciate that about you, Honey," Bianca responded.

"Thanks, Mom," Jordan said, breathing a sigh of relief as she scooped a spoonful of eggs onto her plate. Passing the bowl to Emma, she found herself lost in thought, wondering if either of her parents had any idea how much this night meant to her. She was about to say more, when suddenly, the conversation took a dramatic shift.

"I don't like eggs," Bella pouted when the bowl reached her.

"Since when?" Natalia asked, genuinely curious.

"Since I want pancakes!" Bella exclaimed.

Emma glanced at Jordan, and they grinned at each other. "Banana pancakes!" they exclaimed in unison before dissolving into a puddle of giggles like they had when they were children.

Sharing a knowing glance, Lena and Bianca chuckled at their antics, while Bella scowled at them for stealing her thunder.

"This isn't a restaurant, Isabella," Olivia scolded from across the table. "Your Aunt Bianca took the time to make you a nice, hot breakfast. You'll either eat it, or lunch is at noon."

"You're ruining my life!" Bella adamantly declared, throwing her napkin on the table defiantly before stomping out of the room.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Wouldn't be the first time," she grumbled, drawing chuckles from the other women around the table. She glanced up then, looking from Emma to Jordan. "I'm glad I have the two of you to remind me the teen years don't last forever."

"Thirteen's a really tough age, Mom," Emma gently reminded, passing the plate of bacon and sausage to her Mama. "Just barely a teenager, but definitely not still a child. And all those hormones! It's… awful. I wouldn't want to relive those awkward, insecure years for anything."

Olivia looked at Emma with new eyes in that moment. "I didn't realize how much you struggled with that, Em," she admitted. "I'm so sorry…"

Setting her fork beside her plate, Emma nodded. "Well, I was kind of busy becoming a big sister at the time," she reminded. "And you and Mama really had your hands full."

Chuckling, Olivia signaled her agreement. "Yes, Bella always has been a handful," she said jokingly, remembering what a petulant child she had been since birth. And then she glanced at her wife. "She reminds me a lot of myself in that way."

Natalia laughed out loud. "You're tellin' me!"

"Well, you don't have to agree so readily," Olivia harrumphed, drawing laughter from around the table.

"So… are you girls planning an evening in Provincetown, or are you heading into Boston?" Lena asked, returning to their original conversation as the food continued being passed around the table.

Emma glanced at Jordan, reading her for a response. "I don't think we've decided just yet," she answered a moment later.

Subtly, beneath the table, Jordan reached over, taking Emma's hand into her own, their fingers interlacing. "Yeah, we'll probably just…" She paused, and glancing at Emma, she blushed slightly, "…see where the evening takes us."

Lena hoped she didn't look as surprised as she felt as she sought her wife's gaze. Jordan didn't have a plan? Their daughter didn't follow whims. She planned. She organized. She…

She must be really excited about this date with Emma, Lena suddenly seemed to realize, wondering why she hadn't seen it before. Not that she'd been oblivious to Jordan's feelings for Emma. She'd known about that for years, of course, but things had been so strained between the two of them of late, and Jordan had never really explained what happened; she only said that Emma had been distant since that Christmas Eve. Now, she guessed it didn't really matter anyway because things seemed better than ever.

Grateful for the shift, and happy for the two of them, she smiled at her daughter. "Well, I hope it takes you somewhere wonderful, Sweetheart," she said supportively.

Jordan gave a shy smile. "We do too, Mama," she said quietly, as Emma gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Now, will someone pass the bacon, please?" she asked, hoping to shift the focus away from herself. "I don't know how I missed it the first time around."

A roguish grin flashed across Lexi's face, and Jordan felt her heart drop to her stomach. "Don't do it, Lex," Jordan said. But the expression in Lexie's eyes told her it was too late.

"Probably because your hand was too busy under the table," Lexie dared to tease.

"Lexie!" Jordan shrieked.

"Alexandria!" Bianca scolded, but the grin she couldn't keep from her face belied the tone in her voice.

Lexie laughed as Jordan's face turned shades of red she'd never seen before. "What?" she said, feigning innocence. "It wasn't the worst thing I could've said."

"It's not the worst thing I could say either," Jordan said pointedly, her gaze locked onto her sister's from across the table. If Lexie wanted to sling dirt at the breakfast table, Jordan had far better ammunition than Lexie ever would.

Immediately, Lexie's laughter turned silent, and she focused on her plate. Jordan knew far too much about what Lexie's hands—and other body parts, for that matter—had been doing with Kinsley Tate from her seventh hour Trig class when she was supposed to be babysitting for Jax the weekend prior. And she couldn't even think about what Jordan had walked in on when she caught her with Mariah's younger sister Faith when they were in Provincetown for Tessa's most recent performance at the Pied Piper.

Bianca glanced toward Olivia and Natalia. "If you've ever doubted your place in this family, this should solidify it for you," she joked, drawing their laughter in response.

"Ditto from us, given Bella's little hissy-fit," Olivia replied.

"Ignore them," Lena said, focusing on Emma and Jordan. "If you girls end up in Provincetown and it gets too late, you can stay at The Prism," she offered. "I'll leave word with the front desk to have our suite available."

Relaxing, Jordan smiled. "Thanks, Mama," she said sincerely. She glanced around the table, catching snippets of the conversations that were going on, and smiled. "For everything…"

"Any time, Sweetheart," Lena said softly. "Now eat your breakfast before it gets cold."


The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Twelve hours later, following an afternoon of fussing and fretting, numerous changes of clothing, and far too much time spent primping, Emma and Jordan were finally ready to head out for the evening. They were both nervous wrecks—and they both felt ridiculous for it. It was just dinner, after all.

Yeah, dinner together.

Alone.

With waning boundaries between them.

Dear Lord, were they ever in trouble.

Emma actually found herself beginning to sweat. The last time they'd been out alone Jordan was still a teenager, and Emma was scrambling to keep her desires in check. What the fuck would she do now?

But before she could contemplate any further, she heard Jordan paving the way for their exit. Shaking off the attack of nerves, her self-regulation skills kicked into gear allowing her to calm down enough to function.

"We'll catch you later, Moms." Jordan said, as she kissed both Bianca and Lena lightly on the cheek. "Love you guys."

"We won't be too late," Emma assured, kissing her mothers in similar fashion. "Love you."

"We love you, too," the four women sang out in unison, smiling proudly at their daughters.

"You girls be careful," Lena cautioned, in her customary mother-hen way.

"I thought we were grown women now, Mama," Jordan reminded. She graced her mother with a dimpled grin, and once again Bianca was struck by how much the young woman looked like Lena.

"You are, my Loves," Lena replied, "but you will always be our baby girls."

The sentimentality in her mother's voice brought a soft smile Jordan lips. "We'll be careful—I promise," she assured, as she held the door open for Emma.

Emma smiled at her, taking her hand, and Jordan felt a thrill flutter down her spine. A moment later they were gone, leaving their mothers to wonder.

The tips of Olivia's lips curled into that familiar roguish grin, as she glanced at her wife and their friends. "So… do you all think they'll hook up?" she said, more speculation than question.

Bianca glanced at Lena and they chucked together. "I remember a time when my answer to that would've been a definitive 'No'," Bianca said. "But now…"

"Not the case anymore," Lena added.

"I smell a story," Olivia said curiously. "Spill it, Kundera."

"Olivia!" Natalia chided, giving her wife's arm an admonishing tap.

Lena smiled fondly, remembering the conversation where Jordan had tearfully come out… as straight. "Let's just say our baby girl was absolutely beside herself, thinking we would be upset with her for being attracted to boys," she shared. "But that's a story for her to tell, if she chooses."

"Well, you're no fun," Olivia pouted.

"Shall we discuss your escapades with Zach?" Lena countered, leveling Olivia with a look.

"Hell, no!"

"Then I rest my case," Lena said firmly.

Thoroughly amused, Natalia snorted, causing everyone to laugh. And then Bianca attempted to steer the conversation into safer territory.

But Olivia was having none of it. "No, seriously," she said, "Do y'all think they'll hook up tonight?"

Her question was met with a resounding chorus of "Olivia!"

"Well, you did offer them a hotel suite, so…"

And then they were all laughing again, knowing that even if it didn't happen tonight, it would happen eventually. And they were more than okay with that.


Jordan's Car, Martha's Vineyard—Tuesday, April 21, 2025, 7:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

"So… I know I said we might check out some clubs tonight," Jordan granted as they discussed their plans for the evening. She buckled her seatbelt, turning toward Emma from the driver's seat.

"But you'd really rather stay local," Emma interjected, reading Jordan's mind.

The corners of Jordan's mouth twitched into a slight smile. "You know me too well," she said fondly. "Do you mind?"

Emma reached for her hand. "Not in the least."

"I really just wanna be with you, Em," Jordan said softly, taking Emma's hand into her own. "It doesn't have to be a thing."

It was Emma's turn to smile. "Our first date doesn't have to be a thing?" she questioned, a teasing lilt to her tone.

Lifting Emma's hand to her lips, Jordan kissed her knuckles, drawing a soft gasp from Emma that made them both smile. "No, it doesn't," she reiterated. "It just needs to be us, exactly the way we always are together."

Pleased, Emma nodded. "That sounds really nice."

"Let's just go get some dinner somewhere nice, but not over the top," Jordan suggested. A playful grin hijacked her lips, "And then I'll let you dance with me."

A hearty laugh fell from Emma's lips. "Oh, you'll let me, will ya?" she queried, emphasizing the notion of permission that was extended.

"Okay, beg," Jordan sighed, relenting. "I'll beg you to dance with me."

Emma grinned. "Yeah, I don't think that'll be necessary."

Blushing, Jordan settled their joined hands in her lap. "What about that little Italian place we found over near the Carousel in Oak Bluffs?" she suggested.

"Tatiana's?" Emma recalled.

"Yeah, that's the place," Jordan confirmed.

"That sounds amazing, actually," Emma readily agreed.

"Perfect," Jordan declared, her heart dancing excitedly in her chest. She released Emma's hand for a moment, putting the car in gear, and when she reclaimed it, Emma threaded their fingers together, settling in beside her as they pulled out of the drive.


Tatiana's Ristorantes, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts—Monday, April 21, 2025, 8:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Not surprisingly, given the lateness of the hour, coupled with the earliness of the season, Tatiana's wasn't crowded at all, and they easily acquired a cozy corner booth. The restaurant wasn't fancy by any means—it was more of a family-style place than anything—but that particular corner was just secluded enough, the lighting so flawlessly nuanced that it created the perfect ambiance for a date, and Emma and Jordan were pleased with the arrangements when they were shown to their table.

"Thank you, Claire," Emma said to their hostess turned server, as she slid into the booth beside Jordan. Once settled, she dropped their joined hands in her own lap this time, grinning at the cute little display of giddiness she received from Jordan in response as she flipped the menu open on the table. "It's been a couple of years since I've been here," Emma said, glancing at Jordan. "Anything new I might enjoy?"

"I haven't been back since the last time we were here together," Jordan admitted.

Turning her head, Emma regarded her with interest. "I thought you loved this place," she said, confused.

"Not without you, I don't," Jordan said sincerely.

An eyebrow lifted. "So… you were just pretending to not remember the name of the place earlier," Emma surmised.

Totally busted, Jordan felt the flush on her face and grinned bashfully. "I wanted to know if this place meant as much to you as it does to me," she coyly confessed, recalling with fondness the first afternoon they'd stumbled upon the quaint little eatery.

A soft smile played across Emma's face as she regarded Jordan in the soft light. "I haven't been to any of our favorite places in Springfield either," she admitted.

Jordan responded by moving closer to Emma, leaning into her side.

Claire smiled as she busied herself with lifting water glasses, filling them one by one, and setting them in front of her guests. "What else might I bring you to drink?" she asked, looking for a reason to give them a few minutes alone. She wasn't sure what this was, but clearly something was happening between these two young people, and she could appreciate that.

Glancing up at Claire, Emma offered a warm smile. "I'd like a glass of Moscato, please," she requested. "And a Coke for this one," she said, gesturing toward Jordan with the tilting of her head. "She's not old enough for wine yet."

Jordan scoffed at the teasing lilt in Emma's tone. "I'll be old enough in less than four hours," she bantered.

Emma turned her attention back to Jordan, her eyes flashing with mischief. "Then I guess I'll order you a glass of wine in four hours," she said, a playful grin teasing at the corners of her mouth.

"Forget you," Jordan laughed, giving her a lighthearted shove. "I'll order it for myself."

Laughing, Emma shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"Birthday Girl, huh?" Claire said animatedly.

"Finally!" Jordan exclaimed, exhaling a deep sigh. "Feels like I've been waiting forever."

"Yeah," Emma frowned, sounding forlorn. "It's the end of an era."

"What era?" Jordan ventured to ask.

"The one where I can tease you about being too young to drink, obviously," Emma replied in a tone that said Jordan should've already known the answer.

Jordan grinned. "Yeah, well, I guess we really do need to commemorate this one, y'know, since we missed out on commemorating the night I was no longer considered jailbait," she teased.

Claire choked back a laugh, but Emma laughed heartily enough for all of them. "I am seriously never gonna live that down, am I?"

"Not a chance," Jordan confirmed. "It's probably the dumbest thing you've ever said to me."

"Well, don't hold anything back," Emma said dryly.

Jordan quirked an eyebrow. "Have I ever?"

"God, help me sometimes, but never," Emma affirmed.

Leaning close, Jordan nuzzled against her ear. "If I had, we wouldn't be here right now," she gently reminded.

Emma's eyes sparkled when they met Jordan's gaze. "I wouldn't want it any other way," she quietly declared. And then she glanced up at Claire who was waiting patiently for their banter to subside. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said courteously.

"No worries," Claire assured. "You two are adorable. If I may say, I hope I'm lucky enough to find a love like yours someday."

"We're that obvious, huh?" Jordan chuckled almost giddily as Emma pulled her close.

Claire grinned. "As obvious as the beaming lighthouse out on Gay Head Cliffs," she joked, drawing laughter from her guests.

"Funny you should mention the cliffs," Jordan said. "I was christened out there the day my moms got married."

"No way," Claire gasped excitedly. "That's super cool."

"Yeah, our family usually celebrates with a picnic out there on their anniversary," Jordan shared.

"It's nice that you have such great memories there," Claire commented. "It's one of my favorite places too."

"Well, maybe we'll run into you out there sometime," Jordan said jovially.

"Yeah, maybe," Claire replied brightly. "But in the meantime, I'd better go grab your drinks while you two look over the menu," she grinned.

"Right," Jordan laughed. "Any recommendations?"

"Depends on what your after-dinner plans are," Claire replied. "If you want something quick and delicious, the pizza's always a hit. But if you wanna linger over dinner, I'd recommend the fettuccini in garlic cream sauce with parmesan crusted chicken. It's to-die-for."

"They both sound amazing," Emma commented, practically salivating. She glanced at Jordan. "What do you think—quick and delicious, or slow and savory?"

"I know we decided to keep this kind of lowkey," Jordan prefaced. "And I haven't changed my mind…"

"But?" Emma prodded with a grin.

"But I also want to enjoy it," Jordan admitted. "I want to savor every moment I have with you."

Emma smiled into those sincere onyx eyes. "Me too," she said softly. She lingered there in Jordan's gaze for a few extra moments, and then glanced toward Claire again. "We'll have the pasta dish you recommended."

"You won't regret it," Claire assured, accepting their unused menus back from them. "Salads?"

"Absolutely," Jordan said, meeting Claire's gaze. "With House dressing, please," she added, anticipating the next question.

"Perfect," Claire replied. "I'll be back in a few with your drinks, salads, and some fresh-baked bread."

Simultaneously, Emma and Jordan expressed their gratitude, and Claire excused herself to tend to their order, as the girls fell into quiet conversation about anything and everything, the way they always did.

Roommate stories, especially funny or embarrassing ones, seemed to be the favorite of the evening, and Jordan shared a few about the girls, including the time she and Ashton and their friend Sterling inadvertently got high on paint marker fumes while making posters for an anti-drug campaign they volunteered to run for the Student Union, of all things. "Talk about irony, right?" she laughed, recalling the incident. "But there we were in the common room in our suite, high as kites because there was no outside ventilation, listening to the Jonas Brothers and One Direction, and thinking they were absolute gods."

"They aren't?" Emma questioned, the grin that teased at the corners of her mouth belying her deadpan tone.

Jordan laughed. "Ever wonder if our moms geeked out over New Kids on the Block or Backstreet Boys the way we did over Disney Boy Bands as kids?"

"I would be thoroughly embarrassed for them if they did," Emma said drolly, drawing another chuckle from Jordan.

"Same," Jordan readily agreed.

And then Emma shared a story about the spectacle she and Sutton made of themselves on a weekend trip to L.A., where they made a futile attempt at learning how to surf. It involved a runaway surfboard and a near concussion for Sutton, thanks to her inability to focus on anything other than their perfectly tanned and toned surf instructor, and an uncooperative bikini top and an overly excitable teenaged boy in a pair of extremely unflattering boardshorts for Emma.

Jordan responded first by expressing relief that Sutton was okay, and by the time Emma finished, she was howling with laughter. "He seriously… like, right there in his shorts, on the beach." She honestly couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Hand to god," Emma laughed. "He got off so fast I would've sworn he'd never seen tits before—and hands-free, at that."

"Gross," Jordan declared.

"Agreed," Emma replied. "But I mean, I do have a stellar rack, so…"

A roguish grin formed on Jordan's lips. "I can't argue with that," she said. And then she leaned closer. "Maybe if I give you a surfing lesson this summer, you could wear that same bikini top," she said suggestively.

Jordan's breath was warm against Emma's ear, and that sensation, coupled with the evocative nature of her comment caused a visceral reaction in her body. Willfully, she tamped it down enough to respond appropriately, given that they were in public. "We don't need a surfing lesson for that," she husked against Jordan's ear. "We don't even need the beach."

It was Jordan's turn to experience a visceral reaction. Though she reveled in it for a moment, she was forced to quickly rein it in when Claire arrived with the promised drinks, salads, and bread service. But even as they settled into their meal, their bodies held on to that sweet tension that buzzed deep within.


Tatiana's Ristorantes, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts—Monday, April 21, 2025, 10:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Lingering over dinner, they shared more laughter and even a few tears over roommate stories, and a few particularly intimate moments as well, and when they finished, they lingered a bit longer still, before finally meandering out into the late evening. Once outside, Emma wrapped an arm around Jordan's waist, pulling her closer against the cool night air. "I was planning to suggest a moonlit walk along Moshup Beach, but… it's a little chilly out tonight."

Jordan slid an arm around Emma, giving her a light squeeze. "How about a fire in the pit at the cottage instead?"

Emma smiled at her. "Sounds perfect," she declared. "Maybe we can even stream some Disney Boy Band music to dance to out there on the sand."

Jordan rolled her eyes. "How 'bout we stick to some Tessa Porter favorites," she suggested.

Laughing, Emma nodded in agreement.

"How is she, by the way?" Jordan asked, knowing Emma had been in closer touch in recent times.

"She's great," Emma answered as they made their way to the car. "They're great, actually," she added, recalling her last conversation with Mariah. "I'm looking forward to seeing them when Tessa plays Provincetown in June."

"Oh, that reminds me," Jordan interjected, excitement in her tone. "Sterling and April will be in town that weekend. They're staying in the BGRC suite at The Prism that whole week, so… I thought maybe we could spend that weekend with them," she suggested, as she pressed the unlock button on her key fob.

"Sounds like a plan," Emma readily agreed. "It'll be nice to finally meet them in person, especially since you're thinking of sharing an apartment with April when you get to Yale."

"Makes sense, doesn't it?" Jordan queried, opening the passenger side door for Emma.

Stepping toward the open door, Emma turned toward her. "So long as I don't have to worry about any competition," she grinned.

A soft chuckle fell from Jordan's lips as her cheeks flushed. "Not gonna lie, April Stevens is a smart, driven lesbian who's decent, and funny, and absolutely smoking hot," she declared forthrightly, drawing a bit of a scowl from Emma, which made her laugh. "But…" she intoned, "she has two very distinct flaws that make her totally not my type."

"Oh, yeah?" Emma challenged; one eyebrow raised. "And what are they?"

"First, she's completely, totally, head-over-heels in love with Sterling Wesley," Jordan began.

"And second?" Emma prodded.

Jordan reached out, brushing her fingertips against Emma's cheek. "Second, and far more importantly, she's not you," she husked.

It was Emma's turn to blush. "Guess I should shut up then, huh?"

Jordan grinned, and patted Emma's cheek. "That might be a good idea," she encouraged. And then they were laughing together as she gestured toward the car, and Emma climbed in, allowing her to push the door closed. A couple of minutes later they were buckled in and headed back toward the cottage to share a fire and usher in the first moments of Jordan's twenty-first birthday together.


The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 12:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

On their way back to the cottage, Emma texted to let the moms know they were on their way home and would be enjoying the remainder of the evening on the beach by the fire. Though their response was one of collective surprise, their mothers wished them a nice evening, and indicated that they would all likely be heading to bed early. Olivia and Natalia, in fact, were already back at their own cottage, with a few of the younger girls in tow.

Once at the cottage, Jordan ran into the house to retrieve the old quilt they always used when it was chilly out on the beach, while Emma began pulling driftwood from the stash that was kept beneath the outermost edge of the back deck. By the time Jordan made her way down to the beach, Emma already had the beginnings of a fire going in the pit.

"Ooh, Girl, you are on fi-i-ire tonight!" Jordan teased.

Emma groaned and made a face at the terrible excuse for a pun, as she stoked the fire, encouraging it to burn more fully.

"What, too much Dad Joke?" Jordan presumed, as she kicked back on one of the cushioned outdoor sofas that surrounded the firepit—a custom setup of loveseats, sofas, and chairs her mama had commissioned as a gift for her mom on their twentieth anniversary the summer prior.

"'Lil' bit," Emma grimaced, drawing a laugh from Jordan. The sound was music to Emma's ears, and she smiled as she set the poker aside, dropping down on the seat beside Jordan. Instantly the quilt was opened for her, and Jordan was welcoming her inside.

She snuggled into Jordan's side, loving the strength of those arm around her as she laid her head against a muscled shoulder. Reaching over, she took Jordan's free hand into her own, their fingers intwining as she settled them in her lap. And there they lingered together, the crackle of the fire, the echo of waves crashing against the shore, and the soft resonances of their own rhythmic breaths, the only sounds adrift on the cool ocean breeze.

"I don't think I could've dreamed a more perfect night for us," Jordan quietly declared as she pulled Emma closer against her.

Emma made soft noises of agreement as she nodded her head. A moment later, a shooting star streaked across the night sky, drawing a mutual gasp from them. "I think that might've been the icing on the cake right there," she suggested.

"I think you might be right," Jordan readily agreed.

"What did you wish for?" Emma quietly asked.

Grinning, Jordan leaned into Emma's body. "You know I can't tell you," she whispered conspiratorially. "It won't come true if I do."

"It was that important, huh?" Emma cajoled.

"More important than you could possibly know," Jordan answered, giving Emma a light squeeze.

"Seriously though, are you sure you're okay with how things worked out tonight?" Emma asked, genuinely concerned. "I mean, it was kind of… ordinary, compared to other nights we've spent together, and…"

Jordan turned to her, meeting her gaze steadily. "It was perfect," she quietly declared.

"For a first date?" Emma sounded unconvinced. For herself, she wouldn't have changed anything about it, but she'd wanted nothing short of absolute perfection for Jordan after making her wait for so long.

Tilting her head, Jordan arched an eyebrow. "You and I both know this wasn't really our first date, Emma Spencer," she said in a tone that brooked no dispute. "It might be the first one that counts, but… every moment we've spent alone together since that first night out here on the beach has been a date."

A soft chuckle fell from Emma's lips as she smiled. "If that's the case, then I'm not sure tonight counts at all."

Jordan's brow furrowed. "Why not?" she asked, confused.

"Most of our dates have involved dancing, and I distinctly recall you promising you'd let me dance with you tonight," she reminded. "But so far, there's been a lot of great music, well, not since we've been here, but…"

"That can be remedied," Jordan gently reminded.

Emma grinned. "Yes, it certainly can," she granted. "Regardless though, there's been no dancing, and you did promise me…"

"I believe what I ultimately said was, I would beg you to dance with me," Jordan recollected.

"Oh, that's right, and I… said something about begging being unnecessary," Emma recalled with a playful lilt.

Jordan grinned, and offered her hand. "May I?"

Fishing her phone out of her pocket, Emma connected to the Bluetooth speakers embedded in the furniture, and scrolled through the playlists on her music app, choosing the perfect song from her list entitled Jordan, before shoving the phone back into the back pocket of her jeans. And as the smooth piano and strings of those familiar opening measures began to surround them, filling the night air with its melody, she reached for Jordan. "You absolutely may," she said, her eyes dancing in the firelight as she accepted Jordan's hand.

As they stood together, Emma smiled into Jordan's eyes. "You remember this one?" she whispered, urging Jordan closer.

"How could I forget?" Jordan replied, allowing herself to be pulled into Emma's arms. And as REO Speedwagon began crooning once again about two people whose worlds were intimately entwined, and feelings that were no longer possible to fight, this time it was Jordan who sank fully into the warmth of Emma's embrace, her arms draping around Emma's neck, as Emma pulled her close, their bodies coming into full contact, and they found themselves lost together in the music and its meaning in this moment in their lives.

"I can't believe how calm I feel," Jordan commented, as Emma nuzzled into her neck a few measures in. It felt new and exciting, and yet, completely familiar, like home—for both women, and neither of them wanted it to end. "I figured I'd be a hot mess by now."

Moving her lips closer to Jordan's ear, Emma smiled. "Well, you definitely got the hot part right," she whispered flirtatiously, and Jordan felt the impact of it ripple through her body. "You look incredible tonight."

Her breath was warm against Jordan's ear, and for a moment, Jordan was distracted. "Thank you," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "And so do you, as always, but… I'm being serious."

Leaning back, Emma allowed piercing aquamarine to lock on rich mocha. "Why would you be a mess?" she quietly inquired, those chaotic butterflies fluttering deep in her belly. She was the excited sort of anxious, not the nervous kind, so Jordan expecting to be a mess didn't make any kind of sense.

Searching the blue-green waters that flowed into her soul, Jordan drew in her bottom lip, gently biting down, as a few butterflies of her own started to dance within her. "Because of you," she whispered. "Because of the way you make me feel when I'm with you…"

"Oh, yeah? And how's that?" Emma intoned.

Jordan swallowed hard, attempting to remove the lump that had formed in the back of her throat. Suddenly those nerves were busy drumming up a little anxiety. "I think you know exactly how," she whispered, dark eyes flickering down to soft, full lips.

Emma reached out, gently tucking wayward locks of dark curls behind Jordan's ear. "Tell me…" she quietly coaxed, fingers slowly tracing along that perfect angular jaw line as her eyes caressed slightly parted lips.

Jordan gasped at the contact, at the sultry lilt of Emma's voice. "You turn me inside out, Em, and I feel like… like I can't breathe, because you're so… intoxicating—and yet… my body has never felt more oxygenated," she whispered. "God, I sound like such a nerd," she said, with a nervous laugh as she buried her head against Emma's shoulder.

Emma gently tipped Jordan's chin, drawing her gaze, and just smiled softly at her. "You find me intoxicating?" she echoed coquettishly as she leaned closer.

"Completely…" Jordan confessed, searching those eyes.

Slowly, Emma's gaze drifted from Jordan's eyes, to those inviting lips, and back again. She couldn't seem to keep away from them. "At least it's legal for me to intoxicate you now," she whispered suggestively, and Jordan felt her body react in the most delightful way.

"Em?" she quietly called, her own gaze sliding down to those beckoning lips again for a surreptitious glance.

"Yeah?" came the breathy reply that was so close she could feel it.

Jordan drew in her bottom lip, chewing on it nervously, as she searched the softly contoured edges of Emma's visage in the firelight. "Are you gonna kiss me or not?"

Delivered on a breathy whisper, Jordan's entreaty made Emma's entire body tremble with desire. "God, how I want to…" she exhaled, finally giving in to her long-denied truth as she gently cupped Jordan's cheek in the palm of her hand. "I've wanted to for so long…"

"Then what are you waiting for?" Jordan queried on bated breath, the rush of her pounding heartbeat thrumming in her ears. She'd been waiting for years for this moment, and now she felt a mixture of excitement and anxiousness as finally, it was going to happen.

Without another word, Emma closed the gap between them, and the music faded into the distance, as their mouths met with tender insistence that drew mutual moans of appreciation as they connected and parted, only to come together again an instant later, and always with increasing fervor.

The slightest whisper of Emma's tongue across a supple lower lip led to the hitching in Jordan's chest, and the subsequent soft expulsion of air from her lungs gave Emma the signal that she longed to feel. And finally, allowing years' worth of pent-up passion to take over, she deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in that mess of raven curls.

And god, it was glorious, worth every moment of waiting and wanting, as she reveled in the way Jordan so perfectly harmonized with her, mirroring every brush of their lips, every breath, every swipe, every lingering dalliance of the tongue, until they were both breathless, and yet, wanting still.

"You just made my wish come true," Jordan whispered when their lips finally parted, both of them struggling for air, but neither ever happier.

Gently, Emma brushed dark curls from Jordan's face, and kissed her again because finally, she could. "You could've wished for anything in the world, and you wished for a kiss?"

She sounded as though she were in awe, and Jordan's heart fluttered in her chest, her fingertips skimming lightly across Emma's lips, as Emma held her close. "Not just any kiss, Em," she quietly corrected. "Your kiss. The only one that's ever mattered."

Completely disarmed, Emma smiled into those shimmering dark eyes. "Wanna know a secret?" she whispered.

"I wanna know all your secrets," Jordan murmured, brushing her mouth lightly against Emma's again. "I always have."

"I wished for your kiss, too," Emma confessed.

Dimples bloomed, as onyx eyes flashed with joy. "You did?"

Blushing, Emma bit her bottom lip and nodded. "I did."

"Then I guess it's only right that I grant you a kiss of your own," Jordan husked. And then, with the tip of her index finger beneath Emma's chin, she drew their mouths together again.

This time the kiss was slower, more leisurely, and Jordan's lips were so soft, her breath so sweet as she kissed her, that Emma lost herself in the moment, savoring every nuance of Jordan's mouth and tongue moving against her own.

"I've always known kissing you would be like this," Jordan whispered, tongues caressing.

"Like what?"

Jordan smiled against Emma's lips. "So warm," she husked. Her tongue brushed lightly against Emma's lower lip. "So perfect, so… right," she breathed, as she deepened their kiss again, her fingertips tangling in soft chestnut locks.

Another soft moan escaped Emma's lips, and she tightened her grip on Jordan's waist, using the beltloops on her jeans to pull her impossibly closer, as she fell headlong into their kiss.

Neither of them knew how long they tarried there. Neither of them cared. This was a moment, a night, that neither of them ever wanted to end. And when, finally, their lips parted again, the tables had been turned with Emma being held close against Jordan's body by muscular arms wrapped around her waist, and Jordan's face cradled gently in Emma's hands.

A soft sigh fell from Emma's lips, and she brushed them lightly against Jordan's again. "Happy Birthday, Jordan," she whispered.

"Is it already?" Jordan glanced around, surprised to realize how late it had gotten.

"Sure is," Emma grinned. "I set my phone so we wouldn't miss it," she said. "The alarm just vibrated in my pocket."

"Best start to a birthday, ever," Jordan murmured against Emma's mouth as she returned the kiss, her fingers digging into Emma's waist as she held her closer.

"I love you so much," Emma whispered in declaration, as her hands slipped away, and she nuzzled against her cheek. "And I'm so sorry it took us so long to get here."

"All of this from a shooting star," Jordan intoned, a roguish grin hijacking the corners of her mouth, and she kissed Emma again. "And just think, I still have birthday candles to blow out," she said suggestively.

Emma grinned and nibbled her lower lip. "You'd better be careful with that," she cautioned.

"Or what?" Jordan challenged.

An eyebrow arched. "Or you might just get what you wished for," Emma volleyed. "And speaking of… Come with me," she coaxed, gently tugging Jordan's hand.

"But I'm not finished letting you dance with me yet," Jordan whined.

"I have something for you," Emma enticed.

"Ooh, what is it?" Properly distracted, Jordan wiggled excitedly.

Bending down near the end of the sofa, Emma reached around, pulling an insulated BGRC bag out from behind. She moved it to the sand in front of her, and squatted down, opening it up to reveal a bottle of wine that had been chilling on ice, and two crystal wine glasses neatly wrapped in heavy protective cloth.

"Where did this come from?" Jordan asked, as she settled on the sofa, casually crossing her legs. Emma hadn't come into the house with her earlier, and she couldn't have put it there before dinner, because they didn't know they were coming home.

Removing the seal from the wine bottle, Emma twisted the corkscrew, working it into the cork with practiced ease. "The trunk of your car about an hour ago, but originally, your mama," she answered, popping the cork. "I had her stash it in the trunk before we left for dinner, and I'd planned to surprise you with it once your birthday officially arrived."

"Thank you, Em," Jordan said softly.

Glancing up at her, Emma smiled. "My pleasure," she said, handing her a glass of the sparkling white wine. "I hope you like it."

Stealing a glimpse of the label, as Emma poured her own glass, Jordan offered a sheepish grin. "Actually, I've had it before, and I love it," she admitted.

Feigning shock, Emma said, "Well, Jordan Montgomery-Kundera, do your mothers know you've been partaking underage?"

Jordan made a face at her. "I'm a college junior, Em," she reminded. "Do you really think I've never had a drink before?"

Laughing, Emma nestled the bottle back in the bag, and dropped into the seat beside her. "I'm assuming that was rhetorical."

"Naturally," Jordan confirmed with a grin.

And then Emma turned her body into Jordan's and draping her arm across the back of the sofa, she gently skimmed Jordan's cheek with the backs of her fingers as she gazed into those deep onyx eyes. "I love you, Jordan," she whispered softly, "and finally getting to say that to you right here, in the place where I first started falling in love with you, means everything, especially today. So, to you," she said, lifting her wine glass in toast, "To your twenty-first birthday. And to all the birthdays I hope I get to share with you in years to come."

Tears filled Jordan's eyes as she listened to Emma's declarations, her hopes for their shared future, and when she was through, Jordan leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against Emma's lips. "I love you, Emma Spencer," she whispered softly, kissing her again. It meant everything to her to finally hear those words from Emma, and to say them back to her, here in this place that was so completely theirs, and in that moment, she declared in her heart that this was the most perfect birthday ever.

And then she sniffed back tears, saying, "May all the years to come be filled with as much love and happiness as we've shared today, because I can't even imagine a better gift than that."

Emma smiled through her own tears. "Neither can I," she said softly, clinking her glass against Jordan's, and then they drank a toast to Jordan on her twenty-first birthday, and all the birthdays to come as they began their shared journey into the future.


The Farmhouse of Love—Tuesday, June 12, 2029, 5:15 a.m. Central Daylight Time

"Jesus, Spencer, you look like hell. Did you get any sleep last night at all?"

The sound of Sutton's voice startled Emma back to the present, and craning her aching neck, she brushed a handful of disheveled hair away from her eyes only to glare at her. "You sure know how to make a bride feel…"

She paused for a moment, fumbling for words. "Fuck, I don't even know what I'm saying," she sighed. "I didn't sleep a wink after that lecture from Mama about you-know-who sneaking in through my window. I swear that woman has x-ray vision."

Sutton smirked. "Gee, and I would've thought it was all that fancy beer."

Emma made a face at her, and Sutton laughed. "Your mama's awfully superstitious for a woman of faith," she joked.

Emma rolled her eyes. "She calls it being a traditionalist."

Sutton snorted. "Your lesbian mother is a traditionalist." Emphasizing the label, she sounded amused.

Setting her coffee mug on the table with an unexpectedly loud clunk, Emma winced and her eyes watered. She really did drink too much beer last night. Good thing the wedding wasn't until sunset. Dylan and Jordan would cast lots for the dibs on strangling her if she showed up looking like last night's leftovers, and they'd both have every right to do so.

Ignoring the searing pain in her head, she propped a foot up on the seat of her chair and wrapped her arms around it. "She's never really been into labels," she reported. "She loves my mom, and once she realized God didn't hate her for that, I don't think she ever questioned it again. Not for herself, or anyone else."

She grinned up at Sutton, who was setting a mug of coffee on the table across from her. "That worked out real well for you, when I first dragged you home with me," she teased.

Sutton chuckled. "You mean the fact that we were obviously fucking?"

"Oh, yeah…" Emma laughed.

Settling into her chair opposite Emma, a perfectly threaded eyebrow vaulted above a crystal-clear blue eye. "Why was it again that we didn't end up together?" she asked, rhetorically.

Emma blushed, a rare bashfulness coloring her cheeks as images of the reason floated through her mind, and Sutton smiled around the rim of her coffee mug. "Oh, yeah, it was that gorgeous brown-eyed charmer who stole your heart away from me."

"You mean the one with those thick, gorgeous russet curls?" Emma asked teasingly.

Sutton's brow furrowed as she set the mug back on the table. "Wow, you really do have a type, don't you?"

A soft laugh of acknowledgment fell from Emma's lips. "You are indeed the only blue-eyed goddess I've ever fucked," she granted.

That eyebrow vaulted again, and a smirk played across Sutton's lips. "Best sex you ever had," she asserted, a throwback to Emma's comment the night their relationship first turned physical.

Emma bit her lower lip to stifle an out-right laugh. "I will never confirm, nor deny…" she intoned.

Sutton grinned. "Which is why I know I'm right," she crowed.

"I'm so glad to see you're over the self-esteem dearth," Emma said dryly.

"Living in a war zone will do wonders for a person's ability to self-actualize," Sutton said.

The teasing lilt in Sutton's voice caused Emma's heart to catch. The mere thought of Sutton living in such a dangerous place scared the shit out of her. "Don't even joke about that," she said sternly.

"Sorry…" Sutton said, looking appropriately contrite.

Reaching across the table, Emma squeezed Sutton's hand. "I'm just glad you're safe and happy," she said sweetly. "And… I'm glad Kelsey could be here to celebrate with us today," she added, referring to Sutton's younger sister. "Is she still out cold?"

"Yup. And so are the rest of the girls," Sutton grinned, remembering their shenanigans from the evening prior—Emma's last as a single woman. "As we both should be. It's ridiculous that we're up this early. The damned rooster is still snoozing," she teased.

Emma laughed. "Ain't that the truth."

"Since we're up, can I fix you some breakfast?" Sutton offered. "Might help with the headache."

Swallowing a sip of her coffee, Emma set the mug down. "Mm… yeah, that sounds great," she said. "Anything but eggs. I don't think I could stomach those this morning."

"French toast?" Sutton suggested.

"Perfect," Emma readily agreed. "I'm starving, and that'll help soak up what's left of last night's alcohol."

Sutton eyed her curiously. "I always thought brides were supposed to be too nervous to eat on their wedding day."

"Have you ever seen me turn down food?"

An amused chuckle slipped from Sutton's lips. And a millisecond later, her expression turned somber. "Only after Dylan's accident, when you thought you were…"

Instantly, the past came back to haunt her, and Emma held her hand up. "Yeah, I can't go there," she said warily. "Not today."

"Looks like I'm two for two this morning," Sutton grimaced. "I'm so sorry, Em," she said ruefully.

Emma gave her a wobbly smile. "No need," she said sincerely as she stood from her seat.

Rounding the table, she pulled Sutton into her embrace. "There are just some memories better left in the past. Today's a day for happy memories, both old and new."

A warm smile spread across Sutton's face, reflecting in her eyes as she locked into Emma's gaze. "I can't wait to make some of them with you," she said cheerfully. "But first, I need to make you French toast."

This time Emma's smile reached her eyes. "Best offer I've had all morning, babe," she said, pressing a kiss to Sutton's cheek. "Now, how can I help?"

"You can help by sitting your gorgeous ass down in that chair," Sutton firmly directed. "It's not every day I get to prepare my best friend's last breakfast as a free woman."

Heart swelling in her chest, Emma leaned in, kissing Sutton again, this time softly on the lips. "I love you, Sutton Keller," she whispered. "Married or not, I always will."

Sutton smiled into those eyes, her own love for Emma reflecting into them. "Right back at you, babe."


TBC in Chapter 8.7…