It was the week of Blakely and Chase's wedding. With the wedding just days away, there was plenty of last-minute stuff to take care of. It was all hands on deck to make this wedding happen. Luckily we had a lot of people we could count on for an extra hand.

Today I was meeting Teagan and Blakely at the local Cafe. Pulling up to the Cafe, I saw Teagan's car parked several spaces away. Killing the car engine, I didn't see Blakely's car parked anywhere. Figuring she had yet to arrive, I gathered my bag and unbuckled Melody out of her seat.

Teagan spotted us right away when we entered the Cafe and waved us toward the back. Melody reached over in Teagan's direction with a squeal. I struggled to keep her in my arms as she squirmed about, demanding to be set on the ground.

"What's the magic word?" I reminded her, figuring this was one battle I didn't have to fight if she could ask nicely.

Melody finally stopped squirming. "Dow peez."

"OK." I nodded in agreement as I let her down. "Here you go."

Melody toddled off as fast as her chubby little legs could carry her toward Teagan for a hug. I followed closely with my eyes as I made my way to the back of the Cafe. Melody reached Teagan way before I did and squished her in a hug.

"Gabby, hey." She pulled me into a side hug.

"Hey, Tea." I set my bag down and pulled up a booster seat. "Can you believe three days in counting?"

Teagan settled Melody in the booster seat and placed some toys in front of her. "I know. But mostly, everything's all set. Blakely and Chase have been happier and saner since you took over."

I chuckled, bushing some hair out of Melody's line of vision. "Yeah, well, you know I try."

Teagan shook her head. "No, we try. You succeed."

"Not without friends like you, I don't." I opened the menu in front of me.

"Awe," She placed her hands over her heart and grinned from ear to ear. "Thanks. So you think you'd go to one of your brother's games?"

I nodded, looking up from the menu. "If he has a local game, for sure."

Teagan frowned, "let me guess, Trey, put a band on traveling."

"Not exactly," I answered. "He just doesn't like the idea of us traveling too far."

"Define too far," Teagan replied.

"Anywhere within a two-hour driving distance," I whispered. "The closer, the better."

Teagan blinks like I've told her something completely ridiculous. Which I probably did.

She shook her head. "Seriously, Gabby, I swear your boyfriend is the reason God himself invented therapy."

I shook my head with a smile like I was amused. "He cares about Melody and me. He just shows it differently."

Teagan nodded like she actually believed me. "Sure he does, and I have a great boss that makes work fun." I could hear the sarcasm in her voice. "Did Miguel or your dad say when they'd have a home game?"

"I think if they win a couple more games," I answered, trying to remember. "They didn't say for sure."

Teagan rubbed her hands together with excitement in her voice. "Your dad against your brother," She whistled. "I would love to see that. I wish I could've seen your dad's game last week. Mattie said it was awesome."

"Well, dad was giving the other team a run for their money." I agreed. "But there'll be other games, and you know you're always invited."

Teagan tickled Melody trying to get a laugh out of her. "I'll remember that next time I get a day off. Oh wait, I can't. The words' day and off aren't in my boss's dictionary."

I couldn't hold back my chuckle. "So fire your boss."

"And live on the streets with no income." She joked. "Thanks, but I'm used to four walls and a bed, minimum."

I loved Teagan's humor. It was one of the reasons we've been best friends since I was in grade school. "Funny, but no. You can join Fantasy Event Planning. We're short-handed anyway and working together. That's a big bonus."

Teagan went into a coughing fit like she was choking. I handed her a glass of water and reminded her to breathe. "Thanks, but I don't think that a clueless boss that's the cause for therapy is the answer to an obnoxious one."

I took her hint. "OK, what about starting your own business for income, be your own boss. You know your brother would not mind having you around until you get back on your feet. Neither will my sister. As our parents always say. Family is forever."

Teagan shook her head. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I'm not that good. Now, if I had a partner, that'll be another story."

"Now you're overreaching," I reminded her. "Trey would never go for it. He's already constantly reminding me to watch how much I work now. I'd send him to an early grave if I become part owner of anything."

Teagan's eyes widen with an evil look. "All the more reason we should start our own business."

I sighed, "really, Tea?"

She tried getting Melody to grab something from her. "You'd be doing mankind a huge favor." Melody chose that moment to show her amusement with the game Teagan was playing with her. "See, even Melody agrees."

"Can you believe our siblings have been together for, like, what, two years now?" I decided to change the subject.

"Two and a half, but who's counting?" Teagan gave Melody her toy back, "and you're avoiding the subject."

"Am not." I defended. "I was just thinking, what if our brother and sister actually get married?"

"Then we'd not only be best friends but sisters," Teagan replied with significant enthusiasm in her voice. "Things that would be a hundred times better than how they are now."

I stopped Melody from biting her own shirt. "You think they would really get married?"

Teagan shrugged. "I tried asking Mattie, but nothing. He says that life is good now, and there's no need to rock the boat."

I placed some cereal bites in front of Melody. "That's what Esme told me too. But I keep hoping they'd just tie the knot already. They're already like a married couple. They're just missing the I do's and ring."

Teagan laughed. "Yeah, I wouldn't tell my brother that. At the rate they're going, I think I'd be married before they are, and I don't even have a potential boyfriend."

Now it was my turn to laugh. "I hate to admit it, but so true."

Blakely came racing in with her little brother, Amen, behind her. Melody pointed at them, speaking in gibberish.

"Well, look who finally showed." Teagan crossed her arms with a frown pretending to be angry.

Teagan nudged my foot under the table, encouraging me to say something. Her eyes widened as if she was signaling me. "Better late than never."

Blakely flopped down on the seat. "Sorry. Amen insisted on coming with."

"You can be forgiven if you buy drinks." Teagan offered.

"Deal." Blakely agreed as Melody gave Blakely some of her cereal bites.

Blakely turned her attention to Melody and started playing with her. Melody giggled, milking up all the attention Blakely gave her. Amen glanced around and lowered his head in a frown.

"Blake," Amen stopped the game they were playing. "Cruz isn't here. I thought she was going to be here."

Blakely glanced around the Cafe and realized that Amen was right. Cruz wasn't here with us.

"Gabby, did Cruz decided not to come?"

I shook my head. "Nah, she's coming with my mom later."

Amen snuck a smile that I'm sure he was hoping went unnoticed at the mention of my sister. Blakely got everyone's orders and offered to get them. Figuring she could use a hand, I volunteered to go with her.

"Did you notice Amen's smile when I mentioned my little sister?" I asked Blakely as we waited in line.

"That was nothing compared to earlier," Blakely replied, "you should've seen him when I told him I was meeting you and Tea."

I had a brief flashback of when I was Amen and Cruz's age. I clearly remember how I acted around a boy I liked or even blushed just at the mention of him. A thought occurred to me.

"You think maybe your brother has a crush on my sister?" I wondered, glancing over at Amen.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he does. They did practically grow up together." Blakely reasoned. "We could be family someday."

"May I take your order?" The barista behind the counter asked us.

We made our order and moved aside to wait for our drinks.

"Everything OK with you and Trey?" Blakely asked as we grabbed some napkins and straws.

I blew out a raspberry as I leaned on the counter. I told her about Trey's surprise and my assumption of him. Blakely didn't seem all that surprised.

"Trey may be expecting you to move in, but you obviously aren't liking the idea," Blakely noted the worried look I had on my face.

I sighed and shrugged. My gaze went over to Melody. She is so happy and innocent. I didn't want anything to happen to change that. I want her to know she'd always be loved and cared for.

"I guess I'm just worried that we're not at that point in our relationship. If I push it too early, I feel like I'm forcing Melody to accept Trey before she's ready."

Blakely stopped gathering the napkins and turned to me. "Did you try talking to Trey?"

"I did." I nodded, "and he seems to think living together will improve our relationship."

Blakely rolled her eyes. "There's a shocker." She muttered under her breath. Neither of us talked as we watched Melody from a distance. "You know children are smart. Much smarter than we give them credit for and a better judge of character."

My brows narrowed as I nodded. "Yeah, I think that's why I'm so worried. I mean, does she know something about Trey I don't. Is that why she doesn't seem to like him?"

"You'll figure it out." She encouraged, "you always do."

I wasn't sure I could figure this out. I was feeling so trapped knowing what I wanted. Too bad I was out of ideas on how to get there. Everything I've tried seems to have failed. What else can I try?

Our drinks came, and we took them back to our table. Melody's eyes widened at the drinks, and she made a grab.

"Whoa, grabby hands," He noted, moving his own hands.

Melody giggled, showing him her hands. She spoke in gibberish before trying to grab another drink. I stopped her and gave her a small taste of the wiped cream on top of my drink.

"Mow. Mow." She cried, licking her lips and pointing to my drink.

"Magic word?" I promoted her with a warning in my voice.

She rubbed her palm against her chest with a nod. She continued to bob up and down as she signed more and please again. I nodded my approval putting more whipped cream onto a spoon.

"Can I try?" Amen asked.

I shrugged. "Sure." I gave him the spoon of whip cream. I pushed my drink towards him. "Just make sure not to give her too much at once, or it can get pretty messy."

"OK." He nodded and tried giving Melody some of the cream on the spoon.

It didn't take much to convince Melody to take it. Pretty soon, we were all laughing, watching Amen try to keep up with Melody. Amen couldn't get the cream in Melody fast enough. No sooner had he taken the spoon out of her mouth had she asked for more. None of us noticed when Mom arrived with Cruz.

"What's so funny?" Mom asked, greeting us.

"Nana," Melody squealed, reaching out for my mom.

I greeted my mom and sister giving them each a hug. Teagan handed them each a drink as she greeted them. Amen happily gave me back the spoon and turned his attention to my little sister. We stayed a bit longer at the Cafe, enjoying our drinks before starting our apartment hunt.

Organized chaos. That's how my life and apartment were at the moment. I didn't even know that was possible until I started packing the stuff we hardly use into boxes to get a head start. Now everywhere I looked, there were labeled boxes and labels that needed to go on boxes. Some of the stuff I meant to pack away was next to empty boxes that didn't match the labels. Boxes and labels aside, I had no luck finding any available apartments and Trey was still insistent that I move in. Yet, I was somehow still somewhat organized and knew where everything needed to go. Or at least most of it. I was starting to worry that this move may not be as easy as I had envisioned.

The following day Blakely and Teagan came over after breakfast to help me pack more boxes. It was two days until Blakely's big day, and we were packing at my place, not working on stuff for the wedding. Amen had tagged along with Blakely again, hoping to see my sister. It wasn't that I had anything against the picture before me; it just felt kind of odd.

We had packed all morning while Amen and Cruz kept Melody busy. I was glad to have a break while Melody napped.

"So, Blakely, two days until I do." I handed her a glass of lemonade. "You ready?"

"Surprising, yes. I feel as ready as I think I'll ever be." Blakely took a sip of the lemonade. "Everything ready and set. The final touches for the reception hall go up tomorrow, and everything will be set. Thanks to my two best friends, everything will be awesome. And I promise your secret is safe with me, Gabby. It's the least I can do after everything you've done."

"Thanks." I handed Teagan her glass and proceeded to pour my own glass.

We clanked our glasses and toasted to our friendship. We each took a sip of our beverage as Cruz and Amen came racing in. The three of us exchanged a quick glance.

"Freeze." I stopped them with a warning look.

They heeded my warning and froze where they were. They slowly turned once I permitted them. There was a look of innocents on both their faces. I knew they were far from innocent, and yet I didn't care.

Whatever they were up to was their business. They were both sixteen, and I trust they both knew right from wrong. So their current mischief was not my concern. Or any of ours, for that matter.

Blakely got up and approached her brother. "Whatever you two are up to is beyond us. But, if you wake Melody with all your thumping and chattering…."

"You two will be responsible for a very cranky two-year-old." Teagan and I finished simultaneously.

Their eyes darted back and forth from each other to us. They apologized, promising to be quieter, before raiding the fridge. I smiled, remembering how I was at their age. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

Amen whispered something to my sister that made her laugh. I had a flashback moment of when I was in high school at East High. My stomach flipped as I recalled how Troy always made me laugh. My heart ached, as usual, when I had flashbacks of my time at East High and Troy. I wondered again how things would be different if I had told Troy everything.

Later, Melody was ready for more fun when she woke from her nap. We joked they were playing follow the leader as we watched Cruz, Amen, and Melody run after each other. I could hear the laughter and chatter out in the living room as I packed some of Melody's stuff in her room with mom's help.

"Mija, want to talk about it?" Mom asked, noting how absent-minded I was.

I dropped the stuffed animal I had in my hand into a box marked Melody's toys. "Did you and dad always know you were meant for each other?"

She stopped clearing the draws of winter wear. "Si, we did. We were more like Miguel and Maya."

I froze, taking in what she said. I was sure I'd be doing a spit take or choking if I had anything in my mouth. I've always known my parents were high school sweethearts, but never too much more.

"So you lived with dad before you two were married?" I clarified when I found my voice.

For a second, I thought she had to be joking. It really didn't seem like my parents. Then again, Esmeralda and Matthew weren't married, yet my parents were OK with Esmeralda's living situation.

"Your dad and I lived together before we were engaged." She corrected. "Why the sudden interest in your dad and me?"

I shrugged and blew out a raspberry. "I'm worried I may be forcing Melody to accept Trey."

"What makes you say that?" She asked as she packed more winter coats into a large box.

"Just that Melody sometimes seems to really like him." I pointed out, "and other times, it's like fire and ice with them. It makes me wonder if this is what's best for her."

Mom stopped packing the clothes and gave me her full attention. Her brow was raised in curiosity and confusion as she silently urged me to continue. I went on, and she listened intently. She took a seat next to me on the floor when I was done.

"Mija, don't be so hard on yourself." Mom advised. "Parents always want what's best for their child, and they always wonder if they're making the best decision for them."

I stared at the photo of me holding Melody just after she was born. "Did you ever question if you were making the best decision for any of us?"

Mom nodded, placing her hand on my lap. "I remember when your dad and I first decided to put you in public school. Every instinct in me was screamed that it was a bad idea…."

"But you put me in any way," I stated, vaguely remembering my first experience in public school.

My mom hung her head. "Si, we put you in school, questioning if it was the best choice and hoping it was."

I recalled how that went and blew out a breath. "Which turned out to be a major disaster. Not the story I was hoping for. You think this decision will turn out to be a major disaster?"

Mom wrapped her arm around me, pulling me into a side hug. "I don't know, Mija. Just like how we didn't know for sure that public school wasn't right for you at the time until we tried. All we can do as parents is to do what we believe is best, hope it is, and know that you have many more doors open to you if you ever need it."

I sighed, "I just wanted Melody to be happy and know that she is loved and protected, always."

She gave me a look that I often got when we played pranks on her as a kid. She stood up and reached her hand out. "Come on."

Mom had me peek into the living room where Melody was playing with Cruz and Amen. Melody laughed as Cruz spun her around until they all dropped on the floor giggling. I felt warm and happy seeing my little girl's happiness and innocence.

"Now, is that unloved or uncared for," Mom observed as we watched them. "Because I'm positive that's not unhappy."

"Neither," I admitted with a smile.

"Then it seems to me like Melody knows." Mom concluded, "and you're worried for nothing. Melody is bright, Mija; she knows much more than we give her credit for, and she gets it from her momma."

Mom went back to Melody's room to finish packing. I stayed behind watching for just a few more minutes. Maybe mom was right. All we can do is try and hope for the best. Perhaps I was worrying too much.