"Looks like we made it

Look how far we've come, my baby

We might've took the long way

But we knew we'd get there someday

They said, 'I bet they'll never make it'

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss goodnight

Ain't nothing better

We beat the odds together

I'm glad we didn't listen

Look at what we would be missing

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss goodnight

I'm so glad we made it

Look how far we've come, my baby…"

"I love that song," Alicia said as she turned off the radio alarm, "it reminds me of us."

Merrill stretched his arms in the air and said, "Is it really 9:30 already?"

"Yep. Time to wake up."

"Come on, let's sleep for 15 more minutes. We don't need a shower…we took the bath last night, remember?"

"Mmm…how could I forget? Oh, and we should get up now so we can have breakfast downstairs."

"I'll chew gum and pretend it's a muffin. I'm so sleepy…"

"If it makes you happy, I'll grab bagels and bring them up here."

"Would you really?"

"If we plan on being married soon, I might well practice the role of doting wife."

Merrill kissed Alicia and said, "You're wonderful, baby."

"I try. I'll be right back."

As Alicia left, Merrill reached over to the nightstand and looked at his cell phone. He saw that he had a message from his parents from the night before. He dialed his voicemail and listened:

"Merrill, hi. It's Mom…Graham told me that I might be able to reach you on your cell because you and Alicia had gone out for the night. I hope you're OK..anyway, your dad and I are coming down for church service tomorrow morning- hopefully, we'll see you and Alicia there. I love you, honey. Bye."

The next message was from Graham.

"Merrill? Where are you? Bo said that Alicia told her that you two were going to the Spencers', but they said you weren't there. I really need to talk to you, Merrill. Call me when you get this message, please."

He hung up and put the cell phone back on the nightstand. Sitting up, he leaned against the pillows and closed his eyes, wondering what events would unfold that day. Before he knew it, the door opened and Alicia appeared with plates, knives, mini containers of cream cheese, and the bagels.

"I got you your favorite- cinnamon raisin," she said.

"Thank you, sweetie. Hey, guess what?"

Alicia was so hungry that she had already stuffed a large piece of bagel into her mouth.

"Mmm..wha?"

"My parents are coming down for Graham's service."

"Did they just call?"

"No, they left a message last night."

"We haven't seen them since Colleen's funeral."

"I know. It'll be good to see them."

Alicia looked out the window and said, "You know, when I originally got the free night here, I was going to surprise Colleen with it. I wanted to use it for just her and I- a sister thing. She would've loved this place- you have no idea. She probably wouldn't have spent any time in here- she would've wanted to be outside the whole time. Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you remember growing up with Graham, even though he was a lot older than you? Or are a lot of your memories with him from when you were adults?"

"Of course I remember growing up with him- very vividly. Especially when he dislocated my arm- that always sticks out in my head."

"I remember you telling me that story. But I was just thinking- Colleen wasn't around when I was growing up. She left home for college when I was 5 or 6, and that was that. I have a lot of rusty memories from when I was that age, but that's it…until I went to college. That's what…10, 11 empty years? If I had known then that she would be gone now, I would've....I'm gonna stop now because I'm about to cry and I don't want to."

"Don't hold back your emotions, baby. If you want to cry, then cry."

Merrill held Alicia in his arms, rocking her back and forth. She didn't cry; instead she just savored the warmth and strength of Merrill's embrace.

"The idea of going back to bed is sounding so wonderful right now," she said.

He kissed the top of her head and said, "Yeah, but now that my parents are coming, we have no choice. Let's finish eating and head on out to the house, so we can get our clothes for church."

They finished breakfast and then headed back to the house. As they drove back, Merrill let the top down on the car, so that they could experience the pleasant weather.

"It's such a beautiful day," Alicia said, closing her eyes and letting the wind caress her face.

Merrill was lost in thought.

"Merrill? You there? What are you thinking about, babe?"

"I wonder if Graham is gonna mention anything about what happened between you two."

"Why would he do that? His parents and probably mine will be there."

"No, I'm not wondering if he'll directly address it- he'd never do that. But I think he'll probably talk about committing the sin of lust or coveting…something like that."

"We'll see," she replied, running her fingers through his hair.

Within about 10 minutes, they arrived back at the house.

"They must have already left," Merrill said as he stopped the car, "The station wagon's not in the driveway."

"Yeah, you're right."

Merrill and Alicia took their overnight bags out of the trunk and headed up the stairs of the garage. Alicia changed into a simple dress with a floral print, emerging from the bathroom as Merrill finished changing into a dress shirt and slacks.

"Sweetie, you look great in that dress," he said.

"Really? You like it?"

"Very much- you look like an angel. But hold on a sec."

Merrill turned her around and tucked in the tag that was peeking out from behind the dress.

"There," he said, "now you're perfect. As always."

Alicia smiled and gave Merrill a kiss.

"You look very handsome yourself. Hot, even."

"I don't think I'm supposed to look hot if I'm going to church."

"You know what I mean, baby. Are we ready?"

Merrill sighed heavily and said, "Yeah."

"Hey, are you OK?"
"I guess I'm still thinking about Graham and the whole situation. But hopefully everything will clear up today. Let's go."

They left the garage house, got in the car, and headed to First Baptist Church of Newtown. After parking the car, they walked through the front doors of the church, holding hands. Merrill immediately spotted his parents.

He said to Alicia, "My parents are over there. See?"

Sure enough, Robert and Eliza Hess were talking to one of the associate pastors. Merrill and Alicia waited until they finished and then they approached them.

Merrill said, "Mom, Dad- hey."

Eliza said, "Merrill! Honey, how are you?"

She hugged him tightly as he replied, "I'm good. Actually, better than good. Ali and I just got back from spending the night at a bed and breakfast- the Hollyleaf."

"I've seen that place before- sounds wonderful. And how are you, Alicia?"

Eliza and Alicia hugged each other and she replied, "I'm fine."

Meanwhile, Merrill was having a conversation with his father.

"Merrill, you seem more at peace than you've been in the last couple of months. Things going well?"

"I quit the gas station and tomorrow, I'm going to look for coaching jobs at some of the high schools."

"Good for you. Actually, I heard from one of my clients that Central Bucks High School just let go of one of their coaches."

"Really?

"I can't remember which sports team it was for. You should call and find out."

"I will."

"How are things with Alicia?"

"Amazing. She's made a complete 360. She's not depressed anymore- she's happy and positive and…beautiful as always."

"So are you setting a wedding date soon?"

"We plan on it."

"Hi, Mr. Hess."

They both turned around and saw Alicia standing behind them with a heartwarming smile on her face.

Alicia greeted Robert with a hug and he said, "Hi, sweetheart. How's my favorite daughter-in-law-to-be?"

"Great. It's so good to see you guys."

"Are your parents coming?"

"I have no idea. I think they'll probably show up."

Music started to play from inside the sanctuary.

"Let's go inside," Merrill said, taking Alicia's hand into his.

They all walked into the church and sat about five rows back. In the middle of the devotion, Alicia saw her parents come in. She waved to them and they came over to the aisle that the family was sitting in. Bo and Morgan were behind them.

"Are you OK? Graham called the house, thinking that you two had come to spend the night. What happened?"

"We just all had a big, big disagreement last night and Merrill and I needed to leave. We thought that we were going to go to Drexel Hill, but we decided to spend the night at a bed and breakfast instead."

"Is everything OK now?"

"I don't know- we'll find out before today is over."

The devotion ended and Graham stepped into the pulpit. Everyone in the church broke into applause and stood up. After about a half minute of clapping, everyone sat down and Graham surveyed the congregation. Then he spoke.

"First of all, I want to thank everyone for being here. I…"

Graham's words became a blur in Alicia's head as she glanced around the church. About ¾ of the people who normally came weren't there.

They probably died in the invasion, she thought to herself.

Then she looked at Merrill. His eyes were transfixed on Graham and it seemed like Merrill was hanging off every word his older brother was saying. After 10 minutes or so of daydreaming and distracting herself, Alicia tuned into Graham right as he made a painful statement.

"..and funeral services for Tracey Abernathy will be held tomorrow at 11 am. Please try to attend if you can; she was one of the brightest young adults in our church and was an innocent victim of this terrible tragedy."

Alicia whispered in Merrill's ear, "I feel so horrible for her family. We should go tomorrow."

"OK."

Graham then said, "Let us pray."

Alicia closed her eyes and linked hands with Merrill and her mother. As Graham prayed, she listened closely and carefully to his words.

"…be with those who've lost loved ones in this unthinkable tragedy. Comfort them and keep them close to you, Lord. Give them and us the strength to pull through this situation and re-build our lives. Thank You for leading me back home to the pulpit. Help me to relay Your message to those who need it. And please continue to bless us with the gifts of life and love. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

The congregation whispered an amen in response, and then Graham sat in his chair as an associate pastor read additional church announcements. As they were being read, Graham looked around, trying to find the family. The first person he spotted was Alicia. He was initially breathtaken with her presence and appearance, thinking for a split second that it was Colleen. After all, Alicia was sitting in almost the same exact spot that Colleen used to sit before she passed away. But Graham quickly dismissed the thought as Alicia smiled at him. He knew immediately it wasn't an "I'm-just-trying-to-be-friendly" smile. It was a genuine one, indicating that she had forgiven him for what he had done. He returned the smile to her and diverted his attention back to the man who was speaking.

Merrill nudged Alicia and asked, "What were you smiling at?"

She looked up at him and replied, "Nothing. I'm just happy."