Everyone had headed back to the house. The church was empty, with his exception. He sat in his office, putting last minute touches on the eulogy that he would be giving at Tracey's funeral the following day. Suddenly, there was a knock at his door.

"Come in," he said.

The door opened , but Graham didn't look up from what he was writing.

A familiar voice said, "Must seem strange getting back into this, huh? But a good strange."

Graham looked up and saw Merrill standing before him.

"Merrill. I thought everyone left."

"Everyone but me. I got home and then I realized that I needed to talk to you. I knew you'd still be here."

Graham was surprised at how serene Merrill was acting, as opposed to the day before.

"What did you want to talk about, Merrill?"

"About yesterday."

"Listen, I..I already told you how sorry I was."

"I know. And I just wanted to let you know that I forgive you."

Graham put down his pen, somewhat in a state of disbelief.

"You told me yesterday that in your eyes, you didn't have a brother anymore. Can you even comprehend how that felt to hear that coming from my little brother? I was already upset with myself over the whole situation with Alicia, and then you said that."

Merrill's voice started to take on an irritated tone.

"Graham, I was furious. You kissed my fiancee. You told her that you were falling in love with her. If I had ever kissed Colleen or told her that- which I never would have done, by the way- you would've reacted the same way."

"I'm not starting a fight with you. Especially not here."

Merrill sighed and took a deep, calming breath.

"I don't want to fight, Graham. I came to say that I forgive you."

Graham stood up and sat next to Merrill.

"I don't know what came over me. I miss Colleen so much and Alicia is like a clone of her. It wasn't even like Ali was in the room with me. I think that in the back of my mind, I convinced myself that I was standing in front of Colleen. I just hope I didn't scare her and things between us won't be awkward."

"I think they will be if you don't talk to her."

"How was she yesterday after everything that happened?"

"I think she was more upset about my behavior than the situation in general. Sometimes I forget how fragile her emotions are and when I get mad at her, I really hurt her."

"Why were you mad at her? She didn't do anything."

"I was so frustrated that I just took everything out on her, which was wrong."

"Yeah."

"Well, um, I should get going. Are you coming back to the house now?"

"I'll be there in an hour or so. I just have to finish this up and I really don't want to work on it at home."

"OK."

They looked at each other as they both stood up. Then, overcome with emotion, they embraced.

"I love you, Graham," Merrill said, "and I'm so sorry for saying the things I said to you yesterday."

"And I'm sorry for letting you down so many times."

"I should be the one saying that. You never let me down."

"But I-"

"You never let me down. I'll see you at the house."

Ten minutes or so later, Merrill pulled the car into the driveway. As he got out, he looked towards the garage house and spotted Alicia sitting on the steps. She had a cigarette in her hand.

He approached her and yelled, "I thought you were quitting!"

She quickly threw it out and said, "I didn't see you there. I'm trying, I swear I am."

"It's OK. I slipped a few nights ago while you were sleeping and had one. Where is everyone?"

"We decided to all go out to dinner at LaStalla later on tonight. Your parents are in the main house with the kids and my parents went back to their place. They're meeting us there later. I just wanted to sit outside for a little while. It's so nice out."

Merrill went into the bedroom and Alicia followed him.

"I talked to Graham," he said.

"What happened?"

"We talked everything out. I told him that the only way everything would be resolved was if he talked to you."

Alicia stretched out on the bed and said, "I'm really proud of you for approaching Graham in that way. I know how upset the whole situation made you and you put it behind you. That's just another reason why I'm so crazy about you."

"Hey, I have an idea."

"Uh oh..what?"

"Let's set a wedding date and tell everyone at dinner tonight."

"Not a bad idea there. Get my calendar out of my purse."

Merrill did so and sat on the bed next to Alicia.

"OK," he said, "I was thinking October. It won't be freezing and it's right in the middle of fall."

"A fall wedding would be so gorgeous."

"Beginning, end or middle of October?"

"How about the 20th? I'd feel superstitious if we got married on the 13th."

"October 20th. Sounds good to me."

They looked at each other and kissed. Then Merrill traced the side of Alicia's face with his fingertips.

"I have no idea how I'm going to keep composure when I see you walking down that aisle," he whispered.

"You have no idea? I cry at everything. I'm gonna be such a wreck. But it's so going to be worth it. Having you as my husband and spending the rest of my life with you…you being the father of my children…it makes me want to cry every time I think about it."

"Tears of happiness or tears of 'Oh-my-God-what-was-I-thinking'?"

She tickled him and said, "What do you think?"

"I think I should kiss you."

He lowered his face to hers and their lips locked into a kiss that was sweltering with passion. Merrill's right hand made its way down to the buttons on Alicia's jeans and as he unsnapped it, he stopped.

"My parents are here. We can't do this right now."

"Mmmm..why not, baby? You've got me in the mood now."

"I feel bad for not being sociable. I never see them and I think that I need to spend some time with them."

"You're right."

"Aren't I always?"

"Yeah yeah. But can I have one last cuddle?"

"Of course."

Merrill took Alicia into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Alicia said.

"Why?"

"Because now I want you even more."

"OK, I'll give you a kiss that'll keep you satisfied until after dinner."

Merrill traced his fingers along Alicia's lips and parted them. Then he opened his mouth and pressed it against hers. Their tongues immediately met in the middle, gliding and swirling together. They became completely lost in the kiss and ended up making out for a good ten minutes. After it was over, Alicia sighed and giggled.

"That…that was awesome and perfect and wet and…awesome."

Merrill pecked her quickly and then asked, "Are you coming to the house with me?"

"I'm right behind you."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Alicia traced the rim of her wine glass, trying to keep her mind busy on other things to prevent herself from being bored. She hadn't really enjoyed any family gatherings since Colleen died.

Merrill, who was sitting to the left of Alicia, put his hand on her thigh and asked, "Are you OK? You're awfully quiet."

"I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all."

Merrill looked her in the eye and said, "I know when you're tired. You look upset. Is it about the wedding date?"

"No, baby. It's just that…it's always so awkward for me to be at family social events without Colleen."

He held her hand and kissed her cheek.

"Do you want to go home?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine. Let's tell everyone about the wedding date."

"OK."

Merrill waited until everyone finished their conversations and then said, "Hey everyone, listen up. Alicia and I have something important to annouce."

Everyone focused their attention on the couple.

"After many hits and misses, we've decided on a definite wedding date- October 20th."

Excitement burst through the air as everyone offered Merrill and Alicia congratulations. Then after about 20 more minutes of talking, everyone decided to head back home.

Eliza hugged Alicia and asked, "So when are you going shopping for your gown?"

"I have no idea. This is all so overwhelming right now. But in a good way."

Then Robert gave Alicia a hug.

"I think this is the start to an incredible future for you two."

"Me too, Mr. Hess. Take care."

"Don't be a stranger. I'm expecting to see you and Merrill in the Poconos sometime soon, for the weekend."

"I'm sure we'll take you up on that offer."

Alicia then walked over to her parents and embraced both of them.

"Call my cell phone when you guys get home," she said, "so I know that you made it back safe."

"We will," Ben said, "and congratulations, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Dad."

"We need to start planning as soon as possible," Sarah added.

"I know, Mom. We'll have lunch or something next week and discuss everything."

"OK. We love you, Ali."

"I love you guys too."

After all the goodbyes were said, it was just Alicia, Merrill, Graham and the kids.

"Ready to go?" Graham asked.

"Actually, I needed to stay for just a few more minutes. I need to talk to Michael about my schedule. Is that OK, Merrill?"

Merrill replied, "Of course it is. You go ahead, Graham."

"OK. See you at the house."

Merrill sat at the abandoned bar as Alicia talked to her manager. He watched carefully her as she talked to him. Her beauty never ceased to leave him breathless.

I'm getting married in October. Alicia will be my wife in five months. I'm getting married.

He kept repeating it to himself in his head. He never would've imagined that the younger sister-in-law, the same one he picked on as Colleen and Graham survived their early years of marriage, would be his wife one day. After losing himself in thought for about 10 minutes or so, Alicia approached him from behind.

"There's music on the terrace," she said, "the band is still playing. Let's go out and listen to them."

She took him by the hand and led him to the large patio outside. An authentic group of Italian musicians were starting a ballad that Alicia loved.

"Merrill, dance with me."

"Ali.."

"We need to practice for our reception, don't we?"

"Fine, fine."

Merrill locked his arms around Alicia's waist and she rested hers upon his broad shoulders.

This is the night, it's a beautiful night And they call it Bella Noche Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes
On this lovely Bella Noche… "I love this song," Alicia whispered.

"And I love you," he replied, holding her tighter in his arms.

Alicia looked up and Merrill and said, "Kiss me."

"My pleasure."

He brushed his lips against hers and gave her a brief but passionate kiss.

Side by side with your loved one

You'll find enchantment here

The night will weave its magic spell

When the one you love is near…

"So, what are we doing when we get home?" asked Alicia.

"I don't know. What do you wanna do?"

"Hmm..maybe we could just lie in bed and talk about the wedding."

"Sounds like a plan, Mrs. Hess."

"Mrs. Hess. I like the sound of that."

"So when do you start work here again?"

"The day after tomorrow. I'm working a double."

"Wow. Yeah, I'm meeting my dad for lunch tomorrow and he's gonna tell me more about the coaching job at Central Bucks."

"Cool. That'd be so great if you got that job..so that way we'd both be closer to home."

"Very true. But you know what? I don't want to talk about work right now. I want to enjoy this moment..it's so perfect."

Alicia rested her head against Merrill's chest and closed her eyes as the sound of Merrill's heart beating and the music filled the air.

"I love you stud," she whispered.

"Love you more, beautiful."

Oh, this is the night,

When the Heavens are right,

On this lovely Bella Noche…

"No, no..it's all wrong."

Graham sat awake in his study, putting the finishing touches on the eulogy. He scratched out half a paragraph and then studied his revisions. Then he scribbled down some words and placed his pen done.

"There."

As he read through it, his eyelids became heavier and he dozed off a little. But then the sound of Merrill and Alicia pulling up into the driveway startled him out of the catnap.

If I don't get any sleep, I'm going to go insane.

Graham closed his notebook, went into his bedroom and got ready for bed. As he turned out his lights, he heard giggling and looked outside his window. Merrill and Alicia were sitting on a blanket in the lawn, eating ice cream and hysterically laughing about something. He watched as Merrill draped his arm around Alicia and played with her hair.

Graham dismissed the nuances of jealousy that were forming in his heart and closed the blinds. He climbed into bed and within 10 minutes, was asleep. However, the slumber only last for about 45 minutes. The insomnia he had suffered from after Colleen's death was returning to haunt him and he hated it. He decided to go downstairs to get something to drink. He wandered into the kitchen, somewhat drowsy. He knew what the cause of his anxiety was- the disturbing fact that he would be giving a eulogy in 10 hours for Tracey Abernathy.

If I had known, I would've listened to her that day at the pharmacy, instead of pretending to. She was a great kid. Always helping out with Sunday School and helping me out with Morgan's prescriptions. But you can't turn back time, right?

The only light in the room came from the illuminating full moon. It bathed the room in a pale, almost milky glow. He opened the refrigerator and took out a carton of orange juice. As he poured himself a glass, he felt the presence of someone else standing behind him.

"Make that two," the voice whispered.

Graham turned around and saw Alicia standing behind him. He was instantly attracted to her as she made her way further into the kitchen. She was barefoot, wearing tiny, pink pajama shorts and a matching tanktop. Her hair was down and somewhat in her face, and it was slowly driving Graham crazy.

"I didn't know y-you were standing there, Ali."

"I was thirsty too and there's nothing in the fridge in the garage house."

"I see. Want some OJ?"

"Sure."

Graham gave Alicia his glass and poured himself a new one. They finished off their glasses and then put them in the sink.

"Is Merrill asleep?" asked Graham.

"Yep. Ever so soundly."

"He's always been like that, ever since he was little. He can sleep through anything. Me, on the other hand..I'm a night owl."

"Yeah, me too."

They stared at each other and then Graham finally looked away.

"This can't be happening again."

"What?"

"I…never mind."

Alicia shrugged and said, "OK then."

As she shrugged, one of the straps on her tanktop slid off of her shoulder. She didn't notice it, but Graham did. He reached his hand out and pushed it gently back onto her shoulder.

"Thanks," Alicia whispered, almost breathlessly.

Graham's hand hadn't left Alicia's shoulder yet.

He moved down to her forearms and said, "You have goosebumps on your arms. Are you cold?"

"I'm not cold at all. And I only get goosebumps when I'm cold or if I'm.."

"If you're what?"

"Attracted to someone. In a carnal way."

Graham moved his hands from her arms to her waist.

"Your skin is so soft," he whispered.

"Merrill tells me that all the time."

"I shouldn't be doing this, Alicia."

Alicia impulsively kissed Graham on the lips and then said, "No, so maybe I should."

Graham couldn't hold back his desires anymore. He held Alicia's face in his hands and began kissing her passionately. She kissed him back harder, to the point where they were almost panting.

"Come up to my room," Graham whispered as he kissed her neck.

"Hmm..why should I?"

"So we can be alone and in private."

They barely could contain their passion as they headed up the stairs. Once they made it to Graham's room, he locked the door and stood beside his bed with Alicia. She grabbed the bottom of her tanktop and slowly pulled it over her head.

As she revealed her bare chest to him, she whispered in a seductive tone, "I'm all yours, Graham."

Graham replied, "Y..you mean that you d-don't care about Merrill? I-"

Alicia silenced him by running her tongue across her lips and lifting his hand to her chest area.

"Just a second ago, you were practically begging me to come up to your room. No one has to know about this but you and I, Graham. I've had a crush on you since I was 10 years old. This moment is better than any fantasy I could ever have imagined."

Graham released all of his morals at that very millisecond. He laid with Alicia on the bed as they began to make love.