"I hope she will be here soon," Lola said, "I have to get back to the kitchen."
"To be on time, was never one of Tess's strong points," Austin said.
"I can't believe we are doing this," Lola smiled.
"I knew you couldn't resist me," Austin said, returning her smile.
"Not a chance," Lola said.
"Ah," Austin said, spying Tessa walk into the restaurant, followed by Mariah.
"We're here," Tessa said, approaching her brother, "I know you were expecting me, but Mariah's here too because we have an appointment."
"Good, you both will want to hear what I have to say," Austin said.
"So, what's wrong?" Tessa said.
"What makes you think something is wrong?" Austin said.
"Because you said it was urgent, that I come to see you," Tessa said, "Usually, that means not so good news."
"Everything is fine," Austin said, "Life is great."
"Fine…great?" Mariah said.
"Spill," Tessa said, "What's up?"
"I wanted to tell you something," Austin said, "It's about Lola."
"Meaning…?" Tessa said.
"You know Lola is a great chef," Austin said.
"I do," Tessa said.
"You know she's a beautiful woman," Austin said.
"Okay…" Tessa said.
"Is there a point coming this year?" Mariah said
"Tess, I would like to introduce you to your future sister-in-law," Austin said, putting his arm around Lola.
Tessa's eyes sparkled with excitement as she said, "You mean…"
Lola rested her hand against Austin's shoulder to display her engagement ring. "What your brother is trying to say, is he proposed," Lola said, "We're engaged, we are getting married."
"Oh!" Tessa exclaimed, "That's wonderful!" Tessa hugged her brother, while Mariah gave Lola a congratulatory hug.
Tessa moved in to hug Lola, while Mariah nodded at Austin. "Congratulations," Mariah said.
"Thank you," Austin said.
"This is the best news," Tessa said, "You're getting married, I'm getting married. We're all going to be related."
"That's right," Lola said, "Mariah and I will be sisters-in-law too."
"Cool," Austin said.
"It's all very exciting," Mariah said.
"Just think," Tessa said, "We can hang out together as married couples. I have new sister to be family with and you can come over to our place for dinners and we can have girls nights and it will all be such fun!"
Noticing a downcast expression from Austin and Lola, Tessa said, "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, not at all," Austin said, "There's more we have to tell you."
"I have a new job," Lola said, "I'll be opening my own restaurant in Miami."
"That's great news," Mariah said.
"Yes, it is," Tessa said, "Does that mean you're both moving away?"
Austin nodded. "That's right. We will be living the high life in Miami."
"It sounds incredible," Tessa said, "But I will miss you."
"Me too," Austin said, "But now you and Mariah have an excuse to come to Miami, for a visit. We will pop in back here, now and then. We can video chat as often as you want."
"It's not the same thing," Tessa said, "Of course I'm happy for you, but after being apart for so long, and getting so close, I took for granted that you would always be here."
"I am always here," Austin said, "I'll be in your life so much, you will get sick of me."
"You'd better be," Tessa said, as Austin pulled her into a hug.
"Do you have any idea, when you're going to pull all this together?" Mariah said.
"Well, my job starts in six weeks," Lola said.
"We would like to get married before then," Austin said.
"That's soon," Tessa said, "Not a lot of time to plan."
"Of course we will help," Mariah said.
"We thought just something small, just family," Austin said, "Which consists of you two."
"And Rey," Lola said.
"Right," Austin said.
"Wow, that is small," Tessa said.
"You know," Mariah mused, "I just had the greatest idea."
"Mariah…" Tessa warily said.
"Why don't the four of us have a double wedding!" Mariah said.
"Good morning," Kyle smiled, as he let Summer walk ahead of him in to the dining room.
"Someone sounds like they are in a good mood," Jack said.
"Great mood," Kyle said.
"Isn't it wonderful how the holidays can lift your spirits," Traci said.
"In ways you would never expect," Summer said, smiling at Kyle.
Noticing Kyle and Summer were still standing, Jack said, "Would you both like to take a seat and have breakfast?"
"First, we have something to tell you," Kyle said.
Traci and Jack exchanged glances, before Jack shifted a smile at the younger couple, suspecting he knew what was coming.
"Summer and I," Kyle started, putting his arm around Summer's waist, "Are getting married."
"Wonderful," Jack smiled.
"Congratulations," Traci said, "You both must be so excited."
"Excited…happy, I don't know where to start," Summer said.
"All I know, is I can't wait to make you my wife," Kyle said.
"Summer, if you need any help with planning, don't hesitate to ask me," Traci said.
"I might take you up on that," Summer said.
"First you need sustenance," Jack said, "So sit enjoy some food."
"Don't mind if I do," Kyle said, pulling Summer's chair out for her, before taking his own seat, "Those pancakes look very appetizing."
"Oh…" Lola said, looking to Austin for the right words.
"A double wedding?" Austin said.
"Yes, two siblings sharing their joy, as they marry the people they love," Mariah said, "What could be more romantic than that?"
"It's a nice sentiment," Lola said.
"It's not a terrible idea," Tessa said.
Noticing her three friends has fallen silent, Mariah said, "You don't like the idea, do you?"
"It's not that I don't like it," Tessa said, "The thing is, at the risk of sounding selfish, I was looking forward to our wedding to be a celebration of the two of us. It's a special day to focus on us and our future. I'm sure Austin and Lola, want that for themselves too."
"We were planning to have a small ceremony," Lola said, "We don't want to intrude on your special day."
"Besides, we are fast tracking things to be married before we get to Miami," Austin said.
"We are?" Lola said.
"Well, we will be so busy with the start up of your business and moving into a place of our own, I just figured you wanted the same thing," Austin said.
"I want my family there and most of them are in Miami," Lola said, "Does it make sense to have them all travel here, when we could just go there to get married and settle in?"
"Mariah and I would love to go to Miami to see you get married," Tessa said.
"Aren't you forgetting a very important thing," Mariah said, "The honeymoon."
"We can postpone that," Lola said.
"Postpone?" Austin said.
"People do it all the time," Lola said.
"I thought we would have a little time together to celebrate becoming husband and wife," Austin said.
"This sounds personal," Mariah said.
"Yes, we don't want to be late for out appointment," Tessa said.
"I apologize," Lola said, "We didn't mean to get carried away."
"Obviously there is a lot to talk about," Austin said, "We will work everything out."
"Don't hesitate to ask us for help," Tessa said.
"If the double wedding is off the table, how about a dual party for both our engagements?" Mariah said.
"Now, that I could get on board with," Tessa said.
"I like that idea," Austin said.
"It's a wonderful suggestion," Lola said, "Getting everyone together to celebrate."
"What are we celebrating?" a voice said beside them.
Lola hid her left hand, as they all stared at Rey.
Summer walked into the living room to find Kyle, sifting through papers.
"What's all that?" Summer said.
"The other end of the spectrum," Kyle said.
"What does that mean?" Summer laughed.
"This was just delivered," Kyle sighed, "My divorce from Rachel. It's been finalized."
"That's what you wanted, right?" Summer said.
"Yes, of course," Kyle said.
"Then why do you look so sad?" Summer said.
"It's a difficult to imagine it being over," Kyle said, "Yes, I've moved on, but this represents a special time in my life and it sad that's it's ended. I know this is going be hard on Rachel too. I almost feel like I should…"
"Go," Summer said, "Go talk to her."
"Are you sure?" Kyle said.
"I understand," Summer said, "You both need that closure."
"You're the best," Kyle said, "I will try not to be long."
"Take your time, I have some errands to run," Summer said, "I'll meet you back here?"
"Sounds like a plan," Kyle said, giving her a quick kiss.
"Rey, it's so wonderful to see you," Lola said.
"I get the feeling I interrupted something," Rey said.
"No, we were just leaving," Mariah said.
"Don't rush of on my account," Rey said.
"We have an appointment," Tessa said, "Austin we will talk later."
"Sure thing," Austin said.
"Rey, why don't you and I sit, down and we can catch up," Lola said.
"Don't you have to get back to the kitchen?" Rey said.
"Everything is under control for now," Lola said, "I don't spend enough time with my big brother."
"Something's up," Rey said.
"Let's sit," Lola said.
Leaning in to her, Austin said, "Am I a part of this?"
"I think I should tell him alone," Lola said.
"You will remember me kindly, won't you?" Austin said.
"Don't be silly," Lola said.
"So," Rey said, sitting across from Lola, "Tell me what you're hiding."
"I'm not hiding anything," Lola said.
"You've forgotten, I can read people," Rey said.
"I do have something to tell you," Lola said.
Lola hesitated to continue, causing Rey to prompt her. "This is the part where you say something more," he said.
Lola put her hands on the table and said, "The thing is…"
"What is that?" Rey said, staring at Lola's ring.
"What is what?" Lola feigned innocence.
"That ring better not be what I think it is and from who I think it is," Rey said.
"It's an engagement ring," Lola said, "Austin and I are getting married."
"Have you officially lost your mind?" Rey said.
"We love each other," Lola said, "He makes me happy and he's a good man."
"He's a man with a very checkered past," Rey said, "Kidnapping, firearm offences, the list goes on."
"We are no better after what we did," Lola said, "He has paid for his crimes and he is not that person anymore."
"You let him get into your head," Rey said, "That's what he wants you to think."
"I have my own mind," Lola said, "Austin is the man I love and what we have is special and it's real. Rey, I didn't know I could be this happy. Don't you want this for me?"
"Of course all I want is for you to be happy," Rey said, "But I've got this feeling that Travers is bad news."
"You haven't seen the side of him that I do," Lola said, "He's the one Rey. I know it."
Watching from the bar, Austin took a deep breath, before walking over. "Is everything okay here?" Austin said. Rey's stare pierced through Austin.
"I'm assuming Lola told you the news," Austin said, "She is going to be Mrs. Travers."
"I just got a chill up my spine," Rey shivered.
"Rey…" Lola said.
Giving Austin a cold stare, Rey said, "Sit down." Austin did as he was told, and let Rey continue. "My sister tells me she loves you and you love her the same. Lola tells me you are a good man and will provide for her. I want her to be happy, so in the spirit of that, I will support this union."
Lola smiled and said, "That makes me very happy to hear."
"There is one more thing," Rey said, "If you do one single thing to hurt my sister…"
"You will do great harm to me," Austin said.
"No," Rey said, "Our mother will."
"Understood," Austin nodded.
Noticing Society was full, Summer sauntered up to the bar and took seat. Summer's eyes surveyed the room, as Austin scooted behind the bar and said, "Hi, Summer."
Putting her hand to her chest, Summer said, "You scared me."
"Sorry," Austin said, "Here for a drink?"
"I'm meeting someone," Summer said.
"We're pretty full today," Austin said, "There's some free tables over there."
"I'll wait here for now," Summer said.
"I can send Kyle over when he gets here," Austin said.
"Not that it's any of your business, I'm not waiting for Kyle," Summer said.
"Trouble in paradise?" Austin said.
"Not at all," Summer said, "In fact, he asked me to marry him."
"But no ring?" Austin said.
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Summer said.
"I didn't realize it was contagious," Austin said.
"What are you going on about?" Summer said.
"First Mariah and Tess get engaged, then I get engaged and now you and Abbott," Austin said, "Must be something in the water."
"You're engaged?" Summer said.
"Lola and I are getting married," Austin said, "Plus, we're moving to Miami."
"For good?" Summer said.
"For the foreseeable future," Austin said.
"Good for you," Summer said.
"Thanks," Austin said, "I think your date is here."
Spying Fen walking over, Summer said, "He's not my…never mind."
"Hi," Fen said, "I'm glad you called."
"And you came running," Austin muttered.
"Do you have something to say?" Fen said.
"Lots," Austin said, "But I am in too good a mood to get into it."
"Don't pay any attention," Summer said. Taking Fen's arm she said, "Let's sit over here."
"It's good to see you," Fen said. Peering closer, Fen said, "Are those the earrings I gave you?"
"I wear them a lot," Summer said, "I'm surprised you remember."
"I spent a lot of time picking those out for you," Fen said.
"You made a good choice," Summer said.
"Were you able to work things out with Kyle?" Fen said.
"Yes, we're in a good place again," Summer said.
"I was wondering if you called me for a reason?" Fen said, "If something is on your mind?"
"How about wanting to have lunch with a friend," Summer said, "I was thinking about you."
"I've been thinking about you too," Fen said, "I do that a lot."
"Should I be worried?" Summer laughed.
"I don't want to get too serious," Fen said, "But I often wonder what if. You know if we had gone through with it."
"Maybe we should talk about something else," Summer said.
"You know I still love you," Fen said.
"You shouldn't," Summer said.
"We were so good together," Fen said, "I'm not trying to freak you out or upset you. I know you're with Kyle and you say he makes you happy."
"He makes me very happy," Summer said.
"There was a time I made you happy," Fen said, "It's true, I pushed you away, but I regret that time in my life."
"Fen, I don't think we should talk about this," Summer said, "Why are you dredging all this up?"
"Because, I wonder…" Fen started, "If there's a way back for us."
"Fen, Kyle and I…" Summer started.
"I know you're invested in your relationship with him," Fen said, "But would you ever re-consider getting back together?"
"Kyle and I just got engaged," Summer said.
"Come again?" Fen said.
"He asked me to marry him," Summer said.
"Did he," Fen said, "Did you accept?"
"Of course," Summer said. Fen was quiet until, Summer said, "Fen?"
"Don't do it," Fen said.
"What?" Summer said.
"Don't marry Abbott," Fen said, "You will be making the biggest mistake of your life."
"How can you say that?" Summer said.
"He's not good for you," Fen said, "Look at your history. How many times have you broken up and got back together. Just the other night you couldn't even stand to be in the same house with him."
"That was an argument and I over reacted," Summer said.
"Is that what he told you?" Fen said, "He would say anything to manipulate you to stay with him."
"I would appreciate if you would not talk about Kyle like that," Summer said.
"I fear he will only end up breaking your heart again," Fen said, "Just like he did to Rachel."
"He has promised never to hurt me," Summer protested.
"You're toxic for each other," Fen said.
"Don't say that," Summer said, "If you are going to trash Kyle, I think our lunch is over."
"I'm not trying to upset you," Fen said, "I'm just trying to advise you, so you don't regret this decision."
"The only thing I regret is thinking you and I could have a civil conversation about my engagement," Summer said, standing up.
"Summer, please don't leave," Fen said.
"I will talk to you later, when you are in a better frame of mind," Summer said, walking out of Society.
Summer arrived home to find Kyle, in the living room. "There you are," Kyle said, "Those must have been some errands."
"It took longer than I thought," Summer said, "How did your talk with Rachel go?"
"I haven't had it yet," Kyle said, "She wasn't home. I texted her, asking to talk. I'm sure she knows why."
"It won't be easy," Summer said.
"That is for sure," Kyle said, "But since I had some free time, I ran an errand of my own."
"Where did you go?" Summer said.
Walking to the desk drawer, Kyle pulled out a small item and holding it behind his back he said, "I picked up something."
"Do I get to see what you're hiding?" Summer said.
"Umm…okay," Kyle teased. He took Summer's hand and led her to the couch, sitting across from her.
Bringing the item around from behind, Kyle paused a few seconds, before opening the lid. Summer gasped when she saw the diamond ring. "Marry me?" Kyle said.
Summer looked from the ring to Kyle. "I can't," she said.
Kyle stared at her and said, "But you…Summer…" Kyle stammered.
"I don't accept rings from men, who aren't on one knee," Summer teased.
Kyle gave her a frustrated smile, as he granted her request.
Rachel had walked in through the back entrance, stopping when she saw the scene taking place in the living room.
"Summer Newman, will you marry me?" Kyle said.
"Yes," Summer said, as they both broke into big smiles.
Kyle slipped the ring onto her finger, rising to kiss her.
Rachel slipped around the corner unseen, momentarily closing her eyes, tears slipping out. She made a hasty retreat, knocking against the dining room table as she left.
"What was that?" Summer said, looking in the direction of the sound.
"I don't know," Kyle said, standing up to check.
Kyle walked into the dining room, and then further back he noticed the back door was not shut tight.
Looking outside, he said, "Hello?"
Not getting a response and no sight of anyone, Kyle shut and locked the door. He paused looking across the property towards Rachel's place, before heading back to the living room.
"What was it?" Summer said.
"I didn't find anything," Kyle said, "The back door got left ajar and it must have been the wind knocking it against the frame."
"Gremlins in the Abbott house?" Summer said.
"The only gremlin in this house, is me," Kyle said.
"You can say that again," Summer said, as Kyle took her in his arms.
"You just made me the happiest person alive," Kyle said.
Summer smiled as he embraced her in a hug. Over his shoulder, Summer held him snug, as she tried to push Fen's comments, from swirling in her mind.