Epilogue: Something More

Darren was lingering over the entertainment section of the paper at our kitchen table in the sunny nook in the corner of the room. Our hands touched as I brought him a refill of his coffee, and I leaned down to give him a peck when he smiled his thanks up at me. His hair was more grey than dark now, but I still couldn't help running my fingers through his lovely curls.

Our kiss quickly turned heated and I was soon sitting in his lap as our tongues slid toward each other and we started to moan at an ever-increasing volume. Darren finally pulled away, leaving us both panting and staring into each others' eyes.

"Rhi? I think we don't have time..."

"I know, Dare, I know...but sometimes you are...too hard to resist." I lightly ran my fingers downward from his waist to where he was literally hard, making him suck in his breath.

"Rhiannon..." he said in a vaguely warning tone. "As much as I would love to take this to its natural conclusion, I've still got to get a haircut, then we need to get ready and over to the hotel. There are going to be about a hundred people waiting for us..."

I nodded with a look of disappointment, but moved to one of the other chairs, keeping hold of my husband's hand. "Dare, I need to talk to you about...something..."

He squeezed my hand, replying, "Anything, sweetie."

Nodding, I asked him uncertainly, "Do you really want to hand over the reins of CallaCriss to Van and Billy? Just because I'm stepping down in favor of Eliza at Mrs. D's doesn't mean you have to..."

Darren put his finger up to my lips. "Rhi, we've discussed this repeatedly. We're both ready to spend more uninterrupted time with each other and the munchkins. Just think...we can travel over the summer without working around the camp schedule, and, you won't have to wonder when I'm coming home because I'm scouting talent at some club until all hours. We're not walking away, we're giving the kids the chance to shine while we offer assistance from the sidelines."

"If you're sure, Dare...I need you to be sure..."

"Rhiannon, I've never been more sure of anything in my life...except you." Then my husband matched his lips to mine for a kiss full of promise for the future.

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We walked hand-in-hand toward the Garden Ballroom at the Oakland Hilton, taking note of all the details that I was sure that Harry was responsible for. When we saw the large banner over the doorway announcing, "Happy 30th Anniversary, Darren and Rhi!" Darren whispered, "Why do I get top billing?" I replied quietly, "Alphabetical order, honey."

The tables were decorated with centerpieces made of yellow calla lilies and yellow roses tinged with red, just like my bridal bouquet. All the place cards were done in shades of russet and cognac, the autumn colors that we had borrowed from Glee for our wedding.

We were admiring the cake when we heard a high-pitched voice approaching us quickly from down the hall, "Grandma Rhi! Grandpa D!" Darren turned just in time to hoist five-year-old DJ into the air so he could twirl her around. When she had settled in his arms, he whispered in her ear, "Gonna be too big for this soon, Little Girl!" to which she replied with enthusiastic head-shaking, "Never!"

Harry and Melissa were following at a more sedate pace, with Van and Patrick carrying their own twins - it had taken longer than expected for the surrogacy process to go through, but their gorgeous boy and girl had joined the Criss clan about two years before. Our daughter-in-law was pregnant again, and DJ couldn't wait for her new sibling, since her cousins Harriet and Allen were now past the baby stage.

"Mom! Dad!" Harry exclaimed with a huge smile. He turned to the rest of the adults, "Told you they'd get here before us...good thing I arranged for everything to be set up extra early, hunh?"

"Don't rub it in, Harris," Melissa scolded her husband, leaning over to give Darren and me each a peck as DJ squirmed to get down. "It must be such a burden to ALWAYS be right," she added with a smile.

Harry hugged us, agreeing, "It really is, honey."

Van and Patrick chuckled at the familiar interplay between the other couple while they each gave us a hug, and a grandchild.

"Ready for the big event?" Patrick asked excitedly.

"As ready as she'll ever be," Darren replied with a wink, and we all laughed.

Just then we heard snatches of conversation out in the hall...the guests were starting to arrive.

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Darren and I hadn't made it any farther than the couch in the presidential suite that the kids had reserved for us so we didn't have to worry about driving home until the next day. We were snuggled as close as we could be with our legs intertwined, holding each others' hands.

"Rhi? Are you awake enough to answer a question?"

"Barely, sweetie."

"Tell me the truth. Did you have a good time tonight?"

After a moment's thought, I nodded slightly, and said, "I really did, Dare. It's not an experience I'm anxious to repeat any time soon, but it was nice to see everyone."

"What was your favorite part, Rhiannon?"

I pushed myself up and smirked at my husband, asking "Are you fishing for compliments, Mr. Criss?" I pressed my lips to his before answering...

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The kids had scheduled a cocktail hour followed by a dinner served by the wait staff, so we had plenty of time to visit with all of our friends and family. Before the cake was served, Van and Harry made a speech, which I thought was going to bring me to my knees. Little did I know what was coming next…

Harry started. "Mom, Dad...Van and I cannot thank you enough for the support and love that you have given us over the years. You've put up with so much, and handled everything with grace and dignity..."

"Like when Harry HAD to wear the RED sneakers to kindergarten," Van inserted.

His older brother mock-glared at him as a chuckle rippled through the room.

"Seriously," Van continued, "our family has experienced a lot of joy, but we've also come up against some tough things. You were always patient and wise and kind, no matter the circumstances."

Darren squeezed my hand, took two tissues from his pocket, handing me one and using the other himself as the tears began to run down our cheeks.

Harry went on, "Then you welcomed our significant others into the family with open arms..." Patrick and Melissa each blew us a kiss. "And then you became two of the six best grandparents that DJ, Harriet, and Allen could ever have."

Both of our sons were now fighting back tears as well. "Everyone here wants to thank you for the legacies that you've left for all of us and tell you that we love you more than words can say," Van finished.

Darren leaned over to give me an intense kiss as everyone stood and applauded. Then he stood up as well, and started toward the stage. I didn't let go of his hand, asking, "Where are you going?" He replied with a grin, "There's one more thing on the program, sweetie."

My mouth fell open as he mounted the stairs to the stage, wrapping his arms around Harry and then Van, whispering something to each of them. Nodding, they came back to our table and hugged me while Darren spoke to the bandleader.

Turning back to the crowd, he began with his adorable grin, "Rhi doesn't know what's about to happen, and we all know how much she LOVES surprises..." Another rumble of laughter ran through the group as I shook my head at him.

Then my husband proceeded to blow me away. "Just over thirty years ago, I was a young actor on a hit TV show, and I walked into a book store in Wisconsin. I had no idea that one action would shatter my life plans - for the better."

Now looking directly at me, he continued, "Rhiannon, we've discussed this over the years, but I am so grateful for whatever stars aligned to make that happen. I probably should have been insulted, but even though you didn't recognize me at first..." Another laugh spread across the room.

"Our connection was immediate and intense. Thankfully we both realized that, although our relationship started in an...unorthodox way, it was the most important thing that would happen to either of us."

"We have shared so much, including our love, over the years, and learned so many important things along the way...Rhiannon Abigail Harris Criss, you are my best friend, my one true love, and my forever."

Nodding and smiling through the tears that were falling too fast for Van and Harry to wipe away, I mouthed, "I love you so much," to this unbelievable man. He mouthed back, "I love you more," and just when I thought I couldn't take any more, Darren signalled to the bandleader, who started counting a beat.

"This is for you, Rhiannon. This song has meant a lot to us for a LONG time, but I've never actually sung it to YOU."

I recognized the opening strains of "Something's Coming" from "West Side Story," and leaned my head on Harry's shoulder while clasping Van's hand as my talented, moderately messy, handsome, occasionally extravagant, funny, easily-distracted, smart, thoughtful husband started to sing...

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Darren's humming brought me back to the present.

"Weren't expecting that, were you, Rhi?" he asked with a smile in his voice.

"You could always surprise me without upsetting me - too much - Mr. Criss," I replied.

He kissed my fingers, declaring, "One of my many talents, Mrs. Criss. Speaking of talents, is it too late for some therapy?"

"Dare..." I started, "you know it's never too late," and I held Darren's head between my hands for a passionate kiss that was the beginning of...something more.

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Okay, dear readers, I'm not going to foolishly claim (again) that this really is THE END. For now, this seems to be all that I need to write about them - as much as the Harris/Criss clan has come to mean to me, I think they are ready to let go. But, who knows? In another six months they might be nagging at me to figure out what happens next. ;)

Thanks so much to everyone who has stuck with me through these two trilogies, and two more big hugs to MK and OL. You're the only two who know, and the only two I want to know.