Auden went into the dining room first and found her place in between Ronald and Madge on the table nearest the one where Sebastian and Grelle would be seated. She was the last into the room and just a moment after she sat down, Grelle and Sebastian came in. Everyone clapped when they entered, cheering and whistling and it made Grelle laugh and Sebastian smile and they kissed when someone started clinking their glasses with the silverware and others joined in.

"Thank you all so much for coming," Grelle said, tucking her arm into Sebastian's. "We're honored to have you here to celebrate with us. And seeing as we're already a little late as it is, let's eat!"

She clapped her hands together and Sebastian headed for their table and several staff members and waiters from the hotel came into the room. Auden could barely hold herself back from starting in on the creamy soup that was set down in front of her until everyone else had a bowl as well.

"Grelle told me you're the reaper she's been mentoring," Madge said, glancing over at Auden as she picked up her spoon.

Auden already had a mouthful of soup and swallowed awkwardly as she tried to answer. "Um… Yeah. I am. She's been my trainer for a while now."

"I'm sure having Grelle as your teacher has been a roller coaster."

Auden pulled a face. "You have no idea."

Madge laughed and let a beat of silence pass between them. Auden felt obligated to continue the conversation.

"How do you know Sebastian and Grelle?" she asked.

"They were my neighbors in Liverpool when I was a girl," Madge replied, smiling. "Of course they looked very different back then, but as far back as I can remember all of us kids were going down to the Harlands' house for treats after school." She laughed at the memory, and the reaper sitting on her other side asked a question about some of the décor, so that was all Auden learned.

She wondered through the next course and the one after that how it was that Madge had come to find out who Grelle and Sebastian really were, and how they had kept in touch all these years. She also wanted to ask what it had been like to be a teenager in Liverpool in the sixties, if Madge or Grelle or Sebastian or all of them had ever gone to see the Beatles, but Grelle stood up to give a toast before Auden had worked up the courage.

The bustle of table chatter quieted and everyone turned their eyes to Grelle, who smiled.

"I know how many of you are shocked to be here," she began. "But, here we are. When Sebastian and I first became acquainted with each other, I never thought that this would be where we'd end up. The last hundred and twenty-five years have been…" She thought for a moment, then chuckled, having decided on a word. "Taxing. For so many reasons. And I cannot imagine how I would have navigated them without Sebastian. My darling, I love you. Thank you for standing by my side through everything. Thick and thin." She raised her glass. "To life, and love, and overcoming all the rubbish the universe sends our way. To new beginnings. And the next hundred and twenty-five years. Cheers."

"Cheers," the room answered, Auden included, and Grelle drank from her glass, so they all did the same. Sebastian stood up next.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little shocked to be here myself," he said and most everyone laughed, a gentle roll that passed through the room. "But we are all here because of our love for this incredible, albeit rather bizarre, woman sitting beside me." He glanced at Grelle and smiled. "She brings a passion into the lives of everyone she meets. She breathes a fire that ignites us and binds us to her and keeps us here, always coming back though years may pass, because to leave her would be unimaginable. It has been a privilege to spend the last twelve decades of my life by her side." He raised his glass. "To Grelle."

"To Grelle."

They drank and Sebastian sat down, and the chatter resumed as dessert was served. Auden kept her eye on Grelle and Sebastian, watched as they spoke softly for a moment, words she couldn't hear under the bustle, and Sebastian brought himself forward to kiss Grelle. One that was just for her and not for anyone else, not for show. It was so quiet and private and gentle and it made Auden grateful and thrilled to be able to spend the rest of her life with people like these.

After dinner there was dancing, and after dancing the party broke apart until morning, Auden falling into the plush covers on her bed and sleeping the most soundly she had in ages.