Dana placed her hand on the small of Alice’s back and ushered her towards the table. Howie looked up as Alice approached and patted the seat next to him. “Hey, sexy!” Alice blushed again and sat down in the chair Howie had offered. Dana shot Howie a warning look. Sharon stepped in.

“Dana, don’t look at your brother like that, and Howard! You stop it right now.” Alice reached over under the table to rub Dana’s thigh as soon as she was seated on the other side of her. And there was Alice, smack dab in the middle of the Fairbanks siblings, looking straight ahead and the mother and father of the love of her life.

“What?! I was just sayin’ that Alice here is looking really, REALLY good today.” He winked and bit at the air in between himself and Alice. Alice softly chuckled. “Thanks, How.” Dana tensed up. “Howie, how would you like this fork in the side of your head?” Alice’s eyes grew big and she squeezed Dana’s thigh.

“Dana you don’t talk to your brother like that. Last warning Howard.” The stale gaze Sharon set on her son was on of practiced perfection. Howie threw his hands up in mock defense and took a drink of his soda. Alice chuckled again. “Have they always fought like this?”

Sharon reached across the table and grabbed Alice’s hand, squeezing it for a moment. “Only every waking second.” Alice smiled sweetly and leaned over to whisper in Dana’s ear. “I like it when you’re protective. It gets me so hot.” Alice pulled back and kissed Dana on the cheek before turning back to the Fairbanks parents.

“So, Alice, Dana told me about the past few weeks. What do you think of all this?” She motioned between Alice and Dana. Alice felt her cheeks flush. “I honestly didn’t see it coming, but I’m so glad it did.” Alice glanced over at Dana who’s eyes were halfway glazed over. She was obviously still caught up on Alice’s little whispered confession.

“Well, Irwin and I knew there was something stronger than a simple friendship between the two of you when we met you and saw how you interacted together. We are so glad Dana made the correct decision. We’ve never seen her so happy.” Alice’s smile lit up the whole room. Just then she looked over at Dana, who was smiling ear-to-ear too.

The waiter showed up with their food. “I’m sorry that we ordered for you. Dana told us what you like so we just went ahead and ordered.” Alice immediately waved Sharon off. “Don’t worry about it Mrs. Fairbanks. This looks amazing.” As Alice dug into her salad, she was thanking whatever god was looking over her for the smooth ride of the conversation.

Just when she thought things were perfect, Howie broke in. “Wait, Dana, where’s your cast?” Dana froze mid-bite and Alice coughed on the wine she was taking a sip of. Sharon set her fork down and wiped her mouth with her napkin before speaking. “I hadn’t noticed, Dana. Where is your cast?”

“Ahhh, mother fucker.” Alice’s spine went rigid at Dana’s muttered profanity. “DANA ELIZABETH FAIRBANKS!” Dana sighed and started in on the story of her drunken surgery attempt. As Dana told the story, Alice kept her gaze set on the table. “Well, Dana, we are very disappointed in you.”

“I know, mom. But, Alice and I are going to go.” Dana grabbed her crutches before reaching in her back pocket and leaving much more than was needed on the table. After everyone had said their goodbye and gotten their hugs in, Alice and Dana made their way out to Dana’s Mercedes.

“That went really well.” Alice sighed at Dana’s words. “Yeah, I know. Thank god.” They held hands as Dana started the car. “Let’s go home. We need to get ready to go see Tegan and Sara." Alice smiled and rubbed circles on the back of Dana’s hand as they drove back to her apartment.