“You also said that you were domestic partners.”

“We are.”

“Legally? You have the official certificate?” Dana was starting to get defensive, but held herself in check.

“Yes.”

“Good,” Sharon said. Alice and Dana looked at each other in shock and then from Sharon to Irwin, who let a small smile play across his lips.

“Your mother and I could never approve of you living in sin.” Sharon and Irwin laughed. Clearly, they were pleased with themselves.

“Oh my God, it’s genetic,” Alice exclaimed. “You get your lame jokes from your parents.”

Dana didn’t know if she was happy or horrified. Her parents had gone out of their way to make sure that she and Alice understood that they had completely accepted their relationship, but in doing so, had confused domestic partnership for marriage. As they got ready for bed, Alice read her mind.

“Dane, it was a joke, not a political statement,” she said quietly. “Let it go.”

“You don’t know my parents Alice. There had to be more to it than that.”

“I know them better than you think,” Alice said thoughtfully. “I know that when things were really bad, all they wanted was what they thought was best for you. I don’t know what it was, exactly, that made your Mom come around, but I do know that she found a way to get past her own feelings and do what she knew you wanted her to do. I know that your Dad was so scared that he couldn’t think straight.”

They had never really talked about this and Dana didn’t know what to say.

“So that’s why I’m willing to cut them some slack,” Alice said. “I mean, if, as far as they’re concerned, we’re married and they’re happy for us, that’s more than I ever hoped for. So maybe,” she paused long enough to kiss Dana, teasing her lower lip for a fleeting second before continuing, “we should stop looking for trouble.”

Dana and Alice sat nervously in Dr. Bowman’s office the following Thursday. They’d become accustomed to her calling them with the results from Dana’s scans and blood work, so they were trying to prepare themselves for the worst when the doctor bustled in.

“Congratulations Dana, you’re cancer free!’ Dr. Bowman smiled broadly as she waited for the news to sink in. Alice and Dana were stunned.

“Before we get too excited, what’s the bad news?” inquired Alice.

“There is no bad news.”

Alice looked at Dana who slowly let her trademark grin overtake her before pulling Alice into an embrace.

“You did it baby,” Alice said softly. She was afraid to trust this after everything they’d been through.

“I’m recommending that you take the fifth round next week, so all of your immune system precautions should stay in place for the time being, but I don’t think you’ll need to continue after that. We’ll schedule scans and blood work every six weeks for the next year and then back off to once every three months, which means we’ll still be seeing each other quite a bit,” Dr. Bowman said. “And if you’d like to consider reconstruction now, I don’t see why you couldn’t tolerate that procedure in another couple of months. I’ll be happy to give you a referral.”

“We should call everyone,” Dana said as they drove home, but made no effort to get her phone.

“We will,” Alice said, “but let’s live with it for a few minutes.” It was taking all of her concentration to drive.

They held hands and smiled at each other, failing to notice that the light changed until they were interrupted by an insistent honk from behind. Celine Dion’s Because You Loved Me came on the radio as they pulled onto their block. Dana listened for a few moments and started to speak. Alice cut her off.

“Don’t even think about it. No pop divas, Dane.”

“How did you know?”

“I’m psychic.”

“I’m not sure you get veto rights on this Alice. I mean, it’s my gift to you.”

“Baby, you won’t have to think about it. You’ll just know when it’s right. I’ll know it when I hear it. And this isn’t it.”

As Dana unlocked the front door, the reality finally hit Alice. Her elation came bubbling out as she engulfed Dana in her arms and kissed her. Leaning back, she let out a joyous scream, causing Dana to laugh.

“Hey world,” Alice shouted at the top of her lungs. “Dana Fairbanks beat cancer!”