Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was the first Saturday in August, and the weather seemed intent on murdering anyone who set foot on the asphalt. Agatha snorted as she tied her hair back into a high ponytail. In the backyard, she had a wife to remind that she could take a break from work as she might get heatstroke.

"Rio, dear," she said softly once she was in the backyard. The woman turned around, still holding her hammer. "Aren't you hot?" she decided to ask when she saw her wearing her overalls and a long-sleeved shirt.

"Is this an invitation to something?" she asked, misunderstanding the question. Agatha was quick to laugh. "The weather, right? No, it's not as hot as being in the workshop," she shrugged before returning to her work.

"What did they ask you to do?" she asked, interested, as she approached with her arms crossed.

"A birdhouse. I decided to make it today because it doesn't take as long," she replied, showing her progress. "What do you think? I still need to add the roof and paint it."

"Very pretty. You're very creative with the details," she praised, looking closely. Rio smiled at her before kissing her cheek. "You can work inside, and you know it.”

"I'm still remodeling the workshop; it'll take a few more days, and I don't want to leave it full of sawdust where Nicky could walk; it would be dangerous," the carpenter reminded her, and Agatha nodded after a few seconds.

Rio had been expanding her personal workshop for a few weeks. That's where she began working in her profession, long before she found herself with a commercial space where she worked alongside Alice and Monica, her college classmates. She was very fond of her home workshop and was always fixing something so she wouldn't forget her early days at work.

In addition to the workshop, she had a small chicken coop that she personally took care of. She kept four hens and one rooster in a space she had built herself. In fact, the feeders, waterers, and perches had all been made by her. Agatha helped her by giving her the tools, but Rio took care of the entire setup. It was her profession, after all. She had been a certified carpenter for 13 years, specializing in construction carpentry.

The baby monitor made a noise and Agatha picked it up while Rio watched intently. Two hours ago, Nicky had started his nap but seemed to be dreaming, as he babbled something and then fell silent. Both mothers laughed and then put the monitor away. Nicky was at that stage where he would sleep at least a 3-hour nap, he still had a lot of dreaming to do.

Rio decided to go in after finishing the roof. Agatha had a glass of lemonade ready for her who thanked her with a kiss and a hug. Both women sat around the kitchen island and Agatha took the opportunity to check some work emails. She didn't deal with those matters on the weekends, but on Monday they had to remodel a local lawyer's office and she wanted to go over some details. Rio poked her with her finger every so often to get her attention, she succeeded without fail and received a kiss every time. She always asked for her opinion regarding her designs and planning. Rio especially enjoyed looking at the color palettes and the plans.  

After closing her laptop, she stretched a little while Rio poured herself another glass of lemonade. She had rolled up the sleeves of her shirt so she wouldn't be feeling the change in temperature. Agatha laughed as she stood up, gathering her materials to take to her office. The monitor buzzed again, and they both fell silent. In less than a few seconds, a chatty Nicky showed he was fully awake.

"I'm going," Rio announced, taking the monitor and kissing her wife goodbye before heading for the stairs.

Agatha headed to her office on the first floor. After opening the door, she put away her laptop, plans, and notebook. She liked to keep it handy for when she had a last-minute idea and didn't want to turn it on. She heard Rio coming down the stairs loudly, singing a song. Agatha smiled before closing the door, ready to join her family.

"Mom," Nicky mentioned when he saw her. It was his favorite word since he learned to say it with Mommy, the way he referred to Rio.

"Hello, my precious baby," she greeted him before kissing his cheek and forehead. "How did you sleep?" she asked with interest, and the baby nodded, resting his head on Rio's shoulder.

"Good," he said simply after a few seconds. Both women smiled before walking into the living room.

They had installed electrical outlet protectors, door stoppers, and corner protectors since Nicky learned to walk unaided. It had been three months since then, and the little one seemed to want to learn everything immediately. Often, they had to follow him because he would flop to the floor, tired and ready for a nap. One time, Agatha found him sleeping outside the bathroom door while he waited for Rio to finish her shower.

Rio lay down on the floor to help put the puzzle together. Nicky would get frustrated when a piece didn't fit, so Rio would show him the correct way to put it together. Agatha decided to make dinner early. Tomorrow they had a barbecue with their friends, so they wanted to go to bed early to get the right amount of rest. She decided on something as simple as chicken and cheese burritos. She finished gathering the ingredients to save them for later, although she did decide to chop the cilantro right away.

"Buddy, you need a diaper change urgently," Rio exclaimed, laughing after a few minutes. Agatha wiped her hands and approached. "We'll make an appointment at the diaper change office. What do you think, son?"

"I'll take care of it. Can you preheat the oven for me?" Agatha asked, and Rio quickly nodded, handing Nicky, but not before kissing his cheek.

Agatha took the little one upstairs to his room, still holding a puzzle piece. It would serve as a distraction while Agatha cleaned him properly. She prepared his new diaper and powder while Nicky was distracted with the toy. Agatha smiled as she ran a hand through his hair. His brown eyes, like Rio's, were expressive, his way of smiling too. He already had almost all of his baby teeth and proudly showed them whenever asked.

"I'll tell you about the first time I saw your mommy, Nicky," the designer decided as she began to clean her son.

[August 2008, Corvallis, Oregon]

"This is a mess, Jen," Agatha complained, already tired of walking. "All the accommodations are full, and the application period for on-campus housing has ended. We'll have to sleep on the street."

"Yes, and it's my fault. I delayed my registration too much and dragged you into this," the dark-eyed woman murmured, exhausted. "Well, we still have an ace up our sleeve, don't we?"

"Yes, my dad will move heaven and earth to find us a place to live, at least for this semester," she laughed ironically as she crossed her arms.

"Why don't you take advantage of the privileges of having wealthy parents? In less than two minutes we'd have a place to live," she asked, confused, and Agatha leaned against a wall.

"Because I want to do this my way. I won't always have them watching over my every step. I just wanted to prove I could do something right," she complained in frustration as she brought both hands to her face. "If I call my father, I'll be admitting defeat on something as simple as renting an apartment... Let's try a little harder, okay? Hiram Harkness will be our last option."

"You're right, we're not going to give up that easily," the woman nodded in agreement as she clung to her friend's arm to continue moving forward.

They took another break after searching for another 20 minutes without success. Agatha was starting to feel frustrated while Jen tried to motivate the situation. They entered a café and collapsed into a seat, huffing and puffing tiredly. The brunette covered her face with both hands, accepting defeat and giving herself the strength to call her father and ask for his help.

"Do you want a drink? Maybe we need to clear our heads and rest," Jen suggested, and Agatha sighed as she nodded. "Two iced coffees then. I'll be back in a second."

Agatha looked out the window to avoid overthinking further, she was about to give up, about to agree with her parents, she couldn't do something as basic as getting a place to live since they hadn't entered the college residences period, this semester was crucial for both students since it was the first, they wanted to start off the right way but this inconvenience was taking away her desire to continue looking for the rest of the day, only a miracle could save them from having to call her parents.

"Agatha, you're not going to believe this," Jen whispered after returning to the table with both coffees. "I complained out loud about the lack of apartments while I waited for my turn, and the barista told me she was looking for roommates."

"That easy?" Agatha asked nervously. Yes, she wanted a miracle, but she had to assess the situation. Jen left a piece of paper on the table.

"She couldn't explain much because she had to keep serving, but they're both Linn-Benton students, they have part-time jobs, and they need at least two roommates," she recalled as Agatha read the paper. A bit of what Jen had said was written, in addition to the location of the building. The brunette did a mental calculation regarding the distance. Yes, it was close to the college and there was quick access to public transportation.

"Okay, they need roommates, and we need a place to live, but I'm sure many people are in our situation. Why haven't they found roommates at this point in the month? The semester starts in less than a month" Agatha asked. Her father was naturally suspicious, and Agatha had to put herself in that position. It seemed simple, but she wanted to know everything she needed to know; after all, it was a place to live with people she didn't know.

Jen jotted down a portion of the sheet and Agatha read it carefully. They had explicitly stated that they were both lesbians, a way to avoid hate crimes or discrimination. It also served to avoid living with homophobic people. Agatha realized that perhaps they had been close to finding roommates, but by mentioning they were lesbians, things had changed. It was 2008. Perhaps society wasn't as conservative as it had been a few decades ago, but it was still possible to meet people who disliked the mere fact that other people didn't see things according to the lifestyle "established by God and the Bible." Agatha nodded immediately. Yes, in a few seconds she had convinced herself that they would be the ones.

"We'll have to get to know each other and do the interview the brochure calls for, but it'll be fine. I have a good feeling," Jen indicated, and Agatha raised an eyebrow when she saw her gaze shift to the counter.

"Yeah, it definitely has to do with the barista, right?" she asked, laughing. Jen smiled but didn't deny it, just sipped her coffee. "Four lesbians living together. What could go wrong?"

Her potential roommate (the barista) had introduced herself as Alice after finishing her shift. She told them to follow her to the bus stop. It was a relatively short trip, but the day was too hot to walk any further. They arrived at the building, and Alice led them to the third floor. They had to wait for her friend to start getting to know each other, but Alice wanted to show them around first. Upon entering, they were met directly by the living room and a dining room for four. Jen looked around while Agatha paused to examine some of the decor.

"It's 651 square feet, we have a balcony, and three bedrooms." Both women turned to look at her. "Yes, I know there are two of you, but we have the option of asking our landlord for a bunk, either for Rio and me or the two of you... These are desperate times.”

"Is the rent too high?" Agatha asked, seeing everything in order. Alice pretended to choke herself with her hands, and Jen laughed. "I understand. Four people would make it easier," Agatha added as she sat down on the couch.

"Did you guys have another roommate before?" Jen asked with interest as she walked around what appeared to be the kitchen.

"Yes, George, but he graduated last semester and went back to his hometown for a job offer," she explained, and they both understood the need for a new roommate. "You're both freshmen, right? Rio and I will be starting our fifth semester.”

"Yes, I'm in business administration, and Agatha is in design," the woman said with a smile. "We were late on campus residency registration, and we won't have a chance until the next semester starts, so... We're also in desperate times."

Alice had texted her roommate named Rio, who replied that she was on her way. The women sat on the couch and made small talk while they waited for the new woman to arrive. They learned that both women were studying carpentry and wanted to specialize in the field. In fact, Rio worked part-time at a local workshop to begin improving her skills and further her internship.

"Excuse me for asking, but that lock of hair looks great on you. How did you choose the color? I'd like to dye my hair someday," Alice asked, looking at Agatha, who was quick to touch her own hair.

"Oh no, it's a naturally gray lock, it's hard to explain," she laughed as she settled into the couch. "My mom's had a gray lock since she was little, too. It's hereditary, I guess," she shrugged, and Alice nodded, fascinated.

"It's heterochromia capillaris," Jen added, and Agatha nodded, laughing. "It suits her, doesn't it? A way to know in advance what she'll look like when she's old."

Alice laughed and Agatha gave her middle finger to her friend who blew her a kiss. The apartment door opened, and everyone turned in that direction. A woman with black hair tied in a messy ponytail walked in, carrying a bag over her shoulder. Seeing the new faces, she smiled a little nervously. Agatha quickly noticed that she had a gap between her teeth. "Very cute," she thought to herself, as everyone stood up.

"This is Rio, my friend and roommate," Alice introduced her as she approached the newcomer. "This is Jennifer and this is Agatha. We met at the coffee shop," she introduced them as they approached to greet each other.

"It's a pleasure, girls. I hope Alice made you feel comfortable," Rio murmured, sounding somewhat shy. Jen nodded as Agatha shook her hand. "Have you checked out the place yet?"

"Yes, Alice told us everything," the future manager mentioned as Agatha stood next to her; Jen was better with introductions. "But we were waiting for you for the formal interview, a way for us to get to know each other better, right?”

"Right, yes, that's a good idea," Rio said, noticing she still had her bag and taking it off in seconds. "I should take a shower. I hope Alice told you we only have one bathroom."

"I already told them everything that might scare them off: the beds, the bathroom, that the rent is hitting us in the ass, and that we're lesbians," the woman listed, and Rio let out a nervous laugh. "That's why I texted you that I had a good feeling. If that doesn't scare them off, then they're the ones."

"First semester?" the black-haired woman asked, and they both nodded. "As you can tell, we really need roommates and you guys a place to live, even though we know that sharing a room might not be what you expected in an apartment.”

"We were going to share a room at the dorm, it's no problem for us," Agatha said, and Jen nodded.

"Then the master bedroom could be yours. It has more space for two beds," Alice mentioned, and Rio nodded in agreement. "Do we have a deal?"

"I'm in. Agatha?" Jen asked, and the blue-eyed girl nodded after a few seconds. "Great, we have a deal.”

"In a few days, we'll have the bedroom ready, and then you can decorate it however you want. Is that okay with you?" Rio asked more confidently, and they both nodded. "Good, it's good that we're so committed to this; it'll be a good time together."

"We'll keep in touch then," Agatha murmured after jotting down her number in Alice's address book. Jen did the same a few minutes before. "Come on, my parents are expecting me for dinner."

"It's still early, isn't it? Don't you want to see the facilities? There's a pool, a laundry area, a gym," Alice listed as Rio placed both hands on her waist.

"It's almost a 2-hour drive home and Agatha's parents are very serious about dinner time, maybe next time," Jen said, and Agatha shrugged, somewhat embarrassed. "We left the car in downtown Corvallis and it's my turn to drive.”

"I fear for my life every time you have to drive," Agatha laughed as Jen gently pushed her by the waist. "It was a pleasure, girls. We're so lucky we found each other."

"We can drop you off at your car," Rio said as she rolled up the sleeves of her shirt. "Come on, Alice, let's be nice.”

"Of course," Alice laughed as she walked forward. Apparently, the shower Rio had initially wanted to take could wait.

When they arrived at the building's parking lot, they found themselves in front of a Ford Explorer. Rio told them it was a 1999 model year and a gift from her parents for her 18th birthday. Alice climbed into the passenger seat, while both friends sat in the back. The ride wasn't that long, and they soon identified the 2007 Toyota Corolla they had left in a central location with access to parking. It had also been a gift from Agatha's parents after the blue-eyed girl had used a bicycle for transportation throughout most of her teenage years.

"Okay, thanks for the ride, girls. See you soon," Jen said after getting out. Alice waved from the passenger seat.

"Thank you for wanting to live with us. We were starting to think we had some kind of curse," Rio replied before laughing. "Have a safe trip home."

The two said their goodbyes and then walked over to the vehicle. The girls left after a few seconds, and Agatha handed the keys to Jen. The future manager could reduce a trip by 10 minutes whenever she was behind the wheel. The brunette prayed to all the gods before getting in as co-pilot. At least they had accomplished something important today by getting a place to live for this first semester.

[August 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"My love," Rio called from the kitchen as Agatha came down the stairs with Nicky in her arms. "Everything's ready for dinner.”

“Great, thanks for taking care of it,” Agatha whispered as she leaned in for a kiss. “Nicky, do you want this one or that one?” she asked, showing two different cups. The boy pointed to the one with the Bluey design on it, which seemed to be his favorite that week.

Nicky, with his own highchair, was the first to approach the table. He asked to go up and Agatha let him sit and then kissed his head. The little boy received his cup of raspberry juice and drank a little through the straw while Rio approached with the plates. Agatha loved burritos because of how simple they were to cook. They could be mixed with many ingredients or made in a simple way. Saturdays were quieter days and being at home they didn't want to spend so much time in the kitchen.

Agatha sat closer to Nicky to help him with the food. The little one was curious about what was on his plate, so he used his hands to explore the food. Rio had cut the contents of the burrito into small pieces. The tortilla seemed to be his favorite part so far, and the chicken was familiar to him. The cheese took its time, and the cilantro didn't seem as pleasant at first bite, but the second (and with a bit of chicken) seemed to taste better.

"What should we bring tomorrow? I was thinking of a fruit cocktail," Rio asked after sipping from her glass. Agatha nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Alice confirmed, right?" she asked, and Rio nodded. "It would be inappropriate to ask Wanda what's going on with Monica... But I'm dying to know.”

"You should send her a text, Monica also confirmed," the black-haired laughed, while Nicky decided to pick at the cheese with his fingers. "I'm sure they're fine. Monica wouldn't go if things were awkward, right? That would be weird."

"Or maybe she'll go to try to make things right. Wanda was really upset the last time I spoke to her," she added, leaning back in her chair. "Monica doesn't say anything to you, does she?"

"No, Alice asks her, but she says it's not a topic she'd like to discuss at work. Do you think Monica is to blame?" she asked curiously, and Agatha shrugged.

"I think Wanda's upset because she was starting to open up to Monica, but it seems she got scared. I don't blame her. Wanda ended a five-year relationship a few months ago, and it's something new for both of them," Agatha murmured after Nicky offered her some of his food, accepting with a smile. "But Monica must be thinking about something too, right? Maybe you should talk to her and support her with whatever she needs, along with Alice. That's what Jen and I are doing regarding Wanda."

"Okay, we'll have an intervention tomorrow," the carpenter promised as she leaned over to wipe Nicky's cheek.

After dinner Agatha took care of the cleaning while Rio went up with Nicky to his room, the little one had started to yawn while the carpenter was reading "Thumbelina" to him in the living room, after going to the bathroom she prepared what was necessary to put him to sleep, he needed a last diaper change and to put on his pajamas, Nicky was still yawning so he didn't cooperate much with the change of clothes but Rio didn't complain, she liked to kiss his forehead every time he closed his eyes because he was sleepy.

Rio noticed the way his nose wrinkled after he yawned. He looked so much like Agatha with that gesture. She stroked his cheek and brown hair. She wanted to stay with him a little longer, so she decided to leave him in the crib and sit next to him, just to watch him as he fell asleep. She smiled at him and leaned back in the chair. Suddenly, she thought of something more to tell than just the story of "Thumbelina."

"You won't remember this, Nicky, but I'll tell you what the first few months of living with your mom were like," the black-haired began, while the baby tried to keep his eyes open for a few more seconds.

[October 2008, Corvallis, Oregon]

"I'm late, really late," Jen complained after grabbing a donut from the kitchen. "Agatha, can I have a ride?" she asked, opening the door to the room they shared.

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily, and Rio laughed from the dining room after drinking her coffee. She was supposed to go to the workshop in an hour, but she was taking her time with breakfast.

"7:50 am, and the professor is going to scold me if I'm late again," she said, almost pleading. "Yes, again. I'm sorry the sheets kept catching me when I should be awake."

"That's Alice's fault," Rio mentioned from the dining room. Jen turned around with a menacing glare. “They stayed chatting in the living room until the early hours of the morning.”

Agatha appeared under the door frame in her pajamas with her hair messy. She crossed her arms and looked at Jen with a raised eyebrow. Her friend shrugged without denying what Rio had said, who laughed before continuing to drink her coffee. Agatha put on a sweater and grabbed her car keys as Jen quickly followed her, not before flashing her tongue at Rio.

"Agatha, let her walk," the black-haired mocked, and Agatha laughed while shaking her head. "No, she'd better trot."

"Very funny, Rio Caridad," the future administrator mocked, then escaped before Rio could respond.

Alice appeared in the living room after her friends left. Rio raised an eyebrow from the table, and the black-haired laughed and then yawned. Yes, it was her fault Jen stayed up late, since she found it interesting to hear Alice talk about the worst coffee blends they ordered at the cafe, like roasted coffee with sugar. Rio knew by heart that was the option her friend hated the most.

"You should have dropped your damsel off at college," the brown-eyed woman mocked. Alice laughed as she sat down in the chair across from her. "Casanova, you haven't even made a real move."

"Shut up, I don't want to screw up and leave us without a roommate," she mentioned, crossing her arms. "For the first time, I'm able to save some money, and I'd like to keep it that way.”

"So you're not going to make a move?" she asked, and Alice shook her head after thinking about it for a few seconds. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I'm just saying."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll think about it while I'm washing my hair, bye." She got up to head to the bathroom. Rio shook her head as she continued with her coffee.

After 10 minutes, Agatha was back in the apartment. She took off her sweater and got ready to go back to bed. Her first class of the day would be at 1:00 pm, so she could still get a couple of hours of rest. Rio got up and followed her to her room, knocking on her door before entering. The brunette was already covered by the duvet and looked at Rio with a smile.

"You and Jen are a very interesting friend," the brown-eyed girl mentioned as she came over to sit on the spare bed.

"Best friends since kindergarten," she said with a smile. "Actually, no. Since first grade. In kindergarten, she sat behind me, pulled my hair, and I took her toys. In first grade, we officially became friends."

"Did you promise to do everything together?" she asked with interest as Agatha settled into her bed. "Alice and I have known each other since middle school and became friends over our mutual interest in carpentry.”

"The opportunity arose to study at the same college, and we took it, but we focused on different areas. One day we'll be partners, and she'll manage my future design studio," she spoke about her future plans, and Rio smiled.

"Alice and I also want to work together, have our own place, and manage our own schedules," Rio murmured as Agatha watched her closely. "It's good to make plans; it keeps you on your toes."

"You're right, Rio," she said calmly, running a hand over her face. "Since it seems Jen and Alice are more than just friends, we should gossip about their lives.”

"I was waiting for you to bring it up. Alice said she didn't want to take any chances. What does Jen say?" she asked, interested.

"She says she thinks Alice is very pretty and interesting, but she doesn't want to pick up on the signals she's sending her." She laughed a little. Rio rolled her eyes.

"Alice thinks she'll ruin it before it's time," Rio complained, crossing her arms. "We should intervene, shouldn't we?”

"Mhm, you can ask me in a few hours. My eyes are closing now," she whispered, still tired, and Rio laughed as she stood up. "Do you have work today?"

"Yes, but in the afternoon. Rest, Agatha," the black-haired said goodbye before leaving the room, gently closing the door.

Alice appeared with her hair still damp, and Rio flashed her tongue before heading into the kitchen. Her friend had classes during the day and would then have a shift at the cafeteria. It would be the only time she'd see her that day, so she should take advantage of the opportunity to annoy her a little. For her part, she had to fix some things at the workshop in an hour. She didn't have to work until the afternoon, but she liked being there even in her free time. Her classes were in the afternoon; she had enough time to be in both places.

"Are you coming for dinner?" Alice asked, and Rio nodded after a few seconds. "Okay, what do you want to eat? We're trying to organize dinners when we're all at the apartment, a way to mix things up."

"I'm guessing, Jen's idea?" she asked interestedly, and her friend rolled her eyes before laughing and gently pushing her. "That's actually a great idea. I'd like to eat burritos."

"Okay, I'll write it down then," she replied, grabbing her phone. The black-haired nodded as she searched for a water bottle from the refrigerator. "Give me a ride? My motorcycle will be in the shop for another week.”

"I think we should organize it's funeral, don't you? It’s been in the shop for almost a month, and every time they think they've fixed it, it fails again," the brown-eyed woman mentioned honestly. Alice sighed; she knew better than anyone. "I'll take you wherever you want, let's go."

"I can't say goodbye to my motorcycle; it's my independent means of transportation." She ran a hand over her face after speaking. "I'll have to think about it. If I sell it, it'll be dismantled, and just thinking about it hurts; it's my baby."

"I know, Alice, I know." Rio hugged her shoulders for a few seconds. "I'm going to brush my teeth, and we'll go out, okay? I won't be long.”

When Rio returned to the living room after brushing her teeth, Agatha was back on her feet. Apparently, all the chatter in the living room had managed to wake her up, or maybe she hadn't gotten back to a deep sleep. Alice was showing her something on her phone, and the brunette was nodding with her arms crossed. It seemed to be something very interesting.

"What are you watching?" she asked, interested, after putting on her sweater. Both women looked at her with a smile.

"Katy Perry in the "Hot N Cold" video," Alice mentioned, and Agatha nodded, still staring at the screen. "Her album, "One of the Boys," is quite good. Agatha showed it to me a few days ago.”

"I remembered the video for the song was coming out today, so I jumped out of bed to remind Alice," the future designer shrugged, and Rio laughed as she approached. "Alice, tell Rio what your favorite song is."

"What? No, she'll make fun of me," Alice whispered, and Agatha laughed as she approached Rio.

"Rio, promise to be nice to Alice. She's your friend and you love her, right?" she asked sweetly. Rio thought it was a veiled threat. "If Alice wants to hear something different, that's no reason to make fun of her. Do we have a deal?”

"Of course, Alice can listen to whatever she wants, and I'm her friend. I should support her," she replied, crossing her arms and smiling playfully. "Tell me your favorite song, Alice."

"It's called Lost," she shrugged, then picked up her bag. "Can we go? I'm running late, Agatha. We can talk about the video at dinner."

"Great, have a nice day, Alice." The brunette patted her shoulder and then walked to her room, but not before poking Rio's ribs with her fingers, who grinned.

"Agatha," the black-haired called before she closed the door. The brunette paused to look at her closely. "And what's your favorite song on the album?"

Agatha seemed to think about it for a few seconds while Rio looked at her intently. Alice waited by the door while the brunette decided. It seemed to be a very important question because Agatha was taking her time.

"It's called 'Thinking of You,'" she mentioned after a few seconds. Rio nodded slowly. "I like the rhythm and the lyrics, yes.”

"That's my second favorite," Alice indicated, opening the door. Agatha smiled at them and then closed hers.

Rio followed Alice to the Ford Explorer and, after getting in, put on her seatbelt. While Alice left her bag in the backseat and looked out the window, they pulled out of the parking lot. Linn-Benton was a little further away (13 miles from the apartment), a 20-minute drive. It was also the closest thing they found when they arrived in the university neighborhoods a few years ago. After that, they simply didn't want to look any further and stayed in the comfort of the apartment they already knew.

"What were the songs called?" Rio asked at a red light. Alice looked at her, confused. "I want to choose my favorite song too, but I'll start with the ones you chose.”

"Lost and Thinking of You by Katy Perry," Alice replied with a half smile. Rio nodded, still looking straight ahead. "If you manage to find a favorite song, please let Agatha know. She'll be very happy that someone else is listening to an artist she likes."

"Lady Gaga is my favorite new artist of the year. I don't have that many different tastes, Alice," she laughed as she continued driving. "In fact, I'll tell Agatha to listen to Lady Gaga and pick a favorite song, too."

"She's a good friend, don't you think? She cares a lot about us. We were missing that at the apartment because we're always minding our own business," Alice mentioned, and Rio nodded in agreement. "I hope they decide to stay when the semester ends and there are new vacancies in the dorms.”

"Let's hope so. We have to be good roommates so they don't feel the need to leave, okay?" Alice nodded before looking out the window. "Good, everything will be fine then."

[August 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"How did it go with Nicky?" Agatha asked once Rio entered the dorm. The carpenter smiled as she stretched her arms, the weight of the day taking its toll on her body.

"Good, he fell fast asleep after I told him a story," she laughed as she took off her shoes. "So tomorrow we'll have an intervention. Remember the last time we did one with Jen and Alice?”

"Yes, it was a complete success," she said ironically as she remembered. Both friends had been upset because they decided to lock them in a room. At least they fixed things. "Jen didn't speak to me for a week; she didn't even want me to take her to college."

"Alice pretended not to hear me when I was talking to her, that's how I realized they were soulmates," she said, laughing at the memory. She took off her overalls and left them folded in the laundry basket. "Tomorrow will be fine. You take care of Wanda, and we'll take care of Monica. By the end of the day, they'll be back together."

"Let's have faith," Agatha murmured, taking off her glasses. She was reading a home-decorating magazine and decided to pause to look at her wife. "My mother's birthday is in a month, and I'm thinking about what I should get her.”

"You can never go wrong with a pair of earrings," she murmured, and Agatha laughed from the bed. "Do you want me to help you choose one? I have very good taste in expensive jewelry."

"I'd love to, darling," she whispered as the carpenter put on her pajamas. "The earrings are a good idea. I'll arrange to see them on Monday so I can get the gift in advance."

"Are they having a party?" she asked, and Agatha nodded. "I'll give her a bouquet of flowers. I hope she likes them.”

"You'll never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers," Agatha repeated as Rio lay down beside her, kissing her cheek. "Did you talk to Alexander?"

"He's on a theater tour, so he doesn't have much time to answer me," she shrugged, and Agatha looked at her. "Yes, I told him he could stay here if he needed to. I thought my parents weren't mad at him anymore, but I was wrong."

"What exactly happened?" Agatha asked, looking at her wife intently.

"Dad got mad at Alexander for the Fourth of July scandal. My brother got drunk in front of the guests and then made a scene worthy of a viral video. It was right after we left," she recalled, and Agatha grimaced. "I don't know how bad it was, but Alexander was also mad at him for telling him off the next day. They haven't spoken for a month."

"It's not the first time they've gone so long without speaking, right?" she asked, and Rio nodded with a sigh.

"When he got Mom's birthday tattooed instead of Dad’s" she laughed at the memory. Agatha smiled at her. "I think my dad can't stand the fact that Alexander has always been so independent. He can go a month without calling, just send a text saying "I'm fine, living life," and then disappear for another full month.”

"He's an actor doing his job in the theater. They should let him live his career the way he decides," Agatha murmured as she settled into bed. "I love you, I'm so sleepy."

"Go to sleep. I'll go to the bathroom and join you," the carpenter whispered, kissing her wife's forehead before getting up.

Agatha smiled with her eyes closed, and when Rio went into the bathroom, she sighed contentedly. It had been a long day, and they both needed to rest. Tomorrow they would have a lot to do, or rather, try to do during the barbecue at Wanda's house.

(...)

The redhead lived a five-minute drive from the couple, so it obviously didn't take them long to arrive. They were always the first to arrive and the ones who helped put everything in place for the other guests to arrive. Wanda was her friend and partner at the office. They had met in college and worked together on the most ambitious or difficult projects that came up. Jen was obviously the one who managed everything behind the scenes. As a team, they had become one of the most sought-after and respected studios in Washington County, also celebrating the fact that a few months ago they had joined a large local architecture and design firm.

They had decided to go out in Agatha's Nissan Versa. Rio took charge of driving since she was an expert at parallel parking. The brunette took charge of removing Nicky's seatbelt and getting him out of the vehicle while her wife took care of the cocktails they had brought for the barbecue. Wanda was quick to greet them, looking radiant on a hot Sunday afternoon where the high had already reached 33°C.

"I hope you brought your swimsuits," the redhead mentioned, and both women looked at each other incomprehensibly. "I mentioned it in the message. Didn't you read it?”

"We thought you were joking," Rio replied as they met at the door, Wanda kissing Nicky soundly on the cheek.

"No, silly girls, I didn't just invite you for a barbecue, but to celebrate the completion of my pool," she reminded them, and Agatha seemed to understand more quickly than her wife.

"I thought it was delayed because of some missing materials," the blue-eyed girl mentioned, and Wanda gestured for them to follow her.

"And I thought it was a removable pool, sorry, Wanda," Rio laughed as they walked toward the backyard, the pool gleaming in the middle of what had once been just grass.

"Ta-da," Wanda pointed with both hands in the direction of the pool, and Agatha whistled in amazement. "Remember when I told you we couldn't have lunch at my house last week? Well, it was because I was hiding this."

"You're really fun to keep secrets, Wanda," Agatha laughed as Rio did a full lap around the pool. "What do you think, honey?”

"Very cool. Now I regret that I didn't read the message. I'll have to jump in fully clothed," she mentioned with a smile, and Agatha rolled her eyes. "Or in my underwear. I'm sure the ladies here want to see something interesting on this hot summer afternoon."

"Very funny," Agatha hissed, and Wanda giggled. She quickly asked for Nicky, and the brunette handed him to her. "Wanda, we'll have a pool day just us and Jen. I'd rather you don't see my wife scantily clad."

"And can the girls see you scantily clad?" The black-haired raised an eyebrow from across the pool, and Wanda laughed a little louder, remembering something.

"Actually, yes, we've already seen her," she blurted out casually, and both women looked at her. "Remember that end-of-semester party at the dorm?”

"Good heavens," Agatha laughed, remembering. "I had a great time. Rio doesn't know the story."

"Yeah, now I'm dying to know," she murmured, confused, as she approached, arms crossed. Wanda was still preoccupied with Nicky in her arms.

[December 2008, Corvallis, Oregon]

"Who wants to sing next?" Agatha asked, holding her makeshift microphone. They were projecting songs onto Wanda's bedroom wall.

Hours had passed since the end of the semester, and after a small celebratory party with the classmates who hadn't left during those first few months (there were 45 students left), 10 of the girls gathered in Wanda's dorm for a night of karaoke, pizza, and alcohol bought with fake ID cards.

"I love that one," Jen mentioned as she heard the first few seconds of the song. "We are the crowd We're c-coming out. Got my flash on, it's true. Need that picture of you. It's so magical. We'd be so fantastical." She prepared her best intonation while the girls clapped and cheered her on.

Agatha was trying alcohol without parental supervision (they had let her drink on her 18th birthday, but she didn't do it often), so she didn't know her resistance or tolerance to alcoholic beverages, but so far she'd had two beers and felt fine, with all her senses still awake.

10:36 pm Rio: Hey, Jen told us you two wouldn't be coming over for the night. Should we be worried?

10:38 pm Agatha: Hey Rio, don't worry too much! We'll be staying in Wanda's dorm. See you tomorrow at the apartment. Get some rest!

10:41 pm Rio: Okay, see you tomorrow. Get some rest too.

"If you could choose between Italian pizza or Hawaiian pizza to eat for the rest of your life, which would you choose?" asked Cindy, a classmate, and Agatha took a few seconds to answer.

"Italian. I'm still getting used to pineapple on pizza," laughed the brunette before toasting her companion, officially opening her third beer.

Jen finished her song by taking a bow as the girls screamed and clapped in her direction. The woman smiled as she put the microphone back in its place. The favorite genre of the evening was pop songs, and Lady Gaga seemed to be the talk of the music industry. Her name was everywhere, and so was her music. Agatha knew this in advance since Rio had introduced her to her music two months ago.

She would be returning home on Sunday for winter break, so she was taking advantage of the opportunity to spend time with her friends before returning to Beaverton. She also had to say goodbye to her roommates since with the start of the holidays, they would all return to their respective homes. She would only see Jen more often since they lived in the same city.

Her parents wanted to go to the ski resort on Mt. Hood, a 1 hour and 40 minute drive from home to take advantage of the December snowfall. Both were good skiers (they met while skiing 26 years ago) while Agatha preferred hiking. They divided their time to be able to do both during the day in the mountains. Agatha didn't complain; there were few opportunities when she saw her busy parents in more relaxed environments.

"Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing. We're just one big family. And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved," Wanda sang as she drank from her can. Agatha did the same, starting to feel a little warm.

"Jen, is the air conditioning on?" she asked, taking off her scarf. Her friend seemed to examine the place and ended up shaking her head. "I'm dying of heat," she added, laughing now, a new effect of alcohol that she wasn't familiar with.

She wasn't the only one starting to feel the effect of the alcohol; at least two other friends were laughing and singing without reservation. Jen laughed as she approached her friend. Agatha thought the sensation would end when she took off her scarf, but it didn't. Soon she found herself unbuttoning her beige cardigan. Jen laughed and took her hands to stop her. Agatha looked at her, confused, still feeling suffocated.

"You're going to catch a cold when we get out of here," she reminded her, but she didn't seem to care. She took off the garment and laughed as if she'd just heard the funniest joke.

Soon she was competing with the other girls to see who could take off the most garments. Wanda tried to engage in conversation about the competition, but they ignored her. Jen simply asked them to turn off their phones. Whatever would happen would remain in the privacy of those four walls. Everyone had at least a few degrees of alcohol in their bodies, so it seemed like the most common thing to do. Agatha had no qualms about staying in her jeans and bra while the others seemed to be suffocating in their own pants. Jen laughed; this would be a good memory to tell her in a few years. Wanda resigned herself to watching the competition. To avoid participating, she put down her beer and focused on the pizza.

[August 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"Short story, Agatha won the competition," Wanda concluded, and Agatha laughed as Nicky rested his head on Wanda's shoulder.

"Does that mean you saw my wife naked long before I did?" Rio asked thoughtfully, and both women laughed at the question.

"No, I won because I took off my jeans. While our teammates wouldn't take off their top clothes, they only saw me in my underwear, honey." Agatha shrugged as Wanda nodded.

"Great, I'll get rid of the mental image of other women seeing my wife naked then," she hissed as she looked at Wanda. "There's something I'd like to ask you, Wanda.”

"Yes, I think you could have another child. You make them very pretty," the redhead said, and the couple laughed. "Well, go ahead, ask whatever you want."

"What's going on with Monica?" she asked bluntly, and Wanda looked at both women before focusing on Nicky. "It's no good ignoring the question, Wanda Maximoff."

"Nothing happens if one party isn't interested in making it happen. Do you understand? Monica isn't looking for anything serious, and I don't want to waste time. End of story," she summarized, and Agatha shook her head.

"That's not how it works because I'm sure you're assuming a lot of things without talking to her first," the blue-eyed woman mentioned, stroking her son's back. "Today's the chance, and no matter what happens, at least you'll have an honest answer."

"Give Monica time; she's a bit stubborn," Rio added, crossing her arms. The redhead sighed in exhaustion and nodded. "Let's start the barbecue up a bit; the girls should be arriving soon."

Agatha nodded in agreement while Wanda settled in with Nicky. She liked having a nephew, but above all, giving him the time he needed. She was very patient when playing with him and tried to decipher the words he said in baby talk. The couple took care of the grill and seasoned the meat that would go on it. They had vegetable skewers to vary their lunch a bit (and for Nicky to eat). Once a month, or sometimes twice a month, they would meet at someone's house to talk about life or just catch up. 

"Good afternoon, ladies," they heard Jen's voice and turned to look at her. "And good afternoon to my best friend in the whole world," she hurried over to kiss Nicky's cheek, who laughed at the tickling his aunt also gave him.

"Hi, Alice and Monica," Rio greeted with a half smile as the latter took off her cap. "We're about to start. If you want, you can help me."

"Since when did Wanda have a pool?" Alice asked, confused, and everyone turned in that direction. "Apparently, the message to bring a swimsuit wasn't a joke.”

"Starting today, officially," Agatha laughed as she handed a cutting board to Monica. "Talk to Wanda before the day is over, and you might still have a chance."

"That doesn't sound very encouraging if it's just a slim chance," she mentioned worriedly, and Rio playfully nudged her. "I will, I will. Thanks for still believing in me, girls."

"It's really hard to trust you with how stubborn you are, but it's our job as friends." Alice shrugged, and they all laughed, including Monica. "Will Wanda mind if I jump in her pool in my underwear? I doubt I have a spare swimsuit, and I'm dying of heat.”

"It's easier for you to go downtown and buy one, right? Or go back home and get it," Rio asked, laughing as she placed both hands on her waist. "Suddenly, the barbecue turned into a pool party."

"I'll go with the girls. Make sure the meat doesn't dry out, okay?" Agatha asked before kissing Rio on the lips goodbye.

It didn't take long for her to reach her colleagues and friends. Nicky was now in Jen's arms, who seemed to be telling something to Wanda, who was looking at her intently. Upon noticing Agatha's presence, both women smiled in her direction. The blue-eyed woman returned the gesture before briefly hugging the women by the shoulders.

"Lesbians having barbecues, society is evolving," the brunette joked before stroking her son's hair. "Would you like to talk to Monica today? We don't want to do anything that might upset you or force you into anything."

"Yeah, I think we should set the record straight today, no matter the outcome," the redhead shrugged as Nicky showed Jen his toy. "Maybe I'm trying too hard, aren't I? I should be single for a while after my last breakup."

"Do you think you're used to being in a relationship?" Jen asked, and Wanda thought for a few seconds before nodding.

"After five years, maybe so. Being single is new to me," she replied sincerely, taking Nicky's small hand to give it a kiss. "But I'll be okay no matter what."

"We'll be here for you, don't forget that," Agatha murmured with a half-smile. The designer nodded, moved. It was good to have those women around whenever she needed them.

Wanda had beers available, but only her, Jen and Monica drank. Alice was driving, Rio too. Agatha was still breastfeeding, so she avoided alcohol and coffee. She had her breast pumping supplies in her purse, but only did so when she wasn't home for a long time or when Nicky wanted a bottle. Sometimes it was a relief when he wanted the bottle, since with most of his teeth out, breastfeeding could hurt a little (quite a bit, to be honest).

"Something I've always wanted to know is who declared to whom in Jen and Alice's relationship," Wanda asked before sipping from her can. "I always believed in Jen, but maybe Alice could surprise me."

"You're right, it was me," Jen laughed as she leaned back in her chair. "Alice couldn't even look me in the eye without stuttering, so one day I said, 'Do you want this as much as I do?' If it's a yes then we will keep going on and if it's a no then we will forget this happened.”

"Very brave," Rio murmured, sipping pineapple juice. "Alice spoke confidently about Jen with me, but she'd get cold feet when they were alone together.”

"It's hard to take the plunge, okay? I felt like a total loser," she recalled, apologizing. All the women laughed. "I was just thinking about how harmonious it was for the four of us to live together. I didn't want to ruin it."

"Have you been dating longer than Rio and Agatha?" Monica asked, and they both nodded.

"You could say so. We started dating in 2009 but briefly broke up in January 2010, while Agatha and Rio started dating that same year. Right?" Jen asked, and Agatha nodded, rocking her baby.

"Agatha and I officially started dating in 2010, but we broke up in 2011. I had graduated and Agatha was starting the fall semester," Rio recalled, and Wanda looked at her friends, somewhat surprised; perhaps she didn't remember that time.

"Is this some kind of first-anniversary crisis or something? I also broke up with my ex-girlfriend after our first anniversary," she asked, laughing, and they all seemed shocked by the realization.

"It's crazy. Alice and I broke up a little before our first anniversary because I felt like we weren't on the same page. I made the decision," Jen said, and Alice nodded, crossing her legs.

"I broke up with Rio because I felt like I was holding her back. She had a lot to figure out after graduating from college, and I didn't want her to miss out on important opportunities. We'd already been together for a year by then," Agatha mentioned as Nicky finally fell asleep in her arms.

"Relationships are very complicated," Monica hissed, receiving a look from Wanda. The woman quickly cleared her throat, somewhat nervous. "Let's raise a glass to that. At least you've overcome your crises, and we're here together."

"You're right. Let's celebrate the fact that we're here together on a hot Sunday afternoon, still good friends," Alice added, and they all raised their drinks in a symbolic toast.

[January 2009, Corvallis, Oregon]

"We're a little late on the Secret Santa gifts, but here's mine," Agatha mentioned as the girls gathered in the parking lot. Everyone had exchanged their gifts, and all that was left was for Agatha to give hers to Alice.

"Good heavens, Agatha, I hope it's not what I think it is," she asked, somewhat concerned, and Jen laughed as she leaned closer to take a look under the blanket. Agatha gently hit her hand.

"I'm so sorry you're sad about your motorcycle, which has been with you for so many years, so I talked to my dad, who used to ride bikes in his teens, and he recommended a model you might like," she began, somewhat nervous. Rio looked at her, arms crossed, a smile on her face. “It's a 2008 Honda Shadow VT750C. My dad said it's cruiser-style, reliable, comfortable, and great for long trips," she listed with her fingers before removing the blanket. 

"She's going to faint," Rio laughed, holding her friend by the shoulders, who was staring at the motorcycle with wide eyes. "We have to give her a moment to process it."

"It's very pretty, you're definitely not going to be long on your college trips," Jen mentioned, looking at it closely. Agatha was starting to worry about Alice's lack of reaction; perhaps she had gone too far with her gift.

The future carpenter simply approached the brunette and hugged her tightly. Agatha smiled a little before returning the gesture. She had found a new kind of sister in Alice, like Jen. Being an only child, she wasn't used to that feeling of gratitude, but she was starting to like it. She was soon scared when she felt Alice cry in her arms. No one else seemed alarmed; apparently, they were tears of happiness.

"You shouldn't have bothered with something so expensive, you know that, right?" She said as they separated, and Agatha nodded, somewhat embarrassed. "I don't know how to thank you for this. I just hope you know you can count on me whenever you need me."

"Good, that's enough for me," she said sincerely before patting her shoulder. She felt much better knowing Alice had liked the gift.

“We didn't know you came from an old-money family, Agatha," Rio mentioned as Alice climbed onto the bike, admiring everything about it. "I should ask you to support us, then," she joked as she approached the brunette.

"My grandparents had the means to finance my parents' college studies, but my great-grandparents were working class, so I'd say it started with my grandparents," she acknowledged, looking at the motorcycle. Her father had written her a check after promising to try harder this new semester (she already did, so it was a promise with a lot of weight).

"Her father is a lawyer, and her mother is a psychiatrist," Jen added, while Alice continued to entertain herself with her motorcycle. "Evanora Harkness avoided the death penalty for a woman who murdered her baby with her accurate diagnosis of severe postpartum depression. It took several sessions since the woman wasn't very cooperative at first, for obvious reasons."

"That's admirable. She really committed herself to that woman's cause," Rio mentioned honestly. Agatha nodded with a half smile. "They must always be very busy, right?”

"I don't blame them. All about their careers, and everything they've done is so I can be here today, studying something I'm passionate about," she mentioned, but she sounded a little sad. Jen stepped back a little so they could both continue the conversation. "But I also wish I'd seen them at home more often when I was a kid. I have many more memories of Mrs. Fuller, who was my nanny, than of them," she added, crossing her arms. Jen soon asked Alice for a ride. They both drove away after saying goodbye.

"I assume you're an only child, too," she murmured, and Agatha nodded with a half-smile. "I have a 14-year-old younger brother named Alexander. He's a pain in the ass, but I love him. I don't understand what it's like to grow up without a brother, but I understand that you felt alone."

"They said they were too busy to have another baby, so I was an only child for many years. When I was 9, my mom got pregnant but had a miscarriage. They didn't want to keep trying after that," she recounted a family event, and Rio listened respectfully. "But they did adopt a puppy to keep me company. My first best friend is named Duke, and he's currently 11 years old.”

"Is that the puppy you have in a picture on your nightstand?" the brown-eyed girl asked, and Agatha nodded. "It's very cute. I hope he lives many more years of good health so you always have a best friend waiting for you when you get home."

"That's very sweet, Rio, thank you," the future designer said sincerely. Rio smiled at her without showing her teeth. They were still in the parking lot, but neither of them seemed to want to move.

Next Monday, the 12th, they would begin the new college semester, but they had gathered to talk about vacations, the Christmas holidays, and to give each other their respective New Year's hugs. They had also exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Jen had to return home because she would travel with her parents to Pacific City, a coastal place in Oregon, while Agatha would fly with her parents to Costa Rica for vacation, taking advantage of the Central American country's good weather in January.

"Any plans before the end of vacation?" the brown-eyed girl asked as they decided to return to the apartment. Surely her friends would be late because they were on the motorcycle ride.

“Yes, tomorrow I'm traveling to Costa Rica with my parents," she said excitedly as they entered the elevator. "3,352 miles, almost 7 hours of flight time, and intense summer heat. Yes, I'm ready."

"And how's the language? Do you know any Spanish, or will you be using a translator?" she asked with a smile as they arrived at the apartment.

"I've tried hard to learn some Spanish, but we'll also have a local translator available," she said after opening the apartment door. "You should give me some lessons. Your parents are Puerto Rican, aren't they? You once told me you knew how to speak the language."

"Yes, I was born here in the United States, but my parents come from Bayamón, Puerto Rico," she said, sitting on the couch with Agatha beside her. "At home, we grew up with both languages, a way of remembering my parents' roots."

"What are their names? We've never touched on that subject, and I apologize for that," Agatha laughed while Rio looked at her with a half smile. "Well, until today, my mother didn't have a name.”

"Right, Evanora Harkness. What's your father's name? My dad's Ernesto, and my mom's Ana María," she said, leaning back on the couch. "My father is a chef in a restaurant, and my mother is a music teacher at an elementary school."

"My father's name is Hiram, and as you know, he's a lawyer. We're from Beaverton," the brunette explained, and Rio nodded. "You're from Hillsboro, just like Alice, right?”

"That's right. I also have a 14-year-old brother named Alexander, whom I mentioned a little while ago. I've lived in Hillsboro my whole life and moved to Corvallis for college," she mentioned with a half-smile.

"We haven't had time to talk about family things, have we?" Agatha laughed as she looked at Rio. "Now I know a little more about you, and you know a little more about me."

"Yeah, that's great," the future carpenter acknowledged sincerely as she looked closely at Agatha.

[August 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

Nicky's nap hadn't lasted long because he needed his bottle. Agatha pumped milk on the living room couch while Rio rocked her baby. The other women were out on the patio enjoying the last hours of daylight. Wanda had spoken briefly with Monica, but nothing too serious. They could easily engage in group conversations, and that was at least some progress.

Agatha pulled up her nursing bra at the end and handed the bottle to Rio, who stopped rocking Nicky to feed him. The brunette lay back on the couch watching Rio feed her baby. These were the last months they would supplement his diet with breast milk, and starting on his second birthday, he would begin the transition to formula. Everything was done gradually to acclimatize Nicky to the change.

"Eres un pequeño bebé glotón," Rio said in Spanish while stroking Nicky’s hand, who was also trying to hold his bottle. “Are you having any discomfort when pumping milk, dear?”

"No, it was difficult the first few months I started doing it, but that was due to inexperience. Now it's a piece of cake," she laughed, crossing her arms. She used to feel pain when her breasts were too full because she didn't know how often she should pump. "It's weird, isn't it? One day I'll be breastfeeding Nicky for the last time without even knowing it."

"He's growing so fast. I wish he could be this little for a long time," Rio joked, stroking his nose. The baby was almost asleep. "Soon he'll be a toddler, then adolescence will come, and then we'll have to watch him go off to college."

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself, or I'll cry," Agatha urged, and her wife laughed. "I want him to be happy, to grow up healthy, and to know he can count on us for everything.”

"We'll make sure of that, he's our precious little boy," Rio whispered, looking at her son before kissing his forehead.

Wanda told them to lay him down in her room, which was the closest one, so after laying him down on the duvet and making a wall of pillows (and setting up the monitor), Agatha stopped to look at him. It was incredible that a child who was 83 cm tall and weighed almost 27 pounds had once been in her womb for 9 long months. Just thinking about it seemed to relive that long day in the hospital as a first-time mother.

Nicky talked a lot, usually understood simple questions and refused when he didn't want something. He was good with a spoon, and when Rio sat with him to read, he liked to be the one who turned the page. She had once been terrified of the pregnancy and the changes it would bring to her body, but Rio had been so sweet in the months leading up to the decision that there hadn't been any second thoughts. Whatever happened, they would face it together as a family.

"Nicholas, conqueror of the people," she murmured, watching him sleep. "We were waiting for you with all the love in the world, my son."

Upon reuniting with the girls, Rio took charge of the monitor while signaling her wife to sit next to her. The brunette did so, and it wasn't long before she felt a kiss on her cheek. They had moved the conversation to the living room because it was almost dark, and they had been eating meat and vegetables all day. No one wanted to eat anymore, just drinking something while they talked about various topics.

"By the way, the fruit cocktail was delicious, thanks girls," mentioned Wanda, who was now drinking apple cider. "When you leave, I feel so alone in this house. I should get a pet, right?”

"Yes, it would do you good," Jen mentioned as Alice took her hand. Monica, on the other couch, watched the interaction with a smile. "Alice and I want to adopt a cat. We've been discussing it."

"I love them too. Maybe when Nicky's older, it might be something we can consider. What do you think, baby?" Agatha asked Rio, who laughed and nodded. "Or a rabbit. They're so cute. I used to have a stuffed rabbit when I was a kid and took it everywhere."

"The one you left at your grandparents' house and cried all the way home to? Hiram had to turn around to go get it” the carpenter said, smiling, and they all laughed. 

"I tend to be very passionate about the things I care about," the designer apologized with a smile as she lovingly stroked her wife's neck. "In fact, when Duke passed away in 2015, I felt like that little girl again without her stuffed bunny. There was nothing to comfort me."

"Not even Evanora. I'd never seen her cry like that," Jen recalled. Agatha's best canine friend had passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, of old age at 17. "How long was it until they adopted a puppy again?"

"Five years, in 2020, they adopted two sister puppies from a shelter. Their names are Candy and Dolly," she said with a half smile. "They're adorable. I think my parents needed that kind of company at home.”

"They'll definitely be the heirs to all your parents' estate, then," Monica joked, and Agatha nodded, equally convinced. "Have any of you had a disastrous experience with a woman?"

They all laughed; it was inevitable within the community. Agatha could think of at least two occasions while Alice pretended not to remember. Jen thought deeply while Wanda stared at Monica. Perhaps her disastrous experience was about her, the woman who asked the question. Rio whistled as she hugged her wife by the shoulders.

"My first girlfriend in high school," Alice finally recalled as everyone looked at her. "It was also my first time, and we were inexperienced. It was terrible from the start because we didn't know what to do.”

"It's quite common," Wanda mentioned, crossing her arms. "Proper sex education for lesbians is urgently needed, as is access to more information on the subject."

"My first girlfriend was never anything too serious, but yes, I didn't know the right way to touch her because maybe what I liked wouldn't be what she liked. I agree with Wanda," Monica mentioned, and they all nodded. Wanda smiled sideways before sipping her apple cider.

When they said goodbye to the redhead, they were the last to do so. They would have a lot to do at the office on Monday, so they promised to get a good night's rest for a new day of work. Rio took charge of taking Nicky to the car, and Agatha drove. It didn't take long for them to get home. The carpenter got in with her son in her arms while the blue-eyed woman parked the car. After getting out, she set the alarm and followed her family into the house.

"I'm dying of sleep. What time is it?" the brunette wondered nonchalantly after closing the door. "11 pm and I still haven't removed my makeup," she murmured as she checked the time on her wristwatch.

Rio went downstairs a few minutes later while Agatha set the security alarm. Nicky was asleep, and the carpenter took advantage of the opportunity to put on her pajamas while Agatha finished her routine on the first floor. Rio turned off the lights while reaching for her wife. Soon the two of them went up to their room to call it a day.

 (...)

Rio was the one who started the day the earliest on a Monday. Her alarm went off at 6 a.m. and she didn't take long to get up so as not to wake her wife. The monitor was calm but knew she would soon have to change his diaper for the first time. She used the private bathroom in her room and went downstairs to make a quick breakfast. They had to review some plans in the workshop since they would be supporting a local construction project, and she had to take Nicky to daycare, which was on her way to work.

A little before 7 am, she fed her chickens and then took a look at the home workshop. She still wasn't convinced she had finished it. She would definitely ask Monica for her opinion, as she had a better eye for detail. Upon returning to the house, she heard noises on the monitor. Nicky, who had fallen asleep relatively early last night, would start a new day the same way. Rio hurried up the stairs, and when she opened the door, the little one had already leaned into his crib with both hands.

"Hey, Buddy. How did you sleep?" she asked affectionately as she leaned in to kiss him. His hair was messy and his eyes looked at her intently.

"Mommy, I don't want to," he shook his head as usual. It was his favorite phrase since he learned it. He always said it when he saw Rio, who was in charge of showering him in the mornings.

"Yes, a shower to start the day, son. You're going to relax a lot, I promise," the black-haired laughed as she took him in her arms, kissing both cheeks. "Who's mommy's baby? Of course you are."

Showering him didn't take long because she managed to distract him with a rubber duck. She was careful when drying him off and dressing him. When she put on his new diaper, she decided to make tummy noises with her mouth, and Nicky laughed delightedly. A baby's laughter awakened something special in anyone who heard it. Soon the little one was ready. As she passed by the master bedroom, she heard Agatha's alarm, which meant it was already 7:30 am, and she still had to brush her teeth and put Nicky's bag in the truck.

She prepared Nicky's bottle in record time, sat him in his highchair and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, they had toothbrushes on each floor so they didn't have to keep going up to the bedroom, Rio finished the process with some mouthwash and then went back to the living room, Nicky was already halfway through his bottle so she smiled at him, kissed his cheek and wrapped him up a little more to leave the house.

"Good morning, dear." Before leaving, they had to say goodbye to Agatha, who by now was putting on her shoes. "We're about to go out with Nicky."

"Good morning, my loves," the brunette smiled as she approached. Nicky soon wanted to be in her arms. "I might be a little late today. At 5:00 pm, we have to see the final result of the house we redesigned in Hillsboro. Maybe I'll stop by to say hi to your parents if I have time."

"No problem, I'll pick Nicky up once I get off work," Rio murmured before checking the time. "We're leaving now. We love you. Have a wonderful day.”

"You too, darling. Good luck at work." She kissed Nicky's cheek before giving it to Rio. "I love you both so much. Have fun today, son."

Rio kissed Agatha and then made her way to the first floor. Nicky's bag was ready in the living room, so she grabbed it and, after opening the front door, disabled the alarm on her 2005 Ford Explorer. A year ago, she had sold her 1999 model, which had been with her for so long and also held so many special memories for the carpenter. She secured Nicky in her car seat with the appropriate seatbelts and then climbed into the driver's seat. It wouldn't take long to get to daycare; without much traffic, it would take 7 minutes.

Nicky had decided not to let go of the rubber ducky so he was taking it to its daycare day, he had his favorite stuffed animal but sometimes he liked to hold onto various things and not let go, Rio didn't know if at the end of the day he would still have the rubber ducky in his possession but at least he would take it to share with the other children, sometimes he liked to share and sometimes he didn't, she hoped that today would be the day that he was in a good mood to share his toys.

[March 2009, Corvallis, Oregon]

"Yeah, Saturday's fine, Mom," Rio murmured into the phone while Agatha worked on her laptop in the dining room. "I'll be traveling Friday afternoon. Don't worry too much, and don't spend too much money either. Okay? I love you, bye."

Friday, March 20th, and Agatha seemed stressed as she worked on her laptop. Rio put away her phone and approached the table. She was painting a coat rack she made in the studio and would leave it at the apartment after presenting it. They had one, but some of the hooks were loose. Rio's one was made of sturdy wood, and the hooks had been installed with the supervision of her professor at college.

"What do you think of the finish?" Agatha turned her laptop around and let Rio see what she was working on: a complete redesign of a family space. “Instruction: A cozy interior design so I chose neutral colors like gray, it is a versatile color and works well in any space.”

"I'll hire you when I have my own workshop," she praised, and Agatha laughed as she turned the laptop in her direction again. "I'll leave you in charge of the design and colors; I can take care of the rest."

"Do you want to be my partner too?" the brunette laughed as she looked at her over the top of her laptop. "When you have your own workshop, then I'll be there to congratulate you and help you with whatever you need."

"Sounds like a good deal to me," Rio mentioned with a smile as she continued painting her coat rack. "Next weekend, I'm traveling home to be with my family.”

"That's great, Rio. I'm happy for you," the blue-eyed girl replied, looking at her again. Rio focused on the coat rack but still couldn't stop smiling. "It's for your birthday, isn't it? They want to be with you on a special day."

"Yes, my birthday is on Monday, and they can't travel to be with me that day, so I'll drive home to celebrate with them," she murmured, and Agatha nodded as she looked back at the screen.

"By the way, I hope you don't have any plans for Monday because we're taking you out to dinner," Agatha said, and Rio looked at her, laughing. "It was never a secret, okay? I'm anticipating a potential date who might want to do something special for you that day.”

"I don't have any dates that day, well now I have them with all of you," she shrugged, laughing, and Agatha smiled as she looked at her.

"No dates? Rio, don't think I'm stupid," she murmured as she continued typing. Rio raised an eyebrow. "You can never be too busy to have dates."

"You do?" She asked, and Agatha nodded as she leaned back in her chair. "It's not possible. I always see you here, being such a brainiac.”

"Maybe I have them when we're out of the apartment at the same time, right?" she laughed as she closed her laptop, her full attention on Rio. "I met a girl at college who seems to have similar tastes to mine, and we've met several times in the library. It's all very student-y, I know, but she's nice and attentive."

"Career classmate?" she asked, and Agatha shook her head. "Does she have a dog named Duke too, or a stuffed bunny that she loved with all her heart?" She added, and the brunette laughed.

"No, but we like the same music," she shrugged. Rio seemed to look at her fondly. "Maybe it's not a big deal, and we'll just be good friends, which would also be nice. I like meeting new people.”

"That's good. I don't think I'm that good at meeting new people, to be honest. I have a hard time opening up" she said sincerely, and Agatha looked at her.

"It wasn't like that with us, was it? I always felt you were very sincere and kind, but I guess you don't always feel that way. It must be some kind of feeling," she murmured, and Rio nodded.

"Yes, you're very genuine, the kind of people I want to keep in my life," she said sincerely, and Agatha made a tender gesture before standing up.

"Rio Caridad Vidal, are you being sweet to me?" she asked as she hugged her, her head against her chest and Agatha's arms wrapped around her lovingly. Rio was still sitting. "You're very sweet, Rio. I want to have you in my life for many more years to come."

"And I love you, actually," she decided to add, a little nervously, as she placed her hand on Agatha's arm, a way of reciprocating the hug from that position.

"I love you too," she replied sincerely before placing a kiss on Rio's forehead. She soon let go of her to go get a glass of water, but the black-haired was still thinking about the pleasant sensation of that hug.

When Monday arrived, it seemed everyone had coordinated their college schedules (Alice was in charge of Rio's), and around 12 pm, they climbed into Agatha's Toyota (which Jen would be driving this time) and set off for a place unknown to Rio, who was officially 22 (thanks to her mother reminding her every year that it was a daytime birth, as she was born at 7:15 am). The birthday girl sat in the back with Agatha while Alice handled the music in the passenger seat. Jen was taking her role very seriously, driving carefully and obeying traffic laws.

"So, what does it feel like to be 22?" Agatha asked. After a few minutes of just staring out the window, Rio turned to look at her.

"I don't know, just like being 21, I guess," she shrugged, playing with the hem of her shirt. She'd been wearing overalls over her clothes lately, so it was weird not having one on at the moment. "But I guess as the months go by, it'll feel different. Honestly, right now I'm worried there'll be a cake I'll have to blow out while you're singing that song to me... It's because I don't know what face to make.”

"The same thing happens to me too. Should I cry or look excited? Sometimes I just dissociate, waiting for the song to end." She laughed, and the brown-eyed girl did too. "Don't worry about the cake; the day's events will be the last thing you'll have to blow out."

"Any clues about where we're going?" she asked, interested, and Agatha shook her head, pretending to seal her lips. "It's far, close. I have time for a nap before we get there," she listed, and the brunette seemed to think about it.

"You can take a nap, yes, maybe not that long, but you can rest for a while," she indicated, then moved a little closer to Rio. The girls up front were talking about a trivial matter. "In fact, lean on my shoulder. If you put your head against the window at any point, Jen will make us jump and you might hit yourself.”

"I heard that," the driver warned, and they all laughed. Agatha blew her a kiss to distract her from a potential scolding.

"Well, I hope you have comfortable bones," Rio joked as she rested her head on Agatha's shoulder. She'd fallen asleep late looking at family photos. "Comfortable bones and a nice scent. I almost thought you were trying to seduce me on my birthday."

"I smell like that all the time," she excused herself, laughing, but she was soon resting her head against Rio's. "Happy birthday, Rio. I hope you're always very happy.”

"Thanks, Agatha, I hope so too," she whispered before sighing and closing her eyes. She hoped that when she woke up, Agatha would be as close as she was at that moment.

The unexpected surprise was a full afternoon in the city of Salem, the state capital, a 45-minute drive and about 33 miles away. Rio had to congratulate Alice for remembering the time she told her about traveling with her parents to Bush's Pasture Park when she was a child and that it had been one of the happiest days of her childhood. Getting out of the vehicle, she quickly hugged each of the people involved in the group birthday present. As she walked a little further, she found much of what she remembered from the last time she had come with her parents.

"This brochure says it has 36 hectares with flower gardens, playgrounds, trails, tennis courts, and much more," Agatha read before handing the brochure to Rio, who smiled at her before reading it on her own. "Are you hungry, Rio? There are some restaurants across the street.”

"What do you feel like eating?" Alice asked, patting her shoulder. "Don't worry about the costs, we've got you covered."

"Discount coupons?" the black-haired asked sincerely, and her friends laughed. "Real money then. I want Chinese food.”

"Great, let's go then," Jen said, tugging at Agatha's hand to lead the way.

"The waiter will see me and speak to me in Chinese. I have no idea what the language is," Alice joked as they followed the girls. "Micro-acts of racism in our own community. I'll respond by speaking Korean, and that's it. We'll both be uncomfortable."

"You're crazy," Rio laughed, digging into her pockets. "Lorna never taught you the language? She lived in Hong Kong for many years with her college boyfriend, the one who almost prevented your parents from having you.”

"Good heavens, yes," she recalled with surprise. "My dad would get so angry when I mentioned him at dinner, maybe that's why they got divorced."

"He couldn't stand the little jokes," she hissed humorously as they sat at the same table as her friends. "Did you know Alice's father is a decorated Hillsboro police officer?"

"Yes, and his name is Adam," Jen replied casually, and Agatha looked at her with an amused smile. "Sometimes when you're talking nerdy stuff, Alice and I talk about life and our families.”

"My mom is somewhat bohemian, she composes music for video games and is constantly in touch with the stars," Alice added, amused, as she looked at the menu. "They divorced when I was 16. I'm surprised they lasted that long, to be honest."

"My parents had a marital crisis when I was a child. In fact, they separated for a while and saw other people. After they reconciled, my mom got pregnant with my brother, which was suspicious for both of them, so they had to resort to a paternity test. It was chaos," Rio recalled, laughing at all the times she'd been told the story. In the end, Alexander ended up being the spitting image of his father, Ernesto.

"I've always believed my parents were on the verge of divorce, but they didn't do it for the convenience of having a family," Agatha mentioned with a shrug. “Or maybe it's just the monotony. I used to watch the home videos they made when they first started dating and they looked so happy, free, and in love. Even when I started appearing in the videos, their eyes shone with the love they felt. Sometimes I'm scared of the idea of falling in love and then having the routine ruin everything.”

"Breaking patterns, right? It shouldn't feel that way to you. I'm sure when you fall in love, it'll be so strong that there won't be room for monotony to ruin it," Rio told her sincerely, and Agatha sighed, then smiled at her, briefly taking her hand for a loving squeeze.

After an hour of lunch, they headed back to Bush's Pasture Park. They toured the botanical garden, and Rio remembered how much she loved flowers as she saw them in abundance. They also visited the Salem Art Center. They had the opportunity to see McCulloch Stadium, the local art center. They took some group photos and continued walking through the park. They walked along trails, talking about life while Rio enjoyed an unexpected 22nd birthday.

They posed in front of the Oregon Capitol. Once they continued through the city, they spent long hours at the Salem Visitor Center for the various activities that were going on. They were quite close to the campus of the private Willamette University, so they returned to the state park before deciding where they would have dinner. It wasn't too late yet, but they wanted to get there early since the drive home could be longer due to afternoon traffic.

They decided to eat at a Mexican restaurant a few blocks away, so after taking a few photos, they set off. There were more people on the streets, which coincided with the end of the school or work day. Upon arriving at the restaurant, they grabbed a table near a window and prepared to order. After reviewing the menu for a few minutes, they were ready. Agatha sat next to Rio, struggling to read the dishes correctly since they were in Spanish. Rio helped her whenever she mispronounced something, while Alice showed Jen the photos she had taken that day.

"Back to the topic of parents, I once thought that coming out caused my parents' divorce," Alice laughed after the table was filled with food. "My mom told me she always knew, while my dad took an hour to process it in complete silence, staring at the living room wall.”

 “Let me guess, he said something about not being able to be a grandfather anymore?” asked Jen and Alice laughed while nodding. “My mom told me "Daughter, whatever makes you happy but I'm sad you won't be able to give us a grandchild" and I told them I didn't even know if I wanted to have children.”

"After my dad told me he couldn't be a grandfather, he started thinking about the future. He said maybe if I decided to have children, I could put our last name first since it would be a child with two mothers. That apparently made him happy, so he ended up hugging me and telling me he loved me," Alice added, while Agatha sipped her Coca-Cola without taking her eyes off her.

"My parents are from Puerto Rico, so I was terrified of coming out," Rio said, leaning back in her chair. "We were pretty Catholic. We had images of the Virgin Mary in every room and a cross in the dining room. My father spent a lot of time at the restaurant, so I decided to talk to my mom about it first."

"How did it go?" Agatha asked, looking at her. Alice already knew the story, but she watched her closely, waiting for her to continue.

"She thought I was joking, and after a moment of silence, she told me it was just a teenage phase. Then she blamed it on television, music, and not going to church enough," she murmured, deciding to stare at her food as she spoke. "She told me not to tell my dad and that she'd take care of it. We started going to church every Sunday without fail, and my mom stayed longer than necessary, praying, perhaps asking for me to get over being a lesbian."

"That sounds really harsh, Rio. I'm sorry," Jen said sincerely as she looked at her. The brown-eyed girl smiled sideways, somewhat sadly.

"The relationship became strained, and my dad obviously realized something was wrong. My mom didn't want to say anything, but I was tired of the situation, so I told him I was a lesbian," she added. Everyone looked at her intently. “It's a tough thing. I grew up reading about how many parents kicked their children out for being part of the community, and I was very afraid that my father would decide that. He was the one who made the important decisions at home.”

Rio took a break from speaking to eat a little, and everyone else did the same, still in silence. The noise of the restaurant seemed distant at that point because all their attention was on that important part of Rio's life.

"My mom was crying, and my dad looked at me in complete silence for a few seconds. Then he came closer and held my face. I didn't even notice I was crying until he wiped a tear from my eye," she continued after a while, wiping her lips with a napkin. "He told me he had two openly gay coworkers, and although it had been somewhat surprising at first, He had learned a lot about what that meant. He kissed my cheek and told me he would never stop loving me."

"What happened to your mom?" asked Agatha, who at that point had decided to take Rio's hand across the table.

"Somehow, they had to go to therapy for her to understand the situation. Everything was left in the hands of the respective professionals, and after a year, we were back to the relationship we'd always had," she added with a calm smile. Jen seemed about to shed a few tears. Coming out was difficult, but the way Rio experienced it seemed even harder.

They took a few minutes to process everything Rio had told them. The same brown-eyed woman decided to change the subject after a while, and so they found themselves talking about their favorite car models. Alice always stayed behind since she preferred motorcycles, especially the one Agatha had given her as a gift from Secret Santa. At some point, the blue-eyed woman excused herself to go to the bathroom, so they continued making small talk while she was gone.

"Do you think the enchiladas upset her stomach?" Alice asked after a while, when Agatha didn't return. Jen laughed while shaking her head.

"My duty as a best friend is to check on her. I'll be back in a few minutes." She stood up to follow the path Agatha had taken. Rio and Alice laughed as they sipped their drinks. They were the only ones legally allowed to drink alcohol, so they ordered micheladas while the girls ordered sodas.

Jen returned after a few minutes with an amused smile. It would be a great birthday memory if one of the girls had gotten sick to her stomach while they were celebrating. She knew Mexican food might be heavier for someone unused to the taste, and Rio thought that had happened to Agatha, who obviously hadn't returned to the table with her friend.

"She's fine. In fact, she's not even in the bathroom," she said after sitting down. "She went to the bathroom, but when she came out, she ran into a waitress who asked her about her gray lock. They'd been talking about it for a while. It's incredible the effect that lock of hair has on women. Agatha has no idea the power it holds over her own head.”

"A real Casanova," Alice laughed before taking another sip of her michelada. "Has she had it since she was a kid? It's so funny to think of a little Agatha with a gray lock of hair.”

"Yes, I have photographic evidence," Jen said, taking out her phone. After searching for a bit, she showed them a photo of what appeared to be her kindergarten graduation. The gray color was just beginning to appear on a little Agatha's hair, but it hadn't fully taken over. "She already had a completely gray lock in second grade. Girls would always gather around her to touch it. Maybe that's when she realized she wasn't straight."

Agatha returned to the table just in time to pay for lunch, she smiled in Jen's direction as she grabbed her things, they had to head back to Corvallis because they had classes tomorrow and they didn't want to take too long on the trip back home, Rio waited for the brunette at the exit who smiled at her before walking without letting go of her arm, Rio didn't complain, she just walked in silence as the girls went ahead.

"How's your birthday been so far?" Agatha asked with interest, and Rio smiled without showing her teeth. "Maybe we'll start planning birthday experiences, and you're our first client."

"The service was 10/10, the company was great, and the food was incredible," she replied sincerely. She had suddenly lost sight of the girls, but Agatha didn't seem concerned. "I felt very special too. I'm definitely not going to forget this day."

"I'm glad to hear that, Rio," Agatha murmured, leaning her head on the birthday girl's shoulder. After a few minutes of walking, they had officially arrived at the car.

Rio was starting to worry because she couldn't see Alice or Jen, but Agatha smiled calmly as she sat next to her in the car. A few more seconds were enough for both women to approach, holding a cake. Rio burst out laughing as Agatha placed the candles on her cake. Soon they were singing the birthday song while Rio decided to look up at the starry sky. She still didn't know what face to make while singing, so she got distracted that way. Everyone applauded when Rio blew out the candles and was showered with hugs. Agatha made sure to leave a kiss on her cheek after they parted. This would definitely be one of her favorite birthdays.

[August 2024, Hillsboro, Oregon]

"Everything looks wonderful. Thank you so much for your work and for listening to what we wanted," said Andrea, one of her clients who could officially see the remodel.

"What would become of us if we didn't listen to our clients' needs? Probably bankrupt,” Wanda joked, and everyone present laughed.

They were supposed to visit a property that was about to be sold but needed a remodel of its common spaces. The colors didn't match, and there were extra things. Wanda drove once they said goodbye to the couple of clients. Agatha checked her schedule as they walked through the streets of Rio's hometown. Her in-laws lived across town, and she really hoped she'd have enough time to greet them in person.

They were meeting a new real estate agent since Brionna was on maternity leave. Upon parking at the property, they quickly met the new face, who approached to greet them cordially. A handshake and a long look at Agatha greeted them. Wanda laughed because she already knew what that meant. She almost believed Agatha's hair was some kind of spell to make all the women distracted when they looked at it.

"Violet Carter, a pleasure to meet you," she introduced herself after separating, still smiling. “Brionna said you already had an idea of what you wanted to do but needed to see the space so... Go ahead.”

"Thank you, Miss Carter," replied Agatha, who was the first to enter. Wanda followed her, and soon everyone was inside. "There were renovations a while back that didn't turn out very well. I assume that's why it took so long to sell, right?"

"Yes, we didn't have a great team back then, and they ruined a lot of things. We tried to save some spaces, but the colors just aren't right," the woman said, crossing her arms.

"There's still a lot that can be saved. At least the fireplace is in the right place," the redhead mentioned, taking notes of what she saw. "We'll need the color palette the new owners want, and then we'll get to work.”

"Here it is. I promised them it would be spectacular, so we're a little nervous about the result. Brionna said you were the best," she murmured, handing a folder to Wanda, who smiled at her. "Excuse the question, which may sound a bit invasive, but are you queer women? I mean, because of the pink triangle pin on your blazers."

"Yes, we are. Wanda is bisexual, and I'm lesbian," Agatha replied with a half-smile. The agent smiled at them as she rolled up her own shirt sleeve, revealing a tattoo with a symbol of a lesbian woman on her forearm. Wanda looked delighted. "We're partners, then," Agatha added, and the women laughed, taking some of the seriousness out of the day.

"I was sure you were queer from the way you looked at Agatha's hair. It's a magnet for women in the community," the redhead joked as they toured the house.

"Is it natural?" the agent asked, and Agatha nodded. "Wow, it's very pretty. I know it's more common than you think, but I've never had the chance to see someone with capillary heterochromia."

"My mom has it, and so does my grandmother. I guess it's a generational inheritance," the designer shrugged before looking back at her portfolio.

"So far, Nicky is completely brown," Wanda mentioned, and Violet looked at her, confused. "He's her son; he's one year and six months old.”

"I assume you're married then," the woman murmured, and Agatha showed her hand with the wedding ring. "Damn, that's just my luck, I guess."

"Wanda's single," Agatha joked, and the redhead pinched her arm. "Naturally pretty, and her hair is red, which might also appeal to you, right? You two should meet and see what happens."

Both women laughed, but apparently the real estate agent didn't rule out the idea. They continued touring the house, looking at the places they should work, taking notes, talking about the neighborhood and work. They said goodbye around 7 p.m., and Agatha pretended not to notice when the two women exchanged contact numbers. As she got into the vehicle and fastened her seatbelt, she asked the redhead if she could drop her off at Rio's parents' house so she could say hi. Wanda nodded and promised to accompany her.

After 15 minutes, they parked outside the property. Both women got out while Wanda let her hair down. She wanted to take off her heels and flop down on her bed so Agatha wouldn't take so much time with her in-laws. When they got to the door, they didn't need to ring the bell. Ana María came out with a smile and wrapped Agatha in a tight hug. Then it was Wanda's turn.

The woman had retired from her job as a music teacher and now spent her days gardening or participating in neighborhood clubs. She often stayed at the couple's home in Forest Grove to spend time with Nicky while Ernesto continued working as a chef. Rio thought her father would never retire because he loved being in the restaurant and cooking so much.

"What do you want to drink? I'm alone now because Ernesto gets off work at 9 pm," she said as she walked toward the kitchen. "How are you? Is everything okay at home with Rio and Nicky? Wanda, how's life?”

"Fine, everything's fine, working and living the single life," Wanda replied simply as she sat down at the kitchen island. Soon a glass of lemonade was in front of her.

"Rio's fine, Nicky too, still inseparable as always," Agatha laughed as she also received a glass of lemonade. "We were with some clients here in Hillsboro and wanted to stop by and say hello."

"I'm glad, dear. You can always come visit," replied Ana María, who seemed to be searching for something in the furniture. "We made some cookies at the club, and I want you to take some home, you too, Wanda.”

"I'd be happy to," the redhead replied before drinking from her glass. Agatha laughed as she patted her back.

A few cookies ended up being a full dozen for Wanda and another dozen for Agatha. The redhead began eating while they made small talk. Agatha's phone rang with new messages, and at some point she excused herself so she could check it.

7:54 pm Rio: Back home with Nicky. We both miss you so much (not meaning to sound manipulative). What do you want for dinner? I was thinking of ordering Chinese.

7:58 pm Agatha: Sounds good to me, dear. We're at your parents' house with your mom. Your dad is still at work. We'll be leaving in a few minutes.

7:59 pm Rio: Give her my greetings haha, but don't 

let her keep my wife too long, as we'll need her presence here too.

8:01 pm Agatha: I love you both, see you in a bit (I'm bringing cookies for dessert).

Saying goodbye was difficult because Ana María always wanted to give them more things for the road. They hugged at the door and she stayed there while the designers drove away in Wanda's car. They should visit more often since they lived quite close, but Rio and Agatha spent a lot of time busy with their jobs, housework, and raising Nicky. She would commit to spending more time with family, which was also very important at this stage of life.

Wanda had already eaten four more cookies when she parked at the couple's house. She said goodbye laughing the moment Agatha mentioned the real estate agent they met that afternoon. After getting out, the redhead drove away honking her horn. The door opened seconds later, as if Rio had been waiting for her arrival. Agatha smiled at her and, after standing in front of her, hugged her tightly, then left a kiss on her lips. Rio smiled and left another kiss before kissing her cheek affectionately.

"Your mother sends greetings and cookies, if I had stayed a few minutes longer she would have sent half of her vegetables too," Agatha laughed after entering the house, taking off her heels.

Nicky was sitting on the living room rug playing with baby LEGO blocks, the television off, and dinner ready in the dining room. Agatha bent down to her son's eye level and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. The little boy smiled at her and then handed her a block. Agatha spent a few minutes helping her son build whatever he wanted with his baby hands.

Rio took charge of finishing serving the food and setting up Nicky's chair. A few minutes later, everyone was gathered in the dining room with clean hands, ready for dinner. They were a little late with their lunch schedule today, but Rio had taken care of feeding Nicky a while ago. Now all that was left was for him to drink his bottle before going to sleep.

"Too much work?" Agatha asked before eating the sweet and sour pork. Rio whistled as she leaned back in her chair.

"Too much, but it's a good thing. The day goes by quickly," she murmured as she wiped her lips. "Monica came to check out the workshop and gave me a couple of ideas I liked. I'll finish it this week."

"That's great, my love," the brunette whispered with a smile. Nicky held his bottle in both hands. "You also delivered the birdcage, didn't you?"

"Yes, the client was very happy. She said she'd order three more later. She promised to bake me an apple pie as a thank you, in addition to paying me," she said as Agatha sipped from her glass.

"She's seducing you with a cake, Rio. I thought I was the only woman in your life," Agatha said with mock annoyance as she looked at her. Rio laughed as she stroked Nicky's hair.

"You are, but I can't deny a 70-year-old divorced woman a cake, darling," she joked, showing her wedding ring. "I'm married, happily married, and all my clients know it."

"A funny thing happened to us with Wanda today," Agatha said, having no qualms about discussing everything with her wife. "The new real estate agent recognized our triangle pins and asked if we were queer. When I told her we were, she showed us her lesbian tattoo. She complimented my hair and was surprised when Wanda mentioned Nicky. She asked if I was married, so I showed her my pretty ring.”

“The women of the community see your hair and think, 'Just one chance, please,' but I'm the lucky one because I put that ring on your finger," Rio replied with a half-smile. "In fact, we should get married every year to remind them that you're still happily married to me, and I obviously don't like sharing."

"Rio Vidal, you're so sexy," Agatha replied seriously, still staring at her. If she had the chance to get pregnant naturally, they would have had at least five children by now. "It would be very unprofessional for you to leave a hickey on my neck, but I can excuse it for tonight."

Nicky was almost asleep but he wouldn't give up on finishing his bottle, Agatha took him up to his room while Rio cleaned the first floor, she changed his diaper and gently removed the bottle from his mouth, then put his pajamas on him, he didn't drink milk so close to his bedtime so they were always making sure it wouldn't upset his stomach, the little one sighed in his sleep while Agatha activated the monitor, left a kiss on his forehead and left the room leaving the door ajar.

She went to the master bedroom and decided to take a quick shower. She was exhausted but satisfied. The day had been quite busy, but that's how she liked to keep her schedule. Over time, her lock of gray hair had grown, and Agatha believed that in a few years, she would have completely gray hair like her father. After getting out of the shower, she stayed in her robe while she used the hairdryer. The monitor remained silent, and Rio still hadn't come into the room.

Sex after becoming mothers had been delayed for obvious reasons. Her gynecologist recommended they wait the established number of weeks since Nicky was born naturally, and Agatha had to recover from what could be the changes in her own body. This could include lochia, uterine contractions to reduce the size of the uterus, pain or discomfort in the perineum, breast tenderness, and mood swings.

Agatha stayed with Nicky at home for six months after giving birth, Rio took the same time to be able to accompany them in the first months that were essential, the brunette had to rest so that her body could recover, also follow a healthy diet to recover her figure and do gentle exercises to improve the process, Rio was with her when something bothered her or when she cried for something related to how she felt with her body, she gave her space when she was not in a good mood and listened to her when she wanted to talk about her fears, the first months they reduced visits so as not to overwhelm the new mother and when they began to feel the familiarity of the routine then they opened the doors to receive their loved ones, Evanora was very present when Agatha had a problem, she was happy to be a grandmother but she was also worried about her daughter who had become a mother, she wanted to accompany her in that process also known by her.

"Mrs. Agatha Harkness-Vidal," Rio murmured after entering the room. The brunette was closing her bottle of lotion and looked at her with a smile. "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Is it working?" She asked, laughing, as she leaned closer to wrap her arms around her wife's neck.

"Of course it is, darling," she murmured before kissing her deeply. "You smell so good, and I'm sure you're not wearing anything under that robe.”

"There's only one way to find out," she laughed before kissing her again. When Rio touched her, her skin felt like it was burning, and she couldn't help but want to feel it in every part of her body.

[September 2009, Corvallis, Oregon]

"You guys don't seem surprised," Jen mentioned, arms crossed, and Agatha didn't stop eating her cereal; she simply laughed as Rio looked at her.

"If you were trying to be discreet, you didn't succeed. We've known about it since the first week, probably," Rio said, while Agatha nodded, still busy with her breakfast. "You asked us to stay out of the apartment at the same time, but for different reasons. Alice told me there was a rat.”

"And Jen told me there were spiders," Agatha added after swallowing her food. "Why all the secrecy? Did you think we'd be upset?"

"No, we wanted to be sure it would work," Alice shrugged. "We've officially been dating since July, but we kissed for the first time in June, right after your birthday, Agatha."

"I came into this world to unite hearts." She raised both hands, and Jen rolled her eyes with a smile. "And those months before? I thought you were already dating by then.”

"We took it slow, we got to know each other, we went on a few casual dates, and I'm officially crazy about her, which terrifies me but also makes me happy," Jen said, hugging her girlfriend from the side, who was quick to kiss her cheek.

"We'll be surrounded by sweetness and cheesiness, Agatha. Get ready to see Alice in love," the carpenter mocked, and Alice was quick to give her the middle finger.

"Jen is worse, maybe that's why they're made for each other," Agatha added, standing up with her empty bowl. She placed a kiss on both foreheads before smiling. "I'm so happy for you and I hope to be godmother to your children.”

After a long chat about how their not-so-secret relationship came about, they each went about their business. Rio needed Alice's help with something, and Agatha went to her room to move forward with a project. Jen would help her while she touched up her nail polish. It was the perfect time to talk alone with her friend and classmate.

"Do you know what's happening this Friday the 4th?" she asked in a low voice, and Alice looked at her for a few seconds. So many options and only one right answer.

"Does the long weekend start? Monday is Labor Day," she replied, and Rio laughed while shaking her head.

"Yes and no, Katy Perry is performing her tour in Salem," she replied, and Alice quickly remembered. "I bought tickets to go with Agatha."

"Wait, are you going to confess at a Katy Perry concert? That's so romantic, Rio," she murmured in surprise, and the brown-eyed girl stroked her chin, a little nervous.

"Not exactly. I just want to do something nice for her," she replied, still nervous. Alice raised an eyebrow without taking her eyes off her. "I don't know if she likes me back, and I don't want to ruin our friendship. It's a huge risk, and everything could go wrong.”

"Or it could be great and we'd go on double dates," she whispered excitedly as she hugged her friend by the shoulders. "I'm 100% sure she likes you too. Jen says she mentions you at least 10 times when they're alone. 'Rio is so cool because she did this,' or 'Rio looks so pretty in that new overalls,' it must definitely mean something."

"Shut up, don't make me think about it too much," she complained, but couldn't help but smile. "Will you be there for me if it goes horribly wrong and I never want to leave the apartment again?"

"Calm your dramatic ass, but yes, I'll be there to dry your tears or help you write your vows when you get married," she promised lovingly before hugging her friend.

Agatha promised her for the fifth time that day that she had no plans for Friday, so when the time was right, she got into Rio's truck to head off in the direction of a destination unknown to her. Rio was good at keeping secrets since she didn't say much. Agatha asked her if it was near or far, but something about the route seemed familiar. She remained silent, staring out the window while Rio hummed a tune on the radio. A few minutes were enough for Agatha to look at her again, her eyes wide open.

"Rio, I don't think that's what I'm thinking," she mentioned with a nervous laugh. The black-haired pretended not to hear her. "Is that why I caught you listening to Katy Perry last weekend in your room?"

"Maybe so, maybe not," she replied, laughing when Agatha playfully punched her in the arm. "Do you like the idea of going to a concert by an emerging pop star?”

"I love it. I haven't been to a concert in years," she murmured excitedly as she continued to look at Rio. "I completely forgot she'd be passing so close to home with her tour. Now I'm feeling very nervous."

"Don't worry, I've got everything covered," she assured, smiling. Now she'd allowed herself to be honest with Agatha, who leaned down a little to kiss her cheek. "Don't distract the driver, or we won't get there on time."

"Sorry, sorry, I promise to stay calm until we get there," she whispered with a smile as she turned to look out the window. Rio looked at her fondly.

Rio didn't usually go to concerts often, but she was very excited about Katy Perry's. She had taken her time learning the songs. Maybe she wouldn't sing them at the top of her lungs like her fans, but at least she knew the lyrics to each one. She knew Agatha was passionate and would probably sing throughout the entire concert. Rio was simply happy to be by her side during the event.

When they parked, Agatha quickly got out and admired everything around her. Rio set the alarm on her truck and felt Agatha's familiar hug. A few seconds turned into minutes, and neither of them wanted to separate. Rio felt those famous butterflies in her stomach when Agatha's lips rested on her cheek. Every time she kissed her affectionately, everything inside her stirred with emotion.

Many people were gathering for the recital, they would be surrounded by at least a thousand people so they had to go to their seats soon, Agatha surprised her by taking her hand so they could move forward, Rio didn't complain, she never would if it was about the brunette, the initial registration and checking their tickets and that's it, they were already in their seats, Agatha looked around in surprise while Rio just looked at her.

Rio wanted to concentrate on remembering the lyrics, but Agatha held her arm and bobbed her head to the beat. When the audience screamed, she even excitedly reminded her that she was about to sing "Thinking of You." Rio smiled at her and took the time to look at her. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. Agatha had awakened something different in her, and although it took her a while to admit it, she was now ready to be honest.

"Agatha, I really like you," she said when the entire audience held up their phones with flashlights on. "And I know I shouldn't say it like this, but I need to be honest with you."

"What? Rio, now turn on your phone's flashlight," she said near her ear, and the black-haired laughed. "You're the best. And yes, I do regret. How I could let myself let you go”

Rio sang along with her because she easily remembered those lyrics. Soon, Agatha took her hand again as they moved to the rhythm of the music. The halfway point of the concert quickly passed when she sang the encore: "I Kissed a Girl."

"Do you think she actually kissed a girl?" Agatha asked curiously as the concert came to an end. Rio laughed as the audience began to leave.

"It's a little offensive of her to say it was just her experimental game and that she doesn't care to know her name," Rio joked as they walked forward. Agatha refused to let go of her hand. "It's not what good girls do. Not how they should behave. My head gets so confused. Hard to obey.”

"Rio, you have a very good voice," Agatha praised before reaching the truck. The black-haired laughed after deactivating the alarm. "I had a great time, thanks for today."

"Thank you for being my concert partner," she replied affectionately while caressing her shoulder. Agatha looked at her for a few seconds before leaning in to kiss her on the lips.

Rio, without thinking twice, decided to hold her by the waist while the blue-eyed woman hugged her neck. The carpenter's heart was beating fast as the kiss intensified. Rio didn't expect it to be too intense for their first, but she didn't complain when she felt Agatha's tongue. She allowed herself to gasp a little as she leaned Agatha's back against the truck door. The blue-eyed woman squeezed her neck slightly and, as she made her gasp again, took the opportunity to bite her lower lip.

"I really like you too, Rio," she whispered after pulling away with a smile. Her lips looked a little swollen. She placed one last kiss before getting into the passenger side. Rio needed a few minutes to compose herself.

[August 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"Dad, hey, come in. Did you come alone?" Agatha asked after opening the door. Rio was standing in the garden watching her chickens with Nicky

"Hey, honey, yes, your mom is at the clinic working overtime," Hiram laughed after he passed by. Agatha closed the door behind him. "How have you been? I had a meeting with some clients and decided to stop by to leave you the formal invitation to your mom's birthday.”

"Yes, we received it by text," she murmured as her dad handed her a new card. When she opened it, the invitation was completely different. "I can't believe it, Dad, I've lost count. Congratulations."

She leaned closer to hug him and place a kiss on his cheek. The man with gray hair and a well-groomed beard hugged her back, laughing. The card contained an invitation, but to a different event: Evanora and Hiram's 40th wedding anniversary. The couple had married in September 1984, two years after they started dating and three weeks after Evanora's birthday.

"Hey, are we interrupting your father-daughter quality time?" Rio apologized after walking in with Nicky on her shoulders. The two separated, and Hiram was quick to smile at them. "How's everything, Hiram?”

"Hey Rio, everything's fine. Evanora says hi," he mentioned as he approached. Nicky looked at him for a few seconds and, recognizing him, stretched his arms in his direction. "Hey, champ. How are you? The last time I saw you, you were very little."

Hiram saw Nicky frequently via video call. He liked to read him a story before bed, and he did it once a week without fail. Agatha remembered that it didn't take her long to learn to read because her father was always reading a story with her (this happened when the man was on vacation or had some time in his busy schedule). If they kept this up in a few years, Nicky wouldn't take long to learn to read well either, a way to continue teaching him new things.

"Rio, could you send an invitation to your parents? It's for our wedding anniversary; we're having a party on September 22nd," Hiram murmured, holding Nicky. "Forty years of wearing this wedding ring. I hope you're getting used to it, girls.”

"We'll be married for eight years in October. I think we're doing well," Rio said with a smile. "Thanks for the invitation, Hiram. I'll send it to them. Are you staying for lunch?"

"No, I have to call Evanora and tell her not to work too hard and that we can have a lunch date like old times," he murmured, and Agatha laughed as she crossed her arms. "Actually, do you know the story about when Agatha was conceived?"

"Too much information, Dad," the blue-eyed woman complained, and the man laughed while Rio thought deeply.

"In a restaurant? No... In a restaurant bathroom, how classless, father-in-law," Rio burst out laughing, and Agatha closed her eyes as she ran a hand over her face.

"Neither of those is correct; that's a story for another day," he promised with amusement before kissing Nicky's cheek goodbye. "I love you, Nicky. Don't forget your grandpa."

"I love you too, Dad. Thanks for visiting," the brunette said ironically as she walked him to the door. Hiram laughed before kissing his only daughter's cheek. Rio said goodbye from her spot.

"I love you, daughter. See you soon." He handed Nicky to her, leaving one last kiss on his cheek before walking to his car. He waved goodbye from the door before getting in and driving away.

"40 years of marriage," Rio whistled as Nicky asked to be put down. The little one walked on his own into the house. Rio didn't take her eyes off him, as he tended to stumble if he sped up. "My mom was five months pregnant with me when she married my dad."

"My parents did a lot of things after getting married. They continued studying, traveled the world, earned master's degrees, kept traveling, and returned to Oregon to settle down," Agatha murmured as Nicky walked calmly to the living room where his toys were. "When I was born, they had already lived a hundred lives, but they were happy.”

"I'm sure we'll be happy too, always," Rio murmured, still looking at Nicky. Agatha smiled as she caressed her wife's cheek. "And if I ever don't make you happy, I hope you'll tell me so I can try even harder. I can't and don't want to lose you."

"You'll never lose me. You're the love of my life," she promised lovingly as she hugged her. Rio was quick to kiss her forehead. "We'll be together even when we're two senile old women, and I'll hold your hand when we're on our deathbeds, just like I promised in my original vows."

"The only thing I'll want to remember is you when that happens," she whispered sincerely as she looked at her wife, caressing her waist. "You're the best thing that could have ever happened to me, and when I realized that, I was terrified, but not anymore. I love you endlessly.”

"I love you so much too, my darling," Agatha smiled before kissing her. After another hug, they both went to join Nicky in the living room. The little one had a lot to play with, and their mothers took the time to participate with him.

[November 2010, Beaverton, Oregon]

"Agatha, this is the first time I've formally met my girlfriend's parents," Rio whispered, unwilling to get out of the truck. Agatha laughed as she undid her seatbelt.

"Nothing to be afraid of, they're very easy-going," she promised, shrugging. "Just be yourself, okay? Don't try to impress them. My father is a lawyer and my mother is a psychiatrist. Believe me, they have experience reading people."

"Yeah, that makes me feel much calmer," she said ironically as she got out of the truck, her heart pounding.

Agatha followed her and soon she was in front of her childhood home, many memories came flooding back to her and before moving forward she took Rio's hand to reassure her, when she reached the door there was still no sign of her parents so she decided to just go in, the house alarm went off in a second and Rio jumped somewhat scared, Agatha complained as she walked to the area to deactivate it, the noise stopped after a few seconds.

"Welcome, we wanted to make sure you still knew the alarm number, daughter," Evanora laughed as she approached, Rio couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance between them which was obvious, they were mother and daughter. "You must be Rio, Agatha told us many good things about you, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Hello, yes, Rio Vidal, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Harkness," she introduced herself shaking her hand and Evanora shook her head with a smile.

"Call me Evanora, there's no need to be so formal," the psychiatrist laughed as she invited them in. "Your father is in his office; he's probably finishing his paperwork."

"And Duke?" Agatha asked when she didn't see her dog. The woman laughed as she sat down on the sofa.

"With your father, he forgets about the world when he's in the office with him. He's officially retired from being a guard dog," the woman joked. "What can I get you? We have hot and cold drinks.”

"A cup of tea would be nice, thank you," Rio asked, and the woman nodded before standing up. Agatha kissed her cheek and followed her mother.

Officially dating since October 15th, Agatha still hadn't realized it. It had been long months before formalizing the relationship due to the simple existence of misunderstandings. After kissing in September 2009 and Agatha expressing her desire to try something with the carpenter, the only thing she got from Rio was silence. A few days later, she had vanished from the apartment without telling anyone, and after a week, things had cooled off. Upon returning, she told her roommates that her grandmother was seriously ill in Bayamón and that she had traveled to say goodbye. Agatha empathized with her pain and supported her like a friend. Things were on hold for both of them.

In November, Agatha was stressed out by the various projects she had to present and Rio helped her many times by giving her opinion regarding the designs. Once the carpenter tried to bring up the topic of the concert, the blue-eyed girl changed the subject. For her, it was better to pretend that nothing had happened; perhaps things had been ruined before they even began.

By January 2010, they seemed ready to face what had happened. When they gathered in the living room to talk honestly, the apartment door abruptly opened, and a heartbroken Alice threw herself into Rio's arms. Jen had broken up with her a few hours earlier, the reason she gave being that she felt they weren't on the same page.

By March, things were fine between Alice and Jen. They resumed their relationship in early February after an intervention by Rio and Agatha. Both were upset with their friends but managed to reconcile, so the women were satisfied with their work. After things calmed down in the apartment, Jen decided to play cupid, introducing Agatha to someone as a way to return the favor. Rio sat in the living room, occasionally gripping the remote control in her hand. She couldn't say anything; it seemed her chance was over.

In May Rio traveled to Hillsboro for her younger brother's 16th birthday and although she was surrounded by her family she couldn't help but feel sad, Agatha didn't talk to her like before and she felt like she had lost her in every way, as her friend and as what would have been her potential girlfriend, she hugged her brother after giving him his gift and promised that she would always be there for him, she had to be her best version when it came to her family.

By Agatha's 21st birthday, things seemed to have improved. Her parents wanted to celebrate at home, so they all traveled to Beaverton to be with her. Rio hid behind Alice every time she saw Agatha's parents. She was afraid to talk to them because at one point she thought they would become her in-laws, and now she was far from even a good friend to her daughter. That's how her presence went unnoticed by the homeowners while Agatha was distracted by all the guests. She blew out the candle on her cake around 7 pm, and Rio watched her from afar, smiling sadly.

By August, Agatha was going crazy. Rio wasn't showing any signs of wanting to rekindle the friendship, nor did she want to talk about the kiss they had in September of last year. Sometimes she found herself pacing around the room (which she now had all to herself since Jen was sleeping with Alice) thinking about how to approach the carpenter about the matter. Maybe Rio wasn't interested anymore and she didn't know how to express it. It was a painful but real thought. Tired of overthinking, she decided to grab her keys and go out for a walk. She ran into Rio at the door, who looked at her somewhat embarrassed. The brunette sighed tiredly and walked away so as not to say anything inappropriate. She hadn't counted on Rio following her, taking her arm, and kissing her again, almost a year since the last time she'd felt her lips.

Talking was tiring but necessary, they were in the comfort of Rio's truck talking about what had happened those months and how they both had felt, they promised to talk things over and be honest, that's how they began to have little dates to get to know each other better and share in a more private way, two months later and while they were taking a walk along a trail in Corvallis without letting go of their hands Rio asked her to be her girlfriend officially.

"Rio Vidal, it's a pleasure to officially meet you, although I think we met at my daughter's birthday party a few months ago, right? I never forget a face." Rio heard Agatha's father's voice and turned to look at him.

"Well, yes, but back then we were just friends," she laughed nervously. Rio thought she'd gone unnoticed at that party. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harkness."

"Just Hiram. I'm a sir, yes, but you can call me by my name," he shrugged. Agatha's dog approached Rio to sniff her.

"Hi, Dad," Agatha greeted excitedly as she approached to hug him. Hiram smiled during the hug, kissing her cheek as Evanora handed Rio her tea. "Duke, my dear puppy who's not so puppy anymore."

"Since we're all gathered, there's something I'd like to know," Hiram began as he loosened his tie, his gray hair the same shade as Agatha's lock of hair. "What are your intentions with our daughter, Rio?"

[September 2024, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"What I'm trying to tell you, Rio, is that marriage is hard, and at some point you'll want to kick my granddaughter in the ass, but you have to be strong," Grandma Dorothy (Hiram's mother) advised Rio as they watched Evanora and Hiram cut their anniversary cake.

Rio laughed as she nodded. There was a lot of family present: Agatha's grandparents, her aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. Her own parents were present with Alexander, who was returning from his theater tour. They were finally on good terms, so they were cordially enjoying the celebration. Her mother got along very well with Evanora and had helped her a lot with the guests. It was amusing to Rio that her mother couldn’t sit still and just relax.

Agatha was filming her parents while Nicky was in the arms of her great-grandparents Mildred and Ulysses (both Evanora's parents), who sat watching everything with smiles. Rio admired how family-oriented Agatha was. She had many people who cared about her, and she was always there for each of them if they needed her. When her grandfather Jonathan (Hiram's father) passed away in 2014 at the age of 76, Agatha was very sad because she didn't get to say goodbye to him. It was something she had kept in her heart for a long time.

Rio came from a small family, much of it still in Puerto Rico and they only spoke through video calls, her mother was an only child and her father had two sisters and a brother, she had cousins but many of them she didn't even know, in Agatha she had found another kind of family and although sometimes she confused the names she felt happy to belong to something so special, whenever she was with Grandma Dorothy she promised her that they would dance salsa and she never forgot that promise.

"Grandma Dorothy, do you think we should give Nicky a sibling?" she asked for the second time; she hadn't heard very well the first time. "The other day I saw a fortune cookie that my family might get bigger. Is that a sign?"

"Of course you should. Do you know how many children I had?b4," she counted as Rio made a 4 with her fingers; she knew that story. "But it's 2024, no one wants children, so whatever you do, be happy with your decision."

"And if it's a girl, she should be named Dorothy, right?" she asked the obvious, and the old woman nodded with a smile. She soon leaned back in her chair, clasping her hands over her chest.

"Johnny and I would have been married 65 years this year," she said with a smile. Sometimes, at her sweet age, her memory was very good. "And yes, I often wanted to kick his ass, but he made me too happy. I don't think he'll come looking for me anytime soon. I told him I wanted to live to be 100."

"That's a good promise. I hope Grandpa Johnny keeps it," the carpenter laughed as she sipped her soda. Grandma Dorothy nodded as she looked at her son, who was feeding Evanora a cake.

Hiram danced with every important woman present, he started with Evanora, moved on to Agatha, continued with Dorothy who was eager to get moving, he kissed goodbye before asking his mother-in-law Grandma Mildred to dance, Agatha took Nicky in her arms while watching everything with a smile, Rio almost excused herself with a lie when Hiram approached to dance with her, Agatha encouraged her and soon they were dancing while new couples were formed on the makeshift dance floor in the backyard.

"Surely Agatha told you that we were once very hard on her, always asking her to try harder and be the best in school," Hiram murmured as they moved slowly. Rio nodded, keeping pace. "We made so many mistakes all the times we weren't there for her. As much as I regret it, I can't turn back time, only make amends starting today."

"She loves you all the same, never doubt it," Rio replied, and the man nodded. He seemed somewhat moved when he spoke of his only daughter.

"I always wanted her to meet someone who would make her feel like the only woman in the world, who would make her see her own worth and love her just the way she is," he added, and from a distance, Rio watched Agatha dance with Nicky in her arms. "I'm so glad it's you, Rio. It fills my heart to know that my daughter is happy with the family you two have formed.”

"I promised you, Hiram. When I married her, I specifically promised you that I would love and care for her. I intend to keep that promise until the end of our lives," Rio whispered, still looking at her wife.

"I know you will. Now go dance with your family. I hope I'm still alive when you celebrate 40 years of marriage," he laughed, patting her back. The black-haired smiled at him before walking away in the direction of her family.

"Hello, beautiful woman. Are you single?" Agatha asked as Nicky stretched his arms toward Rio. The woman greeted him with a kiss on his cheek. "Even though I see a ring on your finger, it's a bit disappointing.”

"Please don't flirt with me. I have a beautiful wife and a perfect son. I don't need anything more than that," she replied with a smile as she hugged Agatha by the waist. She looked great in that autumnal dress.

"A very lucky woman, then," she whispered, laughing, as she placed a kiss on her wife's lips. Rio nodded, still staring at her.

"Me? Of course I am. I'm the luckiest woman in the world," she added affectionately as everyone around them continued to dance.

[October 2016, Forest Grove, Oregon]

"I want to throw up. Oh my God, I'm going to throw up on my wedding day," Agatha said, scared, as she paced around the reception.

"What? You're not pregnant, right?" Jen asked jokingly, as Wanda fanned her with her own fan.

"Take a deep breath and count to 10," the redhead said, taking her hand. They were due to leave in a few minutes to begin the ceremony, but first they needed to calm Agatha down.

"I'm ready. How do I look?" Hiram appeared, modeling his suit, which managed to distract the blue-eyed girl.

"Wow, Hiram Harkness. Did you trim your beard?" Jen asked, amused, pointing at him with her bridesmaid's corsage.

"Of course, I have to look good in the official wedding photos," he answered as if it were obvious as he approached Agatha. "Are you okay, dear? If you want to escape, I'll give you five minutes, but that would be sad. I like Rio.”

"I'm nervous, Dad. What if I go out and faint? What if Rio isn't there when I get out?" she asked, and Wanda moved away a little to look through the door that separated them from the path to the altar.

"No, Rio is there. You can put that thought out of your head," Wanda said, and Jen laughed as she leaned against the nearby wall. They would let Hiram take care of calming his daughter.

"Everything will be okay, my daughter. If you feel nervous, then squeeze my arm and I'll take care of everything," he promised with a smile as he held her daughter's face. "When I married your mother, I was the one who was nervous waiting for her, but seeing her walk in made all those fears dissipate. Her presence alone calmed me, and I'm sure Rio will do the same for you without even knowing it.”

Agatha smiled, feeling much calmer. The wedding officiant had approached to ask if they were ready to begin, and the brunette nodded, clinging to her father's arm. The bridesmaids took their places, but not before hugging the bride affectionately. When the doors opened and the music composed by Alice's mother began to play, Agatha felt like she was about to walk down the most important carpet of her life.  

Rio was there, at the end of the carpet, waiting for her, her hands twitching. She knew it because she didn't know what to do with them. Agatha smiled at her from her spot, and the grip on her father's arm began to loosen. That's how she realized Rio was reassuring her with her presence. Her fiancée wanted to be the one waiting for her at the altar after she arrived with her father. Agatha would see all of this in the wedding video that a specialized team was recording. When Hiram left her at the altar, he kissed both of his daughter's cheeks and then did the same with Rio. The ceremony would begin while they held hands.

They had decided to get married in a vineyard to welcome the family in a neutral environment, Agatha's parents had taken charge of renting the property when they knew the good news and the planning began only a month after Agatha asked Rio to marry her, they were engaged for eight months before officially reaching the altar on October 15, Agatha tried to pay attention to the formalities said by the officiant but Rio's bright eyes took her breath away, she couldn't miss too much of the ceremony because she had to say her vows already, she cleared her throat before starting, without letting go of the hand of her soon-to-be wife.

"I, Agatha Eloise Harkness, take you, Rio Caridad Vidal, as my wife. I promise to love and respect you, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and so I promise to be faithful to you all the days of my life," she began affectionately as Rio smiled at her. "I should promise many things, but I know that as we move forward in this new page, I will fulfill everything I tell you because I love you deeply and I can't see my life with anyone other than you. I want to be your best friend, your accomplice, your unconditional supporter, and your eternal lover. I want to be everything to you and I want to support you every day of our lives. Maybe it won't always feel like heaven, but I hope we always fly together."

Her vows were much longer, but she simply wanted to be sincere. She would have time to read Rio her original vows when they were on their honeymoon. For now, she just wanted to be her wife and nothing more.

“I, Rio Caridad Vidal, take you, Agatha Eloise Harkness, as my wife. I promise to love and respect you, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, and so I promise to be faithful to you all the days of my life,” Rio also began while caressing Agatha's knuckles. “The first time I saw you I did not realize how important you would be to me and now that I am in front of you I realize everything we went through to become future wives, you are much more than I dreamed of and I want to make you as happy as you make me, I promise to build a future full of laughter, adventures and love by your side, I will support you every day of our lives because your triumphs will be mine and my triumphs will be yours, we will create our own heaven and I know that if we are together nothing else will be missing.”

Agatha smiled at the new feeling of having a ring on her finger. After exchanging vows, they had put their new rings on, and the designer sighed as she admired the jewel. Rio kissed her hand and then looked down at her with teary eyes. Both were too excited to say anything else. The officiant joined his own hands together and with a smile indicated the end of the ceremony.

"What this humble servant has joined together, let no one on earth separate. I now pronounce you wife and wife... The brides may kiss," he declared, and Rio was quick to do so while everyone present applauded euphorically.

After breaking away from the kiss, they embraced with all the love they felt. They soon made their way down the carpet to the reception. As they crossed the doors, they were greeted with more applause and rose petals. They shared another kiss while the cameras took pictures of them.

“I just noticed we haven't decided on our last names," Rio whispered against her wife's ear as they posed for photos. "Are we going to cross them, or will we have to decide who takes whose last name?"

"Don't overthink it... Mrs. Harkness-Vidal," Agatha decided, and Rio smiled at her before kissing her again.

"I think it's a good idea, Mrs. Harkness-Vidal," Rio nodded as she hugged her by the waist. Their promise to love and respect each other had begun in October 2010 and was formalized in October 2016.