A sudden noise on the porch startled me. I jumped, and from the crick in my neck, I realized I'd fallen asleep. Groggily, I started to reach for the remote to turn off the "I Love Lucy" re-run when Gabby moved in her sleep. I was trapped for the night.

As I tried to move around Gabby so my legs wouldn't fall asleep, I heard Taylor's soft voice. Was he still with Deanna? I couldn't tell. The front door opened, and their shadows crept in. They started walking past us to the kitchen when I said softly, "Hi."

Deanna screamed, Gabby screamed and awoke, clinging to me too tightly. I flipped on a light to see Deanna's arms wrapped around Taylor's neck. Quickly she withdrew them, but not before I sent Taylor a questioning look.

"It's too late for Deanna to go home, so she was gonna sleep there," Taylor whispered.

"Have you just gotten back?" Gabby asked.

"Yeah." There was an uncomfortable silence before I spoke.

"Well, we'll get out of your way then." I pulled Gabby to her feet and we left with no more questions.

I thought the situation was peculiar, and so did Gabby, but there would be answers in the morning.

I got up early the next morning to get Deanna home before anyone else saw her. I crept downstairs, keys in band, and walked to the couch.

Deanna was laying peacefully asleep. I couldn't believe how beautiful she looked, and for the ten millionth time, I wondered how to tell her I had fallen for her...maybe too much.

I sat beside her and brushed her cheek with my hand. Her eyes flew open and she smiled up at me.

"Hey," she said to me quietly.

"Hey," I echoed. The color of her eyes was rendering me speechless. What was I doing? Was I in love with love?

I decided there was only one way to find out. Deanna started getting to her feet when I stopped her. She looked at me questioningly, but before I lost my nerve, I took advantage of the opportunity. I could always blame it on her sleepiness if it didn't work. I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. She looked up at me, almost uncertainly. I think we both knew what the other was thinking, but before I could speak, Deanna wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back.

I rested my arm around Ellie's shoulders, shielding her from the crisp mountain wind as well as reassuring her that I was there beside her. The small group of us huddled together, watching the proceeding ceremony in a chilling silence.

"And He shall maketh me to lie down in green pastures," the tall man dressed in a cold black suit read, his voice booming in open air. I glanced down at Ellie to see a tear wander down her cheek. Gently, I brushed it away. What kind of ceremony was this? I wondered. After so many years, was it right to rekindle the losses of these people who had lost family members in this crash? Why not make it lighter, a celebration for what they had given during their lives? Wrapped in my arms was the most precious gift Roland Silverman had left behind before he was killed...his daughter.

Ellie jumped with a little tremor as eight guns shot off, one for each member of the crew. Then with a rush, three jets tore overhead, ripping through the air as well as within us. Finally it was over.

As our car winded down the twisting mountain roads, Ellie pulled out the bag she had been presented with, fingering the contents. "I don't know why I would want this," she commented, pulling out a piece of metal that had been part of the plane.

I shook my head. "Some memorabilia," I said dryly.

"I guess I'll see if Mom wants it." Ellie shrugged it off and returned the metal to the bag. "Great thing to do on a honeymoon, huh?"

"You know what I'm picturing for tonight?" I glanced sideways at Ellie.

"What?" she asked, smiling slightly.

"A leisurely drive through the countryside, ending at a beautiful restaurant and inn located on a cliff overlooking the Italian coast..."

This time, Ellie broke into a full smile. "You got a deal."