Just like a willow

 It was a long time coming, but Abby got them all together, even if it was a Sunday brunch near the old market. 

Abby had listened far too long to Andie about her oldest friend (perhaps not dearest). But she knew about Dylan being Hannah and of course, it had taken Andie a good while to let that go. That maybe Dylan and his family were in a good way.

But there was Andie's other friend who could never be on her own when she was a woman but was now a trans man. Andie talked about the situation ever so often as if she was in some kind of vicious denial of what had become of her friend. Naturally, Andie didn't like how things turned out.

Elliot had been a beautiful woman.

"Well, it's not about you," Abby set her straight. "If it makes Elliot feel better about himself that is all that counts."

Abby connected the dots. Maybe she was just practicing the detective skills she hoped to use one day when she became cop. After all, she planned on being one by spring. She had tracked down Elliot and Liza where they both worked at the library. They were housemates yet definitely much like an old married couple.

Abby was glad to get to know them. After all, she visited the library for various reasons. Of course, she didn't mention to them until later about her significant other, Andie.

Elliot was happy to find out about Andie. "We haven't really kept in touch. I guess it's all my fault."

Of course, the faults Elliot was talking about were far from the fault that Andie felt. Andie just couldn't stand the thought of seeing Elliot as a man.

Christmas came and went. A few flurries here and there kept them from wanting to meet up, but it was going to happen. And it did.

"I don't know if I can do this," Andie sounded as if she was facing her greatest fears.

"First, you can't think of who Elliot used to be. He's just Elliot now," Abby told her. Still, it felt as if she was bringing in a child who was about to be kicking and screaming. But after a glass of wine before the noon hour, Andie settled down.

And it was good to talk about the present. To wonder what the future might hold. No one looked back on the past and what was. 

"I'm hoping to get my driver's license soon," Elliot smiled to Liza and took her hand. "She's put up with a lot." He said Liza was his life partner. 

"We are good for each other," she chuckled. "We talked about work at home and about what we need to do at home while at work."

Of course, Abby could tell by that look on Andie's face that she thought those two had to be the most boring couple on earth.

"Oh, don't you know, that's what I long to be," Abby said to Andie as they were leaving.

"What are you trying to tell me," Andie looked at her with disgust. "You want to be a man now?"

Abby couldn't stop laughing. "Just when I thought, my Andie is growing up, I can see you'll never change."

"I'm glad that you know," she held her head high. 

"But what if we want a baby, someday," Abby looped her arm around Andie's.

"But I am your baby," Andie smirked.

"Yes, you are my worst child, but I still want to have a family with you," Abby told her. 

Andie gave her a wild look as if she'd lost it. "What are you saying?"

That's when Abby got out the engagement ring.