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“Rebelle?”
“Holy shit, there’s two of them,” Dean hissed loudly.
“I forgot she had a twin!” Justine said.
Rebelle, stunned, could only stare at her sister. Her mouth opened but she had no words.
“I, uh, was told you might be here today,” her twin said, an impish smile on her face.
Rebelle reached for Will who was by her side in an instant, holding her up, supporting her. He walked her forwards, so she was just inches away. Her eyes ran over her twin.
Her hair was a different color, likely dyed the honey blonde that hung around her in soft waves. Her eyes were lighter than Rebelle’s, her jaw not quite as sharp but there was no denying that it was her.
“Rose?” she choked out.
“Hi,” Rose said simply.
“How…what…you came back?” Rebelle stuttered.
Rose flicked her gaze to Will. “Someone found me and reached out.”
Rebelle spun around to Will who had a sheepish expression on his face. “You?”
“Merry Christmas,” he sang weakly. He smoothed his hands over her shoulders. “I knew you wanted to know what happened to Rose, that you missed her, and I wanted you to be happy and whole.”
Tears filled Rebelle’s eyes at what her wonderful man had done for her, the lengths he must have gone to in order to track Rose down.
Rebelle was suddenly aware of their audience and looked at each person in turn.
Justine swiveled on her feet. “Yeah, we’ve gotta get Harley home anyway.”
“Got to get back for the Christmas edition of Bake Off.”
They all darted around each other awkwardly before leaving and Taylor pressed a key into Rebelle’s hand. “Stay as long as you need to, just lock up when you’re done.”
Will turned her to face him and she looked up into his eyes, concern filling the ocean depths.
“Do you want me to stay? Do you want to do this alone?”
She nodded. “I think it’s best if I do.”
He kissed her. “Just call me if you need me. You can do this, beautiful, I love you. Come on Bryan.” Will patted his leg to get the dog’s attention but her ever faithful canine wouldn’t be moved.
She glanced down at him where he settled himself on her feet, his weight already taking away all sensation in her toes. “Go with your dad,” she told him and he grumbled but reluctantly slunk off with Will.
Then she was alone with Rose.
Rose tangled her hands together awkwardly. “So, how’ve you been?”
Rebelle pictured this moment a thousand times. She had pictured a tearful reunion, a happy reunion, and an angry, bitter reunion. She wanted to be mad at Rose for leaving but she couldn’t find the energy. Rose was alive and here and honestly, Rebelle understood why she’d left, over the years she wished she had done the same.
Rose shot her a pained look. “Say something, please?”
Rebelle whooshed out the breath she’d been holding. “I need a drink.”
Rose nodded. “I could use a drink, too.”
Rebelle ducked behind the bar and grabbed a bottle of scotch, two glasses and poured a shot into both, pushing one across the bar to Rose. She downed hers before Rose even had a chance to lift the glass to her lips. Then Rebelle poured another one, the burn knocking her out of her haze.
