All The Summers After | TSITP | Sequel

The First Cousins Wedding.

Denise's laugh came through first. "This is so chaotic."

"Hi, chaotic group," Daniel added.

"Okay," Lydia said, "roll call: present we have Lydia and Conrad in Paris, Denise and Daniel in New York, both in total shock that Belly and Jere are first."

"That's what I'm saying," Conrad chimed in. "I would've put money on Steven and Taylor."

"In my defence," Denise said, "I assumed Taylor would propose to herself."

Lydia cackled. "She still might."

Daniel's tone softened. "But honestly... I'm happy for them."

"Me too," Lydia said quietly. "They've been through a lot. They deserve... this."

Conrad listened, thumb stroking the inside of Lydia's wrist unconsciously.

"So," Denise said, mischief returning, "how are we coordinating arrival? Because we cannot just show up like random guests. We need a plan."

"I was thinking we fly a bit earlier," Conrad said. "Help with last-minute stuff. Laurel will be stressed."

"Understatement of the year," Lydia added.

"Agreed," Daniel said. "Denise wants to help Belly get ready, too."

"I do," Denise confirmed. "Girl deserves a committee."

"Then we should all get there a few days before," Lydia said. "Do final details, annoy them, cry over napkin choices... you know. The essentials."

They all hummed in agreement.

"Okay," Denise continued, "next topic: outfits."

"Oh my god," Lydia groaned happily. "Yes."

"Do you guys have any clue what you're wearing?" Denise asked.

"Nope," Lydia said. "But I'm thinking something soft. Summer wedding. Cousins, romantic. Like airy, maybe floral."

"Daniel," Denise said, "you're wearing a suit and you're not arguing."

He laughed. "I wasn't going to argue."

"You paused like you were going to argue."

"I paused because I know you're going to pick the tie."

"She is," Lydia agreed. "Let her."

"And you, Doctor Fisher?" Denise asked. "What are you wearing?"

Conrad glanced down at himself. "A suit?"

Lydia looked at him and shook her head. "I'll handle him."

"Thank you," Denise replied.

There was a small pause, one of those easy ones between people who knew each other's silences.

Then Lydia asked, voice softer, "You excited?"

Denise didn't even hesitate. "Yeah," she said. "I really am. I can't wait to see everyone again. To... be back there. With all of you."

Lydia's chest warmed. "Me too."

"We went from almost weddings to actual weddings," Daniel said lightly, but there was weight beneath it.

Lydia let out a small breath. "Yeah," she said, but there wasn't bitterness in it. Just... perspective. "This time, it's right."

Conrad's hand tightened slightly around hers. She squeezed back.

"Okay," Denise said, rallying the mood, "here's the bottom line. Cousins Beach. In three weeks. First official wedding of our little chaos family. You two are flying in from your romantic French life, we're coming from New York, and we're all going to cry like idiots."

Lydia laughed. "Accurate."

"And," Denise added, "we're going to be there when Belly becomes Isabel Fisher."

"Wow," Conrad said quietly. "Yeah. We are."

"It feels... big," Lydia said. "Like... some part of our story closing and another opening."

Denise hummed. "That's what weddings do, I think. They remind you of where you started... and all the places you're going next."

No one spoke for a moment.

Then Daniel cleared his throat. "Okay, well, before this turns into a group therapy session, we should let you guys go book flights."

Lydia smiled. "We will."

"And Lydia?" Denise added.

"Yeah?"

"I cannot wait to scream in your face in person again."

Lydia snorted. "I miss your screaming."

"I miss your chaos," Denise said.

"See you soon?"

"See you soon, Paris girl."

They hung up.

————

The apartment felt a little quieter after the call, but in a warm, buzzing way — like the electricity of what was coming had settled between them.

Lydia set the phone down and leaned back into the couch, exhaling.

Conrad looked at her, invitation still on the table, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"You okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah," she said. "It's just... everything keeps changing. But somehow, it still feels like we're all... us."

He smiled softly. "Because we are."

She tuned toward him, curling into his side, tucking her feet under her. "We're really going back again."

He kissed her hair. "We always do."

And with Belly and Jeremiah's names still shining up at them from the card, Lydia and Conrad let themselves sink into the reality of it:

Their first Cousins wedding.

Them not going back as kids, not as almosts, not as messes trying to outrun their lives—

But as people who had chosen each other.

Chosen this.

And were going home to watch someone else do the same.