Monroe was in her new home, organizing her kitchen. Darcy had to stay late for work, so she took the liberty to cook dinner, saving some food for when Darcy came home. She turned to her front door when she heard her doorbell go off. Hm, I wonder who that is. She walked over and opened the door, shocked by who she saw on the other side. It was Valerie. “Val…”

They stood silently for a moment, staring at each other wordlessly. Monroe noted Valerie’s headwrap was beginning to cover bits of hair that were growing. “Um, Darcy isn’t here yet, he had to work late.”

Valerie smiled at Monroe as she spoke. “That’s okay, I’m actually here to talk to you.”

“Oh, then come in.” Monroe said, welcoming her inside. Valerie walked over to Monroe’s cream couch, sitting just across from Monroe. “Sorry about the mess, we’re still getting settled in.” Monroe said to her nervously.

Valerie patted her burgundy skirt, flattening a crease that crossed it. “It’s perfectly lovely.”

Monroe had no idea what Valerie could possibly want with her. She shifted uncomfortably on her chair. “Would you like a water or maybe some tea or something?”

Val gently shook her head. She had a lot on her mind that she wanted to share with Monroe. She decided to just come out and say it. “I don’t know if Darcy mentioned it, but we’ve been taking a bit of a break.”

Monroe bounced her leg up and down, averting her eyes from Val. “Um, he mentioned it.”

Val watched Monroe for a moment, she looked nervous and uncomfortable. She supposed it was only natural. She had been very cruel and unfair to Monroe. “When he told me he needed time away from me I was worried that he would be alone. But then it finally dawned on me, he’s not alone anymore and more importantly he feels loved and supported. I know…Darcy has never felt like that before.”

Monroe watched her cautiously. Where is she going with this?

Valerie continued. “I’ve never seen Darcy this happy and…free. And I think that’s because of you.”

Monroe always struggled with her value in Darcy’s life and where exactly she fit in it. She sat there quietly, urging Val to continue speaking.

“You supported him through his issues. You even supported me when I found out about his addictions. It was a difficult thing for me to wrap my head around, but you didn’t judge me or him.”

“Oh, of course not. I love him. I would never judge him, and he loves you so I would never judge you either.” Monroe said with a shy smile.

“That’s what I mean, you were with him even in the hardest of times with no judgement. I can’t say the same thing about myself.” Val sighed. “Monroe, I want to apologize to you.”

“What for?” Monroe asked. She was taken aback by the direction this conversation had taken. She hadn’t expected this from Val, she figured getting her to like her was a lost cause.

“For giving you such a hard time. I see now that you two are a good match. I feel lucky to know my brother has you as a partner.”

Monroe felt pressure behind her eyes. She never imagined Valerie would accept her. “You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you.”

Valerie smiled at Monroe; it was a brand-new beginning for them. Valerie only hoped Darcy would still allow her to be in his life.

***

After Val left, Monroe continued cleaning, neatly arranging pictures on the walls. After an hour of cleaning she heard Darcy’s keys rattle, walking through the door moments later. “Honey, I’m home!”

Monroe ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Welcome home lover. You won’t believe who came by earlier.”

Darcy’s hands snaked around her waist, holding her firmly as he spoke. “Who was it?”

“Valerie.” Monroe announced.

Darcy’s hands dropped to his sides in surprise. He stepped away from Monroe for a second, as he adjusted his glasses. He hadn’t spoken to Val in several months. He had told her he needed time; it’s not like he was going to cut her off forever. He just didn’t know how to restart their relationship; it couldn’t be what it was before. Val had the whole truth now. Things would never be the same.

He was unsure how to navigate a relationship with his sister where she finally saw him for who he was. It was nerve-wracking trying to navigate this new reality at fifty-two years old. “Oh…what did she say? Was she looking for me?”

“She was actually looking for me.” Monroe told him.

Darcy felt his heart sink. He didn’t like the sound of that; he was worried Valerie had said something hurtful to Monroe once again. He wrapped his hands around Monroe’s face, holding her gently. “Oh no, are you okay?”

Monroe smiled at him as she observed him. He looked nervous. I suppose based on past experiences, he thinks Val must have been cruel to me again. “Oh Darcy, don’t assume the worst. We actually had a really good conversation.”

She took his hands from her face and held them up to her chest. “She apologized to me and basically told me she approves of us being together. It was sweet.”

Darcy stared at Monroe with wide eyes. “That’s…unexpected.”

Monroe walked to the couch and sat down as she spoke. “I know you needed a break from your family, but I think you should call her.”

Darcy watched her relax as he sat in the chair across from her. “Yeah, I know. I will. I have to say, she really surprised me. I didn’t think she’d do this. It’s…so unlike her.”

Monroe gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s a good thing, Darcy. Try not to overthink it.”

Darcy laughed. She was right. He was overthinking things. The fact that Val had made things right with Monroe meant the world to him. Maybe navigating this new relationship with her wouldn’t be as difficult as he thought. “I know, I’m just surprised. Pleasantly surprised.”

Monroe went to bed a few minutes later, while Darcy reheated the food Monroe had made earlier in the day. He ate in the kitchen silently as he deliberated his next move. I think…I’ll just call her right now. She always sleeps late, so chances are she’ll answer. He finished his food and washed his plate, taking a seat at the table as he finished. He held his phone in his hand nervously as he dialed Valerie’s number. “Hello?”

“Hi DeeDee…” Val replied.

He cleared his throat as he continued speaking. “Val…how are you?”

Valerie prepared herself. She had been waiting for months to share this news with him. “I’m good. I have some good news I’ve been waiting until you were ready to talk again to tell you.”

Darcy sat silently, waiting for her to gather her thoughts. Val’s eyes watered as she spoke. “DeeDee, I’m cancer free!”

Darcy felt the corners of his lips pull into a huge smile. He couldn’t believe it, after a six-year battle his sister was finally healthy again. “Val! That’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He asked feeling emotion build behind his eyes.

Valerie smiled. “I wanted to respect what you needed…so I waited until you were ready to talk again.”

“Thank you. And thank you for talking to Monroe, that really meant a lot.” Darcy said honestly.

Val sighed with contentment. “It was my pleasure. I really owed her an apology.”

“We should get together and celebrate your recovery.” Darcy suggested.

Val was happy that Darcy didn’t feel like he needed space from her anymore. “That sounds great. I can host.”

Darcy’s smile faltered, feeling dread as he thought of his next question. “Is…George still with you?”

Valerie’s smile disappeared too. George was the inevitable topic. She didn’t like thinking about him with how they had left off things. George had made his choice, and she had made hers. “It’s okay DeeDee, I kicked him out. He’s not living with me anymore.”

Darcy sat there for a moment, absorbing the information. “Oh…how long has he been gone?”

Val didn’t want to talk about George anymore. “Does it matter?”

Darcy understood. George was a sore subject, how could he not be? “I guess you’re right. It’s getting late, I have to work early. I’ll call you tomorrow, Val.”

“Of course, goodnight DeeDee.” Val said easily.

Darcy smiled. “Goodnight Val.”