When she'd dried off and toweled her hair, and gotten dressed again, Lily went to find Liam. He was sitting out a dance with Rose, on the four-seasons bench. They moved over to make room for her, and they all sat very still for a few minutes, just listening to the music, and enjoying the party, and knowing that they had so much to celebrate tonight.

“I'm glad Jessica and Marisa and Patrick and Sam are here,” Rose said. Marisa and Sam were talking to Maeve, and Jessica and Patrick sat not far away, with Flora at their feet.

“Me too,” Lily said.

“It wouldn't seem right, having this party without them,” Liam said.

“No, you're right,” Lily said, smiling. “Not this party.”

“It's pretty special, right?” Rose said.

“Oh, I'd say so,” Liam said.

“Why is it so special?” Rose asked. “I think I know, but tell me.”

“Well,” Lily said, “lots of reasons. It's both a reunion, and a farewell. We're getting together with my oldest friends in the world—Tara and Bay, and their families—and you got to meet Rebecca and Judy.”

“Rebecca says we're going to be real sisters. She's going to come visit me, and I'm going to go visit her at law school.”

“I'm so glad about that,” Lily said, hugging Rose. She had come so close to losing her several times in her life; but the surgeries had worked, and her heart seemed as good as could be.

“Why else is the party so special?”

“We're celebrating Maeve getting well and you being so healthy. And all the roses you planted, and the ones from long ago . . . that bloom year after year, always reminding us that summer comes again.”

“No matter how long the winter seems,” Liam said.

“All those things,” Rose said. “And the surprise . . .”

“Ah, the surprise,” Lily said. She looked across Rose's head at Liam. His blue eyes twinkled, as if he'd never been so happy.

“I'd say it's an all-around perfect night,” Liam said.

“Except for Nanny,” Lily said, looking out over the water. “When I went swimming, I hoped she'd show up. But she didn't . . .”

The music played on. Lily's stomach tumbled a little. It was almost time. She, Rose, and Liam sat on the old bench depicting the four seasons. Winter, spring, summer, fall. The months and years roll on, but some things endure forever. True love, she thought. For people, but also for places. Hubbard's Point was in her heart, in her very blood.

Across the yard, a cell phone rang. Patrick answered it, looked up, and called out, “Marisa!”

“Who can that be?” Sam asked.

“I don't know,” Marisa said, and ran over to Patrick to answer the call.

“Hurry,” Rose called. “We're about to start the surprise.” She smiled up at Lily and Liam, and went to get the basket she needed.