"At least one of them has dignity," Lena said.
"She's just more subtle about it," Erin replied, sliding pancakes onto plates. "I caught her in your closet yesterday, napping on your good blazer."
"The navy one?"
"The one you wore to the city council presentation."
Lena groaned. "That thing's dry-clean only."
"I know. I already dropped it off." Erin handed her a plate, their fingers brushing in a contact so natural neither of them registered it anymore. "Your presentation went well, by the way. I saw the news coverage online."
"Mmm." Lena settled at their small kitchen table, the one they'd bought together after months of debate about wood versus glass. "McKenna thinks the city council will approve expanded funding for the community safety programs next quarter."
"Are your classes still filling up?"
"The waiting list is booked through February." Lena cut into her pancakes, watching Erin negotiate the final bacon distribution with Detective Whiskers. "Yours?"
"Same. I had to turn away twelve people last week." Erin finally joined her at the table, all three cats now arrayed hopefully around their chairs. "The Rainbow Alliance Center opening is going to help, though. Bigger space, better equipment."
"Six months," Lena said, and they shared a look of quiet satisfaction.
It had taken nearly five years to rebuild what Ashford had tried to destroy, but Phoenix Ridge was stronger now. The new Rainbow Alliance Center would be twice the size of the original, with dedicated spaces for community programming, crisis support, and the safety workshops that had grown beyond anything they'd originally envisioned.
"You ready for tonight?" Erin asked, stealing a piece of bacon before Detective Whiskers could mount another assault.
"Lavender's anniversary party?" Lena considered this. "Are we talking about my readiness to socialize with half of PhoenixRidge, or my readiness to be introduced as 'one half of that couple who solved the arson case' for the hundredth time?"
"Both."
"Then no, and definitely no." Lena grinned to soften the words. "But I'll survive. Lavender promised there won't be any speeches about us specifically."
"Just speeches about love and community and the power of standing together against hatred?"
"Those I can handle." Lena finished her coffee and stood, beginning the practiced dance of getting ready that they'd perfected over years of shared space and schedules. "What time did we tell Diana we'd be there?"
"Five-thirty." Erin glanced at the clock. "Which gives us exactly forty-seven minutes to shower, get dressed, and convince Detective Whiskers that he can't come with us."
"Why would he want to—" Lena stopped as she noticed the gray tabby sitting by the front door, his tail switching with the unmistakable air of a cat who had plans. "Oh, come on."
"He's been doing this for three weeks. Ever since he figured out that when we get dressed up, we go places." Erin gathered their plates, automatically rinsing them while Lena started toward their bedroom. "I think he's convinced we're abandoning him forever every time we leave."
"We could get him a therapist."
"Very funny."
Lena paused in the doorway, watching Erin move through their kitchen with the easy efficiency of someone completely at home. Five years of this—morning coffee and cat negotiations, shared mortgage payments and the garden they were still figuring out together. It had become so ordinary she sometimes forgot how extraordinary it was.
"Hey," she said softly.
Erin looked up from loading the dishwasher. "Yeah?"
"Nothing. Just..." Lena searched for words that didn't sound like greeting card sentiment. "Good morning."
Erin's smile was soft, understanding. "Good morning."
Forty-five minutes later, they were in Lena's car heading toward downtown Phoenix Ridge, Detective Whiskers having been successfully convinced to remain behind with his fellow conspirators. The late afternoon sun bathed the city in golden light, highlighting the construction cranes visible in the distance where the new Rainbow Alliance Center was taking shape.
"Remember the drive to the cabin?" Erin asked, adjusting the radio to something that wouldn't compete with conversation.
