the day after victoria announces they're moving up the wedding date, billie's sitting in an upscale bridal boutique as victoria and anastasia find some last-minute outfits.

"why are we here again?" jade asks.

"well. I'm here to watch the boys. I don't know why you're here." billie says.

"aw, don't pretend you're not glad to see me." billie rolled her eyes.

"billie! billie! look at mom." jason says as anastasia walks out wearing a nice suit.

"anastasia... you look great."

victoria then emerges from the back room with a smile.

"great news, everyone! peter copping would be thrilled to rush my veil and- sunshine! I'm not supposed to see you until the big day! it's bad luck!"

"right right. sorry. I'll go change."

"and stay back there until you're told to come out okay? I'm going to try my dress next!"

after a few minutes, victoria comes out in a pretty dress.

"well? don't you just love it?"

"you look great." jade said smiling.

"it's long." jason says.

"and white." jacob says. they both look at each other. "like a ghost." they said at the same time.

"how funny. billie? any shade to throw, or have I finally stunned you into silence?"

"you look stunning victoria." billie says.

victoria stands in front of the mirror smiling. "I know. I'm convinced. this is the one! billie, can you take the boys downstairs to get their suits refitted while I change?"

"but mom said we could wear out old suits to the wedding." jacob said pouting.

"I know dear, but they need to be tailored again. I can't have my new sons looking raggedy next to me at the altar."

"I can take the little rascals. it's better than sitting here by myself. come on boys." jade said.

jade quickly takes the boys downstairs and victoria goes to change. billie looks around the empty room, her eyes drift to the other dressing room, where she knows anastasia is still changing out her clothes.

'maybe now would be a good time for that talk.' she took a deep breath, then slipped into the dressing room.

"billie? what are you doing here?" anastasia questioned before raising an eyebrow when billie locked the door.

"we need to talk, and we haven't been able to find a moment alone, so I just thought..." billie forces her eyes away from ana's body and takes a seat on the bench along the sidewall.

"I get it." ana said as she sat next to billie, letting her gather her thoughts.

"so...two weeks until you're married, huh? or I guess two weeks minus one day now."

"I'm sorry we ambushed you like that. victoria thought it'd be fun to surprise the boys with news..."

"I keep reminding myself that you were always getting married, even though we never really talked about what we'd do after...

"I know. it feels like our time is being cut short."

"I'm sorry, this is harder than I thought it'd be." billie swallows back her tears, trying to keep her composure. anastasia reaches out to cup her cheek.

"you have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who's sorry. I'm selfish. and eventually, you're gonna get sick of my bullshit and leave, and I'll have to let you walk away."

"ana..."

"then I'll only see you when I can't help but look you up on social media, and one day there'll be pictures of your wedding day on there. a wedding I wasn't invited to. to some man or woman, I've never met. one I'm sure isn't good enough for you but is definitely better than me."

"don't say that. I don't think they'll be another person for me after you, I'm just gonna focus on my career.

"then maybe i'll run into you at a job convention someday. we'd go to a hotel bar, for old times' sake. talk about our jobs, families. try to keep it professional."

"because that always works so well for us. I bet we'd end up fumbling for our room keys while we make out in the hallway." billie said with a chuckle.

"i like this version of the future. the one where we end up together no matter what."

"me too." billie says with a soft smile.

- after some more talking, billie and anastasia slip out of the dressing room. ana's phone buzzes.

"victoria said she needs some adjustments to her dress, so she's downstairs getting it fitted."

billie nods and looks around the store, taking in all the racks of pretty dresses.

"do you two need any help?" a worker asks.

"no thank you. we're just...browsing." ana says with a smile.

the bridal associate looks between billie and ana, grinning. "bringing the future wife with you to buy your dress? not many brides are as modern as you." she says.

'she thinks we're together?' billie thinks to herself.

billie then slides her arm around ana's waist and smiles up at the associate.

"what can i say? i just want to make sure she really loves my dress." to billies surprise, ana puts her arm around her shoulder. playing along.

"you know I'll love whatever you wear darling." ana says before kissing billies temple.

"you two are so cute! make sure you check out our displays in the back. that's where we keep the best stuff." the bridal associate said before winking and disappearing to help another bride.

- early next morning billie pours herself a cup of coffee and takes it outside, hoping to have some time alone with her thoughts.

"good morning, billie. sleep well?"

billie stops short at the sight of victoria already on the patio, pile of paperwork in front of her. she clearly had an early start to her day. "victoria! you scared me."

"seriously billie, you need to stop being surprised when you see me in my own home." victoria said chuckling.

"right. sorry"

"anyways. I was hoping to run into you this morning. turns out, my best friend wont be able to make the wedding on such short notice, thanks to her baby and all. so... I was wondering... will you be my maid of honor?"

"me!?"

"yes you..."

- 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚔 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛

billie is on duty as victorias maid of honor, helping her pick out china patterns for the reception. "...these all look the same to me." she says with a confused look.

"really? but they're all so different!" victoria says. billie sighs looking at the options in front of her again. "how about this one? a traditional pattern for a traditional couple."

"hmm... it doesn't have a classic elegance to it. good choice." victoria says smiling. victoria flags down a saleswoman to discuss the details, and billie slumps back into her chair.

billies phone buzzes in her pocket and she's beyond relieved to see a notification from ana.

╭───────────────╮
anastasia

quick question.
is a zydeco band too
much for the reception?
be honest.

what the fuck is zydeco?

lmao, its like that sweet

I'm gonna go out
on a limb here
and say victoria
won't like that

ugh. you're right.
i'll go with a string quartet

are you all done for the day?

yeah, I just need to
drop of jade before
going back to the villa.

mbn

╰───────────────╯

victorias raised voice breaks through billies focus and makes her look up.

"what do you mean you don't have one hundred place settings of this pattern in stock? my wedding is in three days!" victoria said yelling.

'fuck my life' billie sung in her head.

- 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎

billie and victoria are still running errands for the wedding.

"focus billie! these centerpieces are much more important than the china patterns, and we don't have much time."

"right uh...i like the most expensive ones?"

"great! me too! I guess you have been paying attention."

"so... what's next?"

victoria turns around to face billie. "are you okay? you look like a zombie, and we still have at least two more hours of appointments."

"I'm kinda exhausted."

"oh. i'll call a cab to take you back to the villa. we have a full day tomorrow too, and I need you to be able to stand on your feet."

"thank you? that's surprisingly nice of you."

"I'm not completely heartless, billie. now get out of here."

- soon, billies zooming through the Italian countryside as an enthusiastic cab driver drives her home.

"what do you think of Italy so far?" he asks.

"it's so pretty here. I've always wanted to visit and-" billies cut off as the driver takes a sharp turn. "careful!" she says loudly.

"it's okay. this is just how we drive. so what brings you here, eh?"

"work I guess. my boss is getting married here."

"oh that is great!" billie slides a little as the driver takes another sharp turn, drifting slightly into the other lane.

suddenly, a truck swings around a blind turn, right in front of the cab.

"oh shit!"

"merda!" the driver screams.

a sudden impact sends billie wrenching to one side as the car flips over and hits a tree. voices ring out in the distance, but billie cant make out what they're saying. she struggles to keep her eyes open. suddenly, everything fades to black.

- billie wakes up to bright white lights, hearing something beep next to her.

she tries to push herself up in bed, but a shooting pain stops her.

"starai bene, signora. puoi dirmi il tuo nome?" the nurse says.

"w-what?" billie asked confused.

"tuo nome?"

"i-i'm sorry, i don't speak-"

"billie!" anastasia rushed into the room, making billie let out a huge sigh of relief.

"ana, thank god you're here. what's going on?"

ana smiles before looking at the nurse. "che cos'ha?"

"lievi ferite. il suo polso è fratturato e potrebbe avere una commozione cerebrale. tutti gli altri stanno bene." ana thanks the nurse, and she writes something down on the chart before she leaves.

"she said you have minor injuries, but they're worried about a concussion. victoria will have to translate anything more complicated than that."

"I was worried when I got the call from the hospital. I thought that..." ana choked on her words, then swallows hard. billie reached out to touch her hand. "hey. I'm okay ana." billie said softly.

a knock was heard at the door, and victoria enters the room. "I left the boys down the hallway with carter. I didn't want them to come in here if things were too...you know."

"thanks. I'll tell them they can come in now. could you translate when the doctor comes back? my business Italian doesn't get us very far." victoria nods as anastasia goes to get jason and jacob, she then turns to billie.

"how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. you know... you don't have to pretend to care just because I'm your "maid of honor". no one is watching right now."

"I'm not pretending billie. I'm truly sorry to see you in this condition. I know we've had our back and forths, like a sibling rivalry, but thanks to you, you've inspired me to do the right thing. I...I ended things with you know who."

"voldemort?" billie asked smiling softly.

"not quite." she said smiling. "but, I've decided I'm going to focus on ana and try to be the wife she deserves."

"...that's good."

"I guess your love for her inspired me to give it my all." billie's heart sinks, even though she's trying to be happy for them. thankfully, billie's saved from responding by the kids bursting through the door.

"billie! i'm so glad you're okay!" jacob said loudly.

"we were so scared." jason said sadly.

"we are truly glad to see you, ms.o'connell." carter said.

"thank you." billie said smiling.

jason and jacob pile onto the bed, even though they hurt billie just a bit, she ignored the pain and wraps her arms tightly around them.

"ana, the doctor is outside. let's see if we can get a more comprehensive update of billie's condition." victoria leads anastasia out of the room. jason leans his head against billie's shoulder.

"victoria was like a lion on the way over here." jason says.

"what do you mean?" billie asked confused.

"she got into a huge argument with the nurses because it's after visiting hours and they didn't want to let us in."

"yeah! then she scared them and they let us come here."

"really?" billie asked looking at carter, he nodded.

finally, ana and victoria return. "everyone in the accident only had minor injuries. although, they wanna keep you overnight for observation in case you do have a concussion, you can go home tomorrow." victoria says.

"thank god." billie says sighing.

- the following evening, after being discharged from the hospital, billie arrives back at the villa where everyone greets her enthusiastically.

"welcome home billie! we missed you!" jacob says with a big smile.

"yeah! and! we got you something." jason says as he hands the bouquet to billie.

"aww thank y'all so much." she says as she takes them.

"and we're making you dinner! moms only helping a little bit." jacob says.

"really? what're y'all making?"

"spaghetti and meatballs. both made from scratch." ana says smiling.

"oh yum!"

"why don't you go lay down and rest for a bit? I'll come get you when the food is ready."

billie nods and heads to her room, stretching out on the bed with a sigh, closing her eyes for just a minute.

she's not sure how much time has passed when she hears a soft knock on the door, startling her from her nap.

"ana. hey. is dinner ready?"

"hi, you slept through it, actually. I was gonna see if you wanted me to heat some up for you. but...can we talk for a second? there's something I need to say."

"sure, what's up?" anastasia sat next to billie on the bed, taking a deep breath.

"I came to a very important decision last night." billie looked at ana confused.

ana sighed. "I'm going to break up with victoria."