TONY'S POV

I stood behind Piper as she glared at her mom. I put my hand on her shoulder to calm her down, expecting that she would shove me away. But she didn't.
Piper took a deep sigh. "You should leave, mom." She said so softly, that I almost didn't hear her.
"Piper, honey, I only didn't tell you because I knew you'd be upset..."
"Just go mom, please."
Karen sighed. "Alright. I'll be in touch." Karen turned around and walked towards the door. I ran up in front of her to open the door for her. She looked up at me when she got to the door. "Take care of my little girl." She whispered to me.
"I will, drive safe." I said. Karen nodded, then walked out the door.
I shut it softly, then looked at Piper. Her arms were crossed and she was staring at the door. I couldn't tell if there was a glare on her glasses, or if she was crying.
I walked up closer to Piper, then placed a hand on her hip. "Are you alright?" I whispered, my face close to hers.
Piper shook her head, then put her head on my shoulder. "No, I'm not alright. How could she get remarried?" She said. I felt her lip trembling against my shoulder, then the wetness of her tears.
"I don't know." I ran my hands through her long black hair, trying to comfort her. We stood there for a few minutes while she cried into my shoulder.
She pulled away. "I'm going to shower." She whispered.
I nodded my head, then kissed her forehead before she walked away. She didn't even slam the bathroom door, she shut it softly.
When Piper got mad, Piper was mad. Angry. So angry that it was hard to get her out of the hole of anger she dug. But I've never seen her act like this. She was sad. She didn't scream at her mom, or scream at me about her mom. She cried. She loved her father so much that she was too afraid to love me. She still loves her father, and she probably feels like she's the only one left.
She was still in the shower when I was finished getting dressed. I searched the pants I wore yesterday to find my phone. I unlocked it, then dialed a number.
"Tony, dude, you would not believe the girl I went out with the other night! She's beautiful as hell, and she's so smart! Gosh, you have to meet her. We can double date." Vic said.
"Saying we could double date is probably the girliest thing I've ever heard." I said.
"Shut the hell up. You're the only one who has a girlfriend, and I'm hoping this works out. Anyway, she went to Cornell and double-"
"Vic, sorry, but I called you for a reason."
It was silent. "Oh, what's up?"
Then I told him the whole story. How Karen showed up and how I met her and the whole unexpected mess that happened. "Piper isn't even mad, she's just crying and she's sad. I'm used to dealing with sassy Piper that has anger problems in some cases. How do I deal with this?"
"So you met Piper's mom in a towel?"
I tried not to laugh. "That's not the point, Vic." I said.
"I know, sorry, but that's funny."
"Whatever, so what do I do?"
Vic thought for a second. "Well, do something sweet. Tony, you've been the most loving out of all of us, surprising girls is the best thing you do."
Then, it clicked. "Yes! Okay, yeah. I got you, but I'll need your help."

Later that night, I knocked on Piper's door, and ran, leaving only a note on the ground.

PIPER'S POV

I was wrapped up on the couch, showing how weak I truly am, when there was a knock on the door. It took me a while to get up. I walked to the door with the blanket still on my shoulders. I swung the door open, and there was no one there. I looked down the hallway. Nope, no one. I shook my head, stupid teenagers. They're lucky I'm too sad to do anything about it.
I felt my foot step on something. I lifted my foot up to find a little white index card. I picked it up. Typed on the card was
Roses are red, so is wine. Go find the kind you buy at Target. Sorry, I tried to rhyme.
I glanced down the hallway again. Nobody. But I wanted to play this game. I threw my blanket on the bed and slipped on my red Vans, then ran out the door.

I pushed my way through the way to crowded Target. Geez, it was Monday night. What's even going on?
Once I got to the wine, I picked up the somewhat heavy bottle and tipped it over. On the bottom was another note card. This one read
Ding Ding, you order is ready. Go to the In N Out by your house. And don't forget to buy the wine.
I grabbed the bottle of wine and ran through the Target.

I stood at the counter inside the In N Out.
"Are you Piper?" A tiny girl behind the counter asked.
"Uh, yeah." I said. The girl turned around and was gone for about a minute, then came back with a bag.
"Don't open it. It's already paid for, and here's the card." She said, handing me another note card.
Two of your favorites. Now make your way to your best friend's, he holds the key.
My best friend?

I knocked softly on Jaime's door, and it swung open before I could move my hand. Jaime's eyes were wide.
"Pipe!"
"Hime-Time!" I cheered as Jaime hugged me tight.
"Are you here for your clue?" He asked as he search his pockets.
"Clue, it's not a key?" The last card said key, so shouldn't Jaime have a key?
"No, what kind of game do you think this is?" He said, laughing. He's so stupid, but I love him.
Jaime handed me a card.
Where did we meet? We met somewhere where love exists. Meet me there.

I walked up to the empty building where Leanna got married. I stood in front of the door with the bag of food in one hand and wine in the other. I pushed lightly on the door to see that it was already open. This better be Tony and not some killer waiting to rape and kill me.
Once I stepped inside, I heard the strumming of a guitar, and I followed the sound to a room in the back. A soft light leaked out of the cracks of the door.
I pushed the door softly and almost cried at the sight.
Tony stood in the center of the room, strumming lightly on his guitar. The room was lit with only candles, and yet it glowed so nicely. There was a blanket on the ground with two wine glasses, and the room was covered in purple tulips, which were my favorite flower.
"Yeah you hold my attention without even trying." Tony sang, a bit off key. "A beautiful reflection from firework eyes."
I felt my eyes swell with tears. "Tony..."
He put his guitar on the stand. "I know it's not much, but I figure you would love it."
I couldn't hold back the tears. "I do, I do. It's... wow. Tony." I placed the objects on the ground and ran up to him. I basically leaped in his arms, and he caught me. I cried as he held me. I love this man more than anyone will ever understand.
Tony held me for a minute, then pulled away. He placed his hands on my cheeks as I cried. "I love you, Piper Lynn Kristianson. You may be the only Kristianson left, but you are by far the best. Even if it feels like you're all alone, you're not. I'm here and I'm in love with you, you will never be alone again. It sucks that your mom got remarried, but it's not the end. Just like your dad is letting you love me, he's letting your mom love someone else. If you don't want to forgive her, it's all your choice, but I still love and I will stand by you whatever you do. I love you, beautiful, and I don't want to see you cry ever again." Tony said, followed by a kiss on my forehead.
"You did this all for me?" I ask through my tears.
"I did it because I love you. It's all for you, and there's much more to come."
Tony softly kissed me, and I fell into the kiss. He loves me, he truly loves me.
He pulled away. "Are you hungry?" He asked.
I laughed. "I'm starving. You had me driving all over San Diego!"
"I'm sorry, but it was worth it, wasn't it?"
"Yes, darling, it was." I said, then kissed him again. "I love you."
"I love you, my beautiful firework."
"Firework?"
"Because you're beautiful, but you explode easily."
I laughed with him. "Oh, shut up!" I kissed him again. I can't get enough of him.

Notes