Better late than never. It's the thought that will count, and I think the others will want to celebrate it for you as it is. Can't hold out on 'em with a party, can ya?

[Wes smirks, as he knows that's going to be more of an incentive, and the others would want to chip in.

Martha wouldn't have to prepare or be at the helm of anything. They'd all take care of the dinner and such, since she is the one that is being celebrated and she is the one that's usually hosting the events and making sure they're running smoothly.

It'll be nice to have her sit back and just have the rest do the work.]

Darlin', you forget who you're talkin' to. That displeasing look might be formidable to just about anyone else, but after all this time, it ain't got nothing on me, I'm afraid.

Though I'd never believe differently.

[Wes nods, listening to her carefully, without any sort of inkling that there's sympathy or whatnot. He understands, and he was there, and they can talk about it, or rather, she can talk about it freely without worrying about his reaction.]

It ain't easy, but in the end, it's all we can do. Let ourselves change since it's not somethin' we can avoid.

[They are defined powerfully by definitive experiences, and what she has been through for four years is nothing if not definitive. Which doesn't mean she will stop growing and changing. That kind of thing is never static.]

... No, I have not. [Small, humorless snort.] Been hit on persistently, I suppose you could say, but never that kinda intensity.

Poor kid.