In Five Years

Bella tells Dannie that they have to deal with their relationship before they talk about her sickness. Aaron proposed to Bella the night before and told her that she’s his soulmate and he is fated to be with her regardless of what happens with the cancer. Bella tells Dannie that she, too, is capable of this kind of love but that Bella doesn’t think she has it.

It is late November. Bella undergoes a more invasive form of chemotherapy while Dannie keeps planning the upcoming wedding. Aldridge tells Dannie that the California clients have taken her questions to heart and decided not to go public. They’ve also hired the firm as in-house counsel and want Dannie to head the team. This is the step Dannie needs to take to make junior partner. She calls David to tell him the news, and he is supportive but brief. Dannie makes them dinner reservations for that night.

Dannie thinks about the origins of her relationship with David. She went to the birthday party of Adam, a guy she liked, and David was there as another of Adam’s friends. They had an enjoyable conversation, but Dannie was still only interested in Adam until his efforts to set up Dannie and David made it clear he did not reciprocate. She went out with David because there was no reason not to, and then it was easy to continue the relationship.

At the restaurant, Dannie tells David she wants to postpone the wedding again so that Bella will be able to attend. David asks her seriously if she actually wants to get married and says that sometimes he isn’t sure she does. Dannie says to forget about the postponement; they’ll proceed with what is already planned.

David confronts Dannie a week later about whether she really wants to get married. He tells her that he knows she doesn’t love him the way he loves her. She protests at first but then apologizes because it’s true. He tells her to leave, so she goes to Bella’s, where Bella holds and comforts her.