Unfortunately folks, this marks the beginning of the end of the Muddy Buddy series :-( I know, everyone is disappointed, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Here we have the start of the lives of the kids of the Torres-Robbins group. Engagements, weddings and babies; some announcements, some of the actual events; and then there's a final surprise at the end.

Once again, timing is approximate.

Part 7 A 1 - Michael being Ryleigh home for Christmas after they became engaged (Christmas 2029)

"Ready for this?" Michael stands before the front door of his parents' home, nervously twisting the handle of his bag in his hand. Ryleigh smiles indulgently at him.

"Why exactly are you so nervous? These are your parents here."

"I know, it's just, I'm their oldest."

"In case you've forgotten, both your brother and sister are already engaged."

"But we'll be the first to actually get married. Speaking of, are you certain you want to get married in May? That's only six months away."

"I'm certain, besides, I've already booked the chapel at Annapolis, so it's either this May, or August 2033… do you really want to wait that long?"

"Knowing my family and their beliefs of marriage and children? No, I definitely don't want to wait that long to start a family with you." His hands go still at he takes her hand, gently rubbing his thumb over her engagement ring.

"Are you two planning on going inside any time soon?" The pair turns to see Mark and Lexie standing behind them, their youngest three standing with them.

"We are indeed, Uncle Mark." He drops his bag, pulling the older man into a hug before greeting Lexie and each of the girls while they greet Ryleigh. It didn't take long for Ryleigh to become comfortable with the PDAs of her fiancé's extended family.

"I seem to be detecting a certain something on a certain finger," Mark keeps his hold on Ryleigh's left hand, causing the young couple to get a little nervous.

"I don't suppose that you could keep that to yourself until we get to tell my moms, could you?"

"Mum's the word." Mark mimes locking his mouth with a key.

"Thank you."

"Didn't you two have time to change?" Lexie changes the subject, motioning to the uniforms the two sport while opening the front door.

"Unfortunately not," Ryleigh answers, removing her cover as they enter the house. "There was a situation at the Inspector General's office this morning that we were both called in on. Fortunately I convinced him to pack last night so we left from work as soon as we finished."

"Otherwise he would have left it until the last second, packing this morning ten minutes before you left for the airport. This one is the same way." Lexie cocks her thumb toward her husband, who acts insulted, though doesn't comment against his wife.

"Like I need to, I still have things here that I can wear if I didn't pack."

"That's your argument? Kind of flimsy, sweetie." Callie enters the foyer to hear the last exchange.

"What is this? Gang up on Michael day?"

"Isn't every day?" The group smiles at Ryleigh, remembering the days when she was too shy to even smile at anyone – now she fits right in and can spar and keep up with everyone.

"Go change," Callie smiles at her oldest. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"Yes, ma'am," he leads Ryleigh up the stairs, while Callie greets Mark and his family.

"So, I was wondering what everyone's plans are for this coming May?" Ryleigh groans softly at Michael's question… he always did go for the cheesier lead-ins.

"None of yet, why?" Callie passes the bread basket around the table. All of her children had arrived that afternoon, though Mark and family left once Lauren and Carter had arrived shortly after Liam and Josh. Tonight was a family dinner with immediate family and significant others only.

"Well, you guys might want to clear your schedules for the second weekend."

"Why exactly do we need to do that?" Carter focuses in on her older brother. She knows his methods, she knows that there's something big he's about to announce, and she suspects what it might be.

"We've got the chapel at the Naval Academy booked for our wedding." He might as well have announced that he has a dentist appointment that weekend for his behavior. The group looks to Ryleigh, who's shaking her head at Michael's actions and brings her clasped hands to rest her chin on, displaying her ring for the group to see.

"I suppose that we can do that." Arizona matches her son's tone, even though all she wants to do is jump up and down in excitement. She'll save that for later, for now… she'll play her son's game.