I don't own the middle.

The next morning the Donahue's headed out early to get Sean from the Airport and Sue put the finishing touches on all the party details. She set up the projector for the video's she'd gathered from all of Sean's friends that could not make the party.

Sue, Brad, Lexie and the rest of the Hecks were running around like Crazy. Sue remembered teasing Axl about butterfly's in his tummy when they were taking him to Colorado but now she was the one with Butterfly's in her tummy. In only a few hours she'd be seeing Sean for the first time since they'd said they loved each other. Her heart was beating in anticipation and fear. What if he'd changed his mind. She swallowed she couldn't allow herself to think that way. She had to remember that he loved her and she'd soon be in his arms again.

"I am so excited to see Sean." Nancy said as they were headed to the airport. "I can't believe it's been three months and I know he'll be spending a lot of time with Sue and then its back to school so I'll be soaking up every second I can with him on this ride. This party Sue is throwing will be amazing though don't you think?"

"Yes." Ron agreed. "Sue is the perfect girl for him. Did I ever tell you that I saw them kiss on Christmas eve."

"No." Nancy turned to her husband. "How could you keep that from me?"

"Well it was after Sean left and he'd been gone awhile so I thought I'd go and check on him and that's when I saw him and sue talking and then before I could blink they were kissing but I never heard anything else about it and then she seemed to have a boyfriend at new years so I was confused and thought I probably shouldn't bring it up."

"Hmm. I wonder." Nancy shook her head. It seemed her son and Sue had many maybe opportunity's. The road seemed to just be their last one in a long line and she was thankful it had all worked out.

When they got to the airport Nancy was ready to hug her son. So ready. Dottie and Shelley were ready to see their brother and Ron was just happy his son was coming home safely. When they saw him coming off the plane Nancy started to jump up and down in excitement. "Sean over here Sean." She waved her arms until he saw her.

"Mom" Sean's face split into a smile. He rushed over to them dropping his bags and wrapped his arms around her. "Oh it's so good to see you."

"Oh I've missed you so much." Nancy squeezed him as hard as she could pulling him down so she could kiss his cheek. "I can't believe it's been three months." She pulled back and looked him all over to make sure there was nothing wrong with him.

"I missed you too." Son said chuckling knowing exactly what his mom was doing. When she finally let him go he turned to his dad and hugged him and then it was Dottie and Shelley's turns to get hugged. Finally after greeting his family he looked around. "Oh I figured Sue would have came with you.

"She wanted to but she had to work. She sends her love." Nancy fibbed.

"Oh" Sean drooped a little "Well I'll hopefully see her tonight." He tried to brighten as he and his family headed towards the car and Nancy secretly smiled to herself.

In Orson Everyone was in the street a welcome home banner was strung across the street and the food was laid out. The projector was ready to go and Sue was almost holding her breath waiting to see the Donahue's car coming up the road.

"Sue he'll love it I promise." Lexie said standing beside her trying to ground her best friend.

"I hope so." Sue bit her lip."

"Lexie is right this is right up the Donahue road Sean will love it." Frankie assured her daughter.

Just then a familiar car came down the road. "It's them." Sue shouted.

As the Donahue's pulled onto their street Sean's eyes widened when he saw all the people lining the street and everything that had been sat up in the street. "Wow." He breathed.

"Isn't it amazing?" Nancy said turning to her Son.

"It is but why did you do all this?" he asked his mother.

"I didn't." Nancy beamed. "Sue did."

Just then Sean caught sight of his girlfriend. "I thought you said she had to work."

"Well of course I wasn't going to tell you about the party." Nancy chuckled as Ron pulled the car to a stop. "Surprise." She said as they all got out of the car. Sean a little slower then the others and a little bit shell shocked.

"Sean." Sue launched herself at him wrapping her arms around him and kissing him. "I missed you." She pulled away and caressed his face. "I'm so glad you're home I don't think I can stand being way from you that long again."

I feel the same." He whispered gently kissing her and letting her slide down his body and find purchase on the asphalt below. He held her savoring the feel of her against him.

"Hphp." A throat cleared behind them. "They turned to see Mike and the rest of their neighbors and family watching them. Sue blushed. They pulled apart and the rest of the neighbors converged on them. They were soon pulled into the party many people wanting to wish Sean well and hear about his trip to Ghana. Sue pulled him over and started the videos some from people he'd met at Notre Dame some from people he knew at Saint Matts and then it was time for the one from Axl.

Axl's face came on the screen. "Hey man glad you made it home safe from Ghana hope you learned a lot." At that Axl laughed as though he'd told a joke and Sue rolled her eyes. Anyway I'm glad you're home sorry I couldn't be there to welcome you. Sue made me make this Video she was pretty sad without you oh so my mom says have a great year and take care of my sister or I'll have to hunt you down. And no details man." Axl pulled a face."

"I'm going to kill him." Sue fumed as the screen went black."

Sean chuckled. "Oh babe that's just Axl it could have been worse don't let him get to you." He bent down and kissed her cheek.

"Fine." Sue grumbled as people headed towards the food tables. As Sue and Sean headed that way someone they hadn't seen in years stepped in front of them.

"Sue, Sean."

Both of their eyes went wide. And their mouths dropped open. "Derrin."

"yeah I heard there was a welcome home party for Sean. Didn't know he'd went away but I thought what the hell I'll show up. Didn't expect this though." He waved at Sue and Sean and Sue's face turned bright red.

"Um yeah we've been together since the day he went to Ghana." She cleared her throat. "How about you anybody in your life."

"oh yeah." He waved a woman with bright red hair over. "This is my Fiancee Bridget we met at the carnival she runs some of the games."

"Oh" Sue nodded. "When is the wedding?"

"Four months from now." Derrin said I am moving back to Orson I left for a few years but I think it's time to come home. It was good to see you guys good luck and I'll be sure to send you a wedding invitation."

"oh yeah sure." Sue said as Derrin and Bridget waked away. "Well that was akward." She said.

"Yeah." Sean shook his head. "I had no clue Derrin was back in town." There was questions Sean had about Sue and Derrin's relationship but he knew now wasn't the time. He'd ask them later.

"So what do you say me and you go on a date tomorrow."

"I say I'd love to." Sue beamed up at him as they finally got into the food line and enjoyed the rest of the day at the party.

Neither noticed the parents had been watching the interaction. "They look so great together." Frankie said.

"Yeah." Nancy agreed.

"I'm just glad she didn't marry Derrin." Mike shuddered "I would have had to kill the kid he was never good enough for Sue."

"No one is good enough for Sue in your eyes." Frankie pointed out.

"Well Sean is pretty damn close." Mike said grabbing a beer.

He glanced over to see Brick and Cindy. "Now as for her." He nodded towards the teen "I still don't like her."

"Hmm she's probably as good as Brick can hope for though." Frankie shrugged. She wasn't the biggest Cindy fan either she found her harsh, manipulative and whiny but for Brick she'd put up with the teen.

The night ended and the neighbors and friends left and soon Sean was giving Sue a goodbye kiss and Sue was waving goodbye as he crossed the street and day dreaming about the next day and her first official date with Sean.

A/N as you can see I'm not a big Cindy fan and that will play out more in the story so If you love Cindy this story probably isn't for you. If you do love this story please drop a review it keeps me motivated next up the first date.