11 Days Before the Wedding

"You really think she has no idea?" Tara asked Lucy.

"Not a clue. This is going to be great!" Lucy squealed. Her grandmother, Alice, smiled from the other room. They were setting up the apartment for Sue's surprise wedding shower. Jane was on Sue duty, waiting for the text telling her to bring Sue back from coffee. Tess and Donna were finishing up with the snacks while Maddy carried all the gifts in from the cars. Sue's mom sent her regrets, but she couldn't make it. She had sent her gift, though.

"Do you think we should have invited more people?" Lucy asked, fretting. There were seven of them, not including Sue, but Lucy wanted it to be perfect.

"Sue likes things small," Tara advised. "I wouldn't worry about it."

"Okay, I'm finished," Maddy said, huffing and out of breath. "What else can I do?"

"Here," Lucy said, handing her a bag of balloons. "Go nuts."

"I have no breath left," Maddy complained.

"I'm sure you can wrangle some up," Tess teased. Maddy gave her a look, but she was smiling. Lucy ran around making sure everything was finished. Tara was on her phone, smiling.

"What?" Lucy asked, noticing.

"Bobby is asking why boys aren't allowed at a wedding shower. He says two people are getting married not just one," Tara laughed. "I think he's jealous and is missing out on the fun."

"Aw poor boy," Lucy grinned. "Tell him we'll save him some cookies." Tara tapped away on her phone.

"Hey, could Amy come?" Tara asked. She had been spending more time with her biological mother since the whole incident with Ted.

"Yes!" Lucy said immediately. "I would love to meet her."

"Me too," Tess chimed in. Donna and Alice nodded.

"All right. I will invite her," Tara smiled. Amy responded right away and said she would be right over. Tara felt a little nervous about everyone finally meeting her biological mother, but it was time.

Jack's Apartment

"What do you think they're doing right now?" Bobby asked, setting his phone down after reading Tara's text about cookies. His stomach rumbled.

"Doing girl stuff," Myles replied, taking a sip of his beer. They were at Jack's place hanging out until Jack was allowed to show up at the shower.

"Braiding each other's hair," John laughed.

"Pillow fight," Charlie chimed in. Jack just shook his head.

"You guys all think that's what goes on when women are alone with each other," he joked. "You know what they really do, right?"

"What?" Bobby asked, worried.

"They talk about us!" Jack laughed.

"Oh boy," John sighed. "You're probably right."

"How come it's the women who get to open all the gifts?" Bobby asked.

"It's really bothering you, isn't it?" Jack asked.

"It just seems unfair is all," Bobby answered.

"When you get married, we'll throw you a party and you can do all the gift opening," D teased.

"Yea, when are you proposing to Tara?" Myles asked.

"Whoa, whoa, one wedding at a time here, boys," Bobby said, holding his hands up.

"No, I'm curious too," Jack said. "Do you think it'll go in that direction?"

"We're just dating right now," Bobby said. "Having fun. Living life. We haven't even had that conversation yet ourselves."

"Don't wait too long," D warned, smiling. He was glad that soon he wasn't going to be the only married guy on the team.

Sue & Jane

"This is nice," Sue said, smiling at Jane. "We don't hang out like this often, just you and I."

"I know, right?" Jane replied. She sipped her coffee, waiting for her phone to vibrate. "How are you doing? You must be excited!"

"I am," Sue agreed. "A little nervous too."

"Your brother was on our wedding day too. I think he thought I was gonna chicken out," Jane winked, laughing. Levi looked up at the sound of her laugh. She rubbed his belly with her foot absently.

"I remember," Sue chuckled. "He needed another suit jacket cos he sweated right through the first one!" Jane felt her phone go off then, and she knew it was show time. She peeked at it anyway just to make sure.

"What do you say about a movie back at your place?" Jane asked. "John's out for the night, and Maddy's with friends. I haven't had a girl's night in a while."

"I think it sounds great," Sue replied.

Sue & Lucy's Apartment

"Places everyone!" Lucy cried, excited. Jane was on her way. This was going to be great. Within moments, they heard Jane and Sue talking outside. When they came in, everyone jumped up and shouted surprise.

"Oh!" Sue exclaimed. She turned to look at Jane. "You were in on this, weren't you?"

"Absolutely," Jane winked. She ushered Sue in to her bride's chair that Lucy had decorated. Sue was blushing furiously now. She wasn't one for attention. Jane went over to hug Maddy.

"I'm very lightheaded," Maddy said, giggling. She had blown up about twenty balloons within fifteen minutes. It had to be some kind of record. Lucy took charge then, explaining how the games were going to work. Then the doorbell rang, making Levi rush towards Sue.

"Ah, ah!" Tara said, catching him. "I got this one, buddy." She went to answer and found Amy there.

"Sorry I'm late," Amy apologized. "I wasn't coming to a wedding shower empty-handed."

"Wow, how could you have possibly gotten anything at this hour?" Tara asked, surprised.

"It was in my closet actually," Amy admitted. "Don't rat me out."

"I won't," Tara promised, laughing. She led Amy into the living room and felt shy suddenly.

"This must be Amy," Donna said, breaking the ice.

"Everyone, this is my birth mom," Tara said. Amy curtsied.

"Very nice to meet you!" Lucy cried, pulling her into a hug. The others crowded around and introduced themselves. Then the party got started.

Later

"There's my cue," Jack said, looking at his phone. It was about two hours later. He got up and grabbed his coat.

"Can we come too?" Bobby asked hopefully. "Tara mentioned cookies..."

"I don't see why not," John said. "Our ladies are all there."

"I'm just going to go home," Myles said. "Thanks though." Things were still awkward between him and Lucy since he started dating Jeanine. Bobby shared a look with Jack.

"You're missing out," Charlie shrugged. Within moments they were on their way over, and when they got there, Jack couldn't believe how generous his friends were. Bobby beelined for the snacks and began eating eagerly. Tara gave him a playful swat to indicate he had overlooked her, which he heartily made up for. D went to hug Donna, and Charlie sat beside Tess while John pulled Jane onto his lap. Maddy was sitting on the floor and rested her head against their legs. Alice and Amy were chatting in a corner.

"I can't thank all of you enough for everything that you've done," Sue said once everyone had settled down. "Jack and I are so lucky to have such wonderful friends in our lives."

"Hear hear!" Bobby called, raising his cookie in the air. Conversation ensued, and Jack managed to sneak in a kiss while no one was looking. They truly were blessed. Nothing could ruin this moment.

John & Jane

"That was really nice," Jane said as they drove home. John reached over and patted her leg.

"It was. My sister is happier than I've ever seen her."

"She's teaching me how to sign," Maddy bragged.

"I could have done that," John said. "All you had to do was ask."

"It's cooler from her," Maddy replied.

"I'm glad you're bonding," John smiled.

"I think Charlie is excited to be a father," Jane noted. "Did you see the way he kept staring at Tess and touching her stomach every chance he got?"

"Yea, I did," John laughed. "I admit it's still strange to think about him being a father, but I know he'll be good at it."

"Do they know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" Maddy asked.

"Not yet. I think soon, though," Jane answered. They pulled into the driveway and parked. Maddy hopped out while Jane leaned over and stole a kiss from John.

"What was that for?" he asked teasingly.

"Just because," she answered, eyes twinkling.

"Oohh is tonight a Checkers night?" he asked.

"Perhaps," she said vaguely, getting out of the car. He hopped out and followed her.

"Good night!" Maddy called from the top of the stairs.

"I'm so glad she's better," Jane sighed.

"Me too," John said. "Now, make with the Checkers."

"John!" Jane squealed as he started tickling her.

Sue

Sue helped Lucy clean up. She loved her friend dearly in that moment. She hoped one day she could return the wonderful gestures Lucy had been making for her.

"I can't thank you enough, Luce," Sue said, hugging her after they finished.

"It's my pleasure," Lucy smiled. "Now get some rest. You look tired."

"I am," Sue admitted. They exchanged good nights, and Sue went off to bed. She fell asleep dreaming about how in just eleven days she was going to be Mrs. Hudson.

I know it was short, but I noticed interest seemed to be dying off a little and wanted to give you guys a more fun chapter. I don't expect many more chapters left in this story just fyi. If you haven't checked it out already, give "Levi's Purpose" a chance. You might enjoy it ;)