a/n: ahaha, KaydenceRei you are definitely not the only one who finds the name Bob amusing ;)
a/n:P I found an old version of this story, where chapters 18 through 24 were summarized into three paragraphs. They weren't even very long. Course, this story was originally going to be five parts :P I've never been very good at forecasting.
a/n: and thanks to everyone for reading! i hope to pick up the pace severely with the updates now. thanks for all your reviews too!

The next day flew by and soon it was time to head over to Cheryl and May's.

"You're sure we're not supposed to bring anything?" Alex asked Liv again.

"Yes," Liv said, trying not to sound as exasperated as she felt. Alex raised an eyebrow and felt the need to explain herself,

"Sorry, it's just I'm not used to not bringing something."

"May said she'd 'throw anything we brought straight in the trash';" Liv repeated May's words to her.

"Alright then, going empty-handed it is."

"Not quite empty-handed," Elliot said, coming around the corner and dropping a bag of baby gear over her shoulder. Alex did her best not to grunt,

"Thanks Elliot."

"I do what I can," he laughed and headed back to get the rest of Abby's things. Alex glanced over at Liv again before dropping the bag by the door,

"Everything okay?" she asked conversationally. Liv glanced up briefly before going back to clearing the table,

"Yeah, fine," she said. Alex sighed and plunked herself down at the table in front of Liv, who tried to ignore her staring for several minutes, but she couldn't hold out forever. She sighed and sat down across from Alex,

"Sorry, I think it's that this party means I really am leaving. I've been getting ready to leave for so long now that I guess I…I do want to go back to New York, I really do."

"But you're going to miss living here."

"Yeah," Olivia smiled at Alex, "Thanks, I forgot that you're going through the same thing." Alex got up from the table hugged her,

"Yes, and I just keep reminding myself that we're not leaving forever this time. We can visit whenever we like now."

By the time they got everything packed up and Abby had finished her nap they were a little late, so there was already a crowd when they arrived. Cheryl opened the door wide and everyone welcomed them warmly. There were friends from both of their schools, some from the community, and some of Bob's friends. Liv laughed when she stepped further into the house and saw the giant banner that proclaimed 'WE'LL MISS YOU ROSE, ABBY AND BOB!'.

"That's so great you guys. Thanks," Liv said. Cheryl smiled,

"May and I made it this afternoon. Sorry Elliot, but we ran out of room," she said.

"It's okay, I'll live," he smiled at her, "So, where can we put Abby's stuff?" Cheryl was about to answer when two of Liv's students appeared,

"Ms. Linwood!"

"Hey Freya, Brenda. How are you guys?"

"We're great, and Cheryl hired us for the night to look after Abby," Brenda bubbled forth. At Liv's inadvertent doubtful look Freya spoke up,

"We've both taken babysitting courses and sat lots of babies before," she said.

"Including all three of my brothers," Brenda reminded them all of just how many brothers she had. Liv smiled and reconsidered leaving her daughter in their hands. It was true that they'd both been great with Abby back at their goodbye party. Liv glanced at Elliot, and she could tell that he was okay with this.

"Alright," she agreed. Freya and Brenda beamed at each other, "let's go get her set up."

Liv kept Abby with her for the first hour or so, just carrying her around with her while she mingled. She loved holding her girl, and she wasn't too heavy yet. Besides, Abby seemed to enjoy watching them talk. So many of her colleagues had come and she was grateful for the chance to say goodbye, and to show off her little girl.

Some parents of some of her students had even come too, to thank her for helping their children. When Alex joined her circle she was surprised to see tears in Liv's eyes.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked her.

"Oh, I'm good," she said, wiping her eyes before introducing Alex, "Abby, these are Dylan's parents, Fred and Margaret." They shook hands.

"We were just thanking Rose for helping Dylan so much with his anxiety problems. She's practically given him a new life," Margaret said, and Liv sniffed again.

"We're definitely going to miss her," Fred told her.

Alex's friend Ellen and her husband joined them then and the cooing over baby Abby started over again.

Bob and Elliot were out on the patio watching the group, all laughter and smiles.

"Man, we are so lucky," Bob observed.

"Yes, yes we are," Elliot agreed.

"Did I ever tell you how relieved I was to hear about you, when you first came to visit?" Bob asked, and Elliot laughed, "Seriously, to know that I still had a chance with Alex-" at Bob's slip they both glanced around them but no one seemed to have noticed, "to know that I still had a chance with her, that she wasn't starting up a family with Ol-Rose. I can't tell you how happy I was. How happy I still am."

"Well, you're welcome, I guess."

Back inside, the conversation had turned back to Dylan, so Alex took her chance to ask about Mary-Sue.

"Is she going to come, Ellen?"

"I don't think so, honey. She's just not ready," Ellen squeezed Alex's arm. Alex just nodded and stared at the ground for a while.

"I'm coming back soon, with Bob, to sort out his things. Maybe I'll talk to her then," she said.

"I think that would be a good idea," Ellen said.

Later that night most of the guests had gone and everyone left was sitting around the living room. Abby was in the capable hands of Freya and Brenda, and Liv was happily sitting in Elliot's arms on the couch. They were all just talking and sharing memories when May swaggered back into the room with another drink. She carefully placed her drink on the table, and then flomped down onto the couch next to Liv.

"Liv," she whispered a little too loud in Liv's ear.

"Rose," Liv automatically corrected.

"Liv, did you show them all your ring?"

"No, not reall-"

"Did everyone see her ring?" May asked loudly, holding Liv's hand up for all to see. Several people spoke up at once, most just remarking on how lovely it was, and then a teacher named Betty said,

"I'm just relieved she's wearing it again. Rose, I would have been worried if you went back to New York with him, no insult intended Elliot, and you still weren't wearing your ring." Liv managed to smile, and appreciated the older woman's concern for her well-being,

"Yes, we are one big happy family again," she said.

"Everything's fine?" Betty asked, making sure.

"Yes," Liv answered, clearing up any doubt. And then May opened her mouth,

"So, when's the wedding?" she asked innocently. Everyone in the room in the know gaped as Liv did her best to answer. Liv would have laughed at how wide Alex's eyes were in any other situation.

"In a month or so," Elliot said calmly from behind her. It took all of Liv's restraint not to spin and stare at him. And at everyone's confused looks he even continued, "We're going to restart from the beginning. That's why I proposed again. Next we'll do the wedding."

"And then I'll put my wedding ring back on," Liv finished for him, reminding herself to give him a big thank you later on. Everyone smiled, pleased with the idea. May nodded and took a sip of her drink, and sputtered,

"Hey! This is water!" she said indignantly. A laugh rang out from the kitchen and Cheryl poked her head out,

"Yes it is. I think you've had enough, sweetie," she said. May stood up to confront her, and stumbled backwards into her seat.

"Yeah, I think you're right," she giggled. Then she snuggled into Elliot's shoulder. "You know, Liv-"

"Rose," Liv corrected her.

"Yeah, right, anyway, his shoulder is really nice."

"Yes it is." The conversations got going again around them and no one even seemed to notice May's slip.

Much later it was time to head out. May had downgraded to giddy, which just led to a lot of hugging goodbye, and thankfully she'd gotten her head back on about calling Liv Rose. Promises for wedding invitations and visits were exchanged, and definitely some tears. Eventually they all headed home to crash for the night. The next day would be busy and full of moving truck loading and packing up the house and they all needed the energy.

"Thank you, Elliot, for being so quick with May, answering her 'when's the wedding' question," Liv said once they were in the car.

"No problem," he smiled back at her, but something in his eyes made her wonder…

"Ugh!" Alex announced as she fell onto the couch at Bob's apartment.

"I know what you mean," Liv responded, already seated on the couch, "that was supposed to be an easy move."

"I'm really sorry. I had no idea the elevator was out," Bob apologized again, then leaned in to give Alex a kiss, "you ladies stay put, we'll bring the rest up."

"Thanks Bob," Alex said. Elliot gave Abby and Liv quick kisses and followed him out the door.

As soon as the door shut Alex gave out a big sigh.

"What is it?" Liv asked knowingly. Alex didn't even try to pretend.

"Bob's parents are picking us up from the airport tomorrow," she said.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Ever talked to them before?"

"Nope."

"Good luck."

"Thanks. I think I'm going to need it," Alex sighed again. "Have you guys decided when you're going to introduce the kids to…the kid?"

"We're getting in pretty late Monday night, so we're thinking probably Tuesday afternoon. I'd like to get some sleep in before performing that particular hurdle," Liv said, and Alex nodded.

"How do you think they're going to take it?"

"I'm just hoping for no screaming. We all got along pretty well before, I mean they're great kids," Liv said.

"And they all think you're pretty great too," Alex added, "I've seen you guys together at the barbeques."

"But things are different now. I'll just have to wait and see. I'm most worried about how Lizzie will react. She and I had gotten pretty close, before…" Liv trailed off. Alex hated to see Liv so pessimistic and doubtful. She patted her hand,

"It'll all be fine. You'll see," Alex said, and Liv made a 'yeah sure' noise, "hey, when are we going to spring all of this on Munch and Fin?" Alex asked, and Liv couldn't help but smile,

"First chance we get! Oh, can't wait to see their faces," she said. Alex grinned.

TBC…