Hey everyone!

This chapter lines up with the end of the first story, but don't worry, there's still a few more chapters left in this one.

So, this is the end of May, Memorial Day to be exact.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 25

*A month later*

Carlton fidgeted nervously as he got dressed. The party was to start in a half hour and Lauren had not arrived yet. She called him before she left Los Angeles, but that was awhile ago. Hopefully she was not stuck in traffic, or worse. As he put on a tie, Shawn walked in.

"Lassie! This is a party! You look like you're about to go to work!" Shawn admonished as he stepped up to Carlton.

"I'm not going to put on a jacket." Carlton defended as Shawn took off his tie.

"Only because it's like 80 degrees out." Shawn smiled as he undid the first few buttons. "You should show some of your sternum bush."

"I don't think so." Carlton batted Shawn's hands away and redid the buttons.

"Come on! At least leave the collar open!"

"Fine!" Carlton sighed as he looked at Shawn. "What about your outfit?"

"My outfit is perfect."

"You look like you're about to go to the beach."

"Lassie! It's a party!" Shawn groaned as he flopped onto the bed.

"That we are hosting! You want to show people that you care." Carlton went over to the closet and looked through Shawn's clothes. "Besides, if I have to dress down, you're going to dress up."

"You're not dressed down by much. Now, if you wore jeans…." Shawn said with a seductive look.

Carlton rolled his eyes. "Then you would be distracted all evening. Here, how about this polo shirt? It's a little nicer than a t-shirt. And put on a nicer looking pair of jeans."

"Fine! But only because so many of our co-workers are coming." Shawn sighed as he stood up and changed.

"How many?" Carlton asked nervously.

"Oh, I don't know. About a dozen or two."

"Two dozen!"

Shawn shrugged. "Yeah, but only the ones that aren't too uncomfortable with us being together. Quite a few of the guys on the softball team are coming and they've been asking if you are playing this year."

Carlton coughed nervously as he checked his phone. "Probably not this year."

"Aw! Why not?! You're the bestest third base coach we have! I heard that the guy they got to replace you last year was horrible and got hit at least once a game, both during and after the game."

Carlton grinned. "We'll see. I'll go wake up Booker while you go greet your couple dozen guests who are coming. When Lulu shows up, tell her I'm waiting on her."

"If Lauren wasn't your sister, I might be a little jealous about all the time you two have been spending together." Shawn smiled as he stepped up in front of Carlton and placed his arms around Carlton's neck.

"Like I could hide an affair from you." Carlton smiled as he kissed Shawn. "Let alone have time for one right now."

"You can't hide anything from the amazing super-sleuth that is Shawn Spencer."

"That sounds like a challenge."

"I'm always up for a challenge." Shawn grinned as they kissed again. The doorbell rang and Shawn stepped back. "That's probably Gus. I told him he's always welcomed, that he can just walk right in."

"He's probably afraid of walking in on anything and being scarred for life." Carlton said as he started for Booker's room.

"He's just jealous." Shawn smirked as he smacked Carlton on the ass before running down the stairs.

Carlton just glared at Shawn's back, knowing that he was about to pull a great surprise on him soon enough.

Carlton stood on the porch and looked at all their guests. Besides those that they considered their close friends and family, there were only about six officers and their spouses that had shown up, most of whom Carlton had gotten to know pretty well over the past decade. He was tempted to wait a few days to surprise Shawn, but Lauren had talked him out of it. Shawn was always pulling pranks and embarrassing people in front of groups; it was about time someone did the same to him.

Nodding at Lauren, Carlton stepped to the edge of the porch and called out, "Alright, can I have everyone's attention!"

A few people turned around, but a majority was still talking, including the group Shawn was laughing with. Rolling his eyes, Carlton yelled, "KNOCK IT OFF!"

A silence quickly filled the yard, broken by Shawn hurrying over. "Lassie, is it time for your nap?"

"No, but I have some things to say to everyone gathered here."

"Okie dokie." Shawn said as he took Carlton's hand and faced the crowd. "Hey everyone! We're so excited that you were able to join our shindig tonight. I know you all are just as excited as I am to have Lassie with us, again." Shawn looked at Carlton expectantly as the crowd applauded.

Carlton smiled. "It's good to be back. It's been a very interesting year and a half with many ups and downs. I never thought that I would have a kid, especially with Shawn."

"Ouch, Lassie! That hurt! Anyways, we're glad to have you all in our lives and hope to celebrate more things with you."

"And on that note, I have something I would like to ask Shawn." Carlton said as he turned towards Shawn and took both of his hands.

Shawn coughed nervously. "If you're going to ask where the cake is, I promise that a friend is bringing it! It was just a bit bigger than expected."

"I don't care about the cake right now." Carlton took a deep breath. "Ever since you came into my life 7 years ago, you flipped everything upside down and made me question everything, including my sanity at times."

"Well, you really do need to let loose more."

"The year without you was one of the hardest things I had to do, and probably the loneliest I've been."

Shawn laughed awkwardly. "I know. We've had this conversation before; I don't know why we have to rehash it for everyone here."

Carlton shook his head and muttered, "For a fake psychic, you're missing the point." Clearing his throat, he continued. "In the past year, I've been doing a lot of thinking. And about a month ago, I made a decision. About us."

When Carlton paused, Shawn frowned. "Oh-kay. So, what is this decision, and do I have any say in the matter?"

"Your answer makes all the difference." Carlton smiled as he got down on one knee and pulled out a box. "Shawn, will you marry me?"

Shawn stared at the box for a few seconds before whispering, "No."

Carlton frowned. "What?!"

"No." Shawn shook his head slowly. "No way… did you buy a ring without me noticing!" He exclaimed, starting to move his hands wildly. "How did I not see this coming?! Especially with you and Lauren hanging out a lot recently. *gasp* Lauren!" Shawn turned to Lauren, who was holding Booker. "Why didn't you tell me?! I thought we were close?"

Lauren rolled her eyes, "Because we wanted it to be a surprise!"

"This is so not cool! I was the one who was supposed to plan a big ol' extravagant proposal to embarrass Lassie!"

Carlton coughed nervously, "Shawn! I'm still waiting for an answer. And you are embarrassing me right now."

Shawn laughed as he looked back at Carlton. "Oh, sorry Lassie. Of course I will marry you! Why would you ever doubt my love for you?"

"Because marriage is a big commitment and you hate responsibilities."

"Hey! I'm getting better!"

"JUST KISS ALREADY!" Juliet shouted.

Shawn laughed as Carlton blushed. Shawn got down on his knees and kissed Carlton. When they finally pulled apart, Carlton opened the ring box and showed Shawn a silver ring with a pineapple and gun engraved on the inside of it. Shawn laughed as Carlton put it on his finger. The crowd erupted into applause as they finally stood back up.

Shawn gave Carlton a quick hug before admiring the ring closer. "Hey Lassie, what are these stones?"

"They're birthstones."

"Oh, okay. But why are there 4 of them? There's March for you, February for me, and September for Booker. But why is there a December birthstone? I don't know anyone with a December birthday."

Carlton smiled as he took Shawn's hand and placed it on his stomach. "I'm pregnant. Due in December."

Shawn stared at Carlton's stomach as he mumbled, "You're trying to give me a heart attack today, aren't you?"

Carlton laughed, "No."

"OMG LASSIE!" Shawn exclaimed as he hugged Carlton.

Later that night, as they were cuddling on the couch and watching the news, Shawn said, "I can't believe you managed to pull that off without me noticing. I can't believe you're pregnant!"

Carlton laughed as he took Shawn's hand and looked at the ring. "Yeah, a couple times I thought you knew; especially with the morning sickness."

"You must have taken some lessons from me about being stealthy."

"Or you're losing your touch."

"Hey!" Shawn mock glared at him and hit him lightly. "A lot's been going on! It doesn't help that Books is teething! I've been trying my hardest to keep him as happy and pain-free as possible."

"And you've been doing a good job at it too." Carlton leaned down and gave him a kiss.

"Only good?"

"Well, there's room for improvement."

"I can only learn so much from the internet and my dad. And part of it's trial and error since every baby is different."

Carlton smiled. "Look at you, becoming somewhat of an expert on babies. Maybe you should become a nanny."

"Nah, I like what I do now. Besides, this way, I'm only screwing up my own kid."

"I would prefer it if you don't screw Booker up anymore than he's going to be."

"You think he's going to have problems?"

"Looking at the two of us, yes! At least he has a good support system of people who love him."

"Yeah, he does." Shawn kissed Carlton. "I'm glad you came back."

"Me too."

"I'm happy that you're pregnant again."

Carlton groaned. "It's not all sunshine and rainbows."

"No, but the end result is pretty amazing, right?"

"Yeah. Just don't expect me to be pregnant again. I don't know how some woman can stand to be pregnant a dozen times. Arranging time off from work is killer enough."

Shawn laughed. "Most women who have a lot of kids usually stay at home and don't work."

"Well, not me. I am not one to stay at home with the kids, I learned that with Booker. I like working."

"I like you working too. So, how did the chief react when you told her you will be taking time off again?"

Carlton grimaced and rubbed his face. "Not well. But I'm going to work in the field as long as I am able; I'm just going to leave the running to other people."

"Good, I don't want anything to happen to my fiancé before we can get married."

"But after we get married, it's all fair game, right?"

"No, but at least I'll have spousal rights." Shawn sighed and wrapped his arms around Carlton. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Ditto." Carlton replied as he tightened his hold on Shawn.

After a couple minutes of quietly watching the news, Shawn laughed. "Well, this has been a bit depressing."

"Yeah."

"I think it's time for bed." Shawn got up and stretched.

Carlton glanced at the clock and frowned. "It's only 9:40. Are you really that tired?"

Shawn smirked as he headed for the stairs. "Who said anything about sleeping?"

Carlton laughed as Shawn swayed his hips extravagantly and struck a pose at the bottom of the stairs. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Trying to entice you to hurry up." Shawn said as he started up the stairs, only to trip halfway up. "Ow."

"Idiot." Carlton laughed as he turned off the tv and the lights before following Shawn.