Chapter Fifty-Two

Now I'm out here looking like revenge. Feelin' like a 10, the best I ever been. And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this, but it gets worse. (Wait a minute) Now you're out here looking like regret. Ain't too proud to beg, second chance you'll never get. And yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this, but it gets worse (wait a minute)… Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry). Baby, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry). Feeling inspired 'cause the tables have turned. Yeah, I'm on fire and I know that it burns. Sorry Not Sorry ~ Demi Lovato

"Pack it in nice and tight," Abby instructed.

Ava shoveled in a level of sand. She tapped it in with her little hands, "Like this?"

"You got it, Sweetie," Bethany encouraged.

Ava continued until the bucket was full.

"All right time to flip it," Abby picked up the bucket. She turned it over quickly.

Ava patted the top of the bucket them lifted it up revealing a column.

"You're a natural!" Abby praised.

Bethany shielded her eyes from the sun staring out at the ocean at Nathan trying his best to keep upright as he attempted to surf.

Nathan rode his rented surf board back into the beach.

He dropped off the side of his board straight into the sand. Nathan laid there on the hot granules in a prone position.

"Nathan?!" Bethany called.

"I got her," Abby nodded.

The two labs came in closer to flank Abby and Ava.

"Baby?" Bethany ran over to him.

He turned his face. His check still in the warm stand. "I'm dying," Nathan groaned.

Bethany giggled. She got him turned on to his back and brought his head into her lap.

Mike came in off his wave. He got off and picked up his surf board.

"Is he alright?" Mike looked Nathan over.

"He gets this way whenever he gets nauseous," Bethany waved him off.

"You get used to it," Mike encouraged.

"Never again," Nathan closed his eyes.

Mike left Bethany to tend to Nathan and went over to Abby and Ava.

"Hey, Babe," Abby handed over Titus's leash to Mike.

"What do you two have here?" Mike inquired.

"We're building sand castles," Ava packed more sand into her bucket.

"Sound like fun- can I help?" Mike requested. He sat down and picked up a plastic toy shovel.

Abby leaned towards Mike and kissed him.

"How's the surf?" Abby asked.

"A little rough, but fun," he answered surveying the small mound of sand piled in front of the girls.

"Fun for you maybe," she snickered, "Poor Nathan."

She scanned the beach. The gathering of family and friends had joined them at the beach now mulled around in a few splintered groupings.

He spotted Jack strolling down the beach access.

"Hi, Dad," Mike stood and wiped the sand off of his hands. He stepped out a couple feet to meet his father part way.

"Hey, Sport," Jack tipped his head.

Titus came up behind Mike and barked.

"Easy, Buddy," Mike corrected.

Titus sat at Mike's heels.

"Well, hello, you must be Titus," Jack held out the back of his hand toward Titus for him to sniff.

Titus smelled. He didn't lick Jack, but did relax a little.

"How's his training going?" Jack straightened.

"He's fully certified by the FBI. Now he goes where I go," Mike patted Titus' neck.

Abby and Summer joined them standing when Ava's parents returned for her.

"Nice to see you, Abby," Jack said.

"How was your flight?" she inquired politely.

"Fine. We're certainly not in New York anymore," Jack's eyes swept the sky, "Thanks for the invite."

"You are here because Mike wants you here- do not forget that," Abby asserted.

Jack nodded in acknowledge of her warning.

Upon hearing the voices Wes put the book he was reading down and joined them unobtrusively.

Jack lifted his eyes. Down the crowded beach, his sight set on Rachel. She held hands with a dark hair man he didn't recognize.

Mike angled to follow his father's line of sight. He saw Rachel and Derek dipping their feet into the surf.

"You told me I couldn't bring a plus one," Jack frowned. He understood why: out of respect for Rachel or so he thought. Jack didn't really have a steady girlfriend anyway.

"That's because you're my date!" Wes wrapped an arm around Jack's shoulders.

Jack looked at him incredulously.

"I told you there were ground rules," Mike licked his lips.

"Think of me as your sober companion for the week," Wes padded Jack on the back.

"For the record: Derek got his own invitation," Abby replied.

"How well do you know him?" Jack shifted on the balls of his feet.

"Derek is a neurosurgeon," Bethany informed him, "He operated on Abby's brain bleed."

Jack watched his son's face, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"He saved Abby's life so unless he's hurting Mom I can't say anything," Mike shrugged.

The couple strolled up to the growing group hand in hand.

"Hey, Baby," Rachel let go of Derek and hugged her son.

"Hi, Mama," Mike smiled at her as she pulled back and took Derek's hand again.

"Mike," Derek tipped his head toward the younger man.

"How's it going?" Mike greeted.

"Life is good," Derek answered, "California is actually hotter than I thought it would be."

"Hope you packed a jacket- the nights get cool," Abby smiled.

"This is my dad- Jack," Mike made introductions, "Dad, this is Dr. Derek Drake."

"Hi," Jack waved.

"Hello," Derek replied. So this was the ex.

"How are you?" Rachel inquired.

"Good. And you? You look happy," Jack replied.

Rachel laid her head on Derek's shoulder, "I am."

"I'm glad," Jack smiled genuinely.


Paige bounced Jojo on her hip. "He's so handsome," she cooed.

"Luckily they got their mother's looks," Vincent smiled.

Paige smiled back.

"I've been pumping so there will be plenty of milk in the fridge," Charlie motioned through the first level's open floor plan to the kitchen.

"Why don't we head upstairs?" Rossabi motioned over his shoulder.

The group headed up the second story of the house.

"We'll have everything setup in here," Vincent motioned to a secondary bedroom they had set up for a temporary nursey.

Paige scanned the room. Two pack-n-plays. Blankets and sheets were in a unisex yellow, but in differing animal patterns.

"The Llama is Jojo's and the Jaguar is Lotte's," Rossabi explained, "They'll let you know if you mix them up."

"Llama Joey- Jaguar Charlotte; got it," Paige replied.

Paige sniffed, "Uh oh, someone needs a diaper change."

"Hand him over," Charlie held out her hands.

Charlie crossed into the room and laid her son on the changing table. Paige and Vincent followed her in. Rossabi went to sit in the chair holding Charlotte.

"You'll want to get on diapers quickly. Joey hates a dirty diaper and if he gets going Charlotte is gonna sympathy cry," Charlie warned.

"Noted," Paige nodded.

Charlie secured the Velcro tabs on his diaper.

"Why do I feel you are having me watch the twins to keep me out of trouble," Paige arched a brow.

Charlie picked up Jojo and brought him to her chest. She rocked him slowly, "Sue me. I thought Aunty duties might take your mind off of things."

"Thanks for the effort," Paige replied, rubbing Jojo's back, "I still don't get why she had to pick California of all places."

"Well, you don't own the whole state," Vincent pointed out.

"It's just a week," Charlie cut in before Paige had a chance to respond.

"Look, I know I am the last person Abby wants at the wedding," Paige crossed her arms over her chest, "The Groom's ex showing up would spoil the big day."

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

Charlie looked over to her husband, "Can I have a minute with Paige?"

"Ok, but I'm taking Charlotte with me," Rossabi replied. He stood up with Charlotte steadied against his shoulder. She fussed softly. "How could I forget your toy?" Vincent cooed. He bent over and grabbed the jaguar plushie.

Charlie waited for the sound of a door closing downstairs before turning a glare on her friend.

"What?" Paige shrugged.

"Get it together or there will be no way Vinny will let you watch the twins by yourself," Charlie insisted.

Paige furrowed her brow, "You're their mom."

"They are his kids too," Charlie asserted, "I am not going to push him into leaving the kids in a situation he's not comfortable with."

"I thought he liked me," Paige replied.

"He just met you, but he knows Abby," Charlie informed her, "Vinny considers her a friend so he's not going to take even subtle shade lightly."

"Have you told him any of the history there?" Paige asked.

"We both know why Abby is pissed at you," Charlie charged. She really didn't have the energy to get into it. "Hell, I don't even know if I'm past it," Charlie's shoulders fell, "But this is what we have to work with."

Paige dipped her head. She sucked in a breath Charlie's words had sucker punched out of her.

"We're family, right?" Charlie continued trying to lighten the mood.

"Right," Paige nodded, "You ever miss the house?"

"Not the house itself," Charlie said, "But you, Dale, and Johnny sometimes."

"And Briggs? You ever think the two of you…" Paige began.

Charlie shook her head, "He already burned that bridge."

"You're the one who left," Paige asserted.

"That's not what's eating you," Charlie surmised, "You can't expect Mike to put his life on hold."

"He doesn't have to marry her," Paige argued.

"You're right Mike doesn't have to marry Abby. He wants to marry her," Charlie corrected, "He asked her twice."

Paige whistled, "Guess the first one wasn't received so well."

"She said yes both times- he just didn't have the ring the first time and wanted to give her a proper proposal," Charlie clarified.

"He's always been a thorough kind of guy," Paige acknowledged.

"You're seeing someone else, aren't you?" Charlie shot back.

Paige shifted. She inhaled and drew her hair behind her ear. "Well, yeah," Paige swallowed.

"Then what the hell is your problem?" Charlie challenged.

Paige licked her lips and stayed silent.

"Abby is a keeper," Charlie pronounced, "She's good for Mike- if you loved him at all you'd be happy for him."


Paige inhaled and gripped onto the steering wheel of her car. She should turn the key and start the engine. She should go back to work. That however did not seem to be happening.

She looked toward the house Charlie and her husband were staying in to see them coming out with their kids in tow. They seemed dressed for some fun in the sun. Vincent had mentioned them having plans later. Maybe they involved Mike. It was his wedding week after all.

Paige watched them cross the street. She grabbed a sun hat from the backseat before exiting her vehicle. Paige put it on as she closed the door. The beach was that way.

Following the couple probably wasn't the brightest idea. Charlie would probably spot her. It was a calculated risk. If anyone could blend in on the beach it would be the DEA agent.

After going down a couple blocks, Charlie and Vincent turned down a beach access. Paige gave them a couple minutes before heading down the same beach access. She got down on the beach just as Charlie & Rossabi met up with the group already hanging out. There was Abby in a white bikini. How bridal. Paige snorted.

She crept incrementally closer until she got close enough that she could overhear their conversation.

"How did you know you wanted a beach wedding?" Rachel inquired.

"Almost from when he proposed," Abby smiled.

"I thought we'd be in a church for the wedding, but whatever my princess wants, my princess gets," Brennan kissed Abby's temple.

"You already did the cathedral thing with Bethany," Abby reminded him.

"Didn't you and mom get married in a church too?" Bethany quipped.

"Speaking of which, I should probably get back to your mother," Brennan narrowed his eyes to fight the sun, "Before that surfer starts getting fresh with her."

"Dad, he's younger than me," Bethany snorted.

"Your mother is a very attractive woman if you hadn't noticed," he huffed.

Bethany and Abby laughed together watching their father stomp off. His footsteps slightly uneven as the sand gave way under his weight.

Paige looked around for Mike. She didn't see him until Abby turned her attention to the surf. Paige did the same to find Mike riding a large wave. Damn, he looked good in a wet suit. The wave brought him into the beach.

Paige almost stepped towards Mike, but caught herself.

Abby ran to him. Mike stuck his surfboard in the sand and opened his arms for her. His hands went to her face and held on even after the kiss was over.

Were they laughing? Paige swallowed. This had been an awful, no, terrible idea. She scurried off, disappearing into the beach goers.

None the wiser to the onlooker's presence the soon-to-be married couple returned to their friends and family.

"What time is it?" Mike picked up his towel.

Jack checked his phone, "It's almost noon."

"We should probably head in and get cleaned up. Johnny and Elena should be here with the pizza soon," Mike advised.

"Good, I'm starving," Vincent replied.

They all went up to the house.

"I am going to go rinse off," Mike kissed Abby's cheek before bounding up the stairs.

The doorbell rang. Abby went to answer it.

"Pizza delivery!" Johnny hollered as she opened the door.

"Come on in," Abby stepped in to give Johnny and Elena room to enter.

"Hi," Elena greeted.

"Hi," Abby smiled, "It's nice to finally met you in person."

"Likewise," Elena bobbed her head, "Where's your fiancé?"

"Mike is in the shower- he'll be down in a few," Abby explained.

"Tell him to hurry cause it's going get cold," Johnny headed into the house to find the kitchen.

The ladies followed him.

Charlie greeted Elena with a hug.

Johnny set the pizza boxes on the counter. "Hey, Mama," he wrapped an arm around Charlie as she came over to him, "I hope you are hungry."

"I could eat," she replied.

"Got 'em from your favorite pizza joint," Johnny pointed out the logo on the pizza boxes.

Mike came down the stairs drying his hair with a towel, He followed his nose and ears to the others. "There you are," he announced his presence.

"Whatsup?" Johnny cheered. They clasped their hands together pressing them between their chests as they patted each other on the back in a one arm hug.

Elena smiled. So this was how Johnny was with his friends.

Introductions were made as everyone filled their plates with food. They all settled around wherever seating was available.

"This is my girl," Johnny grinned as he presented her to his friends.

"Have you met everyone?" Mike asked.

"Not quite," Elena answered.

"Can I hold my goddaughter?" Mike requested so the father could eat.

Vincent handed Charlotte over to Mike.

Mike bounced the baby girl on his knee. He looked up to his bride-to-be with adoring yet pleading eyes, "I want one."

"Give me six months to enjoy being married to you and we'll talk," Abby promised.

Brennan's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He picked it out.

Brennan checked the caller on his cell and it came up with a name.

"I've got to take this," Brennan excused himself.

"You said no work calls," Chloe pouted.

"It's a friend, not work, I'll be back in two minutes," he kissed her cheek.

"Yeah, right," she huffed as Brennan pulled away.

He stepped out onto the front porch before returning the call.

"You got something for me, Gary?" Brennan asked. "How..? When?" He scanned the street one direction and then the other. His heart began to race. "All right, thanks for the warning," Brennan hung up. Once he put his phone in his pocket. Rossabi and Tom's phones went off.