Epilogue-
The Isley Brothers' Twist and Shout played over the speakers muffling the laughter and chatter coming from the assembled guests.
A cork popped loudly, the sound system fizzled, and the people inside the club clapped to herald the entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Winthrop-Bennett
They stopped and Ethan grabbed his bride, bending her backwards and kissing her as catcalls were heard around Cloud Nine.
The crowd couldn't help laughing at the disgusted. "Mom! Ew," which emanated from Ethan Martin.
"Get used to it." Alex grumped at his cousin. "It doesn't get better."
His mother laughed, and tangled her hand with her husband's. "I'm going to remind you that you said this in ten years or so."
"How are you feeling?" Hank Bennett asked his wife.
"Better. But I swear this kid better not give me a hard labor."
"Did he?" Hank asked, pointing at Alex, who was following Ethan in search of the cake.
"You'd think I was lying if I told you how hard." She grinned. "This time, I want drugs. It took them long enough, didn't it?" She nodded at Ethan and Theresa.
"Not everyone's smart enough to elope." He told her. "And run away to an island paradise."
She nodded. "There is something nice about big weddings though."
"You're not changing your mind now? You said you absolutely didn't want a big family wedding." Hank worried. When she'd been young, Paloma had absolutely loved being the center of attention. As the Lopez-Fitzgerald baby, she'd been showered with attention often as not. She'd opted out of a family wedding, choosing instead a civil ceremony at City Hall. He hadn't complained-the spectacle of an event like this, with all the relatives from Harmony in LA hadn't been anything he'd looked forward to. But he sometimes worried that she had known that he didn't want a big wedding and had sacrificed her own dream.
"Not for me. I'm discouraging giving the children ideas. I'm not going to be the one responsible for Kay and Sheridan and Theresa not seeing Livvie, Ethan, Emma, Rosie and Thomas down the aisle. I had my big wedding and bad marriage, now I had my little wedding and perfect husband."
"Perfect? I love my uncle Poe, but he is anything but," Jessica Durkee said as she and Reese walked past, a little girl in her arms.
Paloma beamed. "Come here, precious, let me tell you the truth about everyone here."
Margaret Grace reached for her aunt and Jessica smiled. The little girl was fearless. Later, that might be a bad thing, but for now it was a good one. It meant she and Reese could dance.
"Where are Noah and Whitney? Were they able to follow directions to get here?"
"They called Luis a little while ago. They're about fifteen minutes from the club."
"I told you letting them alone was a bad idea." Hank said rhetorically.
"It's not my fault bad sense of direction runs in your family. Although why Noah was the one to get it, I don't know. I'm just glad he didn't become a pilot."
"If Grace or Pilar heard that they would make the sign of the cross and kiss their thumbs three times."
The assembled group laughed.
"Jessie, c'mon let's go see Theresa. I think Luis and Sam have successfully dragged the groom away from the bride and she looks a little lonely.
"Does that mean we have stand here and pretend to bond?"
"Yes," Jessie smiled.
"That means we get drinks." Hank expertly caught the eye of one of the waiters. "See you."
"We're sisters now," Jessica said to Theresa, a grin on her face.
Theresa smiled. "Kinda weird huh?"
"No, I always wanted it." She grinned. "I had planned on you marrying Noah, though."
"I thought the plan was for me to marry him, and you to marry Miguel?" Paloma teased.
"Things worked out a thousand times better this way." Jessie said.
"Right. I'm your aunt." They couldn't help but giggle. "Oh my God, I'm Theresa's sister and aunt."
"Paging Ricki Lake," Kay said as she joined them. "Sparkling cider for the mom-to-be and you Jess, cause you're nursing right? Champagne for you and me, T."
"To Theresa and Ethan. Lots of love and happiness," Paloma toasted.
"And to Kay, for getting a job that she's going to excel at," Theresa said. She didn't mind sharing the spotlight with her little sister for the moment.
"And to Jess, the star real estate agent and--"
"Just say family, we'll save hours." Jess cut Kay off with a laugh. "Look at Ethan Martin and Rosie. Oh, and Ethan and Emma!"
"I knew she would manage to bully him onto the dance floor." Theresa laughed.
"Like Mother, like Daughter," Ethan said coming back up behind Theresa.
"You know, our daughter gives me an idea," Theresa said. She signaled to the band and the melody changed.
Well, here we are again I guess it must be fate We've tried it on our own But deep inside we've known We'd be back to set things straight
Theresa waved at her guests.
"Well, she's not sacrificing her happiness to spend time with the relatives who crossed the country to see the event, is she?" Jess asked, her tone mostly neutral, with a hint of sarcasm.
Paloma laughed and cuddled Jessica's daughter. "Theresa does things her own way. She wanted family here, but she only has eyes for him."
"Nothing new there."
I still remember when Your kiss was so brand new Every memory repeats Every step I take retreats
Every journey always brings me back to you
Jessica watched for a moment. "Poe, you got her?"
"Sure, we're fine."
"Good cause T's got the right idea. Excuse me."
"You go girl," Paloma smiled.
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me After all
Grace and Sam found their way to the floor. Noah and Whitney were drifting together. Paloma couldn't help sighing when Luis led a hesitant Sheridan to the floor.
She saw her brother out of the corner of her eye.
"Ask her to dance, Miguel," she said.
Either he heard her, or sibling telepathy gave him a boot, because Miguel took Kay's hand confidently, as Olivia dragged Thomas towards the dance floor. He escaped, so she grabbed the closest person--Chad Harris.
When love is truly right This time it's truly right It lives from year to year It changes as it grows And oh the way it grows But it never disappears
"He's cute," Toni said. She was in one of Theresa's bridesmaid dresses. Theresa had chosen a pale, pale purple color.
"He's also single."
"Really?" Toni wrinkled her nose. "Think he'd date a paramedic with a nosy family?"
"As a matter of fact I do. He's used to nosy families. Go on Toni. Give it a shot."
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me After all
Hank found his wife. "The side is no place for a beautiful girl."
"I'm babysitting." She batted her eyes at him. "I should probably check on the--"
"Dinner's coming along perfectly. Tables are set for whenever we seat people Servers are present, uniformed, accounted for, and ready. The cake is gorgeous, and no, the kids haven't found it. Cole is ready to vault over the bar to help out the guy you hired for the party, but I told him you'd be mad if he worked instead of dancing with his bride."
Paloma gave him an adoring look. "You know me too well."
"So will you relax, hand over the baby to Pilar and dance with me?"
"Sure. Mama? Take care of Maggie for a bit. Hank wants to dance."
Pilar beamed and took little Maggie from her youngest and shooed the couple away.
"Are you sorry we didn't have a big party like this?" Paloma asked Hank.
"You know me. I love a party."
"Hank."
Always just beyond my touch Though I needed you for more After all what else is living for Whoa
"No, I am not sorry. I loved our wedding. It had just the right amount of people there and your sisters eventually started talking to us again."
She laughed. "Don't you realize I engineered it so we'd get a little quiet as newlyweds?"
"Uh-huh," Hank nodded his head. "For a while there, it was a contest between who was going to talk to us first and which one of your brothers was going to kick my ass."
"I told Cole not to let them." She smiled. "Besides, wasn't it fun having the penthouse all to ourselves?"
"Is that what you've decided to call it?" Hank teased, nuzzling her.
"It is on the top floor. It's an apartment with studio windows."
"It's a loft." He corrected her.
"Poe-tay-toe, Poe-tah-toe" She shrugged dismissively.
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me
"C'mon, the song is almost over and I want to cut in on the bride and groom. Talk to my sister while I have a chat with your nephew."
"Are you going to threaten him? Cause I already did."
"No, I'm not going to threaten him. Promise." She managed to cut in on them. "Sorry Sis. I'm borrowing Ethan for a few moments. Hank, be a dear. Entertain my sister." She danced Ethan away.
"Is this where you tell me that my body will never be found if I hurt her?"
"You've already gotten the speech from my brothers and Hank and probably Sam. Probably at double the volume and intensity since we skipped the hoopla. No. No threats. Just a promise."
"And that promise is?"
"Guess."
"That if I hurt her, you promise to make her throw me out."
"She'll do that on her own. My promise is that you will make her happy, and you will stay with the kids, or you will deal with me." Paloma was of a size with her sister. She was short, thin and not particularly threatening. But Ethan believed her and believed she would do it too.
"Your sister's happiness and the kids' happiness is always going to be the first thing on my mind."
"Good." Paloma smiled.
"You've met my sisters. You know why we're not close. I hope you and I can have the type of relationship that we didn't have."
"I'd like that."
"Me too," Ethan smiled.
"Now, the song's almost over. Go finish it out with your wife."
He took his sister-in-law's hand, and in a move straight out of etiquette class he kissed the back. She accepted it graciously. "You are a gentleman through and through, aren't you?"
"I try."
"I give credit where credit is due but if you ever repeat this, I'll hurt you. Ivy raised you right."
Ethan accepted it, and he and his uncle traded partners once again.
HR
"OK, ladies and gentleman. It's that time! Single girls to the left, single guys to the right. Marrieds, stay where you are and laugh at them. The bride is going to toss her bouquet and the groom is going to throw the garter." Paloma managed to make herself heard over the commotion of chatting people.
Sheridan and Kay made their way over while Theresa positioned herself up on stage.
"Drum roll please?" Paloma said and then cut him off.
Theresa threw the bouquet over her shoulder and it landed straight in the hands of.....
"Oh my God," Kay said, looking at the flowers in her hands. "I demand a retoss!"
Theresa smirked. Miguel, Antonio and Luis weren't the only Lopez- Fitzgeralds who could aim a pitch or a throw.
"Okay and now, Ethan will be taking Theresa's garter off of her leg and throwing it out so guys, line up."
"You have to behave yourself," Theresa whispered to her groom.
"I'm not allowed to rubber band it and hit Miguel's forehead?"
"Too obvious. You've been spending too much time with the kids. And that's not what I meant."
"I'm not an exhibitionist. None of these single guys get to see your legs."
Theresa laughed. "Aw and here I was planning on doing the can-can later," she teased.
"Can we work out a private show later?"
"Ahem," Paloma said. "We've got an audience guys."
"Pushy, pushy." Theresa complained as Ethan slipped the garter off.
"Watch your hands Winthrop," Luis said when Ethan's hands lingered just a bit too long on Theresa's calf.
He met his wife's eyes with a long-suffering sigh. "This after two children?" He mumbled under his breath.
"Ignore him and toss the garter," Theresa said.
Ethan tried very hard not to aim at Miguel--but somehow, the little piece of elastic and lace pinged his brother-in-law in the forehead anyway.
"Subtle." Paloma laughed at them, as Kay sent a murderous glance at her brother.
"I think someone's trying to tell us something," Miguel said once he was standing next to Kay again.
"That my brother and your sister can't mind their own business. A couple of yentas, I swear."
"You're a yenta."
"I don't work for the dark side."
"I vote that we cut down on the boys' Star Wars viewing."
Kay smiled and then looked at her flowers.
"Hell of a catch."
"I think I should have it bronzed. Maybe it means my luck will stay good. What are you gonna do with the garter?"
"Wrap it around your bronzed bouquet, of course."
"You know that means you'll be the next to get married," Kay smiled.
"Yeah and so does the bouquet."
"Yeah."
"So maybe we should marry each other," Miguel said quietly.
"Oh for heavens sake."
"This isn't a cheap proposal, I have a ring." He said hastily.
Kay stopped. Stared. "Oh my God, you're serious."
"I wouldn't joke about something like this," he said quietly. "Come with me," he took her hand and pulled her into the hallway where the offices were.
"Miguel, what are you doing?"
"Making a fool of myself, so you better say yes," he said, getting down on one knee.
"This is a setup." She realized.
"My sister and Ethan know nothing about this. No one does. Except for Billy Kelly," he named his redheaded partner.
"Will you get up?" She asked, as a rumble of giggles and gossip ran through the crowd.
"No. Katherine Marie Bennett Soltini-McKay, will you marry me?"
"If you get up off the floor."
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Kiss me to prove it?"
"You're going to be impossible."
"Absolutely. So are you."
Kay narrowed her eyes and bent down. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him.
Her mother started the cheering.
Sheridan, Theresa, and Paloma were at her side when she and Miguel pulled apart. They shared a group hug while Ethan, Hank, and Luis shook Miguel's hand.
Sam hugged both of them at the same time, while Olivia hopped around demanding an explanation.
"Livvie, how would you like to be a flower girl?" Theresa knelt down next to her niece.
Livvie twirled. It was her turn now. Emma and Rosie hopped in delight. Another wedding! To their little girl minds, there was nothing better in the world.
And the adults, well, they had the same feeling. The feeling that they had somehow earned a place on Cloud Nine.
The Isley Brothers' Twist and Shout played over the speakers muffling the laughter and chatter coming from the assembled guests.
A cork popped loudly, the sound system fizzled, and the people inside the club clapped to herald the entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Winthrop-Bennett
They stopped and Ethan grabbed his bride, bending her backwards and kissing her as catcalls were heard around Cloud Nine.
The crowd couldn't help laughing at the disgusted. "Mom! Ew," which emanated from Ethan Martin.
"Get used to it." Alex grumped at his cousin. "It doesn't get better."
His mother laughed, and tangled her hand with her husband's. "I'm going to remind you that you said this in ten years or so."
"How are you feeling?" Hank Bennett asked his wife.
"Better. But I swear this kid better not give me a hard labor."
"Did he?" Hank asked, pointing at Alex, who was following Ethan in search of the cake.
"You'd think I was lying if I told you how hard." She grinned. "This time, I want drugs. It took them long enough, didn't it?" She nodded at Ethan and Theresa.
"Not everyone's smart enough to elope." He told her. "And run away to an island paradise."
She nodded. "There is something nice about big weddings though."
"You're not changing your mind now? You said you absolutely didn't want a big family wedding." Hank worried. When she'd been young, Paloma had absolutely loved being the center of attention. As the Lopez-Fitzgerald baby, she'd been showered with attention often as not. She'd opted out of a family wedding, choosing instead a civil ceremony at City Hall. He hadn't complained-the spectacle of an event like this, with all the relatives from Harmony in LA hadn't been anything he'd looked forward to. But he sometimes worried that she had known that he didn't want a big wedding and had sacrificed her own dream.
"Not for me. I'm discouraging giving the children ideas. I'm not going to be the one responsible for Kay and Sheridan and Theresa not seeing Livvie, Ethan, Emma, Rosie and Thomas down the aisle. I had my big wedding and bad marriage, now I had my little wedding and perfect husband."
"Perfect? I love my uncle Poe, but he is anything but," Jessica Durkee said as she and Reese walked past, a little girl in her arms.
Paloma beamed. "Come here, precious, let me tell you the truth about everyone here."
Margaret Grace reached for her aunt and Jessica smiled. The little girl was fearless. Later, that might be a bad thing, but for now it was a good one. It meant she and Reese could dance.
"Where are Noah and Whitney? Were they able to follow directions to get here?"
"They called Luis a little while ago. They're about fifteen minutes from the club."
"I told you letting them alone was a bad idea." Hank said rhetorically.
"It's not my fault bad sense of direction runs in your family. Although why Noah was the one to get it, I don't know. I'm just glad he didn't become a pilot."
"If Grace or Pilar heard that they would make the sign of the cross and kiss their thumbs three times."
The assembled group laughed.
"Jessie, c'mon let's go see Theresa. I think Luis and Sam have successfully dragged the groom away from the bride and she looks a little lonely.
"Does that mean we have stand here and pretend to bond?"
"Yes," Jessie smiled.
"That means we get drinks." Hank expertly caught the eye of one of the waiters. "See you."
"We're sisters now," Jessica said to Theresa, a grin on her face.
Theresa smiled. "Kinda weird huh?"
"No, I always wanted it." She grinned. "I had planned on you marrying Noah, though."
"I thought the plan was for me to marry him, and you to marry Miguel?" Paloma teased.
"Things worked out a thousand times better this way." Jessie said.
"Right. I'm your aunt." They couldn't help but giggle. "Oh my God, I'm Theresa's sister and aunt."
"Paging Ricki Lake," Kay said as she joined them. "Sparkling cider for the mom-to-be and you Jess, cause you're nursing right? Champagne for you and me, T."
"To Theresa and Ethan. Lots of love and happiness," Paloma toasted.
"And to Kay, for getting a job that she's going to excel at," Theresa said. She didn't mind sharing the spotlight with her little sister for the moment.
"And to Jess, the star real estate agent and--"
"Just say family, we'll save hours." Jess cut Kay off with a laugh. "Look at Ethan Martin and Rosie. Oh, and Ethan and Emma!"
"I knew she would manage to bully him onto the dance floor." Theresa laughed.
"Like Mother, like Daughter," Ethan said coming back up behind Theresa.
"You know, our daughter gives me an idea," Theresa said. She signaled to the band and the melody changed.
Well, here we are again I guess it must be fate We've tried it on our own But deep inside we've known We'd be back to set things straight
Theresa waved at her guests.
"Well, she's not sacrificing her happiness to spend time with the relatives who crossed the country to see the event, is she?" Jess asked, her tone mostly neutral, with a hint of sarcasm.
Paloma laughed and cuddled Jessica's daughter. "Theresa does things her own way. She wanted family here, but she only has eyes for him."
"Nothing new there."
I still remember when Your kiss was so brand new Every memory repeats Every step I take retreats
Every journey always brings me back to you
Jessica watched for a moment. "Poe, you got her?"
"Sure, we're fine."
"Good cause T's got the right idea. Excuse me."
"You go girl," Paloma smiled.
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me After all
Grace and Sam found their way to the floor. Noah and Whitney were drifting together. Paloma couldn't help sighing when Luis led a hesitant Sheridan to the floor.
She saw her brother out of the corner of her eye.
"Ask her to dance, Miguel," she said.
Either he heard her, or sibling telepathy gave him a boot, because Miguel took Kay's hand confidently, as Olivia dragged Thomas towards the dance floor. He escaped, so she grabbed the closest person--Chad Harris.
When love is truly right This time it's truly right It lives from year to year It changes as it grows And oh the way it grows But it never disappears
"He's cute," Toni said. She was in one of Theresa's bridesmaid dresses. Theresa had chosen a pale, pale purple color.
"He's also single."
"Really?" Toni wrinkled her nose. "Think he'd date a paramedic with a nosy family?"
"As a matter of fact I do. He's used to nosy families. Go on Toni. Give it a shot."
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me After all
Hank found his wife. "The side is no place for a beautiful girl."
"I'm babysitting." She batted her eyes at him. "I should probably check on the--"
"Dinner's coming along perfectly. Tables are set for whenever we seat people Servers are present, uniformed, accounted for, and ready. The cake is gorgeous, and no, the kids haven't found it. Cole is ready to vault over the bar to help out the guy you hired for the party, but I told him you'd be mad if he worked instead of dancing with his bride."
Paloma gave him an adoring look. "You know me too well."
"So will you relax, hand over the baby to Pilar and dance with me?"
"Sure. Mama? Take care of Maggie for a bit. Hank wants to dance."
Pilar beamed and took little Maggie from her youngest and shooed the couple away.
"Are you sorry we didn't have a big party like this?" Paloma asked Hank.
"You know me. I love a party."
"Hank."
Always just beyond my touch Though I needed you for more After all what else is living for Whoa
"No, I am not sorry. I loved our wedding. It had just the right amount of people there and your sisters eventually started talking to us again."
She laughed. "Don't you realize I engineered it so we'd get a little quiet as newlyweds?"
"Uh-huh," Hank nodded his head. "For a while there, it was a contest between who was going to talk to us first and which one of your brothers was going to kick my ass."
"I told Cole not to let them." She smiled. "Besides, wasn't it fun having the penthouse all to ourselves?"
"Is that what you've decided to call it?" Hank teased, nuzzling her.
"It is on the top floor. It's an apartment with studio windows."
"It's a loft." He corrected her.
"Poe-tay-toe, Poe-tah-toe" She shrugged dismissively.
After all the stops and starts We keep coming back to these two hearts Two angels who've been rescued from the fall And after all that we've been through It all comes down to me and you I guess it's meant to be Forever you and me
"C'mon, the song is almost over and I want to cut in on the bride and groom. Talk to my sister while I have a chat with your nephew."
"Are you going to threaten him? Cause I already did."
"No, I'm not going to threaten him. Promise." She managed to cut in on them. "Sorry Sis. I'm borrowing Ethan for a few moments. Hank, be a dear. Entertain my sister." She danced Ethan away.
"Is this where you tell me that my body will never be found if I hurt her?"
"You've already gotten the speech from my brothers and Hank and probably Sam. Probably at double the volume and intensity since we skipped the hoopla. No. No threats. Just a promise."
"And that promise is?"
"Guess."
"That if I hurt her, you promise to make her throw me out."
"She'll do that on her own. My promise is that you will make her happy, and you will stay with the kids, or you will deal with me." Paloma was of a size with her sister. She was short, thin and not particularly threatening. But Ethan believed her and believed she would do it too.
"Your sister's happiness and the kids' happiness is always going to be the first thing on my mind."
"Good." Paloma smiled.
"You've met my sisters. You know why we're not close. I hope you and I can have the type of relationship that we didn't have."
"I'd like that."
"Me too," Ethan smiled.
"Now, the song's almost over. Go finish it out with your wife."
He took his sister-in-law's hand, and in a move straight out of etiquette class he kissed the back. She accepted it graciously. "You are a gentleman through and through, aren't you?"
"I try."
"I give credit where credit is due but if you ever repeat this, I'll hurt you. Ivy raised you right."
Ethan accepted it, and he and his uncle traded partners once again.
HR
"OK, ladies and gentleman. It's that time! Single girls to the left, single guys to the right. Marrieds, stay where you are and laugh at them. The bride is going to toss her bouquet and the groom is going to throw the garter." Paloma managed to make herself heard over the commotion of chatting people.
Sheridan and Kay made their way over while Theresa positioned herself up on stage.
"Drum roll please?" Paloma said and then cut him off.
Theresa threw the bouquet over her shoulder and it landed straight in the hands of.....
"Oh my God," Kay said, looking at the flowers in her hands. "I demand a retoss!"
Theresa smirked. Miguel, Antonio and Luis weren't the only Lopez- Fitzgeralds who could aim a pitch or a throw.
"Okay and now, Ethan will be taking Theresa's garter off of her leg and throwing it out so guys, line up."
"You have to behave yourself," Theresa whispered to her groom.
"I'm not allowed to rubber band it and hit Miguel's forehead?"
"Too obvious. You've been spending too much time with the kids. And that's not what I meant."
"I'm not an exhibitionist. None of these single guys get to see your legs."
Theresa laughed. "Aw and here I was planning on doing the can-can later," she teased.
"Can we work out a private show later?"
"Ahem," Paloma said. "We've got an audience guys."
"Pushy, pushy." Theresa complained as Ethan slipped the garter off.
"Watch your hands Winthrop," Luis said when Ethan's hands lingered just a bit too long on Theresa's calf.
He met his wife's eyes with a long-suffering sigh. "This after two children?" He mumbled under his breath.
"Ignore him and toss the garter," Theresa said.
Ethan tried very hard not to aim at Miguel--but somehow, the little piece of elastic and lace pinged his brother-in-law in the forehead anyway.
"Subtle." Paloma laughed at them, as Kay sent a murderous glance at her brother.
"I think someone's trying to tell us something," Miguel said once he was standing next to Kay again.
"That my brother and your sister can't mind their own business. A couple of yentas, I swear."
"You're a yenta."
"I don't work for the dark side."
"I vote that we cut down on the boys' Star Wars viewing."
Kay smiled and then looked at her flowers.
"Hell of a catch."
"I think I should have it bronzed. Maybe it means my luck will stay good. What are you gonna do with the garter?"
"Wrap it around your bronzed bouquet, of course."
"You know that means you'll be the next to get married," Kay smiled.
"Yeah and so does the bouquet."
"Yeah."
"So maybe we should marry each other," Miguel said quietly.
"Oh for heavens sake."
"This isn't a cheap proposal, I have a ring." He said hastily.
Kay stopped. Stared. "Oh my God, you're serious."
"I wouldn't joke about something like this," he said quietly. "Come with me," he took her hand and pulled her into the hallway where the offices were.
"Miguel, what are you doing?"
"Making a fool of myself, so you better say yes," he said, getting down on one knee.
"This is a setup." She realized.
"My sister and Ethan know nothing about this. No one does. Except for Billy Kelly," he named his redheaded partner.
"Will you get up?" She asked, as a rumble of giggles and gossip ran through the crowd.
"No. Katherine Marie Bennett Soltini-McKay, will you marry me?"
"If you get up off the floor."
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Kiss me to prove it?"
"You're going to be impossible."
"Absolutely. So are you."
Kay narrowed her eyes and bent down. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him.
Her mother started the cheering.
Sheridan, Theresa, and Paloma were at her side when she and Miguel pulled apart. They shared a group hug while Ethan, Hank, and Luis shook Miguel's hand.
Sam hugged both of them at the same time, while Olivia hopped around demanding an explanation.
"Livvie, how would you like to be a flower girl?" Theresa knelt down next to her niece.
Livvie twirled. It was her turn now. Emma and Rosie hopped in delight. Another wedding! To their little girl minds, there was nothing better in the world.
And the adults, well, they had the same feeling. The feeling that they had somehow earned a place on Cloud Nine.