A/N: I'M BACK!!! :) I know – I've spoiled you all with updates and I've been gone for a bit. Well – unfortunately real life gets in the way sometimes. Believe me – if I could get paid for writing Rali fanfic I'd quit my job. ;) Anyway – I'm home and I've got a ton of stuff for the story coming up – but I just have to get there first. So. Here's a chapter to move things along a bit. Mostly – I just need some time to pass for things to make sense. I hope you'll like where it's headed – and I hope I can fit it all in.

This chapter is dedicated to Melody – who finished her truly excellent story today. If you haven't read it you really need to. It's the sweetest story ever.

Until 27! xox-G

Chapter Twenty-six

"Oh Maggie it was so romantic!" Becky gushed as she took a sip of her coffee. She was still glowing from the effects of Grant and Chloe's wedding. "And now they're so happy. It's perfect. Everything's just like it should be."

"I'm sure it was." Maggie replied, wishing she could have seen it herself. "Another happy couple huh?"

"Yeah." Becky sighed as dreams filled her head. "Someday – that'll be us." She said with a grin.

"Oh yeah." Maggie didn't sound at all convinced.

"It could be us." Becky insisted. "You just have to stop hanging out with that loser Pete Baxter."

Maggie blushed and stirred her cappuccino. "Aw c'mon Becks. You have to admit. He's really cute."

"He's a moron." Becky rolled her eyes at her friend. "He hangs out with morons."

"Yeah – well. For a moron he's a great kisser." Maggie's eyes danced with laughter.

"Thankfully, I wouldn't know." Becky replied.

"Don't give me that. I know for a fact you've been kissed - Miss Kovich." Maggie teased.

"Not by anyone who counted." Becky said with a sigh. She made a face as she sipped her coffee again. It had gone cold. She leaned back in her chair as she finished. "Not by...you know...the one."

"Gosh, Becks. You still believe in that stuff huh?" Maggie laughed at her friend. Becky's head had always been full of fairy tales and Maggie had to admit, all the couples around them, including her parents seemed to fit the bill.  It was no wonder Becky had her heart set on meeting Prince Charming.

"Of course I do." Becky looked at her, a bit stunned. "I know there's someone out there for me, Maggie." She got the familiar feeling of someone watching her. She gazed around the room but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. A few skaters near the entrance, some people from the hospital on a coffee break. She shrugged the feeling off and didn't notice the young, tall, blond guy gazing at her from across the room. She turned back to Maggie and insisted. "I know it will happen someday.  I can feel it. I might not meet him for days, or months or years but I know it. It will happen."

"I'm sure it will. I'm sure you'll find "the one" someday." Maggie assured her. She really hoped Becky would get her wish one day. Still she couldn't help teasing her a bit more. She leaned back in her chair and giggled. "If he can manage to get past your father that is."

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"Are you still alive?" Lia asked with a laugh.

"Mmmmm?" Was the only reply she got from the mound of blankets she was talking to.

She pounced on the bed and drew back the quilt, revealing the man of her dreams. She rained kisses over his face as she laughed harder. "You know what? You belong right here forever. I'm never letting you go to work again."

"I have to go." Danny insisted, though not convincingly. He'd barely moved.

"No way." Lia replied as she sat on him and held him still. "I'm holding you here for questioning."

"I can't. There are lives waiting to be saved." He said with a laugh. "Lia. I have to go..." He tried to sit up.

"Don't make me get my handcuffs..." She gave him a wicked grin. "...Again." She added with a wink.

He knew she was only half kidding. The last time she'd used them on him flashed through his mind. God. That had been one incredible night. He shook his head to clear it a bit. He'd never leave if he kept that picture floating around in his brain.

"Lia. You are killing me." Danny laughed out loud. "At least in prison you get bread and water. I'm starving..." He trailed off as he saw the plate she carried in her hand. "Ah. Even better. Thank you."

"Who was that on the phone?" He asked as he took the half a sandwich Lia offered him.

"My mom." She grinned at him. "It seems Chloe and Grant tied the knot Saturday night."

"Oh wow. Really?" Danny said with a grin as he swallowed the last bit of his sandwich. "Good for them."

"Yeah." Lia stared into his eyes and asked. "So when is it good for us?"

"Huh?" He looked confused as he tried to grab her sandwich too.

He succeeded easily. She didn't even notice. "Us. Danny. When are we getting married?" Lia's voice was sad. She hated being this needy but she was so tired of waiting. She wanted to finally be his wife. Hearing about Grant and Chloe seizing the moment brought it all rushing back.

"Anytime you want." Danny replied, not realizing she was completely serious.

She glared at him and he got nervous. There was danger in her eyes. "Don't do that. Don't just say that to put me off. I want us to set a real date. I'm tired of waiting."

Guilt washed over him. He knew she had been incredibly patient. He knew that she wouldn't wait quietly much longer. Still he needed time to make plans, to get time off for a honeymoon. He wracked his brain for a solution she'd go for. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"Thanksgiving?" He offered, hoping she'd agree.

"Thanksgiving..." She replied, mulling it over.

He couldn't read her reaction so he kept going. "Lia. Honey? Just think about it. That's only five months. I'll get time off for a honeymoon – and so can you. And we'll be able to do this the right way."

"It's perfect because, I'll always be thankful I found you..." Danny continued as he gave her a smile.

Lia rolled her eyes as she heard his words. "God Thornhart. You don't know when to quit while you're ahead. Now you're getting all sappy on me."

Lia was angry. And when she was angry he found her so beautiful just looking at her stole his breath. Danny knew from experience that even though she acted tough, soft words and romance could get to her – but it seemed she wasn't in the mood for that right now.

Danny should have known better. "OK. How about this?" He said as he smoothed her hair off her face.

His eyes glittered with amusement as he continued. "Let's get married on Thanksgiving – because eating so much that I feel sick reminds me of spending the rest of my life with you."

Lia blinked at him and then she laughed out loud. She knelt next to him and brought his face to hers. "Is it weird that I like that reason better?"

"Is it weird that I knew you would?" Danny laughed back at her. He kissed her softly as he pleaded. "C'mon. Thanksgiving, Lia. It's perfect."

"It is perfect." She whispered as he kissed her again.

"Yeah. It is." Danny smiled against her lips as he added. "Almost as perfect as you."

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"Ethan?" Lynnie called out softly as she eased the door open.

It wasn't often that she went to a place he was working. He worked so hard, she thought with a sigh as she could hear the hum of a jigsaw somewhere off in the distance. She walked in the room she was shocked as to what she found. She found herself in a room full of the most beautiful furniture she had ever seen. He was so talented, Lynnie thought – not at all surprised as she ran her hand over the smooth gleaming wood of a chair. She placed the picnic basket she carried on a nearby table, one that seemed perfect for a large family to eat together.

She smiled widely as she moved through the house, gazing up at the high ceilings, envious of the family that would make their home there. She zigzagged through a maze of furnishings until she finally found him.

"Hey." She called out as he finished the cut he was making.

Ethan's head shot up and his eyes opened wide. "Lynnie..." He took a deep breath when he realized she had no idea that this was their place. He hadn't told her the truth yet. "What a nice surprise." He continued, pushing the goggles he wore to the top of his head, his sandy hair out of his eyes for a change.

"I brought you lunch." Lynnie said with a smile "I thought you might need a break."

This place smells like him, she thought as she watched Ethan brush the sawdust off his hands while he moved towards her. Like wood and lemon oil and a bit of peppermint. He was always chewing gum, she thought with a laugh as she heard him snap it as he grinned at her.

"I do need a break. Thank you." He replied as he reached her. He was full of splinters. Careful not to touch her, he leaned down to give her a kiss.

She smiled as he pulled away. "Ethan..." She breathed as she looked around the room. "This is amazing. You're amazing."

"Thank you again." He said as he made a quick decision. It was time he told her what he was up to. Even though it was unfinished, he thought he'd waited long enough. She'd get the point. "Can't have lunch with someone as pretty as you looking like this." Ethan said adoringly as he kissed her again. "Let me clean up a bit. Look around. I'll be back in a second."

"Where are the slave drivers?" Lynnie called out to him over the sound of running water.

"What?" He said as he walked back to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him. His hands moved up to frame her face. "Hold on a minute. Let me kiss you properly." He said as he touched his mouth to hers.

He kissed her thoroughly. Lynnie's head spun and she giggled as he eased back and smiled down at her. "Wow. Well. That was nice."

"Mmm. Yeah. Nice." Ethan replied - already wanting to kiss her again. He remembered she had asked him something. "So what were you asking me?"

"Where are Mr. and Mrs. Perfect?" Lynnie voice was annoyed as she continued. She reached up to push his hair out of his eyes. "You know - the people who make you work so hard you come home dead on your feet."

"Lynnie." He scolded, his eyes dancing with laughter.

"Look at all this amazing work you're doing. I'm sure they aren't paying you enough." She said, her voice definite. "You don't just make furniture – you're an artist."

Humbled, Ethan gazed lovingly down at her. His voice was soft as he asked. "You really believe that – don't you?"

"Of course I believe it. It's absolutely true. So – do they let you eat?" She asked as she moved into the other room to grab the basket she'd left there.

"Yes. I can eat." He smiled as he followed her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the stairs. "Let's take that upstairs. I want to show you something."

"This place is so beautiful, Ethan. Maybe someday we can have a place like this. I can see it now. The apartment is going to be too small for our family." Lynnie said dreamily.

"Our family – huh?" Ethan said with a grin as he led her up the stairs.

"Yes. Just warning you – we're going to need a lot of room." She said as she followed behind.

"I'll keep it in mind." He laughed, though he was now dreaming of the kids they would have. He stopped in front of a door at the top of the stairs. "C'mere." He said softly as he turned her around and covered her eyes with his hands. "This is the master bedroom."

"OK." Lynnie smiled as she felt him push her through the door softly. He took his hands from her eyes and heard her gasp. "Oh Ethan."

The room was lit solely by the sunlight streaming through the window. Lynnie looked on in awe. A large four poster bed dominated the room. It was constructed out of gleaming honey colored wood with a beautiful intricate carving along the top of the headboard. There were tables flanking each side. A tall armoire stood in the corner.

Tears filled her eyes as she turned in his arms and looked up at him. "It's so gorgeous."

He was thrilled by her reaction. "Do you like it?" He asked, even though the answer was obvious.

"Are you kidding? Oh my God. I love it Ethan." She gushed as she moved to run her hand over the curve of the footboard. "I really hope they appreciate what they have in you."

"I'd say she does." Ethan said softly as he walked towards her.

"She'd better." Lynnie replied. "This is unbelievable."

He decided it was time to tell her. "Lynn? Honey? Sit down with me a second." Ethan took her hand and led her towards the bed. He was glad he'd ordered the mattress and made it up. Even though it was extremely simple, it made it look more finished, and now he thought it just might come in handy.

The thought made him grin widely. He kept her hand in his as he gazed into her eyes. "I know I've been working really hard and I've been working late. I know you've been so patient, even though I've spent lots of long hours..."

"It's OK. Ethan. I know I've given you a hard time and that I've bad mouthed them. But now I understand. You've done something so amazing here." She said with a smile.

"You're amazing." He whispered as he brushed a strand of hair off her face. "And Lynnie, just so you know - there's only one person I'd work this hard for."

He was so sweet, she thought as she smiled up at him. It was clear that she was not fully understanding.

"It's always been a dream of mine to restore a house like this and to build every piece of furniture in it. I never had a chance before, but now I because of you – I do." He kissed her quickly before he finished. "So. I did this for you, Lynnie. This room, this house, everything in it. It's yours."

"It's mine?" Lynnie asked, completely confused.

"Yeah. It's yours." He replied as he turned her to face him. "I'm sorry. It was so hard but I've been keeping it from you."

"Wait.  What are you saying?  This is ours? The house? Everything?"

Ethan nodded and gave her a grin.

"I can't believe you!!! All this time. You've been lying." Lynnie was stunned.

"I've been misleading." He said with a laugh.  "There's a difference."

"My God, Ethan. It's beautiful." Lynnie said softly as tears began to spill from her eyes.

"No." Ethan protested as he gazed into her eyes. He ran a finger over her cheek as he promised her. "You're beautiful. This is just a house."

"No. It's not just a house, Ethan." She replied as she eased into his arms. "It's our home."