A/N – "Thoughts"

Chapter 21 – Almost As Good, Just With A Few Cracks

It had been almost a year since Todd's death shook the group but slowly things were starting to fall back into place. Jason and Amanda were back together, Rebecca and Lizzie were slowly moving past Todd's death and at the moment, everyone was celebrating Caitlyn's wedding.

As the reception was going on around them, Gordo rested his chin against his palm and grinned as he looked across the table. He was watching in amusement as Natalie, his youngest, was engrossed in her coloring book, trying to make the picture look perfect. He could hear her mumbling to herself as she colored, critiquing which colors looked best with each other and which color to use next. The little seven year old was picking up many of Gordo's mannerisms, much to Miranda's annoyance. But Gordo got her back every time Natalie's Spanish temper flared.

As he was watching Natalie, Gordo heard Amy Tudgeman's voice from the table next to him, "What is it with you and board games?"

Gordo chuckled softly and glanced to his left where the Tudgeman family was sitting.

"I just think they bring the family together," Larry countered his wife.

"That's why you treat monopoly like a blood sport," Amy quickly countered.

"I do not," Larry shot back and looked around the table at his children for support, "We all like playing, right?" All he got were three pairs of eyes glaring back at him.

"Honey, why do you think you had to force the kids to play last night?" Amy asked sarcastically to him.

"Heaven forbid I want to spend some time with our children," Larry stated sarcastically.

"And they wonder why I rarely come home," Nick muttered under his breath and then winced when Sasha kicked him under the table. Nick was away at school at NYU, studying computer engineering.

"We like spending time with you too Dad," Sasha told him, "Its just you take it so seriously."

Larry sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest, "Fine." Amy snickered and put an arm around her husband and gave him a kiss.

"Hi," Maria said as she walked over to the table, "What were you talking about?" she asked as she kissed Eric's cheek. Nick snickered softly and winced as he was again kicked under the table, this time by Eric.

"My Dad's love of board games."

Maria laughed softly, "Board games. My mom won't let us play them anymore."

As the other four looked at her in surprise, Eric laughed as he knew there was a story behind it. "And why would that be?"

Maria chuckled softly and grinned sheepishly as she shrugged, "I may have snapped the monopoly board over Jason's head."

As everyone started laughing, "You and Dad should play. That'd be a hella of a game," Sasha said with a small laugh.

Maria than turned to Eric, "Dance with me."

"Not right now."

Maria gave him a sarcastic laughed, "Silly boy," she said and as she stood up, jerked him out of his seat, "You thought I was asking."

Larry grinned at his son, "Never argue with a woman, son." He then quickly added, "Especially a daughter of Miranda Sanchez, you'll only get run over." Glancing to his right when he heard Gordo snicker, the two shared a sarcastic grin.

Across the room Miranda, Kate, and Lizzie were standing near the bar, talking about the date Lizzie had last weekend. It was her first date since Todd's death; while she'd never be completely over him, she felt it was time to start moving on and get back to living her life. Kate had set her up with an acquaintance of her's from her job.

"So how was it?" Kate asked with an amused grin.

Lizzie snickered softly, "It was alright. He took me out to Villa Roma. It was nice to get out again but there really wasn't…any," Lizzie trailed off as she tried to think of the right word.

"Sparks," Miranda finished for her and Lizzie nodded in conformation.

Kate nodded as well; she knew nothing was going to probably happen but she just wanted to see Lizzie happy again. "So what now? Gonna go to some single bars?" Kate teased.

Lizzie smirked and mock glared at her. "I am not going to some cheesy bar to get hit on by a bunch of slime balls."

Laughing a little, Kate came up with another idea, a real idea, "How about trying to look up an old love. Someone before Todd happened."

Lizzie's smirk widened, "That's a good idea." She then glanced at Miranda for a moment, "Though I don't think Miranda would like that very much," she teased. As Miranda rolled her eyes, Kate and Lizzie laughed.

"So Gordo is the only other guy you've ever been in love with?" Kate asked her.

"Pretty much. I mean I dated Gordo almost all through High School and then in college, Todd," Lizzie told them, "I don't know, right now, I don't want to fall in love with someone else, Todd is…Its just too soon."

Miranda wrapped her arm around Lizzie and gave her a one arm hug. "We get it. Your still healing."

After watching some of the couples dancing and making fun of them, "Alright, I'm gonna go find my husband, I wanna dance," Kate said.

"Why? You tryin to get hurt?" Miranda joked, referring to Ethan's dancing skills or lack there off.

"Shut up Gordon. Your just jealous," Kate shot over her shoulder as she walked away.

Miranda laughed sarcastically and then turned back to Lizzie. "So, how are you liking the new house?"

"Its nice, not the same as our old one but its starting to feel like home." Lizzie chuckled softly, "And its defiantly starting to look like a home. You know that third bedroom. Well, I let Rebecca turn into a studio, there's stuff scattered everywhere. But she's enjoying herself and she's found something she's really good at, I just don't have the heart to say anything to her. We may have a third partner before long."

Miranda smiled at her, "I'm glad things are getting better, you deserve it. Both of you."

"Thanks."

Looking across the room, she chuckled softly, "And I see Rebecca is happy too," Miranda teased as she watched Rebecca twirling her hair around a finger as she was visibly flirting with a guy.

Lizzie glanced at her for a moment and then followed her line of sight. Seeing what she was seeing, she snickered softly. "Yea. I'm happy that Amanda is starting to get back to normal…just wish she wasn't such a flirt." Lizzie grinned as she heard Miranda laughing. "Keep laughing," Lizzie told her and then pointed off to side of the room with a smug grin. Miranda looked over and rolled her eyes as this time, Lizzie laughed at her. "So when should I make the wedding dress?"

Lizzie was pointing at where Amanda and Jason were dancing, or at least attempting to, closely. It was basically just them swaying back and forth while in each other's arms. It had taken awhile but Jason and Amanda had repaired their relationship and were now as close as ever.

"Ok, one, there is no way in hell they are getting married anytime soon," Miranda said sarcastically, "Two, if anyone is gonna make her wedding dress, its me."

As Lizzie and Miranda continued teasing each other about their respective children, Kate had made her way from them at the bar to were her husband was sitting at their table. Smiling, she slid into the seat next to him.

Ethan grinned at her, "How's the mother of the bride doing?"

"It feels kinda weird watching my daughter get married," she told him, "Its moments like these that make me really realize I had my baby really too young."

"Yea, but you did an awesome job raising her," Ethan told her with a grin.

"I should be thanking you. Even before we got back together, you treated her like she was your own daughter. I don't think there is any way I can repay you for everything you've done."

Ethan gave her a devilish grin, "I can think of some ways."

Kate giggled and smirked at him, "I'm sure you can," she teased. "But right now," she stood up and grabbing Ethan's hand, "let's dance." Ethan smirked and stood up; wrapping his arms around his wife's waist, drew her in and kissed her. Kate's smirk widened, "Just can't resist yourself can you?" Kate smiled as Ethan laughed; he really was her Prince Charming. Even when they weren't together, he was always there for her. She marveled at the way Lizzie was healing after losing Todd, she doubted that she was that strong if anything ever happened to Ethan. "I hope to god I never have to find out."