HILLRIDGE

THURSDAY

"Ok let's see if we've forgot anything," said Jo as she and Lizzie sat at the kitchen table, going through her thick note book that Lizzie had jokingly called 'Mom's Wedding Planner.'

"I've checked with the church, the florist, the caterer and the limo service. They all assured me that they're on track to have everything ready Monday for the wedding. You..." said Jo looking up at Lizzie "...called the hotel and made sure that the banquet hall was still being held for us and held on the right day, right?"

"Yep," nodded Lizzie "They have us down and on the right day."

"Good, now that just leaves us to deal with where all the out of town family members are going to stay when they come in for the wedding," said Jo "The way I figure it is both sets of grandparents can stay here. We'll put them up in yours and Matt's old rooms. But the trick is what to do with Miranda? With her parents now living in San Francisco, she can't stay with them when she gets here. And I'll be damned if we make her pay for and stay in some old hotel room."

"Don't worry I've got that all taken care of."

"Oh?"

"Yeah we talked a few days ago on the phone.I toldher when she gets here tomorrow she can stay with Gordo and me at our apartment," said Lizzie.

"Ok that will work," said Jo as she started writing the new info down on her notebook "What about Matt?"

"I also talked to Matt and he told me that he has to work Friday.Buthe said when his shift at the fire station is done he'll leave straight from there and head this way. He also said he's planning on staying over at Lannys so the two of them can catch up on old times and do some guy stuff together before the wedding," said Lizzie using her hands to make air quotes as she said 'guy stuff.'

"Guy stuff," Jo asked puzzled.

"Well, if I had to put money on those two," smiled Lizzie " I'd say that they'll more than likely spend the whole weekend before mine and Gordo's wedding bar hopping and trying to pick up every good looking woman in sight."

"Comeon Lizzie you don't really think Matt would spend the few nights he'll be here...uhhh bar hopping as you put it," Jo couldn't help but to frown. She wasn't quite sure what the phrase bar hopping meant but she had a pretty good idea and that is the last thing she wanted to picture her baby boy doing at night, even if he was now legal to do so.

"Mom you do remember this is Matt we're talking about? Mr Trouble Maker Since Birth," laughed Lizzie when she saw the look on her mom's face "I mean who knows what kind of trouble that boy gets into while he lives in LA by himself."

"Well, since you brought it up that's another thing I'm not to comfortable with," Jo sighed melodramatically as only a worried mother can "I still don't think I like the fact that my little boy is living so far away. Not to mention that he's all by himself!"

"Ok mom first off Matts not living 'far away' as you so dramatically put it," Lizzie rolled her eyes at her mothers usual overprotectiveness "LA is just a two hour drive south of here. And lets not forget.the fact that Matt is no longer ' your little boy'.He's an ex-Marine who now stands just about six-one, with a build that would make an NFL linebacker jealous."

"Hmmmm," muttered Jo as she crossed her arms still not calmed at all by Lizzie's words "Well all I can say young lady is just wait till you and Gordo have children. Than you'll know what I'm talking about and you'll understand why I worry so much."

"Maybe," nodded Lizzie "But we'll have to wait a while to find out if you're right because that's not going to happen until many more years from now."

"Well all I can say is thank God that Miranda there to keep an eye on him and keep him out of trouble."

Lizzie laughed as she got up from the table, heading for the fridge to grab her self a soft drink.

"Mom even though both of them live in LA I doubt very seriously that Miranda and Matt have anything to do with one another.

EARLY FRIDAY MORNING IN LA

As her and Matt's kiss deepened Miranda would have let out a soft moan of pleasure if it had been for the fact that at that moment both hers and Matt's tongues were battling each other out for supremacy.

They had been standing in the parking lot of Miranda's apartment complex, her getting ready to head up to Hillridge and Matt to the fire station where he was to pull a twenty-four hour shift before getting off on the vacation he took for the wedding. They had decided to take a second for a quick good-bye kiss and now five minutes later their quick good bye kiss had turned into something that...well probably shouldn't be seen by anyone in public, especially when it came to where some hands were currently located.

"Damn" muttered Miranda shaking her head when at last the kiss was finally over, but only because the two were needing oxygen desperately "You know I really would like to find whoever it was who taught you how to kiss like that."

"Oh yeah," smirked Matt as he leaned back against Miranda's car his arms still locked around her waist, hers around his neck "If you did than what?"

"Well, I would thank her and than make damn sure she stays the hell away from you," smiled Miranda.

Matt's laughter caused Miranda's heart to beat faster. In the first few days of their dating Miranda found out that she really loved the sound of Matt's laugh.

"Ahhh," Miranda moaned as she relaxed her body even more into Matts.Lying her forehead against his broad chest Miranda took a deep breath letting the familar scent that was Matt McGuire fill her "It really blows that you have to stay behind to work making me have to drive to Hillridge all by myself."

"You'll be alright," laughed Matt as he took a quick glance at his rather large Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was parked along side Miranda's car "At least it'll give me a chance to get my bike back on the road for a little road trip action."

Miranda couldn't help but frown when she heard that. She hated all motorcycles especially Matt's bike.She saw them all as nothing more than accidents waiting to happen. It had been one of her biggest pet peeves that she had yet to be unable to persuade Matt into selling his beloved little motor bike. But she would get him to sell it, there was no question about that!

"Yep like I said," continued Matt, not noticing Miranda's frown "It'll be good to get the old girl here back on the road, kick the throttle back wide open and let the wind blow through my hair for a while."

Matt was surprised when Miranda pushed herself off him, took a few steps away from him and begin to glare at him with a look he knew only to well. It was her 'You'd Better Listen To What I'm Fixing To Tell You And You Better Do It! Or So Help Me God I Will Kill You! ' look.

"Ok first off mister there will be NO wind blowing through your hair, because you WILL be wearing that helmet of yours the whole time you're on that thing! And second you will not kick the throttle back wide open as you put it. You will drive the speed limit...in fact I want you to go at least ten miles under the posted speed limit at all times. Is that understood!"

"Yes, ma'am," Matt smiled as he used his right hand to give Miranda a sloppy salute while using his left to snag her arm so he could pull her back to him.

"Gees woman your way more scarier than my drill instructor was back when I was going through boot camp."

"You better believe it mister," said Miranda as she snuggled herself back up into Matt's chest "Not to mention I'm way more sexier too."

"That you are, that you are," laughed Matt as he placed a kiss on top of Miranda's head.

"Ok unfortunately I need to start out," said Miranda as she let go of Matt and opened her car door. Sliding in the driver seat Miranda rolled the window down so Matt could stick his head in.

"Call me when you get there and be careful on the road."

"I will," said Miranda as she started up her car "But you also be careful yourself Mr. Fireman. And that means no unnecessary heroics."

"Gotcha," smiled Matt as he leaned in for one last kiss.

"I love you," said Miranda once the kiss was over.

"I love you too," said Matt who than watched as Miranda waved to him and than proceeded to pull out of the apartment parking lot.

When her car was out of sight Matt walked over and climbed up on his motorcycle. As he promised Miranda he took a few seconds to fasten on his helmet nice and tight.During those few seconds he couldn't help but to think how these next few days were going to be very interesting if they were nothing else.

TBC