A/N: Thanks Melody and Carlie. I swear I have newfound respect for romance writers. I really have to say - it's very hard to put those types of scenes to paper without feeling somewhat sleezy. But the idea was there and needed a home. LOL!

So in an effort to not appear to be fixated ;) – here's another chapter. Didn't I say we'd be fast forwarding sometime soon?

Yeah. Not so much I guess.

I've decided to stop berating myself for dragging this out. If it takes 100 plus chapters as long as you promise to hang in there I guess I'll deal. If this is the way the story's to be told then so be it. I'm done stressing.

Now watch – I wrap it up in under 60! LOL!

Oh well. Whatever! Until 30 – Enjoy! xox –G

OH –btw - PS. Rafe says "I do not know why my daughter chose you."

Chapter Twenty-nine

"GO! GO! GO!" Quinn yelled at the screen. "Woo hoo! Three points!"

"Are you freaking kidding? That guy was definitely traveling! He practically had luggage for Christ's sake!" Danny sighed and sank back down onto the couch in defeat.

Colin just laughed and shook his head as he watched them continue to argue. Meanwhile, Grant and Ethan sat together on the other side of the room.

"Do you understand them at all?" Grant asked.

"A bit. I'm not sure. What's going on?" Ethan replied.

"I have no idea. I never liked basketball much." He glanced at the screen again. It looked like it was halftime. Grant watched thoughtfully as the cheerleaders took over the court, remembering the days when Chloe used to be the one out there. He smiled to himself as he took a sip of his beer. "Take that Doug Miller." He whispered under his breath.

"Doug who?" Ethan asked.

Grant laughed, his face flushing a bit at being caught mumbling. "Miller. One of Chloe's ex-boyfriends. He used to play basketball. Actually he played baseball and football too." He smiled wider as he took another sip. "Might be why I hate sports."

Ethan paused and looked down at the bottle he held in his hand. "That's funny. I don't know any of Lynnie ex-boyfriends names."

"Probably because she never really had any." Grant replied with a laugh.

Ethan couldn't imagine that was true. "Are you serious?"

"Are you?" Grant said, genuinely taken aback. "C'mon, E. You know Lynnie. She's not one to play games or anything – or waste her time with someone who doesn't really care about her."

"You're right – she's not." Ethan agreed.

"So. Does it really surprise you that you were her first boyfriend?"

Ethan guessed not, but he replied. "I just can't imagine that there was no one else in the world who realized how amazing she is." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh – don't get me wrong. Guys liked her. She might be my cousin but I can see she's a beautiful girl." Grant shrugged as he finished. "She just didn't let anyone close – for one reason or another. At least not until she met you."

Ethan stood there quietly and looked lost in thought. "I guess that's good." He said with a sigh.

Grant laughed at the look on his face. "Please. Don't tell me you're upset because she doesn't have an ex – Ethan."

He shook his head in reply. "No. No. That's not it. I'm glad. I am. It's just…odd – don't you think?"

Grant bit back a chuckle. "I'd just say to consider yourself lucky. You got to her before anyone else even had a chance."

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In the kitchen, Billie was overwhelmed. They started off with baby talk but they were now in full swing chatting about her upcoming wedding.

"So where are you thinking of having it – Bill? In a church? Someplace outside?" Lynnie asked.

"It doesn't have to be fancy." Chloe chimed in as she shifted Melissa in her arms. "The courthouse worked just fine for Grant and me."

"She doesn't want the courthouse, Clo." Lia said with a laugh. "She deserves a good old fashioned wedding."

Kate yawned as she laughed at her cousins and sister-in-law. "Pregnancy is making you sentimental Julia."

Lia thought the same thing, but she'd be damned if she admitted it to anyone. "I just mean afterall she had to go through with that creep she deserves something special."

"Oh we've got special!" Lynnie said excitedly as she flipped furiously through the magazine on her lap. "Oh my God. Look at this!"

"AWWW!" Chloe said as she leaned over to take a peek. "That's amazing. That's beautiful."

"You could totally handle that. You know, since you and my brother are both loaded and all." Lia said as she grabbed another handful of potato chips.

"LIA!" Lynnie scolded. She turned to Billie and gaveher anapologetic smile. "Billie, forgive my sister. Her manners are deplorable."

"It's alright." Billie said in a small voice. Her heart was pounding furiously in her chest. She was finding it hard to breathe. "That is lovely."

"You could use the garden at my parent's like me and Colin." Kate yawned again. As she did her son let out a wail that said he was awake from his nap.

"We keeping you up Katie?" Lia asked with a laugh.

"I didn't get much sleep last night." She admitted as she stood and walked over to Alex's portable crib and picked him up.

"Was Alex being fussy?" Chloe asked with concern.

"No." She shook her head and held Alex close. She blew her hair out of her eyes as she told them the truth. "Actually – Colin and I had a huge fight."

"Did you really?" Lynnie said, her voice filled with concern. "You'd never know it looking at you two today."

"That's because we made up." She said, blushing a bit.

"Ahhhh. That's why you're tired! Go Katie." Lia laughed as she grabbed another handful of chips.

"Stop." Kate replied, her face flooded with color. "It's true – that's why – but I'm still a little worried even though it wasn't something we haven't fought about before."

"Something having to do with the baby?" Chloe asked then.

"No. I was about my parents and his parents and it wasn't pretty." Kate sighed as she sat back down. Chloe smiled as Alex immediately reached out to grab at Melissa's hand. "I think we worked it out – but it's so hard. I can't help the way I feel about them and he can't help feeling the opposite. We're okay now but I'm sure it'll come up again."

"I know what you mean. Danny and I are fighting already over what I'll do after the babies are born. I keep telling him that it's safer now that I've made detective but he's not convinced." She laughed as she turned to face Billie. "Ah Belinda. Can you not wait? The joys of marriage…" She trailed off as she noticed for the first time that Billie was no longer there. She looked over at the rest of the girls and said softly. "Hey. Where'd she go?"

"Did you even see her leave?" Lynnie asked as she scanned the room.

"No." Chloe said shaking her head. "I wonder where she went."

"Do you think we scared her?" Kate wondered aloud.

"If anyone can find that out it'll be Quinn." Lia replied as she moved to stand. "I'll go get him."She offered.

"No. I'll go." Lynnie replied with a huge grin. "I want to see what kind of snacks they're hogging out there anyway.

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"Are you hungry?" Rafe asked as he led Kyle over to a small, quaint restaurant.

Kyle was skeptical, not only about the type of food that they'd serve, but about having to sit across a table with Rafe while they ate. Still he didn't think he could refuse. More than that, he was starving.

"Um. Yeah. Sure." He replied as he followed dutifully behind.

The waitress came over and handed them menus. Kyle could smell a familiar scent in the air. As he gazed at the card in his hand he realized why.

"Pizza?" He said, his voice full of disbelief.

"Yeah. Pizza." Rafe laughed. "Is that OK?"

"Yeah. It's…great. I just – I mean when you said did I want something to eat - I thought it'd be something Romanian."

"There are a lot of Italian restaurants in Sighisoara." Rafe replied laughing harder.

"Cool." Kyle said softly. Soon after they placed their orders.

As they watied, an odd sort of silence fell between them. Kyle alternatively played with his silverware and took sips of his water.

Rafe looked over at him thoughtfully. "Everything OK Kyle?" He asked.

Kyle nodded. "Sure sir. I'm fine."

"You sure?" Rafe prompted. "I know that was kind of scary in there. It's par for the course as far as Caleb and I are concerned. Honestly, that was really nothing." He shook his head and added, "Trust me. It just might get worse."

"No. No it's alright." Kyle replied, fidgeting nervously. "I'm just glad you've given me the opportunity…" He fumbled as he placed his glass of water back down, spilling a bit on the tablecloth. He rushed to mop up the spill with his napkin. "I'm sorry. I know I didn't really do much – but you look like you had it handled…"

Realization filled Rafe's voice as he cut him off softly. "Wow. I really did a number on you didn't I?"

"What?" Kyle looked at him and flushed a bit. "No. No sir. Not at all."

"Kyle." Rafe sighed. "I know I've been overprotective of Becky and I apologize. I can't seem to help myself."

"It's OK." Kyle shrugged. His face lit up when their plates were placed before them. He lifted a slice of his pizza and took a huge bite.

Rafe did the same, all the while keeping his gaze on Kyle.

Kyle chewed and swallowed before commenting. "It's pretty good – not as good as the Pizza Shack but it's good."

"You take Becky to the Pizza Shack?" Rafe asked with a grin as he took another bite.

"Yeah." Kyle blushed again as he tried to explain. "I know it's cheap and not fancy or anything but I can afford it and she seems to like it."

Rafe had to bite back a laugh. "It's OK, Kyle. Actually, I used to take her mother there all the time."

"Really?"

"Yep - and when she was pregnant with Ella she craved pizza on a regular basis." Rafe shook his head and decided to get off that subject. As hard as he was trying to be objective, it wouldn't work if he kept talking about pregnancy and Becky in the same conversation.

"They're a lot alike I guess." Kyle said then, finally calming down. This wasn't so bad. He thought. Maybe he was making progress.

"They're very much alike. So much so it scares me sometimes." Rafe admitted. "She looks just like her mother - and her mother is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"I know." Kyle as he started on his third slice of pizza. He'd gotten so relaxed he forgot where he was or who he was talking to. "She's totally hot." He said with a sigh.

The words were out before Kyle even knew what he was saying.

The mood took a turn for the worst. Rafe looked over at him with fire in his eyes.

"If you're talking about my wife – I'll maim you. If you're talking about my daughter you're a dead man."

"Mr. Kovich. Please. I didn't mean it like that. I'm s-s-so sorry." Kyle stammered.

"Eu nu ştiu de ce meu fiică ales tu." Rafe muttered under his breath.

Kyle took a deep breath and gulped down the rest of his water. "I know. Me neither."

"Wait. Did you just understand what I said?" Rafe asked in disbelief. "How could you possibly?"

"Becky." Kyle replied in a whisper, afraid to say much more than that.

Rafe was intrigued, and a bit proud as he asked. "She's taught you Romanian?"

"No." Kyle shook his head and tried to find his voice. "I just – somehow I just understand it. I can't speak it but I know what you're saying. One day Becky said something and I just - I just knew what she said. It's the same for her - she can understand me when I speak French."

"That's interesting." Rafe replied, forgetting the topic at hand for a moment.

Kyle took the opportunity to try and repair the damage. "Mr. Kovich. I understand why you're concerned. You don't want Becky to get hurt. I get that. I do."

Rafe looked into Kyle's eyes and could tell he was sincere. Before he could reply Kyle added.

"I'd never, ever hurt her sir." He promised. "I honestly wouldn't even know how to."

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As soon as Lynnie found him, Quinn set off to find Billie. He expected to see her in their bedroom but she wasn't there. He finally located her in the guest room – the place she had stayed when she first moved in with him.

She was gazing out the window, draining the last of her glass of wine.

"Billie? Honey? What's the matter?" He whispered.

When she turned towards him her face lit up. Silently she snatched the beer he held in his hand and started to chug it.

She slapped his hand away when he tried to take it back. When it was finally empty she held the bottle out to him.

"Whoa. OK. Easy." Quinn said softly. "You don't even like beer." He commented. "What's wrong?"

"Weddings." Billie replied as she began to pace.

"Weddings?" Quinn repeated.

"I didn't even have a clue as to how much there was to do. Lia and Chloe and Lynnie and Kate. They've been filling me in and it's – it's insane. Flowers and music and – and – and – favors? We're supposed to have favors you know." She stammered at him.

She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "Don't get me started on the dresses. There are a million and a half styles out there. And I have to choose my dress AND theirs? Are you freaking kidding me?"

He wanted to go to her but she hadn't stopped pacing since she'd finished his beer. She was walking so fast his head was spinning. Her voice sped up as she started to talk again.

"Do you like bands or deejays? I have no clue. See? We've never even discussed it. How about a song for our first dance? We don't have a song – Quinn. Oh my God. What are we going to do?" Her voice rose in panic. "I love you Quinn and I want to marry you. I do. But I don't know if I can have a wedding." She looked over at him, and he could see she was shaking. "I don't think I can handle all this."

Quinn was finally able to catch her. "OK. OK. Stop. Belinda. BREATHE."

"Quinn." She said desperately, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Shhh. Sit down for a second." He said softly as he made her walk towards the bed.

Once she was settled he took her gently in his arms and ran a hand over her hair. "What did those girls do to you?" He asked as he held her close, thankful that she couldn't see the huge grin on his face as he did.

"They're just trying to help." Billie said with a sniffle. "They're so excited for me – for us. But it's freaking me out, Quinn."

"OK." He replied, trying to hide his smile. "What's freaking you out most?"

"Just all the plans." She said, unable to pinpoint anything specific at the moment. "The whole thing."

"Do you want to elope?" Quinn suggested. "Because – Bill, whatever you want to do is just fine with me."

"I – no. I don't think that's what I want." She replied, confusion filling her voice. "I don't know…"

Quinn held her tighter and moved to lean back into the pillows. "OK. Just relax and think about this. When you imagine our wedding, what's the first thing that comes into your mind?" He whispered against her hair. "Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and tell me what you see."

"You." She said softly her eyes shut tight. "You and me."

"And where are we?" He prompted.

"Outside. In a garden. It looks…it looks kind of like the backyard at the house." She replied with a sigh.

"Which house?"

"Our house." She sighed again. "The one we bought. The one we'll move into soon."

"What kind of dress are you wearing?" He asked.

"Something simple – but definitely wedding-y. Kind of like the one your mother wore."

"And what kind of music is there?"

She smiled and gave a little giggle. "Stuff that's fun. It's not stuffy. Definitely a party."

He kissed her brow, then moved his lips next to her ear. "Are there a lot of people around?"

"No. Not a lot. Just our friends and our family." She whispered as she leaned into him.

Quinn's heart leapt at the sound of her voice saying "our family". It had taken a long time, but he finally knew she truly meant it.

Billie's eyes fluttered open and she stared into Quinn's. "So. What do you think?" She said, her voice trembling a bit.

"I think." Quinn replied, smiling widely. "That we have our answer."