Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long! I've been on vacation and at youth camps and stuff the whole month, with no access to a computer, so everything kind of got put on hold. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen: Accepted

Instead of taking the car all the way around back to the Bakers' lake house, Calvin pulled out the boat and took Liz home in that. He left her on the dock with a hug and a kiss goodnight before turning the boat around and heading back to the Boulders. Liz sighed happily as she watched him leave before turning to the house and going inside.

Early the next morning, Liz was awakened by Sarah pouncing on her bed and yanking on her hand. "Why didn't you tell me?" she shrieked, pulling Liz's left hand out so that the ring sparkled in the sunlight filtering through the window.

"Sarah," Liz groaned, pulling her hand free and rolling over. "It was a late night, let me sleep, please."

"Is that when he asked you?" Sarah pressed.

"No, he asked me during the Labor Day Cup. We told our parents last night, which took awhile. Come on, Sarah, let me sleep."

"Fine," she grumped, and Liz could hear her footsteps across the wood floor as she left the room.

When Liz finally awoke again, it was to the click of small pellets against her window. Rolling out of bed, she crossed to the window and looked down to see Calvin tossing rocks. When he saw her, he motioned for her to come down. Dressing hurriedly, she ran outside and found him behind a large tree, which shielded him from the view of the Boulders. He caught her and pulled her close.

"Rachel's at my place, looking for me," he explained quickly, "I had to sneak away before she saw, and I didn't want her to be able to see me over here from the Boulders."

"But what about your dad –" Liz was cut off by the slamming of car doors and Braddock's voice calling her name. Groaning quietly, she laid her head against Calvin's chest. "Now what does he want?"

Calvin's arms went around her waist and he pulled her toward the lake. "Let's head back to my place. I'd rather deal with Rachel than Braddock right now." He led her to the canoe he had used to cross the lake and helped her settle into it, taking up his oar as she did. "By the way, I haven't talked to my dad since last night, so I don't know how he's taking it, but I guess we'll find out together, won't we?"

Liz smiled dryly, before wordlessly setting her mind to controlling the motion of her paddle as they cut across the lake.

When they reached the Murtaugh's dock, Calvin tied the canoe to the pier and helped Liz out, leading her up the back steps to the house. As they pulled open the elegant French doors, they could hear the unmistakable simper of Rachel Zimmerman and, much to their surprise, Jimmy's raised voice.

"What makes you think you can waltz into my home without invitation?" Jimmy asked sharply. "The last thing I want to see in the morning is some stranger helping herself to my kitchen."

"B-but," Rachel stammered, the fear evident in her voice, "I'm your future daughter-in-law! Calvin proposed to me yesterday! I didn't think you would mind, Mr. Murtaugh."

Calvin inhaled sharply. The one thing his father truly hated was being lied to. "He proposed to you?" Jimmy asked softly, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Rachel apparently did not notice the change and plowed on. "Yes, of course he did. Why wouldn't he? It's what you wanted, isn't it?"

"You are not the lovely young lady Calvin brought to me last night to present as his fiancée," Jimmyrespondedcoolly,"As I recall, she was not so brazen as to enter my house alone. And if you are that young woman, which I know you are not, then where is my son? Surely he would not hesitate to spend as much time as possible with his bride-to-be."

Deciding that they'd listened in long enough, Calvin stepped into the room, motioning for Liz to wait. "I'm right here, Dad."

Rachel, whose jaw had dropped in fear and astonishment at Jimmy's words, let out a small gasp and rushed over to him. "There you are, darling," she cooed, latching onto his arm. "I was looking for you when your father stopped me. Where have you been?"

Liz took her cue and stepped in, hands on her hips, her brown eyes boring icily into Rachel's. "With me. Calvin was with me."

Rachel's surprise morphed into anger in a second, but before she could say a word, Jimmy – in a gesture that took Liz completely by surprise – crossed the room to take her hands and kiss her forehead. "Well, here is my lovely daughter-to-be," he said with an exaggerated show of affection for Rachel's benefit, "You're looking wonderful this morning."

"Thank you, Mr. Murtaugh," Liz replied, still a little dazed by this sudden change in Jimmy's attitude towards her.

Calvin, meanwhile, removed Rachel's hands from his arm. "Allow me to show you the door," he said pointedly, leading her outside. "And do me the favor of not calling here again," he added as he closed the door firmly in her face. He went back to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. "Well, she's gone," he sighed.

Jimmy nodded and turned serious. Focusing his attention on Liz, he said, "I'm sorry for the way I acted last night. Sarina told me that she preferred you to Rachel Zimmerman and this morning confirmed my own doubts about her suitability." Turning to take in his son as well, Jimmy then added, "You both have my sincere blessing and I wish you a long happy life together."

Forgetting all her nervousness and reservations, Liz threw her arms around Jimmy's neck and kissed his cheek. In good humor, he pushed her away. "Now, now, don't waste your affection on me," he said with a wry smile, "I have a son here who's looking a little jealous."

More than willing to comply, Liz allowed Jimmy to gently push her into Calvin's waiting arms. Her fiancé spun her around several times before setting her down and kissing her soundly.

Author's Note: Yay! It's happy! I think there might be a couple chapters left, but we're almost done. Thanks to everybody who reviewed so faithfully! Keep it coming!