Chapter Twenty-One: Presents

Calvin held Liz in his arms for a minute before pushing back a little and letting his hands slide down her arms to take her hands. "Let's go back in there, before anybody misses us." He raised a quizzical eyebrow at Charlie and Anne. "Are you two coming with us?"

"Of course," Charlie said immediately, offering his arm for Anne to take. The foursome made their way back into the party. Amid the swirling bodies, Liz caught a glimpse of Lorraine, still dancing with Daniel. Before she could mention this to Calvin, however, both Sarina and Kate descended on them.

"There you both are," Kate said, looking slightly harassed. "We were wondering what had happened to you."

Sarina nodded and addressed her stepson. "I don't know how soon you and Liz want to call it quits, but personally, I'm ready when you are."

Calvin's eyebrows went up and he eyed his stepmother with concern. "Has it been that bad?"

Sarina snorted in a rather unladylike way. "The Zimmermans have been at our throats all night about allowing you to choose Liz over their daughter. William Zimmerman insists that we call off the wedding or he'll buy us out of our lake property and kick us off." She rolled her eyes as Jimmy and Tom broke away from the crowds and came to join them. "He's conveniently forgotten that he can't buy if we don't sell and that Jimmy's about four times as successful as he is."

"Talking about Bill Zimmerman, my dear?" Jimmy asked, kissing Sarina's cheek. "Did you tell our two lovebirds that he's planning to crash their wedding?"

"WHAT?" Charlie, Anne, Liz and Calvin said together.

Tom only laughed. "Mr. Zimmerman seems to be operating under the false idea that we're having the wedding here on Lake Winnetka before we all leave. What he doesn't know is that the Bakers are leaving in two days and that we'll be having the wedding wherever our children want it." He glanced around, as though checking for eavesdroppers and leaned in conspiratorially. "Just don't choose to have it here, okay?"

Liz laughed lightly. "Don't worry, Dad, we'll choose somewhere a little more convenient for all our friends and family."

"How about New York City?" Calvin asked with a wicked grin. "Then we can make sure the Zimmermans are there."

That brought laughs all around. "Well," Tom said when the laughter died down a little, "As parents to you two, we have a couple of engagement gifts to give you before we leave the party. What do you say we gather both families and open them?"

Liz and Calvin glanced at each other, then at Charlie and Anne. "Sure," Calvin said with a shrug. Charlie and Anne broke apart to weave through the dancers and find wandering kids, while Tom, Kate, Jimmy and Sarina led the couple out onto the balcony where they'd sequestered the gifts. In ones, twos, and threes, the various members of the Murtaugh and Baker families collected around Liz and Calvin to witness the opening of the first two presents. Once everyone was there, Tom and Kate held out their present.

Calvin took the flat rectangle box and set it on his lap. Together, he and Liz pulled back the white wrapping paper to reveal a clothing box. Feeling slightly apprehensive, Liz and Calvin looked at each other, then lifted the lid. Inside was a pair of black dress pants, a crisp white tuxedo shirt, a cumberbund, a shimmery champagne-colored vest, and a black bow tie. A small jewelry box sat beside it, marked with Liz's name. She opened it to reveal two gorgeous diamond drop earrings and a diamond-studded necklace. Her mouth fell open in amazement as she looked up at her parents.

Kate placed her hand on her daughter's arm. "They're for you to wear for your wedding. We actually have the tailcoat to finish out your tuxedo, Calvin. It's at home, since we couldn't pack it all the way here. Come over tomorrow and we'll give it to you. And don't worry, we got your measurements from Sarina, so it should fit."

"But," Liz interjected, "But… how…? When?"

Kate gave her daughter a disbelieving look. "You really think we can't get away for a few hours and sneak something back into the house without you knowing? We're your parents."

"And now for our present," Jimmy said, pulling out a small box and an envelope. He passed the box to Calvin and gave the envelope to Liz.

Calvin opened his first to find a brand-new all-gold watch. Liz looked with slight disappointment at the slender envelope in her hands before breaking the seal and pulling out a blank signed check with the words "wedding dress" printed on the comments line. She looked up in astonishment at her soon-to-be father-in-law. "For…?"

"For your dress, honey," Sarina put in quickly. "Your parents bought the tux, so we figured we'd pay for your dress. Our only request is to keep the amount under a thousand dollars."

Liz's eyes widened. "Even if the dress I choose is over a thousand dollars, this will put a healthy dent in the price. Don't worry though," she added hastily, "I was planning on keeping it simple. I don't want a hideously expensive dress."

"Well, if we're happy with the presents, I vote we head home," Tom Baker said. "The Bakers have a lot of packing to do tomorrow so we can leave the next afternoon."

Just kidding, I lied. Now there are two more chapters left. I think. Anyway, please review!