Chapter 19

Disclaimer: Oh I think we both know whom these characters belong to…NOT ME! That's right!

A/N: I re-watched "ITWSH" again (because I am an insomniac with nothing better to do but amuse you guys – and I love doing it – and hunt for L&O reruns. I find Barek growing on me. I have to admit I HATED her when they first brought her on, but that joke about the Feebs stopping an asthma attack…it got me. I hope y'all are enjoying it. Thanks so much for the reviews!

Six Months Later…

Alex sat back in her chair, on the phone with her mother. "Well, she likes it when you let her watch the birds. It's crazy but it shuts her up." Bobby looked up at Alex and smiled. "Yeah…I told you. All right, see you later. Give her a kiss from us. Bye." Alex hung up the phone and looked at Bobby. "She knows our secrets." They both looked down at their paperwork. Mike approached their desks.

"You don't now how good it is to see you both here. And I never thought I'd say that about you, Goren."

"Thanks, Mike. You're all heart."

"Now, do you think you can come out with Carolyn, Lewis and I for dinner? I know you just came back but, it's been a while." Mike looked odd as he asked them this.

"Yeah, I could get my mom to watch her a little longer." Alex shuffled her papers around on her desk.

"Well, we're going to a family friendly restaurant; you could bring her. I know Carolyn's dying to see her."

Alex and Bobby exchanged a quick glance. Bobby cleared his throat. "Yeah, sure Mike. What time?"

"About seven. Is that too late?"

"Not at all. Where?"

"Cinco de Mayo. Carolyn's choice."

"I love that place. We'll meet you there." Alex smiled up at Mike until he walked away. Alex immediately leaned over her desk to Bobby. "What is going on there?"

"I don't know. Why wouldn't Lewis just ask me if I wanted to go?"

"Hmm…" Alex thought about that one. "Well…we'll find out, won't we now?" She smiled at him and answered her phone. "Eames?" She rolled her eyes, smiling. "Yes, mother…"

Later, at Cinco de Mayo…

"Oooh! Pina Coladas! I'm so there." Carolyn looked up from her menu and looked around the table at all her friends. Lewis sat to the right of her studying the menu intently; Mike sat to the left, playing peek-a-boo with Meredith. Bobby and Alex were discussing guacamole and Alex's apparent dislike of it. Carolyn smiled to herself. It had been a while since they all went out. She was also glad that Mike and Lewis were getting along famously. The waiter stopped by to take their orders. Bobby looked up at his best friend and willed him to look up from his menu. Bobby didn't know what was going on and he couldn't figure it out. Lewis had been acting weird since they got to the restaurant. He finally looked up.

"Yes, Bobby?" Lewis smirked at him, but Bobby could see the nervousness in his eyes. It dawned on Bobby what Lewis was about to do. Lewis cleared his throat and turned to Carolyn.

"Ah, Carolyn?" Carolyn stopped talking to Alex and turned to Lewis.

"Yes?"

"Eh…what'd you order?" Lewis blushed.

"Pollo con Crema…same thing I always get." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. "Drinks getting you already?" She smiled as Lewis rolled his eyes. Bobby got a kick under the table from Mike. He motioned for Bobby to follow him to the bathroom.

"So he's going to ask her." Bobby looked down at the bathroom floor. His best friend was going to propose and he hadn't even known.

"Look, Goren, he didn't tell you because he didn't want Alex to find out and you know how girls are. Don't be mad at him."

"I'm his best friend. And I wouldn't have told Alex. And even f I did - why did he tell you, anyway?" Bobby's anger started to flare.

"Look, I didn't want to know! Do you know how many honest woman jokes I missed out on because I was sworn to secrecy? It killed me inside, it really did." Mike tried to get a smile out of Bobby. Bobby wasn't having it. "Look, don't sit here and pout. I certainly don't want to stake a claim on your best friend but since we both care about Carolyn can't we all just get along? And not ruin Carolyn's second biggest moment in the process?" Mike looked at Bobby, annoyed.

"No, you know, you're right. I suppose he has his reasons."

"Don't worry, you're still number one with him, big guy." Mike slapped him on the back and exited the bathroom, Bobby right behind him.

"Did you fall in…somehow?" Carolyn asked Mike and Bobby when they returned to the table. Alex laughed. God, it felt good to get out.

"No, we did not fall in. Smart ass." Mike nudged Carolyn in the ribs. Meredith started to whimper. Alex started to reach for her. Carolyn stopped her.

"No, let me take her. I never get to baby sit anymore for you guys. I actually miss it. Stupid cases." Carolyn fake pouted and took the baby form Alex's hands. Lewis turned towards her again.

"Carolyn – " The food arrived. Lewis sat back dejectedly in the booth. The waitress served everyone their meals and walked away. Carolyn turned towards Lewis, holding the baby and clapped her hands together.

"What's up Lewis?" Lewis reached for his coat pocket and pulled out a purple ring box. Carolyn felt herself go numb. Alex caught sight of what he was holding and her eyes grew big. She looked at Bobby, who smiled down at her, having gotten over his initial pout fest, happy for his friend. Mike took the baby out of Carolyn's hands.

"Carolyn, we have been together nine months now. I've wanted to do this for a while, but I didn't know how you'd react. That's why I got so distant then. You are a wonderful, wonderful woman and I love you so much. Would you do the honor of marrying me?" Lewis opened the ring box revealing a small diamond set in platinum. He couldn't get a huge rock, but he got the nicest setting he could find. He took the ring out of the box and reached for Carolyn's hand and looked up at her. She had tears streaming down her face.

"Lewis…YES!" She threw her arms around him, nearly knocking the ring out of his hand. Mike took a side-glance at the two of them and then looked across the table at Bobby and Alex. Alex's nose was red, a smile on her face, tears welling up in her eyes. Bobby had the biggest grin on his. He looked down at the baby in his lap, sleeping comfortably. Yeah, this was a good night.