While that was taking place, Lilly worried about her squad out hunting this serial killer down. However she ignored orders and went shopping; gazing into window shops of bridal stores. Since becoming engaged; her dreams of the big day were swirling around inside of her head.

In a store window, was a long white strapless dress that had tiny beads on the sides of it. Almost immediately Lilly wanted to try it on; but couldn't for two reasons. One being that the two hadn't even set a wedding date and the other was the fact that she had no money to buy it.

There was always hope, but until then she continued to stroll along; still gazing into other shops. Deep down she wanted to start to shop for her wedding but knew that this also needed John's input on this subject manner. Just as she was walking into a small courtyard, Lilly glanced around taking in the sights. It had a small bench, where she sat there drawing in the calm Irish air.

To her, this was much better than just sitting back at hotel and doing nothing. Besides she didn't feel immobile by having a sprained ankle, until that is her phone had ringed.

A cryptic voice then spoke, as Lilly then proceeded to head down there in caution. As soon as she entered this place she saw her whole squad standing there.

It had turned on that it was her surprise engagement party, that John had secretly had planned, using the manhunt as an excuse. He then proceeded to kiss her before slipping a rose corsage onto her wrist. Lilly was indeed surprised until she then saw Christina standing there looking quite differently.

For one thing she was now a brunette with medium hair, and didn't reek of cigarette smoke.

"Chris", walking up to her sister as the two sisters each looked at each other. Something the two embraced, as Christina felt happy about being reunited with her older sister. The charges against her had been dropped but she was no longer the same person previously.

Lilly happily smiled, but throughout the entire party; she could see love blossoming between both Scotty and Christina. Though she let whatever happened a few years back go, she knew that the two of them were meant for each other.

This time around, Scotty wasn't messed up but she then noticed how neither of them sat there drinking but were engaged in a normal conversation for once. Perhaps people could change, but just being here with the people she loved and cared about was more than she could ever want in her entire life.

John then handed her a martini, before the two stood outside to catch a breather.

"So are we going to actually set a date"?

He smiled softly" Was thinking of a winter wedding, right after your birthday", indicating that it would be sometime in January, but close to February.

She let out a breath, now leaning her head against his shoulder" Whatever happened to the killer"?

"He's dead; apparently he had taken his own life".

Lilly was glad about it, but then heard the sound of Christina laughing" I'm glad you found my sister, I did miss her a lot".

John's arm now was around her" Didn't take much to find her, she was living somewhere in New Jersey, had your old boyfriend; Eddie Saccardo track her down for me".

Upon giving her another kiss, he then proceeded to head back inside. A few minutes later, Christina came out sitting down next to Lilly.

"You got a good fiancé, Lil. Didn't expect you to be dating an older man".

A smile crept on Lilly's face" At least John is someone that I had been looking for", glancing over at her sister" Chris, I've let what happened between us go. You did save me from an abusive marriage to Patrick, but you are the only family I've got left".

Christina nodded" We're you really made that I was dating Scotty back then"?

"No, I guess I was still pining for Patrick but I didn't have any feelings for Scotty. I wanted him to have better but you did take advantage of him".

She shook her head" I was messed up Lil, took me awhile to get myself back on track. Got a good job and a nice apartment", sitting back" I always had wanted to be like you; strong you know"?

Lilly smiled" I do want you at my wedding Chris; this would mean something to me".

"Mom going to be there", causing a small wave of sadness pluming through Lilly's veins.

"She's dead Chris, died almost two years ago. Mom drank herself to death".

Upon hearing that made Christina realize that all she had was Lilly for family; in retrospect they always had each other never the one woman whom never really had made them ever feel really loved. She could remember hearing her mother reading the book: The Velveteen Rabbit; to Lilly seeing her older sister's head resting on her chest, being soothed by her heartbeat.

Christina never had been that close to her mother; but craved it. However as she came back to reality, she knew that Lilly had always been there for both the good and bad times in her life.

"So how did John arraign for you to come here"?

Her sister then turned, looking at how happy her older sister had become" Received a card, at first I thought you wouldn't' be so happy to see me here, but Scotty told me about your shooting".

Lilly's raised an eyebrow, knowing that Scotty had a big thing about family. Plus the fact he knew that he felt the need to be reuniting them.

" I got shot, the day after Mom had died", trying hard not to think about it" Almost died on the table" as Christina saw the look of fear that was still displayed in Lilly's eyes" Lil, I'm glad you're still alive" before the two shared a long hug.

As each other them cried, they knew as sisters; they needed each other more than ever. Though their relationship had been rocky, after their embrace the two noticed that Scotty had been standing there grinning.

"Awe the rush sisters", before seeing the same identical looks on each of their faces. Christina then groaned" You going to stare, or get us both something to drink"?

This automatically sent him back inside" So when are you going dress hunting, Lil"?

"You want to come with me"?

Christina smiled" That would be nice, Lil. Just to say I missed you a lot, I kind of think I was the bad sister".

"You weren't ever; we just grew up in the wrong family".

"We're still family, you and I", squeezing her hand before heading back inside.

Inside John and Lilly danced to some music, while their eyes locked together in synch with each beat of their hearts. It had seemed like the perfect ending for their trip to Ireland, but upon returning to the states her relationship with Christina was starting to strengthen.

Of course this time, Lilly didn't get made when both she and Scotty started to dating normally. This meant that he wasn't coming in unshaven or hung-over like before. Of course she had to tease him like olden times.

"You're just nervous Lil, explains why you've been putting on some weight".

Lilly shot him a look" And I'm not mad at you for dating her, again".

The Cuban glanced over, inspecting to insure that she wasn't "It's different this time; Chris has straightened herself out big time. She more into trying to teach both of us how to cook, then getting wasted at some bar", knowing that this relationship was indeed much better for him.

"If she has time, Chris is been putting more time in working at that daycare center", feeling the happiness that her baby sister was doing something good in her life "She wants to plan my wedding out".

Scotty sipped some of his coffee" You've changed also Lil, since the shooting. I like you this way, not full of sadness ".

"You coming onto me", jokingly. Lilly knew he was right, she did change but her life was much better than what it had been life. Letting that stuff going about Patrick, was a good thing. After all she was marrying a much better man, than he would ever be. Perhaps life wasn't so full of angst or sadness but something even better than that.

Just then Lilly caught Vera's eyes looking at her" Eating my tasty cakes I see", which made her more self conscious about herself.

She had been eating more, but it was due to all this talk of her future wedding. One night John literally had to take away the ice cream from her; knowing that this marriage would be her first. Though on the flipside it would be his second, John felt the jitters of trying to make his to be second marriage a success.

As another month went on by, Lilly grew even more nervous. Though the wedding wasn't set until next February of next year; her nerves were on hand until one night as John gave her a relaxing back massing. Lying down on her stomach, nude; she felt the warm lotion being caressed into her skin.

"You got to relax Lil", planting a trail of kisses down her spinal column.

Lilly breathed out, but continued to enjoy him massaging now her neck in combination with her back. She knew John was right, especially since nervousness always made her eat more. Turning over the two then proceeded to make love; which was already starting to heat up.

When the heat then died down, Lilly lay there in his sweaty arms feeling much more relaxed. By the next morning she joined Christina at her apartment, noticing that it was a pretty nice one; not to mention nicely decorated.

"Didn't know you could decorate".

Christina handed her a bottle of water" Always could, I like doing that type of thing. Your apartment could use a little touch up", keeping her mouth shut about her sister gaining weight. Though it wasn't much, she knew that her comments might make Lilly drift back away. However one morning, that all changed.