Author's Note: I love writing this story so much. I almost hate to see it end. Thanks for the wonderful support, it really means a lot.
HarryPassionFan: Major points to you for remembering something from all the way in chapter 1. I wasn't sure if anyone was going to realize that Amanda will one day become a member of the family.
PrettyDiva: I realized that since Patrick is the oldest that lately a lot of the chapters had focused on him. So I wanted to do a chapter for one of the other kids for a change. Glad you liked it.
Purple Strobe: Thanks for the review and all your support.
Lushiouschell: This story still has quite a bit to go so it won't be ending just yet. Though I am anxious to begin the other stories in the series. I'm not sure if I'll mention anything about Jayne's relationships in this story that will probably come when I write the Jason/Kim story. But you will find out what happens with Susie as she grows up.
Ghostwriter: I've had problems myself viewing stories from other authors. Here's hoping gets the problem worked out and that you can catch up if you've missed anything.
ULTRA SONIC: Yeah, it is hard finding a balance between how fast I can get the fic updated and making sure the chapters are what I want them to be. Thanks for the support.
Dancerchick17: I'm not sure if there are many surprises left for this fic but we'll see.
GinaStar: Thanks, here's hoping you love this chapter as well.
"Mom, Dad," Patrick called as he entered the house and sat down his bags.
"Patrick, is that you?" Kat asked as she walked out of the kitchen.
"Hey Mom," Patrick said as he ran over and gave her a hug.
"Why didn't you call and tell us you were coming home?" she asked.
"Just thought I'd surprise you and it smells like I got home just in time for dinner," he said.
"Go and put your bags upstairs and you can surprise your brother and sisters and tell them that dinner's ready," Kat told him.
Patrick grabbed his bags and threw them in his room upstairs. He then went next door to his eighteen year old sister Susie's room and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Open up brat, it's your favorite big brother," he said.
"What are you doing here, don't tell me you're moving back home," she said after she opened the door and let him inside.
"Sorry to disappoint you brat but I'm not moving back home, but I am leaving Pasadena," he told her.
Patrick had recently graduated from the California Institute of Technology and was still living in Pasadena.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I got a job offer so I'm moving to New York," he answered.
"And how does Amanda feel about this?" she questioned.
"She's being very supportive of the whole thing," he told her.
"If my boyfriend were moving to other side of the country I don't know how supportive I would be," Susie remarked.
"What boyfriend and why wasn't I told that you were dating someone, what's his name," Patrick demanded.
"Relax dork, I was speaking hypothetically, I'm not seeing anyone I wouldn't have time to date especially with the way my training schedule the way it is," Susie replied.
"You just make sure that when you do start dating I'm properly notified," he said as he turned to leave the room.
"Whatever," Susie said rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah, Mom said that dinner's ready," Patrick said as he headed off to Lauren's room.
He walked down the hall to Lauren's room and found the door wide open. He peered in to see Lauren lying on her bed and talking on the phone. He knew that she hadn't noticed him standing and he listened as she continued to talk.
"I enjoyed our kiss too, yeah, I can't wait to kiss you again," she was saying.
Patrick backed up from the door and ran quietly down the hall back to his own bedroom where he picked up the phone.
"Um hello, this is Lauren's older brother Patrick, who are you and just exactly what were you doing kissing my little sister," he said as fifteen year old Lauren shrieked.
"Patrick, how are you on the phone?" Lauren questioned.
"I'm the one asking the questions here," Patrick said.
"Hey Pat, I didn't know you were coming home for a visit," the guy on the other line said.
"J.J. is that you?" Patrick asked recognizing the voice as Jason and Kim's son.
"Yeah it's me, and that kiss was just a goodnight kiss," J.J replied.
"You don't have to explain anything to him," Lauren said her voice full of embarrassment.
"It was nice talking to you J.J. I'm sure I'll see you soon, Lauren when you're done mooning over your boyfriend, you might want to join us for dinner," Patrick said with a laugh as he hung up the phone.
He then left his room and went to the last bedroom which belonged to his younger brother Joshua who was now thirteen.
I've missed you too Zeo," Patrick said and laughed as he opened Joshua's door and immediately the dog pounced on him.
"When did you get home?" Joshua asked as looked up for a moment at his older brother but then continued playing his video game.
"I just walked in the door and Mom sent me to get you guys for dinner," Patrick told him.
"I'll be down in a minute, I just want to finish this next level," Joshua said.
"Alright but don't blame me if Mom gets upset with you for being late," Patrick said as he left.
Once downstairs, Patrick went into the dining room where his mother was setting the food on the table and his father entered the room a minute later.
"I heard you were home," Tommy said as he gave his twenty-two year old son a hug.
"Yeah, I decided to make a surprise visit," Patrick explained as he took a seat.
"You got home just in time, your sister is supposed to be making her big decision today," Tommy told him.
"She's finally decided which college she's going to accept?" Patrick questioned.
"Actually, I accepted a few weeks ago," Susie said as she joined them and was soon followed by Lauren and Joshua.
"It's really nice having the whole family back together," Kat said once everyone was at the table.
"So Susie, ready to tell us your decision," Tommy said.
"First off, I want to say that I'm really going to miss everyone and that I hope you plan on visiting me especially once the gymnastics season starts, I expect you to come to at least one of my meets," she said.
"Ok, ok, so where are you going?" Joshua asked.
"I've decided on the University of Utah, one because it's not too far away and two because they offered me a full gymnastics scholarship," she announced.
"Well, I was hoping that you were going to say UCLA because it's a lot closer to home but I think Utah is a good choice too," Kat remarked.
"When are you leaving?" Joshua asked.
"Well, the season doesn't start until January so I won't be leaving until the Spring which means I'll still be home this Fall," she replied.
"That's good because it's going to take Mom that long to get used to the idea of you leaving," Patrick joked.
"Ha, ha very funny," Kat said.
"So Patrick aren't you going to tell everyone your news?" Susie asked him.
"Ah, I knew there was reason behind this surprise visit of yours," Tommy commented.
"I've been offered a starting position with an engineering firm in New York, actually it's being run by an old professor of mine and he recommended me for the position," he told them.
"Congratulations son that's great," Tommy told him.
"This is so awesome, I've always wanted to go to New York and now I have a reason," Lauren said.
"Your dad's right it's a great opportunity," Kat told him.
"I know New York is really far but I promise to come home as often as I can," Patrick told her.
"How's Amanda handling all this?" Lauren asked him.
"Actually that's something else I wanted to talk to all of you about," Patrick replied.
"Is she going to New York with you?" Joshua asked.
"As a matter of fact she is," Patrick told him.
"There's something else isn't there?" Kat questioned.
"Yes, I asked Amanda to marry me and she said yes," Patrick announced.
"You're getting married?" Susie asked.
"Yes, we've decided on December 15th, my job starts in January and we'd like to move right after the wedding," Patrick informed them.
"Wow, this is some news," Kat said.
"Congratulations again, son," Tommy told him.
"So are you going to get married in San Diego?" Lauren asked knowing that's where Amanda's family lived.
"Yeah we were thinking about having the wedding outside at her parents' house since they have that huge backyard," Patrick replied.
"This is so great, I'm going to go call J.J," Lauren said as she ran up to her room.
"I'm gonna go email Jayne," Susie said. Jayne had left right after graduation to study ballet in Paris.
"I'm gonna go finish my video game, congrats bro," Joshua said as he too left.
"I can't believe you're getting married," Kat spoke after all the kids had left.
"I can hardly believe it myself sometimes, but I feel like the time is right," Patrick replied.
"Well you are done with school now and you've already got a job so if you feel that you're ready then we'll stand behind you," Tommy told him.
"I had hoped you'd wait until you were a little older but your father is right it's your choice and besides I do like Amanda and I think she'll be a great addition to the family," Kat said.
"Thanks Mom, that really means a lot to me," Patrick said as he got up and gave her a hug.
Months later, it was finally December and the entire family along with their family and friends had traveled to San Diego for Patrick's wedding day. Tanya and Adam were there along with sons Adam Jr. who was the best man and Stevie who was a groomsman. Kim and Jason brought J.J. but Jayne was unable to come as she would only be returning home for Christmas. Billy and Hayley were also in attendance bringing both twenty one year old Trini and fourteen year old Isaac. Last but not least was Rocky and Emily who had left all six of their children at home.
"You ready?" Tommy asked his son as he helped him with his bowtie.
"Tell me something, were you this nervous when you married mom?" Patrick asked.
"Yeah but I was also excited because I'd been waiting to marry your mother for a long time," Tommy told him.
"Relax Patrick, it'll be over before you know it," Adam Jr. told him.
"Do you have the rings?" Patrick asked him.
"Yeah they're right here in my pocket," he replied.
"Girls are you just about ready?" Kat asked her daughters who where bridesmaids. They were getting ready in a room down the hallway from the men.
"Yes, mom, we're fine," Susie answered.
"Ok, well I want to talk to Patrick so I'll be right back," Kat said as she left them.
She walked down the hallway and knocked on the door where her son was getting ready.
"Is it ok if I come in?" she asked.
"Sure honey, we'll give you two a minute along," Tommy said as he gave his wife a kiss on the cheek and was followed out by Adam and Stevie.
"You look very handsome," Kat told her son.
"Come on Mom, don't start crying yet the ceremony hasn't even started yet," Patrick teased.
"I can't help it, married or not you're still gonna seem like my little boy," she told him.
"Would it make you feel any better if I promised to call you every now and then," he said.
"I'm so proud of the man that you've become, Amanda's a very lucky girl," Kat said.
"I love you Mom," Patrick said as he hugged her.
"I love you too, now let's get you married," she said.
"Do you Patrick James Oliver, take this woman Amanda Jacqueline Reed to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the minister asked.
"I do," Patrick replied.
"This brings back some wonderful memories," Tommy whispered to Kat as they watched their son's marriage.
"It reminds me of the happiest day in my life," Kat told him as she squeezed his hand.
"I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Oliver," the minister said as everyone stood up to cheer.