Author's Note: New Chapter, thanks for the reveiws! I like this chapter, it's a little different.

Disclaimer: Blahdy blah, I don't own anything.

Chapter 16: Chicago and a Minnesota Interlude

"When was the last time Heather and Adam were here?" Luis asked Julie as they set up the house for the party that night. "Marie's baptism right?"

"Yes," she sighed, "Almost thirteen years ago." She looked off and saw Kitty and Julian sitting holding hands and talking. "Look at them," she smiled, "I've never seen two more perfect people."

"They make each other happy," He laughed, "That's for sure. When do they get here?"

"A few more hours," She said, "I just hope that,"

"Dean doesn't lose it on Theresa boyfriend?" Luis laughed.

"I was going to say I don't lose it on Theresa's boyfriend," she smiled, "I'm sure he's a great kid, but I just," she stopped, "No it's stupid, she's smarter than that."

"Than what?" He asked.

"Seeing them together," she said, "It reminded me of us."

"This Dominic kid is like I was in high school?" Luis smiled, "So we want to keep Re far far away from him."

"No, I don't think he's quite on your level," she laughed, "I just mean, he's not what any one would expect for Theresa, you know? Just like no one in the world could have predicted you and me."

"I predicted you and me," he smiled.

"Before prom?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, well before that no way," he said, "I think I get it."

"I don't want to see her get her heart broken," Julie whispered. "I couldn't deal with that."

"How do you know that it would get broken?" Luis asked.

"Because I see more of myself in Theresa than in any of the others," she sighed. "and that scares me."

"I have something for you," Julian smiled, kissing Kitty softly. She giggled.

"I bet I can guess what it is," she laughed as he reached into his pocket and opened up the small jewelry box. She squealed as he pulled the ring out of its slot.

"Katherine Anne Portman," He smiled, "I have loved you from the first moment you walked up to me in the cafeteria, and every minute since then has been amazing, would you do me the honor, of being my wife?"

"Julian Adam Banks," she imitated his formality, slightly teasing him, "There is nothing in the entire world that I want more than to marry you, and spend the rest of my life as your wife." He slipped the ring onto her finger, and she kissed him passionately, "I love you. Happy Birthday!"

"Happy Birthday," He smiled, their foreheads touching each other. "So, do we want to set a date or what?"

"Can we not do that right now," she laughed, "I've been on the phone with people planning all week. Today, I just want to have a nice quiet night, with our families, minus Dee, of course, and be with you, and relish my time with you."

"OK," he laughed, "No wedding talk."

"Kitty!" Lexi shouted and started running over to them

"So much for our nice quiet night, huh?" Julian laughed, "What do you think that's about?"

"Danny probably," she sighed, "He invited this girl he's been seeing over, in hopes of making her jealous."

"Who the hell is she?" Lexi asked, "Why didn't he tell me about her?" She was nearly hysterical.

"She's no one Lex," Kitty sighed, "And, not to point out the obvious, it's not like you have a claim on him."

"Ryan," Deena giggled as Ryan tickled her laying on her bed, both of them only half dressed, "Ryan, please," she gasped, rolling him over so that she was on top and then kissing him. "I like this,"

"You do realize," he whispered in her ear, "That we've never done it in a bed." He kissed her. "In the woods, in my car, never in bed,"

"Which surprises me, given your boringness," she laughed, and kissed him, he put his arms around her, and rolled her over, she kissed his ear and nipped it. "Make love to me, Ryan," she whimpered as he began to nuzzle her neck.

"I love you," he mumbled kissing her repeatedly, taking off what little clothes she had "I love you so much."

"Mm," she moaned, "Oh Ryan, don't stop, please, baby," He kissed her, her legs wrapped tightly around him. "Oh, I love you."

"Do I make you feel good baby?" He said intensely, panting, pushing into her, "Dee, do you like it? I love you, I want to make you happy."

"You do," she moaned, "Oh, God you do, I love you." She closed her eyes as he finished. He was inside of her, in every possible way. Physically, obviously, but also emotionally and mentally, they were linked, they had known each other for so long, they could read each other, predict what the other was going to do before it even occurred to them, it made for incredible love making, there was nothing clumsy or awkward about it. She fell away from him when it was over, breathless, euphoric, every muscle in her body relaxed, he kissed her softly. "I'm yours Ryan," she whispered.

"No," he said, "You don't belong to anyone." He kissed her forehead, "You're too wild, I don't expect to keep you forever." She snuggled close to him. "I've never called you mine. I never will."

"Ryan," she whispered, "sweet, perfect Ryan." She kissed him. "I'm telling you, I'm yours, are you mine?"

"I'm yours Deena," he said, "My Deena."

"Hey," Theresa rubbed Dom's arm as they rode from the airport to the house, "You've been really quiet."

"I'm thinking about the last time I was here," he shook his head, "I was twelve I think, my Mom, she just packed us up, said we had to go. It was always like that, 'Pack your stuff Dominic, we have to go.'" She lowered her head onto his shoulder, he kissed it lightly.

"How come you never talk about her?" Theresa finally asked, she'd wanted to for ages. He laughed.

"My family's not like yours Re," he said, "She's, she's different. I mean, when we left my dad, I barely remember it, but she was always running from something. I told you about her."

"No," Theresa shook her head. "No, you didn't." She looked over and saw the twins asleep, they always fell asleep in cars, like babies.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'd like her to meet you," he smiled, "she always said she wanted me to turn out OK," he laughed, "If anything, I can show her there's someone who loves me."

"We're here," she said to the cab driver, he nodded and stopped the car. They stepped out, he took her hand and squeezed it.

"Theresa," Luis smiled getting out of his car. He smiled, "Finally, boys," he nodded at the now groggy twins, who grunted at him and wandered towards the house. "They fall asleep?"

"Don't they always?" Theresa laughed and hugged him, "Uncle Luis, I want you to meet Dominic."

"It's nice to meet you," he smiled and shook his hand. "I'm the nice one," he whispered.

"Nice to meet you too," Dom mumbled and looked down. "I'm gonna head inside." Theresa nodded, he walked ahead.

"So," Luis said, his arm around her waist, "That's him?"

"That's him," she smiled. "What do you think?"

"You really haven't ridden on his motorcycle?" She laughed and looked down. "You lied, now I see," he nodded. "He looks alright,"

"I appreciate that," She asked confused.

"Maybe I'm just crazy," he laughed, "Is it serious Re?"

"I'd say yes." she smiled. "He loves me."

"How could he not?" He kissed her on the forehead. "Go, protect him from your father." She laughed and walked quickly to the door.

"She's annoying," Fulton said, sitting on the couch, Marie in between him and Reid. They were watching Danny with his girlfriend.

"You have no idea," Marie sighed, "She's always here, and that laugh." As she said it, they heard a shrieking snorting laugh.

"That's bad," Reid said. "Why is she even here?"

"Why is Dominic here?" Marie shot back. "She's Danny's girlfriend. I have to check on the cake."

"Why is Dom here?" Fulton looked at his brother. Reid shrugged.

"Theresa wants him to be," he said, "I dunno, I think she still wants Dad to like him or something."

"You're being remarkably well behaved," Heather smiled at Dean after dinner, the first alone conversation they'd had in years taking place. "Neither Dominic nor Julian have thrown up." He laughed.

"I'm trying very hard," he turned to her, "I don't like that I can't like them. I mean, it's not impossible right? Your dad liked me." She started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"My dad hated you!" She smiled, "Julie's dad hated Scooter, Luis and Adam. Adam hates Ryan. It's natural."

"Julie's dad likes me," He said.

"Because long before you two were anything," Heather explained, "you were her big scary friend who protected her from the evil boys."

"True," he laughed, "Julian I can handle now, but Dominic, I just,"

"Dominic is the kind of boy I would have gone for in high school," Heather smiled.

"Which is what scares me," He smiled at her. "My daughter is smarter than you were right?" She nodded.

"As is my own," she smiled, "We got lucky Portman."

"Um, Mr. Portman?" Dom stepped outside, Heather stifled a giggled, Dean looked at her, "Can I talk to you?"

"Sorry, Mr. Portman," she laughed, "That he called you that," she looked down. "I'll go."

"What's going on kid?" Dean said as Dom walked out quietly.

"I love her," Dom said, "like really. I care about her a lot."

"You're not good enough for her," Dean looked him.

"So we agree on something," Dom smiled. "I'm highly aware of how not good enough for her I am."

"She's special," Dean smiled, "I mean, all my kids are special, but Theresa," he sighed, "She's so much her mother, which worries me sometimes," He looked down, "They'll break your heart, these women."

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