Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, don't worry, Gunnar's gone. No more ruining there, the bulk of the rest will be focused on something else entirely, again, not giving anything away.

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I soo wish I did.

Chapter 13: Will you?

The summer came, rather uneventfully, and Fourth of July weekend, the four lofters, thanking Colleen for the name, along with Dean, Scooter and a decidedly over present Guy, headed out to the large beach house in South Hampton that Rick and Connie had rented together.

"Col," Scooter said, as he seasoned some steaks to cook on the grill, "Toss the garlic." She smiled and handed him the garlic powder, which she had used to make garlic bread.

"That is not going to taste good," she said, "You put like everything possible on it. I usually just go with some basic seasonings."

"Good thing you're not the one making the steaks then," He retorted, "Little girl." She rolled her eyes and took a sip of the beer she was drinking. Ever since she had shared what the English translation of her name was, Scooter had started calling her little girl. It was a teasing and almost flirting pet name, but still focused on what she didn't want to, their age difference.

"We're hungry!" Julie said popping her head in.

"Julie!" They said at the same time.

"What did we say," Colleen went over, "You stay out of the kitchen."

"But," she stammered.

"Sorry," Scooter said, "Everytime you try to cook with Col, something ends up on fire. Stay out!"

"Fine," she said, "No wonder you two are single." She walked out indignantly.

"What's this?" Scooter leaned his head over Colleen's shoulder, she was stirring a vegetable mix in a frying pan, and he couldn't help but take in her smell, a mix of vanilla and baby powder.

"Peppers, onions, and just a couple pieces of basil," She smiled, "My mom used to make it. It's perfect with bar be que." She closed her eyes, feeling his breath against her neck. He kissed her cheek softly.

"It looks great," he said.

"You should get out to the grill," she whispered. "Before they eat you."

"Right," he smiled. "You coming out?"

"I'll be right there." She nodded. She sighed as she watched him walk out. How was she going to deal with this?

"Those smell good," Guy smiled, as they all lounged on the deck, drinking beer and laughing.

"Yeah," Gary nodded, "Too bad I don't eat red meat anymore." Connie rolled her eyes. "It's not good for you."

"Neither is eating nothing but grilled chicken for two months," Connie pointed out.

"I eat salads too," he said offended. "It's called being healthy Constance, you should try it."

"I like that my girl eats," Rick said, kissing her neck. She smiled. "It's sexy a woman with an appetite."

"I like a man who can eat," Gary raised his eyebrows. Guy looked down uncomfortably.

"Oh God Gary!" Dean groaned, "Way to ruin a perfectly normal conversation. But I agree with Riley, girl who'll eat a steak over a salad is definitely sexy."

"Food's ready." Scooter said, putting the steak platter on the outdoor dinner table. "Or the meats ready. Colleen!" He shouted.

"I was putting them in serving dishes," she said, coming out with a basket of garlic bread and the peppers and onions in a bowl. "Cool your jets."

"Blah, blah, blah," He rolled his eyes. As everyone moved from the lawn chairs to the table. "Dig in."

"They act like a couple," Gary noted to Julie, pulling her back. She merely shrugged. "You just want them to wait until Tuesday."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to win," She hissed at him.

"Win what?" Dean asked, pulling back to them.

"The when will Scooter and Colleen have sex pool," Gary shrugged. "Is it just me or has Guy been around way too much lately?" Julie and Dean both shrugged. "Oh, I forgot, you Duck people love being together!" He rolled his eyes and walked away.

"How's the organization on the when will Gary and Guy have sex pool going," Dean teased and Julie laughed.

"Before we start," Rick said, standing up as everyone sat down. "There's um, something I want to say, I barely know how to start." Connie looked at him confused. "These past few months, or I guess six," he looked down at her and she nodded, "Six months, they've been amazing, and Connie," he took her hands, pulling her to her feet, "I'm so in love with you," he kissed her, "And I hope, that I'm not out of line here," He lowered to one knee, her eyes got big, "I was wondering if you would marry me," he took a ring box out of his pocket.

"Oh my God, Rick," she said, "Yes, of course, yes, a million times yes!"

"Yes?" He said, she nodded furiously, he pulled the ring out of the slot and put it on her finger, rose to his feet and kissed her. "I love you, so much!"

"I love you too," she said, and they started kissing furiously.

"Wow," Julie said, looking at Dean. "Charlie's going to flip."

"I call maid of honor!" Gary said clapping.

"You can't be a bridesmaid," Connie said, "This is going to be a traditional wedding. You can be a groomsman though right?"

"Um, sure," Rick said calculating, "I mean, I've got Scooter here, and my brother, and Cole," Dean spit out his beer and started laughing. "What?"

"Cole," Julie said, "I think."

"The look on the dude's face when he went through that plexi glass," Dean smiled, "Priceless."

"Anyway," Rick said, "Yes, there's room for Gary." Julie quickly put a finger to her nose.

"What are you doing?" Connie said.

"Calling not it on the maid of honor thing," she shuddered, Colleen followed. "Guess it's Carla."

"Being maid of honor is just that an honor," Connie said, "I was all set to be yours when," she stopped, seeing the look on Dean's face. "I would do it for you."

"It's a pain in the ass." Julie said. "I know! You should give it Tammy, she's your oldest girlfriend right?" She nodded up and down.

"Or that chick Charlie dated at Eden Hall," Guy said, "What's her face?"

"Linda?" Connie said, "Yes, obviously my maid of honor should be someone we all barely remember. No, Julie, it has to be you."

"Fine," she sighed, "It's not like I haven't already slept with the best man." She winked at Scooter.

"Ah," Dean put his arm around her, "but at this wedding, you're getting drunk and doing it with me in the coat room."

"There will be no doing anything in any coat rooms!" Connie shrieked, "This wedding is going to be all class."

"Just like that little spasm there?" Guy laughed at her. Every one else followed his example.

"It's OK baby," Rick said, holding her hand and kissing her softly, "You can have as classy a wedding as you want. Freak out free."

"At least someone cares about me," Connie stuck out her tongue. Julie smiled, and looked down.

"You OK babe?" Dean whispered in her ear.

"Yeah," she nodded and kissed him, "I'm great."

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