Hello all! It has been about a million years! I hope everyone is having a lovely summer.

5,000 points to Sunshine-Midnight123 and bonniereads! Thank you for reading and guessing. I have loved every minute of it!

I won't make excuses, but I hope the length of this last chapter makes up for it a little bit. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Haha. Yeah. Summer time does not equal endless power and wishes. I still own nothing.

Emily could not stop smiling. Steven told her that her face was going to freeze in a permanent smile, but even that wouldn't ruin today. Granted she had worried that she would be taken seriously because she was smiling like an idiot without the ability to turn it off. But the pictures were going to be wonderful. She had already accepted that her cheeks would hurt later, so what did it matter? It was her day anyway, so she could do what she liked.

She moved carefully around the tables of well-wishers, exchanging hugs and handshakes. Her cousin grabbed her around the shoulders and squeezed.

"That lady really likes her piano," she snickered. Emily groaned with her grin still in place. Of all the things that could have gone wrong, she'd never expected the accompanist to have a two minute piano solo at the start of the ceremony. "Do you think she noticed that we all just stood there while she played on and on and on?" Emily shrugged.

"I only ask her to play the first two verses, but I guess she heard a different number, or really liked those two verses."

"I thought Steven was going to start giggling."

"Well, our minister did, so it didn't go unnoticed."

"Oh, it was fine, sweetheart," Emily's mother patted her daughter's shoulder as she passed them. "You're dad didn't even notice."

"It was beautiful anyway," Sharon assured her. "I think Steven is flagging you down." Emily looked to where her cousin was pointing and saw her husband crooking his finger at her. Because that's what he was now. Her husband. Who cared if he'd put on the wrong shirt and had taken a shot before he married her. He was stuck with her now.

As she made her way over to him, she saw he was holding a little purple bag.

"You found them," she practically sang out, hurrying over. "My God, I thought I was going to have to be in these stupid shoes all night! Where were they?"

"They were in with your clothes for tonight instead of the clothes for yesterday."

"What were you doing in my clothes for tonight?"

"I was putting the socks you told me to in there."

"Well, aren't you wonderful?" Emily beamed at him. He was really quite perfect. Even if the flower on his lapel looked like it was mulching. She kissed him in thanks, hardly noticing the "aww" that went around the room, and reached for the bag that held her flats.

"Oh, hey," he said suddenly, looking over Emily's shoulder. "Isn't that your friend?"

"What?" Emily turned to look and saw what he meant.

Just outside the reception tent, she could see three people coming down the sidewalk, a little ways up the hill. Well, two small children and their mother.

"Oh, my God," Emily wasn't expecting them. "How in the world?" she trailed off. She maneuvered back around the wedding party table toward the entrance to the canopy, not bothering to change out of her heels. Steven called a confused "bye," after her, but she didn't acknowledge it.

"Oh, my God," Emily breathed again as she drew closer. "Casey!"

"Congratulations," Casey exclaimed, hugging her tightly. "Wow, I can't believe you're married." Casey seemed to have caught the smile Emily had been unable and unwilling to shake.

"I know!" Emily rejoiced, flashing her left hand at her friend. "I'm married!" The two women hugged again, making excited sound effects that weren't exactly words.

"I didn't think you could come," Emily remembered, as they broke apart. "What happened to your emergency?"

"Oh," Casey smirked. "I have an amazing boss and a lovely, although flakey sitter." She indicated the two three-year-olds sitting silently on a sofa near the entrance.

"They're so quiet," Emily whispered.

"We got lucky that they are feeling particularly shy today," Casey nodded, approaching them and lifting her daughter off of the cushions. Emily crouched down to greet them and Anna hid behind her mother's legs.

"Hi, there," she smiled her sunny smile. Conor looked up at Casey. "You look very handsome," she told Conor. He grinned, looking briefly up at his mother.

"See my new shoes?" he asked, holding them out.

"They are very fancy," Emily admired.

"I not wear them aside though," he informed her seriously. Emily smiled and nodded, not entirely sure what he meant, and glanced up at Casey.

"Outside," Casey mouthed in translation. Anna came over to show off her own new shoes, lest her brother get all the attention.

"Der white," she said, importantly. "You got shoes?" She peered at Emily curiously.

Emily stood up a little and lifted her hem so her heels peeked out.

"Ooh," Anna squatted down next to Emily's foot and Conor nearly knocked her over trying to see. "Ds naice," Anna looked impressed, "Mamma?"

"Yes, Anna?"

"What dis shoe?" she tapped a strap with her little finger. Conor mimicked her and told Emily that Casey had to tie his shoes twice because Derek taught him to untie them.

"That's gold, Bear."

"Whas gorld?" Anna struggled over the word.

"Gold, honey," Case crouched next to her daughter, pointing, "That's the color."

"Ooh," Anna tapped Emily's heel again.

"You got two shoes?" her brother asked, pulling up Emily's skirt.

"Conor!" Casey snatched his hands away as Emily nearly bit her fist trying not to laugh. He was definitely Derek's son.

"Conor, you don't grab at someone's clothes," Casey scolded him in her mom voice, grabbing her daughter's hands as she pet Emily's shoes. "You can ask Miss Emily if you may touch her dress or her shoes and you can use one," she held up her index finger, "one finger if Miss Emily says that you are allowed."

Emily almost cracked a rib holding in her giggles. Seeing Casey mother a pair of Derek's children was highly amusing. And the first time she'd seen these shoes, she'd torn through the store looking for her size, she was aware of the affect they had on others.

As Casey straightened, Emily saw Anna smack Conor's hand away from Emily's skirt. Maybe there was some of Casey in them after all. Casey smoothed her dress and took both of her children by the hand.

The music picked up as the four of them moved into the party.

"So, where's Derek?" Emily asked, looking around for Steven, "parking?"

"No," Casey looked down at her children every few steps, "He had a problem getting a shift off and his hockey team was supposed to have a party and something else." She shook her head, "I have no idea."

"Here, you can sit at this table," Emily tapped a chair at a table that was supposed to have been for her grandmother who was off taking a nap and her cousin Elaine, who hadn't sat down for hours, and was flirting with the bartender at the open bar. Casey helped her son into a chair and chased her daughter a couple of steps before setting her in a seat as well.

"Thanks," she brushed her bangs away from her face and smoothed her dress again.

Emily looked around for Steven and spotted her mother. And her mother's friend.

"Oh, God," she moaned a little bit. "Case? Uhm, this is gonna be a little weird, but my mom wanted to bring a couple of friends because my dad couldn't come to the reception for very long, you know allergies, but-"

"Em," Casey interrupted, grabbing the fork Anna was using as a make-shift doll out of her fist. "You're rambling."

"Right, yes," Emily started again. "Anyway, so my mother might have invited your mother to the reception because they are in the same book club," she finished all in a rush.

Casey blanched and grappled for the chair behind her. "Wh-what?" she stammered, brushing Conor's hair absentmindedly. "My mother?"

"Yeah," Emily winced, "I know this is probably really bad," she started.

"No, Emily, you don't get it, I haven't seen my mother since she sided with George, I haven't seen her in almost five years. Emily, she tried to take my children away from me!"

"I know, I know," Emily pleaded. "I know she did, and-wait, didn't you say that she'd met your kids before?"

"Well, sort of," Casey hesitated. "She ran into Liz when she was babysitting about a year before George tried to sue us, God, Emily! I can't believe she's here!" Casey looked like she was either trying to hide or gather her kids closer and disappearing. "What if she brought George? What if they think that because I'm by myself that I'm a bad mother?"

"It'll be fine, Case, really, I've seen her a couple of times, it's okay," she assured Casey who's eyes had gotten huge, "she's super mellow and my mom says she's been really quiet. Plus, you're not a bad mom; you're excellent. You feed them and everything."

"Emily," Casey started, taking away her son's knife as he tried to run it along the table like a racecar.

"It's okay, Case, it'll be okay," Emily pulled out a chair and sat next to Casey.

"No, Emily, no one knows, Em, outside of the people who witnessed our huge blowout, no one knows about Derek and me. No one knows about our parents, no one knows about us, Emily, no one." Casey was panicking and hyperventilating.

"Casey, Case, it'll be fine, and you'll be fine. She's your mom and she probably won't be able to steal your kids without you noticing." Casey hiccupped. "I'm joking, Casey, that's called kidnapping and it's illegal. Plus there are about a hundred witnesses here so, calm down."

Emily nearly jumped out of her skin as Steven touched her shoulder.

"Hey," he made a face as she pressed her hand to her heart, "Do you want to dance?"

Emily struggled to breathe normally and looked at Casey as she chewed at her bottom lip.

"Uh, yeah, let's, we can dance," she stood slowly, "Casey, you'll be fine. My cousin Shannon is here with her kids and Steven's sister is here with hers and no one will even notice. There's a lot of food and there's drinks and dessert and just relax. Have some fun." She tried smiling at Casey, who gave her a sad, strained smile in return. "You'll be fine," she called as she left them.

"Is she okay?" Steven asked in her ear, pulling her closer to his chest. "She looks like she's gonna have a stroke or something."

"She'll be fine," Emily rested her head on his shoulder. "She's just high strung. And watching a pair of three-year-olds on her own."

"Twins?"

"Well, sort of," she shifted her head to the crook of his neck. He smelled wonderful. "I like this song," she muttered into his collar. She felt him smile.

"I know you do."

Casey seemed to relax and sink into the party as soon as other children realized there were new friends to be made. Emily nearly died when Steven and his best man danced them around on, letting little kids step on their shoes. They were so adorable; she wanted, like, a million of them. Children, not Steven. One of him was just perfect.

When Emily finally got a moment to sit down, she plopped in a vacant seat next to Casey.

"I am so glad you told me to bring flats," she moaned, pulling up a second chair and putting her feet up. "Weddings are a lot of work. And I'm pretty sure I haven't eaten all day." Casey jumped up and went about fussing over Emily, getting her a plate of food and a glass of wine, checking on her children every so often.

"See," Emily swallowed a mouthful of roll. She had been right to go with the whole wheat. It had a great nutty flavor and was much more filling than regular bread. "It's a fun party."

"You did a wonderful job, Emily." Casey assured her. "Conor! Get off the floor!" Casey made to stand up, and stopped suddenly, the pale sweaty look back on her face. "Oh, my God." Emily turned and nearly spat out her sip of wine.

Her mother had picked Conor up off the floor and Casey's mother was right there beside her. Nora wore a look on her face nearly identical to her daughter, but looked around before spotting Anna and, finally Casey.

"Oh, God," Casey breathed. They were walking closer.

"Okay, Case, it's fine; you're gonna be fine. Everything is going to be just fine," Emily soothed, taking a bracing gulp of her wine.

"It doesn't feel like it's going to be fine." Casey let out a small squeak as the two older women reached the table.

"Now, this young man says he belongs to you," Emily's mother said, lightheartedly, grinning at Conor who was holding her necklace. "And I thought that can't be true, because Miss Casey McDonald has quite an elusive streak."

Emily could see how nervous Casey was, with her family position not exactly publicly acceptable and not exactly public knowledge, she could see how the woman who'd watched Derek grow up from next door holding her son, who'd pointed her out as his mother, would make Casey feel like bolting. Emily prayed that her mother would either be slow on the uptake or would have the good sense not to make a scene. Because there was no denying who this boy's father was.

"Yes," Casey croaked. She cleared her throat quickly and tried again. "Yes, that's my son."

"And her daughter's out on the dance floor," Nora said quietly behind her. Casey's eyes flicked to her mother.

"Two kids already?" Emily's mother beamed at Conor, who still looked fascinated with the necklace in his hands. "I can't believe it! Last I heard, you were twenty and running the stock market."

"Casey does finances, actually," Emily cut in, trying to alter her mother's focus.

"And look at you! Ten years later, and you've got two kids! We finally managed to get this one married," she nodded at Emily, "so, we'll be lucky if we get grandchildren anytime soon."

"Mom!" Emily felt her face get hot. It was still her wedding day for Christ's sake, no need for the added pressure.

"I'm only teasing, sweetie. But you must be very proud of them, Nora." She put Conor down who tried peeking over the table.

"Mamma, I'm some more dinner, please."

Emily glanced back up at her mother and Nora, who was wearing a funny, sad smile as she watched her daughter hoist her grandson up to get him something to eat.

"They are very sweet children, Casey," Emily's mother reassured her, "I hope you're not trying to raise them alone." Emily knew her mom meant well and that she was probably under the impression she was making a joke, especially with how proper Casey held herself out to be, but as everyone started answering her at once, Emily was glad Steven's father called her over for a dance before she ever go t a clear response.

Casey was tearing bits of roll and chicken up for her son, her eyes wandering over to her daughter playing with a few other girls on the dance floor and desperately avoiding Nora.

"So, Nora," Emily said loudly, not sure how to ease the tension, "How did you like that book mom was reading? Willow-something?"

"Oh, it was great," Nora smiled, pulling her eyes away from Casey. "Wisp of a Willow. It was a good story about," she paused, "about a single mother and her life. Nothing at all like I expected." Emily watched her gaze land on Casey's wedding ring, twisted her own, and heaved a big sigh.

"Hey, Conor, want to dance with me?" she asked, looking for an escape. Maybe Nora and Casey could talk if she weren't sitting there with them. Casey gave Emily a startled desperate look as Conor gave a yell of consent and wriggled on her lap to get down. Casey seemed to lower him to the floor with reluctance, sending Emily looks of panic. Emily tried to smile at her to put her at ease, but knowing Casey, there wasn't enough alcohol at this party to put her at ease today. So, she held her hand out to Conor who took it and half- skipped, half-walked to the dance floor.

As she picked him up and swayed with him, Emily watched as Nora took a seat two down from Casey who was picking at her nails. At least they're not in her mouth, she noted as Conor tucked his head into her shoulder. She could die right now. He was adorable and smelled like baby shampoo. She might just have to steal him. Although, she'd keep that joke to herself, seeing as how Casey seemed to be more delicate than usual.

When the music changed and Conor got wiggly, she put him down to dance with the other kids and went in search of her wine.

Casey and Nora were sitting on opposite sides of the small table, not speaking. They weren't even looking at each other. Casey was turned to watch her children, her elbows rested on the table, while Nora looked into her wine glass, as if hoping it would swallow her away from the awkwardness. Emily's mother chatted happily between them, stopping passers-by to say hello.

Emily made a beeline for the bar, ordered herself some chardonnay, and hoped her ability to eavesdrop was a keen as it had been in high school as Anna clambered her way into Casey's lap and asked who Nora was.

"Uh," Casey stammered, looking at briefly at her mom. Emily was holding her breath hoping to catch her answer. But Steven saw her and puffed out his cheeks, giving her a quizzical look; she probably looked pretty ridiculous herself. Her giggles covered Casey's initial answer, and as Emily looked over at the table as she made to move from her post, she saw how heartbroken Nora looked.

Anna had run back to the dance floor with a napkin clenched in one fist and waved it around happy in her own little world.

"She's gotten big," Nora watched her spin in circles and pull the napkin sharply away from Conor's grip. Emily noticed how Casey stiffened, and willed her to say something. They couldn't stay estranged forever.

Finally Casey answered, "they both have."

"They grow fast," Nora remarked, quietly.

"Especially when we're not looking," Casey said, equally as soft. Nora smiled a sad, watery smile at her daughter.

"Isn't that always the way?"

The two women locked gazes. Emily felt like she could have been watching a tennis match as she looked from one to the other.

"I am sorry, Casey," Nora began, but Casey stood up.

"Mom, I'm not doing this. I'm not doing this again. Especially not here." She snatched her son's miniature sports coat off of a chair and took a step toward the dance floor.

"Casey," the firmness in Nora's voice made Emily slink back a couple of paces and Casey turn around. Nora was standing behind the table and Emily thought she looked unsure if she should move closer to her daughter.

"I don't have anything left to say, mom. You wanted to lock me up. You tried to take away my children. And they don't need that."

"Casey, I would never deny a mother the right to her children. George about had an aneurism when I told him I didn't want any part in dealing with your children, and I was sorry I even told him about them. I thought," she broke off and tried again, "I hoped he'd try to open up once he knew he was a grandfather, but-"

"But that's not George," Casey finished. Nora shook her head. Casey shifted her weight. "It's not Derek either."

"I was," Nora played with the rim of her glass on the table. "I wanted that normal family. I wanted to protect what we had."

Casey looked up at the apex of the tent, preventing tears from streaking her mascara. "I was fifteen, mom," she whispered. "I didn't even know," she broke off and quickly brushed her fingers under her eyes.

"I know I can't take back what I said or what I think, but you're my little girl. And I do love you. And I want you to know that." Nora finished, brushing a napkin under her glasses. "Take care of those sweet little ones," she advised, "and did Lizzie say that you're expecting a third?"

Emily nearly dribbled wine down the front of her dress and spun to hear the answer. Casey only nodded, looking stunned, a hand hovering near her belly. Emily was going to kill her. She never told her anything. Granted, Casey's dress stretched over a small bump Emily hadn't noticed. How was she wearing heels? Emily thought Casey would have learned by now to just tell her stuff, or else be relentlessly bugged for information. Those heels had to have been two inches high.

"Take good care of them," Nora repeated. She gave Casey a warm watery smile, and melted back into her book group on the other side of the tent.

Emily wanted to give Casey a second before attacking her about her secrecy and her choice of shoes, and was surprised to see her continue on her trajectory toward her children. She held one by each hand and headed to the exit, nearly dragging crying and complaining children behind her.

Anna tried to sit down, unwilling to leave the party, but as Casey bent to pick her up, she stood up and ran to the exit screaming.

"DADDY!"

Regardless of the fact that she was now a very happily married woman, Emily's heart gave a little wobble and she was suddenly more thankful than ever that she'd switched to flats.

He looked as cool as ever. Granted he was older than he had been the last time Emily had seen him, and she was convinced that the last time she'd seen him in a tie had been Prom. He always did clean up nicely.

He swooped down and grabbed his daughter as she hurtled at him. He spoke words Emily couldn't hear, but she watched the smirk grow on his face as Anna pointed to her mother.

The second Conor realized he wasn't being forced out the door, he stopped crying and yelled in surprised delight to his father. Derek bent low enough for his son to grab on to his neck and hoisted him up next to his sister.

"You're lucky there's only two of them running around," Casey huffed at him.

"I know, any more waist-high human cannons, and I'll be a gonner." He smiled at her, holding their children further apart so Casey could move closer to him.

Emily grabbed for a chair blindly. She'd known it. Probably all along, really. She should have taken up Edwin's stupid bidding pool idea; she would have been able to pay for a live band for today. She felt like she should have brought popcorn. After all the time of nagging Casey for information and hearing stories about them, she was still in awe about how much they liked each other.

"How's it going, Princess?" Derek asked, his voice low, as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Our kids are awesome dancers," Casey told him, "Anna will be getting requests for her napkin twirl piece any minute."

"Well, obviously they are fantastic, because I am an excellent dancer," Derek smirked at her as he set Anna and Conor down.

"Go show daddy how you dance," Casey encouraged, as they skipped and hopped their way back to the group of other children. "My mom's here." Derek looked really alarmed.

"Did he touch my kid?" Emily could almost feel the hostility in his voice.

"No, Derek, he's not here," Casey put a hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest. "it's just her."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much. She apologized."

"I'm not having them over for dinner," Derek growled.

"No, but, now Liz can watch them when she's house-sitting for them too."

"What about Simon? What does George think of all this friendliness?"

"I don't know, Der, and I don't really care. Because right now, your daughter has discovered that her skirt can be just as floaty as a napkin."

Emily watched Derek's face grow more and more amused as he observed his kids.

"Well, at least they're good looking," he commented after a minute of Conor hopping around like a frog without knees and Ann pulling her dress up to watch it twirl.

"Der-rek," Casey smacked him and he grabbed her arm, pulling her to him.

"Hitting is not very nice, Princess," he scolded, "remember to use your words."

"Thanks, Der," she rolled her eyes and took a step back from him. He pulled her back in.

"Where're you going? We're dancing here," he told her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Oh, okay, so we're ignoring the parent thing and fact that you weren't supposed to fly in until tomorrow night and that you just showed up to Emily's reception and haven't even said hello?"

"Yes."

"God, your manners leave so much to be desired."

"I have that affect on people. The desiring part."

"You do not."

"She's sitting right there, looking at you like a lost puppy."

"She is not, she's drinking a glass of wine and sitting for four seconds, give her a break, she just got married. She can be happy."

"Congratulations, Emily," Derek raised his voice as he called to Emily.

"And you!" she pointed at Casey. "How are you wearing heels?"

"God, she wore heels the whole nine months with Conor," Derek rolled his eyes.

"I didn't even wear them all day today!"

"She thinks you're crazy," Derek lowered his voice again. "She's really smiley."

"She got married, Der. Be nice."

"I'm always nice," he grinned at her.

"That," Casey smiled, "is a lie."

"I never lie."

"That is also a lie," Casey managed before Derek started shushing her, his finger to her lips. "Oh, stop it," she smacked him.

"Make me." He grinned widely at her and kissed her on the mouth.

They were adorable. Derek seemed to forget that he was no longer sixteen, but he had certainly grown up since then. Nauseatingly in love and macking out during her wedding, but sweet and admirable nonetheless.

As Derek brushed his fingers over Casey's belly, Emily stood up. She hadn't been kissed in a good twenty minutes. And she and Steven had only been able to dance together twice. She found him sitting next to her grandmother, sipping champagne as she talked his ear off.

He gave her a huge smile as she got closer and sat up as she leaned over the table.

"Care to dance with your bride, sir?" Her smile was cemented back in place.

"Eh," Steven shrugged, "I guess." He stood up and cupped Emily's face in his hands.

"I am highly offended," she pouted before puckering her lips, hoping he'd take the hint. He did and kissed her.

"I would be most delighted to dance with you," he dipped into a lavish bow and led her into the fray of the dance floor.

The music slowed as Emily circled her arms around Steven's waist and nuzzled her face into his neck. This was perfect. This was exactly what she wanted. Casey watched her children over Derek's shoulder. As they turned, Derek gave her a little wave in greeting and a thumbs-up at Steven before dropping his gaze back down to his wife. This was the party she wanted. This was how this was supposed to feel.

And it was so clear now that she knew she must have known before. Because she was really good at this type of thing. She tucked her head into Steven's shoulder, her smile wider than ever.

"What?" Steven whispered into her hair.

"Nothing. I'm smart. And happy."

"And pretty," he finished. She giggled and turned into his neck. He was perfect. She felt him press his lips to her forehead. She looked up at him and kissed him on the mouth. This was an amazing day. While it hadn't gone smoothly or at all like she'd planned. She glanced up at her one of her longest standing friends, Casey was smiling absentmindedly as she watched her children as she and Derek swayed.

Emily beamed. She had seen this coming. Them. While it had come as a shock when she'd ran into Casey a year ago, she knew she always knew. Casey smacked Derek for something Emily couldn't hear. They were just so them. Obviously. And Emily had never been wrong about a hunch before.

Ta da!

The end! So, what did you think? :)

Here are the points:

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I'm thinking that anyone with points under 3,000 can request a title, between 3,000 and 6,000 can request a chapter/ one shot, and between 6,000 and 9,000 can request a plot!

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