Author's Notes: In case you're wondering WHY we're doing double updates, it's because we finished writing the story, and we've started another one, four chapters in so far. This week, since the Internet didn't explode on Wednesday, I'll be posting the last two of the week's updates on Saturday.

"Bye!" Robin called to the crowd as Patrick dragged her to his car. "Bye!"

"Robin, it's just a weekend." Patrick reminded her through barely controlled laughter.

"Robin, you forgot this!" Kristina ran down the stairs with the veil in her arms. "Wait!"

"We aren't going anywhere yet." Robin promised, breaking free of Patrick's hand long enough to bend down and take the veil from her little cousin. "Thank you so much."

"I just didn't want you to go without it. My Wedding Barbie has a dress like yours and once I lost her veil and then she couldn't get married." Kristina prattled on excitedly.

"And I'm very glad you did." Robin smiled.

"There, we have the veil. Goodbye everyone." Patrick encouraged pushing her toward the car.

"Okay, I'm going. I'm going. Bye everyone!" She managed just before she climbed in the front seat.

"I didn't think he'd get her to the car." Cruz whispered to Lucky.

"I had money on her trying to clean the place herself." Lucky whispered back.

"Not to get all nostalgic, but did you ever think this was possible?"

"What Patrick getting married or Patrick getting married to Robin?"

"Either. Or."

"The answers are no and hell no."

"Does this mean you're next? I only ask because I want to prepare myself."

"Well it does mean I win the bet we all made. Either way I'm the last single one." Lucky smiled. It was Elizabeth's idea to keep quiet about their own plans until at least Patrick and Robin actually made it down the aisle. There was also the outside chance they would have the chance to discuss what kind of wedding they wanted before his mother and the rest of the family jumped in and took over.

"Who was that guy that came with your sister?" Cruz asked eyebrows lifted. "I thought for sure after Brady..."

"I'm not sure." Lucky shrugged. "Dad keeps calling him Dudley so I'm about ninety-nine percent sure that's not his name. And Lulu kept disappearing all night so she's no use."

"We'll have to check up on that one." Cruz said, half to himself.

"Most definitely." Lucky nodded. "I mean he may have gotten past Dad, but the old man is getting up in years." Moving away from Cruz, Lucky decided to start his contribution to the clean up in the far corner. Far enough away it was plausible his mother wouldn't see him. So if he was to slack off, there was a higher chance he wasn't going to get caught. Gathering up the discarded cups and napkins into a pile, he groaned and dropped them onto the folding chair in the corner.

It had taken far longer than he thought possible to get the majority of the extended family to leave. However a few well placed hints about starting the cleanup process seemed to do the trick. Of course, true to her nature, it had also led to Lulu disappearing down the rabbit hole, and her latest boy-whatever followed soon after. He wasn't too sure about that guy. True he had barely talked to him, hadn't even managed to get his name, but there was something off. Lucky wasn't even sure how long Lulu had known this guy, but he was willing to bet it had something to do with her recent habit of ignoring her family. Was he the reason Lulu had moved and not bothered to tell anyone?

Spying his sister's purse sitting under the chair, Lucky smiled to himself. At least some things never changed. As soon as she was old enough to want a purse, his sister was also old enough to leave it behind no matter what event she was at. Normally he would just give it to his mother to hand off to Lulu, but with his sister's recent track record, who knew when that would happen? Maybe she left her phone in the purse as well and Dudley's real name would be listed in the contacts. Now that he thought about it, that wasn't a bad way to check to see how serious she was about him. If he wasn't in the contact list, then he couldn't be that important now could he? Nodding at his own logic, Lucky opened the flap of the tiny clutch.

Her phone was there alright, along with something else Lucky was rapidly wishing he hadn't seen. The plastic baggie was wrapped tightly, secured with the twist tie of a garbage bag. Maybe if he wasn't in the music business he wouldn't have recognized the tiny clusters for what they were, but he did. He recognized them far too well. Meth. Meth in his sister's purse.

Lucky nearly dropped the cloth to the floor he was holding the bag so tightly. Was this why Lulu had suddenly become so secretive? How long had this been going on? As long as this new boyfriend had been in the picture? Was it hers? Was it his? Had the scumbag introduced his sister to drugs? Was she just his convenient mule in case the cops caught him?

Shoving the bag into his pocket, Lucky steeled himself. Whatever this was, Lulu was obviously in way over her head. She needed him to do more than check out this new boyfriend. She obviously needed him to protect her from this creep.

*****

"Why can't you just tell me now?" Robin wondered as Patrick carried her off the elevator to their hotel room. After the fire back in the day of Corinthos-Morgan rule, The Metro Court had been completely remodeled from top to bottom even though the flames had only reached the first twelve of forty floors. The walls were soft apricot and the doors were cream. It looked very much like a dollhouse, she thought to herself.

"Soon." Patrick hedged, taking the key card from his back pocket. Neither of them had bothered to change out of their wedding clothing; Robin had never looked more stunning.

Robin fought back the urge to pout. "But what if I tell you what I got you. Then…" Her voice was tempting and her eyes were darker than melted chocolate.

Patrick struggled to get the lock to read the card. "You could tell me now." He countered with a grin.

"Never." Robin shook her head stubbornly, reaching out to unfasten the top two buttons of his white button-down.

"I thought you wanted your present." Patrick reminded her. With no hands free, he pushed the handle down with his left elbow and pushed it open with his shoe.

"I do. That's right." Robin seemed to have gotten distracted and smiled bashfully. Patrick watched her with fascination as she moved around the room, her eyes trained on the two gifts in the center of the table. Of course the gift she had for him was perfectly folded with just the right amount of clear, two-sided tape. His was easily discernible with its cluttered tape job and a long red ribbon that wrapped around it several times.

"Shall we?" Patrick helped her hop down, his hands moving to her shoulders so he could steer her toward the table.

"Next time we're exchanging presents before the reception." Robin decided, picking up the unfamiliar box, shaking it for good measure.

"Planning on marrying me more than once? I heard that's no longer fashionable." Patrick teased, snatching her body toward him while she tinkered with her present.

"Ha-ha. You're hilarious." Robin rolled her eyes, examining the box as if she simply didn't know where it started or began. She growled at him when he made a move for it and used her fingernails to quickly pull it apart. "What could you possibly get me that doesn't rattle?"

"Open it and see." Patrick suggested. He was already picking at his gift though it was more to have something to do while he waited for her to lift the lid off of the box. He wanted to see her face the moment she discovered what lay inside. It was why he hadn't given it to her already.

Robin took the single item out of the box and held it up for closer inspection, her fingers running over the golden script. She read it aloud: "You are formally invited to the reopening of Sweet Indulgences—" Her eyes jerked to Patrick. She was looking for confirmation he realized.

"I know how much you loved it. How could I not?" Patrick reasoned with a half-smile.

So she had been right. He had bought it back for her. She didn't figure out why his face was suddenly bleary until he reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her hand still holding it, her fingers brushed across the back and she hastily turned it over. The key she had found.

"I never thought I'd regret rendering you speechless." Patrick said wryly. "Do you like it?" He couldn't keep the desperation from his voice. If she didn't, he wasn't sure what he would do. "The last thing I wanted was to make you…" She silenced him with her finger.

"I have never loved anything more." Robin fought to keep her voice steady. He pulled her to him and she noticed that she was shaking. Closing her eyes and burying her face in his suit jacket, she tried to muffle the sound of her tears. He turned her face toward him and then his mouth was on hers. When they broke apart, the only sounds in the room were that of their combined ragged breaths.

"You don't have to convince me." Patrick assured her. "If you don't want it—"

"You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers." Though she meant to tease, she watched his eyes flash at her words. "Alright, open yours."

He took his time pulling it apart mostly because he loved the impatient noises she made. Beneath the paper was a white hat box. He lifted the lid and looked inside, his eyes wide. "How did you know this was just what I wanted?" He took the red, white, and blue NASCAR onesie from the box and held it over his chest. "'Today's Schedule," he read. "Eat. Drink. Watch NASCAR. Nap. S-Same as Daddy's schedule." There were tears in his eyes when he finally collected enough courage to gaze over at his wife.

"I know you said it was just a onetime thing and, while I've made my side clear, I want you to know we're with you no matter what." Robin didn't dare speak above a whisper.

"Robin." Patrick's voice was just as shaky as hers had been.

"Keep going. That's not all I got you." Robin prompted, taking the outfit and pushing the box toward him.

Patrick was still stunned when he pulled out the second outfit. Though it kept with the racing theme, it was definitely not something he or his son would be wearing. "For me?" He dug until he found the second part of the black and white ensemble. He was smiling when he spotted the silk black panties that accompanied the black and white checkered bra.

"For you." Robin agreed enthusiastically, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

*****

"I did not lose it. I did not lose it." The words had become her mantra, a spell. If she said them enough times, it would come true. She didn't lose her purse. She did not walk away from it. There was no way she misplaced it. Not with the results of her earlier errand run sitting inside.

Lulu stalked around the site of the now long completed wedding. Patrick and Robin were sickeningly happy and safely on the road to honeymoon bliss or something like that. Cleanup had started at the house from the reception. Which meant it was the perfect time to slip out and try to find her purse.

"I didn't lose it. Damn it I didn't lose it."

"What are you looking for?" The voice came from directly behind her. How many times had she imagined a moment just like this? His voice had followed her into her dreams, morphed them into nightmares, and then left her feeling cold the moment she woke up.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be? Another party to crash or something?"

Evan just stared at her, his lips twitching as if he was fighting back a smile. "You're mad at me?" He sounded surprised.

"You're breathing aren't you?"

"I thought it went magnificently well, don't you?"

"It was everything Robin and Patrick deserve." She continued walking down the abandoned chairs. "Now they can go on and live happily ever after and pop out babies and whatever else it is married people do."

"That's not what I meant." He nodded his head toward the table where Laura had left her camera. "I can't believe that was all on one roll." At her glare, he couldn't help it: he had to smile.

"You smile now. Wait till she develops the roll and a half she spent on you. Sizing you up. Evaluating you. Exposing you to all the family and neighbors for inspection."

"I don't mind." Evan answered easily.

"You've not experienced Laura Spencer." Lulu shook her head.

"She's just trying to protect you." Evan sighed. "As if you'd let anyone do that."

"I don't need protection."

"Is that what you tell yourself? Because I'm not convinced."

"What's it going to take Detective?" Lulu walked straight up to him, her hands on her hips. "What proof do you want and I'll be thrilled to hand it over to you right here, right now."

The smile left Evan's face. She stood a mere foot away from him, so close he could pick up on the perfume she must have been wearing. Or was that her original scent? Why couldn't he remember? He was never going near another alcoholic drink again. Never. God, but she was just as potent. His hand lifted to her face and he lightly brushed her bangs back, keeping his touch whisper-soft.

Jerking back, she swatted at his hand. "What the hell do you think...?" Her voice trailed off as two figures from her nightmares appeared just over his left shoulder. "You." She screamed trying to push past Evan. "You!"

"Lulu, what—?"

"Assholes!" She lunged forward hurrying in the direction she had seen them disappear in. "You fucking assholes! You're going to pay do you hear me? You're going to pay!"

"Who are you talking to?" Evan looked in the direction she was pointing, but there was nothing there.

"Them." She gestured wildly with her hands. "Them!"

"Lulu, no one is there." Evan insisted carefully.

"They are! I saw them." She started to run for the trees. "I can prove it."

Evan followed, ever reluctant, as she hurried across the lawn past a huge chunk of her relatives. "Where did they go?"

"That way. They ran that way. Like the rats they are. Come on. We can catch them if we drive."

"Lulu." Evan wasn't oblivious to the curious stares the family was sending their way. "Maybe we should sit down."

"No. They'll get away again. We have to go now." Lulu made a running start for her parked car. So what if she lost her purse? She had a spare key in the glove box.

"Where's the key?" Evan asked, maneuvering her into the passenger seat. No way was he letting her drive like this. She must have snuck something when he wasn't looking. Stupid, he chided himself.

"Glove box."

"Can you tell me who we're following?" Evan urged patiently.

"Where the hell are you going with my sister?" Lucky's voice boomed out over the sea of relatives as he advanced towards the pair.

"She saw something." Evan told him quietly. It was bad enough Lulu was in hysterics; now her brother was going to bring the remaining attention to her. Just what she didn't want.

"She saw something?" Lucky parroted back skeptically. Going over to his sister, he looked into her eyes. "Lu? What's going on?"

"I saw them Lucky. I saw them."

"Saw who?"

When she didn't say anything, Evan answered for her. "She wouldn't tell me either."

"I asked my sister. Not you."

Evan knew that tone and he struggled to keep his temper in check. "If you would be so kind as to back off, we could maybe figure out what she saw and get her calmed down."

Lucky took a step toward Evan, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know who you are, but let me enlighten you here. That is my sister in that car and until I know more about you than the nickname my father gave you, you don't get to tell me anything about how to take care of her."

"Evan Cassidy. We're friends." Evan had hoped he would hear some sort of disbelieving sound from Lulu, would have gladly handled the outcome, but she was still and silent.

Lucky crossed his arms over his chest and continued to stare at him. "Friends? Why hasn't anyone met you prior to today?"

"She said she didn't want to scare me away." Evan lied. "And what business is it of yours anyway? You're her brother. Shouldn't you make it a priority to stay informed? Or did I misunderstand the role of the big brother?" Evan couldn't figure out why he was suddenly angry with Lulu's brother, maybe the blinders he wore where she was concerned. If he had been protecting her as he should have been, Evan wouldn't have had to step in and keep her from getting killed. She would have never crossed that line. Her biggest problem should have been an upcoming exam.

"Lulu's business is always my business." Lucky clarified. "And what I know is Lulu hasn't felt the need to hide anything until you popped into her life. Before you, she would overshare. Now we're meeting mysterious friends. I don't think that's coincidence."

"You're blaming me for this?" Evan snapped incredulously.

"I said nothing about blame. I'm just pointing out the timing."

"Well you need to recalculate. I'm a new friend. Lulu has been in quite a bit of trouble long before I came along." Evan informed

"Nothing that she felt the need to hide." Lucky pointed out. Of course Lulu had been in trouble. She was after all a Spencer.

"Are you sure about that?" Evan nearly sneered. "When was the last time you checked in on her?"

Lucky felt his fists ball up and he was already planning on exactly where to land them when a small voice spoke up. "Lucky?" Lulu finally spoke.

Ignoring Evan completely, Lucky knelt down to Lulu's side. "Yeah Little Bit?"

"I'm tired. I need to lie down."

"Of course you are." Lucky agreed as he helped Lulu out of the car, keeping Evan back with a warning glare. "Come on, let's get you inside."

A.J. watched Lucky carry his baby sister into the house and smiled. He climbed into the car once he was tired of looking at the chaos that had been spread by his mere presence. He smiled at Courtney. "I think she was embarrassed we didn't get an invitation." He interpreted with a smile.

"Well she was always concerned about manners." Courtney smirked.

"I've seen enough. Let's go. I'm thinking we should make a few adjustments for how we meet up with the newlyweds."