Lulu barely skidded into place when the music began. Elizabeth wondered briefly where exactly the girl had been hiding but thought better of it when she saw who she assumed to be Evan Cassidy slipping into the back row of the church. She smiled and nodded, sneaking off while the parental figures and brother were a little too distracted to notice her spending time with the boyfriend. Lulu must be feeling better.
She tightened her grip on the bouquet of white roses she held in her left hand. This was it. All that stood between her and Lucky was how long it took Lulu, Georgie, and Robin to walk down the aisle. And if Steven decided to follow through with his threat to drag his feet. Glancing over at her brother she nudged him with her shoulder. "You ready for this?"
Steven smiled down at his baby sister. When exactly had she grown up on him? He was smart enough to know if he asked that question, she and his wife would probably slap him and point to his niece and nephew currently sitting in the front row as proof Elizabeth was an adult long before he was ready to accept it. It had taken some work but he had managed to ignore the truth for a while. But not anymore. His little sister was about to start a whole new life and wouldn't need him in the same way any more. No now she would depend on Lucky Spencer. "If I say yes I'm not agreeing to use Spencer's first name all the time am I?"
"In that case all we need is my partner and I'll be as ready as I'll ever be for this."
Elizabeth smiled and turned her attention to Cameron who was standing by the door in the tuxedo she had strongly suggested be chosen. He had spent most of his time up near Lucky and the boys, but his special role had sent him running back to the door the second he heard the music start. "Hey Cam. It's time. You ready Champ?"
Nodding Cameron ran over and grabbed her right hand. "Is it time for the party to start Lizzie?"
"As soon as we walk down there to meet your Daddy."
"Then let's go."
Lucky had been prepared for Elizabeth to look gorgeous. She was already beautiful and it was impossible for her to look anything less than precisely that. But he still found himself unprepared for the sight of her walking down the aisle, a vision in white silk. She had joked she was going to copy Cinderella's ball gown since the movie seemed to be such an important one for them, but she had taken the opposite route. It was almost strapless, save the delicate lace caps on her shoulders. The dress hugged her curves just enough to show how truly beautiful she was, but the skirt's slight flare kept it from being too sexy. The design was simple but the gold detailing kept it from being ordinary. Leave it to Elizabeth to find the dress that completely expressed her personality, he laughed.
When she finally arrived at the altar, she kissed Steven on the cheek before sending him to his place beside Patrick and Cruz. Leaning down she and Cameron exchanged high fives before Cameron turned and waved at Lucky and then ran off to sit with his grandparents.
Reverend Martin smiled at the young couple and the family and friends gathered around them. He had always loved performing weddings but there was something about a wedding at Christmas that was particularly close to his heart. "Family. Friends. Thank you for coming to celebrate this wonderful day in celebration of the union of Lucas and Elizabeth." He paused for the amused laugh to run through the crowd, as the groom had warned him would happen. "You have been asked to bare witness to the joining of these two lives into one family. And to that end, the couple has chosen to write their own vows."
Lucky squeezed Elizabeth's hand and smiled at her. "Elizabeth, it doesn't seem possible that I haven't always had you in my life. It's not possible. You so quickly filled my life with your laugh, your smile, with you that you seem to have always been there. Laughing at me, sometimes with me, cheering me on and trying to convince me of the power of positive thinking. When I think about everything that has happened since we met, I know there is no way I could have survived even a quarter of it without you by my side. I know I haven't made it easy but still here you are. And here we are. I promise to support you, take care of you when you are sick, listen to you, help you, be the type of father you think I am to those three wonderful children over there but most of all promise to always love you. Even when it's hard. Even when it's easier to give up. I promise to always remember right here, right now and that I am nothing without you."
Elizabeth paused only long enough to wipe the tear that threatened to fall from her eyes and ruin her makeup. "When I decided to move here, I had all but given up on relationships. I wasn't looking for anyone to date, much less fall in love with and then you walked into my classroom, ridiculously late and all of the sudden my very rational thoughts flew out the window. I came up with every reason in the world to not give you a chance and somehow, you defeated every roadblock I threw up. And the really strange thing was I was so glad you were doing that. Knowing you has changed my life and not just in the obvious ways." She laughed nodding in the direction where Cameron and the twins sat. "You helped give me back a family. And friends. And a life that I was running from. So today, I promise to do the same for you. To be your family, your friend and your life, because that is what you are for me."
Reverend Martin smiled. "Can I have the rings?" Patrick pulled the simple gold bands out of his pocket and passed it over to the reverend. Placing a ring in each of Lucky and Elizabeth's hands he continued, "These rings are a symbol of the unending nature of love. A love that Lucas and Elizabeth just spoke about so clearly. As you exchange these rings, always remember the promises you made today and that love has no starting point and no ending."
Lucky slipped the slim band onto Elizabeth's finger, lifting her hand up just enough so he could kiss it. Shaking her head, Elizabeth repeated his actions and slipped the ring around his own finger, mouthing the words "I love you too" to him.
When the couple turned and faced him, the older man beamed. "It is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together let no man tear asunder." Winking at Lucky he smiled even wider. "You may now kiss the bride."
"Like he has to be told that twice." Lulu joked.
Lucky ignored his sister and the laughs her comment inspired. He simply pulled Elizabeth close to him and kissed her.
*****
"Here." Patrick handed Cruz a twenty as he took his seat next to his wife and sons. "Longest bet we've ever kept going."
"What exactly did you wager on there honey?" Robin wondered.
"Whether or not Lucky and Elizabeth would get married. We made the bet ages ago." Patrick assured her.
"I could have told you that was a stupid deal to make." Robin answered with an eye roll.
"Yeah well, you live, you learn." Patrick conceded.
"You didn't make any bets about me did you?"
"I think I hear them."
"Close call." Cruz whispered to Patrick. "She'd kill you if she knew the truth."
"She's still in hearing distance." Robin reminded them, reaching for Morgan's hand. "You want to dance with me?"
"But I don't know how to dance." Morgan protested weakly.
"Never stopped Patrick." Cruz pointed out.
"Patrick, you think you can keep from giving the baby away as collateral? At least not before we get back?"
"I'll try."
"Why exactly are we all standing around here?" Lucky wondered as he and Elizabeth finally neared the group. "Isn't the reception beyond those doors?"
"We were waiting for you." Cruz told them.
"Took you long enough to get back." Patrick teased. "Stop by the hotel first?"
"Never mind us. Let's get this party started." Lucky smiled and shot a wink in Robin and Elizabeth's direction. Patrick and Cruz exchanged nervous glances.
"Go on guys. Tradition says we go last." Elizabeth pointed out. "You don't want to mess with tradition."
Patrick and Cruz shoved open the doors and then immediately wished they hadn't. Rearing their heads back, they stared in awe at Lucky. They should have been expecting something like this to happen. He was like an elephant: he never forgot anything. Life-size and covering the back wall were half a dozen baby pictures of them both and it was difficult to miss the fact that both of them seemed to be naked. Lucky had really gone out of his way to get these.
"You son of a—" Patrick began, finding it especially hard to form words at all.
"How?" Cruz began. "How?"
"I have my ways." Lucky replied smirking.
"They really did forget the whole 'expect the unexpected' part of his warning didn't they?" Elizabeth laughed to Robin.
Robin beamed. "Hello Nurse!" She exclaimed, giggling. Almost simultaneously, Patrick and Cruz skidded out of the room.
"Oh no you don't." Elizabeth warned, grabbing at Cruz's hand while Robin grabbed Patrick's. "You can't run out on this one."
"Some friend you are." Cruz grumbled while Patrick just accepted his fate. Robin might be smaller, but she definitely wasn't weaker.
"I could call Bobbie up here if you need further reasons to stay." Elizabeth pointed out.
"Get those damn things off the wall." Cruz demanded. "And then I'll stay."
"You really think anyone's going to forget?" Robin challenged, still laughing.
"No one would forget someone as cute as you." Elizabeth promised.
"Besides, if I took them down, I'd have to start the projector that's full of your old home movies. Cruz's first steps is sure to be a crowd pleaser." Lucky laughed.
"Anything is preferable over this." Patrick reasoned.
"Oh I beg to differ."
"After all the times I helped you two get back at them. You turn on me without a second though." Cruz accused, pointing at both girls.
"Would we do that?" Elizabeth asked, feigning innocence.
"I bet you're wishing I was right now aren't you?" Patrick jabbed Cruz in the side with his elbow.
"Oh shut up." Cruz was not missing the way everyone had turned to look at them.
"You're not being very good sports about this." Robin clucked her tongue at their behavior. "Revenge never solves anything...but I never mind watching it blow up in your faces."
"Amen to that sister." Elizabeth nodded. "He told you he was going to get you back. Not our fault you didn't believe him."
"You probably volunteered to help." Patrick accused.
"Actually I did suggest using the reception hall." Elizabeth allowed.
"I wanted to use the church." Lucky continued
"I took your baby pictures to see what Nathan would look like. So since I already had them, why not share them?"
"And Bobbie is making an effort to get along with your mom." Lucky pointed out, barely containing his laughter. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I should have known that would blow up in my face."
"Like dad always says, be careful what you wish for."
*****
"Do you think they created wedding receptions as a way to torture the guests?" Sam asked, chewing listlessly on the edge of a cracker.
David leaned over and drew his head closer to hers. "I think it's a conspiracy to get better gifts. The really good ones are from people who don't show up."
"At least we got the kids here in one piece." She sighed. "Do I look sleepy?"
"Not a bit."
"You ever notice how this town is paired off? Like everyone drew a number and then had to find their match that way. You should listen to some of their stories...if you have nothing better to do."
"Really?" David inched closer to her. "Enlighten me. I can consider this background investigation for work."
"Well Georgie fell in love in Paris...total movie rip off there. Lucky and Elizabeth met through his son. Robin and Patrick practically grew up together. My mom and Mac were co-workers. All fated. Every single last one of them." She smiled a secret grin. "I was a little surprised when I heard about how long Bobbie and Cruz were able to keep their relationship a secret."
"That was more than a little shocking." David acknowledged. "Now what do you think they say about us?"
"I don't think anyone actually knows that story and I don't mind it. I like us being mysterious."
"I don't disagree." David reached around her and laced her fingers with his own.
"You know the best part about us?"
"I know what I like best."
"Do tell."
"The fact you now admit there is an us."
"Yeah, okay."
David chuckled when he caught her blush. "What do you think is the best part?"
"Why our creative genius of course."
David kissed her earlobe. "We do seem to find creative ways to spend time in various situations."
"We are handy that way. You know, we've managed to put just about every weapon we possess to good use. One way or the other."
"That is true. For example I would have never learned all the different items I could use as restraints without your help."
"I don't mind teaching you because you get that spark in your eye and I know you've learned something new, something that you can do for me later."
"What if there is something I could do for you now?"
"Now?" Sam parroted.
"Now. I can think of more than a few ways to end your boredom."
"I don't doubt your abilities. I'm just wondering where we could go."
"I spied a broom closet, but that might be too high school for a sophisticated woman like you."
"Does that broom closet happen to have a lock? I don't want anyone walking in."
"Privacy is always important. Plus I don't know how soundproof those walls are." David pointed out.
"We've been in tighter situations than this." Sam reminded him.
"That we have. There is always the car."
"You do realize the car could drive us away from here."
"Where's the challenge in that?"
"True." She leaned in closer. "There are a few things I've wanted to try."
"Really? What a coincidence. There are a few things I've wanted to learn."
"Are you sure you can keep up? Though, I guess I wouldn't mind going slow."
"We have all day. We can set whatever pace we want."
"Then let's get out of here."
"Lead the way Gorgeous."