Sorry this chapter took so long to post. I've had it done for several days and I guess I thought I'd posted it but guess not. Enough with excuses here it is. On a small side note most of this chapter was supposed to be in Ben's Point of View but I figured it would be better and safer to stick with Narrator because you wouldn't really care what her brother has to say as you came her for Ducks' stories. Same disclaimer as always.

Chapter 55: Night 2/Morning 2

Narrator's PoV
"Listen, I'll get these guys to calm down why don't you go back in there with Lizzy?" Matt suggested. "It'll give you time to think about what you want to do."

Robert looked at his oldest son but nodded and reentered his daughter's room. The rest walked back down the hall to the waiting room where the rest of the Portmans and Star were waiting. Dean looked up as the brothers entered and Star threw herself at Matt. Matt wrapped his arms around Star and hugged her.

"Babe, I am so sorry." Star said.

"It's not your fault. If I ever get my hands on the guy who did this to my baby sister ..." Matt trailed off but both Star and Dean knew what he meant. Matt kissed Star softly to calm himself down and Dean's jaw dropped.

"That's what you're lying to Lizzy about?" Dean blurted. "After everything she's been through you have to hide the fact that you have a girlfriend? That would make Lizzy happy."

"I was going to tell her, I could never find the right time to though." Matt said.

"How about one of those times when you talked to her after a game? Something along the lines of 'hey maybe next week I'll bring my girlfriend Star, you'll absolutely love her' or something. Just mentioning you had a girlfriend and Lizzy wouldn't kill you. You bring it up now I will kill you. You have no idea what she goes through at school or why she puts so much pressure on herself."

"Fine. I won't say anything. But you'll let me know when you think she can handle it?"

"Of course."

"Matt, this is my best friend Lissy, her older brother Jeff, his fiancée Krista, Jeff's younger brother Tony, and their dad Mr. Frank Portman. Everyone these are Lizzy's brothers Matt, Chris, Seth, and Ben, in that order." Star introduced.

"You love my baby sister, don't you?" Ben said seemingly from out of nowhere. Truth was he had been studying Dean since they had entered the hospital and it was finally sinking in how much the tough enforcer had fallen for the small girl.

"Deeply. She's one of a kind. Sometimes she's the sweetest girl I've ever met. Other times she's manipulative, vindictive, and selfish but I do love her. She knows how to get what she wants but she cares so deeply when others wouldn't. I watch her with the Ducks and sometimes it seems like her, more so than Charlie, is the one holding the team together." Though he knew he probably shouldn't be mentioning Lizzy's bad side he hope the brothers would take that as he still loved her through everything.

"That girl has you so wrapped around her little finger." Tony said.

"So? Sometimes that isn't a bad thing." Dean answered fiercely.

"It is if she has you so wrapped you don't notice she's about to hurt you." Chris said.

"I don't think Lizzy's going to do that. Not intentionally anyway," Dean answered. "I passed your test with flying colors and I love her, so stay out of my relationship with your sister."

Lizzy's PoV
When I woke up next I was kind of hungry so my dad went and got the nurse who brought me a bowl of soup. After I ate it all they moved me up to another room and then allowed everyone to come see me. Soon after Krista walked in the room she had to go back out to answer her phone. She came in later and looked a bit panicked. "Something wrong Krista?" I asked softly.

"One of my bridesmaids cancelled. Said she's come down with mono." Krista answered.

"Jeff could just cut one of his groomsmen and you'd be equal again." Tony said.

"I'll volunteer." Dean said.

"You're in my wedding; there's no way you're getting out of it." Jeff hissed.

"Or you could replace her." I said.

"Yeah and where am I going to find a girl that I know that can fit into a size four dress in two hours for the rehearsal?" Krista asked.

"What about Star or Lissy?" Tony asked.

"Lissy has done more than her fair share for this wedding." Krista answered.

"So Jeff can just cut me. I love you Jeff but really ..." Dean said.

"I pushed back my wedding so my brother could be in it. You're not getting out of this Dean Oscar so shut up." Jeff growled.

"What about Star?" I asked softly.

"Would you mind?" Krista asked.

"Not at all," Star answered.

"Great, we'll move Sharron into the empty slot then put you with Dean." Krista said. I could tell she was slowly calming down.

"You don't mind me jacking your date, do you Lizzy?" Star asked.

"Not at all, you'd do the same if you had to. Just return him in one piece." I answered. She looked at Dean and he smirked.

"As long as you're on your way to feeling better we should go. We need to make sure everything is ready for the rehearsal dinner." Krista said.

"Yes ma'am." Jeff answered.

"Smart boy. I should go too; I have to make sure Nora isn't freaking out." Mr. Portman said.

"Dad, while you're at the house can you feed Sheba?" Lissy asked.

"Sure baby girl. Tony, you want to come with me?"

"I guess." Tony answered.

"I'm fine, you guys go. I've got my dad and my brothers and Dean."

"You get better real quick. I want to see you at the wedding tomorrow." Mr. Portman said. He gave me a gentle hug then the four of them left. Lissy left soon after saying something about being needed at the police station.

I talked to the rest for a while until my dad prodded my brothers, Star, and Dean into going to get something to eat. Dean said he wasn't hungry but Matt and Star prodded him into going. With a soft kiss on my forehead from Dean they left. My dad didn't say much though we did talk about hockey for a bit. A while later my brothers and Dean came back but Star wasn't with them.

"Where's Star?" I asked.

"Church. It's almost time for the rehearsal dinner. Speaking of: Shouldn't you be going?" Matt asked looking at Dean.

"I got plenty of time," Dean said.

Then suddenly Matt's phone rang. "Hey Star." Matt said. "It's for you."

Dean took the phone. "Hello?" Dean asked. I was going to ask how and why Star had Matt's number but the loud voice on the other end distracted me.

"Dean Oscar Portman, where did I tell you to be at 5:30 p.m. today?" I heard his mother shout.

Dean pulled the phone back to him having thrust it away at his mom's loud voice. "At the hospital with my girlfriend who I put in danger." Dean answered. "I know Mom but...Ok fine I'll be there."

"What's wrong Dean?" I asked.

"I'm supposed to be at the church for the rehearsal dinner." Dean said perching on my bed.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked. Dean looked at me stunned. "Go, my brothers are here and so is my dad. You'll be gone for two hours. I'll be ok. Go before your brother kills you."

"Alright. You call me if you need anything."

"How am I supposed to do that? My phone is at your place." I said smirking.

"I have your phone. I must have left mine in my pocket and yours was on the nightstand. I grabbed yours instead. Your brothers all have phones just call me."

"I'll be fine." Dean nodded and left the hospital.

About two hours later Dean came back. My brothers glared at him but I just reached out for him. Dean smiled and walked over to me then took my hand. "How'd it go?" I asked.

"It went fine. Long and boring and I wished I was here with you."

"I missed you too." I said.

"Lizzy?" Seth asked.

"You're not going to question him again. You had your chance when you went to get food. You're done grilling him. He wouldn't hurt me." I growled. "You know Dean, I'm gonna be ok."

"I know, I just ..." He worried as much as my brothers did which was caring but also a little odd.

"I know. I'm fine. I can take care of myself." I defended.

"I know."

"Hey, sweetie, how are you feeling?" I looked up from Dean's smile to see his mom.

"I'm alright Mrs. Portman." I said. "My stomach is a little upset so they're worried about an allergic reaction and they're going to keep me over night but I'm gonna be fine." I said.

"You call me if you need anything." Mrs. Portman said.

"Yes Ma'am. Oh Mrs. Portman this is my father Robert and my older brothers."

"It's nice to meet you all."

A nurse walked in and said, "I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. Visiting hours are over."

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay, Lizzy?" Dad asked.

"I'm 16 Dad, I'm fine. I promise I'll call if I need anything." I said.

"Alright." Dad sighed. After my dad, brothers, and Mrs. Portman left Dean perched on the bed.

"I love you." Dean said.

"I know, and although my brothers apologized, I'm still a little upset with them."

"Look we'll talk later. Take your phone, I'll text you as soon as I get home." Dean said.

"Be careful." I said.

"Love you."

"You too." Dean kissed me deeply then left me alone. I looked at my phone then noticed I had a received call from Fulton. Whoever answered it had talked to him for a few minutes but hadn't told me and it was too long for him to have left a voicemail. I sighed then turned on the TV with the volume on low. Finally Dean started texting me. We texted for a while before he had to go.

The next morning my dad and Seth visited me and told me Ben, Chris, and Matt had to leave the night before. Then a doctor came in a bit later and gave me a clean bill of health right as Dean came in. "Mr. Jacobs, we just need you to sign the forms at the front desk and she'll be free."

Dad nodded and walked out. Dean handed me a set of clothes and the rest stepped out to give me privacy to change. They came back in and I listened to Seth talk about his latest game as we waited for Dad. When Dad came back we left the hospital with Dean's arm around my waist. We took a bit longer to say goodbye in the parking lot before Dean led me to his car.

"Here, you drive." He said handing me his keys.

"Dean, I don't want you letting me drive because you feel bad about me getting hurt."

"That's not why. I promised ya on Friday and I don't go back on promises."

"Alright." I said. I took his keys and we drove around town for a while. "Dean, you remember Valentine's Day?"

"Yes." He said stiffly.

I knew he felt bad about that day so I rushed on. "Why did Fult look all spiffy? It was like he went out or something."

"He took Aly out to that new restaurant. Turn left at the light."

"Where to?" I asked.

"Promise me you won't get mad."

"Why would I—"

"Just promise."

"Fine, I promise I won't get mad until later today."

"Good. I had reservations to that Italian place, turn right, that night but since you told me not to make a big deal out of it I gave them to Fult."

I bit my tongue as he continued to give me directions. When we pulled up his drive I sighed shutting off the engine but neither of us got out of the car.

"Lizzy?" Dean asked scared.

"I'm glad you didn't make a big deal about it but how could Fult afford a place like that?"

Dean rubbed the back of his neck then stared down at his pants. "I owed him."

"Dean, I really want to be mad at you but the softer side of me keeps thinking 'how sweet'. I don't know what to do right now."

"How about we go inside and have some lunch then you can think it over?" Dean suggested. I nodded and we did just that. After a while his mom called up the steps as we chilled in his room to remind him he had to leave in two hours.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"The church. My brother gets married today." Dean said slowly.

"Oh right."

"Oh right? That was the whole point of this trip that's been planned for at least three weeks."

Then something dawned on me. "Dean, do you think they still expect me to go?"

"Let me find out. Hey Mom!" Dean called. "Mom!"

"What is all the screaming about?" Mrs. Portman asked popping her head in the room.

"What about Lizzy?" Dean asked.

"Oh right." Mrs. Portman entered the room. "How do you feel sweetheart?"

"Ok," I answered.

"Do you feel up to it?" Mrs. Portman prompted again.

"I guess."

"I'm gonna need a better answer."

"Yes, I can do it." I said.

"Good. Come with me." She led me to what I believed was Alyssa's room and presented me with about seven dresses. Even though I fell in love with the second one, a pale blue one that had short sleeves, she talked me into trying on the rest of them. She was adamant that I wore a pale yellow one stating that the blue one showed too much skin. After a bit of discussing it, Alyssa came in and the instant she saw me in the yellow one I swear her nose wrinkled.

"You're not wearing that one are you?" She asked.

"Why not?" Her mom asked.

"Well not only does it not fit her right, it doesn't suit her body type and it's the same one I wore to my cotillion you demanded I have. Here try ..." Lissy trailed off searching through first her closet then through the dresses on her bed. "Try this one." She handed me a pink one. I tried it but she instantly shook her head and handed me the blue one again. The minute I stepped out in front of her she nodded. "That's it."

"Alright time for hair and makeup." Mrs. Portman said. I went to follow her but Alyssa grabbed my arm.

"No. I'll do it. Krista and her bridesmaids are girly girls and there's no doubt about it that your treatment is perfect for them but Lizzy here ... She's a tomboy. I'll take care of her I promise."

"Alyssa." Mrs. Portman said.

"I promise she'll look beautiful." Lissy said.

Mrs. Portman sighed heavily.

"Please. I don't like pampering. My momma tried that four years ago, please don't make me go through that." I said softly.

"Alright fine." Mrs. Portman left the room and Lissy sat me down at the vanity.

"You need to take a shower first." Lissy said. I frowned but did as she asked. "Alright, Star's going to help me and we'll have you looking drop dead gorgeous when we're done." I nodded and for a while Star played with my drying hair as Lissy did my makeup. When Lissy was almost done, Star brushed out my hair gently removing any tangles and then a bit later they stepped away and showed me first my makeup which looked as soft and natural as it did when Connie did it, then my hair that although it looked painful to do, it didn't hurt a bit.

"Well what do you think?" Star asked.

"I think you need to teach me how to do my hair like this."

"Unfortunately I don't have the time right now but I can send you a few websites on hair styles. And your makeup?" Star said.

"It's perfect Lissy."

"Thought so. Barest hints sometimes can make all the difference." Lissy said. "Don't worry about the hair stuff you can keep it. And if you don't keep the dress I'll box it up and ship it to your house. Dean loves you Lizzy and you'd be a fool to let him go." Lissy said.

After giving me a few tips to get the makeup off if water didn't work Lissy smiled. "Now let's go surprise the hell out of Dean."

"Hey Dean." I called walking out of the bathroom.

Jeff came out of his room and looked impressed. "You look better in that than Lissy did and she was going to the prom." Jeff said.

"What's up—?" Dean stopped suddenly as he stepped out. His jaw dropped. I smiled, blushed, and looked down.

"You're drooling Dean." Star said.

"True but don't you think he's allowed to drool over his own girlfriend?" Lissy asked.

"Not in my house." Mr. Portman said as I looked back up. Mrs. Portman shut Dean's mouth with her hand but the shock was still clearly registering in his eyes.

"You look stunning Lizzy." Tony said.

"Thank you." I said finally. That's when Dean's look of shock turned to adoration. He came to my side and wrapped his arms around me muttering compliments his parents couldn't hear.

Finally he said loud enough for the hallway to hear "Can we skip the wedding and just go out?" Any other self-respecting man would have stopped there but Dean went on. "I want to show every other guy in Chicago how jealous he should be of me."

I looked at him stunned but he didn't change anything so I pulled away, shook my head and stormed to his bedroom, slamming the door.

Just before it shut I heard Jeff say "Open mouth, insert foot."

I giggled softly then pressed my ear to the door and heard Tony make a sound similar to a bomb being dropped and exploding. "Blow up in your face, that one did." He said.

"Ooo, bad luck kiddo." Mr. Portman said.

"Why did he have to inherit your brash personality and your temper?" Mrs. Portman asked.

"Because he also inherited my good looks." Mr. Portman tossed back.

"Oh get a room." Dean complained. I walked away from the door at that point and sat down on Dean's bed and looked up when he entered. "I know they're right." Dean said.

"Do you now?" I asked.

"Yes. How do I fix it?" Dean asked.

"You should already know that." I said. Dean knelt on the floor and I could tell he wasn't happy about what he had to do.

"I apologize for being so brash and acting like a pig. I'll try not to let it happen again. I'm down upon bended knee as your lowly knight who is unworthy to be in the presence of such a beautiful and flawless princess hoping and praying fate is kind enough to let her forgive me. I was just so stunned by your beauty that my manners escaped me. Please kind and fair princess find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I don't know, do you really think you deserve it?" I asked.

He grinned wickedly and placed his hand on my hips drawing small circles with his thumbs.

"Even when you're in trouble you continue you test my limits."

"It's part of my charm, oh beautiful princess."

"I hereby forbid the babe word until we land in Minnesota, I want to drive your car again and you have to dance with me."

"Then I will be forgiven?" Dean asked.

"Yes."

"Deal. Well then I may as well tell you this." Dean stood slightly and whispered "I convinced Mom and Krista to allow you to sing at the wedding reception."

"You couldn't even ask me first?" I growled.

"I wanted it to be special and Krista loves being serenaded. Please, I want it to be my present to her and Jeff. You're so good baby." Dean said. "I thought it would make you happy. I'm sorry I was wrong." I stood and walked out of his room sitting down on the bottom step staring at the front door through the mud room.

"Hey there." Mr. Portman said.

"Hi Mr. Portman." I said respectfully.

"I'm sorry Dean is the way he is. He takes after me a lot. One thing we have in common is a love for feisty women." Mr. Portman said. "Do you want to go for a drive?"

"I don't have a car."

"Hey, I've got at least seven parked in the driveway. It may calm you down." Mr. Portman said as Sheba brushed against my legs. I petted her for a while then nodded.

"If we have enough time and we won't be late to the wedding."

"We have plenty of time." Mr. Portman said standing and offering me his hand. I nodded and took it standing. "Good, grab a coat and let's go."

I walked into the mud room and grabbed Dean's jacket but searching the pockets I couldn't find my cell phone. I went back upstairs and found it on the table beside Dean's bed. He looked at me for a moment but I just slipped some shoes on, took the phone and walked back to his dad. When I got back downstairs Mr. Portman lead me to his car and we drove to a park. There we sat on a bench and talked for a while. "Did your dad ever tell you why he defended me in college?"

"You know my dad?" I asked. I hadn't known that.

Hmmm, I wonder how the dads know each other. Please let me know what you think.