Just want to say thank you to everyone who continues to read this despite the three month gap between chapters.

Chapter 41: Another Wedding

It wasn't very long after Sadie Hawkins when Charlie dropped down beside her at dinner. "I really don't want to ask you this question. It is the last thing I want to do because I hate being on the other end of that 'what are you talking about?' and 'Why didn't they tell me?' stares but I guess they figured you'd take it better from me," he said.

"Where's Fulton?" Lizzy asked.

"Auto shop guys," Charlie answered, slightly confused.

"And Adam?"

"Talking to Riley."

Lizzy took a deep breath and slowly let it out, preparing herself for whatever Charlie had to say. She double checked on the two friends she had asked about then nodded. "Ok, hit me with it."

"Are you coming to Duluth with us on Saturday?"

Well, that wasn't such a bombshell, though she wasn't sure what that had to do with anything. "Duluth? No. I plan on driving home that day. We have a double header on Friday so I can't start out until the next day. I'm not sure who we're playing though." Friday was their last day of school before Spring Break then the game and then she'd head home to spend the week in Ohio with her dad if he was home from the office for more than overnight.

Charlie looked away before looking back at her. "Perhaps you should call your dad." There was something going on here that she wasn't sure of what that something was. Charlie just seemed nervous about telling her.

"Just tell me, Charlie," she prodded.

He bit the bullet and told her. "Uncle Rob is getting married on Saturday."

Lizzy froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. She lowered her fork back to her plate and stared down at her dinner. "I see," she answered. Her father hadn't told her that when he told her about Michelle just a few days ago.

"You do?" Charlie asked confused.

"Yeah. Thanks, Charlie." She quickly finished her dinner.

"Liz—"

"I'm ok, Charlie, really."

"If you say so."

"I do."

Instead of going to talk to Fulton or Adam, she went for a long run until the sun set and walked back to her dorm. She curled upon her bed and called Casey. "Hello," her aunt answered.

"Hey, Aunt Casey. How long's it take to plan a wedding?" Lizzy asked.

"Depends on how extravagant it is. My first one took nine months from the first dress I tried on until I said I do. My second took four months and you know about the last one."

"So, it shouldn't take that long?"

"Are you planning a wedding, sweetheart? Not that I would try to stop you but 17 is a bit young." Casey sounded curious so Lizzy put her mind at ease.

"When my dad came to see me, he dropped the bomb that he and Michelle were getting married. He left out the date. As in, didn't tell me it was this weekend."

"Oh, I see. She's been dreaming of this wedding for the last 18 or so years. It's not hard to plan when you know what you want. I'm sorry they've both blindsided you. It's not fair when we adults get so wrapped up we accidentally forget that we have kids who are touched by what we do too. Sometimes, even as adults, we forget that we aren't just making decisions for ourselves."

Lizzy slumped back against her pillows. Casey had a point and it wasn't really helping. At least, not helping her retain her anger at her dad. "I want him to be happy, Aunt Casey, I really do, but sometimes I just wish I could hit rewind and go back to before Seth threw that vase at me and decide not to come to Eden Hall. At least then I might have more time with my dad." Though to be honest, there wasn't much of a choice on her part.

"Is it hard because you don't know her or because he's your dad?"

"I mean I don't really know her so if she turns out like Alicia, I might get hurt again and I don't want that but maybe the bigger part is my dad barely knows her."

"Your dad didn't really know your mom before he got her pregnant. I remember when he came home that Christmas and told us about her. He said he was going to marry her. Dad said he was rushing into things but Rob argued when you know, you know. It was your mom that put it off until she was sure she knew it was love. Your dad, he's not trying to hurt you." Her parents had met in college at a party and had Matt less than a year later.

"Maybe he just thinks I won't care because he and I haven't ever been close."

"I doubt that. Will you be there?"

"Email me directions and the dress code."

Lizzy did indeed go to the wedding but didn't drive up until Saturday morning. She was surprised when she pulled up to see a small outdoor area with a tent set up and not a church. She was even more surprised when Chris met her on the edge of the parking lot. It was early April; he should have either had a game or preparing for opening day.

"Hey," she said. "Don't you have like—"

"Coach was cool with it," he said. "The only one who won't be here is Matt. Game against the Mustangs. Dad said he was at the first two so it's not that big of a deal."

"I see."

Chris led her into the tent. There a semicircle of chairs was set up around an altar with no aisle down the middle. Instead, it looked like the bride and groom would enter from either side. "It's different, but they wanted it that way. No picking a side, just a seat. He'd like you up front, if you don't mind."

"Sure, why not?" She sat in one of the front seats and was soon joined by her grandmother.

"Hello, dear," Mrs. Jacobs said.

"Here we are again. Granted, I don't remember the last one," Lizzy answered as she leaned into her grandmother's hug. Lizzy had been a year old when her dad had married her step-mother, Alicia.

"I do hope you have more fun at this one."

"You've met her, right?" Lizzy asked, changing the subject.

"Michelle is one of the sweetest people I know. About as good as your mom. I do think it was fast but Rob has never been hesitant about anything he wants. It's why he's a great lawyer."

"I bet you said that about Alicia too."

"Your Nono and I didn't come around much when you were a kid because I couldn't stand that woman. Much like your uncle Bill. We thought as good as she was for your dad, she wasn't good for you kids."

"But no one stopped him from marrying her."

Tonia smiled as she rubbed her only granddaughter's shoulder. "Because much like his daughter, when my boy wants something, he gets it, no matter what anyone else thinks. Your Nono and I tried so hard to warn him that maybe he was rushing into things with Alicia but he wouldn't listen."

"Alright, fine, I'm being selfish. And maybe I shouldn't care so much." Lizzy flinched as someone flicked her ear. "Ow," she whined. When she looked, Nat was taking her seat behind her.

"Don't degrade yourself. Caring is never a bad thing," Nat told her.

"Unless it's caring about something that has no effect on your life," Lizzy answered.

"And this marriage does. Even if it's just a little bit."

"And she's probably a perfectly lovely woman who loves my dad."

"She is, but you're a trust-but-verify person like your mom," Nat told her. Lizzy smiled softly. She hated that she didn't know this stuff about her own mom but it was nice to hear.

It was during the wedding reception that the bride sat down next to her. "I'm not going to try to replace your mom," Michelle said.

Lizzy looked up at her. She shook her head. "It wouldn't be hard; I never knew her."

"But you've heard stories and I know she loved you. I don't expect us to be friends; I'd like that though. I also know that you're close to your aunt and Nat Reed. I would never try to come between you and them either."

Lizzy observed the brunette woman across from her. Not only did this woman not look anything like her blonde-haired, green-eyed mother, she seemed to have a much gentler spirit. Well, at least from what she had gathered about both women from her friends and family. "You really love my dad?"

"Very much. I wouldn't have married him if I didn't." Michelle watched her carefully. At least they had that in common. "May I ask you something?"

"Sure."

Michelle folded her hands in front of her on the table. "You and Portman, you started dating quickly after you met?"

"After we met in person, yes."

"You knew him before that?"

"Maybe a year and a half. Since the end of the Games. Fulton introduced us online."

"Did anyone question it when the two of you started dating?"

"Some of my new friends. My brothers."

"Any of the Ducks?"

"Kenny." Lizzy scoffed. "I've never told anyone that. He wanted to get to know me and make sure neither of us got hurt. While he was coming from a good place, it did seem a little harsh. If that's the way I come off, I'm sorry." When Kenny had asked about her and spoke of his doubts, she had been slightly hurt but she understood where he was coming from. The fact she could be coming off the same way made her want to reconsider her position.

"It's not and I know this was fast but I've never felt like this before."

"Like what?"

"Smile for me, Lizzy," a voice asked. She looked up to see Jim holding up a camera. She smiled softly as the flash went off. "Thank you."

"Uncle Jim. Do you think I'm selfish?" Lizzy asked.

"I think you're perfect just the way you are. Anyone who wants you to change doesn't deserve to know you."

"Shouldn't we always be changing?"

"Growing, but not changing." Jim came around and kissed the top of her head before wandering off to get more pictures.

Lizzy turned back to Michelle. "I'll repeat, never felt like what before?" Lizzy asked.

Michelle smiled softly. "Like …" Michelle stared off. Lizzy followed her gaze to see she was looking at Rob.

"Like he's the rest of your world and you can't see the rest of your life without him," Lizzy noted. The look on Michelle's face was one Lizzy had seen of Nat's face when she looked at Jim or more recently on Casey's face when she looked at Bombay. In fact, her eyes landed on Casey who was currently dancing with Bombay and the same look was currently on her face.

"That's what my mom told me when it came to marriage," Michelle said, getting her attention again. "I don't think you're being selfish, or harsh, or a brat, or anything along those lines. Charlie told me what you went through with Gordon leaving and coming back and how … difficult your step-mom could be. I think you're trying to protect yourself and I can understand that. I don't want to hurt you or your family nor do I want them to change, I just want to be part of it, if you'll let me. I know it'll take time and trust and I'm willing to wait."

"The Ducks vouch for you so I'm willing to try to give you a little trust and hope it works out."

"I appreciate that."

Another question formed in her mind. "Do you want kids?"

"Yes, but I don't mind if they're not mine biologically or if they aren't really kids anymore. The six of you are a package deal that I knew about when I got involved with your dad and I don't have a problem with that."

"So, if you don't have your own?"

"I hope, one day, you five kids will consider yourselves mine but what you actually mean … I would love to give birth to a child if I am so blessed, but if not, that's ok too."

"Because of us?"

"Because I love your father and he is enough even if you and your brothers only tolerate me for his sake."

Lizzy scrutinized the woman. She may have been a poor poker player but she was good at reading people. It helped her get what she needed. Michelle seemed to be telling the truth and though she did look eager to have a child of her own she really did look okay with not having one if that was the way the path of her life went. "I hope that this show of caring is truly who you are and not an act," Lizzy said gently.

"I would never do that, but I understand that takes time to trust, so I will just say that you are a smart young lady with really good friends and I hope that you'll let me be one, one day."

"Thanks for being so understanding."

Fulton plopped down across from her not long after Michelle had moved on to talk to the rest of the guests. "You headed home?" he asked.

"I mean I could but the house would be empty. Why? You gonna ask me to stay?" Lizzy asked.

"I would but Port's already staying and I don't want things to be awkward."

"I get that. I wonder what Seth's up to this week?"

"Haven't heard. If you are staying in town let me know, we'll hang out."

"Will do." She checked with Seth and her father who both confirmed that they would not be home for most of the week. She also knew that Ben and Chris wouldn't be home and though she could stay with Charlie, she really didn't want to sleep on the floor for a week. Then she saw an answer to her problems. "Hey Nonna," she said.

"Hello again, sweetheart." Tonia answered.

"I know this is last minute and you're probably not expecting it, but would you mind if I stayed with you this week? We're off on spring break and I'd really rather not go home to an empty house."

"I don't mind at all. I always have a guest room open for my grandkids when they want to come visit."

So, Lizzy spent the week at her grandmother's house in Cambridge, Minnesota. While it was an hour from Stillwater and Minneapolis, she made sure to visit with both the team and Fulton. A few days before the end of break, she was flipping through an old photo album when she got an idea she just couldn't resist. While part of her didn't want to upset Michelle, she knew there was a chance she could be and that gave Lizzy pause. Deciding her dad could just box them up if Michelle didn't like them, Lizzy got to work. First, she drew photo-realistic copies of her brothers and herself as babies, then the five of them when they turned ten, her brothers as seniors in high school, and finally the last one she drew was of Matt on his first day as a Detroit Red Wing. She went out and bought 15 frames as well as packaging supplies and framed the drawings before shipping the box to her home address with a card.

She was surprised when less than a week later she got a card in her school mail. The handwriting on the front was not her dad's but it was from her home address. She ripped it open to see it was a thank you card.

'Lizzy,

I hope you don't mind me calling you that. We received the package you sent and were definitely surprised by its contents. At first, we thought that you had just found the photos and blown them up to have them framed but then we looked closer. I couldn't believe you actually drew those. It is quite impressive. We loved them and hope you will continue to add to them. Your dad decided the best place for them was in the master bedroom directly across from the bed. He says this way he gets to wake up and still see his kids every day. I too appreciate the effort you went to to do this and do not mind in the slightest.

Thank you for the thoughtful present.

Ever thankful,

Michelle.'

Lizzy smiled slightly. She was surprised that Michelle took so well to the photos and didn't hate them as a reminder of the woman who had been so important to the boys. Maybe, just maybe, the Ducks were right about her and she was a kind and caring person.

May brought with it warmer weather, a winning baseball streak, and of course, the one thing Lizzy disliked more than just about anything, another school dance. This time in the form of Prom.

There was no shortage of boys asking her but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to say yes to any of them. At least not until Adam sat down with her at dinner one day. "Rumor has it you're waiting for the perfect guy to ask you to prom," he said.

"There isn't a perfect guy here except maybe Fulton and he's already asked Aly."

"Portman?"

"Not perfect and I'd turn him down too. It would just be too awkward."

"Me?"

"If you wanted to go as friends I'd consider it but only after everyone else you really wanted to go with said no."

"And if there isn't a girl here I want to go with?"

"I'd say you're blowing smoke."

"I think you're scared. Scared that going with one of the Ducks puts them in an awkward position with Port and going with someone else puts unrealistic pressure on what could be a relationship with someone more than halfway decent."

"I don't think you're helping."

"Maybe you just don't want to hear what I have to say."

"What's your recommendation?"

"That you find someone who could be a friend and go with him."

"Thanks, Adam."