Part Twelve: Chapters 34 - 36

"All right! Your attention! Can I have your attention, please?" Mackenzie stood up from the table, raising his glass and tapping it with his fork. The family was sitting at a table for dinner, having just finished the final rehearsal before Zac and AJ's wedding tomorrow. Upon hearing Mac's voice and his tapping on the glass, the family grew quite and gave him their undivided attention. He smiled. "Thanks. I know the best man usually gives the toast at the reception, but I'm new to this, so I want to get some practice. Ike was always the long-winded one, not me."

Isaac raised his eyebrows at his youngest brother, but smiled as well while the rest of the family chuckled at the joke. He was glad Zac had chosen Mackie to be his best man. It was something that just seemed right for reasons unexplainable.

Mac took a deep breath before starting to speak. "To my brother Zac and his beautiful fiancee, AJ... We couldn't be happier for you. No two people deserve each other more. And, uh, AJ, you still have..." Mac paused to look at his watch, "...almost 24 hours until the ceremony tomorrow, so there's plenty of time to back out from marrying this big lug." He gestured to his brother while soft laughter surrounded the table, and Zac's cheeks slowly turned pink. "I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into, dear, because we can be an... interesting group to deal with." The family continued to laugh softly at the youngest male Hanson's teasing. As it died down, Mac cleared his throat. "In all seriousness, I, and the family, want to wish you both all the happiness in the world. And Zac, I hope one day I'm as lucky as you are right now. To Zac and AJ," he said, raising his glass.

The rest of the family raised their glasses as well, following his lead. "To Zac and AJ." While the rest of the family toasted the happy couple Zac stood up. "Thanks, Mac," he said, embracing his younger brother.

Hand in hand, Isaac and Rebecca strolled through Central Park, enjoying the scenery and the cool, crisp October air. Becca squeezed her husband's hand, as if a loose grip would allow him to be swept away. She gazed at his profile, his hair softly blowing in the gentle breeze, and gently bit her bottom lip. How did she ever get so lucky, that this wonderful man waltzed into her life? And more importantly, how did almost allow herself to lose him?

Feeling his wife's eyes on him, he turned and looked at her. Even though she appeared to be staring at him, it was obvious her mind was elsewhere. She wore a worried expression and was chewing on her bottom lip. He brought his hand up to her cheek and gently caressed it. "Why the worried look? I'm not going anywhere, you know." He smiled softly.

Ike's touch broke into her thoughts, and Becca's eyes met her husband's. Seeing the happy, yet concerned, expression on his face brought a soft smile to her lips. She brought her hand up to Ike's, gently placing it over his. "I know. I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life."

"No. I'm the lucky one." He continued to stare into his wife's eyes. He felt a tingle go up his spine, and he started to feel giddy, just like he had when the two first began dating. The sensation was exciting, and one he hadn't felt in a long time - too long, in fact. He used to feel this way with Becca everyday. What had happened? It was as if the two had gotten so comfortable in the daily course of their lives, they had forgotten what had drawn them together in the first place. Becca must have noticed that, too, because she suggested the two of them seek counseling. Determined to hold onto his marriage, Isaac agreed. And those sessions were proving to be fruitful. Their love for one another was now as strong as the day they admitted they had feelings for one another.

The cool October breeze blew, rustling leaves and Becca's hair. A few restless strands got caught up in it, and as the breeze died they fell, tangled, on her forehead. She looked upwards at the misbehaving hair, amused, and a coy smile formed on her lips. Isaac looked at her, amazed, and smiled softly. It felt like he was looking at her for the first time. Slowly, he brushed the unruly stands away, his fingers lingering on her soft skin. Becca closed her eyes, and he felt electric currents running through him. He could tell by the expression on his wife's face that she felt it too. His fingers left a burning trail down her cheek and they made their way to her lips. He ran his fingers over them, and a soft moan escaped Becca's mouth. Ike removed his fingers, and replaced them with his mouth, his lips barely making contact with hers. Longing for more, he leaned in again, wrapping his arms around her waist. As Becca circled her arms around Isaac's neck, she deepened this kiss, her tongue sliding between his lips. And as they began to pull apart, his teeth gently tugged on her bottom lip. She moaned softly again, and her eyes fluttered open. Becca felt breathless, exhilarated, and the same way she felt the first time Isaac kissed her - twelve years ago.

"Oh, wow..." Becca whispered, exhaling a shaky breath. "That was... beautiful..." She looked up and into her husband's eyes. "You're beautiful..." She smiled. "I don't believe this..." she whispered, shaking her head slightly.

"Believe what?" Isaac asked, running his fingers through her soft hair.

"I'm... I'm falling in love with you, all over again."

For a brief second, as his mind registered her words, his heart stopped beating. He felt a lump forming in his throat, and did his best to swallow it. Months ago, tragedy had struck. He didn't know if they would survive, or if he wanted them to. But now, he realized it was a blessing in disguise. And finally, after meeting fourteen years ago, Clarke Isaac Hanson and Rebecca Davis Hanson were beginning to rediscover one another. It all felt so new, and made him feel so alive. This woman, being with her, made him feel something he never felt before. He exhaled slowly and leaned in. "Me too," he said softly, his forehead gently resting against hers. "Me too."

"I- Isaac..."

"Hmm..."

"How... how did we lose this? How could we have been so careless?" She closed her eyes and breathed in the fading scent of his cologne. Overcome with emotion, a stray tear slid down her cheek as she gently traced his lips with her fingertips. The contact set her fingertips on fire, and she felt her body burn with overwhelming passion. "I- I'm standing here now, promising you, I will never take you or your love for granted ever again."

"The same goes for me," Ike whispered in her ear, embracing her tightly. "The same goes for me..." After what felt like eternity and yet not quite long enough, the couple slowly released each other and joined hands again, continuing their walk. "It's so beautiful here this time of year. Now I know why Zac loves New York so much."

"Mmm... it is gorgeous. It's too bad we never got to spend more time seeing the sights whenever we were here." Becca began to gently swing hers and Ike's joined hands back and forth in time with their steps. "All the leaves changing... it's so beautiful and peaceful."

"Well, I don't know if I would call New York peaceful..." A wry smile formed on Ike's lips. However, it only lasted a few seconds and then began to fade. "I am so sorry, Becca. I am so sorry I dragged you around from place to place during the first few years of our marriage. We should've been at home, spending all our time together."

She stopped walking and looked at him, the expression on her face unreadable. She took his other hand in hers, and squeezed them both tight. "Don't you know... Don't you know by now that as long as I'm with you, I'm home? It doesn't matter where we are or where we have to go, I just need you beside me." Becca released one of his hands and gently traced Isaac's jawline with her finger. She gently brushed his lips with hers. "You are my home," she whispered.

He sighed. "You... you and Kaitlyn are my world. I don't know what I would do without you both. You and our daughter mean everything to me." With his free hand he gently stroked his wife's cheek, and felt those electric currents running through him again.

"Speaking of Kaitlyn, I was thinking... It's about time we gave her a little brother or sister, don't you think?" Her expression and tone were casual, but there was also a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah, now that you mention it... Wait. You're not... Are you saying... Are you..." Isaac stumbled over his words, trying to get to the bottom of what wife was saying. She couldn't possibly be, could she?

Becca tilted her head to the side and watched her fingers run over her husband's collar bone. "I was just thinking how nice it would be have another child, despite the labor pains. So, what do you say? Do you want to try?" She raised her eyes to his, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a coy smile.

He returned her smile with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, running his fingers through her hair. "Are you kidding? Trying is half the fun."

She giggled. "Well, I'm glad you feel that way." She circled her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose. "I was thinking about something else, too."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity peaked. "What's that?"

"Well, being here for Zac and AJ's wedding got me thinking about our wedding. I was so happy. It was one of the happiest days of my life. But there was something about that felt like... well, that felt like it was for show. And now that were starting over, I just think we should do something to signify that. So... if you're willing, I thought we could go to St. Patrick's Cathedral tomorrow morning and renew our vows. Just you and me, doing this for ourselves, for each other." Becca swallowed nervously. As well as she knew her husband, this was one reaction she knew she wouldn't be able to predict. "Well, what do you say? Do you want to?"

For a moment Isaac stared into the eyes of the amazing woman before him. It felt as if time was standing still. He felt overwhelmed with emotion and love. A smile crept up on his face, and he felt his eyes mist, truly touched by her suggestion. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against her forehead, and then embraced her tightly. "I do."

"So, do you feel any different now that you're a Hanson?" Zac asked his bride, twirling her around on the dance floor in time with the music. A huge grin spread across his face, and he felt his heart pound. The truth of the matter was his heart had been pounding since he woke up this morning. In all twenty-six years of his life, his adrenaline has never run through his body like this before. He had heard about people who were "high on life," but always thought that was just a nice way of saying "crazy." He now understood the meaning of the phrase, because that's exactly how he felt right now - as if he was on some natural high. His beautiful bride just seemed to have that effect on him.

"Mmm... not different. Just whole." AJ leaned in and tenderly kissed her husband's lips. She had to admit to herself, she was surprised by where her life had managed to lead her. In high school, she would have bet a thousand bucks she'd be single for the rest of her life. And even after college, she had seemed determined to stay single. But something unexpected happened. She met Zachary Walker Hanson, and her life hasn't been the same since. In fact, it felt like life before him didn't exist. "I feel like the sole reason I was born was to become Mrs. Zachary Hanson."

"Mrs. Zachary Hanson... I like the sound of that." Feeling giddy, he dipped her. At first she was surprised, but then a grin spread across her face, and she giggled. "See?" he told her. "You got me doing all sorts of crazy things."

"Wanna keep doing crazy things?" AJ asked, raising her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

"That depends," he replied, pulling her into a standing position. "What exactly did you have in mind?" Zac kissed the hollow of her neck.

She moaned as her husband's lips switched from kissing to gently sucking. "Well, first of all, what do you say we get out of here?"

"Ooh... I like the way your mind works," he said, moving his mouth from her neck to lips. "However, we are the hosts, here. It's not gonna be easy getting out of here unnoticed." Zac's mouth covered hers again in a passionate kiss.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," she responded when they had pulled apart. "So... you up for a little challenge?" AJ smiled coyly and ran her fingers through his blonde tresses.

"Always," he replied, smiling wide. "Do you just want to make a run for it?"

"Yeah. Ready?"

Zac nodded his head.

"1... 2... 3..." AJ counted off. She grabbed his hand, and the two made a run for it, the door leading out of the ballroom their destination. They had almost made a clean break when Zac felt a hand on his shoulder, and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Just where do you two think you're going?"

Slowly, the couple turned around. Mackenzie stood there, arms crossed in front of his chest, and a hint of a smile on the corners of his mouth. Zac and AJ looked at one another, and then returned their gaze to teenager before them. Zac cleared his throat. "Mac, you're my best man, right?"

"Yeah, unless this is your way of relieving me of my duties."

Zac shook his head no. "Nope. In fact, I'm adding one more to the list. Cover for us." Then he grabbed his wife's hand, and the couple quickly ran out of the ballroom.

"Crazy kids..." Mac muttered under his breath, shaking his head slightly and softly chuckling.

AJ and Zac walked through the doors of the Marriot and onto the sidewalk. "How long do think it'll be before everyone else notices we're gone?" she asked, contemplating whether or not to hail a cab.

"Wrong question. You should be asking if I care," Zac told her. He smiled to himself. Only in New York could he stand on the sidewalk in a tux next to AJ in her bridal gown, and no one was giving them a second glance.

"Okay. Do you care?" she asked, standing in front of him, circling her arms around his neck.

"Nope. I could give a damn." He leaned in and urgently pressed his lips against hers. He moaned softly when she pulled away from him. "How much longer till we leave for the honeymoon?"

"A couple of hours, I think. I'm not sure. A watch doesn't exactly go with this dress..." AJ smiled, and then gently bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling. In the three years before this since she's been with Zac, she's never seen him like this. He looked like a caged animal, restless to be set free. She immediately knew the week-long honeymoon in Paris was going to be time well spent. "So, what do you want to do to make the time go by quicker? We could... go to Central Park, or maybe see a Broadway show. What do you say?"

Zac didn't give her a response. Instead, in a matter of seconds, the three years he spent with the amazing woman in front of him flashed before his eyes - everything leading up to this moment. He tried to recall what exactly it was that had drawn him to her. She was just so charismatic. Not being with her felt like not being alive. His mind continued to wander, he thought back to the day he met AJ. He had met her at a wedding. How fitting that he met his bride at a wedding. That night had been such an amazing night. It was the first night of the rest of his life. Hmm... is this what is meant by coming full circle? Slowly, the corners of his mouth turned up. "I say I got a better idea. Come on," he said, taking her hand and leading her back into the hotel.

"Where are we going?" she asked, thoroughly confused. She had thought the whole point was for them to get out of the hotel. Why were they going back in? "What are you up to? We're not going back to the reception, are we?"

"No, don't worry. I just need to work off some of this sexual energy, or I'm never going to make it to the honeymoon. You'll be scraping me off the ceiling on your way out of here," he told her, looking straight ahead. He was a determined man on a mission.

AJ giggled. "Just don't work too much of it off. The only sights I want to see in Paris are the airport, and the inside of the hotel."

Zac turned to face his wife with a devilish grin on his face, leading her into the elevator. "Oh, don't you worry. I've got more than enough energy to keep you in Paris for a month." He raised his eyebrows up and down suggestively, even though his words were more than suggestive.

The elevator stopped at the third floor, and the two got off, Zac leading the way. "Where are we going?" AJ asked, following her husband down a hallway.

"You'll see," is all he would say. Finally, the couple stopped walking. "Wait here. I'll be right back." He quickly kissed her and then darted off somewhere. Moments later, he returned with a basketball. "So, what do you say? Up for a little one on one?" he asked, chest passing the ball to his wife, smiling.

AJ grinned. "Geez, we've been together for how long now, Zac? You should know by now you don't have to ask." She spun the ball on the pointer finger of her right hand. "Where's the court?"

"This way," he told her, taking her by the elbow. He brought her in close and kissed her passionately. "Ready, Mrs. Hanson?"

"Always," was her breathless response.

Zac led her to the basketball court. They quickly shed their shoes, and he rolled up his sleeves. "So, you gonna spot me any points?" he asked, dribbling the ball around his bride.

AJ stole the ball from him, dribbled towards the basket, and delivered a perfect lay-up. "Not a chance in hell. I feel on fire tonight. You're not even going to score." She smiled wickedly.

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped in mock surprise. "You mean, I'm not going to score at all tonight?" he asked playfully.

"Hehehe... later, you big ball of testosterone. Right now, all I care about is kicking your ass." She turned and faced her husband, using a chest pass to give him the ball. "Check the ball so we can get this game rolling, Hanson," she ordered, grinning.

An hour later, Zac and AJ returned to the ballroom. The reception was still in full swing, and it appeared as though no one had even noticed the couple's absence. For a brief, fleeting moment, the couple thought they were going to rejoin the reception unnoticed, as well. However, all hopes of that vanished when AJ's grandmother suddenly stood before the newlyweds. Her hands were on her hips, and one eyebrow was raised in an perfect arch. "Where the hell have you two been?"

"Grandma Millie," AJ said in a shocked voice. The old woman's appearance caught her off guard. "We were just playing a game," she explained, squeezing Zac's hand.

Grandma Millie looked back and forth from her granddaughter to the groom. Both were panting slightly. Their cheeks were flushed, and beads of sweat lined their foreheads. As far as Grandma Millie was concerned, that was all the incriminating evidence she needed. "Oh? And what game was that? Find the canolli?"

"Grandma!" AJ shouted in utter astonishment. Immediately, her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "We were playing basketball." She glanced at Zac out of the corner of her eye, trying to see his reaction. He was just smiling wide, unfazed by the old woman's words.

"Yeah, sure. And I'm the spittin' image of Sophia Loren." And with that, the woman turned on her heels and walked away.

"I am so sorry, Zac," AJ apologized to her husband.

"Don't be. But did she actually think we were going to wait until we were married to play find the canolli?" He chuckled. "My Italian girlfriend taught me that game long ago," he said, flashing his bride a wicked smile.

"Uh-huh. And I must say, you got the hang of it real quick." AJ giggled, all embarrassment forgotten. She circled her arms around his neck, and pulled him in close, gently brushing her lips against his. Hungry for more, she deepened the kiss.

The sound of a throat being cleared interrupted them. "Excuse me, but I was wondering if I could have a few words with the groom."

"Beat it, Taylor," Zac said, then returned his lips to his wife's.

"Aww... come on. We just want to congratulate our baby brother," Ike chimed in.

Zac groaned and pulled away from his bride. "Just make it quick so I can get back to what I was doing," he said, grinning.

"Congratulations, little bro," Taylor said, embracing his brother. "It's all downhill from here on in, ya know."

"Hey!" Laura said.

"Just kidding, sweetie," Taylor told her, kissing her cheek.

"Way to go, Zac," Ike said, taking his turn to congratulate and hug his younger brother. "You're in for the ride of your life."

"Ain't that the truth," Rebecca chimed in.

"Thanks, guys. So, you gonna stay in New York for a few days?" Zac asked the two couples.

"No," Taylor said. "But we did switch our flight to a later one. There's something we gotta do before we head back to Tulsa." He took Laura's hand in his and squeezed it gently. The two exchanged glances and nervous smiles.

Zac just nodded his head at this piece of information. Seeing how Taylor wasn't going to offer any more information, he focused his attention on the other couple. "What about you two?" he asked Ike, moving to stand behind AJ and wrap his arms around her waist.

"Yeah, we're gonna spend a few days here. Kaitlyn's going back with Mom and Dad, though." Isaac looked at his wife and smiled. To say the renewal of their vows this morning had gone well would be an understatement. He thought it was the most romantic that he and Becca had done to date. This morning had inspired the couple to spend the next couple of days in New York, and make sort of a second honeymoon out of it.

"So, um, AJ," Laura said, a wicked grin beginning to stretch across her face. "I'm surprised you went with a scoop neck for your dress."

"Really? Why's that?" the bride asked, puzzled.

"Well, it's just... now we can all see your hickey." Laura began to snicker.

"Omigod! I have a hickey!?!" AJ's hands immediately went to her neck, her eyes wide with horror.

Unable to contain herself, Laura burst out laughing. "Gotcha!"

"You are so evil!" AJ said, giving her new sister-in-law's shoulder a playful shove.

"Actually, I'm surprised you don't have a hickey," Becca chimed in. "Your grandmother just got done telling us something about the two of you running off to find a canolli."

"I don't believe this," AJ muttered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment for the second time that night. She put her head in her hands, shaking it back and forth.

"Oh, don't worry about it," Taylor told his sister-in-law. "You're not officially a part of the Hanson family unless you get embarrassed at your reception. Think of it as your initiation. And believe me, it could've been much worse. Just ask Laura."

"Yeah," Laura chimed in. "Taylor and I were dancing and my grandfather cut in. He actually told us that I already had one daughter, and Taylor better keep his hands off me. To this day I still don't know what the hell he was thinking." She chuckled at the memory.

AJ's jaw dropped. "I don't remember that. Where was I?"

"I don't remember that either. That must've been while we were playing basketball," Zac said. "I've always had a special place in my heart for Becca's story."

"You're still on my list for that!" Rebecca said. She pointed a finger accusingly at Isaac, but there was no mistaking the huge grin on her face. She turned to AJ. "We were feeding each other the cake. And I freely admit I started it. I took some icing and smeared it all over Ike's nose. But then he turned around and smashed a piece of cake in my face. I spent the next half-hour blowing cake out of my nose."

"See? You have nothing to be embarrassed about," Zac told AJ. He turned his head and kissed her neck. "Welcome to the family."

Madeline Hanson walked ahead of her parents, head held high and a bouquet of daises in hand. Daises always made Maddy think of sunshine and happiness. And although she's positive Heaven is a happy place, she wants to make sure Rick Anderson is comfortable in his new home. She knows he's in Heaven. She KNOWS he is. He saved her life. Where else could be possibly be?

"I found it Mommy and Daddy!" Madeline stood in front of a gray headstone. It was fairly simple. There was a cross engraved on the left side. On the right, it read:

Taylor and Laura stood on either side of their daughter, a hand resting on her shoulder. Maddy turned her head left, and then right. Both had their eyes closed, and heads bowed in silent prayer. Instead of following their example, she continued to watch her parents in earnest. An expression of sadness washed over Taylor's face as his lips moved while he prayed. Laura's eyes were squeezed shut tightly. Her cheeks were red with emotion, and her bottom lip trembled.

When their heads rose, Maddy looked at them expectantly. "Can I?" she whispered.

Taylor nodded his head yes.

Madeline took a few steps forward, and placed the bouquet of daises in front of the headstone. She was silent for a few moments, then spoke. "Hi, Rick. It's Maddy. How are you? Is it nice in Heaven?"

She sighed. "I wish I knew you better. It doesn't seem fair... that you died and I didn't get to know you. I... I hope you like the daises. Daises make me smile. Maybe now, you're smiling in Heaven. You're a hero."

She fidgeted a little bit, and licked her dry lips. "Mommy and Daddy said I could get a puppy for my birthday. I'm... I'm gonna name it after you. Well, actually, I'm gonna name it Ricky, 'cause that sounds more like a dog's name." Maddy took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Have fun in Heaven, Rick. I'll be thinking about you. Thank you, for all you did for me."

She walked back to her parents, eyes filled with tears. Their eyes were filled with tears as well. Maddy embraced her mother as Taylor walked up to the headstone. He knelt down, gently placing his hand on it, closing his eyes and bowing his head in silent prayer. When he raised his head and opened his eyes, a single tear slid down his cheek. "Maddy will never forget what you did for her, and neither will I," he whispered.

Taylor stood and looked at his wife. Knowing she would want to do this privately, he asked his daughter to walk with him to the car. Madeline slipped her hand into her father's and the two walked away.

When she was sure they were out of earshot, Laura knelt down in front of Rick's headstone. She traced the engraving with her fingertips, and then brought them to her quivering lips. Tears began to fall from her eyes, and Laura began to speak.

"Rick, I... I'm sorry, sorry for everything. I'm sorry I hit you. I'm sorry you died. I'm sorry you didn't get to know our daughter better." Laura choked on a sob as her last words passed through her lips.

"Taylor..." She sighed. "Taylor wants to tell Maddy that you're her biological dad. He... he says she has a right to know. Guess I can't argue with that... I just... I just wish I knew when would be the right time to tell her. I'm afraid if I wait until she's older, she'll be mad I didn't tell her sooner. But she's been through so much, I don't want to tell her and it's more than she can handle..."

Laura wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. "When I found out I was pregnant and you left me alone to deal with it, I thought I had you all figured out. The thing is, the reality of the pregnancy didn't sink in until I found out I was having a girl. I was so happy it was a girl. And I promised myself that she would never know what a jerk her father was. I'm sorry I made that promise, 'cause I'm gonna have to break it."

She sniffed and swallowed the lump forming in her throat. "Despite everything, you really are an amazing man, Richard Anderson. You gave Madeline life... twice." Laura didn't bother to wipe away the fresh batch of tears that slid down her already damp cheeks. Her voice became raspy with emotion. "Don't worry. Madeline will know what an amazing man her father was."

Laura pulled a photo out of her coat pocket. She kissed it, and then leaned it against the headstone, next to the bouquet of daises. She stood up. "I won't forget..." she whispered.

The photo of Laura holding Madeline just after she was born managed to hold itself upright in the gentle breeze, as her father's familiar twinkle shone in the eyes of the young girl staring back at the woman walking towards the car.