T/W: Mentions meltdowns.

***
Lex

I swing by the crime lab one afternoon to see Eric. He's just getting ready to grab lunch, so we head out, grabbing some sandwiches.

"Steve told me you two had a good talk," I say, unwrapping my sandwich.

"We did." Eric shifts uncomfortably in his chair. "I...didn't mean to upset you or read your personal letter."

"It's okay," I say.

"No, it's not," Eric says. "I had no business reading that letter." He takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly.

"I probably should have told you what Speed said," I say.

"I would have liked to have known," Eric says softly.

"Speed couldn't have known what would happen between myself and his brother." I take a bite of my sandwich, chewing thoughtfully.

"He just didn't want you to be alone," Eric says. I nod.

"He was doing what he thought was the best option."

"I know you think that I dislike Steve," Eric says.

"You haven't exactly been overly friendly towards him," I agree.

"I guess it's mostly because I feel like you aren't treating Steve fairly in all of this."

"Maybe I'm not," I say, surprising both Eric and myself. "But I do really love Steve and I want to marry him."

"I can tell Steve really loves you," Eric tells me.

"He's a good guy." I smile, tears filling my eyes. "He is. He's not...Speed. But he's still a good man."

"I know." We finish our sandwiches and get ready to part ways. I move, wrapping my arms around Eric. He holds me close. We stand like that for ages.

"If Steve hadn't come along," Eric murmurs in my ear. "I like to think we have made something work between us." I pull away. I'm crying a little. I quickly dry my eyes.

"I don't know about that," I say softly. "But it's nice knowing that I wouldn't have ended up alone." Eric gives my hand a gentle squeeze, smiling.

"Yes," he agrees. "That much is true."

***
Steve

We're down to two weeks before the wedding. Lex seems utterly calm and I don't know how to decipher that. She's been kinda all over the place, emotionally, these last several weeks.

I'm sure much of that has to do with losing Tim and agreeing to marry me all within the space of a year. That'd be a lot for anyone to process. I'll just be happy when the wedding has officially happened and Lex and I are actually married.

***

"How's everything going with the wedding plans?" Mom asks. I'd swung by my parent's place for a bit, to fill them in in everything. (Well. Not everything. If Mom knew Lex had a colossal meltdown about Tim, I don't think she'd survive.)

"I think everything is pretty well set," I reply. I spot a picture of..Tim that Mom had put up not long after he passed, on a side table in the living room, a vase of roses next to it.

I smile. Tim looks very official in the photo; I can even see his police ID badge on the hip on his pant, where he always wore it. He has that same serious, focused gaze in his eyes.

"I miss you, big brother," I whisper.

"That's amazing news, Stevie," Mom says, smiling. "I can't wait to see you and Lex walk down that aisle after the ceremony. I nod, smiling as I look at Tim's picture.

"Same," I say.

***
Lex

It's been a long day. I'm just ready to crash on the couch, curled up next to Steve as we enjoy some dinner and quiet time together.

I wearily climb the front steps, unlock the front door and step inside. Immediately I spot Steve sprawled out on the couch, ear buds in, staring at the screen of his laptop.

I'm filled with such a sense of...neediness that it crushes me. I set my stuff down, kick off my shoes and go straight to Steve. He looks up, and grins as I approach him.

I smile, staring into those dark, dark eyes of his that remind me so much of..Speed's. Steve tugs out his ear buds, sits up and sets the laptop on the coffee table.

I immediately lower myself down into Steve's lap. He laughs, gently wrapping his arms around me as I bury my face in the crook of his neck and close my eyes.  I can feel Steve's hands roaming over my body.

"Everything okay?" Steve's voice is soft and warm. I open my eyes, shifting so I can see his face, touching his beard.

"Yeah. I just feel...kinda...needy all of a sudden," I murmur. Steve smiles, leaning in to kiss my forehead.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. So? How was your day?" I ask as I continue to stroke his beard.

"Productive. Yours?"

"Crazy busy." I wrap my arms around Steve's neck, nestling in further.

"You sure everything is good?" Steve searches my eyes. I stare into them.

Why do they have to resemble Speed's so damn much? It's not fair.

"Lex?"

"It's all good, Steve," I whisper, leaning in to press my lips to his.

"You're sure?" Steve studies me again. I smile.

"I'm sure."