T/W: Mentions strip clubs and naked women. Also drinking.

***

Steve

It's the day before the wedding. Yes, Lex and I are still planning on going through with it. When Lex returned home, she told me what happened. I believed her. I knew it was Tim coming back as Lex remembered him, to give his blessing for our marriage. Lex also told that she wasn't going to hold it against me, what I'd said to her.

"You'd had every right to voice your concerns. I'd only wished you'd told me sooner."

Lex was right. I shouldn't have kept everything inside. We should have been more open and honest with one another. After all, a good relationship needs to have good communication.

I'm just happy we did work shit out because I really can't wait to marry Lex and spend whatever time I'm given on this earth with her.

***
We're going through the rehearsal for the wedding before we all go out to dinner. We're actually having a fun time.

Lex seems far more relaxed than I've seen her in weeks. She's actually laughing at everyone's jokes, including Dave's, and doesn't seem the least bit worried about going through with the wedding.

While we're figuring everything out, who's walking where and with whom, Lex hangs out in the back of the sanctuary, holding on to Grant's arm, waiting for her cue to walk in. She catches my eye and I give her a wink. Lex winks back.

I'm standing up at the front, along with Horatio, Dave and Calleigh, as Eric and Alexx prepare to walk down the aisle. Shari is cueing everyone. Or I should say, trying to.

"All right! Eric and Alexx, go!" Shari says. Lex is laughing again. I grin, watching her beautiful face light up.

Eric and Alexx finally make it down the aisle to the rest of us and then, it's Catherine Dustin's turn, and finally, Grant and Lex. I watch Lex as she walks down the aisle, her eyes staying on me the entire time.

Once they reach the front, Grant 'gives' Lex away and we run through the ceremony. We run through it a few times, but I think everything will go just as planned.

***

Lex

As soon as Horatio (and Mom) are satisfied with the wedding rehearsal, we head down to the restaurant where we're having the dinner. While we're all standing in the lobby, waiting to be shown a private room in back, Steve holds my hand and we just smile at each other.

I notice Dave nudging Dustin and Uncle Grant, Jay and Mom giving each other a knowing smile. I just shrug, stepping closer to Steve, who slips his arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head.

"Oooh!" Uncle Grant teases. I roll my eyes, smiling.

"Do I need to separate you two?" Uncle Grant asks.

"You can try," I say, giving him a dirty look. "You'll probably end up injured, but give it your best shot."

"I think I'll behave myself," Uncle Grant says, stepping behind Mom.

"What?" Mom gives her older brother a dirty look. "You expect me to protect you?"

"Yes," Uncle Grant replies. Steve laughs and I can feel it from his chest. We're finally ushered into a lovely, private room. Steve takes my hand, escorting me to a chair and pulls it out for me.

I smile, kissing him quickly before sitting down. Steve sits down beside me and pretty soon, we're getting served drinks and not long after that, our dinner.

We'd decided to do something simple, like hamburgers or salads, for whoever wanted them. Then for dessert, there was either chocolate or vanilla cake to choose from.

"This is perfect," I tell Steve. He gives my fingers a gentle squeeze.

"I couldn't agree more."

***

Just before the rehearsal dinner ends, Steve and I sneak off to the back of the restaurant to get a little privacy. We sit down on a bench located just outside the back exit, holding each other and watching as the sun goes down.

"Just think," Steve murmurs against my hair. "By this time tomorrow, we'll be married." I move, just because I want to see his face.

"I can't wait." Steve smiles, but it looks a little...sad.

"What is it?" I ask, touching his beard.

"It's..just, sometimes I worry you still love..Tim more than..me."

"Oh, Steve." I hardly know what to say. The fact is: I'll probably always love Speed more than him. I know how messed up that sounds, but in a way, it makes sense. After all, I fell in love with Speed first.

"And now, I'll love you," I whisper, placing a hand on Steve's chest. He smiles again and leans in for a kiss. I clutch the front of his shirt and return the kiss.

Yes. Steve and I can be happy together. I know we can.

"All right!" A voice booms out. "None of that!" I turn. Dave, Eric and Dustin are standing there, grinning at Steve and I.

"Excuse you?" I snap. "If you object to the scenery, kindly piss off!" Steve cracks up and Dave takes offense.

"Are you gonna let Lex talk to me that way?" Dave asks Steve. He and I stand up, but I step closer to him, my shoulder pressed into Steve's chest.

"Hey, you were the one who decided to crash our private party," Steve says.

"I had to make sure you two weren't up to no good," Dave fires back.

"Too late for that," Eric mutters and I toss him a dirty look.

"We've also come to collect the groom for his night out," Dustin adds, grinning.

"Just don't do anything illegal, huh?" I say. "I don't need to get a phone call, stating I have to come bail the groom out of jail."

"Scout's honor," Dave says. I roll my eyes and move to give Steve another quick kiss.

"Behave yourself, Mr. Speedle."

"Don't worry, baby," Steve tells me. "I promise."

***

Steve

"All right," I say, sitting in the backseat of Dave's car, Dustin up front, while Eric is seated beside me in the back. "You guys had better not be taking me to a strip club."

"Live a little, bro!" Dave flashes me a wicked grin.

"No strip clubs," I say firmly. Dave sighs, shaking his head. "Are you willing to admit to Lex that you took me to see half naked women?"

"If you do," Eric speaks up. "Can I watch?" Eric, myself and Dustin all crack up. Dave just gets huffy.

"Well, Mr. Killjoy?" Dave asks. "What's your suggestion?"

"Let's just go grab a few drinks and then go back to my place," I say.

"Bor-ing!" Dave gives a big, fake yawn.

"Hey!" Dustin says. "We could go cosmic bowling." Eric agrees.

"Sure," I say.

"Why don't we just go play in a graveyard?" Dave asks.

"Sorry, dude." I chuckle. "You're outnumbered."

***
The bowling turns out to be fun. We team up, Eric and me versus Dave and Dustin. I notice that Eric's been acting somewhat friendlier towards me. Maybe Lex said something. Or maybe he's just getting more used to me.

Eric's not bad at bowling, either and pretty soon, he and I are ahead.

"How'd you get so good?" Dave asks Eric.

"Ah. I just enjoy bowling," Eric says, shrugging.

"Did you ever go with Steve's brother?" Dustin asks.

"A few times," Eric responds. "If we had time, which wasn't often."

"You two were pretty close, huh?" Dave comments.

"Yeah. We were." Eric glances over at me. "Speed was kinda like the brother I never had."

"He was a good guy to have in your corner," I say. Eric nods. He doesn't add any more. Dave steps up to bowl.

"I...appreciate your kindness in including me tonight," Eric says quietly to me.

"Hey, you're one of the guys tonight." I sm, clapping him on the shoulder. Eric smiles, a genuine smile.

"I know I haven't exactly been...nice to you," he says.

"Don't sweat it," I say. "I get that you have complicated feelings about me." Eric nods again.

"Speed was my best friend. And when he started dating Lex, we really hit it off, too."

Aha. Now things are starting to become clear.

"You.. like her," I say.

"A little bit."

"She's special," I murmur, watching as Dustin takes his turn.

"That she is," Eric agrees.

"I suppose now that you've read the letter, you feel like you aren't living up to what my brother wanted."

"Somewhat," Eric replies. "I'm also just really protective of Lex."

"I appreciate you looking out for her," I tell Eric.

"Really?" Eric looks surprised.

"Sure. Lex needs a friend like that. Especially now that..Tim's...gone."

"Your turn, Groom!" Dave bellows out. He's a little drunk. I laugh and get up to go grab my bowling ball, line up and...strike!

Eric cheers loudly, clapping and grinning. I grin, too. I feel like I just received Eric Delko's blessing and it feels great.

***

Lex

I don't know what the boys end up doing, but us girls go to Mom's and have a spa night, eat junk food and watch rom-coms. It's fun, but relaxing. (I was so relieved no one suggested we to a male strip club!)

"Well," Calleigh asks me as we're sitting there, wearing clay masks and soaking our feet while enjoying beef jerky and chocolate chip cookies. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty damn good," I reply. Calleigh puts her arm around my shoulders.

"I'm so happy you get this wonderful opportunity."

"Me too. Steve's amazing," I say.

"Just try and remember that when he makes you angry or you disagree on something."

I nibble on my chocolate chip cookie. I think about all the disagreements Steve and I have had over the last several weeks. Although I guess it hasn't been a ton. It just feels that way.

"I love him, Calleigh." I finish my cookie, listening to Mom putter around the kitchen.

"I never said you didn't," Calleigh says softly.

"Eric read that letter Speed left me," I tell Calleigh.

"He mentioned it," Calleigh says.

"I think part of the reason that Eric has objected to Steve and me being together is because he's..in..love with me."

"He said that?"

"He told me if Steve hadn't come along, he'd hoped something could have happened between us," I explain.

"Eric's a good guy," Calleigh says.

"I know. But I've never felt that way about him."

"Eric's been through a lot, too," Calleigh says.

"He has," I agree. Mom comes into the living room, carrying a cake. I grin. I'm ready to put aside this heavy talk and just enjoy some fun time with my mom and friends.

***

Steve

That night, I dream about Tim. We have a good conversation.

"I just want you to know, little brother," Tim tells me. "That I love you and I know you'll take good care of Lexie for me." I smile.

"Thanks, big brother. I love you too." Tim reaches out, drawing me closer and giving me a bone crunching hug. Tears flood my eyes.

"I'll be seeing you, Stevie."

"Yeah, Timmy," I whisper. "You will."

**
A/N: One more chapter to go! Do you think Steve and Lex will make it? Also the hanging out in a graveyard comment was a nod to Steve, Dave and Dustin as Ghost Hunters 😁