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"Liz, you understand how insane this is, right?" Dakota says

"Yes, obviously." She says, "You don't think I've been freaking out about it?"

"Does Conrad know?"

"Of course he does. So does River."

Dakota's head snaps over, "You told her before you told me?"

"I was freaking out." She says as he sighs, "I told her before I even told Conrad."

"Did you tell Mom?"

She sighs, "No. Conrad was thinking of telling her and everyone else at the dedication, but that feels wrong to me. It's Susannah's day."

"Liz, this is insane." He says leaning on his knees and rubbing his face

"I know." She says shakily. He looks up at her, "I know that and I'm terrified."

Dakota's face falls as he watches her. He wraps his arm around her shoulders before pulling her in. He sighs as he settles beside her, "I'm not gonna lie, she's probably gonna freak out. You're engaged and pregnant within a few months of each other."

"I know."

"But that doesn't mean she won't be there for you." He says, "She's not like that and if by some weird chance she is, I'm here. And so is River."

Liz sniffles, "Thanks."

"Of course, Lizzie."

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River entered her and Dakota's shared apartment and was immediately met with Dakota's glare. She chuckled, "Well, hello to you, too. Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why didn't you tell me Liz was pregnant?"

River's face falls, "Oh, shit."

"She told me while we were at the hospital for Steven."

"She told me not to tell anyone."

"I would think I'm not included in that." He says, "I'm her brother and your boyfriend."

"I know, but she was freaking out and I was willing to do or say anything to keep her calm." River explains, "Was she still freaking out?"

"Of course she was. She's pregnant, River."

"Okay, you can't be mad at me for not telling you. If it would've been the other way around and for whatever reason you asked me not to tell Liz I was pregnant, I wouldn't have."

Dakota squints, "That's a lie."

"I would've tried my hardest not to." She shrugs before she sighs, "She was literally sobbing on the phone, Dakota. She didn't know what to do."

Dakota runs a hand through his hair, "I get it. I get it, but she's my little sister."

"I know and I'm sorry for not telling you." She says stepping closer, "Did she say if she was gonna tell your parents?"

"She's terrified of how my mom is gonna react." He says plopping down on the couch, "If I'm being honest, I have no fucking idea how she's gonna take it."

River sits beside him, "Is she gonna tell her at the dedication?"

"I don't know." He mutters

"If she does, you'll be there for her, right?"

"Of course I will." He says, "Doesn't make it much easier."

"I know." She says propping her chin on his shoulder, "She has us if anything goes wrong."

Dakota nods, "Yeah, she does."

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Conrad stood in the doorway of their bedroom. He leaned on the frame as Liz sat beside her suitcase. He watched as she mindlessly folded and placed clothes in, "Hey."

Liz looked up and gave a small smile, "Hey."

Conrad smiles as she continued, "You okay?"

"Yeah." She sighs tucking her hair behind her ear, "I think I've pretty much checked everything off before we have to leave."

Conrad nods as he looks down at his feet. He looks over at her again as she quickly fell back into her own rhythm. He leans off of the doorway and makes his over toward her. He sat on the bed with her suitcase at his feet. As he sets his arms on his knees and leans forward, she looks up from her place on the floor, "I meant, how do you feel?"

"I'm okay." She says hesitantly, "Anxious. Terrified. Feel like I'm gonna throw up, but I think that's just the pregnancy part, not the impending doom."

"We don't have to say anything." He says, "I'm fine with whatever you want."

"I just- I can't make that day about me." She says, "I caused a huge scene at her funeral and I will never forgive myself for that. I can't go to her dedication and just announce that I'm pregnant. Especially since I don't know how my mom will react."

"We can wait." He reassures, "It's okay."

"But I should tell her. My mom should know."

He nods, "We can tell her after."

"Okay." She nods before her eyes widen, "Oh my god, what about my dad? I didn't even think about telling him. If my mom doesn't freak out, he definitely will."

"Okay, okay, okay." He says kneeling down beside her, "Just relax."

"My dad's gonna lose his shit."

"Don't worry about that right now." He says shaking his head, "Right now, we'll focus on getting to Cousins, okay?"

"Okay." She says as he cups her face and kisses her forehead.

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Liz and Dakota looked around at the decorations while Megan stood ahead of them speaking with some of the other guests. Dakota frowned, "I didn't even know Susannah knew this many people."

"Of course she did. It's Susannah." Liz chuckles

He turns to her, "You gonna tell her today?"

She sighs deeply, "I'm... deciding."

"Deciding." He nods before he shrugs, "It sounds like you're chickening out."

Liz looks over with a squint, "Are you seriously trying to turn this into a "you won't do it. no balls" situation?"

"You won't do it otherwise."

"God, Dakota." She scoffs

"I'm just saying." He says, "It's better to just rip the bandaid off."

Liz shakes her head as she turns back to her mom. Her pulse spiking as she watches her dad embrace her, "Oh my god. What the hell is he doing here? Mom said he wasn't coming."

"Fuck if I know." He says

"I can't tell them. Not today."

"I don't blame you." He mutters before smiling as their parents approached them

"Hey kids." Ben smiles as he pulls Liz in for a hug

"Hey, Dad." She says pulling away before Dakota gives him a quick hug, "Mom said you weren't gonna make it."

"I was able to move some things around." He nods

"That's good. It's good to see you."

"It's great to see the both of you." He says

Megan smiles, "Come on. Let's go find our seats."

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"Today means a lot to my family. And I know this garden would have meant the world to my mom." Jeremiah says, "She would have loved to be here on a day like this."

Liz smiles softly as he continues, "The women's shelter was incredibly important to her. Even when she wasn't in Cousins, she was thinking about each and every one of you. My mom believed family wasn't just about blood. She believed family grew throughout your life."

"Anyone you loved was family. Anyone who loved you. I know she would be touched by this incredible honor. And I hope you walk around here today feeling her love." The crowd stands and claps as he finishes.

•••

Liz and Dakota approach Belly and Jeremiah as the two laugh together. Dakota smiles, "You did amazing, dude."

Jeremiah smiles as the two hug, "Thanks, man."

"Yeah, you did great." Liz says, "Susannah would be proud."

"Thanks, Liz." He nods with a soft smile. He looks past them and his smile widens, "Con!"

Dakota, Liz, and Belly turn as Conrad smiles, "Hey, man."

"Hey." Jeremiah says as he and Dakota approach him

"What's up, dude?" Dakota daps him up as the moms approach

"Conrad, I can't believe you made it." Laurel says as they hug

"How are you?" Megan smiles as she hugs him

"I didn't know you were coming." Steven says

"Yeah, Liz said you couldn't make it." Dakota says

"He wanted to surprise you guys." She smiles

"Yeah, I moved some things around, I hopped on a red-eye." Conrad explains

"Connie, hey! That's my boy." Adam says pulling him into a hug, "Out there saving lives, still got time for family."

"All right, Dad, relax. I'm not a doctor yet." Conrad says hugging Ben and as he pulls away he smiles, "Dude."

"Hey. It's good to see you." Jeremiah smiles as they hug

"You crushed that speech." Conrad says

"Thanks, man."

"So good."

"I'm glad you're here." Jeremiah says pulling away

Conrad then turns to Belly. The girl smiles, "Hi."

"Hi." Conrad says before pulling her into a hug

"Ah, Connie, really glad to have his little sister around again." Adam says

Dakota and Liz mirror confused expressions. Conrad pulls away from Belly, "How you been, little sis?"

"Great." She says before grabbing Jeremiah's hand, "Yeah, we've been, we've been great."

"Yeah." Jeremiah agrees

"It's been a while." Conrad says before looking over at Liz. His eyes immediately softening as she smiled.

"Picture time." The photographer says, "Let's get a family photo, maybe by the bench?"

"Great. Let's do it." Adam says while Ben nods

"Uh, yeah, that'd be great." Laurel says

Conrad grabs Liz's hand and pulls her closer. He kisses the top of her head, "You look beautiful."

Liz smiles and looks down as she feels herself begin to blush, "Thank you."

Conrad smiles as she pulls him over to everyone else. The two move to stand between Belly and Dakota. Conrad wraps his arm around Dakota's shoulder and his other around Liz. The group looks up with smiles as the photographer counts them down.

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