"Alex!" Elise screamed with joy as A.J. and Nick separated a hysterical Aaron and Caden.

"I guess it's a good thing we made so much." Jess smiled as Elise kissed A.J.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Our concert tonight is only an hour away babe. We wanted to surprise you… and Nick wanted to find Aaron to see what the big news was. I was correct in assuming he would be at our house."

Jess moved over to where Aaron was standing during A.J.'s speech. "I love you Carter." She whispered and Nick looked over as they kissed.

"HOLY #$%@!" Nick yelled and hugged them both.

"Watch your mouth." Elise couldn't help but laugh.

"Sorry."

"What smells so good?" A.J. sniffed the air.

"Dinner. Everyone to the table." Elise walked toward the kitchen and A.J. followed as everyone else sat down at the table.

"Where's Mac?" He kissed her shoulder.

"With your mother," she turned and kissed him. "Grab the ham."

“Does that mean you’re home alone tonight?”

“I don’t know yet, and we need to talk.”

“Good or bad?”

“…Good,” Elise walked into the dining room.

A.J. set the ham on the table and quickly took the rest of the food from Elise, before pulling out her chair for her. “I love you,” he kissed her again before taking his seat.

A.J. took Elise’s hand and bowed his head. Everyone followed suit and he prayed for the food, his family, and the gift of love. “Time to grub!” he smiled letting go of Elise’s hand.

“I want that.” Jess whispered to Aaron as he filled his plate.

“What?”

“What they have.”

A.J. had just kissed Elise’s hand causing her to blush.

Aaron looked across the table to see Caden and Nick deep in conversation. “Why does everyone freak out when we tell them? It’s not like they didn’t expect something to happen.”

“I didn’t expect it.”

“You weren’t supposed to.” Aaron smiled and gently kissed her.

“You did kind of do everything at once.” Jess shrugged.

“A.J. was worse. He had the wedding the next day.”

“What’s that about me?”

“Nothing A.J. ignore us.” Aaron laughed.

Jess smiled and ate some of her dinner before turning to back to Aaron. “I’m going to need to talk to you tonight.”

“Okay sweetie.” Aaron grabbed her hand under the table.

“So bro, how you feelin?”

“Great.”

“Are you sure ‘cause you look absolutely ecstatic to me.” Nick flashed the Carter smile.

“Yeah Aaron.” Caden laughed.

“Oh crap! Nick look at the time, we’re gonna be late!” A.J. jumped up from the table.

“Nick can we come?” Aaron asked.

“Yeah we gotta hurry though… still gotta pick up Erica.”

“We can get her Nick, you guys go on ahead so you won’t be late.”

“You sure?”

“Positive, now get out of here before I change my mind.”

As Nick started out the door A.J. turned to Elise, “I love you. I’ll come back, promise.” He leaned down and kissed her gently.

“I love you too baby. I would come but…”

“I know. Tell Mac I love her.” A.J. picked up his keys, “Aaron, help get all this stuff put away before you leave.”

“Yes sir.” Aaron saluted A.J. as he ran out the door after Nick.