Author's Note: I didn't intend to write a sequel to Familiar Stranger but, as usual, I had an idea and here is the first chapter.

Enjoy.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant stated with a wide smile on her face, glancing at the groom she added, "You may kiss your bride."

Applause echoed around the room as the newly married couple kissed. They parted and started back along the aisle with their little boy at their side who was grinning widely.

Gideon slid her arm through Michael's as he took Jonas hand and they joined the rest of the congregation following the newlyweds out into the sunshine. It had been a beautiful ceremony and Gideon felt honoured to be invited to witness such a special moment in their friends' life.

Ellie and Ian had been together since they were teenagers. They were meant to get married several years before but having their son Ricky postponed it. They had attended college with Ali, joining the group only a few months ago when Ellie accepted a job offer moving the family to Central City. It meant at gatherings Jonas now had a friend to play with, which Gideon knew Michael was happy about.

Watching the crowds as they chatted, while glasses of champagne were being passed around, Gideon felt Michael's arm slide around her waist as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"Are you okay?" he murmured softly in her ear.

"It was just so beautiful," she breathed, "I've never been to a wedding before."

Surprise filled his voice, "Really?"

Turning to look at him she gave a quick shrug, "I didn't have a family or a group of friends like this. Not until I met you."

Michael brushed a quick kiss to her lips, "Well, I'm honoured to be your date for your first wedding."

Gideon laughed leaning into him, she loved how corny he could be at times. From the moment they'd met Gideon was taken by the way Michael treated all those in his life he cared for. His mother had impressed on him that he should always cherish what he deemed precious and Gideon knew every day that she was precious to him.

"Daddy," Jonas' voice pulled him away from their embrace, Michael gave her a quick smile before he let the little boy move him to look at the ducks on a pond over the fence.

Gideon watched her boyfriend and his son together with a smile. They'd been a couple for just over six months and living together for two. She loved them both more than she knew was possible. Falling for Michael was the first time she'd truly known what it was like to belong somewhere.

"I cannot believe how beautiful it is today," Katrina appeared at her side, "Considering the rain yesterday."

Gideon smiled, "It is a lovely day. Perfect for them and Ellie looks beautiful."

Katrina nodded, "I know, she's practically glowing."

"Ali also looks gorgeous as her Maid of Honour," Gideon added.

A smile touched Katrina's lips, "Yes, she does. But we both know, like you, Ali could wear a bin bag and look amazing."

Gideon smiled at her, "How long do you think it will take for pictures?"

"A while," Katrina noted.

"Then we should get some champagne," Gideon suggested.

Sliding her arm through Gideon's, Katrina grinned, "Sounds fantastic."

x

Rip wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's waist holding her close on the dancefloor when a slow romantic song began to play. Jonas was fast asleep curled up on the couch under Rip's jacket while Maggie sat watching over him.

"Have I mentioned how beautiful you look today?" Rip murmured making Gideon blush slightly, the way she always would when he complimented her.

"You did," she sighed softly, "But I always like hearing it."

"I'll take note," Rip chuckled, holding her closer enjoying the way her body fitted perfectly against his. Briefly his mind flitted across the thought of Gideon being in the white dress. They hadn't even been together for a year and he never thought he would ever contemplate marriage again after losing Miranda but falling for Gideon had changed his mind.

They continued to dance together, and when the music changed a tap on his shoulder made him turn.

"Sorry, Michael," Bobby said, "But this is our song."

Gideon laughed and took Bobby's hand who spun her around, Rip headed back to their table and slid into his seat taking a quick drink before he checked on Jonas. Rip smiled seeing that his little boy was still fast asleep despite the noise in the hall. Leaning back he watched Gideon dance with Bobby, she laughed every time he spun her and Rip could happily watch her all night.

"At least now when you have that dopey look on your face," Katrina's voice made him turn to her, "You've actually admitted how you feel about her."

Rip rolled his eyes.

Katrina chuckled as she wrapped her arms around his, "You know I was surprised that you asked her to move in so fast. Considering how long it took you two to get yourself together."

"It was just right," Rip noted.

Resting against his shoulder, she smiled, "And things are going well?"

Rip nodded, "Yes. It's almost like we've always lived together how easily she fit in. Jonas loves that Gideon is living with us now. They've got their own routines and games without me."

Katrina chuckled, "She's amazing with him. You really lucked out meeting her."

Rip smiled, "Yes, I did."

x

Gideon helped Michael change the unconscious Jonas into his pyjamas before they put him into the small bed in the corner of their hotel room. Gideon changed into her nightwear, removing her make-up and brushing her teeth before sliding in beside her boyfriend.

Michael pulled her close and Gideon let out a soft sigh.

"It was a wonderful day," she murmured, cuddling close to him.

Michael kissed her temple, "It was. Made so much better by having you here."

Looking up at him, Gideon smiled, "Today was the first wedding I have ever attended. I have a wonderful group of friends and a little boy I adore. Falling in love with you was the best idea I've ever had."

Brushing her lips to his Gideon slid onto him, Michael's arms wrapped around her holding her close their kiss deepening. They parted slowly and Gideon let out another sigh resting her head against his shoulder.

"I love you too," Michael told her.

With a contented smile Gideon let herself drift off to sleep.

Rip juggled his keys and the three bags he was carrying, finally opening the door to his apartment. He was much later than he intended to be and grateful that Gideon had been able to pick Jonas up from school. It had surprised him how quickly they'd fallen into a rhythm, how they'd become a family so easily almost as if they were pieces of a puzzle that just slotted perfectly together.

"Hi," Gideon appeared a few seconds after he shut the door, giving him a quick kiss, "Jonas is asleep."

Rip grimaced, "I didn't think I was that late."

She squeezed his hand, "You aren't but he had a busy day. I left you dinner if you're hungry,"

He smiled, "That sounds great."

Putting his stuff in the small area of the living room he used as an office, Rip hung up his coat and headed into the kitchen. Gideon wasn't exactly the greatest cook in the world, despite her love of cooking shows, but she did her best and it was usually edible.

"You need to sign this for Jonas," Gideon placed a letter on the table beside him, "It's a permission slip for a trip to the planetarium that they need for tomorrow."

Rip frowned confused, "Why didn't you sign it?"

"Parents and Guardians only," Gideon stated, trying to sound nonchalant but not quite managing to keep the hurt out of her voice, "I don't count."

He grimaced, "That's not true."

"To the school," she clarified.

Catching her hand, he pulled her onto his lap, "I'll fix that. Jonas loves you, you're the only mother he's had his entire life."

"What about Katrina and Ali?" Gideon whispered, her head resting against his.

Rip held her tighter, "They're his fun aunts. Gideon, you're the one he goes to when he's tired or upset. When I asked him about you moving in here he was ecstatic because he knew he could get hugs from you whenever he wanted."

Gideon smiled, "I love him, Michael. I know he is your son but there are times I feel that…like he…"

"He's your son too," Rip whispered, "And I will fix it so that the school know this."

x

Jonas grinned when he saw Rip standing waiting for him to get out of school, running to his dad the little boy threw himself into Rip's arms for a hug.

"Why are you here?" Jonas asked, "And not Katrina."

Rip smiled and took his son's hand, "I thought we could have a chat while getting a snack."

Jonas nodded happily bouncing as they walked to the car. Rip took him to a small café and bought them both ice cream.

"I wanted to talk to you," Rip said softly, "About Gideon."

A small frown touched the little boy's face, "Why?"

"It's not bad," Rip assured his son, "I know how much you love Gideon and you're very happy that she lives with us now."

Jonas nodded.

"What would you think if I asked Gideon to marry me?" Rip questioned his son, "So she became a part of our family officially."

A small grimace touched Jonas face, "Is she not our family already?"

"She is," Rip replied, "But this would mean we would have a party with all our friends, just like Ellie and Ian did, to tell them all that we're a family."

Jonas mused on this for several minutes before asking, "Would that make her my mummy?"

His breath caught in Rip's throat because he hadn't even thought of that, "Is that what you want?"

Jonas nodded before whispering, "Would it make my angel mummy sad?"

"No," Rip assured him, "I know that your mum…angel mummy is so happy we found Gideon to love us and I'm sure Gideon will be overjoyed for you to call her mummy."

Jonas grinned and gave him a nod, "We should ask her."

"Okay," Rip ruffled his son's hair, "But we have to keep this a secret for now. Can you do that for me?"

With a big grin Jonas nodded again.

x

Gideon was getting suspicious of her boyfriend. He had been acting odd for the past few days, secretive but so was Jonas. The little boy would whisper to Michael every so often who would smile before hushing his son. She knew Michael was up to something, he was not the best liar in the world, but she also knew he would never do anything to hurt her.

"How about we go out for dinner tonight?" Michael asked suddenly.

Gideon frowned, "Why?"

He shrugged and kissed her cheek, "It's Saturday and I don't feel like cooking."

Rolling her eyes Gideon chuckled, "Alright. Where do you want to go?"

"Clover," Jonas cried.

Michael nodded with a smile, "That's a great idea. I'll call Sam and make sure we can get a table."

"I'll change," Gideon noted, "Jonas, come on you need a clean t-shirt too."

The little boy bounced off his seat and followed her through to his bedroom.

x

Rip held Jonas' hand as they reached Clover, Sam and Kelly were more than happy to help him with his plan. Reaching into his pocket he felt the ring box sitting there. He'd taken Katrina with him to find it, she had worked out the size of Gideon's ring finger for him and helped him choose the perfect ring.

"Hi," Kelly greeted them when they walked in, "Your table is ready. Follow me."

Rip couldn't stop his smile at Gideon's confused look when they were escorted into one of the private rooms.

"What…" she started trailing off as she saw the room set up filled with roses, her favourite flower, with a bottle of champagne on the table.

The door closed leaving the three of them alone.

"Michael?" Gideon turned to him confused, "What's going on?"

With his son at at his side Rip pulled out the ring and got down on his knee, trying not to laugh when Jonas did the same.

"Gideon Ryder," he caught her hand, "You came into our lives and made everything better. We love you. Will you marry me?"

Before she could say anything, Jonas added his question just as Rip had practiced with him, "And be my mummy?"

Tears filled Gideon's eyes, she managed to nod after a few moments, "Yes."

Rip stood, pulling Jonas up and slid the ring onto her finger. He kissed her quickly, letting Jonas to hug her tightly before he wrapped his arms around them both.