Two days later, Cassandra woke up and looked at the clock. When she saw what time it was, she sprung out of bed and shook Nick.
"Nick! Wake up! The wedding, we're gonna be late!" she screamed.
"Huh? Oh no! Let's go!" They both threw on their clothes from yesterday that were on the floor, and ran down the hallway.
"Nicole! Isabella! We're gonna be late, get up!"
"Go away," said Isabella.
"Bella, you're getting married today! Get up!"
"I am? Seriously? No kidding!" Isabella and Nicole got up, and Cassandra threw some clothes at them.
Ten minutes later, the four of them arrived at the church.
"Where have you guys been?" Brian greeted them at the entrance.
"Nice to see you too, Frick," said Nick.
"Sorry, Frack. Good morning, now where have you been?"
"We overslept," said Cassandra. Brian was already dressed in his tux.
"Okay, come on Nick we gotta get you ready! You are the best man!" said Brian.
"I know, I know. I'm always the best man!" he said smirking.
"It's okay Brian, don't let his little act fool you!" said Cassandra laughing.
"I'll get you later!" Nick called back to her as Brian dragged him away to their dressing room. Cassandra grabbed Isabella and Nicole's hands and dragged them down the hallway and into their dressing room.
"Where have you been?" Howie asked as he saw Brian drag Nick into the dressing room. Angel was fixing his tie.
"We overslept," Nick replied.
"Oh rough night last night, huh?" Howie asked with a smirk on his face.
"Howie!" Brian said.
"No, it's an honest question," Nick said, "but no. I actually got some sleep last night! And I thought that this was the guys' dressing room?"
"Okay Nick, I get your drift!" said Angel. "Not like you guys have anything I haven't seen before." They all looked at Howie.
"Don't you guys look at me like that!" Howie said laughing. "Why don't you guys worry about Nick's clothes, ooh, and Nick's hair!"
"Ooh, I didn't even notice his hair!" Brian said. "We have our work cut out for us! Dr. Dorough, get me, the hair gel!"
"Yes Dr. Littrell!"
"Oh Cassandra, you look so beautiful in that dress. I am going to have Austin buy it for you instead of just renting it. He couldn't pay to keep them all so he just bought my dress and the rest he rented," Isabella said while Cassandra put up her hair for her.
"Thank you, but I could never accept," Cassandra said finishing Isabella's hair, and starting on her own.
"Oh you must! Don't be silly!" Isabella said slipping into her dress. "What do you think?" she asked her sister.
"Heaven couldn't even try to make a sight more beautiful and graceful as you," A.J. said opening the dressing room door.
"I think I will go check on the guys," Cassandra said giving her a sly grin. Isabella laughed a little.
"Me too," said Mariah, Emalia, Mercedes, and Nicole, following Cassandra out of the dressing room and into the guys dressing room.
"Hey guys, we've come to see how much help you need," said Cassandra.
"Actually, we're doing quite fine, thank you," said Nick walking up to her. "That dress looks so good on you."
"Why thank you, you don't look so bad yourself. Hey, who's to thank for the wonderful job they did on chiselling Nick's hair back to normal?"
"That would be Dr. Dorough, and Dr. Littrell," said Brian.
"Well then, you guys did a good job!" Cassandra said laughing. Nick moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Once again, we are the best, Mrs. Carter," he said to her.
"Yup, we are the maid of honor, and best man, Mr. Carter," she replied smiling.
"Doesn't this remind of you of our wedding?"
"Yeah, a little."
Just then Lucy came into the dressing room, carrying a baby. "Lucy! What are you doing here?" Cassandra said.
"I just came to see A.J.," she replied.
"Oh yeah? Who's that?" Cassandra said referring to the child.
"This is Adrian-James. I just call him A.J. I named him after his father."
"His what?" Cassandra yelled pulling out of Nick's grip and walking up to Lucy.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a father to find." Lucy walked out of the room smiling to herself.
"Brian, we have some work to do," Cassandra said to Brian. "We're going to the hospital to find the real paternity of that child. I don't believe this!"
"Do you think that we can do it in such a short amount of time?"
"I hope so."
"What about me? Do you need me to help?" Nick asked.
"No. You have to stay here. You're the best man. They could easily find a replacement for me, but I'll be back in time. If I'm not, they don't want to be missing both the maid of honor, and the best man. I promise that we'll try to hurry." She put her hands on his face and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Wish us luck. Come on Brian. We've got to hurry."
"A.J. what are you going here?" Isabella said remembering that she didn't give him an invitation.
"Austin invited me, something about walking Mariah down the aisle," A.J. continued closing the door.
"Oh, he chose you, did he?"
"Yeah, listen I am not here to start anything, I just want you to know that I will always be here for you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I love you and I always will and I know you feel the same way."
"I think you'd better leave."
"Just hear me out, okay?"
"Fine, you have two minutes. Trust me, I'm in a good mood, I'm being generous with my time."
"He could never love you like I do. Maybe our past has changed me, I wouldn't play around with you, you must know my love is true. I wish that I could hold you here forever to make you feel my love. You are the closest to heaven I'll ever be. I see your future and it's tied to mine. I'll be waiting for you inside my heart. If he ever hurts you, call my name and I'll be there. Run to the arms of the one who loves you. My arms are strong and they will keep you warm. I would give anything for just one more night with you and to feel your warm body next to mine."
Isabella took a deep breath. "Oh A.J., that's a very sweet thing to say, but it's not going to make me change my mind about marrying Austin."
"I am not trying to break you two up."
"Then what are you trying to do?"
"I'm trying to tell you to be true to your heart. Don't marry Austin just because you want revenge against me for something I didn't do. If you love him, and I mean truly love him like I thought you loved me, then go ahead and marry him. Follow your heart, not your head."
Just then Lucy came into the room.
"Lucy! You get the hell out of here!" screamed Isabella.
"I just needed to find A.J. and show him his son. I call him A.J. after his father, but his real name is Adrian-James."
"Oh God, not again. Lucy, get out of here. This is just another one of your stupid pranks!"
"No it's not."
Isabella ignored her and turned back to A.J. "A.J., you know I wouldn't be here if I didn't love Austin."
"Well, I know things have been hard for you and all and I just want to make sure that you're happy."
"Well, that is very considerate of you. Now if you don't mind I have to get ready for a wedding."
"Sure, I understand, but I am not leaving."
"Excuse me?"
"I am not leaving until you believe me when I say that I was not cheating-"
"A.J. don't start this again!"
"I want to be with you, it's crazy but it's true."
"A.J., in my heart I see that you're not being true to me. Deep within my soul, I feel that nothing is like it used to be."
"It could be-"
"No, stop. You're tearing us apart."
"We are apart."
"I wish I knew you were like this before you got into my heart."
"Until you face the truth, I am not going to budge."
"If you didn't hear me, I said that A.J. you are the fath-"
"No Lucy!" said Cassandra walking into the room followed by Brian.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy tried to ask innocently.
"Brian and I just got back from the hospital. Lucy's baby is Austin's."
"What?" said Isabella. "No!"
"It's true. Austin lied. You can even ask Brian."
"You don't have to. I plan on telling the truth, but only if Isabella will break off the wedding and get Austin to marry me!"
"Okay, she will," offered A.J.
"A.J.!" screamed Isabella.
"What?" said A.J.
"The baby is A.J.'s!" said Lucy. Cassandra walked up to her and slapped her across the face.
"You....oh you jerk!"
"Okay, calm down girls," said A.J.
"Shove it, A.J."
"Fine!" cracked Lucy. "Fine! My baby belongs to Austin. But you know, I know who haunted the beach house, and beat up Emalia, and who planned it all."
"Who? Who did it?" Cassandra asked.
"Which part?"
"The beach house."
"Well of course it was Bobby, Nathan and Matthew."
"Sure. Now who beat up Emalia and planned it all?" asked Cassandra, disbelievingly.
"I did and Austin planned it," Lucy said confidently.
"Bitch!" Cassandra slapped Lucy again, harder this time.
"Yes," said Lucy. She turned to Isabella. "That's how he picked you up right away when the guys got back."
"But why?"
"It's all Cassandra's fault!"
"My fault?" said Cassandra.
"Yeah. Austin didn't want you to go and help Isabella to find out that she doesn't really love him."
"I don't believe any of this!" said Isabella.
"Believe it, and if you feel stupid now, just wait."
"Oh God, what?"
"I threw myself on A.J. that day. Even you should know that he would never cheat on you again."
"I hate you!" screamed Isabella. A.J. rushed over to her and held her back.
"Just let her go!" said Cassandra. A.J. did as she told him to and let Isabella go. Isabella went up to Lucy and grabbed the kid. She handed him to Brian and started to punch Lucy. Mercedes opened the door a crack, but not enough to see what was going on.
"Wedding starts in three minutes," she said and closed the door.
"Oh, all right," said Cassandra.
"Get out of here! You aren't aloud. You are uninvited. Plus you are ruining my wedding! This is supposed to be a happy day for me!"
"I'll see you all out there. Lucy, let me kick you out of this church," said A.J.
"Give me my baby back," she said. Brian handed her the baby, and A.J. started to escort Lucy out of the room.
"A.J.?" Isabella said.
"Yeah?" he said.
"I believe you. I'm sorry it has to end this way."
"I couldn't see that I was so blind to let you go. I can't escape the pain inside. Remember me, always, because someday you will need me. Stop acting like my accusations take you by surprise." With that he walked out of the room.
"I won't need you! I have someone who loves me!" she yelled after him.
"No you don't," said Cassandra walking out of the room followed by Brian.
"Shit," said Isabella.
"Magic time!" Mercedes said tapping on the door.
"Yeah, yeah."
The music started and the doors opened at the beginning of the aisle. Austin and Nick who were already at the end, looked up. Cassandra was the first one to start down the aisle. When she saw Nick, she smiled, this reminded her of her wedding. Then Mercedes and Brian, Nicole and Jonathan, Kevin and Emalia, Howie and Angel, and then last, Mariah and A.J. walked down the aisle.
When Isabella came to the door, everyone stood up. Isabella started down the aisle, her thoughts racing about what just happened only five minutes ago. She reached Austin and took his hand, and the priest started the ceremony.
**Thirty minutes later**
"If there is any person," said the priest, "who can find good cause as to why these two people should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace-"
"I object!" said A.J., finally speaking up.
"What are your reasonings?" the priest asked.
"I love the bride."
"Well, I'm sorry, but I don't think that is a good enough reason."
"Then what is? God damn it, tell me what is then!" Austin was getting nervous.
"I think that is enough," said the priest. The priest continued and recited the vows.
"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
"I do," said Austin.
"And do you, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
Isabella was thinking, and she wasn't paying attention.
"What? Can you, uh, repeat the question?" she asked.
"Do you want to marry Austin or not? It's a simple question," said the priest.
"Oh, I, um, d-d-do-" she paused. "Not!" Everyone in the church gasped.
Cassandra threw her hands in the air, and screamed, "Yes!" She looked around at everyone staring at her. She slowly lowered her hands and said, "I did not just say that." She started to nervously bite her nails when she saw Nick's expression which was almost laughing but also in disbelief.
"Oh dear God," said Brian and he too started to bite his nails. Nick moved over to A.J. and whispered to him.
"A.J., what did you give her to do that?" Nick asked him. "And it better have been money-"
"Oh Nick, you know that week that you were gone?" said A.J. winking at Nick.
"What?" said Nick wide eyed.
"Chill man! I was just joking."
"Dude, don't play around with me like that!"
"Buddies?"
"It's cool man."
"Don't? You don't?" said Austin.
"I don't know!" replied Isabella.
"You either do or you don't," said the priest. "Do, don't, do don't-what's it going to be?"
"Don't!" yelled Isabella running down the aisle, and out of the church.
"I give up," said the priest. A.J. ran after her. He ran out of the church, and saw Isabella on a bench on a tiny green outside the church.
"Hey," he said to her. Isabella quickly wiped her eyes.
"Hey."
"I know I am probably the last person that you want to see right now, but I had to support my favorite girl."
"I am flattered in all, but I just want to be alone." A.J. went over to her and put his arms around her.
"I know, but I am not going to walk away. I never have and I never will."
"Now you know that's not true," said Isabella. "And I hope that you're happy. I ruined my wedding for you."
"Why?"
"Don't you get it?"
"Get what?" Isabella stood up.
"I couldn't marry Austin because I don't love him, or at least not the way that I love you."
"Did I hear you say that you want my love again? Are you ready to reclaim your prize?"
"I don't A.J."
"Don't you want to be more than just friends? I know that you think if we move too soon, it will all end. Having you running in and out of my live, has got me so confused. Let me hold you close, I won't let go."
"Is that all that you think about? Your own selfish emotions and pride? Well I've got news for you, i have emotions too. I just broke my damn marriage for you and this is your gratitude?"
"I give you plenty of gratitude!"
"A.J., a condom gives me better gratitude."
"Let's not fight."
"Fighting. I have not yet begun to fight."
"Damn it! Be my lover, I need you."
"Fine, I will be your lover."
"Seriously?"
"Sure."
"Woo hoo!" Just then Cassandra and Nick walked up to them.
"Okay, what did I miss?" she asked.
"I'm A.J.'s lover," replied Isabella.
"Isn't that great?"
"Thrilling," said Cassandra. "Isabella, can I talk to you? Now?"
"Sure, bye sweets," Isabella said to A.J. and kissed him. Cassandra dragged her away from A.J.
"What the hell is going on?" she asked her sister.
"I love A.J., what's the big deal?"
"You sure he's the one?"
"Of course!"
"Well, then I support you totally."
"Thanks."
"A.J. is my fighting buddy, why wouldn't I?" she said smiling. Isabella walked back over to A.J.
"Come on, get me out of this gown."
"Okay!" A.J. sweeped her off of her feet and into his arms, and carried her into the dressing room.
"That was a little strange," Cassandra said to Nick.
"A little? That was very strange. Especially your little outburst!" he said laughing.
"Very funny, Nick. Ha ha!" said Cassandra.
"I guess that we should go tell everyone that the wedding's officially off."
"Yeah, I guess." Cassandra linked her arm around Nick's, and they both walked inside the church.
"A.J., you can put me down now," said Isabella in the dressing room. "I know how I feel, I want to be with you."
"Ever since the first day I saw your face, I knew that you were the one for me."
"Can you unzip my gown?" He unzipped her gown just so she could reach it herself, and he turned around. "Can you hand me a shirt?" He handed her a shirt. "Can you please leave for a second?" A.J. nodded his head and walked out of the room.