I looked out at the marina while Brian came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Will you run away if I tell you I love you?" he asked, teasingly.
"I might consider it," I said, smiling.
"And why is that?" he laughed.
"Just to see if you'd come after me again."
"You know I would," he whispered. I laughed softly and sighed.
"You miss it here, don't you?" Brian asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked, trying to hide my feelings.
"Ever since we came up to Philadelphia you've been happier than I have ever seen you."
"That's because we were discussing wedding plans," I half-lied.
"Normal fiancées go insane when they're discussing last minute plans."
"I'm not normal and you know it."
"True," he said, laughing, "but admit it. You're happier here."
"I'm not 'happier' here, but I am happy. I still feel like a stranger back in Orlando. All my old memories are here. My sister and brother are here. It's not that I don't like Orlando. I mean, come on, how could I? I have you there and all of my friends are there. It's just that I miss this place so much. Philly, too. I miss being able to come here and relax when things get tough, which they usually did." I paused, sighing. "I'm just so confused."
"Don't be," he said. He turned me so I was facing him. "How about if I promise you that when we're not on tour, we'll visit your sister for a week or two every other month and we'll all come here for a few weeks in the summer." I looked at him, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"You'd do that for me?" I asked, quietly.
"I'd do anything for you," he said, kissing me softly. "I love you."
"I love you, too. And thank you."
"No problem," he said. "Besides, I have an expensive boat that has been sitting here and rotting ever since I met you."
"And that's my fault, how?" I asked, laughing.
"Y'know, we're all starting to feel rejected in here!" We looked over and saw Justin standing in the doorway, arms folded over his chest. Before I could respond, a hand reached out, clamped itself over Justin's mouth, and pulled him into the building.
"As you were!" Chris yelled. Brian and I laughed.
"We are ignoring our guests," I said. He agreed and we went inside, hand-in-hand. "Thanks for the 'wake-up call,' Just," I said to him when I found him inside.
"Just doing my job," he said proudly.
"I still don't like the fact that I've been down-graded to a job," I said, "but I can fix that later." As the rest of the guests filtered in, I looked around. It looked like there were hundreds of people! (Actually, there for one hundred and eighty-six to be exact.) Brian and I walked around, him introducing me to his family and friend and me introducing him to my high-school and college friends. There was classical music playing softly in the background. All of the sudden, the music stopped and a microphone was turned on.
"I'd appreciate it if everyone would get their place cards and find their seats," Kevin said into the mike. Brian and I took our seats in the center of a long table. Seated at our table were Justin, JC, Chris, Lance, Jessica, Joey, Nick, Rachel, Maribeth, AJ, Howie, Jamie, Joanne, and an empty seat for Kevin. As everyone took their seats, I glanced around the room. My eyes stopped on the table that held Jackie, "dad," Steven, Lindsey, Justin's mom and dad, Harold, Kevin's mom, and Kevin's brother's Jerald and Tim. Steven smiled and winked at me while Harold made a weird face. I giggled and looked at Kevin, who was standing on the dance floor. "Alex and Brian, can you two come up here for a moment?" he asked.
"Do I have to?" I whined, jokingly. Kevin gave me a stern look and I raised an eyebrow at him, following Brian onto the dance floor.
"You know," Kevin said to the crowd when we joined him, "these two make a very unique couple."
"Really?" Justin asked, sarcastically. I shot him a look that said "shut up."
"Yes, really," Kevin said, taking Justin's remark seriously. "Most couples have only one song. Brian and Alex seem to have two."
"Oh, lord," I groaned, rolling my eyes. This is gonna get interesting.
"Now, the rest of their friends and I had to come up with a way to mix both their songs for the first dance."
"Oh, no," Brian mumbled.
"Of course, being the uncreative people we are, we couldn't find a way to mix the two song," Kevin continued.
"Only you, Kevin, only you!" yelled Maribeth.
"So we got a better idea," said Kevin, ignoring Maribeth.
"This cannot be good," I whispered to him.
"Yes, it can," Kevin said, obviously overhearing what I said. Justin came over to us, followed by Chris, Joanne, Rachel, Jamie, and Maribeth. Kevin handed them microphones and the music started. As they began to sing "I'm Your Angel," Brian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I slid mine around his neck and we began to sway gently to the beat (surprisingly, the seven of them sounded good together). As they finished the first song, the beat of "Private Emotions" came on. I laid my head on Brian's chest, expecting to be serenaded by either Justin or Kevin. As soon as the words started, I lifted my head in surprise. I looked over Brian's shoulder to see Ricky Martin walking towards us. When he got to us, he gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"I was wondering why you said you couldn't come," I said, snuggling up to Brian. When Meja's (my) part came on, Jessica sang.
While the song came to an end, Justin started chanting "Kiss, kiss, kiss, . . ." Soon enough, all of our friends, including Brian and Kevin's brothers, were chanting along with them.
"I think we should give the audience what they want," Brian said.
"With all of your family watching?" I asked.
"They know I'm a big boy," he said, shrugging.
"I'm not sure they know you're that big a boy. All parents like to think of their children as babies forever."
"Oh well," Brian said. He leaned down and kissed me soft and long. Everyone who was chanting cheered and everyone else clapped. I smiled at Brian and turned to Ricky, talking to him for a few minutes, then showing him to his seat, which was with Will, Jada, and a few other people. The music started up again, this time playing the Macarena. Joanne grabbed my wrist and tried to drag me to the dance floor.
"Oh, no you don't," I said. "It's my wedding and I don't have to do anything I don't want to."
"Now, would you be able to go through life telling people you didn't do the Macarena at your own wedding?" she asked. I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to win this argument. On the way up, we got Jamie, Rachel, Maribeth, AJ, and Justin to come with. We were soon joined by Jessica, Joey, Chris, Brian, and Howie. When the song was over, we waited for the next one. After a few more songs, the Backstreet Boys "I'll Never Break Your Heart" came on.
"May I have this dance?" Kevin asked. I looked at Brian and he nodded as he asked Jessica to dance. She accepted and Joey danced with Joanne. I turned back to Kevin and wrapped my arms around his neck as his wrapped around my waist. We danced in silence for a few minutes, then I looked up at him, smiling mischievously.
"What?" he asked, suspiciously.
"I just realized that you're related to me and there's nothing you can do about it," I said.
"Oh, no," he groaned, rolling his eyes and laughing. "What has Brian gotten me into?"
"I'll see you everyday for the rest of your life," I said, teasingly. "There's also family reunions, and holidays, and . . ."
"Stop! Please!" he cried, jokingly. "I get the point. I'm gonna be in hell for the rest of my life."
"Not to mention the fact that you'll be marrying Joanne sometime soon and then we'll both be there for all of those happy events," I rambled on. "Just think of all the glorious times we'll have!"
"Glorious I don't know about," he said sarcastically. "Interesting might be the right word." I laughed. "Oh, and by the way."
"What?" I asked.
"Congratulations, cuz," he said, kissing my cheek.
"Hey! No hitting on my wife!" Brian yelled from a few people down, where he was dancing with Jessica.
"Mind your own business, Littrell," Kevin yelled back. "I'm workin' here." Brian laughed.
"What are you yelling at me for?" Harold yelled, jokingly, from where he was dancing with one of his cousins. We ignored him.
"I still don't know why I've been downgraded to a job," I mumbled. "By the way, Joanne's gonna kill you for that comment."
"It was just a joke," Kevin said. I looked at Joanne, who grinned evily.
"It was nice knowing ya," I said to Kevin as the song came to an end. I discreetly low-fived Joanne as I passed her and went over to Brian, who held out his arms to me. I stepped into them and kissed him lightly.
"Still seem unbelievable?" Justin asked as he came up to us.
"Yeah," I said. "Still feels like s dream."
"What feels like a dream?" Brian asked.
"Me and you, back together," I said, sighing against his chest.
"It does, but I'm glad it's not," he said, kissing the top of my head.
"Can I steal the blushing bride for a dance?" Justin asked Brian.
"Why do I have a feeling that I'm not gonna see you for the next few dances?" Brian sighed, letting go of me. I smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the lips as the slow number continued. I slipped into Justin's outstretched arms and wrapped mine around his neck. I took in a deep breath and smiled up at him.
"Wow," he said.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"I have known you for my entire life, right?" He asked.
"Umm, duh?" I said, laughing. "And you just realizing that, now?"
"No," he said, rolling his eyes.
"Justin Randall Timberlake, don't you dare roll your eyes at me!" I exclaimed, jokingly.
"Yes, mother."
"Ha, ha. Very funny."
"I thought it was," he said, smiling. "Anyway, like I was saying, I've known you for my entire life and I don't think I've ever seen you happier." I thought for a second.
"I don't think I've ever been happier," I admitted. "It's kind of scary."
"Why?"
"Because, what if all families are destined to the same fate?" I said. "I could die and leave Brian behind with six kids. He could go into a deep depression and beat one of them, taking two with him and disappearing."
"But, you could also marry happily and have two sons like his parents did," Justin pointed out.
"So it's a downside no matter what way I look at it."
"Why is marrying happily a downside?" he asked, confused.
"You think having a son like Harold is a good thing?" I asked, jokingly. "I mean, look at him." He turned his head to see Harold harassing Jessica and Maribeth.
"I see your point," Justin said, jokingly. Then he turned back towards me, his face serious. "Alex, c'mon. It's your wedding day. Think on the bright side. You and Brian are going to be happy. You got it? H-A-P-P-Y. Do you want me to spell it for you again?"
"I think I got it," I said, rolling my eyes. As the song ended, we went back over to Brian, who was talking with someone I didn't know, yet . . . she looked strangely familiar.
Must be a relative, I thought, as Justin and I walked over. "Hey, baby," I said, kissing Brian's cheek.
"Hey," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Alex, I'd like you to meet Ashley." I froze at the mention of her name.
"Hi," I managed.
"Hi," she said, shortly. I looked at Brian and he smiled down at me. I heard someone call my name. I looked over and saw Harold dancing wildly around his parents, his mother smiling at me. I went over to them and tapped Harold on the shoulder.
"May I have this dance?" I asked. He bowed low and put his arms around my waist. I put my hands on his shoulders and we began to sway to the music.
"Did you like my dancing skills?" he asked, proudly.
"Very . . . unique," I told him. He smiled proudly and I raise an eyebrow at him. After a few minutes, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Dad asked. I smiled at him and detached myself from Harold, who started dancing with his mother.
"Are you having a good time?" I asked him.
"How could I not be?" he asked, smiling. "Both my sons are enjoying themselves, Harold's only being mildly annoying, and I gained a great daughter-in-law." I smiled, embarrassed. "I'm also sure that my wife is happy. She always wanted another woman in the family. I also get a chance to show off my mad dancing skills." I laughed and looked over at Harold
"I hope you gave them to Brian and not to Harold," I joked. "His are certainly 'mad,' but not the type that I think anyone would want to show off." Mr. Littrell laughed and, after a few moments, the song ended. I looked around the room and saw Kevin waving me over. I said good-bye to Mr. Littrell and walked over to them.
"I see you noticed Ashley," he mumbled as I reached him, his brothers, Harold, Maribeth, Joanne, AJ, Justin, and Jada.
"You saw her, too?" I asked.
"Oh, c'mon," Maribeth said, rolling her eyes. "Who couldn't notice the silicone queen?" I laughed as she glared at the blond twit. I watched as Brian wandered away from Ashley and over to my brother and Lindsey.
"Well, it's my wedding day," I said. "I'll just ignore her."
"You might be able to ignore her tonight," Kevin said, sighing, "but I didn't like the looks of things when Brian broke it off with her."
"Why? What happened?"
"She vowed to get him back and basically said nothing would stop her," he said, watching as Ashley made her way over to the bar.
"I think we can deal with the blonde later," I said, smiling evily at Maribeth, who's grin mirrored mine.
"Follow me," Jada said, tugging at my arm. "I wanna show you something." All of us followed her over to a corner of the room. She pointed and I saw Will, talking to Ashley at the bar. Ashley had her back to us and Will looked at me and winked.
"So, you really don't think this marriage will work?" Will asked the blond.
"It shouldn't have happened in the first place," Ashley stated, taking a sip of her drink. "Brian loves me. He only did this as a publicity stunt."
"So, you think he married her to bring up his career?" Will asked, mock incredulously.
"Of course, though I don't see what good it will do. She's not exactly a good singer or anything."
"Well, you can think what you want, but what are you gonna do about it?"
"You want Alex, don't you?" Ashley asked, eyeing Will's face.
"Well, of course! I'd do anything to break up this marriage. She belongs to me." I gave him a questioning look and he just shrugged almost imperceptibly.
"You can have her as soon as I break this marriage apart," Ashley said.
"Well, if you want to do it soon, I think their honeymoon's somewhere up in Alaska."
"I think you're right," Ashley said. "I remember Brian always saying that he'd love to go there. I'll make a note to find out where."
"What are you planning to do about your wife?" Ashley asked, suspiciously. Will shrugged and smiled slightly.
"I'll think of something," he said, taking a sip of his drink. I smiled at Will.
"Good actor," I whispered to Jada. She nodded and stood up straight. Making a half-lap around the room, she went up to Will and "pried" him away from Ashley. As she was doing so, the rest of us went over to a table by the dance floor. When we got there, I looked at Maribeth and the two of us cracked up.
"What's so funny?" Maribeth and I jumped and turned to see Brian standing directly behind us.
"Nothing, honey," I said, kissing him on the cheek. The others snickered and I threw them a look that said "Talk, and you die!"
"C'mon," Brian said, clearly oblivious to the others, "I have a surprise for you."
"Too many surprises in one night can kill a person," I whined as he dragged me towards the dance floor.
"I think you'll like this one," he assured me.
"I liked the last one, but too many surprises can kill a person." He smiled at me and stopped me in the middle of the dance floor. I stood there looking stupid while he walked away. I looked around the room. I spotted Kevin and Joanne at the table and they were both looking at me. "Do you have any idea what he's up to?" I mouthed to Kevin. He shrugged and shook his head. I looked at Joanne, who was grinning at me like the Cheshire Cat. "You!" I mouthed. She nodded and wiggled her eyebrows. "I'm gonna kill you . . ." Just then, the music to "Anywhere For You" came on. I turned around to see Brian holding a microphone in his hand. My eyes started to well up with tears as he sung. He put an arms around my waist and I slid mine around his neck. We started to dance and soon we were joined by our guests. As the song ended, Brian looked down at me.
"I love you, Mrs. Littrell," he said, kissing the top of my forehead.
"I love you, too, Mr. Littrell."