All the people present in the church turned to face Nick who was fiddling with the zipper on his sweatshirt. Embarrassed by all the peoples stares and evil looks he lowered his glance to the floor, every once in a while looking up to see Carrie’s reaction.

“Excuse me...” Howie said as he stood up from his seat, walked up to nick and grabbed him by the hood of the sweatshirt.
“Hey D.” Nick said.
“Hi Nick. What are you doing?” Howie smiled, trying to hide his anger.
“You know, just enjoying the soothing environment of the church.”
“I see and what was the meaning of that little ‘I object’ speech you gave?”
“Um...I slipped?” Nick questioned himself.
“Nick, I think it’s time you stopped lying because what you did right now has consequences. I’m not trying to be mean here and lecture you because I’m sure this has some sort of reasoning. I doubt you just felt like wrecking Carrie’s wedding. What about Serenity?”
“I closed the door on that relationship. Quite literally.”
“What?” Howie asked, confused.
“Nothing, long story. She was lying to me. I could see it in her eyes.” Nick confessed.
“And you decided to come here because?”
“The last time I felt true love was when I first bumped into Carrie at that vending machine.”
“Go for it.” Howie simply said and moved to give Nick full access to the aisle.

He walked with stride and confidence, ignoring the different reactions people were giving him. Some seemed as if they were ready to kill him and others were moved by the romantic gesture.
“Aren’t you going to do something?” Spencer nudged Carrie.
“What am I supposed to do?” She said, secretly not wanting to do anything.
“I don’t know. Stop him! He is your friend.” Spencer claimed.
“Fine. I’ll do something.” She nodded and let go of his hands, moving a few steps forward to greet Nick.
“What took you so long?” She asked with a smile.
“And we’re out.” He said as he picked her up and carried her out of the church.
“I’m REALLY sorry Spence, this just wasn’t right to begin with.” She yelled from afar.

Destiny licked her lips, deep in thought. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to smile but she couldn’t help herself. The giggles were attacking her.
“I don’t see what you’re laughing about.” Spencer said coldly.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m really sorry.” Destiny said sincerely.
“And that’s why you laughing?”
“I know it’s insensitive. I’ll stop.” She forced herself to quite down.
“Damn right you will after all this IS your fault.” Spencer continued.
“How is this my fault?”
“You’re the one who got her the job. You’re the one who took her away from me for five months. Without you, she would have stayed with me and I would have been a married man by now instead of allowing some Backstreet Boy freak to embarrass me in front of all my friends.”
“I think you’re doing a great job at that by yourself.” Coral whispered.
“Get over yourself, Spencer. Carrie and Nick met when I was still in the friggin hospital bed. Did you ever stop and think that maybe their meeting was destiny? Maybe they were just meant to be.” She didn’t mean to rub in what just happened but she couldn’t help herself. Destiny didn’t like people attacking her for no reasons. It was just a reflex to fight back. She wasn’t going to get hurt, if anyone he was.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” He lunged at her.
He managed to tackle her and she was on the floor, unable to escape from his strong grip. She tried to kick him and put to use those self defense classes she took over and over again but the gown was disabling her from moving.
“Get off of me!” Destiny shrieked. She finally felt the weight of his body being lifted off of her. She sat on the floor, trying to gather her thoughts together. She looked up and saw Howie holding off her offender.

“I think the more appropriate question is, what the hell is wrong with you?” Howie asked, refusing to use violence against violence.
“Let go of me.” Spencer yelled, trying to elbow Howie.
“I don’t think so.” Howie said, not loosening his grip one bit.
“Hand him over. I think I’ll escort him outside.” Kevin said as he approached the scene.
“I’ll be glad to.” Howie replied. Spencer’s face was returning to its normal color and he shook of Kevin and mumbled something like ‘I’m ok’. As he walked toward the exit doors, many people joined him. They hovered over him and asked for his state. Others, mostly from Carrie’s side, walked up to Destiny to get the 411 on her well being.
“How are you, doll?” Howie asked as he embraced the shivering figure, still situated on the floor.
“I’ll be okay.” She tried to smile.
“Des, it’s not your fault.”
“I know it’s not. Thanks for getting him off me.”
“Anytime.” Howie squeezed her tight and wiped away some of her tears. He handed her the handkerchief that was hanging from the front pocket of his tuxedo. She accepted it and wiped her eyes. Destiny took a deep breath, leaned on Howie and stood up.
“I’m alright. No harm done. But now, I need to get the hell out of this dress and go find that crazy friend of ours.” Destiny said and grabbed Coral’s hand, they both went to the back room to change into some of the overnight clothes they brought last night to Carrie’s house.
“That was amazing.” A girl tapped Howie on the shoulder.
“It was nothing...” Howie blushed.
“Are you kidding me? I’m sure my sister would be very appreciative.” The girl smiled
“Your sister?” He questioned.
“Yeah, uh the supposed bride.”
“You’re Carrie’s sister?”
“Guilty of the crime mentioned above. I didn’t ask for it though. My parents just decided to have another baby without asking me. I’m Ashley.”
“Nice to meet you.” He offered his hand.
She took it and shook it lightly.
“Likewise...so you’re one of the guys my sister got to spend all those months with. Lucky girl she is.”
Howie blushed again.
“You don’t take compliments too well, do you?” She found it amusing.
“I guess not...” Howie agreed and laughing along with her.

A loud repetitive knock was heard on the McLean’s household’s door. Inside, AJ and Denise were sitting around the dining room table discussing any topic that crossed their mind. Denise shook her head, wondering who could be at the door. She slowly pushed her seat back in order to get up.
“I’ll be right back.” she said and walked over to the front door.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Denise yelled as the knock continued. She opened the door to find Serenity looking distressed.
“Serenity!” Denise asked with surprise. She opened her arms for a hug.
Serenity tried her best to smile and unwillingly gave the woman a hug.
“Is Alex here?” Serenity asked.
“Yeah, he’s back there.” Denise pointed toward the dining room.
“Thanks.”
“It’s great to see you again.” Denise said.
“Yeah, you too.” Serenity said, indifferent to the conversation.

“Renity, what are you doing here? I thought you had a doctor’s appointment.” AJ asked as he pulled out a chair for his girlfriend.
“What do ya know, it got canceled.” She shrugged.
“So you came over here?”
“Sure looks like it, doesn’t it.” Serenity said as she poured herself some water from the jug on the table.
“I kinda have obligations, Serenity. I can’t just leave.”
“I never asked you to.”
Denise returned to the room with some refreshments. She put them on the table and sat back down. It’s been a while since she’s seen Serenity. Ever since AJ started his career with the Backstreet Boys she hadn’t come around as often as she did when his life was still ‘normal.’
“So Serenity, what brings you around here?” Denise asked.
“Ma, I forgot to tell you something.” AJ said.
“What?”
“Serenity and I are dating.” He sais quickly.
“You’re what?” His mother looked shocked.
“We’re dating.” He repeated.
“On the risk of sounding redundant, you’re WHAT?”
“Is this some sort of problem?” Serenity rolled her eyes and took another sip of water.
“Weren’t you dating Destiny?”
“Yeah, well. Things change.” AJ cringed as he heard the name of his ex.
“Destiny cheated on him.” Serenity said.
“She did what?” Denise asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, with one of the crew members.” Serenity butted in again.

“Anyway, I was wondering if I could borrow your son?” Serenity asked sweetly.
“Yeah, sure, ok...” Destiny said, still trying to swallow the news she just heard.
“Great, thanks.” Serenity flashed a bright smile and grabbed AJ’s hand.

“AJ! Phone!” Denise ran out the door, following the couple that just left.
“Who is it?” He asked while Serenity nuzzled her head into his neck.
“Destiny.” Denise replied.
“What does that bitch want?” Serenity asked as she started massaging her boyfriend’s back.
“Ren, let me go.” he pealed her hands off of his body and ran back into his mother’s house.
“Is she really on the phone?” He inquired.
“Yeah.” Denise nodded and handed him the phone.
“Hello?”
“Alex, hey.” Destiny’s voice was heard.
“Hi. What do you want?” He said, trying to sound as cold as possible.
“Yeah I was just wondering if you knew where Nick was.” She ignored his attitude.
“Why would I know where Nick is?”
“He didn’t call you and tell you about his little plan?” Destiny asked.
“No...” AJ asked, puzzled.
“He burst in on Carrie’s wedding and uh, they both escaped.”
“Sorry...I can’t help.” AJ said.
“It’s okay.”
“Yeah, so...”
“It’s good to hear your voice again.”
“Same here.” He slowly lost his attitude and fell to her charm.

“Alex, I just need to tell you something.”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t cheat on you.”
“Des, I don’t want to talk about this.”
“No, you NEED to know that I didn’t cheat on you.”
“What different does it make, anyway?” He shrugged.
“It means everything. We’re supposed to be together.”
“Destiny...you hurt me.”
“And you hurt me. But at least I had a reason to be hurt.” She insisted.
“What is that supposed to mean? You kissed a guy and who knows what else you did with him”

“I don’t believe you actually think I cheated on you.”
“Destiny, god damnitt, I could hang up this phone the very minute.”
“Why? Because you can’t handle the truth?”
“Destiny, we’re done. There is no us anymore.”
“That’s because you decided there isn’t going to be us anymore. If you just listened to me, then there could be us again and we’d be fine. We’d be better than we were before.”
“Let it go. I have.”
“What does that mean?”
“Destiny, I’m dating Serenity.” His voice not even trembling.
“You’re what?”
“Why does everyone say that??” He asked, frustrated.
“Maybe because it’s the biggest mistake you ever made.”
“No, the biggest mistake I ever made was...”
“Don’t even say it!” She interrupted.
“What? I was going to say dying my hair red. It turned pink after a while.”
“Oh...ok.” She sighed with relief.
“What did you think I was going to say?”
“Random curiosity?”
“Something like that.”
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
“Say it.” He demanded.
“I thought you were going to say dating me.”
“Destiny, I might be mad but you and me weren’t a mistake. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Those months were amazing. I’d never regret getting involved with you. I just regret the way it ended.”
“Then we can end it differently.”
“You can’t go back.”
“You can’t say that and then keep bringing back that Jordan incident which may I remind you wasn’t even my fault!”
“Destiny! I don’t know that!” He cried out
“You should believe me...”
“Okay if it makes you feel any better, then okay I believe you.” He lied
“You do?”
“Sure. Can I let you go now? I’m going out.”
“Yeah...tell Serenity I said rot in hell.”
“I don’t think so, doll. Bye Des.”
“Bye.” She sighed at the pet name and hung up the phone.

“That conversation lasted longer than I expected.” Coral said and turned on the air conditioning in the car they were sitting in.
“I know. I was expecting it to go something like ‘Hi AJ.’ and him going ‘Bye Destiny’ and hanging up on me.” Destiny admitted as she ran her hand through her hair.
“Yeah, to be frank me too.”
“You guys!” Brian knocked on the car’s window, interrupting their conversation.
“Yeah?” Destiny asked as she looked down at the buttons on the arm of her seat. She tried opening the window by her side but instead ended up opening the back right window. She closed that one and again opened the wrong window.
“Damn technology.” She swore
“Is this going to take long?” Brian looked amused and pointed to his watch.
“Nah, let me help our technology challenged friend here.” Coral leaned over Destiny and opened the right window.
“Thank you.” Destiny said and turned to Brian.
“I think I know where Nick is.” Brian said.
“Jump in.” Destiny said.
“Alrighty then.” He opened the back door of the car and jumped in.
“Where to sir?”
“Airport.”
“Why would they be at the airport?” Coral asked
“I was standing around the whole Spencer commotion and apparently she has the tickets to their honeymoon destination. I’m guessing they might plan on going on that trip, on his expense.” Brian laughed at the thought.
“They wouldn’t...” Coral said
“Yeah, they would.” Destiny concluded
“Heck, I would.” Brian said.
“Lemme change my answer cuz I would too.” Coral agreed.

Destiny parked the car the closest she could get to the airport. The three people jumped out of the car and started running maniacally to the entrance, bumping into things and people on their way. When they were finally in the building, Coral and Destiny started looking at every desk.
“Hold up a minute.” Destiny said
“Wha?”
“Bri...where are they going?” Destiny asked.
“I don’t know.” He said quietly
“Okay, someone buy us 3 tickets.”
“To?”
“Alaska for all I care.”
“Aiite.” Coral said as she walked over to the American Airlines booth.
“Whoa wait a minute.” Brian said to Destiny as he raced over to a young couple standing on the other side of the airport.
“Nick!” Brian said as he jumped on the man’s shoulders and did a karate move just as the man turned around
“Um sorry. my bad.” Brian apologized as he backed away from the stranger.
“Who was that?” Destiny asked.
“I thought it was someone I know.”
“Oh...and it wasn’t?”
“Nope.”
Destiny simply nodded and started tapping her foot on the floor. She moved her weight from one foot to the next, unable to patiently wait for Coral to return.
“Des?” She felt someone tapping her on the shoulder
“Carrie!” Destiny yelled excitedly as she jumped up and down at the sight of her friend.
“Hey...I gotta go though.” Carrie said
“You what?”
“I’m going to Paris. I thought I saw you here so I came over.”
“You’re going to Paris?”
“Yeah, why waste the honeymoon trip?”
“Maybe because you didn’t get married?”
“I wasn’t ready to anyway.”
“Then why’d you agree to marry him?”
“I really don’t know. I love Nick. You have to believe me.”
“And you’re going away with him?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay...Call me every once in a while, will ya?” Destiny hugged her friend.
“I will. I just think we need to get away from all the phone calls I’m going to get about my runaway bride syndrome.”
“Smart move.”
“I know.” She winked.
They both looked over to Brian who was waving his hands in the air, trying to get Nick’s attention.
“I’ll tell him you say hi.” Carrie said with amusement.
“I guess that would be easier.” Brian answered and gave her a hug.
“I’ll see you guys soon.” She waved goodbye and walked towards customs.

“Was that who I think it is?” Coral returned to the group with three tickets in her hands.
“Yep. Where are the tickets to?”
“Back home...”
“You bought tickets to Massachusetts?”
“First thing that popped into my mind.”
“And it has nothing to do with Amber’s memorial service?”
“It’s a week away...” She trailed off.
“I know it is, Corz but I can’t go.” Destiny said truthfully.
“I got it for me and Carrie. She said she would go with me but I guess she isn’t.” Coral shrugged.
“Not unless you plan on taking a detour to Paris first.” Brian said.
“Oh well, guess I’ll return these.”
“No, you should go.” Destiny stated.
“Alone? I don’t do well with flying to begin with. I don’t think I could do it alone.”
“You know I would go with you, Corz but I just...” Destiny started.
“I’ll go.” Brian interrupted.
“You want to go with ME?” Coral asked with surprise.
“Coral, I’m over whatever happened between us. I’m fine, really. And Destiny’s right, you should go. It’s important.” Brian said.
“Wow! Thanks, I appreciate it. More than you’ll ever know.” Coral smiled.
“You two kids have fun.” Destiny said as she grabbed one of the tickets from the pile and went to return it.