“Brooke!” Ang called from across the room. “I think you forgot something!”

Brooke spun around, frantically. “What?” She noticed Ang in the doorway, grinning, while holding a garter. “Jesus Ang! Don’t do that to me. I’m already nervous enough!”

Krista laughed as she finished applying her lip gloss. “Why are you so nervous? You’re already married. What else can go wrong?”

The look on Brooke’s face was pricless. Pure fear. “Don’t answer that!” Krista cried, laughing.. “By the way, I think we’re missing a bridesmaid.”

“Check a bathroom stall or a closet,” Ang giggled. I’m sure you’ll find her lip-locked in there.”

“Oh Jesus,” Krista rolled her eyes. “I’ll get her.” She walked out of the brides’ room and went to find to find her. Spotting the guys standing outside of the church, she whistled, lowly. “Wow guys. Lookin’ hot. You clean up nicely.”

“Ha ha ha.” AJ deadpanned, before grinning. “But you look beautiful, darling.”

She kissed him, lightly on the lips. “Thanks babe.”

She glanced at the other three guys. “So, I see that there are two missing Backstreet Boys. Where’s the blond one?”

“Took off with his girlfriend about five minutes ago,” Brian laughed, clutching little Aidan’s hand. “They went that way.” Rolling her eyes again, Krista quickly gave AJ another peck and ran off in the direction that Brian pointed to.

“This way,” He pulled her behind a large bush that was up against the church. She giggled as he pulled on her waist and silenced her with a kiss. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I saw you standing there. God, you’re so beautiful.”

“Thanks babe,” She smiled. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“You know what I’m going to do when I get you home later?” He asked, raising his eyebrows up and down.

She groaned, playfully. “And what might that be? You do know that we have a three-year-old at home. I’m not sure that he would really appreciate what you have in mind.”

“Well,” Nick grinned. “I pulled a few strings and it looks like it’s just you and me tonight.”

“Pulled a few strings, huh?” Katelin questioned, her hands on her hips. “And what might those strings be?”

“Adrienne,” He replied, smiling proudly. “The other day she was complaining that she hadn’t seen him in a while so I called her up and asked if she minded having him spend the night. She of course didn’t mind and so now it’s just the two of us.”

Kate leaned up and kissed him softly. “You’re a genius.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Hey!” Krista barked, causing the two of them to jump. “You think you guys can separate yourselves for a few minutes. At least until the ceremony’s done. Do whatever you want during the reception.”

“We’re coming,” they chorused, following Krista back towards the front of the church.

“I’m going to go see how things are coming along outside,” Ang stated. “You want to come, Christine?”

Christine nodded. “Sure.” She turned towards Brooke. “You okay in here?”

Brooke nodded. “Yeah. Give me a few minutes. I need to relax.” Christine nodded and followed Ang out of the room. Brooke looked at herself in the mirror. She felt crazy for being so nervous. She and JC were already married. For eight months now. Legally at least. But they never had a real wedding. They were down right wasted when they did this the first time. Which would explain the fact that they could barely even remember it. But this was real. They would stand in front of family, friends, and God and pledge their love to each other. Not that she wasn’t ready. But it all didn’t even seem real up to this point.

A knock on the door interrupted Brooke’s thoughts and she snapped out of her daydream. “Come in!” She called, returning to smoothing out of her dress. “Hey.” Her head snapped up at the familiar voice and she stared questioningly at the man standing before her. “Can I have a minute?”

She nodded, flustered and waved him inside. “Sure. Come on in.”

Kevin walked in the room and closed the door softly. He turned around and stared at her for a minute. “You look beautiful.”

A soft blush graced her features at the compliment. “Thanks. I…uh…I’m really glad you could make it. I wasn’t really sure if you were going to come.”

“I seriously considered not coming,” he admitted, quietly. “I thought it might be awkward. And I guess it is a little bit. But we’re both adults, right?” She nodded when he paused. “I guess what I came in here to say is that I’m happy for you, Brooke.”

“Thanks,” Brooke replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears were pooling in her eyes. She loved this man for three years. A part of her still loved him. And here she was. On her wedding day to another man. A year ago, if someone had told her that this was how her life was going to turn out, she would have laughed at them. A year ago, she was planning her wedding to this man. Not the one waiting for her at the altar.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Kevin asked, once again shaking her from her thoughts. “I mean one year ago, you and I were planning our wedding.” How did he still do that? Know what she was thinking exactly? He completely read her mind. “I guess it’s kind of strange to see you all nervous and jittery on your wedding day and you’re not marrying me.”

“Kev…” She reached out her hand towards him but he backed away.

“No.” He held up his hands in defense. “I didn’t mean to come in here and dredge up old memories. We’ve both moved on with our lives. All of that other stuff is just in the past, right?” She nodded, a single tear making it’s way down her cheek. He reached out and wiped it away. “I also didn’t come in here to make you cry. Krista would have my head if I were the cause of your smeared makeup, wouldn’t she?” Brooke laughed, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “Yeah she definitely would.”

“Well, I just wanted to congratulate you,” Kevin finished. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, careful not to wrinkle her dress. “You make a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, tearfully. “I mean it, Kevin. Thank you for being here and for coming in here right now. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. And you’ll always know how I feel about you.”

“Part of me will always love you too,” he stated, just before he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. He turned around to walk away. “Congratulations, Brooke.”

She watched, a content smile on her face, as he walked away. Just as the door closed, she turned around to make sure none of her makeup ran because of her tears. The door opened again and Krista, Katelin, and Ang re-entered the room.

“You alright?” Krista asked, carefully. “I just saw Kevin walk out of here.”

Brooke turned around, a bright smile on her face. “I’m perfect.” She turned towards the girls and her eyes fell on Katelin. “So nice of you to join us. I’ll take it you and Nick will be able to keep your hands to yourself during the ceremony.”

Katelin’s cheeks blushed a deep crimson. “Yes mom. I swear we’ll behave.”

“Good,” Brooke grinned. “I’m really happy for you guys, by the way. I always hoped it would work out for you.”

“Thanks,” Kate replied. “But enough about me and Nick. This is your day. Are you ready?”

Brooke spun around in a circle. “Do I look it?”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the Priest announced. “Mr. Chasez? You may kiss your bride.” The church erupted into applause as JC pulled Brooke towards him and pressed his lips to hers. “Love you,” he mouthed.

“I love you too,” he replied. They turned around and hand-in-hand made their way down the aisle, the rest of the bridal party behind them.

“Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Chasez,” the lead singer of the band announced as JC and Brooke took to the dance floor for their ‘first’ dance as husband and wife.

“You look gorgeous,” JC whispered in her ear. “I’m serious. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the rest of the reception. As much as I love you in this dress. I can’t wait until I get you out of it.”

“Well, just a few more hours,” Brooke teased, running her fingers along the short hairs on the back of his neck. “Jayce, this has been absolutely perfect. Everything about it.”

“It really has,” He agreed, placing a light kiss on her lips. “I love you so much, Brooke. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you in it.”

“Me neither, Jayce,” Brooke replied, a tear of happiness making it’s way down her cheek. “And I love you too.”

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