The sound of silverware clanking on champagne glasses got the attention of everyone in the crowd. Katelin stood up, smiling nervously at the crowd before her. She felt Nick squeeze her hand in a show of support. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a minute?” The crowd quieted down and turned their attention towards the maid of honor at the front of the room. “I just wanted to take a couple of minutes to say a few words about Ang and Brian. I’ll let Harold do the honors tomorrow when there are a few more people around.” The crowd laughed, easing Kate’s nerves a little bit.

“Gee thanks,” Harold muttered, good-naturedly.

“Anyway,” she continued, playfully glaring at Brian’s brother. “I’ll start with Brian. Bri, you and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye about everything. I know it just came down to us both looking out for our best friends. But I honestly couldn’t ask for a better man to marry my best friend. Through everything, you’ve stood by Ang and I love you for it.”

Brian stood up and wrapped his arms around his fiancee’s best friend. “Thanks Kate,” he whispered into her ear. Pulling away, he placed a light kiss on her cheek and sat down so Katelin could continue.

“Ang. God, you and I have been through so much together. I may not always show it, but I’ve always looked at you as an older sister. I’ve watched your relationship with Brian grow over the past four years and can only hope that I’ll be able to experience something even remotely close as what the two of share. I wish you both the best and a happy life together.” Katelin raised her glass as the rest of the guests chanted “Here here!”

Ang stood up, her eyes watering, and the two best friends shared a tearful hug. “Thank you so much,” Ang whispered, tearfully.

Katelin lightly shoved her away. “Don’t mention it. Now go kiss your future husband. He’s waiting.”

Ang turned around, pulling Brian in for a kiss, causing the whole crowd at the rehearsal dinner to, once again, break out into applause.

Kate felt a tug on her hand and was pulled back into her seat. “Hey,” Nick greeted, his face just inches from hers.

“Hey yourself,” she grinned.

He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “That was beautiful. Do you have such nice things to say about me too?” He slipped his hand underneath the hem of her skirt, rubbing her upper thigh.

Katelin groaned softly in his ear. “Baby, I’ve got plenty of secrets for you. Maybe when we get home, I’ll even let you in on some of them.” She shoved his hand away. “But tonight is about Brian and Ang.” The crowd returned to their dinner, giving Brian an opportunity to pull Ang out on to the balcony. He pushed her up against the railing, standing behind her with his arms around her waist. “Hi,” he said, leaning his chin on her shoulder.

Ang took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, spring air. “How beautiful is that?” she asked, pointing out at the New York City skyline. “I love this city so much.”

“I know you do,” Brian agreed, grinning secretly to himself. It was going to be his wedding present to her. He had gotten the idea from Kevin, who had done the same thing for Adrienne a few months ago. He was going to wait until they got back from their honeymoon. Fly into JFK instead of Orlando. But he didn’t think he could wait that long. He may just have to do it a little sooner. He couldn’t wait to see the reaction on her face.

“Thank you so much for coming,” Ang hugged Adrienne and Kevin, when she felt Brian tugging on her arm. “What?” she asked turning towards him.

“I want to take you somewhere before you go home,” he told her.

“Uh-uh, Littrell,” Katelin warned. “None of that tonight. Ang is going back to her mom and dad’s and you’ll see her tomorrow.”

Krista elbowed her, knowing what Brian was talking about. “Shh. Brian has a surprise for her. He’ll bring her back to her parents.”

“Oh,” Katelin nodded in understanding.

They sat in the back of the limousine holding hands, the car moving slowly down the New York City street. The traffic was normal for a Friday night. Ang glanced out the window, watching the tall buildings pass by. The two of them were silent. A comfortable silence, though. Ang was anxious for the next day. Not necessarily nervous. She had known that she’s wanted this for such a long time. She turned her head around and glanced at Brian. He, too, was watching the scenery pass by, looking out the opposite window. She hoped he felt the same way. At that moment, he turned his head and their eyes met. “What are you thinking about?” Brian asked.

“Just how much I love you,” Ang stated, smiling almost shyly.

He scooted closer to his fiancee and pulled her up against him, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “I love you too, babe.”

“Now where are we going?” Ang looked around, trying to gauge where they were.

“You’ll see.” Brian glanced at the street number as they passed. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

A few moments later, the car pulled up to a series of buildings. The driver opened the door and helped the two of them out. “Just call me when you’re ready, Mr. Littrell.”

Brian nodded and the car pulled away. “What’s going on?” Ang asked looking around. “Where are we?”

“We are on 37th Street between Park and Lexington.” Brian pointed to in either direction as he said the names of the Avenues. “And this,” he pointed to the off-white brick brownstone behind him. “This is ours.”

“What?” Ang asked, her eyes wide.

Brian didn’t answer her. He just grabbed her hand and led her up the front step. Unlocking the door, he flicked on the light and watched Ang’s face light up. “Oh my God, Bri! I love it!” The house was empty but, already, the wheels in Ang’s head were already turning, coming up with ways to decorate their new home.

“I’m glad.” Brian smiled. “So, I figured we could split our time between the two houses. I figured you wouldn’t want to permanently leave Florida, especially with everyone down there. But I know how much you love New York. And who knows what may happen in the future? Maybe one day Kate will successfully convince Nick to come up here and then we’d all be near each other.”

“Chances of that happening are slim to none,” Ang laughed. “But I love it, Bri. We’re totally spending Christmases here.”

Brian grinned and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m glad, babe. So glad.”

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

“So, how does it feel to be Mrs. Littrell?” Brooke asked Ang, with JC at her side.

Ang beamed, finally feeling complete. “God, I still can’t believe it. I mean, this has been such a long time coming. And it truly is the happiest day of my life.”

“I’m glad,” Brooke smiled. “God, can you believe that it was four years ago when we all met?” She glanced at JC. “Well, sort of. I guess you and I only met not even two years ago.”

“You guys are great together, though,” Ang commented. “And no. It seems like it was just yesterday.”

“What seems like it was just yesterday?” Brian asked, appearing at his new wife’s side. He handed her a glass of champagne. “Harold wants to do the toast soon.”

“Thanks.” Ang stopped a waiter, and handed the Chasez’s each a glass of the bubbly liquid. “We were just talking about how it seems like it was just yesterday when we all met.”

Brian laughed, throwing his head back. “I can still remember that night when we all first went out. Katelin and Nick screaming at each other. Krista and AJ tearin’ it up on the dance floor. It totally seems like it was just yesterday.”

“Oh God,” Brooke chuckled. “Do you remember AJ and Krista? I thought Kevin was going to have a coronary. The way they were acting in public.” Brian turned towards Ang. “That’s when I knew.”

“Oh don’t even,” Ang giggled, playfully hitting Brian’s arm. “Do not say that’s when you knew you were in love with me. I swear I’ll gag right here.”

“What I was going to say,” Brian jumped in, smiling proudly. “Is that’s when I first realized that I liked you.”

“Aww…” Brooke gushed. “You guys are so cute.” She turned towards her husband. “Aren’t they honey?”

“Yes, Brooke,” JC pulled her close to his side. “They are adorable. And so are we.”

AJ pulled Krista out on to the dance floor, pulling her body up against his. “I love you.”

“Me too, babe,” Krista told him. She was totally glowing and AJ was surprised that everyone in the room didn’t know what he knew.

“So,” he began. “Do you want to tell anyone yet? Maybe the bride and groom?”

Krista shook her head. “No. First of all, this is their day. I don’t want to steal their thunder. And it’s bad luck to say anything for the first three months.”

“Ah yes,” AJ agreed. “I forgot about that. We don’t want any bad luck, do we?”

“No,” Krista smiled.

AJ pressed his hands to his girlfriend’s lower abdomen. “You hear that baby? We’re just gonna keep you quiet for a little longer. And then everyone’s going to know that I’m gonna be a daddy.”

“You’re too much,” Krista laughed. “Keep talking to my stomach and then everyone’s going to know anyway.”

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