One Month Later:

"I can't believe you're getting married tomorrow," Amanda commented, sitting next to Kayleigh on the couch.

"I know," Kayleigh agreed, while braiding Elizabeth's hair. "I can't believe we got this wedding together in a month."

"Things happen when you marry a Backstreet Boy," Brooke said, smiling. "When are Nicole and james getting in?"

"My mom should be back with them any minute," Kayleigh answered. No sooner had the words left her mouth when they heard the front door slam.

"We're here!" Carolyn called.

Elizabeth jumped out of Kayleigh's lap and ran towards them. "Aunt Nikki!" She screamed, jumping into her arms.

"Elizabeth," Kayleigh laughed, getting up off the couch. "You made me mess up your hair."

"Sorry mommy," Elizabeth giggled.

"Hi!" Kayleigh squealed, embracing Nicole and, then, James. "Come meet everyone." They followed Kayleigh into the living room where all of the girlw were. "This is Brooke, Leighanne, Amanda, Ashley, and Kristin," Kayleigh introduced. "Guys, this is my roommate from Cali, Nicole, and her boyfriend, James." Everyone exchanged hello's while Kayleigh went into the kitchen to talk to her mom.

Back in the living room, Nicole cornered Brooke, wanting desperately to see how Kayleigh was really doing. "How is she?" Nicole questioned. "You know, with Nick and everything."

"She's doing alright," Brooke answered. "Things were a little rough at first for her. And for Nick. He felt like she was shutting him out."

"You know about everything right?" Nicole asked, carefully.

"You mean that my best friend is dying?" Brooke clarified. "Yeah, she told me a few weeks ago." Seeing the look on Nicole's face, Brooke immediately felt bad. "I didn't mean to sound like that, it's just that I just got my best friend back and now I know that I'm going to lose her again. This time, for good."

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

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Kevin asked, joining Nick and the rest of the guys in AJ's living room.

"Kev," Brian warned, knowing exactly where this conversation was going.

"What do you mean?" Nick questioned. "Marrying Kayleigh?"

"Yeah," Kevin answered. "You're setting yourself up for a major heart break, Nick. I mean she's…she's…"

"Say it, Kev," Nick prodded, menacingly. "She's what?"

"You know what I mean, Nick," Kevin stated.

"No I don't," Nick growled. "I don't know what the hell you're getting at. Are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't marry her because she's dying? Is that what you're telling me?" By this time, Nick's face was red with anger and Kevin didn't know what to do. He just wanted to have a brotherly conversation. He didn't realize that Nick would get this bent out of shape.

"Calm down, Nick," Howie said. "Kevin was just trying to…"

"Trying to what?" Nick exclaimed. "Trying to tell me what to do? I love her, Kev. I always will. And I want to prove that to her."

"She already knows, Nick," Kevin told him. "You don't need to do this."

"Why the hell don't you want me to go through with this?" Nick yelled. "Kristin knew that you loved her before you guys got married. Why did you go ahead with it, then?"

"That's different," Kevin stated. "Kristin's not…"

"Not dying, huh?" Nick asked. "Well you know what? I don't give a damn what you think. I love Kayleigh. I am going to marry her tomorrow. Whether you approve or not." With that said, he grabbed his keys off of the coffee table and stormed out of the house.

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

The Next Day:

Kayleigh stared at herself in the mirror. The only thing left that she needed was her bouquet and she was waiting for her mom to get back. She was in the back room of a quaint little church near Nick's house. It was early evening, around 6:15 pm and the wedding was going to begin in fifteen minutes. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this. Up until a month ago, if someone would've told her that she'd be marrying Nick one day, she would have laughed right in their face. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine this day occurring.

"Hey honey," Carolyn interrupted her thoughts. Kayleigh turned around. "You look beautiful, sweetheart. It's times like these I wish your father was still around."

Kayleigh smiled, her eyes beginning to tear up. "Me too, mom," she whispered.

"Are you ready?" Carolyn asked.

Kayleigh nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"I'm so proud of you, honey," Carolyn told her. "It took a lot of courage coming back here and facing everything. I know it would have been much easier for you to stay gone forever."

"Proud?" Kayleigh questioned, astonished. "How can you be proud of me, mom? I was irresponsible and scared. I ran away for three years. And you're proud of me?"

"Of course I am, Kayleigh," Carolyn answered. "It's okay to be afraid. I just wish that I could have done something so you felt like you didn't have to run."

"It's not your fault, mom," Kayleigh said, reaching out to pull her into a hug. "You've always been a good mother. Always." They both stood there, arms around each other, not wanting to let go. There wouldn't be many more of these mother-daughter moments in the future. Kayleigh's time was slowly coming to an end. It was something that neither of them wanted to think about. Kayleigh didn't want to acknowledge the fact that she was leaving her mother. And Elizabeth. And Nick. And Carolyn didn't want to acknowledge that, in a few months, she was losing her daughter for good.

"Hi guys," Brooke said quietly, entering the room. "Sorry to interrupt but it's almost time."

Kayleigh pulled away from her mother and smoothed down her dress. "Here goes nothing." The three of them gathered with the rest of the girls in the back of the church. James would be giving Kayleigh away since he's the closest male she's had to family in the last few years.

"Ready?" he asked, linking his arm through hers.

"Definitely," Kayleigh grinned. The music began to play and each of the girls made their way up the aisle. Soon enough, it was Kayleigh and James' turn. The entered the main part of the church and began to walk towards the front. Kayleigh looked up and locked eyes with Nick. He saw her and his breath caught in his throat. She looked so beautiful. More beautiful than he'd ever seen her before. And she was about to become his forever. No matter how little of a time they would actually have together, she would always be his.

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