“Lazy butt get out of bed!”

“Huh,” mumbled Grace.

“Get up,” ordered Kassidy.

“I’m up. What are you doing here?”

“We’ve come to kidnap you.”

“We’ve,” asked a puzzled Grace, finally opening her eyes to see Leighanne standing beside Kassidy.

“Yes,” replied Leighanne. “Hurry up and get dressed. We’ve got places to go and people to see.”

“Where’s AJ?”

“Gone. He ran out to get stuff done for the party. Now get up!”

Grace jumped in the shower. They were out of the house within a half-hour. First stop was breakfast at a small bagel shop Grace loved. From there they went for the fitting of Grace’s dress.

“Why are we here again?”

“AJ asked them to make a special dress for your graduation party. They have to do a fitting so it can be delivered in time for the party.”

“Oh OK.”

“Miss Johnson will you follow me,” requested the sales clerk.

After Grace had disappeared into the back, Leighanne whispered, “If we pull this off it will be a miracle.”

“Tell me about it! I'll be happy when I see her come out in the party dress. My big fear is they'll pull out the wedding dress for her to try on.”

“I hadn’t thought about that, but thanks for mentioning it. My stomach just twisted more.”

“It'll all work out,” affirmed Kassidy as Grace stepped from behind the curtain leading to the fitting rooms.

“Grace you’re beautiful,” exclaimed Leighanne.

“Thanks Leigh.”

She was wearing a long dress made of the thinnest crushed velvet. The color was a pale blue. The tiny straps rested on her shoulders while the dress hugged her body.

“I don’t know. I think it’s too tight and shows my chub.”

“Grace Johnson don’t ever say something like that again,” scolded Kassidy. “You look beautiful.”

Leigh agreed, “Grace that dress is perfect for your body and you don’t have chub to show. We will need to hose down AJ when he sees you.”

“I don’t know.”

“We do,” concluded Kassidy as the seamstress pinned up the hem and adjusted the straps.

While Grace changed, Kassidy talked with the designer of the dress who also designed the wedding dress. They had kept Vera Wang hidden from Grace. AJ had asked Leighanne to get in touch with Ms Wang about making the dress. She had also designed Leigh’s dress when she married Brian. He explained to Ms Wang that he needed a wedding dress and a regular dress as a cover. Kassidy had come up the idea that AJ tell Grace he wanted to have a dress made for her as a graduation present. It enabled them to get her measurements for Ms Wang without Grace suspecting a thing.

The three ladies arrived on time for their day of pampering at a local spa. As Kassidy explained, this was part of AJ’s graduation present to Grace and payback to Kassi and Leigh for helping with the "party". Grace said they probably needed it more than she did after putting up with AJ for party planning. After they were pampered beyond belief they headed to their final destination.

“Where are we going?”

“Denise’s house,” replied Kassidy.

“Why,” asked Grace.

“We need to get something.”

“Ok,” said a wary Grace.

Once they rushed Grace into the house, she asked, “what’s going on.”

“Grace, honey I need you to breathe for me,” hedged Kassidy as she directed the girl into Denise’s bedroom.

“Just tell me,” ordered Grace.

“We have a surprise for you. Actually, AJ does,” replied Leighanne.

“Grace Johnson today is your wedding day,” stated Kassi.

Grace didn’t move, squeak, blink or breathe.

“Grace breathe,” exclaimed Leighanne.

When Grace breathed, she started asking, “How did this happen? What about a dress? My parents? My family? My friends? What’s going on?”

“Grace you work on breathing and I'll answer you,” replied Kassidy.

“I’ll get her some water,” stated Leighanne before leaving the room.

“Now in order…AJ took you at your word about marrying him anytime if you didn’t have to plan it. That’s how it started, then he recruited Leigh and me to help. Your dress is on the way. The blue dress you tried on was a mock up of sorts. I mean you really are going to wear it, but on your honeymoon. I think you will like your dress. You pointed out things similar to me awhile back when I casually brought of the subject. Your parents, friends and family are all here for the party. AJ is probably loading them up to come over here as we speak, since it’s 6:00 now. Do you remember us talking about who you would want when you did get married?”

“Yeah.”

“Well those are your bridesmaids and stuff. And finally, you are getting married tonight. I think about covers all your questions,” finished Kassi.

“Here’s some water Grace. Also I found some people,” said Leighanne stepping out of the way of Grace’s family and bridesmaids.

They all hugged. AJ had family and guests gather at his house as planned. He explained what was happening, then loaded everyone up and moved them to Denise’s backyard where the wedding was taking place. Her parents asked if she was sure about this and she said yes. She was just so stunned. Her mother cried, but order Grace not to, because she needed to get ready. Leighanne agreed and pulled her over to do makeup and hair. As they all talked, Vera Wang showed up with Grace’s dresses. Kassidy handed out the wedding parties clothing for the party. Everyone had dressed casual for the party. In keeping with that motif, everyone got T-shirts with their title on it. At first, Grace’s mother was not pleased to be wearing a “Mother of the Bride” T-shirt, but Kassidy explained if they had given anymore warning to the family or guests it would have gotten to the press. Ms Johnson agreed she didn’t want a media circus at her daughters wedding. Grace’s dad made a quick exit so Grace and the rest of the ladies could get dressed. Leigh and Kassi helped attendants get dressed and Vera helped Grace. Grace’s sister was her Maid of Honor and her two best friends growing up were her bridesmaids.

Denise McLean walked in just as Vera finished putting Grace’s veil on. She and Grace’s mom both cried and told Grace how beautiful she was. She did look amazing. It was a classic Vera Wang, simple, elegant and stunning. The sleeveless dress was made of white, candlelight satin and had a subtle shimmer to it. The bodice was fitted and had pearls around the waist where it flared into a fuller skirt. Her veil was simple and lined with pearls. Leighanne had pulled her hair up into a chignon and dusted glitter on it. Her makeup was just dramatic enough to work for the cameras. Grace laughed when Leigh also put shimmer on her shoulders. They really did know her too well. She would carry a bouquet of white roses with blue bonnets interspersed. Andre Csillag, Backstreet’s official photographer, appeared at the door to take some candid shots and gathered Grace’s attendants around her. Her bridesmaids wore baby blue T-shirts. The two bridesmaids carried arrangements of blue bonnets and Grace’s sister’s arrangement had miniature white roses added to the blue bonnets.

After Andre was done photographing everyone, he left with Denise for AJ’s room. They laughed as they entered the room, because AJ, who was pacing, ran over to his mom the second she appeared.

“Is-is she here? Is she pissed? Sh-sh-she’s not going to marry me right? Did she say anything? Mom tell me!”

“Will you quiet down so I can? And stop twirling your tuxedo coat in your fingers,” she scolded.

“OK! OK! Tell me please,” he begged as he shoved his hands in his pants pockets to stop his nervous habit of twisting his clothes between his fingers.

“She’s here and dressed. Guess that means she’s not pissed and she’s going to marry you.”

“Thank God,” exclaimed AJ. “Oops sorry sir.”

“That’s quiet alright son. I think it's always good to thank God,” replied the minister with a smile.

“Cool. Mom where are you going?”

“Alex I need to get dressed. We have 20 minutes.”

“OK.”

Denise heard him exclaim ’20 minutes’ after she closed the door. As she touched up her makeup, Kassidy knocked.

“Best man are you ready to watch your baby get married?”

“OK stop that! I just finished my makeup. Besides I promised Alex I wouldn’t cry.”

“Yeah, I see you keeping that promise!”

“I know, but I can keep it for now. I want to thank you for helping him pull this off.”

“No problem. It’s for two of my little group of favorite people.”

“I am surprised you aren’t in the wedding party,” commented Denise, seeing the “Planner aka the Boss” T-shirt.

Kassidy laughed, “Grace just apologized for that very thing, but honestly I’m glad. I’m stressed enough without having to be up front.”

“I bet. Now tell me honestly, how do I look?”

“You look like the beautiful mother and best man who will be balling her eyes out in short time.”

Denise swatted at Kassidy as they left the bathroom. Kassidy went back to the bride’s room. She laughed because they had draped a sheet around Grace’s shoulders and her mother was feeding her some cheese and crackers. After breakfast none of them had eaten the rest of the day. Now Grace was less likely to pass out during the ceremony. She brushed her teeth. Leighanne did a final touch up of everyone’s makeup. It was time. Leigh made sure the coast was clear, before they brought Grace into the kitchen.

“Is AJ there,” asked Grace.

“No Johnny No Name showed up,” teased Kassidy.

“Don’t even,” warned Grace with a smile.

“It’s time,” reported Leighanne as she opened the sliding glass door and the attendants lined up.

“Hey Kassi,” whispered Grace.

“Yeah?”

“You rock!”

“So do you!”

The attendants stepped out while Tommy Smith, BSB Keyboardist, played an original piece of music. AJ was shaking his leg as he watched the girls walk down the make shift aisle in his mother’s backyard. He couldn’t look at his mom or he would lose it. Balling like a baby was not on the agenda. He wished he had his sunglasses to hide behind. It was cute to watch him look around the attendants trying to get a glimpse of Grace.

“OK your turn,” directed Kassidy to Grace and her father.

Grace took father’s arm and he said, “Sweetie you look so beautiful. I’m proud of you for accomplishing your goals. I love you.”

“I love you to daddy.”

They stepped in the doorway and Tommy started playing “Here Comes The Bride.” Grace looked at AJ. He was looking down at the ground, but when he looked up she was rewarded with a display of emotions played out on his face. The first was surprise, followed by awe and ending in love.

Grace was glad she had her father to hold on to, because her knees went weak the second they locked eyes. The day before his hair had been platinum blonde, but today it was all his natural color. He was in a surprisingly traditional black Armani Tuxedo with white shirt, vest and bow tie. He had a white rose in his lapel. He wore only his watch, bracelet, and diamond stud earrings.

To AJ it seemed as if Grace floated down the aisle to him. The gown was perfect for her. He knew Vera Wang would do a great job, but she exceeded his expectations. Grace glowed and he loved her more than he thought possible.

The ceremony began. Her father shook AJ’s hand before he placed his daughter’s hand in his. AJ watched Grace as she listened to minister. She would sneak glances at him then look back to the minister for fear of crying. Her sister took her bouquet and they exchanged their vows. AJ’s eyes welled up with tears as Grace said her vows. She was so honest and sincere. AJ cleared his throat and got through his. They exchanged rings and then the minister turned the floor over to AJ.

“Grace, Alexander has something he wants to say to you,” stated the Minister.

AJ took in a deep breath and looked deep into her eyes as he began, “I know you’re thinking, he sprang this wedding on me. Now does he expect me to come up with a speech? The answer is no. You don’t have to tell me how you feel about me. I see it everyday, in everything you do. You have accepted me in all my freakiness from day one. You are without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me. Now I know for the rest of my life there will never be a day without you in it. Even if we aren’t in the same place you are with me. I will love you. I will cherish you. I will do everything within my power to make sure you know you are loved like no one else for the rest of our lives. You’ve always been my Pooh. Today you became my angel.”

Tears were streaming down Grace’s face by the time he had finished. He kissed her hand and a tear slid down his cheek.

The minister quietly said, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Alexander you may kiss your wife.”

Alex tenderly kissed her and they turned to face the friends and family gathered. There was not a dry eye. The minister introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Alexander James McLean and they exited to the house followed by the rest of the wedding party.

Once inside, Leighanne appeared to touch up Grace’s make up for some quick photos. Kassidy cleared the backyard out with Nick’s help and got everyone headed back to AJ’s. The wedding party stayed behind for pictures. They all laughed at the T-shirts everyone was wearing. AJ gave Kassidy all the credit, she had friends of a friend who had done the same thing when they got married. Everyone was happy they had pulled it off without the press getting wind of it. AJ had rented a tent, which was placed in his back yard. He had always said having a house on two acres would come in handy sometime.

Everyone was milling around when the wedding party arrived. AJ carried Grace in the front door then through the house to the tent. Dinner was served once they arrived. After the meal and toasts, the music began. The newlyweds enjoyed their friends and family. The cake was cut. The bouquet and garter belt was thrown. At 1 am, they left in a limo for the airport. Once on the plane, AJ informed Grace that in a few hours they would be in Spain. He had rented a villa for them to stay in. Grace settled in with AJ for the flight. At that moment she felt complete contentment. Life was good.