Meg awoke from a deep sleep to the sound of her household moving around. Turning on to her side, she snuggled more deeply into the covers and closed her eyes. A gentle knocking at her door had her sitting up again. "Meg can I come in?"

"Sure Corey." Meg said groggily.

Corey walked in and stopped in her tracks as she took in her friends disheveled appearance. Meg's hair was sticking up in all directions after having come out of the neat braid she had put it in the night before, and her eyes were puffy from sleep.

"Meghan! What are you still doing in bed? We have so much to do today."

Meg stared at her friend in wonder, then suddenly realized today was her wedding day. Meg looked up at her friend, her eyes wide with panic. "Oh Corey! What am I doing?" She said as she jumped out of bed and began pacing. "I've got to bathe and get dressed, then of course there's my hair to worry about, and we have to get to the house and there's you and the girls . . . "

Corey grabbed her friend by the shoulders and gently shook her. "Calm down, we still have plenty of time." Corey led her friend to her vanity and sat her down. "Now breathe Meg. It won't do to have you getting yourself sick today."

"You're right." Meg said. "What do we do first?"

Corey smiled, "First you wash up, then we get something to eat."

The mention of food made Meghan's stomach turn, "Uh Corey, I can't possi-"

Corey arched an eyebrow at her, "You will eat, as your Maid of Honor I have made it my duty to make sure you don't faint on your way down the aisle. An unconscious bride will not do today. Could you imagine-" She continued thoughtfully, "What the gossip mongers in this town would say if you collapsed on the way to your beloved?" The two girls laughed as they imagined the town's reaction.

Suddenly Meg sobered and stared at her friend, "Tell me I'm doing the right thing today. Tell me I'm not rushing into this like everyone thinks I am."

Corey kneeled before her friend and took Meg's hand in hers. "Meghan do you love him? Truly love him?"

Meg nodded, "You know I do."

"Then you're doing the right thing." Corey got up and hugged her best friend. Looking into her eyes she continued, "He better be good to you, or else he'll have me to answer to."

"And that is a fate worse than death." Meg said as she smiled. "I'm glad you're here Corey."

"So am I, now let's get something to eat before we start crying and everyone eats everything. Then we can get ready to go to the house to get dressed." Together they headed downstairs.

�************

As soon as they arrived at the newly finished Willow Manor, Meg was ushered upstairs into one of the guest bedrooms to get ready. Now lying in her new copper tub, a present from her maternal grandparents, Meg sighed contentedly as the scent of Jasmine enveloped her. Because everyone had to ready themselves, she was left alone to soak for what seemed like hours. But now the water had cooled and Meg stepped out of the tub and into her favorite robe. Sitting in front of a vanity, she recited the vows she would make that night. In the reflection of the mirror, Meghan saw her mother's dress hanging in the armoire. Silently, she walked to the dress and was caressing the satin lovingly when the panic set in. Meghan sat on the bed wringing the belt of the robe in her hands. It was there that Serena found her minutes later.

�Serena walked into the room after knocking on the door. "I thought maybe you had fallen asleep-" She began, then noticed her stepdaughter's pale face. "Meg honey, what's wrong?"

"I can't do this Serena. I can't marry Luke." She answered quietly.

Serena's mouth dropped open. "What? Meghan this is your wedding day, you can't just call it off without an excuse." She knew about cold feet and this seemed like a simple case of it.

Tears began falling from Meg's eyes. "Please Serena, don't make me do this. I can't. I just can't."

Serena sat beside the younger woman and clasped her hand, it was then that she felt the tremors wracking Meg's body. This was more than cold feet she told herself, Meghan was terrified. She hoped that by talking about it, it would help. "Meghan, what's bothering you, why are you shaking? What are you afraid of?"

Meg wiped the tears from her face, "I'm afraid that I can't be the wife Luke needs me to be. What if he decides we rushed into this, that I'm not the girl he thought I was? What if he doesn't want to stay married to me?"

Serena's eyes softened, "Meghan, Sweetheart. Luke loves you, the girl he's watched grow up into the woman you are now. You know that or you wouldn't have said yes when he proposed. Now I'm sure it's something else, what is it? The ceremony? The reception?"

Meghan shook her head, "It's after."

"After?"

"After everything is over and Luke and I are alone for the first time as husband and wife."

"Ohhhh." Serena said with understanding.

"What if I can't do . . . you know. What if I freeze up like the last time?" Serena's eyebrows shot up, and Meg realized she had said too much. "Oops." Taking a deep breath Meg continued. "Nothing happened Serena, I couldn't. Which brings me to my problem about tonight. What if I can't, again?"

"Then don't. Luke would never force you to, we both know that's a fact. No one can blame you after everything that's happened with Caly, and the memories it's brought back. Listen to your heart, you'll know when you're ready, if there's anyone who will understand, it's Luke."

Tears welled up in Meg's eyes as she hugged her stepmother. "Thank you Serena, for making me feel better."

"You already knew what I told you, sometimes it just helps to hear another voice say it out loud." She pulled away slightly and wiped the tears from the young woman's face, "Now we have a wedding to get ready for." Meg nodded and rose to begin getting ready.

Daniel heard the soft murmuring's of voices coming from the bedroom. Today is the day I give my baby to someone else's keeping, he thought. He was losing his little girl and he hadn't seen her at all today except for a few minutes during breakfast and on the ride to the house. Well, he was determined to spend a few minutes alone with her before the ceremony. He felt his inside pocket for his present, straightened his back, knocked on the door and walked in.

"Close your eyes!" Serena yelled.

Surprised, Daniel did as he was told. "I'm sure it's the groom who's not supposed to see the bride before the wedding, not the father."

Serena laughed as she took his hand and led him further into the room. "Yes I know, but I want you to get the full effect of your daughter's loveliness."

Daniel smiled as he heard the rustling of skirts all around him. Moments later, Serena told him to open his eyes. When he did, he saw Corey and his wife in almost identical baby blue dresses, the only difference was the ribbon around the neckline of Serena's dress. Both women looked at him with broad smiles as he looked from one to the other. The sound of someone clearing their throat caused him to turn around.

�"Oh Meghan!" He gasped, "You look like your mother." Meg stood in front of her father, her dress perfectly arranged, the tiara her veil was attached to was snuggled securely in the mass of ringlets of her hair, her veil hanging behind her head. Daniel walked over to her with tears in his eyes and gently wrapped her in an embrace. "You look so beautiful, baby." He choked out. "Luke has no idea how hard it is for me to give up one of the most precious parts of my life."

"Oh Daddy." Meg said, her own voice breaking, she hugged her father tightly.

"I really hate to break this up, but we really should get moving." Serena said, "The others are ready, and I'm sure Luke is growing impatient."

Daniel laughed, "The boy is pacing so much I'm sure you will have a dip in the floor downstairs."

"Well then, I guess we better go." Meg said. Turning to Corey she hugged her friend again. "I want to thank you again for coming. It really means so much to me to know you're here."

"Wild horses wouldn't have kept me away." Corey said. "I'll wait for Serena downstairs." Smiling she turned, grabbed her bouquet of wildflowers and walked out, closing the door behind her.

�Meg turned back to her parents and smiled. "Corey knew I wanted to talk to both of you before the ceremony, but now I'm not sure where to begin." She thought a moment then turned to Serena. Taking a deep breath she began, "You were saddled with a teenage daughter when you married my father. Most women would have run in the other direction, but you stayed and loved me. For someone with no experience you turned out to be a great mother. You're the only one I've ever known Serena, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me to have you here and to know you'll always be there to take care of my daddy. I love you Serena. I'm not sure if I ever said it out loud to you before, but I do."

Serena embraced Meg tightly. "Thank you Meg, hearing it means a lot to me, too." Kissing her cheek, she walked to the door and grabbed her bouquet. "You two should have some time alone. I'll make sure everyone is outside so you two can come down." With a wave she turned and left.

Daniel took Meg's hand, led her to the bed and motioned for her to sit. As Meg adjusted her skirts she watched her father take a small book from his pocket. Meg looked at him questioningly as he caressed the worn leather cover. "I now have everything that was most valuable to your mother in the same room. You, the locket . . . and her diary." Meg gasped, she had never known her mother had kept a diary, and she was confused as to why her father would keep it from her. "I'm so sorry I never told you more about her Meghan. It's very hard for me to talk about her."

"I know Daddy."

"When she was dying . . . she told me she wanted you to have her locket on your wedding day. I gave it to you on my wedding day because I knew how hard it was for you. I wanted you to have something special today, too, that's when I remembered the diary. Liz wrote about all her most sacred memories in here. It starts the day we were married and goes well into her pregnancy. If you want to know who your mother was, it's all here." Daniel handed her the book. "It's way past time you got to know her."

Meg hugged the book to her chest, then embraced her father. "I never told you how good a father you really are. After Mama died you could have given me to grandma and grandpa to take care of, but you didn't and I love you for that. And even though you're a little over-bearing sometimes, I know it's always for the best. I just hope I can be as good a parent when my time comes."

Daniel arched an eyebrow at his daughter, "But that's not for a long while yet, right?"

Meghan laughed, "Not for a long, long while."

"Good." Daniel placed a kiss on her forehead, "Are we all set?"

"I think so, I just want to put the book in the master bedroom before we go downstairs."

"I'll do it." Daniel said quickly, he knew that Meghan hadn't seen the master bedroom yet. Luke had designed it and he wanted to be with her when she first saw it. Daniel took the book, and as Meg straightened herself up one last time, he put the book in her future bedroom and went back to her. "Okay are we all set now?"

"Ummm let's see . . . Something old? Got that, my dress. Something new? These earrings you bought me. Something borrowed is this beautiful handkerchief that Corey loaned me, she thinks it might have belonged to her mother, and something blue . . ." Remembering the blue garters Desi gave her, Meg blushed. "Well I have something blue. The bridesmaids and ushers are all downstairs waiting, and I'm sure Luke is itching to go. So all that's left is for you to take my hand and lead the way."

Luke ran into the house straight from the stables and collided with his future father in law.

"Slow down Luke, you've still got plenty of time." Daniel said with a smile.

"Sorry Daniel, I overslept and I wasn't sure what time it was." He answered. Luke then looked up the stairs, "How's Meg?"

"She's fine. Taking a bath in that new tub of yours. But if it makes you feel better, she was a complete wreck this morning. Serena and Cory both commanded she take the bath to relax."

Luke laughed to himself, now more relaxed with the knowledge that his intended was just as nervous as he was.

"There's my boy." Luke turned at the sound of his father's voice. "How are you feeling son?"

"Nervous . . . Excited . . . Scared . . . and happy all at once." Luke said with an uncertain smile.

"I'd say he's feeling just the way he's supposed to. Don't you think so Abel?" Daniel asked.

"I believe so. Why I didn't know what to do with myself the day I married your mother."

Luke laughed loudly at the thought of his overly relaxed father being tense. "Somehow I doubt that." The men all laughed and Luke turned to go upstairs. "I better start getting ready."

"I'll bring you up a basin of warm water to wash up with." Abel said.

"Thanks dad." Luke said over his shoulder as he raced up the stairs. Coming upon the second floor landing he stood in front of the door to the guestroom where he knew Meg was.

Don't even think about it. You know it's bad luck to see the bride before she walks down the aisle. Besides, Daniel would have your hide if he caught you in there."

Luke turned quickly and came face to face with Corey, her hands on her hips. "I just wanted to tell her I loved her."

Corey's heart melted. He looked like a boy caught with his hands in the cookie jar. She smiled and sighed. "Meg knows Luke." She approached him and pushed him towards the master bedroom. "She's relaxing, just like you shou-" Corey's words were cut off as she took in the sight of the bedroom.

Meg had gotten her wishes. There was her picture window and fireplace, there were several chests of drawers, an armoire, a washstand and a vanity. Pretty lace curtains hung on the windows. A huge four poster bed dominated the room, and Corey wondered if the mattress was as soft as it looked. The bedroom would have been beautiful on its own, but there were also unlit candles and roses everywhere.

"I had to special order the flowers, and I bought every candle Simon Cromwell had. Do you think she'll like it?" He asked uncertainly.

Corey smile broadly, "She's gonna love it. You're a good man Luke Saunders and Meg is very lucky to have you in her life."

"You should spread that around town." Luke said with a mischievous grin.

Corey laughed and hugged him. "Get dressed. You have to marry my best friend in a couple of hours."

Luke nodded and watched her leave. He then turned to the closet and took out the brand new black suit he had bought for today. Several minutes later his father came in carrying a bucket of warm water. Abel placed it by the washstand in the corner then turned to his son.

"Luke can we talk for a minute?"

"Dad, I have to get dressed."

"It'll just take a couple of minutes then I'll leave you to get ready."

Luke looked at his father and immediately caught the concern in the older man's eyes. "What's wrong dad? Is it Mum or the baby?"

Abel sat on the bed heavily, "Is Meghan pregnant?"

"WHAT?"

"Lucas you haven't heard the rumors?" When Luke shook his head, Abel continued. "A few days ago I was in the mercantile and overheard some people talking. It turns out there are some people in town who believe that you two are getting married out of necessity. There are some who think she's carrying your child." Abel looked at his son with suspicious eyes. "Am I going to be a grandfather anytime in the next few months?"

Luke was shocked speechless. He sat down on the bench at the picture window because he knew his knees were about to give out. He tried to straighten it all out in his head. The townspeople thought he was protecting Meg's good name, and she was carrying his child. He looked at his father with wide eyes. "Do Meg or her parents know about any of this?"

"I don't think so. You all have been so busy these last few weeks. I heard it by accident. Do you have any idea who would spread this rumor?"

Luke ran his hand through his hair. "Meg would be devastated if she heard about this. I can't think of anyone who would spread this around. I don't think Meghan has any enemies in town. She seems to get along with everyone." Luke looked at his father and saw the unanswered question in his eyes.

"It's not true dad. Meghan is not now, nor has she ever been pregnant by me or anyone else." He paused, wondering what he should tell his father of Meg's past. "About a year and a half ago back in Boston, Meg was attacked by a student at the medical school where her father taught. The man got away with it, and she's been suspicious of men ever since. A couple of months ago the man showed up here in town and attacked another young woman. It brought back a lot of buried feelings in Meg."

"But she's okay now, right?"

Luke sighed loudly. Truth was he wasn't sure. "She's better, but she still tenses up a bit around me. Listen dad, don't tell anyone about this rumor. At least not until I can figure out who started it and I can end it."

"Lucas, in my experience it's always better to ignore these things. When everyone sees that Meghan is not pregnant, which should be evident when she doesn't begin to show within the next several weeks, they'll find something else to talk about. Don't give this anymore thought. I'm even sorry I brought it up. Today is a day of joy and celebration. You're getting married to a very beautiful young woman who obviously loves you as much as you love her." Abel stood up and walked to the door then turned back to his son. "Get dressed, then come down and talk to your mother, unlike me she's upset at the fact that she's losing you." He said with a wink.

Luke laughed and watched his father leave. As the door closed, Luke walked to the bed and laid back on it; wondering what would Daniel and Serena think when they heard the rumor. After several minutes, Luke finally decided not to worry about a stupid and untrue rumor. He got up and dressed.

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

Luke had been pacing back and forth and tugging at his collar and tie in the parlor, much to the amusement of everyone there. Teaspoon sat with his parents in the room along with most of the wedding party as they waited for the signal to get ready. Meg's grandparents were outside playing host to the townspeople who showed up.

"Would you please stop it?" Abel said as his son passed by him for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"What's taking so long?" Luke said impatiently. As he turned to pace to the other side of the room, Corey came in and he stopped to look at her.

"She just needs a few minutes with Daniel and Serena." She said to those gathered. Luke sighed and began to pace again. Several minutes later, Serena came down.

"We should begin taking our places. Daniel and Meg will be down any minute." As the wedding party headed out of the back door and around the house to where the aisle began, Serena grabbed Luke's arm.

"Luke-" She began.

Luke didn't let her get any farther, he embraced his best friend tightly. "Looks like we're gonna be family." He whispered.

Serena laughed, "Looks like it. Just don't call me mother."

Luke laughed loudly. "I wouldn't risk it." He sobered quickly and looked at the small woman he had thought he was in love with, but being with Meghan had shown him how wrong he was. "I'm going to be the best husband, you'll see Serena. I'm gonna make her very happy." He said, his voice cracking with emotion.

Serena kissed his cheek. "I never doubted that, not for one second." She said softly, then turned and walked out of the house.

Meghan stood right beside Luke with a big smile on her face. She couldn�t believe that she was really getting married, but this was the happiest day of her entire life.

Teaspoon smiled at Meghan and Luke and then proceeded with the ceremony. "Do you Meghan Thomson take Lucas Abel to be your lawfully wedded husband secure in the knowledge that you will be his constant friend, his faithful partner in life and his one true love. On this special day do you affirm in the presence of God, to stay by his side as his faithful wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow as well as through the good times and the bad? Do you promise to love him without reservation, comfort him in times of distress, encourage him to achieve all of his goals, laugh with him and cry with him? To grow with him in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with him and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?" Teaspoon nodded at Meghan for her response.

Meghan glanced at Teaspoon when he stopped talking and knew it was her turn to say something, "I do!" She said as she stared back at Luke.

Teaspoon said, "Good! Now Luke do you take Meghan to be your lawfully wedded wife . . ."

After Teaspoon finished Luke took Meghan�s hand in his own and said, "I do!"