“I can’t believe you actually got married!”
            She was trying to keep her tears to a minimum. Normally she didn’t cry at such things, but seeing her best friend in a wedding gown, and a gold band on her finger made her come apart. She was so happy that after everything they had gone through together, that JC and Anna had finally tied the knot.
            The last year for the couple hadn’t been very easy. After the disaster with Thomas had ended, they had taken a much needed vacation alone before the group went back out on tour. At first, the two weeks in Hawaii had seemed like a good idea, but while there, JC had been constantly hounded by the press and fans. A trip that had been meant for them, turned out to be a disaster in the making. If that wasn’t enough, Anna had become ill when they had returned. She was in the hospital for two weeks with a serious illness the doctors couldn’t quite define. But a miracle cured Anna of the mysterious disease, and her and JC went on to buy their first house together just out of Orlando, where Anna was currently attending university.
            So they had thought their troubles were finally over, and they could move on with their lives.
            Not such luck.
            Anna once again landed in the hospital, when one day while at school, her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground. Elizabeth, who was taking some courses at the same university, rushed her to the hospital right away. Anna spent another few weeks in the hospital, the doctors still unsure of what had caused this to happen.
            JC was on tour at the time, but was notified by Justin that she was in the hospital, but that she was recovering, so the doctor’s said.
            As the months passed, Anna spent a lot of time in the hospital doing chemo. The doctors figured it was their only bet to save her life. Though the doctors were worried that her disease might not be curable, they didn’t tell her or any of her family or friends. They just prayed that they would find a cure, and soon.
            The chemo showed very positive results, and Anna seemed to be recovering once again.
            That time was her last time at the hospital. That was four months ago, and since then everything had been going smoothly, in regards to Anna’s health.
            Elizabeth had prayed countless nights that her best friend’s disease would stay away so that her friend could live a somewhat normal life with her new husband.
            New husband.
            Elizabeth smiled at the thought. Over the rim of her glass of champagne, she watched her boyfriend talk with his other bandmates, including the groom.
            “I don’t think it will be too long before you tie the knot with Justin.”
            Anna’s comment brought Elizabeth back and she turned and smiled. “What makes you say that?”
            “Come on, Liz,” Anna said. “Look how happy you guys have been in the past year, since that shit with Thomas finally ended. I have a feeling it won’t be long before you two head to the altar.”
            She cringed at the mention of that name. After Thomas had been arrested, he had gone to trial for the threats and the attempt of raping her. Thankfully, Elizabeth didn’t have to testify. Justin had done everything he could to stop that from happening, cause he knew how upset that would make her if she had to face him again.
            “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories,” Anna said. She still couldn’t quite believe what fate had given her and Elizabeth. Though it had been a long road, neither of them would trade it for anything.
            “I haven’t thought about him in a long time,” Elizabeth said, taking a sip of the champagne. It tasted nice and cold on her lips. “I still can’t believe you’re married,” she said again with a smile.
            “I can’t believe it either.” Anna and her husband caught each other’s eyes across the room.
            “It’s time for the bride and groom to share their first dance as man and wife!” Chris yelled over the microphone.
            Anna and JC both stepped forward, and walked slowly to each other in the center of the dance floor. They smiled at each other, and began dancing as the other four members of *NSYNC sang “This I Promise You”, which JC had made his and Anna’s song.
            Elizabeth went over and sat with the member’s of Anna’s family, who were just like her family, and watched the couple. She could feel Justin’s eyes on her, so she looked up into his eyes. He was smiling at her, and it got her every time. She couldn’t stop the smile. Her eyes got all watery when he blew her a kiss after they finished the song.
            Everyone else started to get up and found a dancing partner, and headed out to the dance floor. Elizabeth just looked down at the maid of honor dress that Anna had picked out for her to wear. Even after all these years, Anna still knew her better than anyone.
            “Would you care to dance?” a soft voice whispered into her ear, while she was too absorbed in the dress.
            But she heard him. And that made her smile. “Well, I guess. If I have to.”
            Even though Justin knew she was kidding, he still put out a little pout. He knew she would fall for it….as she did every time.
            He took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. Wrapping his arms protectively around her waist, they began to slow dance to the sappy tune that was now playing on the stereo. To them, it was like they were the only ones there.
            “I love you,” he whispered, holding her close.
            Every time she heard him say that, she felt like she was going to burst. She had never in her whole life had so much love for one person. The more time that passed, the more she loved him. “I love you too,” she whispered, running her hands over the back of the suit that she thought made him look even more handsome.
            Then he kissed her, and everything else just disappeared. She thought back to what Anna said. This is the real thing, she thought. We’re gonna be together forever. This is the real thing.