The smile on the young couple's faces brought tears to the eyes of the people gathered in the church. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she tried to hold them back as the priest spoke his last words.

His words echoed throughout the silent walls of the elegant church as they stared at each other on the altar. His deep, blue gaze never left hers as he brought a hand to the back of her head and leaned them close to share their first kiss as husband and wife.

A smile played on both of their lips as the crowd cheered in response as they sealed their vows forever with a kiss.

Nick took a step down the altar and reached his hand out to grab Autumn's. Hand in hand, they walked down the aisle with happiness and love accompanying them on their journey.

Once the doors were opened to the outside world, their vision was blocked as streams of rice was thrown into the air and onto everyone and everything in its' path. The press frantically took photos of the amazing pair as they made their way through the throngs of family and friends and into the awaiting limo that would drive them to the reception at the fanciest hotel in the whole state of Florida.

*~*

Once Nick and Autumn were settled safely into the limo, they reached for one another and didn't let go until the limo had stopped.

The door opened and Nick stepped out first followed shortly after by Autumn. She held the ends of her dress as Nick and her ascended the porcelain steps to the hotel.

People of all elegance nodded their head once as if acknowledging that the two of them had finally made it. They had finally gotten past the long nightmare that they had endured nearly a year ago. They had moved on, and moved on together. Their nightmare was in the past, and the past was long forgotten. Now they were two beings in one soul, and nothing in the world would ever change that.

*~*

As soon as they opened the door into the reception, they were bombarded by thank you's and hugs and soon the two had been separated without them realizing it.

Autumn had looked for Nick and had managed to catch a glimpse of him with his family.

Her heart flooded with warm and deep feelings that she never believed she had inside of her. The man that had been with her through everything, the man who stuck by her side, the man that loved her through it all, was finally hers. Now and forever.

Nick sat down in his chair, and he then realized that he had been on his feet for way too long. But to him it was all worth it. It was all made perfectly clear to him as he gazed down at the gold band that was settled beautifully on his ring finger. It was fate. It was their destiny. To meet at a simple party years before, and to now be married and spend the rest of their lives together. He loved her so much, and she loved him equally the same. He would do anything for her, just to make her happy because seeing her happy made him the happiest man alive.

Once they would start a family, he would stay up for late night feedings with her, be with her when their child was sick, go to his child's first baseball game or dance recital. He would grow old with Autumn and would still be in as much love with her as he was when he first married her.

Nick smiled as he saw her emerge into his view with a smile on her face. His heart still fluttered relentlessly when he saw her. Her eyes twinkled in the dim light that bounced from everyone's face from the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.

Nick could see the ring shine on her slim fingers in the light, casting little diamond specks on whatever the ring reflected. How beautiful, he thought to himself as she made her way to her seat next to him.

Autumn smiled when she felt Nick's hand grab her own and give it a little squeeze. Their lips grazed each other's softly and affectionately as they tasted what was in store for them that night, and for the years to come.

The music chimed in harmony as the chords to their wedding song streamed throughout the speakers and into the joyous room. Nick led her onto the large dance floor and took her into his arms slowly and lovingly. They held each other close and closed their eyes, absorbing all that was happening around them and with each other.

"I love you so much, Nick Carter," Autumn whispered as a tear trickled down her cheek. She breathed deeply as they danced with their foreheads pressed together.

"And I love you, Autumn Carter." Nick responded, twirling her around in a circle that enhanced a round of cheers from the guests.

*~*

Autumn squealed in delight as Nick spun them in circles in their honeymoon suite on the top floor of the hotel. Few guests still lingered on the edges of the hotel, not wanting to leave.

The room was beautiful; almost too hard to believe. Autumn opened up the double doors to the patio and let the wind swipe her brown hair across her cheek in a delicate manner.

Autumn was gazing at the ocean that stretched for miles and miles when she felt the need to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"You're pinching yourself," Nick said with a chuckle as he came up behind and wrapped his arms around her.

No, she wasn't dreaming. It was definitely real.

"I know. I have to make sure that I'm not dreaming."

"No, baby girl. This is no dream. This is forever," he said, turning her to face him and capturing her lips in a blazing and overwhelming kiss.

When they broke apart, Autumn led him back into their room, but left the doors open. The soft, white curtains blew back and forth in a magical and fascinating matter, but that was the last thing on their minds. Their lips met in a powerful kiss, blowing them both away as their clothing slowly trickled to the floor.

Nick hovered over her body before he slowly joined their bodies as one. They kissed each other feverishly, letting their tongues dance together as their bodies rocked with one another as they experienced their first coming together.

She held his trembling body in her arms as they made love for the rest of the night. She was so glad she waited. The moment was so wonderful. Nick was sweet and gentle, taking the time to kiss her and caress her like never before.

When the wee hours of morning struck through their blowing curtains, they opened their eyes sleepily to find them wrapped together in an embrace. They made love one more time that morning before they boarded their plane for their honeymoon in Malibu.

*~*

Two years after they married, a new addition was brought into the Carter family. Matthew Ryan Carter was born to Nickolas and Autumn Carter in the summer of 2003. The three of them lived a happy life in the outskirts of Florida, on a beach where no one could bother them. A place where their love could grow and prosper for all eternity.

And Nick did keep his promises. He stayed up for the late night feedings with Autumn. He went to Matt's very first baseball game and helped out as a coach. But most importantly, his love for his wife never altered.

If any, his love outstood its boundary for her, and she shared his love with him forever. He never broke his promise to her either. He did grow old with her.