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"You've got everything you need?"Cindy worriedly voiced as she handed Susan over to her mother.
"She'll be fine Cindy. We have done this a few times remember?"
"I know Mom. It's just that she's
"She's yours. I know. She'll be fine. Your Father will spoil her rotten once he gets home so go and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about Susie. She'll be just fine. We have all the numbers and everything you've left for us so go now."
Cindy admired her beautiful creation one more time before she left the house for the reception center. Her heart pressed against her chest in anticipation of what this evening was going to bring. She had to do this for Grace's sake anyway. As much as she disliked the thought of having to face those two(like they remembered anyway) she knew it was going to happen. The answer was when. She was greeted out of her meandering thoughts with Grace's squeal of delight."Oh My God Cindy! I'm so glad you're here."
Howie waited patiently as Grace overflowed with joy at Cindy's appearance at the party.
"Hello Howard,"she solemnly uttered.
"Hello Cindy. It's nice to see you again,"he cordially responded
"So where are all your friends sweetie?"Grace squeezed his hand.
"They're around here somewhere."
"Nice party Howie,"Kristin greeted.
"It is a nice party,"Kevin agreed.
"Nothing but the best for my lady,"He pulled her close with his arm wrapping around her waist.
"And who is her lovely friend here?"Kevin inquired of Cindy's presence.
"I'm sorry. Kevin and Kristin, this is my best friend Cindy,"Grace introduced her.
Kevin looked to Howie as though he knew her. He raised his brows as in some sort of secret code but Cindy knew the look. Next to Grace, she was going to be the talk of the party.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm just gonna go get something to drink. It was nice meeting you two,"she politely excused herself as she went to find the bar. She was sipping on her drink when she felt a presence looming over her. She turned to find the tall blonde. Did he recognize her she wondered as she smiled up toward him."Hi."
"I'd ask if I could buy you a drink but they're already paid for tonight,"he grinned that charmingly boyish lopsided grin she wished she could forget.
She acknowledged his remark with a smile of her own.

"So are you friend's of the Bride or Groom?"
Good he didn't remember or he just was seeing how far he had to go to find out that it was her.
"The Bride actually."
"So do you have a name?"
"I have one."
"So I could call you gorgeous or beautiful and I'd get the same response as a formal name?"
"Sounds better than what my parents gave me."
He laughed."A sense of humor. Cute. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
"Maybe later,"she walked away and bumped into Him. There they were as if they never moved; those damn sunglasses hiding all his emotions.
"Would you watch where in the hell..you're...going,"he trailed off as the recognition of her beautifully stormy blue eyes hit him like a rock.
"I'm so sorry. Let me get that,"she grabbed some stray napkins on the table next to them.
"It's okay,"He grasped the hand that was applying the doting motherly gesture.
"I don't believe we've met,"he played cool."I'm AJ and you are?"
"A friend of Grace's. If you'll excuse me,"she pried her hand from his grip and walked away.
She found Grace and Howie cozily holding hands as they made their rounds."Can I borrow Grace for a minute?"
"You will bring her back?"Howie inquired.
"Yes I will. Give me five minutes,"she pulled Grace away and into the ladies room.
"Tell me something Howie,"Nick approached him noticing Grace and her friend were gone.
"What ?"
"The girl with Grace?"inquiring with hopes of it actually being Cindy.
"If you need to ask then you don't remember her well enough."
"I do remember trust me. It's just that she's avoiding the recognition."
"I noticed that as well D,"AJ caught the last sentence spoken between the two.
"Look, whatever you all do, please try not to ruin this for me okay?"Howie pleaded.
"So have you seen the baby yet?"Nick pressed.
"Yes I have. She's actually a beautiful little girl. Susan's her name I think."
"And?"AJ questioned, eagerly awaiting the response that Howie knew was inevitable.

"What's wrong with you Cindy?"she ripped her arm from Cindy's grip.
"I can't do this anymore tonight."
"For once Cindy, I'm gonna be downright rude to you. Grow up! You have a child and it belongs to one of them. Now go out there and face them. Tell them about her and who she resembles."
"I can't."
"Then leave. This is my night and you are not going to ruin it like everything else. Who knows Cindy?
They might be more understanding than you think."
"Okay. I'm sorry. Let's go."
"I thought you'd see things my way,"as they approached the group of men.
"I brought her back in one piece,"Cindy remarked.
Grace glared at her.
"I'm sorry."
"Uh listen, why don't we go get something to drink while these three get reacquainted?"Grace nudged Howie's side.
"Sure. We'll see you later."
The awkward moment seized control."Shall we sit?"Cindy broke the silence noticing the free table a few yards away.
They both made an attempt to offer her the chair but in the end, AJ won. After they were all seated, the silence once again grew uncomfortable.
Finally AJ broke it by approaching it first."I think we know why we're here and who can answer the questions we need answers to,"AJ's gaze fell upon Cindy.