Dawn tossed and turned all night, unable to clear her head and fall asleep. As soon as she would doze off, suddenly she was wide awake again. She wasn’t sure what is was that was bothering her. Was it simply pre-wedding jitters or was there something more? She glanced over at the clock and sighed.

‘Four twenty-three’, she thought to herself.

She looked over at AJ sleeping so peacefully next to her. He was laying on his stomach with his arm under his head. Something about the expression on his face put her mind at ease for a brief moment. She saw his lips curl into a small smile and she wondered what he was dreaming about.

‘How did he become the strong one in this relationship?’ She asked herself as she stared up at the ceiling. ‘How did he become so sure of everything? What’s wrong with me?’

She slowly slid out of bed and crept across the room, positioning herself quietly in the chair they had by the window, facing the pool. She sighed and looked outside, the lights dancing across the small ripples floating throughout the underground pool. It was at times like this when she desperately wished she could have a cigarette…or two.

‘There’s nothing I want more than to marry Alex’, she thought to herself. ‘So why am I so nervous?’

She closed her eyes and thought back to when he proposed to her. Things were so different then. Their relationship had never been easy, but somehow they always got through everything. She never expected a relationship with someone like him to be easy. His job was very demanding. He was very demanding, of himself and everyone around him. That never bothered her. What did bother her was…shit, she didn’t know what was bothering her.

‘It was my idea to get married today, what is my problem??’ She scolded herself.

She was so deep in thought, she didn’t hear AJ get out of bed and walk up behind her. She just felt his gentle hand touch her shoulder.

"What’s wrong, Angel?" He asked softly as he sat down in the chair across from her.

"Can’t sleep," she answered, her eyes never leaving the peacefulness of the pool.

"What’s on your mind?"

"I don’t know. Nerves, I think," she looked down at her hands and started to figit with her fingers.

"What are you nervous about? Marrying me?"

"To tell you the truth, I don’t know why I’m so nervous, Alex," she looked up at him.

The room was pitch black, the only light in the room was the light shining in from the pool. She could see his eyes, and the light glistening off of the promise ring she had given him before she went on tour. Something about the ring brought tears to her eyes. She tried to hold it in as she turned her attention back outside.

"Are you having second thoughts?" He rested his chin on his hand as he leaned on the table, watching her intently.

She thought for a moment. She had answered that before without hesitation, but she wasn’t sure how to answer it now. The truth was she wasn’t having second thoughts, but there was certainly something that she needed to bring to the surface before they could commit the rest of their lives to each other. She just wasn’t sure what it was.

"Alex, we’ve both changed so much", she began.

Her words turned his blood cold. He could only see this conversation going in one direction, and he didn’t like it. They were going to get married in less than seven hours. They had been through so much to get where they were now, he wasn’t going to let her back out now.

"Sure, as people grow, they change. We’ve both changed, and we’ve done it together".

"I know, but somehow, somewhere, the tables turned," she sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"You’re the strong one now. I used to know exactly what I wanted out of life….where I was headed. Now I don’t have a clue".

"Angel," he took her hand in his. "It’s normal to go through periods where you feel like you don’t know where you’re going. Especially in the business that we’re in. Believe me, I’ve been there. Hell, I still go through that sometimes. Then I come home, to you and Arianna, and I’m reminded of what’s really important in my life, nothing else matters".

"See, you have that, though. You know how to bring yourself out of that state of mind, I don’t. First the tour…that was a big mess. Then I get in a car accident, then the operation. I almost die, what, two times? Then I get pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled about it, but it’s not something I had planned for this time in my life. Now we’re getting married. You’ll be touring again soon, so that leaves me at home with two kids and my career is put on hold, again," a teardrop slowly slid down her cheek as the words poured out.

She didn’t realize, until now, that she had these feelings locked up inside.

"The truth is, I want to marry you and take care of our family, but I want a career, too. When will I get to do that? I can’t do it all," she started to cry harder.

"Oh, Angel. Come here," he reached over and pulled her to him.

Her body was limp in his arms as he stroked her hair.

"I know it seems like my career comes before yours, and I’m sorry. I don’t mean for it to be that way. Mine’s just not as flexible as yours is right now. That doesn’t mean that I don’t take it seriously or I don’t support it".

"I know," she stopped crying and wiped her face. "I’m just so overwhelmed. My future is just one big question mark right now".

"Angel, your future is with me, that’s not a question mark. Everything else we’ll figure out together. We can get through anything. You have to know that by now".

She was silent.

"Angel? You know that, right?

"Alex, I’ve messed up so many times before, I just don’t want to do it again", she admitted, pulling away from him.

"So, you’re saying that marrying me is messing up??" He asked, shocked and a little insulted.

"No, I didn’t mean it that way. I just….God, I don’t know what I mean!" She ran her hands over her face.

He took a deep breath then leaned closer to her.

"Angel, what is it? Talk to me, please," he asked softly.

"I’m not the same person I used to be, Alex. Everything in my life is changing all at once and I’m not strong enough to handle it all! I can’t do it!"

She started to cry again, resting her forehead on the edge of the table.

"Dawn, listen to me," he leaned closer to her.

She could feel his hot breath in her hair.

"You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met in my life. You can do anything, I have that faith in you, you just need to have that faith in yourself," he paused. "Look at me, please".

She wiped away her tears and looked him in the eye. So sincere, so filled with emotion.

"We will get through it all, together. I will be right beside you in everything you do, you know that. Right now, I want you to put everything else out of your mind for the time being. I want you to think about one thing and one thing only, and that is our relationship. Do you still want to marry me?" He said slowly.

"Today....at eleven o’clock. Are you prepared to commit the rest of your life to me, the good times and bad, the uncertainty of what life has in store..….all of it. I need to know and I need to know now".

Dawn was surprised at AJ’s sudden forwardness. Part of her expected it, considering all that she had put him through involving marriage. The softness in his eyes was starting to turn to anger.

"I need you to think long and hard about this because you can’t keep doing this to me. You can’t keep getting my hopes up then changing your mind because you’re scared. I know that’s what it is. You’re afraid to marry me. You’re afraid to completely let me in and give into the unknown. Well, let me tell you something. Two and a half years ago, you came to me. You were the one that waltzed down my basement steps and point blank asked me if I had feelings for you. You had no idea what I was gonna say, but you took a chance, and so did I. I let you in then, and I want you to let me in now."

Dawn sat in the chair with her face in her hands, letting his words sink in. He sat there for a moment awaiting some kind of response from her. Finally, he got frustrated at her silence.

"I’m gonna let you think for a little while. I need a cigarette. I’ll be outside".

He got up from the chair, grabbed his sweatpants, put them on and walked out the door.

"Goddamnit!" He cursed as he walked down the stairs, outside to the back deck. "We’ve gotten this close, this can’t happen now!" 

He sat down on a lounge chair and ran his hands over his face. He took a long puff of his cigarette, trying to calm himself down.

"Maybe I shouldn’t have been so hard on her," he whispered.

"No, I deserved it", Dawn’s voice startled him as he turned to face her.

He turned back around, not sure if he was ready for whatever she was going to tell him. She pulled up a nearby chair so it was right in front of him and sat down. She took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"I’m sorry, Alex", she began.

His heart dropped into his toes and he put his cigarette out and laid his face in his hands.

"Can you look at me, please?" She asked.

He lifted his head, not sure if he could keep himself from crying as he looked into her eyes.

"Just please tell me you haven’t changed your mind," he begged.

She leaned closer and took his hand in hers, wrapping her fingers around his and took another deep breath.

"I still want to marry you, baby….today. More than anything in the world," she cupped his face in her hand as a teardrop slid down her cheek.

"You’re right, I am scared. I have a lot on my mind right now, trying to get my life together and everything straight in my head. That doesn’t change the way I feel about you. I might be unsure of everything else in my life, but I’m positive that, whatever the future holds, I want you to be in it, for better and worse".

He let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank God", he whispered as he pulled her into a tight hug. "You had me so scared, baby".

"I know, I’ve been such a pain in the ass. I don’t mean to keep hurting you. I’m so sorry".

He kissed her head as he stroked her hair.

"Yeah, you are a pain in the ass," he teased.  "But I wouldn’t want you any other way".

Dawn chuckled. "I guess that’s what they call cold feet, huh?"

"Yeah, well, I don’t want anymore cold feet, so let’s go back in the house and I’ll keep them nice and warm. We’ll talk more in there," he rose from the chair and pulled Dawn to her feet.

"Hey, come here", he said as she started for the house.

He pulled her into his arms as they looked into each other’s eyes

"Just remember that whatever it is, whatever’s bothering you, we can get through it together, always. You just can’t push me away. You have to talk to me when there’s something on your mind. I’m gonna be your husband. It’s my job to take care of you. Remember, it’s in our vows," he smiled.

"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live".

"You memorized our vows!" She cupped her hand over her mouth as tears instantly started to spill down her cheeks.

"I sure did", he tenderly wiped her tears from her face then gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"When did you have time to do that?"

"When you were taking a bath," he caressed her cheek. "I’ve been wanting to say those things to you for such a long time, all I did was read it over a couple times and I knew it by heart".

"I love you so much," she softly kissed him on the lips then closed her eyes and rested her head against his cheek.

"I love you, too, Angel. And in just a few short hours, we’re gonna say those vows to each other and be bound together, body and soul, for the rest of our lives".

"I know", she sighed and looked up at him. "I can’t wait," she smiled and caressed his cheek.

"You know, that’s a bery long time," she joked.

"Yes it is," he laughed. "Why don’t we go inside and relax for awhile. You have to get up soon for your appointment".

"Yeah, I might as well just stay up".

"Great, either you’ll pass out from not eating or you’ll fall asleep at the alter…" he joked.

"No I won’t. I wanna be awake for this," she joked back. "Hey, the sun’s coming up, let’s watch it before we go in".

AJ sat down in the lounge chair and Dawn sat between his legs, leaning up against his chest as they cuddled together and watched the sunrise.

A few hours later Dawn awoke and looked around her. Her and AJ were still outside on the lounge chair. They must have fallen asleep watching the sunset. She sat up and stretched lazily then looked at AJ who was just starting to stir. He opened his eyes and smiled.

"Morning, Angel."

"Morning, baby."

He reached up and pulled her back to him, kissing her temple.

"I love waking up like this. Just think, tomorrow morning we’ll wake up like this again and you’ll be my wife," he smiled.

"Yeah…you’re wi………OMIGOD!!" Dawn sat up.

"What?"

"The wedding!!! What time is it?!?!?"

AJ looked at his watch. "It’s six forty-nine."

"Shit. I’ve gotta get dressed. D will be here soon!" Dawn said getting up.

"Relax," AJ chuckled, trying to pull her back down. "You’ve got time."

"Alex! I’ve gotta get ready!!" she told him, pulling away again.

She rushed inside and AJ followed behind her shaking his head. Dawn rushed through the house talking a mile a minute. AJ followed behind her, amused.

"I’ve got to get a shower before D gets here. I have to get Arianna up and make her some breakfast."

"I thought you were meeting my Mom for breakfast." AJ pointed out.

She looked at him for a minute.

"Shit, you’re right. So I just need to get her up then." She disappeared into the walk in closet.

"Don’t worry about Ari. I’ll get her ready while you shower."

Dawn came back out with a pair of jeans and a sweater. She threw them on the bed and put her hands on her hips, thinking.

"Shoes!!" she shouted suddenly, disappearing into the closet again.

AJ laughed at the way she was acting. He’d never seen her looking so flustered and he chuckled thinking about how much it turned him on.

"Dawn," he called.

"What?" She came back out of the closet and put her shoes next to her other clothes.

He grabbed her and tried to kiss her. She giggled and pushed him away.

"Alex, please. I need to get ready."

"And I need my morning kiss," he pouted.

"You need something else by the looks of things," she chuckled.

"Yeah well, right now I’ll settle for a kiss, we’ll handle the rest later tonight," he smiled, leaning in again but she moved just out of his reach. "Give me a kiss or I’m not gonna marry you."

"No need to get hostile," she laughed, giving him a kiss. "There, now let me go take a shower."

"Need some company?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I think I can handle it. Go get your daughter up," she laughed as she shut the bathroom door.

AJ stood there for a moment. The house was quiet, Arianna was still sleeping. He glanced down at his watch again.

"She’s got plenty of time," he whispered as he waited for the shower to turn on.

They had a huge shower, more than enough room for two people. He figured even if he tried to get in with her and she kicked him out, he could still have his own section of the shower. He chuckled thinking about it. Sometimes, he wondered how he was so lucky as to find a woman that he was so sexually compatible with. They were compatible in every way possible, it amazed him sometimes.

As soon as he heard the water start, he waited a minute or two to make sure that Dawn was in the
shower then slowly opened the bathroom door and crept inside. He took off his clothes then quietly opened the shower door. She was standing under the shower with her back to him.

He just stood there, his eyes taking in every curve of her body. He could have stayed there watching her all day, the way the water danced across her naked body made his body tingle with excitement.

He watched one drop of water start at her shoulder, continue down the small of her back, over her buttocks, down her left leg, then drop to the shower floor. He didn’t know if he should approach her, or just stand there until she realized he was there. It was so strange that she still mesmerized him the way that she did after they had been together so long.

"Are you just gonna stand there and stare all day or are you gonna come over here and give me a hand?" Dawn asked over her shoulder.

He almost jumped at her words, he thought he was being quiet. He walked towards her and reached over her shoulder, picking up the soap from the dish. She swung her hair around her shoulder, so it was off her back as he slowly ran the soap across her back.

"How did you know I was here?" He asked.

"Alex, you’re forgetting how well I know you", she smiled, enjoying his slow and deliberate touch.

He continued to glide the soap across her body, continuing to her arms, then the front of her body. He pulled her back against him as he ran the soap over her chest. She closed her eyes and leaned back against his chest. She could never resist him, and he knew it.

Damn him.

She pulled him closer as he began to softly kiss the back of her neck.

"We don’t have a lot of time," she said softly, her eyes closed, not even trying to discourage him.

"That’s okay," he whispered as he continued to run his tongue down the back of her neck, across her shoulder blades. "It won’t take long," he chuckled as he put the soap back in the dish.

She turned around and wasted no time kissing him full on the mouth. She ran her nails down his back, then to his chest. She backed him into the corner, where the bench awaited them. She pushed him down onto it and she knelt between his legs. She ran her hands over every inch of his body as she kissed him, except the spot he most wanted to be touched.

He was going crazy, he couldn’t handle her teasing anymore. Just when he thought he might explode from anticipation, he felt her hand on his hard member, slowly stroking him. He stopped kissing her, needing to take a breath before he passed out.

"What do you want, Alex," she asked, just barely above a whisper.

"I….uhh…" he leaned back against the wall as she teased him with her hand.

At this point, he didn’t care what she did to him, he would let her do anything she wanted.

All of a sudden, he felt her warm mouth envelope him, slowly, teasingly, then she stopped.

"Is that what you want?" She whispered into his ear yet again.

"Uh huh…." he gasped, "God yes, please".

"Look at me, Alex", she whispered.

He opened his eyes and looked down at her.

"I want you to watch," she gave him a sly smile as she snaked her tongue down his chest, making her way lower and lower until finally she took him in her mouth again.

He watched her mouth slowly move up and down his cock. Her eyes met with his as she continued to torture him. She stopped again and he held his breath, letting a small whimper escape his lips.

"Do you like that, Alex?" She asked as she continued to stroke him, tightening her grip on him.

She kissed his neck as he tried to make some kind of words come out of his mouth. All he could do was nod his head.

"Does that feel good?"

"Uh huh, oh yeah," he managed to get out.

"Do you want me to continue?" She teased him as she flicked the head of his cock with her thumb.

"Yes…….please…."

"Good, because I love the way you feel in my mouth," she smiled then leaned down and took him in her mouth once again.

This time she didn’t stop. Just went faster and faster until she felt him place his hand on the back of her head, then aggressively grab a handful of hair. He started to buck his hips and she knew he was getting close to his release.

"Oh God, Angel, that feels so good," he moaned as he watched her every move.

The steam from the running shower was making beads of sweat form on both of their naked bodies. Sweat started to pour down his face. He didn’t think he could hold out much longer, it felt too good.

He wished that he could give her pleasure, too. He knew they couldn’t do what he really wanted to, because of the baby, though. Suddenly, Dawn stopped and looked up at him. She noticed him looking down at her intensely.

"What’s wrong, baby," she nibbled on his ear.

"I….I just wish that I could make you feel good, too," he admitted.

She smiled at him and caressed his cheek.

"Will you just be selfish for once and not worry about me?" She started to stroke him again as he closed his eyes. "That’s right, just lean back, close your eyes and tell me what you want".

"I want to be inside of you," he said softly.

"Just imagine me, in your lap right now, slowly riding you," she ran her nails down his chest as she gently bit his nipple. "Do you like that, baby?"

"Oh yeah," he smiled as his own hand starting sliding slowly up and down his cock.

"That’s it, show me how you like it," she smiled, watching him. "Come on, baby, you can feel it sliding in and out of me, can’t you".

"Yessss…" he moaned as he started to stroke himself faster. "It feels so good".

"You can feel my breasts rubbing against your chest…..you’re moving faster and deeper within me…"

He clenched his eyes closed as he felt himself getting closer to orgasm with each passing second.

"You wanna cum, don’t you, Alex," she asked, leaning down and running her tongue across the head of his cock."

"Oh yeah, I wanna cum. Please, baby, suck me," he begged, his eyes still tightly closed.

She smiled then lowered her mouth onto him. He started to remove his hand, but she stopped him by placing her hand over his, her mouth following their movements. She took him deeper into her mouth and heard him start to moan louder.

"Oh, Dawn," he gasped as he bucked his hips again. "Oh God," he bit his lower lip as he felt himself ready to explode.

He removed his hand and gently grabbed a handful of her hair. She sucked him harder and deeper. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore as his orgasm washed over his body. His grasp tightened in her hair as she deep throated him and he exploded in her mouth. Dawn drank every last drop of his juices and looked up at him with a smile.

"Did you enjoy that, baby?"

AJ nodded and sighed, trying to catch his breath.

"We better finish this shower, D will be here soon," Dawn said, standing up and pulling him to his feet.

"Now it's your turn," he rasped seductively in her ear as he pulled her to him.

"Honey," she whined.   "We don't have time".

"Come on, Angel," he kissed her neck.  "You know you want to."

"Of course, I want to," she playfully pushed him away.  "I'll tell you what, you can make it up to me later".

"Deal," he smiled.   "I love you," AJ told her, giving her a sweet kiss on the lips.

"I love you too," she smiled, stepping under the spray again.

AJ got out of the shower and went to see if Arianna was awake.

The doorbell rang just as AJ got finished dressing Arianna. Dawn had just gotten out of the shower and was drying her hair.

"D’s here," AJ called as he passed the bathroom.

Arianna pounded on the bathroom door. "Me come in Mommy!"

Dawn opened the door to let her daughter in and smiled at AJ.

"Tell her I’ll be ready in a minute." AJ nodded and gave her a kiss and went to answer the door.

"Hey J! You ready to get hitched?" D greeted him with a hug.

"I was born ready," he laughed. "Dawn’s almost ready. We didn’t get up until seven so she’s been rushing around like a mad woman."

"I can imagine. How’d you guys sleep?"

"We didn’t really," AJ said, as they went into the kitchen. "Dawn was pacing. She got a slight case of cold feet."

"Is she okay?" D asked, taking the cup of coffee AJ offered.

"Yeah, she’s fine. The pregnancy hormones don’t help matters any."

"She wants this more than anything, you know that right?"

"Of course. So do I."

"You’re sure about this? You have no doubts? Even about this baby?" D questioned him seriously.

"No, D. I have no doubts. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything."

"Okay. I was just making sure. Call me protective," she smiled.

AJ smiled back and hugged her tightly.

"Cheating on me already," Dawn joked, coming into the kitchen with Arianna on her hip.

"Who better to cheat on you with than D," he joked back.

"You wish J," D teased, pushing him away playfully. "You ready to roll?"

"Sure am," Dawn nodded and gave AJ a kiss. "We’ll see you later at the Court House."

"I’ll be there with bells on."

He gave Arianna kiss on the cheek and the girls left.

They picked Denise up and they all went to breakfast. Afterwards it was off to the salon where they got their hair styled, facials and manicures. Even Arianna got pampered which she enjoyed immensely. After their morning of indulgence they headed back to Denise’s to get ready for the ceremony.

"Are you nervous?" D asked Dawn as they changed into robes.

"I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement. I just want to do it. We’ve waited so long for this. I’m kind of in shock it’s actually happening."

"I’m glad you’re doing this. It’ll be good for the both of you. You guys deserve all the happiness in the world."

Dawn smiled then Denise came into the room with Arianna.

"Before you get dressed I want to give you something," Denise smiled, handing her a box.

"What’s this?" Dawn took the box and looked at it.

"You know the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Here’s the old," Denise explained.

Dawn sat down in a nearby couch and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful charm bracelet.

"Oh Denise, it’s beautiful."

"This charm bracelet has been in my family for years," Denise explained, sitting down next to her.

"My Grandmother gave it to my Mother and my Mother gave it to me on my wedding day. I pray it brings you better luck than it brought me."

"Wow," Dawn didn’t now what else to say.

"Here is something new," D said, handing her another box.

Dawn took it and opened it. She took out a small charm. It was a silver heart with the inscription 'Alex and Dawn' on the front and 'Together as one forever' on the back.

"It’s so beautiful, thank you so much!" Dawn gave her a huge hug. "I think I’m gonna cry." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

"And now for something blue," D announced, handing her a small bag that said Victoria’s Secret on it.

"Oh no," Dawn moaned, seeing the name on the side.

"Open it!" D urged.

Dawn shot her a look as she opened the bag. When she saw what it was she closed the bag quickly and glared at D, who had a smirk on her face.

"What is it, Mommy?" Arianna asked, trying to look in the bag.

"It’s umm…"

"Why don’t you go find Panda and Bear sweetie," Denise interrupted, trying to stifle a laugh.

"No," the little girl shook her head. "Want to know what’s in bag."

D couldn’t help but laugh at her persistence.

"It’s just tissue paper, see" Dawn held up a handful to show her.

Arianna scrunched her nose.

"That’s not a vewy good pwesent."

"You’re right. It’s not. But it’s blue so that’s what I need, something blue."

Arianna seemed to be content with that answer. Dawn breathed a sigh of relief.

"Me go find doggies now," Arianna told them as she ran off.

"I can’t believe you!" Dawn scolded D.

"What?" D asked innocently.

Dawn reached in the bag and held up the baby blue bra, undies and matching garter.

"You needed something blue so I got something blue. AJ will love you in it....and out of it," she winked.

"You’re so bad," Dawn shook her head and put the bag on the floor. "And evil. You know we can’t have sex."

"Yeah so, you can do other things."

"That’s true," Dawn realized, a wicked smile forming.

"We got it when we went to the mall yesterday," D told her. "Nick helped me pick it out."

"Oh he did, did he?"

"Yep. You should have seen some of the other shit he picked. I told him you weren’t a hooker," she laughed.

"I can only imagine," Dawn laughed back. "So I’m sure you came home with a few things."

"We won’t talk about what I came home with."

"Oh come on!"

"Not in front of AJ’s Mom," she told her, waving her off.

Denise laughed.

"Don’t stop on my account!"

D looked at Denise and smiled evilly.

"Well, okay then. He bought me this green, see- through…"

Arianna came running into the room, followed by the dogs. She stopped in the middle of the room and giggled when they knocked her over.

"That little girl has the worst timing," D commented.

Dawn and Denise laughed.

"I guess we should get ready. Thank you guys so much for the gifts. I love them."

"You’re welcome sweetheart," Denise smiled.

"Wait! Don’t we need something borrowed?" D pointed out.

"You’re right," Denise said. "I forgot about that."

They stood there looking at each other, trying to think of something to borrow.

"What bowwowed mean?" Arianna asked.

"It means something that I use for a little while and then give back," Dawn explained.

"Here Mommy," Arianna handed her the scrunchy that was in her hair. "You borrow dis."

"Aaaww, thank you sweetie," she laughed as she hugged her daughter then slipped it on her wrist.

"That’s it then. I’ll go change Arianna while the two of you get dressed."

D took Arianna into Denise’s bedroom to get her ready. Dawn changed into the lingerie D bought her.

‘AJ will love this’

Dawn thought to herself. ‘Although I’m not sure how sexy this little belly is’, she sighed.

"You are going to look so beautiful," Denise gushed as she helped Dawn slip into her wedding dress.

She zipped up the back and admired her in the mirror.

"Just like I said, beautiful," she whispered.

Dawn looked back at her in the mirror and got misty-eyed.

"I can’t believe I’m getting married today," she sniffed.

"It’s been a long time coming."

"I know. I’m so glad you are here to share it with us."

"There’s no where else I would rather be."

Denise put her arms around her from behind and hugged her.

"I wish my Mom could share this with me," Dawn sighed.

"I know, honey," she said softly. "Why don’t you tell me about your Mother", she took Dawn’s hand and they sat down on the edge of the bed

"Ever since she passed away, I’ve been kind of lost. We were so close at one time. She helped me a lot when I was pregnant with Arianna. I’m glad she got to meet her first grandchild, though. I just wish Arianna could have known her."

Denise rubbed her back as Dawn told her all about her Mother. She knew very little about Dawn’s mother. Dawn rarely talked about her, especially following her death in a car accident just a couple years earlier. She knew they had been close, though, until she moved out of state. She had the feeling that Dawn never forgave herself for drifting away from her. She turned Dawn to face her.

"You’re Mother is looking down on you right now and smiling. She’s very proud of you, what you’ve become."

Dawn embraced her, touched at her words, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"Thanks Mom."

"You’re welcome, sweetheart."

D and Arianna came back into the room. Arianna looked adorable in her green dress.

"Mommy look pwetty."

"Thank you sweetie," she said, kissing the top of her head. "So do you."

"You do look beautiful," D gushed, hugging her.

"Thank you."

"Alex is going to just fall all over himself when he sees you," Denise added.

"I’d love to see that," Dawn laughed.

"Shall we head to the Courthouse?" Denise asked.

"Let’s get this show on the road!"

Chapter 64
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