"You look absolutely beautiful. Sean is a very lucky guy," Sam said placing the veil over my face.

"I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I am marrying my bestfriend."

He smiled which caused me to smile back at him. His eyes were warm. I wanted to ask him about what was going on, but I didn't want to ruin what I was about to do.

"Are those happy tears?" he asked looking a little confused.

"Am I going to jail? I heard you all talking next door. I didn't do anything but fall for a piece of shit guy. This is my punishment for cheating."

"Cheating on who Lizzy?"

"Aries. I've loved Sean since I can remember. I've never given anyone else a chance."

"Ah, you are not a cheater. The good thing is that you get to marry the man you truly love. That kind of love is so hard to find and when it comes along, you have to hold on to it. Take it from someone who knows that all too clearly. This mess with Aries is going to get cleared up, and then I'm bringing you back to Sean. You're not going to jail because I have some very influential friends and they are not going to let you be blamed for something you didn't do. You can trust me on that?"

"How are you so sure? If Aries did this, he is not going to take the wrap for it."

"Lizzy look at me."

I did.

"Your focus is to walk down that aisle. Leave the bullshit to me. I promised Sean to have you back, and I keep my promises. You are a very beautiful bride and Sean is lucky to have you." He took out a handkerchief and dabbed away my tears.

"I can't do my job if you're crying."

I put my arms around his neck and hugged him. I caught him by surprise as his arms finally wrapped around my waist.

"You're a godsend. You have a good heart Sam to help out a complete stranger. I feel like I'm disrupting your life. You don't have to do this."

"I would never leave a damsel in distress. Maybe me helping you, can help me erase some of the bad things I've done."

"There is no way you're a bad person. A little intense, but I see a determined, intelligent, confident guy who gets the job done. And a true gentlemen."

"A gentleman?"

"My aunt Theresa use to always say, "a true gentleman always keeps a handkerchief ready and waiting on a lady. A gentleman is chivalrous, courteous, an a honorable man," which you have shown me since the beginning. You also look very debonair in a suit."

"Thank you for the observation, but if you knew the real me, you would probably change your mind."

"If you knew the real sarcastic, ghetto girl, messyass, noseyass, Elizabeth Johnson, you would be running away like you were on fire."

"I can see that." He laughed which made me laugh too.

I heard the door open and my mom peeked her head in. "Are you ready sweetie?" she asked.

"Yes, one minute mom."

"Okay. You look so beautiful honey. I love you."

"I love you too."

She hugged and kissed me. We both smiled at one another and she walked back out.

"You promise to get me back to Sean?" I asked staring at the door.

"Did you do it?"

"No."

"Then I promise to get you back to Sean."

"Thank you."

He cleared his throat. "You ready?"

With a deep breath I said, "yes."

Sam opened the door and the song, For You, by Kenny Lattimore began to play. A smile crossed my face as it was the same song Sean played on his portable cassette tape-deck when he gave me my blue candy ring pop. He had gotten down on one knee trying to sing the song but had failed miserably. After that didn't work, we just danced but then he tried to dip me, he lost his balance and I fell on top of him where we continued to laugh.

I tightened my grip on Sam. Looking straight ahead I saw Sean. With his eyes focused on me, a huge grin appeared on his face. He looked so handsome in his black tux. His hair was perfectly combed, everything about him, had me tingling on the inside. To the right was Jarreau another dapper looking male. He winked giving me a thumbs up.

Our mothers were standing on the opposite sides, both smiling with my mother wiping tears.

This solarium had been transformed into a private oasis. Looking around, silk valances and curtains swayed. Beautiful flowers were displayed and the pièce de résistance, the open skylights above me. The black sky with the multitude of stars looked like a cave of iridescent lights twinkling helping to guide my way. Behind Sean, I could see the magnificent fountains and the view of the Eiffel Tower at Paris, Las Vegas. It was an excellent background that took my breath away.

Taking it all in, I was putting my woos in Sam's hands, hoping I would come out on top. I wanted to enjoy this moment, being here with my one true love, my family and my new friend Sam. We came to the end where a minister stood and Sean took his place next to me. Sam placed my hand in Sean's as the music ended. Giving my bouquet to my mother, she and Sean's mom, along with Sam took a seat behind us.

Standing side by side as the minister cleared his throat, I felt my heart literally beating out of my chest. I wondered if anyone could hear it? Why was I so nervous? Between my heart bouncing around in my chest, praying that my brain would remember the minister's words although he hadn't spoken yet, and my hands fumbling, I probably could have just passed out. My damn hands didn't know if they were suppose to be closed, or hanging at my sides. At least with the bouquet it was something to keep them focused, but now... In the midst of my thoughts, Sean must have seen my dismay as his body came a little closer and he put his hand on top of mine. I looked up at him with worry but all I saw was his green eyes filled with love and support.

"Friends and Family of Elizabeth and Sean, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love they have by joining them in marriage. Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it forever."

Sean threaded his fingers in mine.

"Their enthusiasm is contagious, their certainty of their destiny together is inspiring and their great expectations give us all a glimpse of the heights love can reach. Marriage is a very special place. It's an oasis, a haven, and a sanctuary where we can safely learn about ourselves in the presence of another. Like the harmony with the melody, marriage weaves two lives together, creating a deeper and richer song."

I leaned my head against his shoulder.

"We are honored that Elizabeth and Sean are sharing some of their beautiful music with us on this day. And we pray that, as they enter into this lifelong bond that is marriage, they may always see one another in the light of all light; the light of love."

Looking up at us the minister asked, "who supports this couple in their marriage?"

We heard both of our moms say, "we do."

The minister nodded and continued on.

"Sean repeat after me. "In the name of God, I, Sean Patrick Gipson, take you, Elizabeth Sinclair Johnson, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."

Sean repeated the vows flawlessly as if they felt naturally spoken. As he said the words, my heart was no longer running a race. The words seem to wrap around my heart lovingly, caressing it with love and protection. Looking into his eyes, they began to water as the emotion of this very moment was the pinnacle of our binding friendship, our everlasting devotion and undying love. This was the one moment in time that I would remember even in the worst of times.

"Elizabeth repeat after me... In the name of God, I, Elizabeth Sinclair Johnson, take you, Sean Patrick Gipson, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."

With our hands still joined, I turned and faced him. Repeating the words slowly, I could only hope he felt what I was feeling. All the Shae bullshit, and the ones that would try to tear us apart, I hope they were ready for a battle. As I spoke the very last word, he mouthed, I love you.

Turning back towards the minister, my mother came and stood to the side of me. Jarreau stepped up close to Sean and the minister. They both handed the minister two bands. Looking at the one my mother gave him, it was my dads. She wore it on a chain around her neck for as long as I could remember. She loved my dad even beyond death. Somehow I felt him right here with me.

The minister handed Sean a band that matched my ring. It was absolutely gorgeous. Shae was going to die a slow death of jealousy when I showed her.

"Sean repeat after me... "Elizabeth, I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

With love and affection he repeated the words with a huge sappy smile on his face. His eyes twinkled with excitement and a little bit of cockiness was coming out.

"Elizabeth your turn." I took a deep breath as he passed my father's wedding band to me. I was about to tear up because I knew how many much this ring meant to my mom.

"Sean, I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you." He held out his finger and it was a perfect fit. My heart fluttered.

The minister took both of our hands and began to bless us.

"Let these rings remind you that your love, like the sun, warms all that it touches, like the moon, brightens up the night, like the eye, is a gateway to your innermost soul. May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. Prepare them to grow in understanding and in compassion. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May the home, which they establish together, be such a place of sanctuary for their love and their family. And finally, may these rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts. Amen."

We all replied "amen."

The minister closed his book. "By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sean you may kiss your bride."

I turned towards Sean. He lifted the veil from my face and said, "you have no idea how long I've waited for this."

"Just remember to keep it PG. There are spectators in here."

"How about PG-13?"

"I can do that."

He leaned in and the kiss was sweet, but quickly turned into a hunger. We heard clapping and Jarreau clearing his throat. Sean dipped me, but this time he didn't stumble but performed as well as Fred Astaire.

He raised me back up and I laughed.

"I present to you all this newly married couple Mr. and Mrs. Sean Patrick Gipson."

Everyone stood, clapping and congratulating us. It felt great, as all the nervousness was over. We were now official and we had sealed our commitment.

"Congratulations baby," my mom said wiping her tears away. We hugged and she held me tight.

"Thank you mom, I know how much dad's ring means to you."

"It was time to let it go. It needed to be used and I know he would be happy if he was here. I love Sean like a son, always have. I'm just glad to see you both happy."

She kissed Sean welcoming him to the family. Ms. Gipson hugged me and I was hoping maybe she and Sean could work through their issues.

"I got a sister," Jarreau came up to me singing. "See it wasn't that bad. You did good sistergirl."

"Thank you Jarreau for everything. You did your thang tonight."

"Well maybe after football, I can be a wedding planner? Nawl, I'm too manly for this." He laughed and we hugged.

Sean turned to me. "We did it."

"Were you nervous?" I asked him.

"Me? Hell yeah. I was hoping I didn't get tongue twisted saying my vows. I was hoping I was putting the ring on the right finger. I knew I was going to dip you and I was praying I didn't trip, that would have been embarrassing."

"You think? Although you have come a long way Fred Astaire."

"Thank you Ginger." We hugged and he kissed me on the neck and whispered, "I promise to love you forever."

I giggled. "Even if I eat in the bed and leave crumbles. Or if I don't hang my clothes up, Mr. OCD?"

"I have your punishments already planned out."

"Oh really?"

"Mmmh, try me Elizabeth Gipson."

"That's, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson hyphen Gipson. It has a nice ring to it. Don't you agree?"

"I totally agree."

We stepped aside as Harold and a couple of waiters came in with a two layer white cake with the same flowers my bouquet had draped on the side. It had congratulations Sean and Elizabeth in beautiful blue script.

Jarreau took out his phone and snapped some pictures. We cut the cake clowning around smashing it on each other's mouths. Everyone laughed as Sean kissed away the icing.

"Tastee."

"You're nasty Sean."

"I haven't showed you how nasty I can get. We can pack up this cake, take it home and I could spread it all over your body and best believe I would enjoy the hell out of eating it off of you. I might end up as a suga diabetical, but I'll be happy as a tick."

"Believe me, I have a feeling you have an insatiable appetite."

"That I do Mrs. Johnson hyphen Gipson. I can definitely get use to saying the Mrs."

"I think a toast is in order," Jarreau said as Harold and the others passed out champagne flutes filled with Dom Pérignon aged since 1986.

"I've known Sean since he's been in Cali. I was the one to greet him at the airport all those years ago. From being down South, I figured he would be wet behind the ears but best believe he shocked the shi... I mean, excuse me ladies, he shocked me. He came in and somehow we just clicked. Our team had been on the worst losing streak for over three years. No matter how hard we tried we sucked until Sean came to the rescue. He came in with leadership and amazingly he turned our whole team around professionally and personally. He's so grounded, taking the good along with the bad. Us old heads were trying to figure out how this charismatic southerner came in and totally turned us pessimistic fools into winners and then we got our clue, Lizzybear. At first we wondered who this Lizzybear was. Was this guy sleeping with a stuff teddy or what? Then shortly after her arrival, we were floored."

Everyone laughed.

"We all were like dayum!!! How in the hell did he get this smart, gorgeous, black hunny, no offense Lizzy..."

"None taken Jarreau," I said chuckling.

"Chick. Was he paying her?"

Everyone laughed.

"Anyway, she was coaching him through this new team dynamic and transition. I've always noticed this connection these two have had even when they didn't see it. It was a friendship but much more a love and respect. When they argued we knew it, he was off his game, but when they were on, it showed and it took us all the way to the SuperBowl."

Everyone clapped again.

"So to be here today to share in this happy occasion makes my chest poke out. It's been years in the making. Not only do I have a brother, I've gained a sister, which I am very happy to claim. I know that the love these two share it will last through the test of time. I love you guys and I wish you the best. So let's all raise our glasses to the happy couple, may they have a very happy love life," he winked at Sean, "and multiply the earth with many pretty babies. Cheers!"

Everyone laughed holding up their glasses and toasted. Sean and Jarreau hugged talking trash, and dapping each other up as I rolled my eyes and giggled.

Harold turned on the Goldmund Epilogue speakers and Marvin Gaye's, Got to Give It Up started to play. Mom and I shoulders started moving and then we all started to dance. Sean was twisting and turning moving from side to side, while Jarreau and I did the bump.

Sam was on the phone in the corner but soon walked out as Ms. Gipson was learning to dance. We were one big happy family enjoying this celebration. After being out of breath, we slowed it down.

Etta James, At Last, started to play. Sean reached out his hand and I took it. Pulling me in his arms, we began to dance. We were close, as my gown swayed from side to side. I laid my head on his chest as we relaxed and just followed the beat of the music.

The words,

"At last

My love has come along,

My lonely days are over,

And life is like a song."

The song seem so perfect. I raised up looking into his eyes. He was beaming with delight.

"What are we going to do?" I asked

"What do you mean?"

"About announcing this."

"I'm ready to shout it out to the world. You know me, I'm easy."

"I say we keep it a secret just for now. I want to expose Shae and the others. One by one."

"I like how your mind works."

"I can work a lot of other things."

"Oh I bet you can little Mrs. Freakalink Johnson hyphen Gipson."

"You crazy Sean."

"Only for you, only for you girl." With that said he twirled me around and he dipped me for the final time before my fairytale ending would be coming to an end.