It was getting hard for Maria to hold her tears as she watches Elizabeth fix Charlie's veil. Charlie looked gorgeous in a white silk dress. She didn't opt to purchase an expensive wedding dress, even when Marcus asked to. She bought her dress from a local shop – the same shop, she once worked in when she was living alone. The woman that runs the store, was more than happy to design her dress and it looked absolutely gorgeous on her. It was plain, yet it looked fancy. Martha, the dress designer, did a very good job with it.

Since she was a child, Charlie had decided that whenever she gets married, she will wear a veil. She loves the idea of it. So, now Elizabeth was fixing it on her head. Her hair was tied up in a sleek bun. She was wearing a little to no makeup. Her dress was long, but it didn't have a tail – Charlie doesn't like them. On her wrist was a silver bracelet. It was her mother's. Even when her parents hid so much from her, she couldn't stop loving them and the fact that they couldn't be here for her big day was heart-wrenching for her.

Charlie's father is still in prison, and it doesn't seem like he getting out any time soon – even with the plea bargain – his sentence is long enough for him to forbid him from attending his daughter's wedding, so instead of her father – Franklin – who has been more like a father to her most of her life is going to walk her down the aisle.

Elizabeth at Charlotte as she stepped back from her – looking at her from head to toe. Her brother has hit the jackpot – both her brothers did. She is so incredibly happy for them. "You look absolutely stunning," She complimented her – even her eyes were getting misty. Charlie smiled, "Thank you," She mumbled.

Maria gathered her crutches and stood up before she walked to her best friend, "You are going to make me cry," Maria's voice came out wobbly as she stood in front of Charlie. Elizabeth inaudibly chuckled and stepped aside, giving the two best friends to have a moment. "I am so happy for you. I was waiting for this day." Maria spoke as her voice broke and tears spill from her eyes. Charlie smashed her lips together – trying to hold her tears in. Elizabeth saw that and quickly fetched a couple of pieces of tissue and passed them on to the two women.

Maria and Charlie embraced each other in a hug as they wept. The tears were not just of happiness, but of sadness as well. The tears were in the memory of people they lost. The tears were in the memory of their hardship – for how far they have come. But most of all, the tears were how both of them have been there for each other each time without the other one asking for it. This is not just a mere friendship – this is a bond that can never be broken. This is more than friendship – this is more than family.

The was a soft knock at Charlie's door. They were currently in her and Marcus's room while Marcus was in the other room, getting ready for their day as well. Elizabeth opened the door to see Franklin standing on the other side while holding Kathie's hand in his. Kathie looked just as beautiful as her mother. She was wearing a mint-colored frock with matching shoes and hair ribbon. She peeked inside and gasped when she saw Charlie. Kathie rushed in passing Elizabeth, "Wow!" Her eyes widened when she saw her mother.

Franklin and Elizabeth laughed while Maria sniffled and wiped her tears, so did Charlie. "Do you like it?" Charlie asked – showing her dress to her daughter.

Kathryn slowly nodded her – she was mesmerized by Charlie's dress. "You look like a princess," She complimented her mother-to-be. Charlie chuckled and carefully bend down, trying not to crease her dress, and embraced Kathie in a hug. "Mama loves you," Charlie softly spoke. Kathie giggled, "Kathie loves mama too," She replied.

The scene swells Maria, Elizabeth, and Franklin's hearts. "Awe, now I am going to cry." Elizabeth fanned her face as tears threatened to spill off her eyes. Charlie chuckled as she pulled away and kissed Kathie's head before she stood straight. She turned to look at Franklin, who stood by the door with tears in his own eyes. He looked incredibly proud.

"May I come in?" Franklin asked to which Charlie nodded her head wordlessly while Elizabeth smiled and stepped aside. Charlie couldn't speak because of the lump she felt in her throat. The two didn't have to say anything either. As soon as Franklin stepped in, Charlie embraced him in a tight hug as well. "Oh, you look so beautiful. It is so hard for a father to marry off two daughters in the same week," Franklin softly chuckled while Charlie only cried.

In the other room, Silas was rocking his sleeping son in his arm, if he stops – Ezra will wake up and cry for his mother, who was currently busy with Charlie. Silas glanced at Leo, who effortlessly put Ella to sleep, and now she was sleeping on him while he sat in the corner of the room, dressed in a blue suit and tie. She is such a beautiful and calm baby, whereas Ezra is a hyper one. He can't wait for the two of them to grow up. He wants to play with Ezra as Marcus plays with Kathie. He glanced at his sleeping baby and kissed his head. He looked so adorable with his chubby cheeks pressed against Silas's chest – okay maybe, he was wrong before – maybe he doesn't want him to grow up. He wants him to always be dad's little boy.

Marcus was fixing his tie when the door of the room opened, "Come on, boys. It is time." Owen announced as he stepped inside. His eyes fell on his eldest boy, "You look sharp, my boy. I am so happy for you." Owen complimented Marcus before he patted his arm and embraced him in a fatherly hug.

Since Silas and Elizabeth were kids, they have said that Marcus is Owen's favorite child. Owen always took Marcus's side no matter what and always blindly support him. Owen never felt ashamed on accepting that Marcus is indeed his favorite child. He is more mature and intelligent than his other two children. He has a special place in his heart for his eldest boy.

"Thanks, Dad," Marcus mumbled with a soft smile.

Owen pulled away from his son, "Where is your best man?" He asked Marcus, but before Marcus could answer a tiny voice spoke from behind Owen, "I am not a man, grandpa!" Kathie complained as she folded her small arm and stomped her foot at the ground.

Marcus and Silas laughed, while Leo chuckled in the corner. Owen turned around with a big grin on his face. His hand made it to his ear as he bowed down to his granddaughter, "Oh my bad, many apologies, my princess. I meant to ask for my son's princess," Owen spoke with his head bowed.

Kathie giggled as she hugged her grandpa, "I forgive you," She spoke. Owen chuckled and kissed her cheek, "Thank you, my love." He replied.

Marcus didn't ask Silas to be his best man, no – he asked his daughter to be his best girl. He has been planning to do so since their wedding was postponed. He asked Silas if he would be okay with it, and Silas cried – okay maybe he didn't cry, but he didn't get misty eyes when Marcus told him. Of course, he didn't have any problem. He was so happy to hear that Kathie will be her father's best girl. He wished Ezra was old enough to be his best man. Silas helped Marcus in asking Kathie – no, Marcus didn't just ask her. He took her to dinner, just a father-daughter dinner date and there he asked her. Kathie doesn't even know what been best girl is, but she was excited nevertheless.

"Okay, let's go, boys!" Owen said and walked out of the room with all of them to follow him.

All of them walked into Marcus's garden. There were already a few people there that Marcus had invited. Owen took Ella from Leo as he had a call to attend. Silas had Ezra and Leo hold Kathie's hands and showed her around – they only decorated a little so there wasn't much to see, except for Kathie was bamboozled by the huge ring/circle made of fresh white and pink roses, where the ceremony will be held.

"Congratulations, sir." Marcus turned around to see William. He was wearing an off-white suit and was holding a flower bouquet and a champagne bottle in his hand. One of the guests Marcus invited was William, of course. His assistant has been helpful to him, he couldn't keep him out of his day.

Marcus smiled, "Thank you, William. Thank you for showing up on such short notice," Marcus placed his hand on Marcus's arm.

William smiled at his boss, "Thank you for inviting me," He replied. Marcus smiled and looked at the champagne bottle in his hand, "Please tell me, this is for me." Marcus joked. William chuckled and nodded his head, "Ah, yes. This for you, sir." William offered Marcus the nicely packed bottle while he waved the bouquet in his hand, "This is for Char – I am mean, Mrs. Harrison, sir." William added.

Marcus rolled his eyes, "Just call us Marcus and Charlotte, William. Enough with this sir, madam, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, okay?" He asked to which William nervously chuckled but nodded his head nevertheless.

"What are we supposed to call you for calling us on such short notice," Marcus turned around to see the two people he didn't think would come. A big grin broke Marcus's face as he excused himself from William and turned to look at the two men, "Seriously, who invites two days before the wedding?!" Gavin asked squinting his eyes. "Did you forget to invite us this time and decide to make this whole impromptu wedding story to make us come here?" Gavin asked.

Daniel and Marcus chuckled, "No, I swear – we just randomly decided to get married after Silas's wedding. We had been holding it on for so long." Marcus replied as he hugged Daniel and Gavin. It has been so long since he last saw them.

"Awe, Silas got married?" Gavin asked pouting. Daniel rolled his eyes and Marcus laughed.

"Yes, he did," Marcus answered. When Gavin first saw Silas, he developed a crush on him. He was very vocal about it. He didn't spare the details of what he wanted to do with Silas, not even to Silas himself – this is probably why Silas has walked back into the house – Gavin loves making Silas uncomfortable, but everyone knows that he is joking – he only has eyes for Daniel.

"Congratulations, Marcus. We are very happy for you and Charlie." Daniel congratulated Marcus while patting him on his arm.

Marcus smiled and thanked him, "Thank you, guys, for coming here on such short notice. Charlie will be so happy to see you both here," Marcus added. The three of them engaged in a brief conversation.

Daniel has been working for a big law firm and is hoping to become their partner soon and Gavin is working for a marketing agency. Shortly after Marcus and Charlie moved together, Daniel was offered a job in Germany and hence the couple moved there for three years, but they returned last year when Daniel landed a better job back in Ohio. Gavin came about seven months before Daniel because he got a job there so, the two lived apart from each other for seven months.

"Where is Ella? I can't wait to meet her!" Gavin said. They have seen Ella in pictures and videos that Charlie sent them, but they have yet to meet her personally.

Marcus smiled, "She is with my dad," Marcus looked around to see Owen talking to William with Ella in his arm. Gavin and Daniel moved to say hi to the rest of the family while Marcus looked at the couple the sat in the very last row. A gentle smile spread on his face when he saw his special guest. He walked towards them.

Lara was the first one to get on her feet. Her eyes were teary as she hugged Marcus, "Congratulations, dear. We are so happy for both of you and so thankful for an invite to be a part of your special day," She spoke. Her voice was slightly shaky. She was very happy to be here. Marcus remembered to invite her and her husband, Mason to his wedding.

"Thank you for coming," Marcus spoke softly as he pulled away from her and hugged Mason next. Mason sniffled and wiped the corner of his eye.

"You look so handsome, Marcus." Lara smiled warmly at Marcus, "If Hayden was here, he would have been so happy. He really liked Charlie and believed that she is the best girl for you." Lara sadly spoke.

Marcus pressed his lips tightly. How much he wished Hayden was here to celebrate this day with him, but no matter how much Marcus tried – no matter how much Hayden fought – he lost in the end.

Lara was feeling very emotional because today Marcus looked so much like her own son, Hayden. Maybe if Hayden had a chance to grow older, he would have looked a lot like Marcus – after all, they were biological brothers. But Lara will never know if her son will ever grow old to look like his brother because three years ago she lost him to cancer.

For those who do not know who Gavin, Daniel and Hayden are, please read Charlie's Utopia. And for those, who already read it - Yes, unfortunately, Hayden died.