"Are you ready?" Franklin asked Charlie, who stood behind the closed doors.

She could hear chattering outside dying as her arrival was announced. She could hear a piece of soft music in her welcome. She tightly clenched to Franklin's arm, who is going to walk her to the aisle. Charlie has been waiting for this day for years, why was she feeling so nervous now. Maybe that's what happens. Even when you love someone for years. Even when you are tired of being alone and spending your life with one person you love seems like a fairytale. Despite already having a family with the other person, when it's time to officially tie your name with this one person – you feel nervous. All the ineffectual thoughts cloud your mind.

What if he falls out of love with her? He promised never to. What if he gets tired of her? He has been with her for years – he promised he would never. What if it doesn't work? It will work. Always. That's what Marcus told Charlie – and she believes him then what is she nervous about? She already has a family with him – why would she be nervous to officiate her love for him and her daughter? Her daughters. What will she be for Kathie? Stepmother or just a mother? Why does it matter? She will always love Kathie like her own child.

"Char," Franklin softly spoke.

"Huh?" Charlie looked at Franklin's smiling face. She didn't realize she zoned out. Frank squeezed her hand in his, "It is okay to feel nervous, it is natural to feel this way." He assured her. It was like Franklin could hear her thoughts, maybe they were loud enough to be heard.

"Is it?" She mumbled.

Franklin nodded his head, "Of course, it is. Maria felt this way – both times." He chuckled, "Her mother did – hell, even I did. Char, it is difficult for everyone to trust someone else other than themselves – even if they love them dearly. It is okay to feel this way, but there is one thing I am sure of," He spoke.

"What is that?" She asked.

Franklin smiled and kissed Charlie on the top of her head, "Marcus loves you. He is crazy about you. No matter how many ups and downs you will have in your life – he will always come back to you. He will always love you. I see it in his eyes. He is head over heels for you, pumpkin. It is okay to be nervous, but don't doubt this beautiful relationship you have with him." He told her.

Charlie tightly smiled with teary eyes. She doesn't know what she would have done in her life if it wasn't for Franklin, Maria, and at some point – Leo. They have been through her thick and thin. Franklin has been more father to her than her biological father – no matter what the reasons were he never stepped down for her. He never put her in any sort of danger. He always looked out for her. He always treated her less than Maria or Leo. He is her Pops and he always will be. Maybe they say it right, blood doesn't determine the relations, willingness does. She hugged Franklin and mumbled a small thank you. "So, are you ready?" He asked her again – wiping the corners of his eyes. Charlie blew her cheeks out and nodded her head. She is ready.

Everyone stood from their places as Charlie walked down the aisle with Franklin. She could see some faces that she truly missed – two of them were Gavin and Daniel, the men had huge grins on their faces but their eyes were misty. Charlie was so glad to see them here, even when she invited them on such short notice. She waved her hand at them, to which Daniel smiled and Gavin winked at her, she chuckled and looked ahead.

On the other side sat the two most important people to Marcus and her, she didn't think if they would come but seeing Lara's smiling face only brought back the memories of Hayden. Charlie felt heavy in her chest, but she didn't let Lara or her husband see the sadness in her eyes. She smiled at them as she slowly walked past them. If only Hayden could have lived long enough to see them get married. If only Ella could have met her uncle Hayden. Charlie's eyes started to get misty. She quickly blinked and looked ahead to see the most beautiful sight.

Marcus stood tall with his hands tied in front of him, his eyes gleams as he looked straight into her eyes, and beside him stood Kathryn with a small bouquet in her small hands, she makes the perfect best girl for Marcus. Behind Marcus, stood Owen – who will be officiating the marriage and alongside Kathryn stood Silas with a big grin on his face. On the side, Elizabeth and Maria stood as Charlie's bride's maids.

Franklin and Charlie stood just a few steps away from Marcus. Marcus stepped forward and took her hand in his. Franklin smiled and let out of Charlie's hand, "Take good care of my daughter, Marcus." Franklin told Marcus to smile at him and nodded his head, "I will always, sir." He replied lowly. Franklin nodded his head before he kissed Charlie on the top of her head and went back to sit with Leo, who had Ezra sleeping in his arm and Ella sleeping in her stroller.

Marcus gently squeezed her hand in his as he helped her to the small step up. Charlie looked at Marcus, who was staring down at her with so much love in his eyes, "You look stunning," He whispered.

Charlie shyly chuckled, "You look very handsome," She whispered back. Marcus grinned, "I tried," He shrugged – causing her to grin back at him.

Soon the ceremony started. Everyone looked at the bride and groom as Owen spoke fondly about the two of them before he asked for the vows. Marcus went first, "Charlotte, I am not good with words and even if I were – words would have come short to describe how thankful I am to have you in my life. I can never explain how much I love you. All I can tell is that you made my life better, Charlie. There was a time when I lost all hope. I didn't think anyone could ever make me feel right – ever, but then you came. You forced yourself into my life," Marcus paused. Charlie and everyone around softly chuckled, "And I am so glad that you did. I would have never been what I am today without you. I am the best version of myself and that's all because of you. I am truly happy in my life and that's because of you. I promise you, Charlie – I will never hurt you, make you cry, or be unfaithful to you. I love you so much, Charlotte." Marcus's voice wobbled by the end.

Marcus wiped the corner of his eye, while Charlie gently squeezed his hands in hers while her eyes filled with tears as well. It was now her turn to speak. She sniffled and looked at Marcus before her eyes went beside him to see Kathie looking up at her parents.

"Marcus, before I say my vows to you. I need to say my vows to our daughter – to my daughter," She said and looked at Kathie, who was looking at Charlie with her big round eyes. Marcus didn't expect this. He was surprised but soon he recovered and a big smile stretch on his face. He brought Kathie between him and Charlie – while his daughter looked ecstatic to be a part of the ceremony.

Charlie's dress didn't let her knee down to Kathie, so she took Kathie's hands in hers and looked down at her, "Hey baby," She whispered and bowed down to place a kiss on Kathie's forehead. Since Charlie was wearing a veil so the fabric tickled Kathie's face to which she loudly giggled – causing everyone's heart to swell.

"Kathie, your dada and I already told you about your mother," Charlie started. Since Kathie was a toddler, Charlie and Marcus has not kept Susan a secret from her. Kathie has a right to know about her birth mother. The two of them also showed Kathie a picture of Susan and also hang one in Kathie's room as well. Charlie would never want Susan out of the picture.

"I might not have given you birth, but you are my daughter, Kathie. I promise you that no matter what happens, this will never change. I will always protect you. I will always be there for you as your mother. I will always love you. You don't have one, but two mothers – unfortunately, Susan isn't here, but I promise you I will never let you feel any pain in your life. No matter what you do in your life, you will always have your mother's support – her love for you. Mama loves you so much, baby. Either it will be the first day of your school or when you need to gossip for the first time. When you will have your first boyfriend. When you will be sad. When you will be happy, when you need advice or when you need someone to just listen to you – you will always find me by your side. I promise you, I will never leave you. I will never hurt you. I will never be the reason for your unhappiness, sweetheart. I love you so much!" Charlie was crying by the end.

Kathie pouted as she hugged Charlie's legs, she didn't understand why Charlie, Marcus, grandpa, Uncle Silas, Aunt Elizabeth, and Maria were crying – but she didn't want to make them unhappy. She loved what she heard and tried to process as much as she could, which wasn't much. "I love you too, mama." She mumbled as Charlie tightly hugged her daughter.

Kathie next hugged her father, before the ceremony continued. Charlie could see how much her vows to Kathie moved Marcus. His eyes were filled with tears, while he smiled at her. Charlie's vows to Marcus were simple, but she did promise him to always be by his side through thick and thin. After the vows were exchanged. The couple was announced to be husband and wife. Charlotte McGill was finally Charlotte Marcus Harrison. They were married – finally.

Marcus lift her veil before he kissed her on the lips, the small group of people cheered and applauded as they kissed. Marcus poked her nose with his, "I love you, Mrs. Harrison." He whispered. Charlie chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I love you too, Mr. Harrison." She replied and pecked on his lips again.

Everyone was on their feet congratulating the family as Marcus and Charlie along with their kids walked to the guests, thanking them for their good wishes. Every guest that arrived seemed happy for the newlywed couple, except for one – who was trying to feel as happy as he could but seeing Charlie marry Marcus was a little painful for him, but he will get over it.

"William," Marcus walked to his assistant, who quickly blinked as he sees Marcus standing in front of him. "Thank you for coming, William. I am very happy to see you here." He told him. William quickly gulped and smiled, "Of course, Mr. Harrison. Thank you for inviting me," He replied.

"William, how many times will I have to tell you to call me Marcus, please." He sternly told William who chuckled and bit his tongue, "Sorry, Marcus – a force of habit." He replied. Marcus opened his mouth to say something when Charlie appeared from behind Marcus – looking very happy. William's eyes shifted from Marcus to Charlie – his heart skipped a beat, "Um, congratulations, Mrs. Harrison." He quickly spoke.

Charlie rolled her eyes, "Charlie – my name is Charlie. And thank you, William." She replied to him with a big grin. William nervously chuckled and nodded his head.

William found Harrison's family so supportive and kind to him. Marcus is such a considerate boss to him – William feels ashamed for how he feels towards his boss's wife. He wants to slam his head against the wall to even think about Charlotte in a way that only Marcus is allowed to think. He doesn't know how Charlie did to him – she is so charismatic – he just couldn't help but like her – more than he should.

William felt his heart will break into little pieces when he received their wedding invitation – he wanted to laugh at himself to even think that he could have anything with Charlie – how could he even fall for a committed woman. Charlie is nothing but loyal to Marcus and that's how it should be.

And for William, well – he will get over her. He will have to stop falling for her deeper. He needs to keep his distance from her. It is just a small crush – he will have to get over her – no questions asked.