At the crack of dawn, Lucy was up shouting instructions like a drill sergent. It took Angie a few moments to figure out why this strange woman was yelling at her to get up because they had a ton of things to do.

The wedding was at two.

And yet, Angie complied, took a shower and got dressed in some sweats and a t-shirt since she actually had to go out and buy a dress.

"You don't have a dress?" Lucy shrieked. "Thank God you're not in the wedding. But even so, if you step inside the church dressed like this, I will freaking murder you."

"I'll get a dress, chill," Angie mumbled, tying up her shoelaces. "You were a lot more human last night."

Lucy huffed, but was fortunately reduced to silence by a knock on the door. Though the moment she opened, Angie's stomach sunk into the floor. Kay stood there, wearing a midnight blue silk dress that perfectly matched Lucy's.

"Ah, the prodigal daughter returns," she said, looking completely not impressed. 

"Hi, Kay," Angie whispered, trying to force herself to believe that Kay couldn't shoot lasers out of her eyes and end her.

"Everything on track?" Lucy asked.

"We've hit a bit of a snag," Kay said, her killer eyes moving to the maid of honor. "And the little stow away may actually come in handy." She waved Angie over. "Come on."

"Can you handle it?" Lucy said, sounding worried.

"Yes. We'll see you in church to finish setting up the flowers."

Angie scurried to the door and was half-glad, half-terrified that she and Kay were finally alone, even if Kay grabbed her arm and pulled her along with impressive speed for someone wearing towering heels.

"You don't seem surprised to see me," she said.

"I'm not. Skye let us know you were here. Which reminds me." Kay stopped in the middle of the carpeted hallway and let her go. "Just what the hell were you thinking?"

"I know, I know, I should've let them know I was coming."

"Yes, that! Also, three lousy texts? I write to you constantly and you only answer to prove you're not dead?" Kay propped her fists on her hips. "You still have the watch. We'll know when you're dead."

Angie glanced at it out of reflex and hid her hands behind her back. "Look, I left to get away."

"Yes! From the Agency, from the press, from the pressure. Maybe from Tom. Not from your friends, and definitely not from me."

Angie's cheeks burned with shame and she stared at her feet. This whole wedding thing was proving to be a disastrous idea. "You all judge me."

"We don't judge you. We're just upset that we care for you and you're throwing us out of your life. Without any valid reason."

Kay made a fair point, but it didn't change things. "I need time for myself."

"Fine. But don't cut us off."

That was exactly what she'd done. And it hurt more to hear it from Kay than maybe anyone else. Because Kay had always been there every time she'd chosen to run away. And after she'd nearly killed her own relationship to stand by Angie, she deserved better than this.

"Okay, I understand. I'm sorry. But--"

Kay lifted her finger. "No but. Leave it at you're sorry and think about it."

Her tone sounded a little off, so when she started walking again, Angie hurried to catch up. "Everyone's still fine though, right?"

Kay threw her a glance over her shoulder. "Define fine."

"I mean Sam is getting married, so he obviously must be happy, and you and Kyle..." Her voice faded because she had no idea if they had somehow relapsed. They'd seemed fine when she'd left.

Kay stopped again and turned to face her, a small smile lifting the corner of her full lips. "I can't believe you're asking me that. This should show you how silly your radio silence is." And she reached out her hand, palm facing the floor.

Angie's eyes instantly zeroed in on Kay's ring and her heart skipped a beat. "You guys got engaged?" Her voice came out high and strangled, but she didn't care. "Oh, Kay, that's wonderful!" And she rushed to hug her best friend.

Kay hugged her back tightly and any unease Angie felt disappeared for a few blissful seconds. It was wonderful news. When they broke apart, Kay was grinning.

"It was awesome, and I'll sit down and tell you all about it, but right now, we have some damage control to do."

"Um, what?"

Before Angie could even start guessing what she meant, Kay knocked on the door they'd stopped next to. It took a few seconds for Jessie to appear in the doorway, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and looking exhausted.

"Kay, thank God," she breathed, then her green eyes moved to Angie. Fortunately there was no snarl or other sign of displeasure. "And Angie, I'm glad you're here. I really need your help."

Kay rushed in and Angie followed. Jessie's room was a mess of wedding stuff, from her blue bride's maid dress on a hanger on the dresser, to the makeup strewn across the desk and the suit lying on the bed.

Angie frowned at the suit since Jessie seemed to be alone. "Why is there--"

"He doesn't want to wear it," Jessie said, her tone edgy. "I've been trying to convince him for the past half hour, but he's not in the best of moods, so I don't think I can leave him alone for the ceremony."

As she said the last word, the door to the bathroom opened and Jimmy came out in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. Angie's breath caught in her throat. He mostly looked fine, maybe a little thinner than she remembered, except for the absent expression on his face, as if he were completely disconnected from the world.

He raised empty eyes and looked from her to Kay, but showed no sign of recognition. Angie cringed. It was somehow worse than William. He'd had a childish type of innocence while he'd been out of it. Jimmy looked just terrifying. Unpredictable. Evil.

"Jimmy, please," Jessie said, turning to him. "Just put the suit on. We have somewhere we need to be."

The indifference in his eyes as he looked at Jessie broke Angie's heart. "Why?" he asked, his tone even.

"Remember I told you about it? Your brother's wedding?" Jessie walked to him with impressive courage. "You promised me you'd go. That's why we're here." She waved her hand around the room.

Jimmy followed her gesture, actually looking a little interested. His eyes took in the room, the suit on the bed, then Jessie. She stepped closer and put her hand on his cheek.

"Please?"

For a second, Angie was sure his gaze would soften, that he'd smile at her and be the old Jimmy again, the one who couldn't deny Jessie anything. Instead, before either Angie or Kay could make a move, he grabbed her shoulders, lifted her off the floor, and dropped her on the bed. Then he leaned over her.

"No," was all he said before he whipped around and went back into the bathroom.

Angie and Kay both rushed to Jessie who was rubbing her shoulders, her face scrunched in pain, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Kay asked.

"Yeah. It didn't really hurt. I'm just so frustrated." Her eyes wandered to the desk where Angie noticed a syringe and a few phials. "Maybe I should actually just drug him."

"You didn't?" Kay asked, pulling back. "Jessie, this could turn out very bad for everyone involved."

"I know. I'm just... I didn't want to do it. Part of me thinks these drugs are also to blame for what's happening to him. And last night he was fine without them. Well, like this, but not violent. I'd rather he be himself then use those..." She shut her eyes. "Anyway, one way or another, I'll handle it. Just... Angie, please stand in for me. The dress will surely fit."

"But the dance, the party..." Kay started.

"It's just for church. I'll resume my duties afterwards. Can you do it, Angie?"

She nodded absently, her eyes on the bathroom door. Kay had been right. Nothing was fine.

🎊

Christine took in the full church, the flowers and the beautiful decorations. Part of her wanted to gush and admire freely. The other part was just too aware that it was Sam's wedding she was walking into.

"These are beautiful," Tina said, glancing around, and Christine could tell her sister wasn't really looking at the flowers. She was hoping to catch a glimpse of Jerry and his new girlfriend.

Better yet, catch a glimpse of Jerry alone. Christine fought the impulse to roll her eyes because, to be fair, she'd be doing the same thing. As it was, the two of them were seated on one side, far from the front where she was sure her former friends would be taking their seats.

"Hey girls, nice to see you here."

Christine jumped and turned towards Kay who had appeared next to their pew. She wore a midnight-blue off the shoulder dress that made her look stunning.

"Kay, hi," she said. "Wow, that dress looks amazing on you."

"Thanks," Kay answered with a smile. "Skye made sure to pick a color that worked for all of us."

Yes, Christine could see that, and it was a stroke of genius to find something that could accommodate Kay's golden hair as well as Jessie's orange one. "How's everyone?"

"Wrapped up in wedding duties, you know," Kay answered, though her smile was a little strained, as if something wasn't working according to plan.

Christine's heart went into hyper-drive. Could Sam be having second thoughts? His brothers and the girls were like an army, so she couldn't imagine any other snag in the plan. Unless Skye was actually getting cold feet.

"Did the ring come with the dress?" Tina asked, her eyes fixed on Kay's hand.

Only then did Christine notice the delicate gold band topped with a sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds. It was gorgeous and she was willing to bet Skye had nothing to do with that. It had Kyle written all over it.

Kay's eyes narrowed the slightest bit, but she kept the smile on. "No, that ring comes with my own wedding."

Predictably enough. "Congratulations!" Christine stood so that she could give Kay a hug. It felt somewhat weird to be touching her, but she'd missed the friendship, the laughter, the companionship. Only too late had she realized that what she'd done had consequences beyond Sam. She'd alienated all her friends.

"Thanks," Kay said fortunately sounding honest. "We'll catch up at the party. Right now I have to get back to bride's maid duties. Just stopped for a quick hi."

"That's great, Kay. And I can't wait to see everyone. Speaking of which, where are they?"

"We're supposed to be entering with the bride and groom, so we're mostly organizing off camera." Kay looked towards the door, biting her rosy lower lip. "Talk to you later." And she headed up the aisle to talk to a few other people.

 Tina huffed next to her and Christine turned to her sister. "What are you huffing for? I'm surprised they didn't get married years ago."

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to. What, did you hope they'd break up?"

"Of course not. That's just silly."

It was. There was nothing in this world that could make Kyle break up with Kay. They'd probably been married in their hearts from the day they first kissed. She'd become aware of that in a painfully mortifying way. And unlike in the past when Christine scoffed at such cheesiness, now it just seemed sweet.

"Are you here for Jerry or for Kyle?" she couldn't help but ask Tina.

"I'm here as your plus one and nothing else," Tina said between her teeth.

"I didn't force you to come."

"Someone needs to keep an eye on you. Pull you down when you rise to object."

Christine scoffed. She would do no such thing. Embarrass herself and Sam like that. Plus, Skye had invited her and she owed the bride to behave. Except something in Kay's tone didn't let her sit back and try to enjoy the wedding. What if Sam needed her? What if he wanted to see her before he got married to someone else? Why would he want to?

To test his love for Skye? Did a small part of him still love her? The thought was enticing, and the more it spun around her head, the more her body began to fidget. She still had time. The wedding was due to start in twenty minutes. It was more than enough.

Without fully registering her own actions, she stood.

"Where are you going?" Tina hissed.

Christine didn't listen. She slid out and moved up the aisle. She knew there was a special room where the groom got ready, and it was easy enough to find it. Without even knocking, she let herself in and froze.

Sam really was in there, but he wasn't alone. Tom glared at her with an open hatred that made her blood freeze.

"Christine?" Sam asked, as if he could barely recognize her.

She shook her head and released herself from Tom's death glare, taking Sam in instead. He looked amazingly handsome in his black suit and white shirt, his hair a little less messy than usual. He looked at her with honest surprise, no trace of hostility in his eyes.

God how she'd missed him. Everything about him. Her heart swelled and a smile tattooed itself on her face. So many feelings, so many memories. He couldn't have forgotten everything. Not all those years they've been together, the touching, the kissing, the way it felt when they'd finally made love. Him and Skye hadn't even been together for five months.

Of course he was having doubts. And she was going to help him through them.

"Hi," she whispered. "Can we talk?"

"Um, sure?" he looked to Tom, a crease of confusion between his brows.

"No. I'm not going anywhere." Tom crossed his arms over his chest. "She can say whatever she needs to say with me here."

Typical. Tom had never liked her. Maybe less than anyone else in the family. "Look, it will just be a minute. What do you think could happen?" She quirked an eyebrow to accentuate how silly his fears were.

Tom just glared at her some more, but once Sam nodded his approval, he shrugged. "Good point. I have stuff to do anyway."

"No shit," Sam muttered.

"I didn't lose it. I know exactly where it is," Tom said with an eye roll. "I'll go get it right now. Just to shut you up."

"Thank you," Sam said, then turned back towards the mirror to arrange his tie.

"You look amazing," she said the moment the door closed behind Tom.

He glanced at her over his shoulder, a small smile on his face. "Thanks. So do you. That pink really looks good on you. New dress?"

Her cheeks warmed with pleasure as she nodded. He'd always noticed when he changed something, when she put on something new, always complimented her. She'd been such an idiot not to appreciate it.

It would be so easy to walk over to him, hug him, kiss him, make him change his mind. So she walked over and stopped next to him, admiring the two of them in the mirror. They were a gorgeous couple, always had been. And her heart ached.

"Sorry I didn't invite you to the wedding unprodded," he said, giving up on his tie and turning to face her.

"That's okay." She didn't look him in the eye as she said this, focusing on arranging the tie properly instead. "I do understand, you know."

"That says a lot about your growth."

His words had her looking up and getting lost in the green of his eyes. Had they always been this lively, had he always looked so confident and secure? The obvious answer was no. Skye had done that. And the thought had her gritting her teeth. She should've done it, and now she knew better. She knew she could lift him higher than anyone could. Knew that he'd been perfect from the very start.

She'd just been a spoiled little girl, too much into herself to realize how much Sam did for her self-esteem, how much he helped her shine, fly. God, who was she kidding, trying to be friends? Being so near to him turned her knees into jelly. All she wanted to do was to hold him, kiss him, get lost in him. He was like a drug and she wanted one more hit.

"Why are you really doing this?" She looked up at him from under her lashes.

He tilted his head looking honestly confused. "What do you mean?"

She came a little closer, pretending to smooth the shoulders of his jacket. He hadn't changed his cologne and it drove her mad. It would be so easy to take his face in her hands, seduce him. She knew she could. She'd done it before.

"Marrying someone else."

Half of her expected him to stiffen and push her back. Reject her. What she didn't expect was for him to take her hands and lower them gently.

"Someone else? Who exactly am I supposed to be marrying, Christine?" he asked, his face filled with an indulgent smile.

Her face caught fire. Shit. He was low key laughing at her. "Skye, I mean. Why are you marrying her?"

"Oh, I don't know." He let go of her hands, but the amused smile was still on his face. "You know me, don't you? Why would I be marrying her?"

Is she pregnant or something? Because the thought had been plaguing Christine's mind since she'd found out about the wedding. After all, Sam had slept with her the same day he had with Skye, and since he hadn't bothered with protection with her, she doubted he'd been more responsible with her. But she couldn't ask that. It would be petty and stupid, especially when the reason was obvious.

"You're really in love with her," she whispered.

"There you go."

And at that moment, she could see it. See that he was no longer her Sam, he was Skye's Sam and better than he'd ever been. And despite the excruciating pain in her heart, she couldn't do it. Couldn't lash out at him and ruin his wedding, his happiness, just because she was no longer the object of his affection.

Because the moment she realized she'd truly lost him was the moment she also knew she loved him with all her heart. And every bit of hope disappeared, leaving her facing the truth.

"I can't to this." She looked away, tears filling her eyes.

He pinched her chin and lifted her face towards him, the gesture filled with tenderness. There was no cruelty in his eyes, no satisfaction, just confidence and trust.

"Yes, you can," he said.

It would be so easy to raise on the tips of her toes and kiss him. But she never would. Not anymore. Not if it meant hurting him. Except it broke her.

"No, I can't, Sam. I can't watch you getting married to someone else. I can't even be friends. Not when I still love you the way I do."

His smile faltered and she cringed, realizing that her words were disruptive, could be perceived as more than honesty. 

She pulled back to make sure they weren't touching anymore. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

"Christine..."

"I don't want to ruin it. I just want you to be happy."

"You're not ruining it."

Tears cascaded down her cheeks, ruining her makeup. She should really go, but it was so hard to look away from him, to walk away when she knew this was it. They wouldn't talk again, wouldn't be seeing each other.

"I really hope you'll be happy," she whispered, and before he could say another word, she stormed out.

It hurt. Everything inside her hurt so much, she felt she was drowning, breaking into pieces. But her head stayed high as she went back inside the church, towards Tina. Through misty eyes, she could see the others had taken their place at the front. For a moment, she admired them, took note that Angie was there too, realized how beautiful Jerry's girlfriend looked, noticed the absence of Jessie and Jimmy.

By the time she reached her seat, all that exited her head.

"Where were you?" Tina hissed, pulling her down. "Out causing trouble?"

Christine just shook her head, trying to stop the tears. "I need to go."

"Go where?"

"I need to--" 

Her words died in her throat as Sam walked past her and threw her a small smile. After that, her eyes stayed glued to him. She could no longer move, no longer stand. Not even when the nuptial march started playing and Skye walked down the isle with her dad. Not even when she reached Sam and took his hands.

No, she could no longer leave. She could not go and miss seeing Sam like this, his face bright, drunk on happiness. He'd never looked that way with her. Never would. 

He'd made the right choice and it wasn't her.

🎊

Sam had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. The way Skye glowed in her wedding dress, the nervous yet excited smile on her face... It made his heart feel much too big for his chest.

The moment she put her hand in his, he was the happiest man in the world.

"All good, Snowflake?" she whispered to him.

"Good? Nope. Awesome? Hell yeah!"

Her smile broadened and everything else was meaningless. This was the woman he loved, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And what shocked him most was that it was happening.

She was there, holding his hand, her other hand wrapped around her bouquet, carefully resting against her belly. Because the wedding was one day. The honeymoon was one week. But their baby was real and it was forever.

And as the priest blessed their union and they said their vows, he could only think that she'd been right. Life was beautiful and he would never forget that again.

Because she was his life now and with her by his side, nothing could ever feel hard or wrong again.

The moment he said I do, he'd never meant anything more in his life. And when he slipped the wedding ring around her finger, the world was wonderful.

🎊

What was going on? Angie couldn't fit in anymore, couldn't read the room, couldn't understand anything.

Why the hell was Tina there glaring daggers at poor Sarah? And who in their right mind invited Christine? And what had happened to cause her to come in crying just a minute before Sam? At least Sam looked happy and only had eyes for Skye.

To be fair, she was gorgeous in her satin A-line dress, her golden hair caught in an elegant bun on top of her head, her veil flowing like a lace waterfall from beneath it. She looked amazing, glowing in a way that reminded Angie of Kay.

Next to her, Kay sighed wistfully, probably imagining her own incoming wedding. And by the way Kyle glanced at her from Sam's right, Angie could easily guess he was thinking the exact same thing.

Then there was the matter of Tom standing by Sam's side, his teal gaze boring into her as if there was no one else in that church. Was it just her imagination? She tried to avoid looking at him as much as possible, but the moment she did, he winked at her.

Actually winked. As if this was nothing but a fun prelude to their own nuptials. Like they were still together and all he could think about was undressing her.

He's totally not thinking that! Because, to be fair, that was what she was thinking. She'd never seen him dressed up like this and he looked beyond hot. And yet, all she could fixate on was how many pieces of clothing he had on and how long it would take to throw them off.

Why? Why was she thinking something like that? Just last night she'd given Lucy free reign to go out with him. And Lucy had taken it to heart because when she wasn't beaming at Sam and Skye, her eyes shot to Tom, a glint of naughtiness in them.

What had Angie done? Why had she opened her stupid mouth and presented Tom as free game when now all she wanted was to keep him to herself?

Why wouldn't he stop looking at her? As much as she tried to dismiss it, to find reasons to hate it, she hoped he found her beautiful, hoped he'd come to her after the ceremony.

"Angie," Kay whispered.

"Huh, what?" Angie finally focused and realized Sam and Skye were already kissing, which mean the service was over.

She couldn't help but glance at Tom. He was smirking like a demon, obviously pleased that he'd launched her into a daydream. She gritted her teeth and focused on not tripping over her own feet as the procession moved down the aisle after the newlyweds.

Tom and Lucy, Kyle and Kay, Jerry and Sarah, and her all alone. Once she focused on the crowd, she caught Jessie grinning at her and giving her the thumbs up, Jimmy next to her. He looked a little hazy, but had the suit on which Angie took to be a good sign.

Christine reached out her hand and squeezed Angie's as she passed and she was met with an inexplicabile sense of longing.

What was wrong with her? She didn't miss Christine. Didn't want Tom anymore. This wedding had been a terrible idea.