As Tori walked the halls of the upstairs living spaces she could hear the distant laughter of the women of the wedding party as well as guests coming through the door downstairs. The sounds of the happy union was surrounded all around her and it made her question why Prince had even extended the invitation. She wasn't quite fitting in with the women that were in the Nelson family circle and she was doing her best to keep a positive mind when it came to getting to know each and every one of them. What she was really hoping for was to have a relationship with Carlyn. When they met a year ago she knew the Carlyn wasn't all that happy that her father and Tori were considering themselves to be a couple but out of the love respect for her father she let the relationship ride. Tori was trying everything she thought would work to sway Carlyn to befriend her but nothing seemed to work. When she consulted with Prince about what to do gave her one small piece of advice. Don't push. Prince knew that his daughter had a tough shell from the moment they met and he quickly learned that pushing his way into her life wasn't going to help bring them together unless it was strongly needed. Carlyn like Prince is a complicated puzzle. Tori reminded herself that the two of them having a bond was going to take some time. The only answer she didn't get was how long. Descending the staircase to the atrium she found a smiling familiar face watching her as he came down to the bottom step.

  "Well hello sweet thing. Why such a sad face?" Prince said to Tori in a deep seductive tone.

  "Hi honey! It's nice to see that someone is willing to welcome me with open arms." Tori replied as she hugged him.

Prince pecked her on the cheek and ran his thumb over the spot he kissed.

  "Still worried you don't belong huh?"

  "Prince maybe I should go. This was a bad idea and I probably just offended everyone."

  "How so?"

  "Well for one I think Carlyn may have taken me calling her bloated without actually saying it the wrong way. And then I feel like I dressed inappropriately for her wedding. It was almost like she wanted to call me a jinx."

  "Well you are wearing a black dress."

  "I only wore this for the reception baby."

  "You should have waited to put it on after the wedding mama."

  "Ooooh then I guess maybe I should go and change."

The seduction the two of them shared alone was suddenly broken by the sound of the wedding party coming from the kitchen.

  "Alright you highness! We're here!" Cat shouted as they approached.

Prince and Tori looked over at them and giggled at the sight of everyone so elated.

  "Prince aren't you excited? Your baby girl is getting married today!" Rene exclaimed as she tossed a grape from one fruit tray in her mouth.

  "I'm very excited! Where is she anyway?"

The two women looked at each other and then looked back at Prince with blank looks on their faces. They knew they Carlyn was in the bathroom with Regan. They also knew why but didn't want to say without spilling the beans.

  "Oh she's with her mom doing some final touches to her dress." Rene lied.

Prince squints his eyes and waved a finger at the two of them while pulling Tori close to his side.

  "I think you guys are up to something." Prince said with a side grin.

  "I swear we're not! Who else is coming to the big day?" Cat asked.

  "Well I got some of the band coming by for the reception but John should be here any minute with Morris and his wife. Andre just called and said that he and his wife are on the way. Dez is already here getting the seating together and Sheila is with the coordinator helping with the flowers."

  "Oh so you're just putting everyone to work huh?" Rene said giving prince his own side eye.

  "Watch it woman." Prince joked.

  "Oh I'm watchin'......man." Rene said as a direct blow to his and Tori's cuddle session in front of them.

  "Don't hate the playa mama." Prince said before taking his beauty and walking towards the entrance to the ceremony.

Cat and Rene giggled like school girls and sat off in the atrium and waited for the wedding to begin when there was a small tapping at the window of the front door.

  "Hey! Prince! Guess who's here!" Rene said excited.

She got up and ran to the door and letting in a young man and woman.

  "Hello everyone!" Erinalia said as he held a dozen purple roses in her right hand.

  "Erin! You made it!" Cat said as she shot up from the couch and embraced her and her brother Derrin.

  "How was the flight? I hope the weather didn't cause you guys any problems. I hear those Atlanta rains are a hit or miss in the spring." Rene said as she took her turn to hug her.

  "It wasn't bad! Just the wind caused a little delay but we managed." Erin said.

  "You mean I managed. You panicked the whole flight I just went to sleep." Derrin joked as he nudged his little cousin.

  "Very funny. So! Where's the king of funk and the bride to be at?"

Cat leaned in close to Erin and pointed over to the entrance way for the wedding.

  "He's over there. Canoodling with Torrance. Ugh. Makes me gag just watching."

  "Cat that's not nice!" Erin said shocked.

  "No she's not nice! Who the hell wears black to a wedding!?!?!?" Rene retorted.

  "Oh give the girl a chance I'm sure she's not that bad. Don't be jealous exes." Erin said with a joking wink.

  "Who's jealous? It's Carlyn that doesn't like her." Cat replied.

  "Yeah! Carly can't stand the ground Tori walks on." Rene said.

  "Well I can kinda see that considering that she was always set on Prince and Regan getting back together a few years ago. What happened with that?" Erin asked.

Cat smiled and gave Erin the rundown.

  "Well rumor has it that after Regan went back to Indianapolis Prince and Carly hoped that she would stay once the investigation with Carly's birth mother was closed but Regan had some things to take care of before coming home on a permanent term. Prince decided that he couldn't wait for her any more and figured that it was time to move on. Carly didn't like that very much so she started calling Regan her mom because after all Regan wanted children and Carlyn wanted a mom so it worked. Nobody seems to mind it. Although I think Tori will have some issues with that if she expects to stay for the long haul."

Erin shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

  "Well you never know! Carly just might get her wish!"

  "Which one? Tori making herself scarce or Regan and Prince finally tying the knot?" Rene asked.

  "Both!" Erin replied hopeful.

The girl giggled just as Regan and Carlyn appeared from the corridors of the downstairs hall.

  "Here comes the beautiful bride!" Regan happily announced as the two made their way to the center of the lobby.

The stunned gasps of everyone around caused a smile to grow on Carlyn's face as she stood on the love symbol.

  "A vision of loveliness!" Prince was heard to say from across the room. He excused himself from Tori and made his way to his daughter.

  "You think this dress was a bit.....much dad?" Carlyn asked him as she began to doubt the size.

  "Don't be crazy sweetheart it's beautiful! And you are beautiful in it. The most beautiful girl in the world. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Prince kissed his daughter on the forehead and the awwws from the small crowd filled the room.

  "Don't kiss on her too much you'll ruin her makeup daddy!" Regan giggled.

  "Alright alright I'll hold off. Tre better hold off too tonight." Prince said with a smile taking his little girl by the hand.

  "Daddy! Stop it! You can't say those things once we say 'I do.'."

  "Watch me. You're still my child and what I say goes."

  "Dad I'm not sixteen anymore. You gotta let me live!"

Carlyn looked at her father who's eyes were now growing with sadness as well as pride. He knew his daughter was right about letting her go but he didn't want to admit it until he he felt ready. At this point with it being just moments away from the wedding he knew he wouldn't have much choice. He closed his eyes and sighed while still holding Carlyn's hands.

  "You're right. I can't hold on to you anymore. At least not as tightly as I want to. I have to let my little dove fly today."

A single tear formed in the corner of the musicians eye and Carlyn was quick to wipe it away.

  "I'm not going away forever daddy. I'm always going to be here. Remember what you said? It's always going to be me and you. Joined at the hip."

Prince took his daughter in his arms tightly as if she was leaving for college for the first time all over again. Once agin there wasn't a dry eye in the room and everyone was never happier to see a father daughter bond so strong.

  "I swear if I have to fix my makeup one more time before the wedding!" Cat joked with a giggled as she dabbed at her eye liner with a tissue.

  "I know! All this love around here! I can't take it!" Rene chimed in with a sniff.

The buzzer to the door sounded and in walked Andre and his wife with huge boxes wrapped in purple and silver wrapping paper and topped with big silver bows on the top.

  "What's with all these tears? Who did it?" Andre snapped as if he was ready to fight.

  "Oh hush Andre you ain't gonna do nothin anyway but stand around and look goofy." Andre's wife hissed at him.

The room fell deathly silent and Regan looked as if she jumped back.

  "Ooh Cat you were right! She does have a mouth on her for a white girl! She must have been black in another life......or Andre really got under her skin.....but I like her! She's got soul! Hey girl!" Regan whispered to Cat.

  "Mmmhmmm I told you! The only difference is she's shorter than you and she comes from a wealthy family. Oh shhh here she comes."

Andre's wife approached the two of them with a big smile.

  "Hello ladies! Mind if I join the you? That husband of mind makes me wanna-"

  "Kill him?" Regan playfully interrupted.

  "YES! What is it with that man?!?!?"

  "Girl of you only knew the half of it. You and me are going to be the best of friends I see! You can sit right with us!" Regan said as Cat and Rene agreed.

Morris had finally arrived with his wife and Jerome wasn't far behind coming though the door.

  "Well now that everyone is here we better get started. Tre won't wait much longer." Rene said as she went over to Carlyn who now looked like a nervous wreck.

Prince nodded and kissed his daughter for the final time before going into the wedding area to give final direction. The wedding party took their places with their partners and the music began. One by one each bridesmaid and groomsman made their way to their place at the altar. Tre was already waiting and was just as nervous has his bride. When the doors came open Joey began to play the song he wrote for his sister's big day all by himself with a little arrangement help from Prince. Tre was wonderstruck as he watched prince and Carlyn come down the aisle together arm in arm and he remained that way until she made it to the end and he raised her vail from her face. The reverend began the ceremony and the two exchanged silent I love yous to one another until it was time to place the rings on their fingers. Carlyn and Tre exchanged vows and the union was sealed with a kiss. This story could end right here with a happy ending however happiness can be a struggle to maintain if you're not careful.