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Please read Author's Note at end. Super important!

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Soundtrack:

Eet by Regina Spektor – the beginning

Turning Page by Sleeping At Last – simply, Chance

I'll Be by Edwin McCain – the wedding

MSK by Yellowcard – end of the chapter

"Damn! Jesus, Ave, go easy on me," I muttered, as Ava continued doing up the back of my wedding dress.

"Oh, don't be such a baby!" she replied. "Ha! Get it. Baby?"

"You're funny," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Also, we are in a church. So curb the language!" Ava said faux-menacingly.

I rolled my eyes. "I know we opted out of the corset for the baby's health, but that sure feels tight enough to belong in the Victorian era."

"Remember what the woman said?" Ava replied, and pulled the strings tighter once again as she continued to do it up with nifty fingers far more craftier than mine.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes. It's a maternity fabric orthopedically proven to do no harm for the baby while having corset-like effect. I know. But that doesn't mean your man hands aren't hurting!"

"Excuse me, but my hands are extremely feminine," Ava replied, laughing and tying elaborate knots at the end of the string. I was just glad that meant to the torture was nearly over.

I glanced up at the clock, which told me I was due out in a mere twenty minutes. Right now we were preparing in one of the rooms inside the church. Ava looked beautiful, having already stepped into her gown. She had on light makeup that made her look fresh and natural. One side of her hair was pinned back with a light pink flower, and the rest fell in light waves that framed her glowing face. She wore a beautiful satin dress that matched Shae, Pippa and Milla's dresses, and had a matching lily corsage. It was made of a soft baby pink, and billowed to the ankles to reveal strappy silver shoes.

Pippa and Milla had already left to prepare, and I was eager to get out there, too. I hadn't seen Will in over eighteen hours, and being away from your fiancé that long does things to a person. I was eager to get down that aisle, say my vows and start the rest of my life.

"All done," Ava said happily, dusting off her hands. She looked over my shoulder at me in the mirror, and smiled softly. "You look beautiful, Candi."

"Aw, don't go getting all soft on me now," I joked, smoothing my hands down the ivory bodice.

"I still don't think white was the right choice given your current predicament, but you pull it off."

I socked her in the arm in retort, and she laughed. "I'm kidding. Now, I have to go quickly check the flower arrangements, grab Pip and Milla and make sure they're ready for you. You stay here and get ready, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

"See you out there?"

I smiled. "Always."

She started for the doors, her feet clacking heavily on the tile. "Hey, Ave?"

She turned around, one hand poised on the doorway, and cocked a plucked brow. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for everything," I told her, turning around to face her and playing with the glittering bracelet adorning my wrist. "Without you this never would have happened. Thank you for being the most incredible friend anyone could ever ask for."

"Ditto," she told me, winking. "You deserve every happiness, Candi. And you're minutes away from getting it."

She disappeared through the arched wooden doorway, leaving me alone in the room. I looked around at the beautiful furniture, before turning back to the ornate mirror.

The people working on me had done a magnificent job, and I felt beautiful. My blonde hair had been curled and pinned back into an intricate chignon at the side of my head, with my bangs falling in wispy tendrils on either side of my face. I wore glittering foundation, light eye make up and light lipstick. I wasn't wearing much jewelry, except for my engagement ring and the bracelet on my wrist.

A flutter of nervousness spiked through my stomach, and I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths to clear the nausea. People got married all the time. All we were doing was cementing our love forever. Even though a million things could go wrong...

I opened my eyes and looked one more time into the mirror, hoping to see a girl who looked at least a little more confident in her appearance.

I gasped as I realized I wasn't alone in the room. Behind me stood Chance, framed in the doorway in a suit. His hair was shaggy but respectable, and he was looking at me in wonderment.

"Chance?" I whispered, turning around to make sure it was real and not some kind of hallucination. He still stood there though, tall and handsome as ever. "Chance, what are you doing here? I thought you went back to America."

"I did," he replied, before shaking his head. "Well, at least I tried. I made it to the ticket counter. The woman asked me where I was going, and you know what? I couldn't answer. Because I realized there was nowhere I wanted to go if you weren't there. I had to come back."

"I was worried about you," I admitted, looking down. "I didn't want you to go."

"And I didn't want to go," he replied, smiling crookedly. "As much as I want to—as much as I try to stay away—as much as it hurts—I can't stay away from you."

I looked away, searching the walls for an answer, or something to say to make it okay. But what can you say when you're about to marry another man and your old flame appears right before your wedding? I could hardly form a word, let alone a reassurance.

"Don't marry him."

I looked up at him. "Chance..."

"Don't marry him," he repeated, and I realized with a breaking heart that there were tears in his eyes. "Please, Candice. I am begging you. Don't do this. Don't do this to me."

"Chance, I'm sorry," I whispered. "I..."

He walked forward and grabbed my hands, holding them in his. "I've felt love before. I felt it with Zoëy. I let her slip through my fingers. I lost my fiancée. I lost my daughter. I can't lose you, too."

"Chance, you'll never lose me," I whispered. "I'll always be here. And I hope one day you find someone you love as much as I love Will."

"I have," he replied. "And she's about to marry the wrong guy."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, and he reached up and brushed it away with the pad of his thumb. "I came back for you. I came back because I believe in us. All you have to do is believe in us, too."

"Chance, you know we can't do this," I whispered.

"Why, because you're pregnant?"

"Yes, because I'm pregnant!" I replied, pulling my hands from his grip and turning around so I wouldn't have to look into those heartbroken brown eyes. "I'm pregnant with another man's baby! I'm about to marry him!"

"That's not a valid excuse anymore," he replied, shaking his head. "Your baby cannot be the reason you walk into this marriage."

"And why not?" I replied. "I love Will! Would you really want to raise another man's child with me?"

"Yes!" he yelled. "You think any of that matters to me? I don't care about the fact you're about to marry another guy. I don't care about the fact you're pregnant. I don't care whose kid it is inside your stomach. I would love that baby just as much as I love you."

"Chance, thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for loving me so much that you'd be willing to come to England just to win me back. Thank you for fighting so hard for me. Thank you for being willing to accept all of me. I don't deserve it, but thank you. But part of fighting is knowing when to let go."

I took his hand and squeezed tightly. "You have to let go, Chance," I whispered. "You have to let go or you'll be stuck here forever. You have to let go or you'll drown."

"I don't wanna let you go," he whispered unwillingly, shaking his head.

"You have to," I replied adamantly. "That's the only way you'll survive. Do it. Let go."

He looked down at his hands, which were still entwined in mine. He opened his mouth and closed it, and I could feel his fingers trembling.

"It's okay," I whispered. "It's okay to let go."

Slowly his grip loosened, and he let my hands go. They fell limply to my side, and he balled his hands into fists.

In the distance I heard footsteps approaching, and Ava peeked her head through. Her emerald eyes widened when she spotted the unwarranted guest.

"Chance?" she squeaked. "What are you doing here?"

He turned around to face her, and numbly started walking for the door. "I was just letting go," he whispered. He stopped at the door and looked over at me, his face a mixture of heartbreak and—maybe—acceptance. "You look beautiful, Candice."

He disappeared just then, and Ava turned back to me. "Okay, I am grilling you about that later. But for now, we have to go. As long as you... want to go?" She looked back at the door as if I might suddenly run after Chance.

I shook my head. "I'm ready. Let's go."

~ * ~

Orchestral music slowly swelled as I made my way towards the two large mahogany doors that would lead to the chapel. I could hear the low hum of conversation, and as the piano died, so did the people talking inside. It was amazing to think that behind those large doors was Will, standing on a raised altar waiting for me.

Ava shoved me behind a corner and handed me a bouquet of flowers, before kissing me on the cheek. "I gotta go, Candi. See you out there?"

I nodded and watched as she started for the doors. The first out was Pippa, accompanied by Lachlan, who grandly placed her hand in the crook of his arm. She giggled at his rambunctious actions, before they started down the carpeted aisle. I leaned against the wall and shut my eyes, trying to calm my wildly fluttering heart.

"Hey," someone whispered, and I turned to see Jamie standing before me.

He pulled me into a hug, and I grinned. "Hey, James. You look amazing."

He grinned. "You, too. You clean up pretty good, all things considered."

"Oh, thanks," I replied sardonically, rolling my eyes.

"Hey, idiot," Ava hissed, dragging him over to stand beside Milla. "You're on."

He poked his tongue out childishly at her and linked arms with Milla, but as the doors opened again to reveal the cathedral, he turned serious once again and started down the aisle proudly. It was amazing to think Jamie and Ava and all of my friends were walking down this aisle in celebration of Will and I. It was amazing.

Shae and Léon walked up to the doors, and he kissed her lovingly as the doors opened and they started down the aisle. Though we did have quite a big bridal party, I wouldn't have wanted anything differently. It just showed how loved and supported we were to have so many friends willingly do this for us.

"It's my turn, Candi," Ava told me, hustling over to me as Luke waited patiently in the wings. "You okay?"

I nodded, and I was surprised to find the nerves had gone away as my time drew closer. "I think I'm okay."

"Good luck out there, babe," she whispered, before linking arms with Luke. The doors opened again, and she proudly started through it.

Once they closed, I realized there was no one left but me. Due to the fact my father was a deadbeat and had never been interested in seeing me down the aisle, I was walking all alone. Jamie had offered to take me, but I had told him it was okay to do it alone. I wanted him to go with Milla and fill out the wedding party.

"You look ravishing."

I spun around in shock to see Will's parents standing there, dressed respectably in expensive suits and even more costly jewelry.

"What are you guys doing here?" I replied, shocked.

They walked up in unison and took hold of either arm. "No one should have to walk down without a parent on their arms. And now that you're our daughter, I suppose the responsibility belongs to us."

I was so touched by their thoughtfulness that I felt tears pricking my eyes, but Genevieve produced a handkerchief and wiped away my tears. "None of that, sweet Candi. Are you ready?"

I nodded and faced the doors, which opened suddenly. Everyone stood up as the music began to play, and we started down the aisle.

In the distance I could see Will, and he looked up as the doors opened. His eyes widened, and his lips lifted into a small smile.

I could hear my dress swishing as we walked down the aisle, and it took everything in me not to just run into his arms. But I had to be respectable. Will's parents kept a firm grip on me, and as we made it to the end of aisle, they placed my hands into Will's and took a seat in the front wooden pew.

"Hi, there," Will whispered.

"Hi," I replied, grinning wildly and squeezing his hands.

The celebrant began speaking out of a book, and we waited patiently as she talked about the communion of love and marriage. We were like two impatient little kids waiting to skip to the good bits.

The vows were made, and I managed to say mine with only minor mistakes. Will spoke his so heartfelt and wonderfully that it was hard not to just fall into his arms, and I had to confess that a tear or two was cried in that moment.

"If anybody in the room has any reason why these two should not be married, may they come forward. Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

I looked around, and felt my breath catch as I saw Chance appear at the end of the aisle. He stood in the doorway, framed in sunlight like a halo. I felt my breathing hitch at his appearance, and the chapel was so still you could probably hear a pin drop.

Someone cleared their throat, and a piece of fabric rustled. After a respectable wait—in which I felt like my world was crashing down as I saw Chance standing there—the celebrant moved on to rings, and soon enough, with a glittering white-gold ring on my finger and sealed with a passionate kiss not fit for a church, I was officially Mrs. Candice Winchester. And you know what? I couldn't be happier."

~ * ~

The afternoon dragged on into the night, and was spent dancing and eating and talking and drinking (well, for everyone else but me, that is).

I spent almost all of it by Will's side. Now that we were married, it felt like I never wanted to let go. I couldn't describe the euphoria I felt. I was married, I was pregnant, and I was beyond happy with it all.

Eventually, though, as the excitement wore off and the night kept on, I felt myself becoming a little nauseous. "I'll be back," I murmured to Will, who was sipping from a beer bottle as he talked animatedly to Lachlan. "I need some air."

"You want me to come with?"

I shook my head. "No, stay. Enjoy the reception. I'll be back soon."

I pecked him on the cheek, and he retaliated with a long kiss. "All right, get a room you two," Lachlan said, chuckling.

I pulled back and started for the doors, which led to a patio strung with fairy lights. It was romantic and beautiful, and the night air had warmed enough to leave me feeling comfortable and content.

I walked over to the railing and leaned against it, looking into the small koi pond beneath. It was lit by lights, creating a beautiful aura. I would have to drag Will out here sometime and show him the view. Under the moonlight, it felt perfect.

"Need to clear your head?"

I turned around to find Chance standing there, tie loosened as he watched me with a smile.

"I thought you left," I replied. "I hadn't seen you since the chapel."

"Actually, I've spent the whole time being roused on by Ava and Jamie. I think a nine-hour plane trip back to Florida would have been better than that."

"I'm glad you stayed," I replied. "Though I do have to admit, I was a little surprised when you didn't interrupt the ceremony."

He laughed. "I was going to," he replied. "But then I saw you standing on that altar with him, and that's when I finally understood everything."

"Yeah?" I replied. "What's that?"

"I finally understood how happy you are," Chance replied, shrugging. "For the first time, I saw you up there, smiling at him. I could see the way he was looking at you. I could see the way you were looking at him. And I realized you never looked at me like that. And that was when I knew that you were right; to move on, I had to let go."

"I only ever wanted you to be happy," I replied. "You deserve it."

"I am happy," he told me. He walked over to me and leaned his hands on the railing, peering into the fishpond below. "As long as you're happy."

"I am," I told him. "I'm so happy, Chance. I never imagined it was possible to be so happy."

He looked at me out of the side of his eye and smiled crookedly. "My plane's booked for tomorrow morning. I came to say goodbye."

"So this is it, then?" I replied.

"This is it," he confirmed, nodding.

I turned to face him, and he did the same. "Can I at least get an awkward hug before you go?" I replied.

He smiled and crushed me into a hug, holding onto me tightly. "For what it's worth, you look absolutely beautiful," Chance told me, kissing me gently on the cheek.

He pulled back and bowed grandly to me, making me giggle at his antics.

"Promise you'll come back someday?" I asked. "At least meet the baby?"

He nodded and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Maybe one day," he replied. "I wish you all the best, Candice. The love and happiness you deserve. Have a beautiful life."

"Don't be a stranger?"

"I couldn't keep away if I tried."

He started for the door, and I felt my heart clench. He started to slide the door open. "Chance, wait!" I called.

He turned around. I bunched the skirt of my dress up in my fists and ran towards him, teetering in my heels. I ran over to him and leapt into his arms, encircling his neck and holding onto him tightly. "I'm gonna miss you," I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. For some reason this felt like the end; more so than any other time.

His arms tightly held onto my waist. The hug was filled with friendship and sorrow and loss. I didn't want to let go.

I sniffled, and he pulled back and wiped away my tears, just like he had before the ceremony. "Hey, no tears, remember? We're letting go."

I shook my head. "I don't wanna let go. Is it okay to hold on just a little bit? Just to the good stuff?"

He nodded and pressed a chaste kiss to my forehead. My eyes fluttered shut, and I tightened my grip on his suit jacket. "Just to the good stuff."

He pulled back, and my hands fell back down to my dress. He smiled. "I love you."

I nodded. "Love you, too."

He took a deep breath and pushed through the doors and back into the party, where the thrumming music spilled into the night. He shut the door behind him and walked through the crowd. He didn't look back, and no one looked at us. No one had seen what happened between us. We were the only ones who knew of this moment. And maybe that was something that would always connect us.

I turned back to the koi pond and took in deep breaths. Life was about enjoying new experiences. Creating memories. Making new friends and leaving behind old ones. Shedding old skins and transforming into brand new things. Diamonds can't shine until they're polished.

Life is about holding on, and letting go.

"Candi?"

I turned around to find Will standing before me. He looked adorable and rumpled in his partly unbuttoned shirt and mussed hair. He looked like a dream.

"Hey," I replied, smiling at his appearance.

He gestured to the celebration continuing behind him. "You coming in soon?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Soon. Hey, can you stay out here for a second."

He nodded and shut the door behind him, walking towards me. "What's up?"

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you," I replied, and my hand instinctively came to rest on my stomach.

He frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I whispered, and for the first time, I meant the words. "Everything is perfect."

~      *      ~

Hey guys! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! I think this was the best ending we could ask for Chandice, given the circumstances :) But if you wanna read on to the epilogue, you might just find one more Chance scene in there ;)

Now for the reason I asked you all here!

So I've been thinking, and since I love writing these characters so much, I've decided to take scene requests! Basically what this means is you as the reader can request a scene for me to write in the book! It can either be a scene from the book in someone else's POV, or a scene that was mentioned that you never got to see, or even just a scene you want to see that wasn't in the book. It can be any character from any of the three books, and I'll be taking any/all requests (given they're appropriate and within reason, of course). They'll be added to this book, so keep it in your library if you want to read and get requesting by either commenting below or PMing me.

{{NUDGE NUDGE: You can even request some Chandice moments or an alternative ending where Chance and Candi end up together!}}

Also if anyone wants to write a scene of their own for the book or a one-shot, you can do that too by emailing me or PMing it to me, and I'll add it to the book and dedicate it to you. Might be a good way to get your writing out there....

Please vote and comment!

Much love xx

PS I've been thinking of doing a split three-way chapter on the wedding from Candice's POV to Will's POV to Chance's POV. Thoughts?