The question of where to have the wedding was a tricky one. Beautiful Sherbrooke, Canada was considered; where Martin and his family and friends hailed from. Beverly Hills, as well as Malibu had their pros and cons, but eventually the decision was made.

Built just a decade ago, The Church of Malibu, with a view of the ocean, was a tall, square structure sporting windows that reached from the floor to the massive slightly slanted roof. Wooden walkways with railings twisted around the main sanctuary and angled upwards to other buildings of the facility, though stairs were also available.

"It's time, ladies!" Carmen said, barely containing her excitement.

Carmen, Alex's mother, walked with Stella and Gabriella, Clover's and Sam's mothers, respectively. Each looked roughly like an older version of their daughter, though Carmen's short hairstyle differed from Alex's pixie cut. Now that their parts in the preparations for the day were complete, they made a beeline for the glass double doors for the church.

Squares of multicolored tones of beige decorated the outside of the building. Small trees were found everywhere from the modest parking lot to the outside of the church, as were squat boxy landscape lighting fixtures that doubled as outdoor seating.

A dark-skinned man in a tux with an ascot and black hair in a mod haircut chuckled at something a guy in glasses with a goatee said. He was then clapped on the back by a well-built blonde man. The three spotted their wives approaching them where they stood by the entrance. The three couples exchanged pleasantries, then all entered.

Inside, Alex's parents gazed across the nave, which could seat about 170 people in rows of light grey movie theatre-like seats, split into two sections by a center aisle. Facing the low, carpeted stage, the high wood ceiling, peppered with modern lighting, sloped uniquely to the left. Along the walls to the front, wood panels and beige curtains were interspersed with panes of tall glass.

More people were arriving, and the parents of Alex, Sam, and Clover greeted newcomers.

Back in a large meeting room serving as the Groom's Suite, was Martin, a muscular young man with hair that shot up like yellow flame. He wore a two-button single-breasted black tuxedo jacket with standard peaked lapels, and his white shirt beneath had a wing collar topped by a bow tie.

"I've faced every monster imaginable and survived," he said gravely, "but getting married to the most wonderful woman in the world is almost as scary."

Billy's sympathetic smile stretched across wide, expressive face. The shorter blonde young man sat in a padded folding chair on his left, a hand on Martin's shoulder. Windows were cracked open and ventilation was good in the modern building, a plus for the nervous groom.

"Deep breaths, Martin," he replied in a squeaky voice.

The true appearance of Billy, Martin's best man, was a tiny green alien with a large, bald head and pointy ears. Thanks to a holographic projector the alien got years ago from work at the Center, he was able to appear as a human.

"I don't think Alex has been kidnapped and replaced with a shapeshifting monster that wants to eat you..."

Martin gave Billy a deadpan look, then his eyes popped wide.

"I hadn't even thought of that! Billy, can you go to her room and run a scan?"

Java, an incredibly bulky dark-skinned man with untamable black hair looked to his best friends in consideration.

"Martin, be brave," he rumbled in a bass tone.

"Have some water," said Marvin, standing before him and holding out a water bottle.

He bore a resemblance to Martin, though his wild blonde hair didn't shoot up vertically.

"Not too much or you'll need to go during the ceremony," Marvin added with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah," Martin replied, took the bottle, drank a bit, and set it aside. "Thanks, guys."

The others made sounds of acknowledgement, then Billy jumped up.

"I've gotta go scan Alex and the others. Be back soon!"

"Billy, don't bust into their room or something-" Martin started as the alien rushed out.

The bridesmaids, Sam, Clover, and Brittney, were in a room similar to Martin and the others. They wore pearl pink chiffon V-neck gowns that stretched down to the lower calf. Their shoes of the same color were low-heeled, and each woman had a small white gardenia pinned in her hair.

"Wow, amazing," Clover surmised.

Alex wore a strapless white wedding dress with a column gown silhouette; a fitted bodice for a narrow, tailored look over her waist and hips, down to the lower calf. The light, rich charmeuse silk fabric gave a liquid, slinky effect. She wore a floral wreath of greenery and baby's breath, short gloves, and open toe white shoes with a low heel.

The girls had finally finished helping her get ready, and Alex looked at her reflection in the tall mirror propped against a wall.

"Whoa, thanks girls."

Brittney, a young asian woman with long black hair, had flown in from Sydney a few days ago for the wedding rehearsal, and was staying at a cozy nearby hotel in Malibu.

She smiled warmly at Alex. "It's almost time," she said, noting her phone. "But just relax."

The bride nodded and exhaled. Behind Sam, Clover, and Brittney, who were facing her, she noticed an odd teal glow from outside the room, visible through the door's square glass window.

"Guys, what is that?" Alex squeaked nervously.

The bridesmaids looked at Alex in concern, then turned to spot the mysterious light.

"It could be aliens, like from my nightmare," Alex said in a fearful voice.

Brittney frowned and gave her a shoulder hug. Sam motioned for quiet, then for everyone to move against the wall, out of sight of the window. She gestured for Clover to follow her and for Brittney to stay with Alex. The redhead grabbed the door handle, swung it open, and both she and Clover prepared to attack the intruder.

"Wait!" exclaimed a panicked voice.

The girls complied, and Brittney and Alex walked over in curiosity.

"Billy! What are you doing?" asked Sam.

The flustered groomsman shut off the high tech device he'd held up as a shield by reflex, and its light winked out. He sighed in relief.

"S-sorry ladies! Martin was worried, so I came over to- scan you all you all to make sure everything was okay!" he replied.

"Scan us?" Clover replied, arms crossed. "You mean like x-rays, to see through-" she gestured to her dress, voice growing more tense.

"No, no! Never would I-" he broke off, looking at the bridesmaids' skeptical looks.

"Oh, I'm so glad it's you, Billy!" Alex said happily as her protectors parted to allow eye contact with him.

"Thanks!" Billy said to her, then gestured to everyone. "Um, we thought- what if a shapeshifting monster or some villain kidnapped Alex and replaced her with a copy!"

Brittney sighed and shook her head. "We've been with her all morning. No one's getting through us. Even trips to the bathroom- buddy system." She smiled with a shrug.

Billy nodded and put his device in a coat pocket.

"But I actually don't blame you for checking," Sam said with a disarming smirk.

"O-okay. Well, the scan said everyone's a human," he said, blushing, "except me, of course."

Alex chuckled. "Thank you, Billy. Now, you'd better get back to the guys."

"Right! See you, everyone!"

He hurried off, and Sam closed the door, then turned to the others.

"If that's as crazy as things get, I think you'll be fine," she said to Alex, who grinned in reply.

A/N: Thanks for the support so far. A light read, but I enjoyed writing it. Feel free to vote and review if you so choose.