"What took you so long?" Nick asked a smiling JR.

"I had a chat with my fiancé. I am allowed to talk to her. Right?"

"Yeah. But what were you talking about? You took an hour JR. Did you discuss the pre-nup?"

"None of your business Nick. Let's go"

"Tell me you have a prenuptial agreement JR" Nick pleaded hoping his friend wasn't that stupid in love.

"Have you seen Hayley? She got mad at me for buying her a restaurant. I am not making her sign some stupid legal papers just to keep my money from her in case we divorce. That's like setting our marriage up for failure."

"But JR...."

"He's right." a third voice said from behind them. They both spun around and came face to face with Jim. "I happen to know she isn't interested in money so you have no reason to worry about that."

"How do you know that?"

"I had her investigated the first time I met her. If she was a money hungry person, she wouldn't be here. Trust me son"

"See?" JR asked turning to his friend. "Let's go. Before I change my mind and go back to her"

"Now who's whipped?" Nick retorted heading to the door.

"I never said I wasn't. That's your problem Nick. You don't want to admit your feelings." JR slapped him on the back trying to rile him up. Nick thought of punching him just to get him back for the punches he knew would come later but decided against it. If he was going to be punched then he one hundred percent deserved it because he couldn't stop himself from wanting to make peace.

Jim looked at the two men and smiled to himself. His plan was to force JR to marry Hayley so that he could keep her and Alexis close. But for JR to go and fall in love with her, it was a way better outcome than he'd expected. The file Carrick had compiled about Hayley had a load of information about her past including her first marriage. He knew maybe more than she did and he would have to tell her at some point but not before she married JR. His boy was happy. He hadn't seen him so happy in a long time. And after they came back from the honeymoon, he would own up to his mistakes. Just a few more weeks and the truth would come out. As for now he had to choose a bow tie for his tux.

"Is this place new? I've never been here before" JR asked walking in to the strip club. He knew Nick would bring him here and he was prepared for it. He just wasn't going to talk about it to Hayley. She would flip if she knew he was in a room surrounded by half naked women.

"No. Apparently it's exclusive. I had to pay a shit load of money to get them to let us have your party here. Well you had to pay since I used your credit card" Nick amended walking ahead. He'd booked four tables and even in the dim lights he could spot his cousin seated in one of them. "Watsup cuz" he said sitting next to him. Vincent had changed ever since high school. If he told anyone that his cousin was the player in their group, they wouldn't believe him. He was so proper and prim now.

"Why would you pick a strip club Nick? Does Hayley know about this?" Vince asked turning to JR.

"No. And if you tell her I'll beat the shit out of you Lachlan." JR threatened forgetting Vince was a detective and even without his training they would still be a match.

"Secrets already? I wonder how many you'll keep after you marry her" Vince was trying to rile him up. He knew that but it didn't stop him from gritting his teeth. And he was right. He was starting his marriage with secrets which wasn't a good thing. Maybe when he got home he'd tell her and be done with it.

"What's your problem?"

"My problem is that you don't deserve her you prick. She's way too good for you" snarled Vincent. JR turned to give him a piece of his mind but stopped when he saw the possessive gleam in his eyes.

"Well I'll be damned" he murmured. "You're in love with her aren't you?"

"That's none of your business. Just know that I'll be right there to take her away when you finally mess up. And don't doubt it JR I will take her away from you"

"Fuck you Lachlan. Why is he even here?" JR asked Nick who was pretending to be invested in one of the strippers.

"Because we're all friends?" his voice sounded like a woman's. Boy this party was going to be a total disaster

"Are we Nick? You can tolerate him because he's your cousin. But I don't have to and this is my party so if you would please....."

"Stop!" Nick said. "Vince go sit somewhere else. This front tables are ours so pick somewhere else so long as you're five yards away from JR." After Vince had left he turned to JR. "Stop acting like a dick. Don't forget that once upon a time we used to be the best of friends"

"That was then, this is now. And he's in love with Hayley Nick. My Hayley"

"Yes I know that. But do you know what the story is behind those two?"

"Does it matter? He fucking loves her and I'll be damned if I let him anywhere near her"

"Agree to disagree. Can we enjoy all this naked ass now? I really put my time into making this the best bachelor party for you."

JR sighed. "Fine. Just keep him away from me"

"Deal" Nick said. For the next hour he kept his attention on the door waiting for Grant. JR was already in a bad mood and it would be best if he was drunk first before seeing his nemesis. It was old news but clearly his friend had issues letting things go. Four beers down and half a bottle of Jack Daniels, Grant walked in. Nick sucked in a breath hoping JR was drunk enough to let this one go.

"Hey guys. Sorry for being late Alyssa was late and I couldn't leave the baby alone"

Everything happened in slow motion for Nick. A figure had just stepped on stage and he thought she looked familiar but that had to be a mistake because he didn't know any strippers. While trying to figure out who that mystery figure was, he heard JR curse. "Are you Fucking kidding me?" Snapping his head to him he saw a confused Grant standing beside their table. He should have uninvited him. That was all Nick could think when he saw his friend's murderous face.

"Hey JR. Long time no see." Grant said oblivious to JR's state.

"You have five seconds to leave before I rearrange your face" JR told him deadly serious.

"What? Nick said...." he stopped. Finally realizing what was going on. "Come on you can't still be mad at me"

"Don't..." Nick started but JR cut him off.

"Three seconds now"

"JR come on. That was a long time ago and we were kids. How many times do I have to apologize?"

"Two... One" JR stood up knocking his chair back.

"Come on man. I thought that by now you would have forgotten about it. It was just....." his head snapped to the side due to the blow JR had landed on his face.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Sight" he enunciated every word.

"JR" Nick said standing between them.

"I warned you Nick."

"You have to let this childish grudge go"

"Childish grudge?" JR roared finally catching everyone's attention. "He betrayed me and I told you specifically not to invite him. I can stay with Vince in one room because he didn't betray me Nick. This piece of shit was my best friend."

"I know but it's been years now. Just calm down and let's talk about this like the civil people we are"

"Yeah. Nick's....."

"Don't you dare talk to me. I don't associate myself with traitors. I hope that bitch was worth ruining our friendship you asshole"

"Don't talk about my wife like that." Grant said standing up straight to his full height. He'd take the punches and insults JR threw his way but he wouldn't let him say anything bad about his wife.

"Or what? Huh. What will you do?" JR asked pushing his body forward. Nick pushed him back but with Grant trying to get to JR too, he couldn't keep them apart any longer.

"A little help here Vince" Nick said looking over JR's shoulder to where his cousin was sipping his drink smiling.

"I'm off duty cousin and I love my face." Vince said then went back to his drink.

"Or what you imbecile? Stand up for yourself once in your life and admit you're nothing but a lying cheating son of a bitch"

"Kick them out" another voice said which Nick guessed belonged to the manager. Three huge bouncers grabbed their elbows dragging them out.

"Damn it JR."

"This is all your fault. I told you not to invite him didn't I?"

"Look I'm sorry for ruining your bachelor party...."

"Damn right you are." JR said glaring at Grant.

"But I won't apologize for something that happened years ago. I've already paid for my mistakes. I hope you'll forgive us one day JR but I won't beg" with that Grant left them and went home to his wife and child.

"Can you believe him?" JR asked Nick who just looked at him speechless. "Come back here and face me like a man"

"Let's go. I've had enough of this" They came with Zach who was waiting for them in the parking lot. They'd invited him inside but he'd refused claiming he would be tempted to join in the party and forget he was their driver.

"You've had enough? I am the wounded party here. How could you when I told you that I didn't want to see that traitor?"

"You guys are leaving early." Zach noted opening their door but they didn't hear him. They were busy arguing all the way home.

----------------------

Hayley heard a commotion and came downstairs. It was a few minutes past ten and he didn't think they would be back so early. JR had decided to have his bachelor party early because he wanted to have enough rest and look fresh on his wedding day. Sometimes he was so adorable. "I take it you boys had fun then?"

"No we didn't because this idiot couldn't let go of his stupid grudge" Nick spilled the beans without meaning to. Truth was he had just about had enough of JR's childish behavior. If he loved Hayley as he said he did then Alyssa and Grant's betrayal shouldn't have any effect on him now. He should have been over it.

"What grudge?"

"Ask him"

"JR?" Hayley questioned but JR had finally shut up. Nick looked at him and almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"It's nothing. Forget about it" he mumbled hoping Nick would leave before getting him into hot water.

"Nothing?" Nick asked thinking this was payback. JR would have to realize that he was acting like a child and what better way was there for him to do that, than making Hayley show him he was being childish. "You got us kicked out of the strip club because you're not over Grant stealing your girlfriend when we were in highschool" There was a few minutes of silence. JR was itching to punch Nick but he couldn't take his eyes off Hayley. He wanted to see her reaction.

"All I heard were the words 'Strip club' and 'high school girlfriend' "

"Hayley....."

"You went to a strip club without telling me and fought over your ex girlfriend? After making love to me James?"

Shit. When she called him James it meant he was in trouble. "Thank you so much Nick. You know the door. I'll find another best man"

"Goodnight Hayley. Don't go easy on him"

"One more word Nick. Just one more word" JR dared him. Nick took that as his cue to leave and sprinted out. Despite everything getting into a fist fight with his best friend wasn't his intention. "Baby"

"Go sleep it off. You reek of alcohol" Hayley dismissed him and went back to her bedroom. There was no way JR would understand anything in that state.

JR tossed and turned all night not sleeping a wink. Somewhere along the night he realized he was an idiot. Nick was right. He shouldn't be fighting with Grant over Alyssa he should have been fighting with Vince over Hayley. She was his now and he wasn't going to let anyone take her away from him. Finally at dawn he gave up and tiptoed to Hayley's room. Turning the door knob he thanked the gods she hadn't locked it. He got in bed with her and finally drifted off to sleep to the sound of her breathing. He dreamt of a house filled with children running around him while he tried to put another one to sleep.

Hayley brushed his brow smoothing the creases on his forehead along the way. She'd opened her eyes only to be met with warmth surrounding her. She realized JR had sneaked into her room and got in bed with her. She wanted to wake him up and demand what he was doing in her bed but thought better of it. He looked so peaceful like that. She could see the boy he had been when he was a child. He had to have been a very cute and adorable baby judging from his features. It's funny how she couldn't find any similarities between him and Jim but maybe he looked like his mother. "Morning beautiful" he said startling her.

"You're awake" she said embarrassed she'd been caught staring.

"Yes. You're really beautiful when you wake up. You know that?"

"No. And I think you're just trying to butter me up so that I'd forget about yesterday"

"I accept maybe I went a little too far...."

"A little?" Hayley shrieked

"Fine. I went too far and am sorry. I really don't care about those two. Not anymore. I love you baby. Only you"

"So why start a fight?"

"I blame that on the alcohol."

"That is so mature of you JR."

"Come on forgive me please. I promise never to do it again. Unless it is with Vince"

"Don't drag Vince into this. He's the best person I know" Hayley defended but before JR retorted the door bust open and Alexis ran in.

"You're still sleeping? Mom we need to have our hair and nails done. Don't even get me started on the bachelorett party." she said sighing like tomorrow was her wedding day.

"Come here sweetie" Hayley said patting the space between her and JR.

"I don't have time for cuddling. Time waits for no man. Or woman" Alexis added

"Just come here" she jumped on to the bed wedging herself between her mother and JR.

"Are you like sharing a room with my mom now?"

"I am going to marry her so yes." he said and Hayley smacked his arm. "Ow. It's true"

"You are such a big baby. Shut up" Hayley turned her attention back to Alexis. "Are you okay that I'm getting married? Be honest honey. If you say no then I won't marry him" JR's heart skipped a bit. He knew that Alexis had the power to take Hayley from him. And as much as he respected Hayley's decision to talk with her daughter about it, he would have preferred not to be present for this discussion. This little girl could crush him and his dreams with just one word. Funny thing was that she didn't even know that.

"Are you serious right now mom?" she asked almost screaming. JR held his breath while Hayley just looked at her daughter waiting for the verdict. "I have my dress ready and I wanna get my hair and nails done and you're thinking of backing out now? No way. This is not happening" she said dramatically not really giving them a clear answer.

"Is that a yes she should marry me or a no she shouldn't? I didn't catch that part clearly" JR asked his body half up and half down.

"We are definitely getting married" Alexis declared not knowing how important that sentence was.

"Oh thank God. Now you don't have any more excuses"

Hayley shot him a glare but her lips twitched slightly. "Okay. Just remember when you want to date that cute guy in school and he says no, that it was your decision for me to marry him."

"Yeah right. Listen here you two you're marrying me too you know. And marriage is a partnership which means if I want something we will sit down and discuss it until you see my point." Alexis told them looking from one to the other. 

"Why can't your mother think like you?"

"Because she's old?"

"What do you mean I'm old?" Hayley asked while Alexis was busy scrambling off the bed. She so did not want to be tickled or all the breakfast she ate would come right out. "Come back here. Where do you think you're going?"

"Far away from your hands." she was already at the door opening it. "You have one hour mom."

"I don't take that long to shower"

"I know. The thirty minutes are for you to make out with your boyfriend. Don't think I don't know that's what you'll do once I close this door" she ducked a pillow that Hayley had thrown at her.

"Can you believe her?" Hayley turned to JR whose eyes were shining with amusement. He pushed her into the mattress then climbed on top of her.

"Thirty minutes is not enough for what I want to do with you"

"JR" Hayley moaned already anticipating what would come.

"I want at least five kids so that Alexis can boss them around. She would be an amazing big sister" he bent his head then kissed her swallowing whatever protest she was going to voice. He was going to start on baby number one right there and then.

**************************************************

Longest Chapter in this book. I kind of have a Love-hate relationship with it because it's annoying to edit long chapters but I also love it. The playfulness, Hayley putting the decision of her wedding in Alexis's hands. And Vince. Love that guy.

Who's your favorite person so far? I can't have one because I'll be biased but Vince would be the one.