<Chris's POV>

Skyler stares frustrated at the two dresses. Her eyebrows and knitted together as she examines them. We began wedding dress shopping two hours ago and we have narrowed it down to two dresses that she can't decide between. "I like the neckline on this one, but on the other hand this one is so unique," Skyler exclaims. I nod my head slowly.

"Well," I start, "try and picture it, you're wedding day I mean, here lemme describe it," I offer. Skyler nods her head. "Ok, the entire gang is sat on wood chairs outside. And then there is Dallas at the end of the small aisle, now tell me what you see." Skyler closes her eyes and sighs.

"I see myself walking up to him. I'm in small white flats, my hair is pulled away from my face. My cheeks heat up as I near Dallas. The train of my dress drags on the grou- hey, I know which one I want, I want the one with the small train. Nice thinking Chris," She tells me. I smirk and mock a bow. Skyler giggles at me and holds the dress up. "It's perfect I love it."

Three months later.

"Chris I hate this!" Skyler exclaims sweating. She stresses out as we struggle to pull the dress up her body.

"Relax Sky, it'll be fine, I promise," I try to reassure her.

"Are you kidding me, the dress won't fit over the bump!" When Skyler and I bought her dress we did not take into account if her three month pregnant belly would fit into it too. With one final heave I yank the zipper up. Skyler looks in the mirror and sighs in relief. "Oh thank god!" She yells, pleased with her work.

"See, told you everything would come together just fine." Dallas and Skyler decided to have the wedding on this small nature preserve just outside of town. It really is cute. There are log seats and old mystical trees. Leala helped me adorn the seats with white flowers and we threw down a long white aisle runner that we purchased from a thrift store. Since the wedding is in April the weather is beautiful. Not hot or cold, but just right. Dallas had absolutely nothing to do with the works behind the wedding. He just told Skyler to go for it, which really ticked her off, but everything is just fine. Now that Skyler has her dress on all thats left is for me to put on my gown and then we drive to the venue so that Skyler and Dallas can be wed at three o'clock.

<Skyler's POV>

Chris pulls on her pale pink dress and looks at me. "You all set Skyler?" I take a deep breath.

"I could not be more ready for anything in the whole world."

——————————————————-

Chris and I arrive at the venue and stand inside while everyone else is outside. Dallas is standing outside with Darry, his best man, at the end of the aisle. Everyone else is sitting. Tibby, Aiden, and Shailene are all sitting next to Leala in the front row. On the other side of the aisle in the front row is Soda with Wesley and Josh. Next to Josh is Ponyboy who flew in for the wedding. everyone else is somewhere behind them. In addition to the gang, Tim, Curly, and Buck are the rows. In all there are about sixteen people not including me, Dally, Chris, Darry, and Steve who is waking me down the aisle since my father can't. Steve approaches my and I smile. He kisses my cheek kindly. "You look beautiful Skyler," Steve assures me. I squeeze his hand.

"I can't breathe,"I tell him. He snickers.

"Nervous?" He guesses. I shake my head.

"No my dress is to small," I joke and we laugh giddily. Chris comes up to me.

"Here we go, I'm walking out in two minutes and then you and Steve follow," Chris informs me as she hands me my bouquet, holding her own as well. I breathe deeply and nod in response. "Ok Miss Hills, you ready to say goodbye to that last name?" I nod giddily and Chris blows me a kiss before walking to the door, waiting for the music to start. I hear it begin and my heart starts to pound. I want this. I have wanted this for days, weeks, months, years even. I am so incredibly ready to marry Dallas. I love him. I love him more than anyone else in the world. He is the reason I am alive and the reason I know what true happiness is. He is the reason I have three, almost four, beautiful children. He has given me everything and I am ready to give him all of me, forever.

I watch Chris leave the room and begin to walk outside. I grab Steve's arm tightly. "Don't let me fall Steven."

"You can always trust me Sky." We approach the door and i take one last deep breath. Goodbye Skyler Elizabeth Hills, hello Skyler Elizabeth Winston. The sunlight hits my eyes as we stroll into the daylight, but I don't squint. Instead I focus my grey eyes on Dallas at the end of the white aisle. He looks so put together in his formal suit. I'm so proud of him. I hold on to Steve tighter and he does the same in an effort to comfort me. I block out everything else though. All of my friends sitting beside me and eventually even Steve until all that is left is Dallas. Waiting for me with a smile on his face as he always has.

Gently Steve takes my hand and gives it to Dallas. Dallas nods at Steve and hen returns his loving gaze to me. He then takes both my hands and pulls me kindly in front of him. Our officiant begins to speak. "Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us today, on April twenty second, to witness the coming together of Skyler Elizabeth Hills and Dallas Winston. " Dallas winks and me and I giggle softly. "I am told by their friends and family that their love is undeniable and it shines clearly on this day, showing that that statement is indeed the truth. Now I will pass the torch to the couple to say their vows. Dallas, if you'll begin." Dallas looks at the man and then back at me, nervously smiling.

"I met you and instantly I was falling so deeply in love with you. But I certainly did not deserve you. You are this wonderful woman with an absolutely beautiful soul. You have these eyes that just put me in a total trance. I can just get completely lost in you forever. And I intend to do so. I promise to be with you forever, and love you forever. You are my everything Skyler Elizabeth and I simply cannot survive without you. Finally I think I deserve you in the slightest and I promise to give the world to you," Dallas finishes, stopping himself from crying in front of his friends. I smile uncontrollably and just squeeze his hands. I begin to cry endlessly, tilting my head towards the floor. My body shakes a little as the tears fall. They are happy tears, grateful tears.

Our officiant continues, "Skyler, it is your turn to say your vows whenever you are ready." I nod and try to steady my breathing. Dallas lets go of one of my hands and places it on my chin, tilting my head up. He smiles at me reassuringly. I trust that smile so much. I find so much comfort in his sweet grin, and now I know I am ready to do this. I look up completely and he takes my hand again.

"Phew sorry, hormones," I joke. Everyone giggles, especially Dally. I look up at Dally and am suddenly completely collected. "Okay, Dallas Winston. I've said this before but, look at us, we have finally made it, we are finally on the same page. For years we have chased each other and when we were finally on the same wavelength something would happen and we would have to rebuild ourselves away from each other, but now we are together and I vow to keep it that way for as long as possible, until we are six feet under and forever after that. I vow to love you and our children and I vow to be devoted to you and only you until the bitter end. And I thank you for giving me a real life and a secure, happy, future. I owe you everything and today I vow to give back to you always, I love you." I finish and Dallas has this wonderfully bright smile on his face. He kisses my cheek lightly to show his appreciation. I love him.

The Officiant continues to speak and my heart races. "Do you Dallas Winston take Skyler Elizabeth Hills to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, until death do you part and forever after that?" Dallas looks me dead in the eyes and I don't think I would be able to look away if I tried.

"I do." My mind rushes through memories of Dallas yelling at me, telling me he didn't want kids, saying he could never get married. And this time I don't feel bad for changing him, because I didn't. This is who he has always ben. And Dallas Winston has just said 'I do'. I could not me filled with any more euphoria than I already am.

"Skyler Elizabeth Hills, do you take Dallas Winston to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, until death do you part and forever after that?" I smile at Dallas, with my old mischievous grin. Every part of me, past, present, and future is saying I do to this man. Dallas winks at me and I giggle. God, thank you, thank you for being alive Dallas Winston.

"I do." My heart stops. Yes, this is meant to be, this world finally feels right.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Dallas, the romantic that he is, grabs my waist tightly and pulls me to his chest, my pregnant belly hitting his torso, and kisses me passionately. I feel him tip me back so he is the only thing holding me up. His grasp burns on my side with the feeling of pure, love. My arms wrap naturally around his neck, as they have so many times before. We kiss for longer than we should, but I simply don't care. I can hear my ow heart beat. With every thump of my heart more love is sent coursing through my entire being. This is all I have ever wanted. The gang claps and hollers wildly and music begins to play again. I smile and slowly pull away from my husband. Dallas looks at my face gently and smiles too. "Love me Skyler Elizabeth?"

"Okay Dallas Winston."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We sit at three wood picnic tables that we pushed together. Chris and I covered it in a large white lace table cloth. The table is full of different foods that Darry was hard at work on yesterday. Music hums from the radio we brought to the venue. We pass the food around and settle in once everyone has a full plate of food. The kids sit on the ground on a small rug we brought so that they could be comfortable on the forest floor. Chris taps on her glass of champagne causing a hush to come over our conversation. I glance up at her and grasp Dallas's hand. He places our hands in my lap so they are resting comfortable on my thighs. Chris stands and clears her throat. "Hey pals, so today is extra special for me because not only is my best friend getting married, but she is marrying my brother. I love them both more than they will ever know. I remember watching them dance at my own wedding and thinking, damn, that is love. They attract each other like magnets, they fight like fire, but they love like fire too. Their love is wild and endless, and damn near impossible to get rid of. I am so thankful that I get to see their flame grow. They truly deserve this more than anyone. Dallas, I love you, and Skyler, a few years ago I asked you to please love my brother. I then asked you if you loved my brother. Thank you for saying yes, and thank you for saying I do today. Good luck with marriage Winston's." Tears roll down my cheeks and I even catch Dally's eyes watering. We all clap softly and Soda pats his wife gently on her back.

"Fuck Chris, that was, that was amazing," I tel her. She shrugs.

"I just had to tell the truth." She winks at me and I smirk back at her. I love her, I am so grateful for her encouraging me to give Dallas another shot. None of this would have happened without her.

Darry stands up next, prepping himself to make his best man speech. "Okay so I will make this short and sweet as we are a gang of dancing and singing, not speeches," Darry jokes. We all smirk and giggle. I can feel my eyes glowing as I stare at the dad of the group. "Dallas and Skyler fight like soldiers, love like movie stars, and well fuck like bunnies," Darry jokes again. I blush hard and Dallas chuckles loudly before kissing my cheek. "But all jokes aside, they don't waste time. I had a conversation with Skyler once during her struggle with drug abuse." I frown and lean closer to Dallas. He wraps his arm around my back supportively. "Together we calculated how many years the drugs wiped from he life. Now that she knows what time she has left I know she will spend it all loving this man who we all know will reciprocate that love. Dallas and Skyler have escaped tragedy countless times and I know that just means they will cherish the good times more than any other married couple. I am so proud of Dallas for being happy, staying supportive, and keeping himself out of trouble, and just fucking surviving overall. I am proud of Skyler for becoming happy and blooming into this beautiful woman who loves herself and her kids and has respect and just fucking radiates love. They are both amazing people to be around and truly deserve each other. Enjoy the married life guys. you have no idea how proud I am of you both." Darry sits down and i have to wipe the tears away.

Dallas bites his lip and nods his head. "Thanks Dar, we love you." Darry just nods as Leala tales his hand and kisses it. He smiles at her and my heart soars for him. The feeling of joy from us all is radiating and it is breath taking. Just as I am about to tell everyone to dig into the feast Steve clears his throat loudly. I look up at him in shock, as does Dallas.

"Ok so I am not he best man and maid of honor obviously, but I did want to speak." He starts. I bite my lip in anticipation. Lena smirks up at her boyfriend. " So I have known these two for a hot minute and it is shocking that this worked out. Dallas was this boy who was afraid of any sign of responsibility and Skyler was this little girl who was afraid of herself and couldn't love herself, so how was she supposed to love anyone else. Somehow Dallas had become this crazy amazing father and I'm sure he will also be great as a husband, I am counting on it. And Skyler has learned to fight for herself and those she loves and it was so god damn amazing to watch her grow into this whole new person and together I know they will be great, and thats all I wanted to ay about that. Anyways, on Lena and I's last trip to Vegas we well, we won at thirty different card games stuff like that. And we won five hundred thousand dollars. We then played one last game, it was double or nothing, and well, it doubled."

I choke on my water. Lena and Steve are loaded. "Anyways, we decided to use the money by first paying for this wedding, two setting up college funds for the Winston, Matthews, and Curtis babies, thirdly completely renovating Darry and Pony's home, lastly investing in the DX so that it is renovated and a chain restaurant add on will we attached to it so that more money will be coming in, oh and if any of you need a job that would be a good place to work. The rest we are saving for you all later. And thats my announcement," Steve says casually. We all just stare at Steve in shock. He kisses Lena quickly and calmly, not acting like this is a big deal at all. All that can be heard is the quiet radio and the birds chirping.

"Steven Philip Randel," Christina starts. "You're are fucking crazy, and incredibly wonderful."

"I love you guys, this is just me investing in my family. Its growing and I plan to keep all of it safe and sound forever," He states relaxed. We make eye contact and stare at each other,almost like a challenge. I can not stop staring at him for some reason. He has given us all something that is so important. He really is investing in our crazy family. I love him for it. I mouth 'thank you' to him as everyone chatters loudly around us, shouting excitedly about the new renovation and Johnny exclaiming how he can work at the chain restaurant. Steve just nods slightly. We smile at each other casually. I know I can always trust Steve. We have a history and thats all it will ever be. I loved Steve in so many different ways. None of them were as strong as my eternal love for my now husband. Steve looks to Lena, a loyal grin on his face. They kiss lightly, fitting perfectly together, like two halves of the same broken heart. I look to Dallas and as always feel the millions of pieces of my shattered heart come together. He keeps me this way, composed and happy. He glides his hand down my cheek. I close my eyes and take it all in. His familiar, comforting touch. He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead. Shivers from excitement course through my body, making goosebumps pop up all over my skin like millions of tiny mountain ranges. I open my eyes agin finally and meet Dallas eyes that I can only describe as deep.

Suddenly I feel everyone else staring at us. Soda chuckles as I blush and hide in Dallas' embrace. "Wow guys, get a room stop fucking through your eyes," he states, glancing at Chris who giggles, recalling a memory. Steve snorts.

"God Curtis, thats my joke, be original," Steve claims. I giggle now.

"Well I guess that means speeches are officially over," I joke, "dig in guys." Our meal is accompanied by sarcastic comments, jokes, and a whole lot of love. It lasts all of an hour, then we turn up the music and start dancing as per usual. Dallas talks with Darry a few feet away from me as I chat with Lena. I do not really look at him seeing as I am pretty investing in speaking with Lena right now. Then I hear a song begin to play. My heart beats fast with excitement. I glance quickly to the radio and see Chris smiling happily. I don't know how but somehow she got the station to play this song. I am a rock girl. I listen to the Doors, I enjoy the weird, but for some reason this song gets me. Maybe because this came out the year my parents died and my mom enjoyed it. No matter the circumstance moon river makes me swing and everyone knows it. Everyone quiets down and makes a path for Dallas to walk over to me. He smiles to me and my heart swoons. He moves with a sense of cool as he always has. Dallas smoothly extends his hand to me and I take. I can feel has hand slide onto the small of my back, like ritual. I lay my cheek on his chest so that I can hear his heart beating melodically. His other hand grasps my own and our arms lay attached at our sides. He rests his chin on my head, murmuring the lyrics to me softly. Closing my eyes, I suddenly relax, knowing my friends and family are watching me dance so slowly, so passionately with this man who I have such a deep love for. This soul-entwining bond makes my toes curls and my cheeks flush and my heart pound so hard against my chest I am afraid it may push right though my skin and show everyone. There were times in this mad love where I had wished I had known how to quit him. But he is like heroine. Powerful and addicting, and damn near impossible to abandon.

Dallas rubs his thumb on the back of my hand leaving trails of goosebumps. This, for some reason unknown to even me, is so special to me. I am nothing special, nor have I ever been. I am part of the common group. No one will remember me when I am gone. No one except for this gang and my kids, and of course Dallas Winston. And that will always be enough for me. I do not need this facade of a greater experience because I love furiously and aggressively and kindly, and that will always be enough for me. Dallas has caught me as if by a fishhook. I am simply hooked on him more than I ever have been on anyone else or any thing or drug. I could not be more accepting of that.

I squeeze Dallas just a little closer to me, and he takes over my pulling me so hard into him I think my spine may crack, but I don't not care in the slightest. I smell his musky scent and I could drown in it. Completely lose myself. My thoughts are such a mess and yet so clam all at the same time when I am with him, when we dance together like this. I pull my head away as the song begins to die down, though I wish it wouldn't end. Dallas looks down at me again, leaning in to kiss my forehead. I grin as he does so. He whispers to me, "You are my everything Skyler Elizabeth Winston."

A single tear slips down my face and Dallas swiftly wipes it away cupping my cheek and leans in kissing me. The clapping of our audience echoes in my head, sounding miles away. Meanwhile Dallas is my North, South, West, East, my hard working weekdays, and my relaxing weekend. My calm Sunday afternoon. And I love him.

<Steve's POV>

I smile as Dallas and Skyler finish their first dance as a couple. Lena lets go of my hand to start clapping. Her far is lit up with happiness for our friends. The blue of her eyes are piercing as she stands in this trance, watching the love unfold in front of her. Her porcelain skin is so clear and bright it could glow. I look back and Skyler and see her now in the middle of a long kiss with Dallas. I am not saying I still love her, but I loved her and I still have deep feelings for her. It just hurts a little. Turning around, I grab my bottle of the table and elusively, yet carelessly, stroll away from the scene. I tip the bottle up to my mouth and begin gulping slowly. The burn in my throat almost feels good. I sit on a small bench that the nature preserve has out. I stare into the nothingness, which is actually the path to the main road. The calmness feels good, and I will be honest when I say I am shocked at what happens next. They haven't bothered us in so long I thought they finally learned to back the fuck off. I stand up, holding my drink by the neck of the bottle. "Hey private party rich scum," I say to the man who is strolling along towards me with his two buddies behind him.

"Oh I think she would like to see me again, you know we has some fun back when," the soc states cruelly. I furrow my brows.

"Yea? I don't see your fucking invitation so why don't you scram," I state firmly. The soc shakes his head slowly, then shrugs.

"I told you man, her and I had some fun in a car awhile back, good cunt on that one, her little boyfriend even watched for a little. My blood boils and my fists clench so highly my nails dig into the skin of my palm and leave small incisions. Wait. He said they had sex in a car and Dally saw. That sounds all to familiar. He is her rapist. Any control I had five seconds ago melts away like butter in a hot pan. I rear back my fist and slam him hard in the face. He instantly falls to the floor like a bag full of bricks. His two buddies start to move towards me.

"You gonna hide behind your buddies you fucking rapist?" I yell to the man on the ground. It is a good thing a loud rock song is on now back at the party because I am screaming now. The soc gets up and signals for his buddies to stay back. Quickly he runs at me, but I am so fueled by anger right now that I could shatter mountains. I grab him by his waist and throw him over my shoulder back onto the ground. He lands on his back and I quickly jump onto him, digging my knee into his stomach. I cover his face in harsh punches. My muscle from the war burst under my shirt. I hear pops and cracks of bone. I watch as blood spurts from his nose. I stop once my knuckles are split. "You will leave her the fuck alone, you will never fucking go near her you waste of air! I should kill you, YOU FUCKING RAPIST!" I spit in his face which her responds to with a groan of pain. "But I have to much to protect right now to go to jail, so get the fucking out of my sight you stupid fuck, get the fuck OUT!" I scream. He squirms away from me and sprints away with his buddy.

I pull at my hair and hold back a scream. I want him dead, I want to rip his head right off of that fuckers shoulders. I know I can not risk going into the slammer though, so I refrain from chasing after him. I tell myself to just go back to the party, back to Lena and Skyler. I straighten out my suit and take a deep breath. I'll find him later, but tonight is a night for my family. I pace myself on my way back to the wedding party. The first person I spot upon arriving back is Skyler. She dances happily, swaying her hips and giggling. Small pieces of hair fall in her face as she moves. Her dress flows elegantly behind her. I watch her in awe. She deserves Dallas. Fuck the rapist that hurt her. He is worth less than the shit on the bottom of a shoe.

Skyler catches me standing off to the side. She slows her dancing and walks away from the gang that was dancing with her. They don't seem to notice her departure. She walks over to me with grace. I smile to her and she returns the gesture. Though her smile drops when she sees my bleeding hands. She grabs them gently and looks backup at me, concern playing on her face. "Steve... what happened?" I just stare at her like an idiot. i think of telling her. No. I can't, it would ruin her, make her paranoid and unhappy. I could never do that to her.

"Don't worry about it doll," I reply playfully. She smiles again and pulls me into a hug. She is so fucking strong it amazes me. I rub her back sightly and then pull away. "C'mon baby lets join that party huh?"

<Dallas's POV>

I watch Skyler walk over to Steve and bite my lip. Steve lets her take his hand. This would've sent me over the edge awhile ago but now nothing. Lena walks over to me silently at first. Her hair is pulled back and I smile at her. "You okay Mr. Married man?" She asks jokingly. I look at her with a sly smile.

"Of course I am, you and I have had this conversation before dear, they love each other, but they love us more y'know?" I reply. Lena locks her arms with mine and leans her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I know." We stand silently for a few seconds "You think we should hook up then?" Lena joke. I laugh at her.

"For sure," I say sarcastically. We both laugh and then rejoin the dancing as Sky and Steve do the same. I grab Skyler's waste and pull her close into my chest. I lead her in a slow dance, just peacefully swaying, the string lights around us casting beautiful shadows on her face. I have nothing to say except, I love her.

<Skyler's POV>

The night is coming to and end and as everyone has their last dance I take a break, sitting next to Buck on the small bench in front of one of the tables. He smirks at me before patting my shoulder gently. We may not be as close with Buck as we are with the gang, but I am eternally grateful for everything he has done for us, all of the little things, the talks, the support, helping Dally with the car. Buck has saved us in more ways than one.

I grab Buck's hand and smile, squeezing his palm gratefully. "Good job today Sky, congratulations," Buck tells me. I smile softly and nod my head.

"Thanks Buck, thanks for coming."

"Are you kidding me? I would never miss this historical event... Dallas Winston, getting hitched," Buck pauses to glance at Dallas who is happily dancing with his sister laughing, just having a good time. "You did this you know, he owes his life to you, you saved him, made him the man he was meant to be..." Buck pauses again and tears yet again sprinkle down my cheeks. Buck stares deep into my eyes, and I know he means what he is saying. "I never thought I'd see the day," Buck claims.

I look now at my husband, so grateful to see that damn smile on his face, I want it to be there forever, I want to be the reason that that smile stays. "Me neither."

A/N WOW this is so long overdue but I wanted it to be good even if it is very unedited I apologize I am very lazy, enjoy!