Chapter 43

*Two months later* I waited the morning alone in my bed as I knew today, was the day. I was going to marry my best friend. James and I were stronger than ever and the last two months had been so eventful. John had scored a date with Hillary after her and her boyfriend broke up and now was bringing her to the wedding this evening. Alexa and Carlos had given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Maria Beatrice PenaVega who now was my flower girl and would be walked down the isle by Carlos himself. Alexa however was my maid of honor while John was James's best man. As I lied in bed, John came knocking at my door. I rolled over and smiled at him. He was in his normal clothes for the day until closer to the wedding when he'd be in his suit. I sat up as he smiled.

"Glowing bride, your maid of honor is here with your flower girl." John said taking a step aside and letting Alexa walk into view with little Maria on her hip. I gasped.

"Hello!" I smiled at them as I got up. John then exited the room as I played with Maria.

"You look so beautiful!" Alexa said to me. I scoffed.

"Don't lie to the bride on her wedding day." I said knowing I looked like every other day. Alexa winked.

"You're glowing, seriously." She said as I sat down with Maria and Alexa followed. I rolled my eyes.

"Ready to be Mrs. Maslow?" Alexa asked. I giggled and nodded slowly.

"Seems like yesterday I barely met all of you and now you guys are the most important people in my life." I said kissing Maria's head. Alexa had her finger in her baby's hand as she nodded.

"Crazy." Alexa agreed. She then grabbed her baby and then smiled at me. "Go downstairs, before John eats it all. I brought breakfast. Nothing too heavy in case of nerves." Alexa said. I smiled and we headed downstairs. All day was a rush free way to get dressed and prettied up.

Alexa's dress was a gorgeous Chiffron yellow halter topped, sweetheart neckline, floor length dress with a high low skirt. Her bouquet was yellow roses with small baby white roses. Maria had a small halter too dress similar to Alexa's but it had a square neck line and she would have a white flower head band. John's suit was a normal black suit, but he'd have a yellow rose in his pocket and a yellow tie. James's tux was a white tux with a yellow bow tie and a white rose in his suit pocket. My dress was a Chriffron empire waist a-line gown with a sweetheart neckline with laced capped sleeves, with a satin belt with a little flower embellishment. I had gotten my dress on and was now sitting at my vanity as Alexa did my hair. She was adding volume and curling it into soft even waves. My makeup was done by yours truly and I was looking quite glamourous. John had Maria on his lap as they both were ready to go. The nerves hadn't set in yet, but I knew as soon as I left my bedroom, I would feel them.

"You look stunning!" Alexa shrieked as she put the veil on me as we were about to leave my bedroom. I stepped into my yellow heels and we were set.

"Thank you for everything." I smiled at her. She shook her head.

"It's what girlfriends are for." She said waving it away. Alexa set Maria up in her car seat as we were soon to be late to the venue. Alexa had gotten a limo and we were ushered into a long white one as we exited my house. We got to the venue and we waited in the limo until John said it was clear that we got out. Inside the venue there were friends and family of James's and then business associates and friends of mine awaiting, or so I thought. I stood in the hallway as some strays were filing into the hall. Dustin walked by and whistled my way making me blush. Logan came over with Terri and kissed my cheek before he entered where everyone was being seated. Then came Kendall. He looked better and less sad this time around. He smiled and hugged me before taking his seat, without saying a word.

I stood nervous, with my hands shaking as John said his good luck, I love you speech to me and walked down the isle to wait with James who was already standing there I assumed. Alexa waited as Carlos came out of where everyone was seated and walked into the hallway. He beamed at me. "Lizzi! Oh my gosh! You look so beautiful!" He gushed as he covered his mouth. He walked over and gave me a big hug.

"Thank you." I said nervous still. Carlos sensed it and pulled away.

"Don't freak out. You love him. You know almost everyone here. You are in love. No one can take that away. Nothing can ruin this moment, just don't trip." Carlos said winking. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks, now I'll bust my head open while walking to piano music." I said sarcastically. Carlos then turned towards his wife and baby.

"Why, don't my girls look muy Bonita, eh?" He said using his very Spanish accent. Alexa giggled and handed Maria to Carlos with the basket of yellow and white rose petals. Soon the music started up that cued Carlos to walk down the isle with Maria. Then shortly after him, Alexa started her way down. I was counting when I suddenly lost count as to when I was suppose to walk down the isle. I rolled my eyes, my nerves were really getting the best of me.

I took a deep breath and counted only to twenty instead of forty in hopes that I was on time. I stepped into the doorway at exactly the right moment. Score for me. I could see James, under a canopy of white and yellow roses, with John by his side and Carlos and Maria by his. I watched as James took a deep breath himself and my smile immediately came naturally. I started my walk as I watched the man of my dreams smile at me. His teeth perfectly displayed, his lips so kissable were being licked nervously as his eyes danced with glimmering tears lining his eyelashes. His smooth skin and jaw line seemed tightened with nerves which only made it easier for me to be at ease. His hair so perfectly done was so dark in contrast to his all white attire that I wished I had looked that stunning in all white. I came to a close proximity of James that Alexa stepped forward, took my hand and helped me up the stairs. She took my bouquet of white roses as I smiled at her. James automatically bowed and took my hand and kissed it. I laughed with tears forming in my eyes. The ceremony went on without a hitch until of course the vows where James and I were both balling.

"James," I said as my voice was cracking. He laughed and made me relax a bit as others laughed as well. "Sorry." I apologized and cleared my throat. "James, my love, I would like to say, you defied the odds for me. I never once thought a good looking and honest man would ever look at me twice, however here you stand, never having to look twice because your eyes never left me." I giggled as he laughed stared into my eyes and a smile played on his lips. "You have brought me to life. Without you, our friends," I smiled at Carlos who was behind James with his sleeping little girl in his arms. "I would've been out in LA for no reason. You've helped me change the world, but most importantly you've changed my world." I said as I got choked up and James let a few tears fall. "You have promised me everything I've ever wanted once." I said as James nodded. I smiled. "Today you're giving me everything I've ever wanted. Happiness. Love. Confidence. Today I promise to be there every step of the way. Your life will be mine, and mine yours. I can promise you everything you've ever wanted from this moment forward will be available to you at any time your heart desires. I love you." I told him as he smiled happily. "I do." I said after a moment of happy silence. James then cleared his throat and started to speak.

"Elizabeth, while you once chose to work on yourself rather than be with me, I knew one day you'd come back, more badass than ever." James joked as our family and friends laughed and I did as well. "You've come so far from the girl who got a little tipsy the night I met her." He said as I rolled my eyes and smiled. "You've become so much more. You've become a guardian, a sister, a daughter, a friend again without me by your side. You've done so much to make me so humbled to even know you. You have changed the world and you've changed my life. You've made me question society more than once, you've made me question people, you've made me question even myself. Questioning myself made me a better person and I knew by questioning so many things, I'd never have to question one thing. You. I promise you from this day forward, to never go to sleep angry or without a goodnight kiss, to never leave you alone for as long as I shall live and probably even after, to never let anyone hurt you physically or emotionally ever again, to never allow you to feel useless or doubtful in yourself, to always tell you how beautiful you are even though you could just look in a mirror...."

"....., to tell you that I'm so much in love with you that it hurts to even be away from you, to show you in everyway possible that you are deserving of everything I have to offer and more, to share a life with kids and happiness with you because you deserve it. I promise to be your rock, your love, your support, and your Superman for as long as I shall be living and beyond. I love you." James whispered as tears fell down my face. I smiled happily as he smiled back with tears as well. "I do." He said.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest read and then took a step back. I grabbed James's neck and pulled him close. His lips landed on mine and he immediately lifted me up by my torso and laughed as he set me down.