**Spencer's POV**

"…and we did send out the invitations, right?" Ashley rolled her eyes as she dumped more clothes into a bag. I could understand her frustration with me, considering I had even lost count with how many times I asked that one question. What I did not understand how she could be so calm and nonchalant when the wedding was tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow…as in today is the last day I sign with the Carlin last name or the last day where I won't be thrown into the 'married couple' category.

"You caught me…I secretly hid them under the bed in hopes that we could just go get hitched in Vegas with Dolly Parton as our witness. Ya know, something real classy."

"Really funny, Ash." It was my finance who was actually laughing when I tried to be subtle and check under the bed for a package of undelivered envelopes. "C'mon Spence, I already told you everything is under control. It's all set and ready to go. In fact, if you wanted to get married right now we so could." Ashley smirked as she wrapped her arms around my waist pushing me against the side of the bed.

"It's bad luck to see your bride on the day of the wedding," I teased quietly.

"Says who?" Ashley leaned in for a kiss, but I just laughed and gently pushed her away.

"Says everyone! Which is why you need to finish packing for Aiden's."

"Yeah, lucky me. I've become one of the most recognizable faces in the world and now I'll be living the high life playing sleepover in a crappy little apartment with Aiden."

"Has anyone called you a diva before?" Giggling, I began removing her crumpled clothing she had been carelessly tossing into the duffle bag, folding them and replacing them neatly. "Eh, they've called me a few things," She answered turning sharply and with her nose in the air she disappeared into the bathroom to retrieve the rest of her things. I called out not to forget her toothbrush and she retorted with something along the lines of me sounded like the mother she never had.

"Speaking of mothers—"

"Christine is not attending my wedding tomorrow."

"Our wedding, "I corrected.

"Even if I may have invited her, she won't show up." Ashley zipped up the bag and swung it over her shoulder with a soft grunt. Was she hinting that she did, after all, invite her mother? Confused, I followed her downstairs.

"Wait, so you mentioned it to her?"

"By 'her' to you mean face to face—"

"I mean at least give her an invitation as if she was a normal guest?"

"There is nothing normal about my mother," She laughed picking up her sunglasses and keys off the kitchen counter. She stopped short in front of me and seeing the expression in my face she could tell this was the point of the conversation where I was ready to hear the straightforward answer. Ashley pushed her shades to the top of her head and sighed as if she was responding being told she was having teeth pulled.

"I gave Gavin an invitation the other day…sort of. He saw a spare one at the studio and blah, blah, blah he's coming. This most likely means he'll bring a date, i.e. my mother."

"But you can't be positive he will. I mean, you have made it more than obvious that you don't approve of the two of them together. So why would he bring her knowing it would upset you?"

"Because…I may have left her a note." Ashley brushed passed me as my face lit up. It was nice to see her make an effort with family. Granted she had every right to be angry with them, it was still nice to see the over-dramatic, self pitied teenager she once was, grow into a less irrational adult. I asked her what she wrote with tinge of excitement. Ashley drew a deep breath and seemed to brace herself for this great monologue that would express her feelings and concerns towards the woman who gave birth to her, while wrapping it all up with thoughts of reconciliation and progression. I should know my future wife better.

Hey,

Remember Spencer?

Marrying her tomorrow.

Ashley

p.s. Your daughter…in case you forgot.

I didn't even question her seriousness. I tried forcing the same excitement and telling her I was proud of her for extending the olive branch, so to speak. Who knew the branch was so short…and by branch I mean twig.

As Ashley opened the door a sea of girls piled into the foyer: Chelsea, Katelyn, Kyla, my mom, and Joey. They were all talking a mile a minute. My head bounced back and forth to each person trying to understand at least one conversation that was being taken place. In the chaos I caught Ashley's eye. "Maybe I won't mind that crappy apartment after all," She said shaking her head with a smirk. The sound of the voice caused everyone to stop what they were doing, having been reminded of her presence in the house. There was a second of quietness before the noise returned, like a flock of seagulls, this time focusing on getting Ashley out of the house. "Wait—don't—don't I get to say good—" Ashley had seemed surprised that someone would actually kick her out of a house…you'd think she would be use to that by now.

"So we've had to modify the games," Kyla cried out from the living room as she dumped the contents from a party bag on the couch.

"Games?" I asked nervously.

"Spence, you didn't think we forgot about your bachelorette party did you?" My mother laughed and helped the half Davies sort through everything. I kind of dragged my hands down my face, wondering how they could substitute such a game as: Pin the banana on the groom? Chelsea stood behind me, holding Joey on her hip.

"Bacholorette parties aren't as bad as they seem."

"In what aspect?" Laughing she replied,

"As in they can actually be fun. If anything it will take your mind off your nerves."

"Nerves? I'm not nervous about tomorrow."

"C'mon Spencer. Everyone is nervous about getting married."

"Have you met me and Ashley?" I teased, "We're not like everyone else, remember?"

"Fair enough. Do you have a corkscrew?" I turned towards her, puzzled by the randomness of the question.

"Uh yeah, second drawer in the kitchen. What for?"

"Champagne. How else are we supposed to get the bride-to-be to loosen up?" I massaged my temples, privately asking my head early forgiveness for the inevitable headache I was going to have in the morning.