Disclaimer: I am not Simone Elkeles, though I do recommend reading her amazing books. This fic is a birthday present for my good friend, Belgium. Happy birthday!

Alex

"Mamá, por favor…stop crying," I said, fixing both of my brother's ties and then absently fixing my own—for about the eighth time since I put it on. I was getting married today; to the girl of my dreams, to the only person responsible for who I was today, to the best thing that had ever happened to me.

"Alejandro, my eldest son is getting married today—I never thought I'd live to see this day. I can't help but cry."

I sigh and look myself over in the mirror, again. It had been about five years since I met my wife-to-be, and a year since I had gotten down on one knee and asked her for her hand in front of everyone she loved. Shelley seemed happy enough, Britt's parents…not so much. But I have no regrets.

Her home life has been surprisingly better; her parents see more of each other and her mother is a little less psycho. She's taken to me too, or at least…she tolerates me now. It took me all four years in college to save up for this wedding; every bit of spare money I made went into this. I want to prove to her parents that I can provide for their daughter—if not with money than with the best sex she will ever have, for the rest of her life. I smirk into the mirror and get a questioning look from Carlos, which I ignore. Alright, so maybe I kept that last part to myself.

The honeymoon is going to be wild though, I am going to give her the ride of her fucking life…

I fix my tie again, focusing on the tie itself instead of picturing my fiancé naked—especially since Mamá and the boys were in the room…and this suit was a rental. Not a good idea…no una buena idea.

Someone knocks on the door and thankful for the distraction, I answer it. I open the door and come face-to-face with Mr. Ellis, Brittany's father. I think he is trying to look intimidating but after all I've seen and done, nothing scares me.

"Alex," he nods, "Do you have a minute?"

I nod back, "Yes, of course, sir." I glance back but Mamá is already gathering the boys and shuffling them out, glaring as she passes by Mr. Ellis. She didn't mean anything by it; not really, it is just how she is.

The door shut behind them and Mr. Ellis got right to it.

"Listen Alex, I'm just going to get straight to the point here…I don't like you. I think that you are wrong for my daughter and you don't deserve her."

His short speech stung—but there was something that seems off about it all. It seems practiced, as if someone else's words were just being spoken by him…I have a feeling I know who, too.

I watch him as he pulls a checkbook out and signs a check written out to me,

"Write down any number, any amount and it's yours—all you have to do is disappear from my daughter's life…leave now with the money, and no one else has to know."

Oh hell no…

I felt my quick temper flare and my hands curled into tight fists. I haven't wanted to hit anyone in a long time…except for that stupid ass kid who was hitting on Brittany right in front of me…but I want to hit this man so bad.

Mr. Ellis steps back.

Good, he's fucking scared.

"Mr. Ellis," I take the checkbook, rip the check out, and shred it. "No amount of money in the world could keep me away from your daughter. I am marrying her today and I will love and provide for her until death do us part—relay that message on to Señora.Ellis, as well."

I toss the ripped up check in the basket and nod to him, plastering a smile on my face as I open the door, "Now, if you'll excuse me—I'm going to make sure Brittany gets the happiest day of her life."

I close the door behind me and sigh, running my hand through my hair again and heading towards the chapel. How could he even think I would take the money? I'd been with Brittany for five years now, we'd changed each other's lives in so many ways…we were absolutely, madly in love with each other.

3 ~ Kind of dull, sorry, more to come though…less dull…if this is dull. Is it? I don't know. Oh well. Review.