Author's Note: Alison and Miguel Castillo, Veronica "Roni" Tubbs, Ryan Rivera, Jake Ballard, Britt Wheeler and Jake Ballard all belong to RedRose85. Check out her stories!

It was lunchtime, and since I had time between courtroom sessions, my fianceé Veronica Tubbs had met me at the cafeteria to go over last minute wedding plans. She had a gigantic binder laid out in front of her and methodically flipped through pages. She was so organized, and had spent a great deal of time putting everything together, from flowers, to our vows and everything in between. But sometimes I wished I had just whisked her away to Vegas. Even though I would never tell her, I was tired of looking at china patterns and debating the use of roses over hydrangeas. All I cared about was committing my life to her, spending a relaxing week in Cuba, and beginning our family together.

"…So Uncle Sonny is going to walk my mom down the aisle. And I paid the rest of the balance on the cake and the caterer yesterday, so that's done. And don't forget to pick up your tuxedo before the rehearsal dinner next Friday because you won't have time afterwards. Oh, and make sure Ryan, Billy, Eric and Ethan get theirs too. And could you email the DJ and let him know what song you want for the mother-son dance?"

I should have been listening to her, really, I should have. But in my head I was fantasizing about running my fingers through her hair, kissing her, perhaps taking her down to the basement to some abandoned file room… although we had been living together for the past two years, in these final weeks before the wedding I had been staying at my parent's house. The time apart was killing me. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" I asked, wrapping an arm around her and kissing her ear. It was as seductive as I could be in a courthouse cafeteria.

"Miguel…" she warned.

"Oh alright, alright, I'll get everything done, don't worry." I looked up at her with my sad, puppy eyes- the ones she can never resist. "Any chance I could come over tonight? I miss you."

"Aw babe, I miss you too! But I'm going with Ali and my mom and grandma for my final dress fitting tonight. Just think, this time apart will make our honeymoon all the more special! Not to mention our wedding night! Besides, Grandma Tubbs is getting older and she-"

"She hates me." I interrupted, grumbling.

Roni took my hand in hers, and tried to be reassuring. "She does not hate you, Miguel! She's just very… traditional. She doesn't think a man and woman should live together before marriage."

I scowled. "So you think she likes me? Is that why she's always trying to introduce you to the grandson of that friend of hers from church? The one who's a doctor?"

She raised an eyebrow with interest. "Myrtle's grandson is a doctor?" When my face fell, she grinned. "I'm teasing, sweetie! Relax! She just needs to get to know you better. Besides, in ten days we'll all be family and she won't have a choice!" Roni hurriedly glanced at her phone, slammed her binder shut, then kissed me. "I gotta get back to the office. See you here tomorrow for lunch again?"

"You bet, love. Call me tonight?"

We kissed one last time and she hurried off. Meanwhile, I sulked, staring at my bowl of soup, stirring it absentmindedly.

"Hey, big bro!"

I looked up to see my sister, Alison along with her boss and lifelong friend, Lieutenant Billy Crockett and her fiancé Ryan Rivera. They set their trays on my table and took their seats.

Ryan studied me. "You know Miguel, for a guy who's getting married in ten days, you sure look down."

"Aw, he's just ticked off because Roni kicked him out of their apartment until the wedding and now he's stuck back at home with Mom and Dad," Ali explained.

Billy nodded. "Ah, I get it. You're mad because you have to spend your romantic evenings alone with your laptop?"

"Billy, you are so gross!" Ali exclaimed, laughing.

"It's not funny, Ali! And for all of your information, she did not kick me out. It was a mutually agreed upon arrangement," I added with confidence.

Billy snorted. "Yeah right! 'Mutually agreed upon' my foot. You mean she told you how it was going to go and you went along with it. Welcome to married life, pal!"

"Hilarious, Billy," I replied sarcastically. I had grown up around Billy Crockett, and since he was twelve years older than I, he was often the big brother I never had- for better or worse.

"Does her grandma still hate you?" Ali asked.

"She does not hate me!" I replied defensively, a but louder than I had intended. "She's just traditional."

Again, Billy snorted, trying to hide a laugh, and Ali nudged him with her elbow.

Ryan, who was sitting beside me, put his arm around my shoulders. "You know what you need, buddy? You should really have a-"

"The next words out of your mouth had better not be 'bachelor' and 'party', Rivera." I warned, interrupting him. "I already said no way to that! I respect Veronica way too much to spend a night leering at naked women days before our wedding." I had used that as an excuse, but truth be told I always felt like a fish out of water at the clubs and bars Ali and Ryan frequented.

Ali rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, Mig. Loosen up! The girls and I are taking Roni to see some strippers, and I'd better not hear a word about it from you. Go out! Have fun! It's what Roni would want, and besides, it'll take your mind off of being lonely."

Ryan held up his hands. "Okay, so we won't call it a bachelor party. How about you and me just spend tomorrow night out on the town? Nothing major, just two young studs relaxing and having a good time and a few drinks. What d'ya say?"

I turned to face my sister, whose eyes were encouraging me to say yes. "C'mon big brother, you really want to spend your last Friday night as a single guy watching the History Channel with Dad?"

I sighed deeply. I knew my sister well enough to understand that when she got something in her head, there was no giving up. "Oh, fine. I guess I'll…"

Ryan jumped up from his seat to take his tray to the trash and didn't let me finish my thought. "Great! I'll pick you up at eight then. You won't regret it, Mikey!"

I sighed. Oh well, maybe Ali was right. It was just one night. After all, Ryan was my closest friend and future brother in law. I'd have a drink or two with him, nothing too much to leave me hung over the next day, and Ali would leave me alone. Nothing crazy, nothing to regret!