Author's note: Hey guys, thanks for reviewing! I was actually surprised I got as many reviews as I did, seeing as how I was the one who emailed to add the category. Oh well, keep reading.

Brittany

"Brittany Fuentes…Mrs. Brittany Fuentes…Mrs. Alejandro Fuentes…" Any way I say it, it sounds perfect. I twirl in front of the floor-length mirror and full-out grin at my reflection. My dress was simple, yet elegant—Sierra and I had picked it out the week after Alex proposed, which was a very bad idea. Every time Alex wasn't around, or I just plain felt like it, I'd put it on…

But today, today is the day I need to wear it…I'm getting married.

"You look absolutely stunning, Britt," Sierra smiles, and I turn and smile,

"You think? I mean…I think that my hair…"

"Your hair is amazing," she interrupts.

"She's right, Brittany," my mother cuts in, "You look perfect." I smile and thank her. Four years ago her words would have meant the world to me, but now, they were just a simple compliment to the bride. Alex had taught me, in a way, about appearances. I had risked my entire image because of him, but it was all worth it.

"Is it time yet?" I hear myself ask. I hadn't seen Alex in almost two days now because of the bachelorette party and then getting ready…I admit it—I'm addicted to him. All I want is for him to walk through those doors, kiss me, and tell me he'll be waiting at the alter…but I know perfectly well that Sierra threatened him that if he even came close to my door, she'd personally see to it that he wouldn't bear children.

Good thing he's been a good boy today because I wanted tons of nenos.

I giggle a bit at my little Spanish thought. That alone proved just how much Alex had changed me…even if it was just me learning a bit of Español from him.

Sierra starts laughing, which brings me back to reality.

"Hello? Earth to the blushing bride!" I shook my head a bit and saw in the mirror that I literally was a blushing bride.

"Huh?" I look at her and see that she has a small box in her hands. "What's this?"

"Something new…open it," she grinned.

I do, and gasp. Inside the box were the most beautiful diamond studs I have ever seen.

"Oh, wow…Sierra, you didn't…"

"My best friend is getting married; I welcomed the opportunity to use my new platinum."

We both laugh and I take them out of the box and fit them to my ears.

"They're absolutely gorgeous, thank you."

"Oh, and this too…" she says, unclasping her charm bracelet and fitting it to my wrist. "Something borrowed…which means I want this back…Doug gave it to me on my last birthday—I haven't taken it off until now."

"I'll take good care of it, I promise," I smile and hug her. "Thank you…" I say again.

My mother clears her throat quietly and I look over at her. She's holding a little bag in her hand out to me.

"Something blue…"

I almost forgot about the other two wedding gifts, I got so caught up in Sierra's gifts. I take the bag and look inside.

"Are you serious, mom?" She seems to smirk a bit and Sierra laughs.

"Come on, Britt, put it on!"

I take the piece of elastic fabric out of the bag and sit down, sliding it up over my shoe and up my leg until it hug my thigh. My imagination gets the best of me then and I start to picture Alex taking it off…his warm, rough hands caressing my thigh…

"And last but not least…" my mother continues, handing me another box, "Something old."

I open it and yet again, gasp.

"Oh my god…it's beautiful."

"I wore this at my wedding, and my mother before me…now it is yours." She takes the diamond tiara from my hands and fits it atop my up-do, then smiles. "Now you are ready…are you sure you still want to go through with this? There's still time to call the whole thing off."

"Mother, please don't," I say quickly, "I'm marrying Alex today, and whether you approve of him or not, I love him. I really do, mom, please, for me, can you try to pretend to be nice…"

She shuts her mouth and nods. Sierra quickly changes the subject.

"Britt, that tiara looks amazing on you, come look." She pulls me to the mirror again and I bite my lip. It looks perfect…

"Thank you both, so much," I smile, turning around again to face them.

"It's almost time," Sierra grins and my mother smiles slightly—she still was not happy with me, but I can tell that she is trying to hide it. I didn't care what my parents thought about Alex anymore, I was all too ready to be a Fuentes.

As if on cue there is a knock on the door and Mrs. Fuentes peeks in.

"Oh my, Brittany, you look beautiful."

"Thank you, Mrs. Fuentes."

"Can I speak with you a moment?"

"Of course."

Sierra takes the hint, "We'll just go make sure everything is ready. Come on Mrs. Ellis."

My mother doesn't budge at first, but then she follows Sierra out, her lips in a tight line.

Once the door closes, Mrs. Fuentes takes a seat on the couch and pats the spot next to her. I sit and offer her a small smile, which she returns.

"Brittany, I know that we haven't been on the friendliest of terms these past few years, but I'd like for us to try and change that. When my husband died…" she pauses and takes my hands in hers. "Alejandro became the man of the house…he thought it was his job to protect the rest of us, but he took the death the hardest. Even now, he hates being called Alejandro because he was named after his father…"

I nod and listen to her intently.

"He never let himself get attached to anyone ever since, because everyone he got close to hurt him in one way of another. When you came…I thought that you were trying to play him…to hurt him…"

"Mrs. Fuentes, I would never—"

"Shh, child, I know that now. Let me speak."

I stay silent.

"I once asked you what your intentions with my son were. Well, now those intentions are clear…and now, I want to thank you…"

"Thank me?" I am thoroughly confused now.

"Sí, you are the very reason that my son is no longer in a gang, that he's graduated from college, and that he is alive today…your loving him has changed him, Brittany, and for that, yes, I thank you."

Tears are welling up in her eyes now and seeing her tears causes tears of my own threaten to appear.

"Oh child, don't cry…your make-up." That makes me laugh and I wipe away the tears that started to form. Mrs. Fuentes smiles and lets her tears fall freely as she leans over and hugs me.

"You are the best thing that ever happened to that boy…I wish you both the lifetime of happiness and love that I never had."

I hug her back tighter and fight to hold back fresh tears, "Thank you…"

After a minute she pulls away, "I believe it's time, my dear."

I nod and stand up, quickly checking my make-up in the mirror. Still perfect.

"Come, I'll walk with you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Fuentes."

"Oh, please child, call me mamá."

"Mamá…" I smile, and she smiles back.

Sooooo, I hope you liked this one. I liked writing it, to say the least. And, I'm a review maniac, and reviews make me happy, so what are you going to do for me? Yes, review! Thank you!