Chapter Three

It was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Not that that had never stopped her before.

The smart play was to just stay out of it. But she couldn't. Not when her kids were affected by it.

That's why she raced out of Milltown, sped down secondary streets and pulled into the back parking lot. If Jack didn't listen to what she had to say, that was his choice. At least her conscience would be clear. For her kids, for everything they had meant to each other, she owed it to him to at least try.

Ignoring the limosine swathed in crepe paper streamers more appropriate for a drunken high school prom, Carly slipped in the back entrance to the church. The back hallway was deserted, giving her a clear shot to the side room where the groom typically sweated out his last nervous moments before the wedding. Carly steeled herself, knowing Jack would hurl accusations, and started down the hall. Only the sudden clamping down on her arm stopped her.

"What...the...hell do you think you're doing?" Margo's normal stoic demeanor gave way to distain. "I should have known you'd show up," she added. "Like a vulture."

"It's none of your business," Carly shot back, jerking her arm free.

"I'm making it my business."

Carly rolled her eyes. More than once she'd questioned Hal and Jack's unswerving loyalty to the woman. Today, that high moral tone worked her last nerve. "Let me guess...Janet hired you as her own personal bouncer?"

"I could make a fortune," Margo snarled, "keeping you out of places you're not supposed to be. Can't you for once, just leave Jack alone?"

"Who says I'm here to bother Jack? My children do happen to be in attendance. And as a matter of fact, I was invited. You can check with Jack if you like." In fact, Carly hoped she would. It would make locating Jack faster and easier.

"So, that explains why you're skulking around a church on Jack's wedding day?" Margo asked mockingly. "Most people would think twice about lying in church. But look who I'm talking to," she added with a sniff.

Tom popped into view. "What is going on here? I can hear you all the way----ooohh..." Tom stopped, catching sight of Carly. "I think it's best if we take this outside," he asserted, taking his wife by the elbow.

"I'm not going anywhere," Margo snapped.

"Neither am I...I have every right to be here," Carly added defensively. "Your wife is trying---"

Margo snorted in disbelief. "The woman couldn't even wait to---"

Tom interrupted her. "Maybe I should handle this," he said, attempting to calm his wife. "There's no reason to bring up personal animosities today."

"This isn't like that," Margo denied.

"I think we both know why this would be a sore subject for you," Tom reasoned. "In light of Katie." Margo started an objection, but pursed her lips and headed outside, pounding her fist against the door as she exited. "Now, Carly..."

"Don't now, Carly, me, Tom." Grinning, Carly patted his arm, and turned on her heel. "There's something I really have to do. Now." She took two steps before Tom had her arm. "You can move your hand....or lose it," Carly said, glaring at him.

His reply faded into the background the second she heard the door open. Like a dream, Jack emerged in slow motion, elegant in his dark suit, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Carly's heart stopped. Her chance had slipped away. And with it went any pretense this was "only" about the children. In her heart of hearts, she'd hoped he'd take one look at her and call off his wedding to Janet, without her even uttering a word. He'd admit he never stopped loving her, and vow to say it every day for the rest of his life. She'd see it in his eyes---that determination that was dangerous and comforting all at the same time. The look that told her she was the center of his life.

So much for Hollywood endings.