I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I had a bit of trouble deciding how much of Shawn to include and it took a few rewrites until I was happy enough with the chapter to post it. The good news is the next chapter is nearly finished and ready to go. I appreciate your patience.

/

"How long do you think we could stay in here before people would actually start to miss us, Cory asked, backing Angela against the wall of her preparation room.

Grabbing onto his tie, she pulled him even closer. "I'd say five, maybe ten minutes."

He debated momentarily, "Okay, that works for me."

"Cory!" She lightly smacked his chest.

"What?"

"Our friends and family are right outside," she reminded him. "Our reception is being set up right across the hall."

"You're the one who wanted the ceremony and reception in the same location. If we had them separately think of how much fun the car ride could've been. But no, you wanted to make it easy on our guests," he pouted.

Angela laughed at his frustration. They had been very busy this past week doing last minute wedding planning and trying to spend time with their families. It really didn't leave them time for each other. "In three days we leave for our honeymoon. Ten days in England and ten days in Spain. No work, no distractions, no nothing. Just us."

"That sounds perfect." He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. "When is the last time we've had that much uninterrupted time together?"

"Uninterrupted? I don't think we've ever had that much time all to ourselves. There's always been work or family attached to most of our trips. What if we get bored with each other?" She smiled to let him know she was kidding. "Although we did get to spend quite a bit of time together in Australia."

"I was in the hospital recovering, I'd hardly consider that a vacation. But it is where I realized it didn't matter if we were married or not, so long as we were together."

"Oh, you mean we could've skipped this whole ceremony," she winked at him. "I love you." She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.

"I love you, too." He looked at her from head to toe, taking in the whole look. "Have I told you how gorgeous you look today?"

"Many times, but I can never hear it enough."

"I remember when you said your dress wouldn't be traditional and I wondered what the heck that meant, but when I saw you for pictures this morning, wow."

"Really?"

"You took my breath away. This short, gold, lace dress really suits you."

"Gold? Cory, my dress isn't gold."

"Then what is it?"

"It's champagne. Can't you tell the difference?"

Cory tried in vain to stop from rolling his eyes. He really didn't want to spend their few minutes alone debating the color of her dress. "Angela, I'm a guy. I don't care about the color of the dress, I just care about what's underneath the dress."

"Pervert."

"Yeah," he admitted, wrapping his arms around her waist, "but do I at least get points for honesty?"

"I suppose," she teased. "You know, you do look pretty hot in this tux."

"Now who's being the pervert?"

"I'm shallow."

"That's a double standard, don't you think?"

"Maybe, but do you really want to argue now?"

"Not at all."

/

"Daddy, when is dinner?"

"Soon, really soon. They just have to finish setting up the tables." Shawn flagged down a waiter and grabbed a few appetizers he knew Charlotte would eat. "Here, you go."

"Thank you."

Shawn glanced around the vestibule, so far he had gone unnoticed- hanging around on the outskirts of activity. It was interesting, watching people he hadn't seen in so long talking and having fun. Topanga and her family were talking to Mr. Feeny. She was holding a young girl in her arms and all three adults were paying attention to what a little boy was saying. Shawn sadly wondered when Topanga had her daughter. He last saw her right after she found out her first child was going to be a boy. He remembered how excited she was about becoming a mother. But they lost touch after she moved to Washington, D.C. and he moved...well, he moved all over for a while. Jack and Rachel still kept in touch with her, but Shawn had backed away from every one from Philadelphia. He was here to change that.

Continuing to looking around the room he saw Amy and Alan Matthews talking to Eric's wife, Shaina, who was still as gorgeous as he remembered. How Eric lucked into marrying a former model was beyond Shawn, but they seemed really good together from what he could recall. Amy and Shaina were each holding a baby, they were all laughing and talking. He had missed so much.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Shawn jumped and turned to find Eric standing there. "Eric, I'd appreciate it if you didn't use that kind of language in front of my daughter."

Eric looked down, only just noticing the little girl who was now clinging tightly to Shawn's hand and hiding behind his leg. He looked skeptically at Shawn. "Your daughter? Jack and Rachel never said anything about you having a daughter."

He leaned closer to Eric and spoke quietly, not wanting Charlotte to hear this. "I asked them not say anything. I don't have a good reason for it and it just makes me look stupid and petty, I know." He backed away from Eric. "This is Charlotte."

"Hi, Charlotte," he smiled apologetically, crouching down to her level. "I'm really sorry if I scared you before, but your dad really surprised me by being here. My name is Eric. Your Uncle Jack and Aunt Rachel are my best friends."

"You know my Uncle Jack and Aunt Rachel," she asked, slowly melting. No one was cooler to Charlotte than her Aunt Rachel. If Eric was friends with her, how bad could he be?

"I sure do. Your dad and I have been friends for a long time, too," he embellished. "I've probably known him since he was younger than you are. How old are you?"

"I will be 5 in December. My birthday is December 29 if you want to send me a present."

"Charlotte Amy Fiona!"

Eric laughed. "I will definitely remember your birthday." He figured with Shawn keeping her hidden from everyone he grew up with, she might not have gotten a ton of presents. The least he could do is send her something. "Your middle name is Amy?" He looked at Shawn.

"Yeah, daddy said it was after a real nice lady who took care of him when he was growing up. And Fiona is my mommy's name, but she left when I was a baby," she stated in the matter-of-fact way that only a child could. She looked up and saw a familiar face coming towards her. "Auntie Rachel!"

"Char," Rachel exclaimed, scooping the girl up in a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"Daddy said it would be a surprise. Are you surprised," she asked, a smile lighting up her face.

Rachel did her best to appear happy, after all it wasn't Charlotte's fault her father brought her here. "Of course I am, sweetie. I always love seeing you. But boy am I surprised," she added, glaring at her brother-in-law.

"Rachel," Eric jumped in before anything else could be said, "why don't you take Miss Charlotte over to meet my mom. Charlotte, would you like to meet the lady named Amy who took care of your dad?"

Her eyes lit up. "That's where my name came from! She's here?"

"She sure is," he smiled. "And I know she is going to love to meet you. Aunt Rachel is going to take you over to meet her now. And Aunt Rachel, be discreet please. This is still Cory and Angela's day."

"Of course. We want today to remain about the bride and groom, no one else." She looked at Charlotte and smiled warmly. "Let's go meet Amy and visit with Uncle Jack. I'm sure he'll love this little surprise."

Once Rachel had Charlotte far enough away, Eric pulled Shawn outside on the patio and closed the door. "If you're here to screw this up for Cory and Angela, leave...just leave. In fact, I think it's best if you leave anyway. Charlotte can stay, she seems like an awesome kid, but you have to go."

"Eric, I know you have no reason to believe me, but I'm not here to screw up anything. In fact, I'm here to make amends. Looking around today I see how much I've missed. Topanga has children. When did you have a kid?"

"Sixteen months ago and it was twins."

"See, I missed that. I've also missed so much more with my best friends."

Eric shook his head. "You don't get it. You don't pick someone's wedding as a time to reclaim your friends and family."

"But..."

"No, what, you think it's such a wonderful gift to have you back? Is that your wedding gift to them? Do you know how selfish that is? Once they know you're here, today will become about you instead of them."

Shawn was quiet. He hadn't actually thought about what would happen after he showed up and talked to them. The idea that he could somehow take the focus off of Cory and Angela or steal their thunder hadn't occurred to him. "I guess I didn't think things through." He cleared his throat. "You really think Cory and Angela don't ever want to see me again?"

Eric rolled his eyes. "Oh, cut the sad, lonely, hurt, pathetic Shawn crap. I'm in my 30's and you're knocking at 30's door, get over it. I'm not saying they never want to see you, but visit during a birthday, summer vacation, Thanksgiving, any other day that is not Cory and Angela's wedding." He didn't know how else to make his point. "You really want them to be happy and make amends? Give them today."

He hated to admit it, but Eric made sense. "When did you grow up and get so wise, Eric? Where did the crazy, goofy guy go?"

"I'm still crazy and goofy, but I know when it's appropriate to bring it out."

"Shaina's mellowed you out, huh?"

He laughed. "No, she likes a little crazy, but it was exhausting being that on all the time." He paused, trying to get a read on what Shawn was doing. "So, are you leaving?"

"I need to think for a minute."

Eric took a step forward. "Don't make me throw you out, Hunter. If you stay, no matter how good your intentions are, you will take the focus of the day off of them. Do the right thing, leave."

Just then, the doors from the opposite end of the patio opened, revealing Cory.

"Eric? I thought I heard you talking out here. What's going...," he stopped when he saw the person with his brother.

"Shawn," Angela asked, appearing behind Cory. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't worry, Angie, he's leaving," Eric insisted, looking pointedly at Shawn. "Right, Shawn?"

"Did you come here to ruin our wedding?" She was almost daring him to say yes with her tone. "Is that why you're here?" She stood next to Cory.

"Angela, no. I swear to you, not at all."

"Then why, after all this time, have you chosen today to grace us with your presence?"

Shawn didn't know what to say next. He hadn't expected to be greeted with open arms, but so much hostility from Angela was also a surprise. But then, he guessed he deserved it. "I came to apologize, to make it up to you. I've finally come to terms with you guys being together."

"So, you came to give us permission? Or your blessing? What?"

"No, I...this isn't coming out the way I want it to." He ran his hands through his hair. "I realize I screwed up big time. I came to fix it. I miss you both. I miss everyone." He shrugged. "I want my friends back."

"And now today is all about Shawn," Eric muttered under his breath.

"I can't deal with this today," Angela said as she shook her head. "In fact, I will not deal with this today. I'm going to continue enjoying my wedding day whether you stay or not. I really don't care." She looked at Cory, just now realizing he had been pretty quiet for the last few minutes. He was the real reason she had been so defensive towards Shawn, she didn't want Cory to be hurt. He had tried so many times to reach out and offer help and friendship only to be shut down. "You okay, babe?"

"Yeah," he drew out slowly. "I need to have a minute alone with Shawn."

"Okay." She kissed him gently, not to show off or prove something in front of Shawn, but simply to support her husband. "Eric, care to get your new sister a drink at the bar," she asked, linking her arm through his.

"Sure."

"Don't get my bride drunk before the first dance," Cory teased. "You two and alcohol are a dangerous combination."

"Aw, but Angie's such a fun drunk." Angela hits his chest. "Ow! Well, you are. I remember when I visited you guys last year and Cory had already fallen asleep and you decided to make a fourth martini and..."

Cory stared at his former best friend. There was a time he would've welcomed Shawn back into his life no questions asked. But a lot of time has passed, a lot of things have happened, and it wasn't just Cory's life anymore. If Angela decided she didn't want Shawn in their lives, he would stand by her.

"Did you want to stay out here just to stare at me?"

"What?"

"Well, it's been a few minutes and you haven't said anything."

"Oh."

Shawn sighed. "Okay, I'll start. Eric and Angela are drinking buddies? When did that happen? And how does he get away with calling her Angie? She hates that."

Cory smiled. "I don't know if I'd call them drinking buddies. Neither one of them drinks a lot, but they sure do have fun when they drink together. And I don't know how Eric gets away with Angie. I got the look death when I attempted it."

"Man, it's been a long time, huh?"

"That's all you have to say," Cory asked, remembering the last time saw each other at Mr. Feeny's birthday party a few years ago.

"Lame, I know. I had this all worked out in my head."

"Really? How was it supposed to happen?"

"Does it really matter now?"

"I'd like to know."

"Well, after Rachel and Eric made their best man and matron of honor speeches, I was going to make a toast. I was going to wish you and Angela a happy life together and hope that tonight would be start of new beginnings for us all."

"Would you really mean it?"

"Of course."

"Forgive me for being skeptical, but the last time I saw you, you made it quite clear how you felt."

"I know and I'm sorry. I was too stupid and immature to see the wonderful thing that happened to you and Angela."

"You don't have to go overboard," Cory chuckled. "I mean, yes it's wonderful for us, but I know it's never easy to see your ex with someone else," Cory admitted. "I know that."

"But still, I could've handled it better."

"What makes you think you can handle it better now?"

"I've grown up a lot, Cor." He sighed. "I have a daughter now. I want to be a good role model for her and I want her to have good people in her life."

"You have a daughter?"

"Yeah, her name is Charlotte. She's almost 5. She's here, probably visiting with your mom right now."

"Almost 5?" Cory did the math in his head, that meant Shawn's daughter was already here the last time they saw each other and he had no clue. "How did I not know about her?"

"No one knew, Cory. I asked Jack and Rachel not to say anything. It was stupid and I've kept you from knowing her and I've deprived her from some really wonderful people." He blinked back tears that unexpectedly came to his eyes. "Look, what I'm saying is I want my best friend back. I miss you, Cor. I miss you, I miss Angela, I miss your whole family. I miss belonging to a family" Shawn paused before continuing. "I'm not going to lie, there's probably always going to be a part of me that loves Angela and wonders what could've been, but I've learned that hard way that I miss you both as friends more. If you want me to leave I'll leave, but I would love to stay and celebrate your wedding with you."

Cory was quiet, trying to decide what to do. He knew how difficult it was for Shawn to say everything he just said, but did it mean he deserved an automatic fresh start? Part of him wanted to tell Shawn to leave, that too much time had passed, but he missed him, too. As close as he and Eric have become, and as great as Jack has been, and no matter how many really good friends he's made over the years traveling or through work no one else has truly filled the best friend void.

"If Angela says it's okay, you can stay. We might have to squeeze you and your daughter in, but I think we can fit you in at Topanga's table."

"Thanks, Cory. I know it's going to take a while to rebuild the friendship we had, but I know you'll see I've changed."

"I don't think we can ever go back to the friendship we had before. We were kids then, we're men now. But I do hope you're right about getting our friendship back. Maybe you were right about what you said before, tonight could be a night for new beginnings."

/

"Family, friends, right now Cory and Angela will share their first dance as husband and wife," the emcee announced. "I'm told the groom chose the song all by himself which, in my experience, can be very interesting. So let's see how big a hole Cory's dug for himself or how many points he's scored." Laughter filled the ballroom as guests talked amongst themselves, trying to guess what Cory could've come up with. "Ladies and gentlemen, Cory and Angela."

Cory took Angela's hand and lead her to the dance floor. "Am I going to regret letting you decide this on your own," she whispered.

"You may think it's too sappy, but I think I did good."

She smiled at him. "I love that your so romantic, sappy, whatever you want to call it. I can be too cynical sometimes, I need your sappiness."

When they reached the middle of the dance floor The Beatles' All You Need is Love began to play. Everyone in the ballroom smiled, knowing it truly captured Cory's view of love and relationships.

"You know," he began, resting his hand on the small of her back, "I wish would've found time to squeeze in those dance lessons like you wanted. I forget how terrible I am until I dance around other people."

"Shh," Angela hissed, laying her head against his chest. "There is no one else here right now. It's just you and me. The people out there might as well be cardboard cutouts. Just dance."

He grinned. "That's what you said in that club in Barcelona."

"I know."

"I think that's the night I started to fall in love with you."

"I know that, too."

"How?"

"Because you woke up in my bed the next morning," she smirked.

He laughed loudly and tried to stop from blushing. "I'm not talking about that with you with our parents watching. With my luck your dad can read lips and will kill me."

"Spin me."

"Getting bossy on me already," he teased, spinning her. "I like it." He followed in up with a dip. "But I can still toss a surprise or two in there." He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him for a kiss as the song ended.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

to be continued...

/

The next chapter will start the journey back in time, to show how Cory and Angela got together.