A/N:

Happy Belated New Years! This was supposed to be my new year's gift for you guys. I had it ready to post and everything, but my internet refused to work. I guess that's what I get for having a laptop whose wireless connection always fails.

Kay enough with my excuses….enjoy your belated gift…and make my new years by reviewing! My new year's resolution is to get a better response for this story and all my other stories :D

Remember to vote for Mel's wedding dress…the poll will be closed on Jan 3rd(tomorrow). [The poll is in my profile]

Disclaimer: I only own the plot…but I wish I owned the characters too. O well life isn't fair.

Last Chapter

Those two words made my heart flutter rapidly. I couldn't help but imagine how much more passionate and beautiful they would sound when she would be draped in white. I couldn't help but feel the urge to grab the velvet box in my sock drawer. No, I promised I would ask her when she was ready.

Before I could do anything I'd regret later, Wanda asked "What are you thinking about?"

I shook my head breaking from my reverie and as casually as I could replied, "Nothing."

Then before she could interrogate me, I kissed her nose then briefly her lips and said "We should get some sleep we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

Surprisingly she didn't argue. She leaned into me and rested her head onto my chest. As her warmth enveloped me and her breathing steadied, I rested my chin on top of her head and pulled her close. Before I knew it, I was asleep.

Chapter Seven

-IPOV-

Just when I thought I'd finally dozed off, I was jolted awake. My eyes shot open to find Jeb shaking me furiously.

"What's wrong?" I asked alarmingly. Jeb never woke me up in the middle of the night, unless it was something important.

"Come with me." He whispered.

This was too much like the time when Jeb had found Wanda in Mel's host. I shook the past out of my head and followed him out of the room. Before I stepped into the hallway, I glanced back to see Wanda sleeping soundly. At least one of us would be rested for tomorrow.

I followed Jeb into Jared and Mel's bedroom. Why were they all up so late? Didn't they believe in sleep?

"What's going on?" I asked agitatedly, as soon as I stepped into the room behind Jeb.

"Chill, Ian. We thought maybe you'd like to know the change of plans before hand." Mel replied.

I guess I looked as confused as I felt because Jeb explained, "Melanie wants to go on the raid."

They couldn't have told me this in the morning? "So, that's fine with me." I said.

"See, he thinks it's a good idea. So it's set. I'm goi—"Mel started.

"NO! We already had all this figured out. I don't care if Ian thinks it's a good idea. You're not going." Jared fumed.

Before I could interject, he jabbed his finger into my chest and continued. "How could you be fine with it? When Wanda wanted to go I stood by your side and defended you!"

"Jared, just let her go. It is HER wedding too." I said, warming up to the idea of Melanie going. I'd be less worried if Wanda didn't go alone. Plus Melanie was willing to help me out on her wedding day; the least I could do was take her side.

"Yea it is my wedding and I…"

"No, Mel. Please grasp the fact that it's much safer for Wanda because she IS a soul."

"I can take care of myself Jared. I took care of Jamie and myself before you came, you know."

"Enough." Jeb said sternly, silencing the engaged couple's bickering.

"I think Melanie should go." He concluded. "But that is going to change the plan."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

-WPOV-

I rolled over expecting to bump into Ian's warm body, but instead rolled into an empty cool pile of sheets. My hands began roaming desperately for Ian, but came up empty. I shot my eyes open, and once they adjusted to the darkness I saw that I was alone in the bed.

Was it already morning? No, Ian would have woken me up to get ready for our raid. I was about to get up and go looking for him, when I saw a large figure come into the room.

"Ian?" I croaked.

"Yea?" he whispered, strolling over to the bed.

"Where were you?" I asked.

"Bathroom." He replied bluntly.

Then he got into bed and slipped me into his arms.

"Go to sleep Wanda, we still have a couple of hours before we have to get up and get ready." He explained planting a kiss on my cheek and closing his eyes.

He was hiding something, but I was too tired to argue. As I closed my heavy eyelids eagerly, I heard him whisper "I love you."

******

"Wanda, Wanda. Darling it's time." I heard Ian's distant voice.

"Five more minutes." I mumbled.

He laughed and I felt his calloused fingers rubbing my cheek gently. "Do you want to stay? Jared and I could get the dresses."

I sat up so fast; I had to wait for my head to stop spinning. "Ian O'shea, you don't play fair."

He chuckled. "I wasn't playing." His voice becoming serious, "I still think you shouldn't go."

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm going." I said firmly staring into his deep blue eyes.

He shrugged. "I'll go get breakfast ready, while you get dressed."

As I watched him leave, I finally noticed that he was already dressed in a red polo and jeans. I lazily tumbled out of bed grabbed a hot pink tank, with ruffles around the neckline, and jean shorts. I trudged into the bathroom and was surprised to see Melanie.

"Mel?" I asked curiously.

"Hey Wanda, Ready for the raid?" She asked.

"Yea... but you- are you- why are you up so early?" I stuttered.

She laughed lightly. "Ian didn't tell you yet did he?"

I shook my head, encouraging for her to continue.

"I'm coming on the raid too!" she said excitedly.

"Really?! That's great. How did you get Jared to let you? Was it the contacts that calmed his worries?" I asked in disbelief. I wanted Mel to be able to shop for her own wedding dress, and have the same experience her mom did.

"I didn't have to argue much. Ian backed me up and of course Jeb." She said smoothly.

"Mel! Where is my aftershave?" Jared yelled.

She rolled her eyes. "See you at breakfast."

So that's where Ian was last night. Why'd he have to hide it from me? I already told him I trusted him. Didn't he trust me?

As the warm water flowed over my body, all my qualms disappeared. When the water started to become colder, I hastily dried off and put on my clothes.

I wrung out my hair, brushed through the tangles, and tied it back loosely. Then I stepped out of the bathing area and headed towards the dining room.

-IPOV-

As soon as we had filled our empty stomachs with waffles drowned in maple syrup, it was time to get into the black Honda Civic. We were going to drop Melanie and Wanda at the bridal shop down the street. Then Jared and I were going to go to the nearest Men' Warehouse. When we were done we were going to call Mel on her cell to check if they were finished. If they were, we were supposed to pick them up from outside and go shop for the other necessities. If they weren't,we were supposed to stay inconspicuous, until they were ready.

"Ian? Earth to Ian." Wanda said waving her hand in front of my face.

I broke away from my thoughts.

"Sorry." I apologized kissing the inside of her hand.

She giggled and pulled me toward the car. Once she was seated in the back, I slipped in next to her.

The front passenger door opened and Melanie's elated face poked in.

"Wanda do you have my sunglasses or does Jared?" she asked, her voice laced with excitement.

"I have them." Wanda replied, as she rummaged through her handbag. A second later she pulled out a pair of New York & Company shades.

"Thanks." She said, brushing her bangs out of her eyes and putting the glasses on.

"What's taking Jared so long?" I inquired anxiously. I wanted to get this over with already.

"Ian O'Shea, you're not worried are you?" Wanda challenged.

"No." I said unconvincingly. I was more afraid of losing Wanda than worried. I just had a gnawing feeling in the back of my head that things wouldn't go as smoothly as planned.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Ian, weren't you the one that told me everything would be fine and not to worry?"

She was right. I had told her that and now I was contradicting myself. I put on the best carefree smile I could manage "Everything will be fine." I reassured both her and myself.

Before she could say anything, Jared slammed the door shut and revved the engine.

"Let's get this show on the road." He exclaimed, reversing out of the cave.

A/N:

I'm not sure when I'll be able to post the next chapter…I have loads of homework to do and only 3 days left of break. I also have to update my other story, "Chemistry" before the break is over. If you haven't read it yet I encourage you to go read and leave your opinion.

But If I get a good response out of this chapter…I will probably update this story again before break is over :D

I loved the reviews I got last time. But to my disappointment I didn't reach the 90 mark. :(

**don't forget to vote for Mel's wedding dress