Ok I'm really sorry this has taken this long, I really didn't think it would! I don't have any real excuse other than real life must come first, which I hope you understand. But I recently lost my job (damn recession!) so I'm going to have bunches of time to write now, especially since the new school term starts this week!

So, I have three dedications for this chapter.

One - To RiTa-MD! You gave me that extra push to finally get this chapter finished so merci! :P

Two - To my little boy, Noah, who is starting "big" school tomorrow! I'm feeling very sad about it and will probably cry more than he will. They really do grow up WAY too fast!

Three - To my baby boy, Rory, who is starting pre-school on Wednesday! Can't believe I'm losing both my boys now...Seriously, why can't they be babies again! But anyway, good luck to both my lovely boys, you'll have a ball, even if your mommy won't without you :P Love you both xxx

And now, on to the new chapter (finally!)

March 1st, 2002

'Carol...' a soft voice murmured into the darkness of the pre dawn May morning.

Carol shifted in her sleep but did not wake.

The voice tried again, this time leaning closer so his breath tingled the sleeping woman's cheek. This time, Carol's eyes fluttered open, sleepily. But once she saw her almost-husband leaning over her, her face broke into a wide smile.

'Good morning,' Doug whispered, as she moved to snuggled into his chest.

'Morning,' Carol sighed, now content that she was in her favourite place in the world, wrapped in Doug's arms.

The couple fell silent as they listened to the rest of the world begin to wake. The birds began chirping and the sun was finally peeking over the horizon and through their window, bringing not only a new day, but the first day of Spring and the last day of their unmarried lives. This time tomorrow, Carol would be surrounded by her friends and family while Doug would be next door at the Hendersons', preparing for their wedding day.

But today was just as special. Mark, Elizabeth, Rachel and Ella would be arriving. It was also Carol's last dress fitting, and then their rehearsal dinner would take place.

An hour later, small sounds of talk and laughter could be heard from the next room, announcing that the twins were now awake. Knowing that their quiet time was now severely limited, Carol turned her head upwards to look at Doug.

'Excited?' she questioned.

Doug smiled and nodded. 'I can't wait' he assured her.

'Mommy! Kate pulled my hair!' came a cry from Tess and with that, the day had finally begun.

......

'Wow, Carol! You look amazing!' Erin cried as Carol stood in front of her, wearing her perfectly fitted wedding gown.

Carol felt amazing too. It was not the first time she had prepared for her wedding, but the first time she had felt complete serenity while doing it. There were no niggling thoughts about marrying the wrong man, no worries that the man she did really love might somehow ruin her big day, and definitely no dread that this was all she would have for the rest of her life. That's what marrying Tag was all about.

This time, she was marrying the right man and she knew that without any doubt. She didn't feel nervous, she didn't feel worried. All she felt was this glorious happiness and burning desire to finally become Mrs Ross.

'You do look stunning, Carol,' her younger sister Jenna admired.

Turning towards the mirror again, Carol took in her reflection and smiled. Her dress had been specially made for her, the designer being the up-and-coming designer cousin of Erin. It was a quite simple, strapless dress. It clung to Carol's curves until just under her waist line where it fanned out into a beautiful full skirt. The back held three satin roses from where a simple train started. Carol loved it.

Carol didn't realise she had tears in her eyes until Erin approached her with a tissue.

'No tears,' the brunette warned.

Carol nodded and gave a shaky laugh. 'I just can't believe that in less that twenty-four hours, I'll finally be married.'

'Well, I say it's about time! Haven't you been in love with Doug since forever!' Jenna said, coming to her sister's side.

Carol gave a watery smile. 'Yeah, I have.'

......

'I'm home!' Carol shouted, coming through the front door. Within seconds her knees buckled as her daughters collided with them.

'Hey Princess, hey Squirt!' Carol said, bending to kiss both their heads. Though she had disapproved of Doug's nicknames for the girls, she found herself using them much more than she liked recently. Though she did have to admit that the names suited them. Tess was every meaning of the word princess, with being both treated as one and acting like one. And though Kate too was treated as a princess, her much more active and already tom-boyish personality didn't suit the nickname, and so she was affectionately called Squirt.

'Where's daddy?' Carol asked.

'On telly-fone!' Tess announced.

'Wid Uncle Mark!' Kate added.

Curious, since the Greene family should be on a plane by now, Carol dropped her bag and followed the sound of Doug's voice out onto the back porch, the twins toddling along behind her.

'No, no, we understand. Please don't worry about it,' Doug was saying.

Carol sat down opposite him, pulled Tess onto her lap and mouthed, 'Mark?'

Doug shook his head and mouthed back, 'Elizabeth.'

'Don't worry, I'll explain to Carol. And we'll talk to you soon,' Doug said into the phone and after a few more pleasantries were past, he hung up.

'What's wrong?' Carol asked immediately.

Doug sighed and rubbed a hand over his head. 'Mark, Elizabeth and the girls can't make it. Elizabeth said Ella still isn't strong enough and that they are still having problems with Rachel...'

Carol nodded but remained silent, thinking about the phone call they received just three months ago. Nine month old Ella had found ecstasy pills in Rachel's room and swallowed them, causing her to overdose and be rushed into hospital, unsure of whether she would be okay or not. The baby had survived but not without repercussions for the entire family.

'Do you think everything is okay? I mean, every time we've talked since Ella's overdose, Mark and Elizabeth never seem to be together, it seems to be just Mark at the house and never Elizabeth. I'm worried for them, Doug,' Carol confessed.

'I know, I am too but I'm sure if something was seriously wrong they would let us know. I'm sorry they won't be here tomorrow but we just have to accept what Elizabeth says. We'll go visit after the honeymoon, okay,' Doug promised.

Carol nodded, still worrying about her friends. Something wasn't right and it wasn't like Mark to not tell them and not knowing was making Carol think it could be worse than it actually was. And their excuse for not coming tomorrow just didn't seem sound. They both had been so excited when Carol called to say that she and Doug were getting married and though she knew things with Ella had been very touch and go, Mark had assured them only a little over a week ago that things were fine and that they wouldn't miss the wedding.

But Doug was right, she just had to accept what Elizabeth had said. And they would go back to Chicago immediately after the honeymoon.

But her best friends presence would be sorely missed on the greatest day of her life.