After signing Stormer to Starlight, things really started picking up steam. The music coming out of both Starlight and Stinger exploded, the bands of both labels garnering fans and awards right and left. Both companies worked well, running parallel to each other even as Rory and I moved closer and closer to our wedding date in late April. Even Eric and Pizzazz couldn't ruin things now. Not that they didn't try.

Ironically, Eric tried using the legal system to get me expelled from Starlight Music. When that didn't work, he tried to pressure Howard Sans into kicking me and my sisters out of Starlight Mansion. This backfired royally when Howard publicly signed the deed of ownership over to me at a press conference he had called in front of Starlight Mansion. The very system that Eric had spent his entire career trying to cheat gave him no leverage when it came to blackmail. If anything it made things harder for him.

His embezzlement came to light, as well as the countless other laws he had broken in attempting to one up me, Jem and the Holograms and Starlight Music. He was arrested and convicted of numerous crimes, being sent to San Quentin but was later moved to Leavenworth, putting him effectively out of reach of anyone in California who either wanted him out or wanted to do him harm.

Pizzazz, on the other hand, was reduced to basic mud slinging and lies to try and ruin things. It was hollow though, especially since Stormer now worked for Starlight Music and Jetta had a solo jazz contract with Stinger Sound. Roxy and Clash were the only cronies she had left, and they eventually outgrew the lime haired woman's attitude. Soon the Misfits were nothing but a band that had burned too bright to last, relegated to niche rock pop that everyone loved but didn't want to admit that they liked.

The world was changing fast, speeding faster and faster to the next new thing. For me, it was racing to the day I would become Jerrica Llewelyn. It was something I never would have imagined but was now something I couldn't see myself living without.

Sooner than expected, it was the morning of my wedding. It was forecast to be a beautiful day, sunny and warm. A typical southern California spring day. I was up early and in Synergy's room, up even before Aja. I needed to clear my head and Synergy was a good listener.

"What should we do concerning Jem?" I asked as I held a cup of hot chocolate in my hands. The afternoons were beautiful, but the mornings were still a little chilly. "The press will expect her to be there."

"I will create a hologram just as I have before." The computer stated, but I knew that wouldn't be enough.

"She's going to have to be the most convincing one yet." I told her. "I would really like to not have to worry about her during my wedding."

"Don't worry Jerrica. With my latest upgrades from Aja and Mr. President, I will be able to have everything completely under control."

I prayed that would be the case as I was swept out of the room by Kimber, my sister calling to the others,

"Found her!"

The rest of the morning was a flurry of activity, but I was merely a bystander. I was told to not move as my hair and makeup were done, my sisters taking care of everything. Downstairs I could hear Mrs. Bailey and Joanie directing caterers and florists around. The mansion had more activity in it now than it did when the Starlight Girls had been in residence. Distantly I also heard Rory, Craig and Anthony speaking, but it was quickly drowned out by all the other sounds in the mansion and on the grounds. It made my heart full; everyone was here to see me marry the man I loved. It was family.

There was a knock on the door, Raya moving to open it as Kimber finished putting mascara on my lashes. All movement and talking stopped. I turned to see what was going on when the bottom dropped out of my stomach. Rio.

The girls all filed out of the room to give us some privacy. I stood and tightened the belt of my robe as Rio closed the door. I had no idea what was about to happen or be said, but I was glad for my ever present Jem Star earrings. Aja even made Rory a lapel pin in the shape of a lightning bolt that Synergy could use to communicate with him if I needed him.

"Hello Rio."

"So, how long had this been going on?" He shot at me angrily. "Were you seeing him when we were still together?"

I felt my temper rise quickly, but did my best to not let my day be ruined.

"Not that I expect you to believe me when you get in a mood like this, but no. There was nothing between us when you and I were together." I crossed my arms and began tapping my foot, irritated that he expected me to explain myself to him.

"Even after you left there was nothing. It was several weeks after you left that Rory even expressed any interest in me and not Jem."

Rio continued to stand there scowling, pouting in a way only he was able to do. I rolled my eyes, wondering why I had never seen it before. I had grown so used to his temper that I just made excuses for it in the past. Now however, I could see him for what he really was. Someone from my past that had no influence over my future.

"Rio, you have to have realized we were growing apart, even before I became Jem." I shook my head. "We were growing up and it was taking us in two different directions."

"I still love you Jerrica." Rio actually sounded lost. My heart hurt for him, but it also belonged to someone else. "Don't do this."

"It's already been done Rio, the moment I said 'yes'." I moved to open the door, ready to get back to the schedule. "I love you, but as a friend that I grew up with."

In the hall the girls stood waiting to come back into the room, along with Craig and Anthony. I smiled at them before I turned to Rio. With steel in my voice I continued,

"I am marrying the man I love today who is my best friend as well. You will do nothing to ruin my day, or I will never forgive you as long as I live. Now please, I have to finish getting ready."

"C'mon Rio. You might as well help set up." Craig grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room.

"Thirty minutes to showtime ladies." Anthony added over his shoulder.