The Wedding

Cornelia's mouth dropped open. She blinked a few times and then threw her arms around Brad.

"Yes!" They fell over backwards and laughed. He slid the ring onto her finger. She looked at it and smiled. It was beautiful. It sat next to the ring Caleb had given her… 'Caleb… how's he going to react… how should I tell everyone.'

"When should we tell everyone?" He thought for a moment.

"Tonight. We'll have a little pizza party thing and invite everyone and watch movies and stuff, kinda like another Friday night." She nodded in agreement. He stood up and then helped her up. He grabbed her hand and they headed back home.

LATER THAT NIGHT ((LIKE 7:00-ISH))

There was a knock at the door and then Elyon, followed by Hay Lin and Eric.

"Hey Cornelia! Hey Will!" They all said as they walked through the door. Everybody else showed up a couple minutes later. They decided what movie to watch and made some popcorn. After the movie was over, Cornelia and Brad stood up, Brad putting his arm around her.

"You guys… there's uh… something we need to tell you…" Cornelia started.

"You're out of popcorn?" Irma said.

"Haha very funny Irma. No, we're… we're getting married." Silence. Then all of a sudden Elyon jumped up and hugged her best friend so tight that she thought she was going to die due to loss of oxygen.

"OH MY GOD CONGRATULATIONS!!!" They all shouted, jumping up to shake their hands or hug them. Something was wrong though, Cornelia could sense it. Somebody was missing. 'Caleb… where did he go? I know he was here a minute ago…' She sighed, knowing the news had probably hurt Caleb. She knew that he'd always be in love with her, but he had to learn to move on. She had… 'Haven't I…?' She felt so confused right now. She smiled again so nobody would notice the confused look on her face. Later after everybody except Brad, and Will of course, had left, Cornelia confronted Brad about the wedding.

"So umm… when should we have it?" She asked, sitting on the kitchen counter.

"How about the spring? I know you love spring, when the flowers are in blossom, like April maybe?"

"Yeah… Hey Brad… are you sure we're ready?" This question caught him off guard. He blinked at her a few times.

"When two people are in love, Cornelia, they're ready for anything… Are… Are you nervous? Is there somebody else?" Cornelia bit her lip.

"Well… it's Caleb… We have such a history… I don't know if he feels comfortable with my getting married… and I just want him to be there, because he's one of my best friends, but he still loves me… everyone can tell… I just feel bad… that's all…" He nodded wisely.

"Hmm… well maybe you should talk to him. Besides, even though he's one of your best friends, if you really want to get married, then you shouldn't let him stand in the way." She nodded slowly.

"You're right… yeah, I'll go talk to him. I'll be back in a little bit." She jumped off the counter, and began to walk toward the door, but he caught her wrist and spun her around into a kiss.

"Love ya, babe. Good luck." He let go of her. She smiled and blushed slightly.

"Love you too, thanks." She grabbed her coat and walked out the door. She decided the best way to talk to him would be going for a walk. She reached his room and knocked on the door. Martin opened the door.

"Hola Cornelia, what brings you here?" He stepped sideways to let her in.

"I need to talk to Caleb. Is he around?" She looked around.

"No he went for a walk about ten minutes ago."

"Do you know where he was headed?"

"Umm… Probably the park… he always goes there when he's thinking."

"Oh ok, thanks."

"No problem." She walked out the door, but Martin's voice stopped her. "Oh and Cornelia?" She turned around. "Congrats on getting engaged." He smiled at her warmly and she returned his smile.

"Thanks Martin. Maybe you and Irma will be next." She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows and watched Martin blush. She chuckled and waved at him as she walked toward the elevator.

XxxXxxxXxxX

Cornelia walked briskly through the park looking for Caleb and finally found him standing in front of an old tree. It wasn't just any tree though; it was the tree they had carved their initials in when they were younger and had first started dating. He was tracing the heart and their initials with his index finger and sighing. She walked over to him and stood behind him.

"Hey stranger." He turned around quickly to see the girl of his dreams standing behind him. He looked at the ground.

"I guess the news of the engagement came as a bit of a shock, huh…" She kicked at some leaves. He nodded slightly and looked up at her a little.

"I'm happy for you. I just wish…" He looked back down.

"You wish what?" She cocked her head at him.

"Never mind…" He mumbled. She walked closer to him and looked up at him, making him look at her pleading sapphire-blue eyes. He sighed.

"I just wish I had asked you first… I don't have a ring or anything, but it doesn't matter anymore, I know you love him and… I guess I just wish that I were in his shoes…" He looked away from her. Suddenly he felt something warm wrap around his neck. He looked down and saw she was hugging him. He hesitated at first, but then hugged her back. Little did they know, that they had been followed. Irma had followed Cornelia to the park when Martin had called her and had let it slip that that Cornelia was going to go talk to Caleb about the wedding. Irma was curious about what would happen between the two, so she followed Cornelia here and was now hiding behind a bush straining to hear them. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder and she gasped and whipped around to find Matt and Will looking down at her, confused.

"Irma, what are you-" Irma grabbed Will and covered her mouth.

"Shh! Be quiet or they'll see me!" She let go of Will.

"Irma it's not right to spy on people. Who are you spying on anyway?" Will whispered harshly.

"Cornelia and Caleb. They're hugging right now." Will gasped and sat down next to Irma and peeked through the bush.

"Move over!" She whispered. Irma smirked.

"Welcome to the dark side." Matt sat down too, but he didn't really care what was happening. Irma and Will sat, watching intently. Caleb broke their embrace and looked into Cornelia's eyes. 'Why does she have to be so god damn gorgeous…' All he wanted to do was to lean down and kiss her, but she was engaged and that would be a major mistake.

"Caleb… I would be really happy if you would come to my wedding… it would complete the day to make it the best day ever, because you're one of my best friends and it just wouldn't be right if you weren't there… so… please will you come?" He sighed and took a step backwards.

"For you, I'd do anything. You're one of my best friends too, and that's all we'll ever be. It's getting late, so I'd better head home. See ya later Cornelia." He gave her a small wave and walked away with his hands in his pockets and his head hanging. She sighed and looked down. 'Why does he still make me feel this way… maybe it's all in my head… yeah! That must be it! I guess I'm just not used to not feeling like that, so it's all in my head!' She turned on her heal and headed home. When she was out of sight, the three eavesdroppers in the bushes stood up and began walking home together, talking about what had just happened.

5 MONTHS LATER ((IT HAD BEEN EARLY NOVEMBER AND NOW IT'S APRIL))

"Cornelia open up! You're going to be late for your own wedding if you don't wake up now!" Elyon was banging on Cornelia's hotel room door. Cornelia groaned and sat up, exhausted from her bachelorette party the night before.

"All right all right! I'm up! Jeesh!" Cornelia rubbed her eyes, then walked over to the door to let Elyon in. She was surprised when she opened the door to find all five of her best friends in the hallway, looking very impatient. They all rushed in the room and began to push Cornelia to the bed babbling about who was going to do her hair, make up, help her get in her dress, etc.

"I think you should put your dress on so I can make a few more last minute adjustments." Hay Lin said. She had designed and sewn Cornelia's wedding dress and veil, though it had taken 4 and half months to do so, it had turned out perfectly.

"Can I please do your make up Cornelia? Please?" Elyon begged, batting her eyelashes sweetly.

"Oh then I get to do her hair!" Will said.

"Hey I wanted to do her hair!" Irma said.

"You guys can help me." Will said. She sighed.

"Fine." She pouted.

"What about you, Taranee?" They all looked at Taranee, who hadn't offered to help the prepare Cornelia.

"I was planning on going out to get her shoes, and then help out in the reception are and get everything all organized, make sure all of the flowers come in and stuff." They all rolled their eyes and smiled.

"Of course you would want to do that Taranee." Irma said chuckling. Taranee threw a hotel pillow at her playfully.

"Hey! Don't start a pillow fight in here guys! I just got the dress out and if you ruin it I swear I'll… do something!" Hay Lin said warningly. The only thing Hay Lin was ever serious about was her designs. They all laughed. Taranee left to go work on her things.

"Ok guys, make me a bride!" Cornelia stood up and let them all get to work, making her look like the perfect bride.

XxxXxxxXxxX

3 HOURS LATER

"Oh you guys I'm so nervous… I'm getting married in half an hour!" Cornelia said. She felt like biting her nails, but she'd just gotten a manicure, so that wouldn't be a very good idea.

"I'm gonna add the pictures I take to my photo album. I have a whole section for everyone, from when they were babies, to when they're old." Taranee said. "And this will be part of your section, "Cornelia's Wedding Day'." Cornelia smiled.

"Thanks. You know what I think I need right now?"

"A Margarita?" Irma said. They all laughed.

"No I think I just need to be alone." Cornelia smiled at them to let them know it was nothing personal. They all smiled back at her and left. 'My five maids of honor… my five best friends… I love them so much…' She sighed, turning to look out the window. She saw something on the desk and went over to look at it. It was Taranee's photo album. She sat down and opened it. She began flipping through it, seeing pictures of her friends when they were babies, toddlers, teenagers, young adults, pictures from shopping only a few days ago, pictures of them and their boyfriends through the years. She stopped when she saw the phrase 'Cornelia's first love' and saw a picture of her helping Caleb ice skate. She saw the way she looked at him and the way he looked back. She flipped a couple more pages and saw a picture of her and Caleb talking at one of their Friday night movie nights. She realized that they still looked at each other like that. She gasped. 'Is this really possible? It can't be! I'm getting married in…' She looked at the clock and let out a small scream. She had ten minutes to get to the church. She rushed out of her room and down to the lobby, where her friends were waiting anxiously for her. They ran outside and got into the limo. Once they were all seated, Will spoke up.

"Cornelia, Caleb came by and dropped this off for you. He said to give it to you before the wedding." Will handed Cornelia a small envelope. Cornelia looked at it for a moment and then ripped it open, wondering what it could be. It was a letter that read as follows:

Dear Cornelia,

I'm sorry, but I've decided that I won't be able to attend your wedding, because I've just taken a job in London. That's not the only reason I can't be there though. I realized that I've always loved you and I always will. Nothing will change that, and to watch you commit yourself to another man would be more than I can bear. I'm sorry I couldn't come. I hope you have a wonderful life and that every day is filled with happiness.

Love Always,

Caleb

A single tear escaped Cornelia's eye, but she held the rest back, because she didn't want to walk into her own wedding looking like a zombie. She felt awful though because she wanted Caleb to be there so badly and for him to be leaving to go to a different country was almost more than she could handle.

"Come on Cornelia. It's time." Elyon was standing outside of the limo holding out her hand to Cornelia. Cornelia took it and they headed into the church.

XxxXxxxXxxX

Cornelia stood next to Brad at the altar, holding her bouquet of red and white roses close to her chest. 'Something isn't right here… I can feel it… but what is it…'

"If there is anyone objects to these two being married, speak now or forever hold your peace." The priest said. Nobody spoke. 'This… this isn't right… I'm not meant to be with Brad… It's Caleb I'm supposed to be with…' The other girls heard her thoughts and they all gasped, but they tried to hide their smiles, because they too believed that Caleb and Cornelia were soul mates. The priest opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted.

"Stop. This… this isn't right… I'm sorry Brad but… I can't do this…" Cornelia said turning to Brad, tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry… I just… I can't marry you… I love you… but… I'm in love with someone else… and that's not fair to you, you're a great guy and you're going to make some girl very happy someday, but I can't be that girl…" Tears escaped her eyes and fell onto her flowers, making little black stains from her mascara and eyeliner. Brad sighed, but he didn't seem surprised.

"I thought so, you haven't smiled this entire time, and you've been lost in thought the whole time the priest has been talking… I know it's Caleb, but I was hoping I could maybe make you change your mind and make you love me, but I guess I couldn't. It's ok Cornelia. Go… Go find Caleb and tell him that you love him. I love you, but I don't want to force you to be in an uncomfortable relationship with me. Now go." He smiled at her sadly. She smiled back at him, relieved, and hugged him tightly. Everyone in the audience was gaping at them. Cornelia blushed.

"I hope I didn't embarrass you."

"Nah." He smiled at her and let her go. "Go get him, Cornelia." He gave her a little push and she ran down the steps and out the door. Irma made a step forward, as if to follow her, but Will held out her arm.

"This is one meeting they need to have alone."

XxxXxxxXxxX

CORNELIA IN A TAXI ON HER WAY TO CALEB'S APARTMENT

Cornelia pulled out her cell phone and tried calling Caleb again. She had already left him 7 messages telling him to call her back immediately. On her 9th try, she finally got him.

"Hello?"

"Caleb… finally." She sighed with relief.

"Where are you? Aren't you supposed to be at your wedding reception right now?" He said bitterly.

"No… I ran out… I'm not getting married." Caleb was shocked and didn't say anything for a minute.

"…What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. I told Brad I couldn't marry him after I read your note." Caleb ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"So this is all my fault? Cornelia… I didn't want to keep you from getting married, I just wanted to tell you how I felt…"

"Caleb… I… Are you at home?"

"Yeah…" He sighed again. "Well if your not at the wedding then where are you?" He walked into his living room.

"Right behind you." He heard her voice say from behind him. He spun around, eyes wide.

"Corn…Cornelia…" She looked absolutely stunning; it made him speechless. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I left because I realized I love you." She whispered into his ear. He looked down at her surprised, but was even more surprised when he felt a pair of lips on his. He felt like he could fly. 'This is the best day of my life. He picked her up, careful to not break their kiss and spun her around. They were the two happiest people on Earth at that moment, and so were the 5 girls standing in the doorway watching them. ((Irma had forced them to all follow them.))

XxxXxxxXxxX

So how was it?

Should this chapter or the next one ((if I decide or have enough reviews to tell me)) be the last? Or… I could stop it here and then start a sequel where they all have kids or something… let me know what you think about this and stuff

((My personal favorite chapter to write))

-Pusca-