A/N: "Count on Me" won Best Nate/Ella at the IndieCRawards! Woooooooo! Everyone who voted is AWESOME! You all get virtual cookies! *throws confetti* I took home SEVEN categories for FOUR different stories! The others that won were: "Hopeless, the Sad Fate of Nate Black: A Dumb Diary", "Light Up the Sky", and "Took Me By Surprise"! I'M SO EXCITED AND GRATEFUL AND JUST BLOWN AWAY! I won: Best Nate/Ella ("Count on Me"), Best Jason/Ella ("Took Me by Surprise"), Best Adventure ("Hopeless"), Best Full Story ("Hopeless"), Best Drama ("Took Me by Surprise"), Best Ella ("Took Me by Surprise"), and Best Friendship ("Light Up the Sky"). WOOOO!

Thank you so much! I have the best readers (and friends) EVER!

Happy Reading!

angellwings

Chapter 21: Wedding Weekend, Pt. 3

Nate and Ella smirked as they entered the Mess Hall.

"So," Nate announced. "We have some new arrivals."

Ella nodded. "Guess who finally decided to show up?"

Mitchie and Shane entered the room and were greeted with cheers and applause.

"Yeah, yeah," Shane said with a laugh. "But this isn't about us right now. We're here for Nate and Ella. Let's keep it that way."

Nate and Ella were led to their small table for two in the middle of the mess hall and Shane and Mitchie went to sit with the rest of the bridal party. Mr. and Mrs. Gray got up and hugged Shane and Mitchie quickly and congratulated them before going to stand by Nate and Ella's table for their speech.

"Now that we're all here," Mr. Gray said with a chuckle. "I suppose this party can finally begin, huh?"

Vicky nodded and smiled warmly at Ella. She put a hand underneath Ella's chin and tipped her face upward gently. "You know, Ella may not remember this, but I saw her on her very first day of camp. I remember because she stood out from all the other girls her age. All of those thirteen year olds were trying too hard. Either they were dressed up to the nines for the intention of impressing or they were dressed way down in an attempt to be intimidating. But Ella was neither of those. She looked natural and…a bit dainty. I didn't see her again until after that whole Camp Wars mess, but I remembered exactly who she was. I've known for a long time that she is one special young woman, and I believe she proved that to all of us on numerous occasions. I am as proud of her as I am any one of my own flesh and blood."

Mr. Gray nodded his agreement. "Our boys have been friends with Ella for many years now, and we've watched her develop into the remarkable person she is now. We've also watched her relationship with Nate as it grew and progressed. The first time Nate mentioned her to me I knew. He may not have known, but I did. I saw it in his eyes. It was a long time after that before anything happened, but I could tell he was waiting. He was waiting for her. Well, son, now you've got her, but keep in mind…she's got you too."

Ella chuckled and poked Nate's arm. "That's right, and don't you forget it, Mister."

"How can I?" Nate asked her. "You remind me all the time."

Mr. Gray chuckled and continued. "I know that the type of marriage the two of you will have will be challenging and it won't be like most marriages, but Vicky and I have faith that you will make it. In my experience, the most challenging things are usually the most worthwhile, and marriage is definitely one of the most challenging things."

Vicky kissed Ella's cheek and then Nate's as well. "We wish the both of you, and Maggie too of course, all the love and happiness in the world." She lifted her glass and glanced around the room. "To Nate and Ella."

The group of family and friends repeated her and clinked their glasses together before taking a sip of their champagne.

"Now, please, enjoy and don't be afraid to ask for seconds. We've heard that Connie made plenty," Vicky said with a bright smile.

Ella immediately stood up and hugged Vicky tightly. Her eyes were watering slightly as she hugged the older woman, and Vicky chuckled knowingly and rubbed Ella's back. "We're happy to have you as part of the family, dear."

"Thank you," Ella said softly as she pulled back to look at her future mother-in-law. "For everything. You made all of this so easy for me."

"My pleasure, love," Vicky said as her Australian accent slipped through. She gave Ella one last quick hug before turning her over to Mr. Gray.

"Just think," Mr. Gray said with a warm smile. "After tomorrow I'll have three daughters."

Ella chuckled and hugged him. "You know, you're the closest thing to a reliable father that I have." She kissed Mr. Gray's cheek and then pulled back to wink at him. "After tomorrow, I think I'm going to have the best father-in-law a girl could ever ask for."

"Yeah?" Mr. Gray asked with a good natured grin. "Then you'll be better off than me. My father-in-law is a holy terror."

Mrs. Gray smacked his shoulder. "You hush. My father is a saint."

"Yeah, to you," Mr. Gray said as he caught Vicky's hand and held it in his. "He despises me."

"Sounds like how Ella's dad feels about me," Nate said with a smirk. "Like father like son, right dad?"

He chuckled. "Right, son."

"Speaking of your father, Ella," Mrs. Gray said as she cleared her throat and motioned to the door of the Mess Hall.

"What?" Ella asked as she turned slowly. Her eyes widened and she gasped as she spotted her father. He had his gray hair pulled back into a low pony tail and the shadows of scruff covered his cheeks, but he wore very nice black slacks and a pressed dress shirt. "Oh my God."

Nate glared at him before squeezing Ella's hand. "Everything okay?"

"I—I'm going to talk to him."

"I'm coming with you," Nate said sternly.

"Are you sure you—"

"Yes, Ells, I'm coming. You're not facing him alone again," Nate said with a determined nod.

He held out his hand to her and she took it and laced her fingers through his. They slowly walked toward the doorway. Van Pador stood up straighter as they approached.

"Ellie," He said softly.

She gulped nervously. "Dad."

"Can we talk alone?"

Ella sighed and shook her head. "No. Whatever you need to say you can say in front of Nate."

Van quirked a brow at Nate. "So, you're still set on marrying him, huh?"

Nate rolled his eyes. "You're at our rehearsal dinner, aren't you?"

"Unfortunately," Van muttered with a huff.

"Dad, if you're not here to be supportive than please leave," Ella said with a shake of her head. "It's taken me a long time to get used to the idea of you not being here, and you'll just ruin everything if you stay with the intention of being hateful."

"Ella Billie Pador, I—"

"Van," A new voice said in a scolding tone. "Leave the girl alone."

All three heads whipped around to face Lauren Do.

Van glared at her. "You mean you're supporting this? You?"

"I've had time to see them together. You haven't. They're not us. They will never be us. Now, for once, do something for Ella's sake, and leave," Lauren told him with a glare of her own.

"I have every right to be here. I'm her father."

"No, sir," Nate said politely. "You see, this is an invitation only event, and we didn't send you an invitation."

"Just leave, dad, please. I'm happy. Call me when you feel like you can accept that and Nate," Ella said with a huff. "I have plenty of people here that do. I certainly don't need you."

"You heard my fiance's request, sir," Nate said sternly. "Or do I need security to escort you off the property?"

Van muttered darkly to himself as Ella reached for Nate's hand and they turned to walk away.

"Come on, Nate," Ella said with a sigh. "We have guests."

"I'll make sure he leaves, Ellie," Lauren told her kindly. "Go have fun."

"But, Ella Belle—"

"No, dad," Ella said with a glare. "We're done. I love you, but this discussion is over."

Once they left Van Pador, Tyler rushed to Ella's side.

"I just noticed he was here. Are you okay?" He asked.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm fine. He was never going to be a part of this wedding and he still isn't. Nothing has changed."

"No, you're wrong," Nate told her as he leaned down and kissed her temple. "You stood up to him. That's what's changed." He whispered in her ear before he pulled away, "Never been prouder, Ella. 1, 2, 3…"

She smiled softly at him and whispered back. "4,3,2."

"Your sister was amazing, Tyler," Nate said with a big smile. "She stood her ground."

"Yeah?" Tyler asked with a grin. "I'm not surprised."

"Did Connie bring out the food yet?" Ella asked eagerly. "I'm starving."

"She just served the first course," Tyler said with a chuckle. "Everyone else is eating already."

"I guess we should take the hint then?" Nate said with a grin before he led Ella back to their table.

The dinner was over and all the family had left. The only people left in the room were the bride, the groom, and the wedding party.

"So," Mitchie said as she cleared her throat. "Where do Shane and I sleep?"

"Um, well," Caitlyn said with a grin. "You sleep with us in the Vibe cabin and he sleeps with the guys in the Groove cabin."

"What?" Shane asked. "Boy, girl cabins?"

"Well, you didn't expect us to let Nate and Ella sleep in the same cabin the night before their wedding, did you?" Andy asked with a smirk.

"Well, no. Not Nate and Ella, but—"

"Shane," Ella said with a grin. "You and Mitchie cheated us out of teasing you before your wedding. Jason and Caitlyn got it. Me and Nate are going through it right now, but the two of you just flat out avoided it. That's not fair. So, boy-girl cabins it is. Just to even out the torture."

"That's not fair," Shane whined.

"Well," Mitchie said with a chuckle. "Actually, it is. They're right. I mean I was the one who forced Caitlyn to switch rooms in Hawaii. It's only fair."

"Fair?" Shane said in outrage. "It's not fair! It's stupid!"

Mitchie rolled her eyes. "Well, we don't exactly have a choice."

"Just like Ella and myself, brother," Nate said with a smirk.

"Fine," Shane said with a huff.

"Well, kids. It's way past midnight and we have a long day tomorrow," Jason said as he stood from the table and pulled out Caitlyn's chair for her. "Time for bed."

"Yes, dad," Mitchie said with a smirk. "We'll be sure to head to bed."

Nate stood from the table and grabbed Ella's hand. "I'll walk you to your cabin."

Ella giggled and smiled at him. "You're right, this does feel like high school."

He grinned and shook his head at her. "Don't remind me."

"Oh come on," Ella said as she stood up. "I think it's fun." She turned toward the group. "G'night, guys!"

"G'night, Ella, Nate," Dana said pleasantly as they walked away.

Nate waved as he led Ella out the door and in the direction of the cabin the girls were sharing. He reached out and laced his fingers with hers as they walked.

"So, tomorrow's the day," Nate said with a smile.

"Finally," Ella said with a chuckle. "I thought it was never going to get here."

He released her hand and wrapped an arm around Ella's waist. She wrapped one of her arms around his back and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"So," Ella asked casually. "Where are we going for our honeymoon?"

He chuckled at her. "Oh no, not telling. You'll find out soon enough."

Ella pouted. "But Na-ate!"

"No, It's a surprise, Ells, and it's gonna stay that way."

"Ugh, you're no fun," Ella pouted.

He rolled his eyes at her and smiled. "Yes, it's no fun to surprise you with a honeymoon. None at all."

Ella laughed lightly. "That's not what I meant and you know it. Smarty pants."

"I won't tell you where we're going. That's final," Nate said with a smirk. "So, let's just move on."

"Fine," Ella said with a sigh. "But after tomorrow I expect to win more arguments than I normally do."

"Why's that?" Nate asked with an amused grin.

"Because I'll be the wife. And the wife always wins…or so I'm told."

"Who told you that? Caitlyn?" Nate asked with a laugh.

"…yeah, why?"

"Because it might not be the wife that always wins," Nate told her with a chuckle. "It might just be Caitlyn."

Ella laughed. "True. Very true."

They stopped in front of the steps outside of the girls' cabin, but before they went in Nate pulled Ella around the side of the cabin where the porch light didn't quite reach.

"Just a bit more alone time before you go in there," Nate said softly as he gently pressed her up against the side of the cabin.

Ella smirked at him. "You're being awfully demanding. You could ask."

"I thought you liked it when I was demanding?" Nate asked with half of a smile.

"Oh, I do," Ella said. "But I also like teasing you."

"Teasing me is a bit dangerous, don't you think?" Nate asked with a grin.

"Dangerous, you? You're kidding, right?" Ella asked with a chuckle.

"I could be dangerous if I wanted to be."

"Oh, Nate," Ella said with a light laugh. "You're quite possibly the safest, steadiest guy tha—"

Her sentence was cut off by Nate's lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pressed her further against the side of the cabin. He deepened the kiss and Ella sighed happily as she parted her lips. One of Nate's hands held her elbow while his thumb gently rubbed across her skin. His other hand caressed the length of her upper arm.

A throat cleared from the corner of the porch and Nate and Ella jumped away from each other. Caitlyn smirked at them from her spot behind the railing on their porch. "Didn't Marlene say no more kissing until the wedding? At least I recall that being her rule with Jason and myself."

Ella glared at her. "Gee, thank you for the reminder, Caitlyn."

"Happy to help, Ella. I expect to see you inside soon. Good night, Nate," Caitlyn said with a smirk. "See you tomorrow."

"You too, Cait," Nate said with a huff.

Caitlyn grinned at them and quickly went back inside.

Ella rolled her eyes and then turned to Nate with a smile. "Won't be too much longer, Nate. Less than twenty-four hours now."

He grinned at her and nodded. "This is your last night as Ms. Ella Pador. Tomorrow you'll be Mrs. Ella Pador-Gray."

She shook her head. "No, I won't."

"You won't?" Nate asked.

"No, I'll be Mrs. Ella Gray. No hyphen," Ella told him brightly.

He smiled brightly. "No hyphen?"

"I'm more of a Gray than a Pador anyway, don't you think?" Ella asked with a wink.

"Couldn't agree more," Nate said as he kissed her quickly one last time. "Good night, Ms. Pador."

"Good night, Mr. Gray," Ella said as she slowly walked away from him. She turned and gave him a small wave before she entered the cabin and closed the door behind her.