A special, huge thanks to Elle Sparrow who inspired me right to the end!

26.

Amber hated every dress she saw. Somehow she wanted a dress that would encompass their whole life, not just this moment. The straight, empire waisted dresses just didn't cut it. She wanted to appear as the diva, the princess that he was so annoyed with, now totally giving herself to him. She wanted to go back in time. To show him that it was always this way. She always adored him, she always wanted to be with him. Whether she would admit it or not. Now he made her dreams come true.

Finally, she dug to the back of her closet. In 1962, there were very few dresses that survived her tirade. She ripped and cut almost every one of those fancy gown in a fury unmatched. Only one survived. White, a three layered skirt, with a pink sash. She never had the heart to destroy or discard this one. It had been her favorite. As she opened the box, a flood of memories overcame her. Her mind drifted and she closed her eyes. She was so angry the last time she wore it, with Tracy dancing in front of her. She shook it away. The dress would be tea length without the stiff crinolines that she was sure she would not be able to find. No need for THOSE anymore! A wrap for her shoulders, perhaps pink shoes. The perfect splash of color for a second wedding. For her, the real one, the one that counts.

She looked over at Rosie playing with Amber's make-up again, "Hey Rosie, what do you think of this?" Amber zipped the back and did a twirl.

"Ooooo. Pretty!" She cried, "I want one!"

Amber thought a moment. Wouldn't it be darling to have his girls in matching dresses? The flower girl before the bride. The dress wasn't that complicated. "Let's see what we can do." She dialed Maybelle's number. Between Maybelle and Inez, they could make a cupcake out of Rosie. Amber was sure of it.

o0o

She stayed with her mother that night. Velma insisted on it. No way could she be seen before she walked up that aisle. Velma rented a suite for herself and the bridesmaids from out of town. She brought the films of the shows with her and reveled in presenting Amber in the "best" light. Everyone laughed, including Amber herself as they ran and Velma told of her own "sweet" nature at that time. It seemed unbelievable to them.

Velma retired early with Beau to leave them with some "girl time" and six bottles of fine wine. Everyone but Amber herself glowed from a bit too much. Amber didn't want to dull the feeling she already had. Never in her entire life had she felt this way and she didn't want to lose it to alcohol. She wanted to keep it, it was hers. As the girls started to yawn and excuse themselves to welcome sleep, Amber's mind drifted. To 1962, to the times that were shown to her on that screen. When she looked at those old films, she gasped every time she saw herself touch him. Back then it was thoughtless and she never realized how many times she did it. And when she looked at him, although he remained professional, she also saw how many times he returned that touch. She was fascinated. She truly never realized it, but now she could easily combine the look of his face on film with the feeling of his embrace. It had always been this way, she thought to herself, she just didn't know it. She lost ten years of him, but could not give up a moment now. She closed her eyes and smiled. Keri broke into her thoughts.

"You know I miss you horribly Amber." Keri slurred, "I wish you would have stayed."

Amber looked at her, "I miss you too. You have always been my dearest friend."

Keri laughed softly and looked down, "I knew when you first saw him on the ward, that you were already lost to him. Why didn't you tell me Amber? Why did you lie to me?"

"I swear to God, I didn't lie." Amber cried, "Honestly Keri, I didn't know."

"The way he was with you back then and you didn't know? Honey, you were in a huge state of denial, weren't you?" she giggled.

Amber sighed, "It wasn't denial, it was my own self-centeredness. He didn't fit into the plan. You can't know how it was Keri, I was a kid. A selfish stupid kid who was going to be a star. He already was. I didn't connect it, I just never saw….."

"I believe you. I really do" She interrupted, "You were a brat back then, weren't you? I'm glad I wasn't around." She laughed.

"Me too." Amber smiled. "and now it's time for us to get to sleep. Big day tomorrow, you know."

"I love you, Amber." Keri said as she hugged her a final time and made her way to her bed. Amber nodded back with tears in her eyes.

She sat alone in the glow of the lights of Baltimore streaming in the window. This would be the last day she would truly be without him. Tomorrow when she woke up, the ring that matched the one she wore would be on her finger and she would be in his bed, feeling his warmth next to her. And it would be like that for as long as they both shall live, or so the vows go. She settled in on the sofa and rested her head on the arm. As her mind reran those films, she closed her eyes and drifted off.

o0o

He stood at the front of the church as the music started. He never believed he be there again. He never believed he would want to. And most of all, he never believed he would be waiting for that girl he was about to marry. His brother leaned in.

"It's Showtime Bro, you ready?" he asked.

"Yeah." He said not looking at him. He wanted to see her and not miss the look on her face. Would she be crying like Maria was, giving him doubt on whether she wanted to be there or not? Would she give him a large forced smile, almost worse than the tears? He leaned on the cane that Rosie insisted be decorated with flowers and ribbons and focused down that aisle.

First came Kelsey, dressed in baby pink and carrying white roses and baby's breath. Nicole followed. Keri gave him a special smile and winked as she started down. He liked this girl, who seemed to cheer for the both of them at that hospital. He hoped she would always be in their lives.

Rosie carefully stepped out. She grinned from ear to ear and waved at him. Her look was strangely familiar. Her hair was up for the first time, with small sparkles shining as her head moved to smile at the congregation. Her dress was wide and white, with a pretty pink sash. He was so proud of her as she made her way toward him. She looked like she walked right out of 1960, like she was about to….

Then Amber appeared and he realized what she had done. He remembered that dress. Probably the only one she ever wore more than once on the show. He could almost see her smiling and gawking for the cameras and it made him giggle. There she was, Miss Teenage Hairspray and she was about to be his. Their friends nodded and smiled as she made her way to him. They all knew her plan. Even hidden by the blusher veil and the simple wrap on her shoulders, they saw the beauty queen was back to give herself to her host. It was unbelievably right. His eyes never left her as Beau embraced her and guided her hand to his. She smiled softly as she stepped to him. All through the ceremony, he had problems keeping his eyes off her. Amber Von Tussle would now be in his life for all eternity.

o0o

Amber woke early and didn't want to move. She was tucked neatly into him, back against his chest, his knees up under hers, his arm encircling her waist. Skin to skin, they couldn't be any closer. She sighed. As she felt his breath on her hair, she wished she could stay there forever. Spooning with the man she loved. Suddenly a shiver went up her spine. It could be this way every morning that she woke up. Wrapped in him. And she smiled.

She put her hand up to view the new ring. Three small diamonds. One for him, one for her and one for Rosie, she told him when she saw it the first time. She had an instant family, and it was great.

She felt him move, "Are you happy?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

She sighed and turned to stare into those deep blue eyes glowing in the light of dawn, "Never happier"

He studied her face. "You've beautiful and I'm proud that you are mine."

She turned to embrace him, "As am I, my love. As am I."