There was the knock on the door.

"Come in," Terry yelled while she brushed back her hair.

Emilie leaned through the door and sighed dramatically. "Great," she said. "You didn't run away for the fiftieth time in a row."

I looked at her for a split second before Brady slapped me and told me to keep my eyes up and purse my lips.

Emilie had been running between me and Jack's room for about an hour. He kept sending her to check if I was still there. She said that he had a panic attack every time she didn't come back right away.

It was weird, two hours before my wedding and all I felt was tired. No butterflies, no second thoughts, no cold feet. It was simply a matter of waiting the clock out. I had invested way too much in this to even think of backing out now.

"Wait, Emilie don't leave yet," Terry said. "She's almost done with the makeup, and we're going to need help with the dress."

Emilie rolled her eyes and trudged into the room. They disappeared in the closet and came out with the long flowing gown. It was an a-line strapless dress with a full silk skirt that trailed along the ground. A thin satin ribbon circled my waist, created a layered bustle train and separated the delicately beaded top from the gauze below.

Brady put the finishing touches on my face. "Good luck," he chimed before he left.

"Ok, carefully step into the dress," Terry instructed while they both held the top wide open.

I raised a foot.

"CAREFUL OR YOU'LL RIP IT!" She shrieked.

I stumbled back and stared at her.

"Just slowly put one foot right into the middle-Careful, easy now."

I didn't move.

"You're doing great," she said.

There was a long pause as no one moved. Terry smiled encouragingly and Emilie frowned in disgust.

"Ok that's enough," Emilie snapped. In a blur of cloth and wind I was swathed and tied into my dress. Just as she was about to finished she froze, dropped me on the bed and then ran to the door.

The moment she reached it was the moment it nearly blew off its hinges. She pressed her back against the door as it bent inward.

"Emilie?!" Jack yelled through the door. "She's not there, is she?"

She and Terry exchanged sly looks and Terry slapped a hand over my mouth.

"Who? Cassie?" Emilie said.

"Yes, Cassie you idiot!" Jack growled.

"No," Terry replied. "She muttered something about getting some air and she hasn't come back yet. Before she left, I did see her talking with pool boy though, if that helps."

There was a tense silence.

"Emilie…if you're lying to me, and I know you are, the moment you walk out of this room I'm going to fucking murder you. And you too Terry. I am going to end both of you." His voice was low and menacing. Even though it came out in a venomous hiss it seemed to reverberate around the room.

Emilie and Terry exchanged looks and Terry slid her hand from my mouth.

"I'm right here, love!" I called. "Please don't murder anyone on our wedding day."

There was a silence as if he really didn't expect me to be there, or didn't want me overhearing him threaten my bridesmaids.

"Hey, Honey," he tried to recoup. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. You?"

"I'm great...Can-"

"No. It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

"Oh…ok. See you later I guess." He sounded so melancholy and dejected; I nearly took back what I said.

"Goodbye, Jack," Emilie droned before I could. "No one's falling for that."

I could hear his footsteps echoing down the hall, but before they died down completely Terry yelled out, "Hey, Cassie, what are you wearing under this by the way? The red lace lingerie that smells like roses?"

"Hah, Nice," Emilie said and they air high fived.

"Ready?" Terry asked. We were finally in front of the church. The doors were wide open and the moon cast a silver glow over everything. Candles burned on several chandeliers and looked like the heart of the cathedral was glowing with life.

I practically jumped out of the limo and skipped to the entrance. I eagerly shook my arm until someone handed me the bouquet and awaited my turn to go down the aisle.

It was going to be a simple affair. Two bridesmaids for me and two groomsmen for Jack, no flower girls, and my father wasn't going to walk me down. He and Robert had a big fight about who would get to do the honors, so I decided that no one would do it.

Emilie winked before doing the one step down the aisle as the music began wafting out. A string quartet was playing a soft melody and everyone turned to watch her go down.

Terry pressed a kiss to my cheek and then followed Emilie. They both looked so beautiful, I almost let a tear escape but then the music changed its tune.

It was my turn.

White rose petals swirled gently around my dress with every step that I took. I clutched the bouquet anxiously and kept my eyes fixed on the ground to make sure that I didn't trip on anything like last time. The cathedral rustled as everyone stood and snapped pictures.

Down the middle of the aisle, I decided to chance a look at and then I nearly tumbled over. He was absolutely gorgeous. His eyes were fixed on me and when we met his face broke into an irrepressible grin.

"Ready?" He mouthed and held out his hand.

I took it and smiled brightly. Absolutely.

Emilie tapped her nails against her glass and everyone quieted. "Thank you. Uh, I just want to propose a toast to the bride and groom. I'm not really good at these, but I thought I'd give this a shot. Uh Jack, Cassandra…you guys are so lucky to have found each other. I'm not one who believes in fate or destiny but honestly, that's the only way I can explain how two people who are so perfect and right together could meet. How, no matter what the circumstances or the trials, you always manage to find your way back to each other. It's extraordinary. If me, and my frigid self could be warmed by just seeing you together than I can only imagine how you two must feel whenever you look into each other's eyes and see eternity. Because that's what I see. I see you two together forever. And I know that even though its forever, you will never take a second for granted. Congratulations, I love you both. To the bride and groom!"

She raised her glass, as did everyone else and toasted to us. "Now for the blood ritual."

Everyone clapped and I turned to Jack and took a deep breath.

"Ok, where are the knife and cup and stuff?" I whispered.

He raised an eyebrow. "We don't need all that, that's medieval ritualistic junk."

"Then how-"

He caught my chin and pulled me into him. "Just trust me, Mrs. Hunter," he whispered before his lips descended onto mine.

A spark of electricity and suddenly my mouth was filled with sweetness that seemed to slither down my throat by itself. It swam into my veins and burned every inch of the way. Have you ever felt sweetness? Because it feels pretty damn good.

I pressed into his lips, and delighted in the millions of sparks that seemed to explode in my brain, but he pulled away just as I started.

"We're in public," he snickered into my ear. I blushed deeply and pulled back, realizing how I must've looked to the guests.

I looked at him again. We just did the blood ritual. Forever was finally a guarantee.

I curled my arms around his neck and kissed him, not caring what the children saw and in his surprise he steadied my waist and let the chair lean precariously on its tip.

There was a jingle and a pair of keys fell on the floor. An airplane keychain was attached to them.

"What's that?" I asked slowly.

"It was going to be a surprise but…Emilie! She found it!" he yelled and snatched up the keys before I could get them.

"Damn it Jack," Emilie hissed. "What can you do right? Ok, excuse me everyone! Will you all go outside please? It's time for the first wedding gift."

In the front garden, a peach colored PiperSport VLJ aircraft was simply waiting for me; calling my name.

"You can't be serious," I whispered and stared at it in awe. All my old loves and dreams came flaring back to life as I saw my very own airplane beckoning to me from the yard.

"But I am," Jack trilled and dangled the keys in front of me. "Just a little insurance to make sure you don't leave- hey where are you going? Cassie?!"

I snatched the keys and ran/stumbled to the jet and managed to climb into it without completely destroying the dress.

In my peripheral I could see Emilie asking if I knew how to ride and Terry frantically screaming at them.

Who needed lessons? The power of adventure was my guide!

Note 12: Adventure is not a guide

I ignited the engine and stomped on the gas. The guests stared in mild confusion as to why the groom would give his bride a new means of escape. Slowly the plane roared to life and rumbled into the grass, charring the lawn and surrounding trees. It picked up speed and shakily lifted its wheels from the ground. I was airborne and then I wasn't. I was in the plane and then I wasn't.

My hands were still wrapped around a ghost wheel when Jack yanked me back to solid ground.

The airplane's nose was crinkled against a tall oak, and all the guests scrambling around for help. The jets were smoking and a large branch impaled my seat.

"Ok, maybe that wasn't the best idea after all," I said. They all looked at me, remembering that I was there. I winced when I saw everyone's expressions; especially Jack's. He looked like he wanted to kill me.

"She's alive!" Terry yelled and swung her arms around my neck. "It's a wedding day miracle! Hip hip hooray for Cassie!"

Despite her cheering and not so subtle diversion, Jack's eye twitched and he shakily lowered me to a kneeling position. "Cassie, if you ever do anything like that again…I will kill Terry. So unless you want the blood of your friend on your hands, I suggest you stop trying to give me hypertension."

"Jack, did I ever tell you how gorgeous you look in your suit?"

His eyes widened in bewilderment and then I pulled him into a deep kiss despite the crowd. "I'm sorry, but I just love that plane so freaking much! Thank you! It's the best thing I could have ever gotten. Don't kill Terry!"

"…who?"

I collapsed on the wide bed, and let my muscles relax for the first time in five hours. Amidst shaking hands, accepting gifts and thanking everyone, it was a really busy night. The sun had barely peeked its head over the horizon, but for once I could see it. The windows on the ship were made of a heavily tinted material that kept out the rays, but still gave a clear view of the sun. We were spending our honey moon on a small private yacht that would sail to various coasts and beaches around my new country. A true adventurer's dream.

Light hands attempted to work at the corset strings and then Jack groaned exasperatedly, flipped me over and straddled me.

"Are you really wearing red lingerie?"

"Mhm."

His eyes raked over me, as if trying to see through the dress.

"And how am I supposed to untie this huge knot in the back? Is there some secret zipper somewhere? Am I supposed to look for it? "

I giggled as his hands began crawling around the dress, and realized reason why I was still wearing it. "I don't know. Emilie tied the ribbons without reading the directions. I'm not sure what she did."

He nodded absently and skimmed his tongue over his lips. "Exactly how important is this dress?"

Before I could even think about the question there was a loud rip and the dress was in two pieces on either side of the bed.

"Whoops."