Finally the time had arrived for Rosie and Lee's wedding.

The week leading up to the wedding was like a comedy of errors. If it could go wrong, it did, and in some of the oddest of ways.

First, the florist just up and disappeared. No word, nothing. Finally when the shop tracked down the order, it was all wrong. Rosie had specifically mentioned to the florist that she was allergic to lilies. Somehow the woman misunderstood and ordered lilies in every arrangement! Elizabeth spent hours on the phone fixing that problem.

Next was Lee's suit. It fit perfectly. Only problem was, it was plaid. Yes, plaid. Julie called Grace immediately causing the woman to spring into action. She was on the phone right away with a designer friend and got the matter handled, thankfully.

After that, their pastor called saying he had to fly out of town for a family emergency and wouldn't be back in time for the ceremony. After calling around for a day and a half, Jack finally found someone available and willing that both Lee and Rosie liked.

The couple couldn't have been more grateful for their friends and family. There simply wouldn't have been a way through this without them.

Now it was the evening of the rehearsal dinner. Julie and Elizabeth were at Rosie's helping to put the finishing touches on the decorations they were bringing over to the church that evening.

"Rosie?" Elizabeth called up the stairs. "We need to leave for the church in 5 minutes. Are you about ready?"

"Coming! Coming!" Rosie called as she ran down the stairs. "How do I look?" She was wearing a beautiful fuchsia dress with cap sleeves that came just above her knees.

"Beautiful!" The girls said.

"Perfect. Let's go practice getting married!" They all laughed.

Just as they were jumping into Rosie's car, her cell rang. She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. "It's the restaurant that's hosting our dinner." She answered. "Hello?"

…..

At the church the men, all dressed dashingly, waited for the women to arrive. While they waited, the pastor went over the details that pertained to just the men and Hunter.

Over in the second pew, laid a bored out of his mind little boy. He groaned and whined as he laid there. His hands covering his face.

"Hunter, you're in church. Sit up, please and be respectful," Jack scolded.

"But Dad, this is boring!"

"This is part of being a good ring bearer. You need to know what to do tomorrow."

"Dad, it's not that hard. I stand back there and when someone tells me to, I carry a pillow with rings tied on it. Bruce could do it."

Jack sighed. "I get it, pal, but please, behave."

"Fine." Hunter sighed sitting up.

"LEE!" Rosie cried out into the church as she and the women entered.

"Uh oh," Hunter said. "She does not look good."

"Hunt, quiet." Jack rolled his eyes.

"Rosie, sweetie what's wrong?" Lee rushed to her side.

"There was a fire."

"Where? Our house?"

"No. Vetri's."

"The Italian place we're having our rehearsal dinner?"

"Yes! Apparently their chef was busy making a phone call and POOF! Half the kitchen burned."

"This wedding I swear," Tom whispered under his breath, hoping Rosie didn't hear him.

Lee could see the look of defeat on his soon-to-be wife's face. Wanting to fix everything, he devised a plan. "Rosie, you meet with the pastor and get the details for tomorrow. I'll fix this."

"How?" she whimpered.

"Trust me. Tom, Mike, you guys come help me."

"On it!" They both jumped into action following Lee back out of the sanctuary.

After they left, the remaining people in the church stood quietly looking at each other. Everyone hoping that after all this calamity, tomorrow would go off without a hitch.

"I'm confused," Hunter said breaking the silence. "Do I get to eat tonight or not?"

…..

An hour later the whole group met back at Rosie's home. Lee's first "fix it" plan was to call Olive Garden, but they were so busy they couldn't get food ready for them until about 9. So that left him with Tom's bright idea. Pizza from Rocky's. Certainly not at all what they had planned but no one seemed to mind.

Charlotte walked over hugging Rosie tight. She was picking at her pizza and looking around the room.

"Sweetie, I know this isn't what you dreamed of for tonight, but look around you. Everyone is laughing and having fun together. Sometimes that's all we can ask for."

"You're right, Charlotte." She smiled. "Thank you for being a part of this with me. Tom too."

"Oh, Rosie, you've been like a daughter to me and Tom for so long. There's no place we'd rather be! And let me tell you, my Thomas can't wait to walk you down the aisle."

Rosie was so grateful for the Thornton's. Without any living close relatives, they were her only family and had treated her as such since Jack and Brenna got together.

She glanced over at Lee. He was deep in conversation with Beth about something. Maybe it was work, or maybe it was just life. She sighed with contentment. She was head over heels for a wonderful man, surrounded by people that loved her. Even so, something was missing. She rushed into the kitchen for a drink.

"Rosie? You okay?" Hunter asked from his spot at the kitchen table.

"Why do you ask, dear?"

"Your face is red. Like you want to cry. Can I help?"

She smiled at her sweet nephew. "No, dear. Sometimes things just are what they are."

"Oh. What does that mean?"

Rosie laughed. "It means… nevermind. I'll be just fine." She kissed his head and walked off, but instead of going to the living room, she walked into the office. Closing the door more than half way.

Hunter didn't understand a thing about what had just happened, but he had a feeling Rosie needed help. He took the last big bite of his pizza and hurried off to find Jack.

"Dad? Something's wrong with Rosie."

"What do you mean?" Jack knelt down, concerned. As the boy explained his version of what happened, Jack thought he had a pretty good idea what was up. He excused himself from his conversation with one of Lee and Elizabeth's co-workers and headed towards the office.

Inside, Rosie stood, leaning up against her desk staring at the opposite wall.

"May I come in?" Jack asked after a light knock.

"Sure." Rosie wiped away her tears.

"You know I've been meaning to tell you. I like what you've done with the place." He grinned.

"Jack, you know full well I changed very little here." She had thought about it, but in the end she couldn't just paint over what was left of her sister. Not yet. "I like it like this.

"I've noticed. But not in here. The office is great."

"Thanks."

"Can we talk?" Jack asked. "I think I know what's wrong."

"It's stupid, Jack. Really."

"Not if whatever it is, is making you cry. You're not a crier."

"True."

Jack followed her gaze to a picture frame on the wall. One side was a black and white picture of Rosie and Brenna.

"Nice picture. Tom took that one, right?"

"Yup. About a month before he went on that assignment overseas."

"I remember." It was hard to forget. It was also around the time of the accident.

"Jack, I don't mean to be insensitive bringing up the past but… can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"If Brenna were here, what do you think she'd think about all this? The wedding, Lee, who I am today?"

Jack took a sip of his drink and smiled. "She'd be smiling ear to ear right now. Loving every minute. This is what she envisioned for you, you know?"

"Oh really? A pizza, beer and wine rehearsal dinner. Goodness my sis had such high standards for me." They laughed.

"You know that's not what I meant. See, there was a night, right out on that deck out there, that she and I actually talked about this."

"Really?"

He nodded. "You came over to tell us you'd finally broken up with that guy… what was his name. Oh right, Robert."

"That was a year of my life NOT well spent."

"Tell me about it. Brenna was so happy you'd sent him on his way. Me too for that matter. He didn't seem to care for you like you deserved. It was always about him. Anyway, she made a list in that journal of hers of all the things she wished for you. Then prayed over it every night."

Rosie gasped and ran to the bookshelf. "Was it this one?" Rosie showed Jack a leather bound book with the sticker on the back from a hlaf marathon she'd ran.

"That's the one," he smiled.

"You gave this to me when you were ready to move on."

"Yeah. It belongs with you. Now let's see, if I remember correctly it was towards the back."

"Right, we broke up the fall before she passed…" Rosie sighed, she missed her sister dearly. Flipping through the pages, she finally found it. Wedged between the pages was a picture of Rosie and Brenna taken at her wedding. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

"Read what she wrote," Jack requested gently.

"Okay… 'Things I want for Rosie. I want her to find a good man. One that will love her with his whole heart. Someone loyal, generous, strong and kind. He needs to love kids because Rosie will make a terrific mother, just like our mom was. Someone who sees her for the true gift she is, and not just a trophy, or someone to have on his arm. And most importantly, someone who knows and trusts in the Lord. Also he should play paintball."

Jack laughed loudly.

"Jack! That last bit is in your handwriting!"

"What can I say? I knew whoever it was would be my brother-in-law, I had my thoughts too on the matter."

"We'll you got lucky then. Lee's itching to play again." She shook her head.

"Good. Maybe after the wedding. Now read what she wrote at the bottom."

"Okay." She turned back to the page. "Mostly, I want my sister to be happy. Whatever that means. She's my best friend and one of my greatest gifts. She deserves all the best."

"She meant it, Rosie."

Rosie wiped away her tears. "Thank you, Jack. For sharing this with me."

"You're welcome." Jack wrapped his arms around her. Letting her cry it out.

"It's funny really," she finally pulled back wiping away the rest of her tears. "You married my sister and became my brother. Now after everything that's happened, you've moved on and Elizabeth is truly one of my best friends. As much as I miss my sister, I'm glad you and Elizabeth found each other."

"Thanks for saying that Rosie. I am too."

A few minutes later, Jack and Rosie made their way back to the rest of the party. Jack immediately looked for his wife. She was across the room laughing and chatting with some of her co-workers who were ushers in the wedding.

"Excuse me," Jack said as he approached from behind. "May I steal my wife away for a bit?"

"Sure," Drake smiled. "Talk to you later Beth!" He and the other ushers headed back to grab something else to eat.

"So," Elizabeth turned in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Talk? What I have in mind isn't really talking. Come with me." He pulled her out onto the back deck. Once alone, he nudged her back against the outer wall of the house, kissing her breath away.

"Wow… is it time to leave this party yet?" she giggled.

"I don't know. Would it be bad if the matron of honor and the best man sneaked out?" He dipped his head to kiss her neck passionately. She squirmed against him.

"I think we could get away with it," she said barely able to focus on her words. "There's just one thing…"

"Mom! Dad!" Hunter yelled as he ran out onto the deck, causing his parents to jump apart.

"And there's the other thing," Elizabeth laughed.

"I'm tired. Can we go home soon?"

"Sure, love. Let me just check and see if Rosie needs anything before we go."

"Okay." After Elizabeth left, Hunter looked over at his dad. "Dad, you've got something on your neck. Its red, like a tomato."

"Really? Where?" Jack wiped it off. Laughing at the fact that he was wearing a little of his wife's lipstick. "Is that all of it, bud?"

"Yeah. How'd you get tomato sauce there?"

"I… um. It's a secret."

The next day….

Rosie waited with her attendants in the back of the church. It was almost time to marry the love of her life. She had everything. Her bouquet was gorgeous, no lilies. She had her something old, her sisters necklace; something borrowed, a handkerchief from Grace; something new, beautiful earrings from Charlotte; and something blue, the beautiful butterfly hair piece that Elizabeth had given her. She was ready.

Thomas Thornton walked up behind her placing his arm around her shoulders. "Ready, deary?"

She smiled over at the strong man who'd stepped in as a father figure for her ever since Jack walked into her and Brenna's lives.

"I'm ready."

"Good!" He grinned. "Sooner we get you married the soon I get more grandkids."

"Seriously!" Rosie laughed loudly.

"What? Can you blame me? I'm no spring chicken and kids are fun."

"Alright Pop pop," she teased. "Let's get this party started then!"

Susie, the other bridesmaid, poked her head into the sanctuary to signal they were ready. When the music started, she entered. Julie and Elizabeth followed in turn.

"Go on sport," Tom wink at his grandson. "It's your turn now."

"Got it!" He gave them a thumbs up and with the biggest grin, made his way toward his parents and Lee.

The music changed to the bridal march. With her arm looped through Toms, they walked to meet Lee.

"Mr. and Mrs. Coulter here I come," she whispered.

….

Unlike the week leading up, the wedding and reception went off without a hitch, much to the bride and groom's relief. Now they could relax. After dinner and cake, Lee and Rosie swayed along on the dance floor, completely unaware that anyone else was still in the room as she rested their foreheads against each other.

"You're beautiful." Lee whispered.

"You're very handsome, Lee. Thank you for putting up with me the last few months. I know all the planning and decisions weren't really your thing."

Lee laughed. "I know I did my fair share of whining, but really it wasn't hard. I love you. I wanted you to have the day you dreamed of. I'm just sorry so much went wrong."

"I'd doesn't matter. We're all together, you and I are husband and wife."

"I really like that last part." He kissed her lips. "I love you, Mrs. Coulter."

"I love you Mr. Coulter."

Sitting at a table not too fair from the dance floor, Hunter and his friend Mikey were eating their 2nd piece of cake. Jack and Elizabeth were dancing and Mikey's mom Jane was talking with some friends. Rosie and Jane had been in the same yoga class for years.

Taking another large, frosting filled bite of cake, Mikey groaned as he fought with his little bowtie. "We look silly. Why are we still dressed up? The wedding part is over!"

"Dad says hockey players have to dress up before games. I guess they look like this too," Hunter said with a shrug.

"Yeah but they're hockey players. We're just kids. We look silly."

Elizabeth and Jack walked up to them, unseen at first. They stood there secretly enjoying the conversation between the two boys as it unfolded until Elizabeth's laugh gave them away.

"Batman also dressed up now and again love. When he's Bruce Wayne," she said.

"Really Mom?" Elizabeth pulled a picture up on her phone. "Huh, okay. I am a stud like Batman," Hunter giggled.

Mikey looked as well. "Okay, yeah. I'm looking pretty cool."

"Good. Now, no more cake. I want you sleeping tonight, Hunt. I'm sure your mom feels the same way Mikey."

"Okay," both said.

"Hey mom, can Mikey and I explore the hotel?"

"Not right now."

"Why? Its boring in here!"

"Hunter, please, you know the rules. We need you to stay where we can see you."

"Ugh, fine."

Jack and Elizabeth sat out a few songs and then rejoined the couples for a slow song. While the easy, romantic strains of Ed Sheeran's Perfect played in the room, the boys got increasingly antsy.

"Hey, Mr. Hickam is talking to your mom, Mikey! Maybe they'll get married like my dad and mom."

"Maybe." Mikey wanted a dad. He didn't remember his because he had been too little when he died. He saw how much fun Hunter had with Jack and he wanted the same thing. "Let's get closer. I can't hear what they're talking about." Mikey and Hunter walked over to a table closer to where the couple was sitting. Then they slipped under the table and listened.

"I just want to thank you for spending time with Mikey on the fishing trip. He had so much fun, he can't stop talking about it," Jane said.

"You're welcome, but the pleasure was mine. Mikey's a good kid and I enjoyed getting to know him more."

"He's just been struggling with not having a dad recently. Being a single mom raising a growing boy is challenging. So that fishing trip was sent from heaven, in my opinion."

"Maybe we can do it again. I mean, not necessarily fishing but maybe the three of us could go to a movie and out for pizza one night," Mike suggested.

Mikey smiled at Hunter under the table. "Yesss!" he whispered.

"That would be fun," Jane agreed. "We should do that." Jane didn't know Mike Hickam well yet, but the Thorntons respected him, and she loved what she was learning.

While the boys remained under the table, they were unaware that Hunter's parents had noticed they weren't sitting at their table.

"Oh my God, where is he, Jack?" Elizabeth asked, starting to panic. "We told him not to go anywhere! If he is exploring, he is grounded until he's thirty!"

"Relax, babe. He's probably here somewhere."

"Or, Tolliver could have snuck in here and taken him!"

"With twenty five cops here? I don't think even Tolliver's stupid enough for…" Jack saw her face and decided to stop talking. "Hunter James!" he yelled. Unfortunately with the DJ playing Uptown Funk so loudly, Jack's voice didn't carry far. He ran up to the DJ and told him to stop the music.

In the meantime, Elizabeth told her coworkers to barricade the door with their bodies and others to start searching.

"Everyone, if I could have your attention please," Jack spoke into the DJ's microphone. Everyone turned and looked at him. "My son, Hunter who is six years old, was just over there at our table and now he isn't. We just want him to be safe, so we need everyone to look around them and see if they can find him. We don't want to panic but we are getting to that point."

Hunter crawled out from under the table a moment later, a sheepish look on his face. He knew that he was in huge trouble but he didn't want his parents to worry. He hated seeing the looks on their faces when they thought something bad was happening.

"I'm right here!" Hunter yelled. "Dad, Mom! I'm safe."

Elizabeth gasped and ran towards him, tears rolling down her face. "Mama, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you scared!" He wrapped his arms around her neck and his legs around her waist as she stood and hugged him tight, so relieved.

Jack rushed over and hugged them both. "Hunter, what were you thinking?"

"We didn't mean it, Dad. We just wanted to hear what Mr. Hickam and Mikey's mom were talking about."

"We told you to stay where we could see you," Elizabeth told him, setting him on the floor.

"I know, but…"

"No buts, you are grounded." Elizabeth walked away and out the door.

"Dad, what does that mean?"

"It means, no friends over, no Saturday morning cartoons, no tablet."

"For how long?"

"Ask your mom."