PREVIOUSLY

"I know I told you to drive fast, but these aren't the streets of Thailand, Braison!" screeched Miley, holding onto the dashboard as the car swerved through traffic.

"I'm obeying all road rules!" he retorted, barely flicking on his indicator as he skidded around a corner. "Well, most road rules. I'm obeying most road rules!"

Miley closed her eyes and silently prayed that they weren't too late.

CHAPTER 37:

"I can't go in there."

Brasion sighed in exasperation, grabbing Miley by the elbow and practically dragging her through the church doors.

"Let go of me!" Miley hissed, furtively glancing around.

A wash of people masked their entrance, everyone was being hustled inside as the bride's arrival was anticipated any moment. The two of them slid in unnoticed to one of the back pews, and Braison craned his neck, easily spotting Demi and the others closer to the front.

"Shut up already," Braison grinned, enjoying the agony that was Miley's. "It's far beyond the point of no return with this plan."

"This was a bad, bad plan."

"No such thing. It's all about how you execute said plan. All plans are good, some are just pulled off a little better than others."

Miley glared at her brother, but had no time to slap the back of his head as she so sorely wished to do, because the gathered crowd rose from their seats and all turned to look back down the aisle.

Struggling to focus on the bride, Miley couldn't contain her huge smile as she saw Danielle enter with her father. She looked like a true princess, a gown in ivory with a huge train. Even the veil couldn't hide her happiness, and it appeared as though it was only her arm linked with her father's that was stopping her from taking off into a run down the aisle to her waiting fiancé. Miley kept her eyes locked on the woman in white, following her to the alter until Miley didn't have a choice but to move her gaze so that the two men in suits standing at the front were now in her vision.

Kevin seemed as though he was on the verge of tears, his face conveying absolute terror and undeniable excitement. Miley suppressed a chuckle as she saw Kevin visibly relax as soon as he was reunited with his love, and her hand slipped easily into his when Danielle's father offered it to Kevin.

Nick was standing side on, and Miley knew that from that position, she would remain unseen. Unconsciously, she twirled a ringlet around her fingers, before shaking out her curls as they tumbled around her shoulders. Her tan was deep from spending months in the sun, it had barely faded since her return home. Her eyes had more sparkle in them today than they had since her feet touched Australian soil, and she'd smiled more than she had in the last 3 months. Miley clasped her hands together and rested them in her lap, her brilliant brown skin and her black fingernails contrasting nicely against the rich red of the fabric of her dress. The sweetheart neckline of the bustier cinched in her already tiny waist, before flowing out into a long skirt. The dress was simple yet elegant, and fitted her like a glove. Her nervousness prevented her from noticing the looks of awe she had received when she slipped into the church.

The ceremony was a blur for Miley, she was completely distracted by how close she was to Nick, and it wasn't until there were shouts of encouragement and a loud applause that Miley realised Kevin had kissed his new wife. Everyone filed out, ready to form a guard for the couple to depart from the church through, and by some miracle, Miley managed to sneak out and stand towards the back, once again hidden from view. Briefly losing sight of Nick, Miley looked around in a panic, afraid he would appear by her side and she wouldn't know what to do. She felt a hand on her arm, and she froze with fear.

"So, you turned up after all," came the smug voice of Joe, and Miley felt her heart resume beating.

"It seems that I did," Miley said quietly, still very unsure of her decision.

"I half expected you to storm the church at the exact moment the priest said his part about 'speak now'."

"That only happens in movies, Joe."

"Have you been paying attention the last couple of years, Miles? That shit happens to you, to us," he laughed. "You do a spectacular late entrance, I'm kind of disappointed."

"Shut up, idiot."

Joe chuckled, adjusting the collar of his shirt and ignoring Miley's glare.

"They'll be a while getting the professional pictures done. In the mean time, we can go to the reception place... and you can explain yourself."

"I don't have to explain myself to anyone," Miley retorted childishly, but offering no protest as Joe wrapped his arm around her shoulders and lead her towards where Braison was now standing with Demi, Oliver, Jackson and Riley.

"Doesn't mean you're not going to," Joe stated casually, squeezing Miley gently.

Miley took a deep breath, feeling anxious.

"Miles, do you remember that night in Bali? Well, more like morning... and I found you by the pool?"

"Yeah," she answered uneasily, not sure where Joe was taking this.

"Well, remember how I said you don't even notice that you started letting your guard down around us?"

Miley nodded silently.

"Please don't put me back in the category of 'just people' that you shut out."

Miley glanced sideways at her friend, startled by the genuine concern on his face.

"You know you still mean the world to me, Joe. That never changed."

"Then why don't you trust me? Trust Demi? Trust Oliver? You've been lying to us all, trying to make us believe you're doing okay. You had none of us fooled, Miles. You showing up here today, like this, has proven that."

"It's not like that, Joe. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"Come on, Miles."

Knowing she had only seconds left before they reached the group, Miley grabbed onto Joe's hand and pulled him up short. She let out a sad sigh, and opened her mouth a few times to speak, before she finally managed to get something out.

"I thought I would be okay. I thought I was okay. But no matter how much I tried convincing myself that we broke up for a reason, that it just wasn't working anymore... the thing is, I just don't work without him," whispered Miley after a long pause.

"So tell him."

"What if he doesn't want to hear it?"

"Make him listen anyway."

"My face hurts," whinged Nick, rubbing at his cheeks.

"Just a few more," begged the bride, tugging at Nick's suit sleeve. "Please?"

Nick was ready to protest until he saw the severe look on Kevin's face, warning him to heed his new wife's demands.

"Fine," Nick mumbled, throwing Kevin a dirty look.

When the photographer finally let them go, the entire bridal party piled into a stretch limo ready to cross town to the venue where the reception was being held. Nick turned his phone over a few times in his hands, distracted by his own thoughts. Kevin noticed that Nick was oblivious to the attention Danielle's cousin and maid of honour was paying him, which made him smirk. Scooting across the bench seat after a giving his wife a quick kiss, he wedged himself between the girl batting her eyelids at an unresponsive Nick.

"Call her," suggested Kevin, causing Nick to jump.

"What?" he asked absently. "Nah, I can't."

"Why not?"

"She didn't turn up to your wedding, Kevin. It's clear that whatever I feel for her, it's not reciprocated. She never lets anyone down; so by her not rocking up today, that makes a pretty big statement."

An argument formed on Kevin's lips but Danielle silenced it when she called him back to her side.

"See, and today is not the day to be doing any of this anyway. Just let it go, Kev. That's what I'm going to try and do..."

Kevin shook his head sadly, the broken look on Nick's face was perfect contradiction to his words. His voice had sounded empty and hollow, and Kevin hated that he had just married the woman of his dreams, and got to spend the rest of his life with her. And Nick has resigned himself to the fact he may have lost the one person that ever meant, or ever could mean, everything to him.

"And for the first time, it's my honour to introduce Mr and Mrs Grey!"

The room exploded into applause as Kevin and Danielle walked hand in hand, their faces lit up with matching grins. Miley was on her feet with her friends, standing around the circular table that they'd been placed at in the corner of the room. She smiled down at the place card with her name written in amazing calligraphy, pleased that Kevin still kept her a place even though she said she wasn't coming. They'd squeezed Braison in next to her, and Demi stood to her left.

Demi had immediately apologised to Miley for her harsh words, before scolding Miley for taking so long to come to her senses. Joe was wrong; she hadn't had to explain to herself. Demi and the boys all wore knowing smiles as she had approached them, and Oliver had merely reproached her for the drama he said she seems to thrive on now.

"You think I want things to be this way?" Miley had spat. "I wish things were as easy as they were before, well, before everything."

Oliver had raised his eyebrow at her, before pulling her in for a hug. He whispered a half assed attempt at an apology.

"Let's go put an end to this soap opera that is your life," he joked. "You and Nick are meant to be together, you always were."

Miley had screwed up her nose at the softness in Oliver's tone, but his lopsided smile was enough to know that he was both serious and teasing her at the same time.

Nick's heart stopped. As he followed the newly married couple into the extravagantly decorated room, he could have sworn he could see Miley standing between her brother and his best friend's girlfriend. His eyes roamed over her, taking in her tanned shoulders, her tiny waist and the length of the red gown that he knew covered long, lean legs. His step faltered, and he saw the smile disappear from her face. He panicked, and cast his head forward again and quickly strode past her, aiming directly for his seat at the bridal table at the front on the room. He didn't dare look back.

Miley locked eyes with Nick. She had run over various probable scenarios in her head on the trip over from the church, trying to plan out this exact moment. But now that it was here, now that Nick was here and he saw her, she froze. She felt the smile she had previously been wearing fade, and her hands started to shake. His mesmerising brown eyes, that used to look at her with complete adoration, now appeared alarmed. Before Miley had a chance to react, he took off towards where Kevin and Danielle were now being seated. He didn't look back.

Nick rubbed the back of his neck, willing himself to look up. Everyone was now seated, and he could barely make out the top of her head. He saw Joe, Oliver, Jackson and Riley chatting easily to each other, but Demi was facing the other way. Demi was talking to her. She was really here. The realisation that he hadn't been hallucinating crashed over Nick with a force that almost made him dizzy.

"Nick!" hissed Kevin. "Are you okay? You look like you're going to pass out!"

Kevin's voice seemed distant, and Nick tried to steady his breathing.

"Nick?" Kevin repeated, elbowing his best man in the ribs.

Danielle leaned forward to look past her husband to Nick, who was sitting to his right.

"Nick, honey? Are you going to be sick? What's wrong?"

Nick finally raised his head, and gestured in Miley's direction. He swallowed thickly, his tongue felt swollen and his mouth dry.

"Oh, shit!" cried Kevin with glee. "Oh, shit!"

He clambered out of his seat, dragging Danielle with him. He made a beeline for the table that held the girl who was making Nick react like this, and he couldn't help but watch Kevin gather Miley up in his arms.

"You came!" smiled Kevin, wrapping his arms around Miley. "I didn't even see you at the church. Were you there?"

"Of course I was there," Miley said shyly. "I'm sorry for being so rude and ever saying I wouldn't be."

"Miley," chuckled Danielle, taking her turn to hug the girl. "It doesn't matter. You're here now."

"Hi Braison," grinned Kevin, shaking his hand. "So you're officially a wedding crasher?"

"Hey!" defended Braison. "Did you want my idiot of a sister here or not?"

The group burst out laughing, and Miley took the opportunity to steal a glace back at Nick.

He was staring at her with such intensity that is was disconcerting.

"Do you think you should go now?"

"Pretty much," Nick answered, not paying attention to anything but the girl in the red dress, assuming the person speaking to him was referring to her.

"Okay, here's the microphone. Just flick that switch and call Kev and Dani back to the table so you can start."

"Wait, what?" Nick asked, turning to face the bridesmaid who was extremely close to his face.

"Your best man's speech?" she said, puzzled. "What do you think I meant?"

Nick looked at her blankly, unable to form a coherent thought. She snatched the microphone back from his hands, and called for the attention of the crowd. The bride and groom made their way back to the bridal table and took their seats, before the microphone and floor were handed back to Nick.

He stood there for a few moments, blinking and staring at the expectant crowd. He heard them start whispering, wondering what was wrong with him. He looked down to his left at Kevin and Danielle waiting patiently for him to start. Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He carefully unfolded it, but the words he'd spent weeks writing, blurred before his eyes. He tried to remember it from all the times he'd practiced it in front of the mirror.

"You watch movies about true love. You read about it in books. People sing about it all the time. But what is love? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Corinthians 13:4-8."

Nick stumbled over the reference. He couldn't remember what came next, and his eyes couldn't focus on the page in front of him. His trembling hand slowly crumpled the white paper in his fist, and he let it fall to the table.

"When I first met Danielle, I couldn't believe Kevin had gotten so lucky," Nick paused as the crowd chuckled. "Kevin and Danielle, you give the rest of us hope. Hope to dare to believe that we might one day find someone to share our lives with, just as you found each other. Some people wait their whole lives to feel the way you guys do today."

Nick finally let his gaze rest on Miley, who was watching him intently. Her hands were clasped together on the table in front of her. He could see her knuckles were turning white. She was biting her bottom lip like she did when she was nervous.

"To Danielle and Kevin," Nick toasted, raising his glass. "May we all be as brave as them, to take a leap of faith and risk falling, because we found someone who makes us feel like we can fly."

A thunderous applause rang in Nick's ears as he raised his drink to his lips, and he felt Kevin clap him on the back, barely giving Nick time to lower his glass before he was pulled into a bone crushing embrace.

Each breath Miley took felt laboured. Her chest was rising and falling with effort. She looked on as Kevin whispered into Nick's ear, finally releasing him from a long hug. Nick gave Danielle a quick kiss and a genuine smile, before he stepped away from the table. Miley cast her eyes down, fighting the panic that was growing inside. She closed her eyes, blocked out the noise of the room, and begged the darkness to take her.

When Nick finally reached her, she was staring at her feet. He could feel the eyes of everyone at the table on him, but he just stood by her for a few moments. He revelled in how close he was to her, he could smell her perfume that he knew so well. Of course he knew it, because he bought it for her. And she was still wearing it just as she had every day when they were together, and even every day since.

"May I have this dance?" he whispered, extending his hand.

She tilted her head up, her eyes blazing. She glanced out to the floor where Danielle and Kevin were having their first dance as man and wife. Miley placed her hand in Nick's offered one.

Miley could hardly breathe. Nick's hand was at the small of her back, holding her against him with their fronts pressed against each other. Her head was placed against his shoulder, and his chin was resting on the top of her head. They swayed with the music, both feeling like they were stealing this moment from borrowed time.

"Love always perseveres..." whispered Nick into Miley's hair.

Miley lifted her head away from Nick's shoulder, and worked up the courage to look in his eyes. Immediately she wished she hadn't, because it almost did her in.

"Just tell me that I'm not too late," Nick almost begged, cupping Miley's face.

Miley stared into his warm, loving brown eyes. They were looking at her the way that made her feel like she was the only girl in the world.

"It was never over for me," said Miley, on the verge of falling apart. "I loved you from the start and I never stopped, even though I tried to. I can't do it, Nick. Losing you is not something I can handle."

A smile barely had time to form on Nick's face before he crashed his lips into Miley's.