A/N: This chapter will have some flashbacks to tie everything together. This will be a very long chapter the longest that I have written in this story to date.

I do not own Victorious or receive any money for the stories I write on this site.

Chapter 37
Don't Want to Miss a Thing

Holly

Jade and I watch as Tori and Andre walk down the aisle together on their way to the front of the church. "Ever wish it was them getting married?" Jade leaned in and asked me quietly.

I turned so I could see her eyes so she could see that I meant every word. "I won't lie to you, Jade. There was a time, but I could see she was never truly happy with the people that she was with before you. And I would never change that you are the one who took my daughter's heart. Jade, you are the most important person in her life; her sun rises and falls in your eyes. I am so lucky that not only did I get to know you as her friend, but I also got to know you as my daughter. You are truly this family's heart and soul." I reached up and wiped away a fallen tear. Jade was lost when she first came around, and now I can see the loving and beautiful woman that she was meant to be. As a mother, that moves mountains. And to know that she was the reason for the smile on Tori's face only warms my heart that much more.

I look back up to see the young man that was taking my oldest daughter, and noticed the look of fear on his face. I began to worry that he may be having second thoughts, but then the music started, and Trina and her father appeared at the cloister door and began making their way down to him. I saw a tear fall as he looked upon Trina for the first time. Andre placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a brotherly smile. I knew now that Beck was not having second thoughts, he was just scared, like most grooms are just before their brides come to stand before them. I looked around quickly to see if his parents were here, but they were not. I could not see how they could miss out on such a wonderful day in their child's life. I didn't have to look for his sister, because she was standing next to Tori. When Beck told her that he was getting married, she didn't let anything get in the way of her being here. And, of course, she is staying with us, her new family.

David brought Trina to her groom and handed her over to him with little to no problems. I had to warn him not to bring his gun today. He had said it would be a reminder that he was still the first man in her life. Trina had asked her father to wear his dress uniform and to have bagpipes for the wedding march. I couldn't hold back the tears when the reverend asked who gives this woman to this man and David tried to answer, but he was too choked up. So all of our kids answered for him. Sam, Cat, and Robin sat behind me and Jade beside me. Tori, Tiffany, Andre and Robbie up with the bride and groom, all answering at once, brought tears to more than just my eyes. Even the reverend had to take a few seconds before he went on.

After the ceremony was over, they turned to their guests and Mr. Sikowitz called from the back of the church, "Mr. and Mrs. Beck Oliver…or will be known as Mrs. and Mr. Trina Vega." Everyone laughed as the now married couple made their way to the back of the church. I was against it at first, but it was only fitting to have the pictures taken at Hollywood Arts. If it wasn't for that school, all of my children would never have met and we would not have the family we have today. And Jade had made the point, free photographers.

David

Getting ready on my daughter's big day was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Today, I was going to give my first born away to another man. To someone else, to love her and care for her. I know, I was not losing her, but gaining a son in law. A young man that I have already seen as my son. A young man that already calls me dad and that I love as if he was my own. However, I can't stop feeling like I was losing her. Trina had asked me to wear my dress uniform. I was more than delighted to wear it. Then she told me that she was going to have bagpipes for the wedding march instead of the traditional organ music. I had my reservations, because traditionally, the bagpipes are for fallen police officers.

Jade had heard me talking to Holly about my worries about the bagpipes; she set up her computer in my office one night and had me come in after dinner. She played the music while showing me a few video clips of other weddings using them. She put all my worries to ease. That night, she helped me through a lot. "Dad, I know you have this feeling like you're losing Trina. I can see it the way you look at her. The way your eyes tear up. I can say for a fact, that you are, and will always be, the first man in her life, just like you are to Tori, Cat, Sam, and Robin. And to me. You are our dad. We all love you, and we will always need our daddy." After Jade had left my office, I sat and thought about the young lady that had stolen all of our hearts. How cold and distant she had once been. Then my mind drifted to one night when Tori had one of her sleepovers. Jade had come downstairs and was watching television late at night while everyone else slept. I had a very late night at the station. Coming in, I found her sitting watching…well, really nothing.

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"Jade, what are you doing up so late?" I asked as I walked in through the garage door.

She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at me with a fake smile. "Sorry, Mr. Vega. I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to wake the others, so I came down her. I'll go back upstairs to get out of your way." She moved the blanket off her lap and started to stand.

Waving my hand, I made her sit back down. "No, don't be silly. There is no reason for you to leave. Hey, do you want a midnight snack?" I asked as I walked to the kitchen cupboard, rummaging for some peanuts.

"Silly is the last thing I could ever be. Sure, what do you have Mr. Vega?" she asked from the couch.

"Jade, you have been coming here for almost a year. You can call me David," I said with a smile. I can't find the jar of peanuts, so I hold up some hot chocolate and a box of graham crackers. She smiled and nodded. "I just have to lock my gun away. I'll be right back." When I came back, Jade had already made the hot chocolate and had the graham crackers out on a serving tray, ready for our late night TV watching snack. "Well, it looks like you have it all covered. So now all we have to do is sit down."

We sat down on the couch and Jade became really nervous. "David, are you sure Mrs. Vega won't be upset with us sitting up together? I don't want her to get mad or hurt anyone's feelings."

"No, dear. I won't get upset. I heard you get up and David come home. Why would you feel like I would be mad?" Holly asked from the stairs. Both me and Jade jumped when she started talking. I tell you, my wife can move like a cat when she wanted to.

"Because I'm here," Jade said, with her head down and in the saddest voice I have ever heard her use.

Holly's expression fell from the happy smile to a concerned, motherly look. "Jade, you have nothing to worry about. We are more than happy to have you here," Holly said as she glided silently from the stairs to the couch beside Jade.

We all sat, munching on crackers and watching the show that Jade had been watching when I came in. It was about a couple that would do anything to stay together with their kids. Jade started to cry quietly at the end of the show. I looked over and saw that Holly had already wrapped her arm around her, letting her cry into her shoulder. "Oh, Jade, this show really got to you," Holly said while rubbing her back.

Jade pulled back and wiped her eyes, putting on another fake smile. Doesn't she realize, that no matter how good an actress she may be, Holly and I could easily tell when the smile wasn't genuine? Jade said, "I don't know why that got to me. It's not like parents really care about their kids." She stood up, gathering the dishes and taking them into the kitchen. "I'm sorry. That was mean. I know you care about your girls, and I could only wish for parents that would at least know my name, let alone know my birthday. But you got to play the hand you're dealt, right?" She washed out her cup and sat it next to the sink and said good night. I made it my goal to find out how I could help this young lady, and I knew that Holly would be right by my side.

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I wiped away the tears as I thought about the night that Jade made her way into Holly and my hearts. I did vow to help her, and in the end, it was Jade that helped us.

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Now I stand here in the church with my oldest daughter by my side, ready to walk her to her groom. Part of me wished I didn't promise Holly that I wouldn't bring my gun. I had told her that it would be just the thing to remind that boy that he needed to stay in line. Of course, Holly reminded me that that boy was like my son and I was being a complete dumbass. Letting out a small chuckle, I looked at Trina and smiled. "Trina, the day you came into this world was the happiest and the scariest day of my life. That day you made me a father. That day, I knew I would never take another easy breath. I knew I would never go one minute without worrying if you were alright, if I was doing good by you. And now I stand here, on your day. The day that will change your life forever, and I am so proud to be a part of it and to call you my daughter." I turned and looked at the doors in front of me so Trina cannot see the tears that have gathered in my eyes. Then I hear it! The music started to play and Trina laced her arm in mine. As the doors opened, I forgot what to do. I know I was supposed to take her somewhere, but where? Out of this building was not it. Then the music changed and Trina took a step forward. Yes, that way. That is where we had to go. But I didn't move. Trina yanked on my arm, pulling me out of my inward freak out and I took a step forward and off we went. I was letting her lead me but halfway down the aisle, I snapped out of my fatherly, 'I don't want to go' state, and walked with my daughter.

Yes, we made it, and there he is. The young man who is taking my daughter. "Who gives this woman to this man?" Yes, now I say 'her mother and I do,' but I open my mouth and nothing but a sob comes out. Two things I have to do today: walk the girl to the guy, and say 'her mother and I do.' But no, I almost didn't make it here, and now I can't talk. I clear my throat, but that is when all my other kids said, "We do." Oh, the love I have for these kids. The love I have for my family.

Beck stepped forward and took Trina from me. I just stood there, watching as my little girl walked to the man she loves. I feel a strong hand on my arm. Looking to see who it was, I spy Jade smiling back at me. Now I know everything is going to be alright.

Trina

I sat in my room the night before my wedding, thinking about everything that has changed in our lives. There is a light knock on the door, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Come in." I knew it couldn't be Beck. He is over at Sam and Cat's, and there is no way Sam was going to let him leave. She had taken the night off so she could keep an eye on him…poor Beck.

Tori walked into my room with a smile on her face. One that I haven't seen in a long time. It was so bright and she looked truly happy. "Hey sis, how are you doing? Do you need anything?" She sits on my bed and starts playing with my comforter. "You know it's my job as your maid of honor to get you whatever you need. I have to make sure you are happy the days before the wedding and at the church on time the day of. Just like you'll have to do on my wedding day." She looked up to see if I caught what she had said.

I snapped my head up to look at her. "Are you asking me to be your maid of honor? You know, you have to be asked first…or you have to ask her…I don't know how that works with you guys," I said with a giggle.

Tori became a little nervous. "It doesn't matter which one asks, but in this case, Jade asked me," she smiled and locked eyes with me.

I jumped up and drug her to her feet, where I took my little sister into my arms, hugging her tight. "You little shit, why didn't you tell me? Wait, you have to tell me everything! How did she ask?" I released her from the hug and pushed her back down and sat beside her.

"Well, the night Beck asked you, I went up to our room and Jade was in bed. I got into bed and we had sex…" I cut her off, flapping my hand so hard my whole arm quivered.

"Tori, I love both of you, but I don't need to know about your sex life. We all can hear how happy she makes you." Tori blushed a deep red as she shook her head.

"Yes, well, after making love, she asked me to marry her and of course I said yes," she finished with a smile.

"B-but…you never said anything. And where is your ring? Did she get you a ring?" I asked, looking at her hand.

"I didn't want to say anything to take away from your happiness. And yes, she gave me a ring. She gave it to me that night, but we both thought it would be best to keep it between just us," she said with a small wistful smile.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She didn't want to take away from my happiness, oh, this girl. "Tori, don't you know that you are more important to me than some guy, even Beck. And now, the love of your life has asked you to spend the rest of your life with her. This makes me the happiest person in the world. Jade is the best thing that could have happened to you and this family and to have her as my sister in law is just the greatest thing. You are so lucky to have her and now I'm lucky because I get to call her my sister." I take my sister's hand and yank her over into another hug again. "Does mom and dad know yet?"

"I was going to tell mom after I talked to you, but I think I should wait to tell dad. He is kinda losing it." Tori chuckled at how our dad has been acting here lately.

I joined in with the laughing. "I would wait too, but not too long, don't want to tell him the night before." Our laughter trickled off and a new thought hit me. "Wait, when are you two going to have the wedding? Have you set a date yet?" I asked and turned to face her while I took her hands in mine.

"Well, Trina, that is where Tori and I become the coolest people in the world," Jade said from the slightly opened door.

"How long have you been standing there?" I cried, startled. I was so startled, I clamped down on Tori's hands and whipped around. I turned around so fast I almost fell, and when I turned, I actually yanked Tori off the bed to sprawl on the floor at my feet with a squawk. I tottered on the edge of the bed, about to fall on my sister.

Jade jumped forward and pushed me back up, resting her hand on my shoulder until my balance came back. Tori took the opportunity to climb back to her feet and resume her seat on the bed. "Long enough to know I make everyone lucky. Oh so lucky." She laughed and sat next to Tori, reaching between her legs.

"Jade, what are you doing?" Tori slapped her hand away.

"Feeling lucky." I see Jade give her a sexy smile, so I get up and go to sit at my desk. Turning to me, Jade tells me, "Tori and I are going to have a wedding getaway on a beach somewhere. We want you and Beck to help us pick the place to go, because we want this to be your honeymoon, as well."

My eyes widen with surprise that they would do this for us. "You guy really want to do this? But it's your wedding, don't you want everyone there?"

"That's the beauty of it. We are asking everyone to come with us so they can have a very long overdue vacation, and Jade and I will also have our honeymoon. Before you start thinking that it wouldn't be much of a honeymoon with everyone there, we all are going to have separate hotels. What do you think?" Tori asked me as she bounced on the bed.

"I think it's a great idea. But I would have to ask…" Jade cut me off.

"Ask Beck? Well, I told him last night at his bachelor party, and he thinks it is a great idea," Jade told me, as a nervous look flickered across her face.

"Jade, what is it? He isn't having second thoughts, is he?" I asked, becoming just as nervous.

Jade snapped her head up to look at me. She started shaking her head. "No, no. It's just that as we were talking about your wedding he started crying. I thought that he was going to tell me that he didn't want to go through with it and I would have to kick his ass. But he just kept telling me that he was so happy that he was able to find someone like you, someone that he loved more than life itself. I'm so happy for both of you, I'm so happy that he was able to find the same kind of love that I did."

"What else did you do at this party?" I tried to find out. Jade rose from her seat and stretched languidly.

"Well, you know it was at Sam's, and Robin stayed over here with mom and dad. SO not much. It was just Beck, me, Sam, Andre and Robbie. Oh, and a couple of exotic dancers. And a donkey," she called over her shoulder as she ran out of the room.

My eyes were so wide I think they were going to pop out. "Tori, do you think she is telling the truth?"

"No, she's just messing with you. However, Sam and Jade did plan the whole party. No they wouldn't…would they?" Tori was just as freaked out as me. "I better go with her, we are going to tell mom tonight." She then jumped up and hurried after Jade.

I will never know if Jade was telling the truth, but I do know that tomorrow, I was going to become Beck's wife. And I just couldn't wait.

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I'm sitting here in the bride's room with my mother and sister. I want everything to go just right and worried that my father was going to walk the wrong person down the aisle. I start to giggle at the thought of my father freaking out and pulling Sikowitz up to Beck, and the look he would have. Shaking my head, I look back at the two women in the room with me. "Okay Trina, you have something new, something borrowed. Now all we need is something old and blue." Tori said, looking around to see if there would be something we could use. Just then, there was a knock on the door. My mom went to answer it. Opening it, she let Jade in.

"So, I was thinking about everything that you would need to make this day perfect. I went through my stuff last night looking for this. It was my aunt's. She gave it to me when I was seven." She handed me over the light blue pin that went just perfectly with my flowers. "My aunt told me to give it to my sister on her wedding day. Now I'm doing what she told me. You are my sister and now you have your something old and something blue." I started to cry as she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Now, no crying. We have to have you looking your very best for your groom," she informed me as she walked over to Tori, who was crying, right along with our mother.

"Thank you, Jade. This is so beautiful. I can't believe you gave this to me when your aunt told you to give this to your sister." I know she sees me as her sister, but I don't want to take a family heirloom.

Jade stood in between Tori and mom. She gave me a look that wasn't hurt but said that she was serious. "Trina, you, Cat, and Sam are the sisters I have and the last time I checked you were the only one getting married today." She smiled and kissed mom on the cheek and Tori on the lips. She then gave me another kiss on the cheek before walking out the door. I just looked at the pin and wondered if this day would be the same without Jade here.

After about ten minutes of putting the finishing touches on mine and Tori's make-up, there was another knock at the door. Before mom could open it, Cat bounced in, giggling. "Five minutes, Tori. We need you first, to walk with Andre. Has anyone seen Tiffany? She was to walk with Robbie." Cat looked around like we were hiding her under my dress.

"She went out for a smoke. She also was going to give her parents a call." Tori told her, and all of us shook our heads at the thought that Beck's parents weren't here yet and we didn't know if they were coming at all.

Just then, the door flew opened and Tiffany ran in. "Okay, I'm here. Sorry. Needed to have a smoke. It's not every day that my little brother gets married."

"Did you get ahold of your parents?" Cat asked, looking up from her clipboard.

"Yeah, I did. And my mom is standing right over there." She points to mom with a smile. "As for the Olivers, they can pound snow. They are not worth the problems they bring." Tiffany is so fun, the way she dresses and talks is like she walked right out of the 20's. She dresses like a gangster's girl. I know I'm going to love having her as a sister in law. And the fact that she loves her brother so much, I can't ask for any more.

Cat looks at her watch and starts to bounce again. "Okay, its show time! Tori, Tiffany, places." We all watch as she runs out of the room, her light floral dress billowing around her legs.

"You think she knows that this is a wedding and not a production?" Tiffany asked, shaking her head.

I walk out with the other girls. Jade is waiting for us out in the hall. Mom gives me a kiss and walks into the sanctuary. I looked at Tori and saw the look of complete love as she watched Jade walk with our mom to their seat. I still sometime can't believe the changes that Jade had made and how this family would not be complete without her. Cat walked to her seat and we all waited for the music to start. I was lost in my thought when Andre leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Wow, look at you. Damn, Trina. You are so beautiful." He smiled and took Tori's arm and laced them together.

Robbie was next to kiss me on the cheek. "You are so beautiful, and I'm so happy for you." He leans in and kisses my cheek again, and tells me it wasn't too late to have Rex as my ring bearer.

Tiffany grabs him by the arm and pulls him to the door. "No one cares, you stupid little monkey." Then they walk down the aisle leaving me alone.

I start looking around for my father; I was starting to get scared that he got lost or worse, that he went home to get his gun. I turn to my right and see the most handsome man. Standing there by the stain glass window, with the light of the sun coming in, playing across his face and clothes. He was wearing his dress uniform, standing tall and proud with his hat under his arm. He walked over to me with a smile and we stand looking at the doors. He let out a small chuckle and looked at me and smiled. "Trina, the day you came into this world was the happiest and the scariest day of my life. That day you made me a father. That day, I knew I would never take another easy breath. I knew I would never go one minute without worrying if you were alright, if I was doing good by you. And now I stand here on your day. The day that will change your life forever, and I am so proud to be a part of it and to call you my daughter." He turned from me so I wouldn't see the tears gathering in his eyes. I feel my own tears threatening to fall, but I will not let them. Not until I am married and in my husband's arms.

I hear the music start and I lace my arm in his. When the doors open, he doesn't move. Great, he was freaking out. I give him a tug and lead him down the aisle. About halfway down, he snaps out of it and his stumbling steps turn into a smooth walk. Then when he was asked who gives me away, he can only sob out an answer. I wanted to cry, because my dad was so sad, but then the rest of my family answered for him, and I couldn't hold back the tears. I looked up to the reverend and he was even having trouble with the tears. Yep, I have been blessed with loving parents, a loving man, and the best sisters and brothers a girl could ask for. I looked back to my dad, and see Jade taking him over to the pew to sit with my mother.

After Beck and I said our 'I do's,' I was ready to go get the pictures out of the way and party. We turned and saw Sikowitz standing at the back of the church in a tuxedo and his hair slicked back, well, what was left of it. A huge smile came to my face when I saw he was not wearing shoes. It just would not be him if he was. ""Mr. and Mrs. Beck Oliver…or will be known as Mrs. and Mr. Trina Vega." Everyone laughed as we made our way to the back of the church. Beck stopped me right before we walked through the door, and kissed me one more time. I pulled away, taking his hand and walked out to the waiting car to take us to Hollywood Arts, the place that started it all.

Beck

I'm over at Sam and Cat's tonight, so I don't see my bride before the wedding. We want to keep some part of this traditional, since we are getting married when she is three months pregnant. Trina did not want to wear white, but Jade talked her into it. She told Trina that Tori is going to wear white and there is no way that she is a virgin. Jade also told her that if she was worried about people saying something about her wearing white, then having the wedding in a Catholic church would be out of the question, too, if they were going be the old ways. Trina said that she was right, and had Tori and mom take her dress shopping the very next day.

I was so happy when I called Tiffany and told her that I was getting married. I asked if she could come. I really didn't think she would say yes, but when Trina grabbed the phone from me and asked her to be a bride's maid I thought I was going to fall over. I really thought she would want Tori and Cat to be her bride's maids with Tori being the maid of honor, of course. But after she had gotten off the phone, she told me that she had put Cat in charge of making sure everything ran smoothly. I had no problem with that. I know that Cat can sometimes be something of an airhead, but running the show was one of the things that made her shine.

I lied down on the couch to get some sleep as soon as Sam and Cat went to bed; Robin is still over at mom and dad's. I lay there staring at the ceiling and think about how I almost threw this all away.

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I stood on the catwalk, watching all my friends leave the Black Box, and I just wanted all my pain and anger to end. When I first came up here, I thought about jumping off. The thought of me dying on the very stage that I have loved for so long was becoming the perfect idea for me to end it all, but then I couldn't take that leap as I waited for my once best friends to leave. I would never put them through the pain of watching me die. As they worked through their play ideas, I had one of my own. I would leave Hollywood Arts and watch them deal with me leaving from afar. I knew who I could go to, because I knew that Cat would do anything for me. I looked down as they walked out and a single tear fell down my face. "Good bye, Hollywood Arts." Then I went into the small closet off the catwalk to wait for everyone to leave school.

When I got to Cat's, I knew she wouldn't be home yet, but I knew her roommate would be there. I rang the doorbell and received a yell to come in. I opened the door to find Sam lying on the couch, eating ham off of a plate. "What do you want, and who are you?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the ham in her lap.

"Beck. I want to talk to Cat. Is it okay if I wait for her?" I asked, still standing in the opened door. I have dated Jade for many years, but for some reason, Sam scared the hell out of me.

She finally looked up at me and shrugged. "Don't care. She should be home soon. Now shut the door, I'm not cooling the outside, you know." I closed the door and walked over to the kitchen and sat on one of the stools.

"Do you have any water?" I asked.

"The city provides a whole tap full." Great, now I get to drink L.A.'s tap water. I should have taken my chances with the catwalk. I was looking through the cabinets, when Cat walked in the back door. "Hey babe, I'm home," she said as she walked over to Sam, not noticing me standing in the kitchen.

Sam put her plate down and pulled Cat into her lap and gave her a long kiss on the lips. I didn't know what to do or say, when did this all happen? The last thing I knew, Cat was sleeping with Andre. Sam pulled away. "Oh, you're not only one home, that Beck guy is here," she said, pointing at me.

"Oh! Hey, Beck. Why are you drinking tap water? That shit is nasty. There is some in the frig. Are you staying for dinner?" I was still staring at them like I have never seen two girls together before, when I had just seen Jade and Tori making out today.

"Talk to you I need to," I said.

"Right way, maybe you might," Sam deadpans as she flips through the channels.

"Okay, Beck, come with me, we can go to the bedroom and talk." She took my hand and walked over to Sam, gave her a kiss, and then we walked back to the room.

"Do nothing but talk you do!" Sam yelled from the couch.

Cat jumped on the bed and patted the place next to her. "What's up, Beck?" she asked me as I sat down next to her.

"I was wondering if I could stay here for a few days until I figure out my next move. I told Hellen that I'm dropping out of Hollywood Arts and moving back to Canada, but I'm not sure if that is what I really what I want to do," I tell her as I play with my hands.

"So you want to hide here while everyone thinks you ran away. Beck, I'm not sure if I can do that."

"Come on Cat. It will be only for a few days, but if you and Sam really don't want me here, than I can find another place, I guess. I'm not really sure where. I guess I'll be out on the streets." I knew she could never let that happen.

"Okay, but just for a few days. And I'm not going to be your little patsy at school, got it?"

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I 'm now sitting in the groom's room at the church with my two groomsmen. I keep watching for dad, but for some reason he has never come in. I keep thinking I have done something wrong, I just can't figure out what that could be. Andre is pacing the room, making me more nervous, and Robbie is playing on his phone. What is going on? Why hasn't anyone come to tell us what we are supposed to be doing now? I really don't think sitting with our thumbs shoved up our asses is the plan. I just about had it when the door opened and Jade walked in. She doesn't even cover her eyes. "Hey, I could have been naked here," Robbie complained.

"Yeah, but I like girls," she said with a smirk. She sat down in the chair next to me. "So you about ready? Cat is going to be losing her mind trying to get all of you guys into place in about ten minutes." I smiled at her choice of words.

"So now Cat is going to lose her mind? What has she been doing the last seventeen years of her life?" I asked with a grin.

"Living somewhere over the rainbow." She pecked me on the cheek and walked out.

It has been about five minutes since Jade left, and I was starting to get nervous waiting around. Robbie was feeling the same. He was now walking around singing some stupid song when he walked over to the door and it flew open, almost hitting him in the face. Andre let out a hardy laugh as Robbie jumped back to fall on his ass. Cat came in and grabbed me. "It's time for you to get out there," she said as she bounced around in a small circle.

"Jade was just here and said it was going to be ten minutes," I said, which was a mistake.

"Who is running this show, Jade or me?" Cat yelled at me as she pushed me out the door. Yeah, she really has lost her mind and I made a mental note to never let her run another gathering like a wedding again.

Cat walked me out this small side door where I entered the sanctuary from the side. I then moved up to the top where I would wait for the wedding party and my bride. I scanned the crowd to see if my birth parents, as I have started to call them, had bothered to show, but they did not. I looked over to Holly in the front pew and there I found my mom with four of my sisters sitting around her. The music started and I watched as the rest of my family walked down the aisle to join me at the front of the church. Then the doors open and I see dad with my future wife and he looks…he looks like he could hurl at any moment.

They make it and dad sobs out his answer but all our surrogate siblings answered for him and there wasn't a dry eye in this place.

After we left the church, the wedding party met us at Hollywood Arts to get our picture taken by student photographers. One photographer asked for dad and I to pose together. After it was over, he pulled me away. "I love you and don't ever forget that. You are my son and nothing will ever change that, no matter if our DNA does not match. Just like Andre and Robbie are. I will always be here for you, for whatever you need." He gave me a hug and then hands me an envelope. "I know you won't need this after your job starts, but you will be a father soon, and it's going to be hard trying to save money with a baby. Your mother and I want you and Trina to have this to get started. And we won't take no for an answer. Got that, young man?" I take the money and buried my face into his chest. I couldn't hold it back I have waited my whole life for a father's love and now I have it.

After dad and I rejoin the wedding party, I look around and I have a feeling run through me that I just can't explain. All of these people are mine. They are not just friends that will move away someday, they are my forever, and I am theirs. And that is what makes us a family.

Cat

I was so happy that I had a part in Trina's wedding. I never thought I would be a bride's maid and I knew that Tori would be the maid of honor. Sam told me Trina made the best pick for me to be running things. Personally, I'm glad she didn't ask me to be a bride's maid, I had to be one in my uncle and uncle's wedding. That didn't turn out too well.

Beck's bachelor party had just ended and Jade had just left. I went to bed early; I didn't want to be out there with all those movies they were watching. They were gross. I'm laying here on Sam's and my bed thinking about the night of the accident. I know I shouldn't, but so much has changed and I couldn't stop myself.

()()()()(*)()()()(*)()()(*)(()()()(*)

I'm waiting for Tori to come pick me up. I'm going to tell her about Sam and I tonight. The doorbell rings and I let Tori in. I have her sit on the couch as I run into the bedroom to tell Sam good bye. I'm glad she didn't come out. I didn't want to say good bye without giving her a kiss.

We run to Tori's car to get out of the rain. We start to drive to the ice cream shop by Hollywood Arts, because the one by my place is closed. We didn't really talk at first. I'm not sure where to start. I'm scared that she was going to be mad at me. Tori merged onto the highway behind another car that started to swerve back and forth in front of us. I look down, playing with my fingers, trying to find the right words. "I think that person is drunk," Tori points out.

I look up from my lap. "How can you tell?" I ask her as I reach up to tighten my seatbelt. I was getting a little scared.

Tori glanced over at me quickly and then back at the car ahead of us. "My dad told me that if a driver swerves from one line to the other, then most likely they are drunk or under the influence of something and I should back off. If they slam on their brakes, I won't hit them." She started to back off and put her hand on my knee. "Don't worry, Cat, we're going to be okay."

I looked over at Tori. She was watching the car closely. She reaches for her phone, next to her in a cubbyhole in the dash, and hands it over to me. "Call my dad, please. I think I'm going to pull…" She didn't have the chance to finish what she was saying. The car had crossed the line into oncoming traffic. Another car swerved to avoid getting hit and came into our lane, right at us, the headlight coming closer through the rain. "Tori, look out!" I cried out.

I had enough time to look over at Tori, to see the look of terror on her face. Tori screamed out "Jade!" And then everything went black.

I opened my eyes to see who I thought was Jade cutting my seat belt away and then she pulled me from the car. I couldn't keep my eyes open long, and I was happy that the last thing I would ever see was my best friend. "There you go Baby Girl, I have to get Tori." I heard her as I started to pass out again. And then I couldn't feel her anymore. Jade was gone. I was alone.

I opened my eyes as someone was lifting me up. I think it was an angel. I looked over to the car, and saw Mr. Vega. He was crying. Did Tori die? Did Jade die? I looked up at my angel, but all I could see was bright, multicolored lights flashing around me. I let my eyes close. The lights hurt them so, and I didn't want to see anymore.

The next time I woke up, I was in the hospital, in a dark room. The only light was a small lamp next to the bed. I could tell that there was someone in there with me. I was scared. Was this the Angel of Death here to get me? I'm not ready, I don't want to go yet. I tried pulling the covers over my head, but I have a cast on my arm. I need to hide from this soul taking beast, but I can't. Oh please, let me hide. I tried to pull the covers with my other arm, only to be stopped with tubes. Were they already draining my life from me? "Please stop!" I cried out. That is when my angel of love came into the light. Sam stood over me, smiling down as tears fell on to her beautiful face. I wanted to reach for her, but I was stuck. My love was only inches away but miles to reach. I just wanted her to hold me and tell me everything would be alright. She cried harder as she leaned down and kissed me on my cheek. "Hey there, kid." What, what? She never cries. Why is she crying now? Am I dying?

Sam sits on the bed, gently taking my hand with the tubes. She cleared her throat of the sob threating to escape. "The doctor said you were going to be okay. You have a broken hip and wrist. I want you to be strong through this. Okay, kid?" There! That is all I wanted. Was for Sam to tell me it was going to be alright. "I called your brother." And now she took it all away. "He will be here shortly." Great. Can we revisit that Angel of Death idea again? "I'll be going home when he gets here, but remember, I love you." Coward.

I don't want her to leave. I love my brother, but he hates hospitals and will most likely get into everything. I started to worry about having him here and Sam leaving, but then everything started to go black again. Dammit, this fading in and out is going to get…

I woke up to my brother staring at the machine next to me. I guess it had something to do with the IV, because that is where the tubes were coming from. "Hey Kitty, look at that! They got you the machine that goes ping!" Oh good, I'm so glad. I just hope he doesn't touch it…too late. The machine starts to make all these loud noises, and my brother starts to jumps around in a circle and yelling. Like that was going to help. With my luck, it will start raining on me and I'll get sick on top of being broken.

A nurse comes into the room and turned the noise off and asked my brother to sit down. She left the room, only to return with a stuffed animal for him to play with. "Do you have something that will make me sleep?" I asked, hoping that I can sleep through whatever my brother was going to pull next.

"Hey there, Little Red." Oh, thank God. Andre is here. He will save me from that crack job. I look over to my brother to see him with the stuffed animal straddling his lap and a big smile on his face. I roll my eyes, remembering the vacuum cleaner we can never return to our church. The sad thing is when my brother can calm down, he is quite smart, but right now he is so worried that he can't stop messing with everything. I just want him to settle down so he can tell me where our parents are. "Where is mom and dad?"

"They had to work, and I have to get back to work too, so I can't stay too long." Wow, so this is just a stopover for him. I'm not surprised.

"Don't worry, I'll be here with her. We all are here, with all of you," Andre said, and that brought me back to Jade and Tori.

"Where are Jade and Tori? Are they okay? Are they going to live? Why does gnome have a 'g' if you don't use it?" I asked everything at once, shaking my head a little. Sometimes, my mind doesn't want to work right.

Andre cleared his throat. "They are here on the same floor. Jade will be okay, Tori is still unconscious. Yes, we believe that they both will live, and I have no idea why the g is silent." He pats me on the shoulder and smiles at me. "Cat, you can't worry about them right now. We have the other two covered. Beck, Robbie, and Trina are looking out for them and so is Sikowitz. Mr. and Mrs. Vega are here along with Jade's brother. Now you need to try and get some rest," he told me, and I felt a little better, until I saw my brother trying to stuff a patient gown into his pants.

"Oh God, Andre, stop him!" Just then, the nurse came in with some pain killers. This should make me relax and stop all this craziness.

()()()((*)()()()(*)()()()(*)()()()(*)

I'm standing in the church, reading my clipboard, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Holy fuck, what is it?" I yell and turn around to see Sam laughing. "You made me say a bad word in a church, Sam!" I say to her. Looking around, I see Jade standing in a doorway, waiting for Sam.

"So now you go to hell. Don't worry, Jade and me will be there to keep you company," she said with a smirk.

"What do you want?" I sigh as I try to hold back a smile.

"Holly wants to talk to you. She is out front." Sam is the only one of us that has never called the Vega's mom and dad. In many ways, she is like Jade, but more guided. She is very careful who she gets close to. Sam loves the Vegas, but like most people, she keeps them at arm's length.

Shaking my head, I look at my clipboard. "What? Why is she out there? I have her in the bride's room. She can't be outside," I say, flipping through my clipboard frantically. No, absolutely no one is scheduled to be outside until after the ceremony. I look up at Sam.

"I don't know, you have the damned clipboard. Just get out there and leave me the hell alone." She smirked at me, letting me know that she was just joking.

"Sam, please. We are in a church."

"Oh yes, the heat from the burning pits of hell are going to be like a sauna," she says as she walks away, with her fists pumping in the air in victory. I hear Jade chuckle as Sam and her turn the corner.

I roll my eyes at my girlfriend and best friend's antics. I run to the front door to find mom. I really hope she is the only one that is not going by the plan here. I open the door and find Tori and Tiffany standing with mom. What the hell are they doing out here. "Mom, what are all of you doing out here?" I want to yell at them, but I can't start losing it yet.

"Trina needed some time alone…" I cut mom off.

"No, I don't have that here." I waved the clipboard at them. "So she can't have time. We don't have time for her to freak out," I said.

"Do you have time for you to freak out?" Tiffany asked with a smirk. I am slowly starting to not like her. I wave my hands and push them back to the church. I can't do this; I just can't take the pressure of everything today. I start to pace, trying to get my head around what I need to do, when I hear someone clear their throat. Jade comes down the steps to me, smiling.

"Having fun yet? I just left the guys, I told them you would there in about ten minutes," she tells me while she takes out a cigarette and lights it. "Don't tell Tori, got it?" she says, blowing smoke up into the air. I haven't seen Jade smoke in a long time. We had quit our first year at Hollywood Arts.

"No, I'm not having fun. Jade, I can't do this. There is just way too much for one person to handle." I reach for the pack in her hand and take a smoke for myself. "Don't tell Sam," I say with a small smile and wink.

Jade blows out more smoke and looks back down at me. "Stop thinking like Caterina." I stared at her like she has just lost her mind. Who the hell am I supposed to think like if not myself? She smiled and then took another drag. "You should be thinking like Cat." Gee, can you vague that up for me? Jade, you have definitely lost it. She smiles and continues. "Caterina is the level headed perfectionist, and Cat is the fun loving creative girl that makes all our performances run like a well-oiled machine. So, 'Cat,' what do you say we go make this wedding happen?" She stomped out her cigarette and reached out her hand for me to take it.

As we walked back into the church, I stopped her. "We see Trina as our sister and Beck as our brother. Doesn't this wedding feel just a bit off?" I giggled at the look on her face.

"Deliverance: The Wedding. Oh, I could so write that. We'll make Rex squeal like a pig. Weeeeeeee!" She laughed loudly as we walked down to the groom's room.

"Gross," I laugh. Turning to the door, a take a deep sigh. Think as Cat. I can do that. I start to bounce in place and giggle. Show time. I grab the knob and push open the door letting it fly wide open. I smile back at Jade and bounce into the room.

After getting everyone to their right places on time, I was able to finally sit down. I made my way to the pew behind mom and Jade. Robin and Sam were already there. I sat down next to Sam, taking her hand. "You know that could be me standing up there waiting for you one day," Sam said, smiling at me. I see Jade and mom look at each other.

"Yeah, someday." I say, and lean my head on her shoulder and wait for the wedding march to begin.

Tori

The morning of the wedding, I lay in bed next to Jade, listening to her breathe as she sleeps. I start to let my mind wander, thinking about how much has changed between us two. I start thinking about the day in the janitor's closet where we talked almost all day, missing every class.

()()()(*)()()(*)()()(*)()()(*)()()()

I walked in school, going right to my locker. After looking through all the junk I have in here I think, I have to clean this damn thing out. I slammed the door closed before anything could fall out. I turned around to go get a soda when Jade came up beside me, pushing the button on my locker. "You going to let it shine today?" she asked and leaned against my locker.

"Yeah, just forgot." I turn back towards the soda machine when she grabbed my arm. "What Jade? I really don't want to fight today." She smiled and then followed me. Putting in her own dollar she pushed the drink button that I was going to go for. "Jade?"

"Here." She handed me the drink and turned to get one for herself. "Where you going?" She asked like it was some secret that I would be going to class. After all, we were in school.

"Class, first period, like you." I turned to walk away, when I felt her hand on my shoulder again.

"Or you could come hangout with me in the janitor's closet."

"Why would I do that Jade?" I shifted from one foot to the other. She was acting weird.

"I don't know. To spend time together and talk." I backed up and started to turn away from her. "Wait, Vega. Why are you leaving…oh am I up to something again?" She smirked, which made my legs want to go weak.

"I don't know. Are you?"

"I guess you're just going to have to trust me…you do trust me, right Tori?" I don't know why, but I really do trust her. I know I shouldn't. She has been nothing but mean to me since the day I got here, but there was something that told me to go with her.

"Okay, but I can't be late for class." We walked over to the closet and she opened the door for me. When we were both inside, she locked the door behind us, making me jump. "Why did you lock the door?"

"So no one will bother us. I just want to have time with you without having four sets of eyes watching us." She swaggered over to some boxes and moved them so we could sit down.

"But why do you want to spend time with me? And alone? You never want to be in the same room with me, and now we are in a closet…a locked closet, with no one around." I shift around nervously.

"Yes, Tori, there is no one here. Hence being alone," she said with a sweet smile.

"Okay, you're scaring me. Let me out." I see the hurt look on her face and try to push my way to the door. She steps in front of me putting her hands up, stopping me from getting to the door. "Jade, please," I said in a small voice.

She turned around like she was going to open the door. "All I wanted was to spend some time with you," she said, holding the door knob in her hand.

"But you don't like me."

"Yes, I do. Tori, I like everything about you. I like the way you walk, the way you talk, your silly ways. I like it when you sing, when you dance, but most of all I like it when you look at me. I like the way I feel when you watch me, when you smile at me, and I like that you see me the real me." She reaches up to unlock the door I put my hand on hers to stop her.

I slowly turn her around to look into her eyes. "I do see you. I always have." We stayed in the closet, talking about everything from what we were going to do that weekend, to what we were going to do after we were out of school. The more we talked, the closer we got. At one point, Jade put her arm around me. I could feel my skin tingle with her touch and I knew I wanted more.

We both started to get hungry so Jade crawled up the ladder to the library and then came back through the school. I thought it was around lunch time, but when Jade returned, she told me that school was out. We had talked all day in that closet. "You ready to go home?" she asked me as we walked to the Black Box to get out of the school.

"Yes, but not mine. Can we go to your house? Do you think your parents would mind?" she shook her head and smirked.

"They're out of town again. I have the place to myself. So you can stay as long as you want." She took my hand and we walk out of the school to the parking lot, still hand in hand. I smiled to myself, knowing that I never wanted to be out of Jade's reach again.

()(())(*()()*)()()*)()(*

I was brought out of my thoughts when Jade came in to the room, sitting down beside me, her hair still wet from her shower. "Hey, I'm back," she said when I looked at her.

"I didn't know you left," I said as I took in what she was wearing. Which was just a towel. "You know we could lose that towel and get a head start on our honeymoon," I said, reaching for said towel and giving her a sexy smile.

"As much as that sounds like fun, and I would love to spend the whole day in bed with you practicing for our honeymoon, we do need to get ready. We have to be at the church in three hours and you still to take a shower." She got up, walking over to her dresser. She got out some under clothes. She dropped the towel and started to put her bra on.

I moved over to her, putting my arms around her waist. "You standing here all naked isn't helping."

"I would look really silly going to the church in just a towel, Tori." She patted my hands.

"Yes, but it would be really hot." I kissed her neck and ran my hands up to her breasts.

"NO!" She yelled and pushed my hands back down. Stepping out of my arms, she turned and pointed to the bathroom. "Shower. Now," she demanded.

"Buzz kill." I pout as I walk to our bathroom. I heard Jade laughing when I closed the door.

We finally get to the church and Cat is waiting outside, slapping a clipboard against her leg. We walk up to her, knowing she is going to freak out, when Trina starts screaming. Jade and I whip around to see what was going on. Trina is standing at the car with mom trying to calm her down while dad is franticly trying to get her dress out of the car door. Trina is pulling on the dress, and for some reason, dad is holding the door closed. Mom takes the dress from Trina and she runs over to us, crying. "Now my wedding is ruined! My dress, it has bad voodoo on it now." I try to calm her down as Jade laughs under her breath at the whole thing. Mom brings the dress, still in the garment bag, and shows her that everything is okay. "No, it's not. Now I have bad karma. Do something, Jade!"

"What the hell do you want me to do?" she asks when she stops laughing and stares at Trina.

"Just get rid of the bad karma!" Trina yelled back.

"With what, the hokey-pokey?" She starts to dance around like she was doing the damn hokey-pokey, when Sam walks out of the church. "Oh. Look! It worked. All the evil has left the church." Sam flips her off and Jade blows Sam a kiss.

We finally got Trina calmed down, with no help from Jade or Sam, who were now play fighting in the yard. We get everyone together and walk into the church and hear Cat's voice behind us. "This house is clean." This is not going to end well.

After we got ready, we all lined up, ready for the wedding march. Jade walked mom to her seat and the doors closed again. The next time they open, I will be leading my sister to the man she loves.

Jade

Sam and I are play fighting in front of the church while we wait for the chick flick freak out session to be over. I was just about to land the coolest kick when Tori yelled at me to stop. "Jade, time to go in."

I fall short of Sam, missing my landing and falling right on my ass. Sam starts laughing at me, pointing like a school kid on the playground. "Sam, come on, let's go! I'm not going to tell you again!" Cat yells.

"That goes for you too, Jade," Tori calls to me.

"Yes, mom," both Sam and I say as we walk up to the church with our heads lowered and shuffling our feet.

We make our way into the church, only to be stopped by Cat's voice. "This house is clean." We turn around, giggling, to see Cat waving her hands in the air like she is feeling it. Sam and I, of course, bust out laughing, but Tori shakes her head. I run up to her, taking her hand.

"Who is going to help me get my dress on?" Trina sobs out.

"Not it!" "Not it!" Sam and I yell, running the other way.

"I really hope those two straighten up," Mom says, loud enough for us to hear.

We both run back to mom, kissing her on the cheek. "Love you, mom." Then we turn and run out of the church.

We are at the school and the wedding party is getting their pictures taken. Only in Hollywood would wedding pictures be like fashion week. I watch as Trina, Tori and Tiffany pose for their pictures together. They look like high price models. After theirs are done, it's the guys turn, and they are just as bad as the girls, strutting around, posing. When they are all done, it was time for the family poses with Trina, Beck, mom, and dad. I was just walking out to sneak a smoke when Trina called for a whole family photo. Mom and dad stayed where they were and all of us kids lined up behind them, Trina and Tori right behind. I stood beside Tori and Beck by Trina. Sam and Cat to one side and Andre and Tiffany on the other side. Robbie took a knee next to mom with Robin sitting in front of mom and dad. Sikowitz stood behind all of us with his hands on Trina and Tori's shoulders. The photographer had to take a minute as she dried her eyes to take the picture.

After the pictures were all said and done, we went to the reception. Walking into the ball room at the hotel was like walking in the Grammys. The place was packed with Vega family members and friends from school.

Robin came in, holding Cat's hand and stayed by her side as mom started to introduce them to the family members. I came up to them while mom was talking to her aunt. I walk up to them and kiss mom on the cheek. "And this is Jade. She has been with us for almost a year now. Aunt Lilly, she is dating Tori. They will be getting married in four days." Mom put her arm around me proudly.

Lilly didn't look like she was taking this news too well. She kept looking at me then back to mom and shaking her head. "I'm sorry that I keep looking at you, but you could be the twin of someone I work for. Her name is Joann, and she looks just like you." No, she couldn't be talking about my mother. "I'm sorry, dear. Did I say something wrong?" I could feel my face burn in anger, but I had to know.

"Who do you work for?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"I work for West, Inc. My boss is Joann West and her husband, before their divorce." Wait, what? My father is no longer with the company? This is all starting to make sense. My mother sold the house so he couldn't get it in the divorce. It had nothing to do with me living with the Vega's. It was all about keeping money in her pocket.

I smiled at Lilly and waved my hand, showing she did nothing wrong here. "Yes, Joann West is my birth mother. However, I have nothing to do with her or that family. I am a Vega." I turned to mom, kissing her on the cheek and giving Lilly a small smile and walked away.

We all had a good time celebrating Trina and Beck. I had danced with Tori most the night and received family and friends congratulation on our upcoming wedding. It was about eleven o'clock when the bride and groom made their way to leave for their honeymoon. I stood with Tori and our other brother and sisters and watched as the two love birds drove away. "In four days, I will be waiting on a beach for you to join me and then we will be married," I tell Tori, holding her close as we watch the car drive into the night.

"I have waited long enough for you to be mine, and in four days I will be yours," Tori smiled at me as we turned to walk back to the reception.

"You, Tori, are my everything, and I love you, even with a few screws loose." I kiss her on the temple. I let her walk back in to the building. I turned and looked one last time at where the car had been and feel a tear fall onto my cheek. I look up to the sky and let the tear run down my neck. "I am home." I turn and walk back to my family.