LOVE
Two hours later everyone was out on the beach waiting to start the rehearsal.
"OK everyone, can I have your attention please," said Jessica motioning her hands in the air. "I am going to need the bride and her father in the back and groom in minister off to the side."
She first directed where the minister and Cappie were supposed to stand. Then she allowed Beaver and Ashleigh to walk down the aisle and take their places. Then Casey and her dad walked down, giggling the entire way.
"Hey, no giggling on wedding day you two," said Mrs. Cartwright jokingly as they passed her.
Cappie and Casey stood facing the minister as he gave them a quick rundown of what the ceremony was going to entail. Then they marched back down the aisle and the rehearsal was done.
"Well that was easy enough," said Cappie as they joined back up with their family.
"Hopefully it will be that easy tomorrow son," said his dad with a wink.
"I'm sure it will," said Cappie kissing Casey on the cheek.
Jessica directed everyone into the lounge they had set up for the rehearsal dinner. The dinner guests consisted of Cappie's parents, Casey's parents, Ashleigh, Beaver, Rusty and of course the bride and groom. They all happily engaged in conversation as they ate the delicious food. Once the dishes were taken away and the dinner was about to come to an end Mr. Cartwright stood up with his drink in his hand.
"I just wanted to say a few words to the couple," he said clearing his throat. "I first want you to know that I'm extremely proud of both of you. You both have really handled yourselves well when it has come to the baby and planning for the future. I think that everyone at this table would agree that we would be here like this at some point for the two of you. This marriage is not just happening because of the baby. This marriage is happening because the two of you are truly in love and that is something beautiful that you share. Cappie, I am excited to welcome you as my new son into the family. You are the guy I always hoped my little Casey would find. I know that as long as she's with you, I won't have anything to worry about. Here's to a beautiful marriage and happy future."
Everyone held their glasses up and clanked them together for the toast.
"I, um, would like to say a few words too," said Cappie's mother standing up with her glass.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"Tobias and I moved Cappie around a lot when he was younger," she began. "And because of that, he really didn't have many opportunities to make a lot of friends. His father and I were delighted when he chose to go to CRU for college. But at first we weren't so happy he chose to rush a fraternity. But over the past few years we have come to realize that the brothers of Kappa Tau have become the friends and family he never really got to have. I want to thank people like you, Beaver, and you, Rusty, for showing my son what family and friends really have to offer. And of course there is you, Casey. You were all Cappie talked about freshman year when we called to talk to him. I remember the first time he told me he thought he was in love with you. I almost cried thinking about how my little boy was growing up. And even though things didn't work out for you two back then, I'm so glad that they are now. I agree with Mr. Cartwright: I think this wedding was destined to happen sometime in the future. We may be celebrating it a little sooner than planned but there is nothing wrong with that. Cap, I know your father and I weren't very supportive in the beginning when we learned about the pregnancy. But you have really proved us wrong. I now believe, more than ever, that you and Casey are going to be great parents. I'm so excited to welcome two new girls into our family. Congratulations you two, and may the future be full of love and happiness."
Everyone at the table again held up their glasses and tapped them together. After the speeches Jessica walked into the room.
"We have a bonfire set up on the beach for everyone," she said. "So whenever you're ready you guys can head out there."
"Excellent," said Cappie standing up.
Everyone at the rehearsal dinner walked out to the bonfire. A few minutes later Rebecca and Evan joined all of them.
"Hey! Glad you could make it!" said Casey as she went up to them.
"Thanks for inviting us tonight," said Evan. "This place is just beautiful."
"Hey EVANder Holyfield," said Cappie with a smile walking up to Evan.
"Hey douche bag," Evan replied giving Cappie a hug.
Casey took Rebecca near the fire as Evan pulled Cappie aside.
"So you ready for the big plunge tomorrow?" Evan asked looking at Cappie.
"I've never been more ready," said Cappie as he took a drink of his beer. "How are things going with law school?"
"Oh, they're great," Evan replied. "It's been a rough first week but I'm slowly getting the hang of everything."
"That's good," said Cappie looking over towards the fire at Casey and Rebecca talking and laughing.
"I actually wanted to ask you something," said Evan.
"What is that?" Cappie asked returning his gaze to Evan.
"I was wondering," said Evan with a little hesitation. "I was wondering how you asked Casey to marry you."
"Are you thinking about asking Rebecca?" Cappie asked with a smile.
Evan just smiled back, waiting for Cappie to answer his question.
"Well since the baby was where our future was going," Cappie continued. "I asked her when I showed her the baby's room in the house for the first time."
"Very nice," replied Evan.
Cappie just stared at Evan waiting for him to say something else.
"I was thinking it would be romantic to ask her on the beach," Evan finally said.
Cappie stood there for a second before he put two and two together.
"Oh, OH! You want to ask her here?" Cappie asked.
"Well, only if it's OK with you," Evan replied. "I know it's your wedding weekend and all but I just thought it would be nice for it to happen here since all of our friends are going to be here. I know Rebecca would be more excited to tell Ashleigh and Casey in person than over the phone. Plus, Rebecca has been talking about getting engaged a lot lately. And I don't think she's expecting anything this weekend since we're here for you and Casey. It'll completely catch her off guard."
"Whoa dude," said Cappie somewhat in shock. "This is awesome. I'm happy for you."
"So it's OK if I do it here?" Evan asked. "I was going to take her for a walk along the beach once it got a little darker out and ask her then."
"You have my blessing," said Cappie as he gave Evan another hug.
"Alright well if anyone asks I'm going to the bathroom," said Evan. "I have to go and get the ring in our room."
Cappie watched Evan go into the hotel and then made his way over to the fire.
"Where's Evan going?" Casey asked as he approached her.
"Bathroom," Cappie replied trying to keep the straightest face he could.
His parents came walking up to him and Casey.
"We're going to head up to our room," said his dad. "You two don't stay up too late. You have a big day tomorrow."
"We won't," said Cappie giving his parents a hug.
"We'll see you tomorrow," said Casey also giving them a hug.
"I think we're going to head up too," said Mrs. Cartwright as they walked up to the couple.
"OK mom," said Casey.
"I will see you bright and early to get our hair and nails done," said Mrs. Cartwright giving Casey a hug.
"I'll be ready," Casey replied.
The couple watched both of their parents disappear into the hotel and went back to the fire.
"Hey Rusty," said Casey. "Where did Beaver and Ashleigh go?"
"I don't know," Rusty replied. "I haven't seen them for a little while."
"Hmmm….that's strange," Casey replied looking around the beach to see if she could spot them.
"Nice of you to come back and join us," said Rebecca as she saw Evan come out of the hotel.
"Sorry, it was a long bathroom break," he said with a smile. "Where did everybody go?"
"Well our parents went to bed," said Cappie. "And we're really not sure where Beaver and Ashleigh ran off to."
"Oh well since we're waiting for them did you want to go for a walk on the beach?" Evan asked turning to Rebecca.
"I would love to," she said hooking arms with Evan and walking off.
"Well I'm feeling a little left out being that everyone is together with someone," said Rusty. "So I'm going to head up to my room."
"Sorry Jordan couldn't make it until tomorrow Russ," said Casey.
"Not a big deal," Rusty replied. "I've got some reading I want to catch up on anyway."
Rusty went over and hugged Cappie and Casey.
"See you tomorrow," said Casey as he walked off.
Cappie took Casey's hand and led her to sit on a bench near the fire.
"Looks like it's just the two of us," he said.
"Yeah," she sighed.
"What's wrong?" Cappie asked turning to her.
"Just taking everything in," said Casey. "I'm trying not to get nervous."
"There's nothing to be nervous about," Cappie replied. "All we're going to be doing is pledging our love to each other in front of our closest family and friends."
"I know," Casey replied. "I think I'm just nervous because I'm anxious for tomorrow afternoon to get here."
"It will be here before you know it," said Cappie leaning in to kiss her.
Their kiss was broken up by someone next to them clearing their throat.
"Oh hey Ash," said Casey noticing her and Beaver standing there. "Where have you two been?"
"We just went for a little walk about the hotel and along the beach," Ashleigh replied. "We did a lot of talking."
Casey looked down and noticed Ashleigh and Beaver were holding hands.
"I hope you did a lot of talking about the two of you," Casey replied with a smile.
Ashleigh looked at Beaver and the two of them smiled at each other.
"Actually, we did," said Beaver turning to Casey and Cappie.
"Beaver and I are official now," said Ashleigh happily. "We're boyfriend and girlfriend."
"Yay!" said Casey as she stood up and hugged Ashleigh.
"Congrats man," said Cappie standing and shaking Beaver's hand.
"So are you moving to Chicago?" Casey asked Ashleigh raising her eyebrow.
Ashleigh laughed.
"No," she replied. "We're going to try the long distance thing first and see how that goes. I've got a good job in New York. But I guess you never know what may happen in the future. You could see me in Chicago soon. Who knows."
"CASEY! ASHLEIGH!" they heard Rebecca yelling as she was running towards them.
"What? What's going on?" Ashleigh asked as Rebecca finally reached them, gasping for air.
Once she was able to catch her breath she put her left hand between the two girls.
"Evan and I are getting married!" she exclaimed.
All three girls began to scream and jump up and down.
"Oh my god, I'm so happy for you Bex!" said Ashleigh once they calmed down.
"He caught me completely off guard," said Rebecca staring at Evan who strolled up to the group casually.
"That's the best way for it to happen," said Casey giving Rebecca a hug.
"Congrats Ev," said Cappie giving him a hug.
"Thanks man," Evan replied.
Rebecca excitedly told about the engagement as the six of them sat around the bonfire.
"This is so awesome," said Cappie as Rebecca finished. "Having our best friends all coupled up here to support us on our special day."
"Yeah, you guys are really amazing," added Casey. "And we're just as happy to be there along your journeys as you have been with ours."
"Amen to that," said Beaver lifting his beer in the air.
"Well," said Casey with a yawn. "I think it's about time I head up to bed. I've got a big day tomorrow."
"I'll walk you to your room," said Cappie standing up. "Are you guys going to stay down here?"
"Yeah, we were going to stay for a while and enjoy the fire," said Beaver putting his arm around Ashleigh.
"OK, I'll be back to join you then," said Cappie as he began to walk with Casey towards the hotel.
The two of them were silent until they reached Casey's room.
"This is it," said Cappie as he turned to Casey and grabbed her waist. "The next time I see you we'll be almost husband and wife."
Casey's heart fluttered a little when Cappie mentioned they would be husband and wife.
"I'm going to miss you tonight," said Casey as she leaned against Cappie. "It's going to be so lonely."
"Rules are rules though," said Cappie kissing her forehead. "You can still call me if you need anything."
"I know," replied Casey backing away from him. "It's just not the same though."
Cappie squeezed her tighter as he placed his lips on hers.
"Goodnight sweetheart," he said kissing her one more time.
"Goodnight, I love you," said Casey as she walked into her room.
"I love you too," Cappie replied. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll be there," Casey smiled at him.
"Me too," Cappie replied as he watched Casey shut the door.
A/N: So what did everyone think of the two new chapters?? I guess the next two don't really need a sneak peek because it's obvious that it's the WEDDING!!
Thanks again for reading!
