A/N: Howdy all. Next chapter won't be up on a scheduled time. But I am trying to make sure it is. In the meantime... I have something a few of you have been wanting, AND a bonus surprise. IF I can post it on here, I will, if not, it will be on pinterest.

PLEASE enjoy this. I did. :)


"Really, I don't think that matters," I said, shrugging as I took another deep gulp of my drink, emptying the glass. I twirled the glass in my hand, debating on refilling it or not.

"So, you don't want tell us," Mia asked, leaning back and crossing her arms. "What happened? I mean, did you say yes or no?"

"When? Then or now," I quipped, getting back to my feet and going to refill my drink. I carried the bottle of liquor back with me, snagging a covered strawberry from the plate near my mother.

"Both," they said in unison, and I could only grin at the two women. They both giggled, my mother trying to restrain her mirth and failing.

"Well, the first time I said no," I sighed, leaning back into my chair.

"Why?" The question had been been a loud whisper from Mia.

"Because I was young and stupid. We weren't ready. I dunno. Maybe simply because the day ended in the letter 'y'," I shrugged. Mia rolled her eyes at my answer and my mother shook her head.

"But did you love him? Then?" I looked at Mia, my little sister. She isn't naive, not like she used to be. She knows that Princes no longer ride white stallions to come to your rescue, and not everything fits like a Disney puzzle.

"Yeah," I admitted, taking another sip of the honey flavored liquor.

My mother leaned forward, her hand taking mine. She squeezed it lightly, her eyes searching me as if she could look deep enough to be able to read the history. She turned to look at my sister, and I swear I could feel the air in the room change. "Mia," she said, and I watched as a look traveled between them, Mia standing after.

"I'll be back shortly," she said nonchalantly, walking towards me and placing a sisterly kiss on my cheek. As Mia left the suite, my mother tugged on my hand, and I got up and sat next to her.

"Now it's just the two of us, what is wrong?" I looked at my mother and shrugged. "You've known Gideon longer then we know, huh?"

"Yeah," I sighed, setting my glass down. "Met him in college," I said, and she nodded, running her hand through my hair.

"You know, it's amazing, being a parent. We were so lucky to have you kids, to help guide you into life. You get so used to having the questions of the children, where they come to you because of the questions of life. Or the stumbles, and we have to help pick you up and put on the bandages.

"But, then, you get so used to being the world of your children, it's a shock when you realize that they no longer tell you everything, or that they need you. But the hardest part is when you realize that they have a whole life you don't know about. Not a secret life, just... their adult life." I turned and looked at her and she smiled at me. "You kinda forget your children aren't children anymore."

"Doesn't mean we don't need you," I said quietly, and she smiled at me.

"I know. It's just... I wonder how much more has happened to my kids that I don't know about?" Guilt ran through me like a cold river in my veins as I recall both admissions of Christian and mine.

"Well, if we have time, I can tell you if you want. About him and I," I suggested, and she smiled her soft smile.

"We have time, but you don't need to. I would love to know, but it's not necessary." I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a hug. I picked up another strawberry, biting into it as we sat back and I told her about the history between Gideon and I.


Mia bounced into the suite just as Momma and I were gathering our wits from laughing hard about some practical joke Taylor and I had survived. Mia glared at us, her hands on her hips, toe tapping on the Italian tile. Momma wiped a tear from her eye and stood, motioning for me to stand as well.

"You could have called me to tell me to come back to enjoy the laugh," she mocked, trying to look stern as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"Oh Mia, hush," Momma said, wrapping her in her arms and hugging her tightly.

"So... Are we ready?" Mia inquired, her eyes searching my mother's, seeking an answer I wasn't supposed to understand. Momma nodded, grinning. Mia's face lit up, and she pulled out her cellphone, speed dialing a number. I watched carefully, but was given no clue as she simply said, "Send them up."

Within minutes there was a knock on the security hallway door and Mia hurried to it. Opening it, she allowed a new wave of a beautician army into the suite. They carried tool boxes that showed hair dryers, combs, brushes, curlers, and a vast variety of other tools. Following them was another squad, carrying dress bags and boxes that obviously hid shoes within them. I turned my attention to my mother who shrugged with a grin.

"I don't think he's going to give you a chance to change your mind," she smirked. I shook my head, grinning at her enjoyment of this.

"He can't possibly... I mean... How..."

Mia came forward, grinning. "He has a question for you," she said, handing me a paper. I looked down at it, and groaned after I read it.

"Is he kidding?" Mia's grin grew bigger and she shook her head no. I read the question again, and I knew who he was prepared for my answer. Well, maybe I could throw him for a loop. A small one, but if I had no control over anything else, I would on this.

I walked over to the kitchenette, finding a pen and the small little bit of "stationary" some hotels offer. A small paper pad and a couple of envelopes. I wrote down my answer, and folded it up, sliding it into a envelope and sealed it shut.

I went down the security hallway, and quickly found Taylor in the CCTV room. "Taylor," I said, as he turned toward me. "I need you to deliver this to him."

"I'll make sure he gets it," he said nodding as he took it from me.

"I need you to deliver it," I repeated. He paused, looking at me, and I grinned, reaching into my pocket. I found the quarter easily and handed it over to him. "Your turn," I said, turning to leave him.


It took four hours for the army to tackle me, my sister and my mother. Once again I was poked, prodded, dressed, curled, painted, and shod. The shoes were custom made Louboutins that had a special crest beaded on the tall heel. The shoes were another set that would have made Cinderella jealous, covered in crystals, and pearls.

The shoes were the final touch.

The dress, that was the piece de resistant. It was white, of course, but then again, most brides wear white, unless they are bold. I am bold, and I do like color... But, I wasn't given the chance to look at gowns.

The cut of the gown was halter on top, which normally is not my favorite, but it fit like a glove and I didn't have to pull it up once and reposition the girls. The skirt of the gown was high in the front, and long in the back, the front falling to my ankles. The tulle of the gown was cut in strips, allowing it to flow easily as I walked. Surrounding the dress, hundreds of silk flowers and beads of crystal. It felt like a cloud, and despite the beading, it didn't feel like it had much weight.

I loved it!

I looked, if I could say so, amazing. Mia beamed (obviously she had picked out the outfit) and my mother cried. She came forward, arms out stretched, hankie clutched in one hand, her fingers reaching to curl through a few stray strands of my hair. I knew she wanted to hug me, but was afraid to "ruin the dress". So I hugged her, the dress be damned.

"Oh, if only your parents could see you now," she whispered as I held her tightly.

"They do, Momma. You do," I said. She nodded, but we both knew what we each meant. With a final pat on my back, she leaned away from my embrace, dabbing at her tears.

There was a tapping at the security door, and Mia opened it, letting in a remarkably fine looking Jason Taylor in a superbly tailored Armani Tuxedo. In his lapel was a sprig of Lily of the Valley and a few strands of crystal beads similar to my shoes. Mia whistled, eyeing him as if he were a candy buffet.

"Taylor, you look very handsome," my mother said approvingly. I could see his blush from where I stood, and was amazed that he had found no words to reply to the compliment.

He finally cleared his throat, nodding and said, "It's time." Both women nodded, turned to me and smiled. They left via the security hallway, and Jason approached me. "You owe me," he grumbled. I grinned, reaching up to straighten his collar even though there was nothing wrong with it. My hands ran down the lapels of his jacket and he gave me a smile. "You look lovely, Shana."

"Thank you, Jason. My mother was right. You look amazingly handsome." He blushed again, and nodded. "So, what's the plan?"

"Oh, I am not one hundred percent sure, it all depends on you." I looked at him, feeling a eyebrow arch. "Last chance, Sha. Stay or run, I'll help you either way."

I gave him a soft peck on the cheek, glad that the multiple coats of makeup I was wearing didn't stick to him. "Stay. But keep the car running, just in case," I said with a quiet laugh. He grinned in return, and then stuck his arm out, offering it to me. I wrapped my fingers around his arm, and he walked me to the glass elevator.

I was eager for the ride down, wanting to see the streets of Italy again, but inhaled sharply as they appeared. It was no longer similar to the city in the daylight, but now it was as if it was sunset, a mauve glow with hints of purples and yellow lit up the fountain and "buildings". There were flickering candle lights that seemed to have been tucked in every corner, vase and glass. Some even hung inside small jars from some of the trees in the "lobby".

We stepped out of the elevator when it came to a rest, and my breath left me for another moment as I took in the scene. There was music, it was light and beautiful. It had the scent of Italy, but for the life of me, I couldn't place it. The "street" was not crowded, but the people that were there, were friends and family members. Everyone held a small artificial candle, the flame a flickering light, but the hotel was in no danger of accidental fire. I smiled, thinking he was wise in this, and that it allowed the candle holders to still give me a hug as I passed them.

Halfway through the streets Diana stepped out, holding a very large bouquet of Lily of the Valley, Dendrobium Orchids and crystals. She smiled at me, tears running down her face as she handed me the bouquet. She leaned in, placing a kiss on my cheek and whispered "Yes" before she let me go. A small thrill of excitement ran through me and I couldn't hold back my grin. She stepped back and my father stepped forward. Taylor gave a slight bow to the older man, and my Dad leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek.

"You look beautiful," he said, and I could see the battle he was having keeping his tears from falling. I reached up, plucking his handkerchief from the pocket of his matching Armani Tuxedo and dabbed at his eyes. His hand held mine for a moment, his eyes searching mine. "When did you grow up," he asked, and I could only shrug as he took his handkerchief from my hand and dabbed at my tears. I heard a sniffle and looked behind my father and saw my mother, tears running down her face. She shrugged as she cried, failing miserably to stop the tears until she just gave up completely. She came up along the other side of me and together the three of us continued the journey Taylor and I had started, walking towards the fountain.

As we approached, I saw a Justice of the Peace who, thankfully, was not dressed as as Elvis, and on one side stood Gideon and Christian and Elliot, and on the other stood Jason, Mia and his sister Ireland. Taylor, of course was not grinning, but still he smiled. He was not quite happy being the "Man of Honor" but it was the only thing I could think of to throw a wrench in Gideon's "perfect" planning.

I looked at Gideon, expecting to see him grinding his teeth on that decision, but instead, there he stood, in a tuxedo he was born to wear. It showed every perfect angle of the man, His height was emphasized, his broad, muscular shoulders were enhanced... But beyond the tuxedo, his blue eyes, were bright and unblinking as they watched me approach him. He was the man I had always known him to be. He was strong, intelligent, loving, kind, caring, and, Dominant. And, above that, there was still a hint in his eyes that made me think he was afraid I would turn around and run for the hills. And why should he not think that? After all, it wouldn't be the first time.

I stood in front of him, our eyes not leaving each other, alone here, in front of the fountain, my hand being placed in his. I had forgotten my father had been holding it, but now, it was clasped tightly in Gideon's.

His eyes watched me, never straying, barely blinking. "You look beautiful," he whispered, and I felt the deep blush rise to my cheeks. He lifted his hand to my face, his thumb caressing where the heat had risen to. He leaned down to kiss me, and I closed my eyes, eager to feel his soft lips against mine.

"Ahem, not yet," the Justice said, and I flushed, forgetting that he had been there, not hearing a word he said. I looked at Gideon, and he too colored, and realized he had forgotten as well. "The rings," the Justice said, and Gideon smiled, turning to Christian who handed him two rings. He handed me the one that was his, and then brought the one he held to his lips for a kiss before he began to slide it onto my finger.

He slid it halfway on, and then inhaled deeply. "Shana, you are the keeper of my heart. You are the companion of my soul. We have known each other for years, and you were smart when you said no before. If you hadn't, we wouldn't have lasted. You were right, and though it hurt me to let you go, it was what had to be done so we could grow and become who we are. You were my first love, even when I didn't know what love was. I love you, and I want to always be there for you. You make sense of who I am." The ring slid to it's home on the last of his words, and I heard my mother snuffle.

I took his ring, kissed it as he had, and placed it onto the first knuckle of his finger. I looked up into his eyes, and smiled.

"Mr. Cross, normally a bride is given time to think of the words to say to the man she loves as she shackles a ring onto his finger. A symbol to let all others know he is taken and loved and to back off. But you... You just had to have your own way and not give me time to think. And I love you for that. You are my heart. You are soul. You are my everything and I have loved you since we first met. Our past is long, but you are right. It wouldn't have worked until we knew who we are. We managed to remain friends, allies, and partners. Now, we can join our hearts together and love each other for the rest of our lives. Before we do, ask me. Ask me again." I paused the push of the ring, not setting it in it's home, and waiting for him. I wanted him to ask me, once more, hear his words, in front of our friends and family.

He grinned at me, the candle light reflecting off his teeth. "Shana Minnie Grey, will you marry me?"

I returned his smile, pushing the ring into it's home as I said, "yes." There was a sudden applause, and Gideon raised my hand, kissing the ring and then wrapped his arms around me as he kissed me unabashedly. I could hear the Justice of the Peace stammer that it wasn't time, that he wasn't finished, but as with all things involving Gideon, it was his show, and if he wanted to kiss his wife, then dammit shut up and stand back because he was kissing his wife.