AN/

Hello! Not much to say! Enjoy and TY for reviews and reads

End of AN

Nikolas wanted to feel relief. She said yes, didn't she? That was the biggest hurdle. But yet he was scrambling to make things happen.

He couldn't set things up before he asked her so now it was time to bring the people in to get things set up and set up quickly. He also enlisted the help of a few other….acquaintances.

Once again there was a knock on the door that Nik rushed over to. He already had most of the things for the wedding here and people he paid to help set up the physical aspects. Now he needed two others to help out before the other guests arrived.

"Franco." He greeted awkwardly. They had come a long way but they still had their awkwardness.

"Hey…." He said stepping inside the castle. "Liz is already here right?"

"Yeah. She's with Ava and my mother and sister." Nik closed the big doors behind Franco.

"So, this wasn't a joke invite…..your really doing this. She agreed and all?" Franco asked.

"Is it that shocking?" Nik asked. He knew that they could have easily ended up apart as they did together, but once they were together he figured people would see this as expected. Maybe not this soon, but he couldn't help that he wanted to call her his wife again.

"I guess not." Franco responded. "Ava wouldn't hesitate at gaining back her title of Princess. And you I guess."

"Look, Franco I know you and Ava are friends-"

"Yeah we are." Franco interrupted. "Which means I care about her. But I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. I saw how much you cared about her, and I can't see why you would fake it. Besides Ava isn't stupid nor easily swayed. She must think this is the right thing, so I'll support this until I have a reason not to."

Nikolas didn't actually need Franco's support but it didn't hurt. He's sure Ava would be happy to have it. Not only that but the fact that it would make things way less awkward between their mutual friends.

"So, what do you need me to do?" Franco asked, ready to help.

"Well you know that Ava has particular taste."

"Boy does she ever." Franco laughed at the understatement. "I mean she's an art dealer so It would make sense but saying she's picky is an understatement."

"Well you not only know her well but you are an artist, so I figured you could kinda oversee and make sure everything is okay while I handle some other things." Nik asked. "I just want it to be perfect."

"Yeah, Okay." Franco said nodding his head in agreement before going into the main room where they'd get married.

Nikolas was about to follow him when yet another knock sounded. He rolled his eyes and reminded himself to just unlock the doors so he wouldn't have to get it constantly when he had other things. Luckily though, he needed to speak with the person on the other side of the door.

"Hey, Nikolas." Julian said stepping inside.

"Hey, Julian." While they weren't friends, they were better off than Franco and him for sure. "Thanks for coming."

"It's my sister's wedding….just a coincidence it's yours too." Julian said frankly. "We need to talk about this, about my sister and you."

"Okay." Nikolas agreed, slightly scared to hear what Julian would say to him.

"Ava is my little sister and I care about her."

"I do too."

"She's been through a lot. More than she deserved, especially from bad guys. You were one of them." Julian pointed out. "I can't ignore what you've done to her."

"I can't either." Nikolas told him. "I know what I did was wrong. I just couldn't see it."

"But you see it now?"

"Yes!" He defended. "She makes me see it. I see it for her. I love her. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't."

Julian sighed and rubbed his neck. He knew that he clearly did love his sister, but it was so hard to not hold a grudge when he saw what he did to Ava. When all he wants for his sister is to stop being steamrolled. He can't help but fear it'll happen again and that he didn't do enough to stop it.

"Look, I can see you care about her." Julian admitted. "That doesn't mean you deserve her. For whatever reason Ava loves you though. I want her to be happy, she deserves to be happy."

"Does that mean we have your blessing?" Again Nikolas wouldn't not marry Ava without anyone's support but he still wanted to ask it. Ava didn't have a dad so in a way Julian was the closest thing to that.

"Yeah." Julian sighed. "Ava does what she wants so it doesn't mean much but I do. I know I'm harsh on you, but I do know you love her. For now that's enough."

"Thank-"

"But don't forget who you're dealing with. It's no secret about my past life. Frankly if you mess up though Ava is just as dangerous as me." Julian reminded him quickly.

Julian could see he definitely made Nik nervous at this. He was only doing his job as an older brother. He didn't dislike Nik, but he could never let him not be intimidated. But he decided to lighten up a bit and changed his mouth to form a small smile and be happy his sister was finding happiness. He'd even be happy for Nik.

"Welcome the family."