*Note: I dunno if I said this before but the words that are in * are song lyrics. :) (i didnt write the lyrics themselves)
-|-Sheridan's Cottage-|-
As the sun rose on that beautiful Saterday morning, Sheridan was waking.
First she sat up in her bed-on the right side only, bringing to her attiention that from now until the rest of her life she would never have to wake up to an empty bed again-and she stretched.
THat's when something in her mind clicked as she her head shot over to her clock which read "7:23am"
She excitedly hopped out of bed and looked at her wedding gown.
Sheridan let out a short seqeul of excitment.
She quickly dressed in some white pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Then her head shot over to her nightstand and saw a rose.
The rose.
She threw herself a puzzled look as she walked over and looked down at her nightstand.
She sat down on her bed and picked up the rose.
That's when she saw that her wedding ring was around it.
She took the ring off of the stem of the rose and put it back in it's place.
Then she studied the rose.
She didn't know what it was about it but, something was different.
She smiled and shrugged, figuring that it's just because she was glowing with excitment.
She still didn't know how it got there...
Then her smile grew bigger as she decided that it must have been Luis who sneaked into the cottage at night-before midnight because she felt certain that Luis wouldn't dare mess with superstition and she her before the ceremony on their wedding day-and put slip the ring around the rose.
Just then she heard a knock on the door.
As she got closer she heard Theresa's yelps of excitment and Whitney's hopful giggles.
She opened the door (seeing Theresa, Whitney, and Gwen) and they didn't even speak!
They all-except for the forever moping Gwen-just let out a scream and threw there arms around each other in joy.
"It's our wedding day!" Theresa said to Sheridan.
"Oh really?" Sheirdan said sarcasticly, "So that's what today was!"
Theresa laughed and looked at her watch and said, "It's eight o'clock, that means in seven hours we will be walking down the asle!"
Sheridan smiled and laughed.
Then Sheridan said, "You know what else that means?"
Theresa threw her a funky questioning glance and asked, "What?"
"In seven hours and 5 mintutes you will be Mrs. Ethan Winthrop and I will be Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald."
Therese laughed then changed the subject by saying, "I have the bridesmaids dresses and my wedding dress in the car so I thought that we could all get ready here!"
"Oh it sounds great!" Sheridan said, "Then we can all head over to the church when it's time!"
Then Whitney chimed in and said, "I can't believe this is really happening!"
They all laughed and then they went out to the car and came back seconds later with their outfits.
After a few mintutes of needless chatting about how great the wedding is going to be and everything there was another knock on the door.
The girls all looked at each other, worried if the person on the other side of the door was one of the grooms.
"Who is it?" Sheridan called to the outsider.
"Hey ya'all-" Whitney's ears pricked up, "-it's Chad. I came as a spokesperson of your handsome grooms."
They all (again, except Gwen) smiled and opened the door.
Whitney sorta hung back, still hell-bent on keeping her promise to Simone.
Chad came in and when he noticed Gwen there he said, "Gwen? What are you doing here?"
Sheridan threw a puzzled look at him and answered, "Gwen's my maid of honor Chad, did you know that?"
"Well, I did. It's just..." Chad sort of trailed off.
"What?" Gwen asked, worried no doubt.
"What is it Chad?" Whitney asked.
Chad sorta shrugged and said, "Have any of you seen the papers this morning?"
Gwen smiled, knowing (or at least thinking she knew) That Chad had seen that "Theresa" sent the e-mail exposing Ethan as a Bennett, not a Crane.
They all shook their heads no.
Chad shook his head and took something out of his back pocket.
Then he said, "Look, I'm really sorry I had to be the one to show you this."
Then he showed the front cover and Gwen's face turned green.
I swear!
Well, ok, so maybe it wasn't green persay, but you could tell she was so sickened and surpirsed by the shocking headline that she was close to throwing up whatever she ate (or didn't eat, judging by the size of her) right then and there.
Both Sheridan and Theresa grabbed the tabloid from Chad's hands and they both, and Whitney, flipped inside and quickly skimmed the articale.
Sheridan looked at Gwen and said, "Is this true?!?"
Theresa jus asked Chad if Ethan was alright, Chad answered the he was okay and that he wasn't going to let this delay their wedding.
Gwen just stuttered in response to Sheridan's needless question and then Sheridan just said, with the wrinkle of hurt starting to appear on her forehead as it always did when she felt hurt or disgusted, "Don't even answer, I already know. I just don't understand how you could do such a thing!"
Gwen started for a mintute as all eyes were on her, "I-I still love Ethan. I would do anything-"
"-apparently." Sheridan said, throwing the paper in the trash, "Apparently."
There was a moment of silence until Sheridan said, "Listen Gwen I'm sorry but-"
"-I can't be your maid of honor anymore." Gwen rolled her eyes and nodded.
Nobody spoke and then Gwen left.
For the last time.
After a few moments of, well, greiving shall we say, Sheridan said, "Well what am I going to do now? I have no maid of honor."
Everybody thought for a few moments until Sheridan popped her head up with an idea and said, "Pilar!"
"What?" Chad, asked confused.
"Pilar can be my maid of honor!" Sheridan, "I've known her since I was a little girl she was practically my mother."
Then Theresa asked, "Well what about the fitting? Will we have enough time to get mama fitted?"
"I'll go call her right now." Whitney said, walking to the phone.
Chad was watching her and then Sheridan came up to Chad and asked, "So how are you and Whitney? You two seem different today."
"Yeah well, things aren't so great in paridise." Chad ansered simply.
Sheridan didn't know why, but she felt something tell her that she should do something.
Her hand feel on the rose which she had carefully placed in her pocket a little while ago.
"Here." Sheridan said, giving Chad the rose, "Take this and give it to her."
Chad was about to say that he'd already tired flowers but something about that rose made him wanna take it and give it to Whitney.
So he took it from Sheridan's hands and said, "Thanks."
Then Sheridan went back and talked to Theresa.
Chad looked at the rose and thought for a couple mintutes.
Just then Whitney hung up the phone and shook her head in a 'yes' to Sheridan, meaning that Pilar accepted to be Sheridan's maid of honor.
"She's on her way to the fitting now." Whitney told them all, "And I've got to go visit Simone at the hospital."
Chad met Whitney at the door while Theresa and Sheridan were behide them and he said, "Hey, uh, Whitney, I want you have this." Chad gave her the rose.
"No, really, Chad-" She started to protest.
"Whitney," Chad said, "Don't say anything, just take it."
Whitney took it and left.
Chad left soon after to meet Ethan, but he wished desprately that there was something he could do to make Whitney see that he really loved her, and only her and that Simone would get over it in time.
Whitney got in her car and went down the the hospital, keeping the rose close to her side.
She wished that she would be with Chad but she knew that it would break her sister's heart. But she really couldn't expect Chad to keep letting her think that he is in love with her.
When she got to Simone's room she said, "Hey sweetie how are you feeling?"
"Great." Simone said, "Better than new even."
Whitney sat down and sat, "Oh that's wonderful." After a mintute Whitney made a split desicon and showed Simone the rose.
"I want you to have this." Whitney said.
"Oh thank you Whitney it's beautiful!" Simone said, snatching the rose from Whitney's hands and putting in with the flowers Chad 'gave' her the day before.
"I really wish you could come to the wedding." Whitney said, "It's going to be so beautiful."
Simone hung her head, disappointed and but then said, "Will you take alot of pictures for me?"
Whitney faked a smile and said, "Sure honey."
After a few more mintutes of catching up Whitney said, "Well I really gotta run, the wedding's at 3pm."
Simone nodded, "Okay, okay."
They said their goodbyes and then Whitney left.
Simone was sorta lonely for a couple of mintutes, looking at the odd rose. Simone couldn't put her finger on what about that rose that puzzled her so.
She didn't have much more time to think about as Kay showed up to visit her best friend and let her know what's going on.
They said their hellos and then Kay said, "Oh, I can't stand seeing Miguel hanging all over Charity."
"Why? Are they here?" Simone asked.
"Yeah, both of them." Kay said, "I mean when is Miguel not with Charity anyway?"
Simone smiled and said, "Yeah, kinda cute ain't it?"
Kay stood up and said, "Cute? It's no where near cute!" Kay paced back and forth as she spoke, "I've been in love with Miguel for as long as I can remember, and seeing him-"
"-Maybe you're not really in love with him." Simone interrupted.
"What?" Kay asked, dazed and confused, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," Simone started, "That maybe what you thought love was for all this time since you've felt that way about Miguel, isn't really love after all."
Kay didn't know what to say.
"What if you don't know what real, true love feels like." Simone suggested.
"I don't know." Kay said finally, after what seemed like hours, "I don't even know any more." She looked out the curtain and saw Miguel and Charity.
Kay turned away and sat back down, "Simone, what am I going to do? What am I going to do now that I am finally starting to realize that I may not be able to feel Miguel's love."
"Meet new people." Simone said, "And then maybe, after awhile, you'll forget that you ever once that that you needed Miguel's love to survive. You'll meet someone who will make you struggle to remember Miguel's name."
Kay took a deep breath and said, "You know I do have a date for the wedding tonight."
For a second Simone was speechless, "Y-you what?!"
"I met someone last night and..." Kay trailed, "I don't know, there was just something about him."
"How did you meet him?"
Kay laughed and said, "He put blue silly string in my hair and it was blue for a month."
Simone threw her a confused look, "Yesterday?"
"No no no," Kay laughed, "When I was younger, at Miguel's birthday party. His name is Kevin and he's Miguel's cusin."
Simone laughed and said, "Oh my gosh, that's unbeileveable! Kay Bennett moving on with her life-and Miguel is not her boyfriend!"
Kay nodded, barely grinning.
Simone rubbed her arm and said, "I know it might be hard, but it's time."
Kay nodded, still sore from old wounds.
Simone reached behide her and took out the rose, "Here." She said giving it to her, "Take this."
Kay took it and looked at it astonished.
Bewilidered.
"Wh-where did you get that?" Kay asked.
"Whitney gave it to me. Who knows where she got it." Simone said.
"Okay well," Kay said, totally brainless and lucky to find words, "I gotta go."
"Okay." Simone said, ditsy and clueless.
Kay walked out and put her hand on a counter, the other holding the rose.
She couldn't believe the rose had found it's way back to her. It's done it's job already, now what?
Then Kay looked up to see Miguel and Charity kissing, and once again proclaiming their love for each other.
From not so far away she heard music. She figured that it was probably the nurses having the radio on.
The words in the music spoke to her, as she watched Miguel and Charity, setting the rose down on the counter...
*As I walk this land with broken dreams
I have visions of many things
Love's happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion,
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.*
Kay could not stand seeing them so happy together. It took every fiber of her being not to rip Charity from his arms...
*The fruits of love grow all around
But for me they come a tumblin' down.
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I can't stand this pain much longer*
She thought of what life would be like if she learned to love another, and that maybe she had used Miguel as her way of eascaping the fact that she doesn't know how to truely love someone yet. But she was always searching whether she knew it or not.
*I walk in shadows
Searching for light
Cold and alone
No comfort in sight,
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and goin to where
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.*
*I'm searching though I don't succeed,
But someone look, there's a growing need.
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning,
All that's left is an unhappy ending.
Now what's become of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?*
At this point in the song her mind wandered to Kevin. This new person who woke something up in her that had been asleep ever since she could remember.
*I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
I'll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care.*
Kay's confindence about what Simone had said, about everything and moving on grew with each passing second.
*I'll be looking everyday
I know I'm gonna find a way
Nothings gonna stop me now
I'll find a way somehow*
Kay turned away from Miguel and Charity, with a smile.
She left the rose on the counter purposely.
Not moments later Kevin stopped by and stood in that very spot Kay had been not moments ago. He was looking for his cousin up saw he was alittle, well tied up at the moment.
So as he waited he noticed a rose, discarded and left for lone on the counter.
Now Kevin didn't have a green thumb or anyting but he knew that there was something not normal about this rose.
Something about it called to him as he picked it up and looked at it.
Shaking his head to help snap himself out of the daze he was in, he put the rose carefully in his back pocket.
Maybe he'd give it to Kay tonight, he thought.
He looked at Charity and Miguel and thought of his-Abby. He thought of Abby. It was just Abby now as Abby was no longer his girlfriend.
Abby was his sweetheart. Kevin was head over heels until Abby dropped him like a hot potato days before the prom.
The prom was to be that very night.
Kevin had a tear in his eye just thinking of Abby going to the prom with her new date.
That was the main reason he actually came to Harmony in the first place, as an excuse not to go to the prom.
Alone.
He still was living on the phrase, "Time Heals All Wounds" and he was hoping it would see him through.
Kevin didn't know what had posessed him to ask Kay to be his date for the wedding, but he was glad he did.
Even if she had said no-which she didn't-he still would of been glad he asked because that meant he would get through this.
He just needed someone to make him forget that he ever needed Abby's love to survive.
He needed to meet someone who made him struggle to remember Abby's name.
He wondered if anyone out there needed the same things.
-|-Sheridan's Cottage-|-
"Oh Pilar you look great!" Sheridan said as Pilar came out of her room, with Whitney behide her, "So do you Whitney!"
"Gracis." Pilar said.
"Thanks." Whitney answered, "Now we've gotta get you two ready! We've only got an hour and half before the wedding!"
"Correction!" Theresa pipped up, "One hour and 29 mintutes!"
Whitney rolled her eyes and grabbed Theresa hand and they went into the bedroom.
Sheridan and Pilar followed.
From that time on time went on faster than Timmy can make a Martimmy.
And when it came down to it, the hair was done, the dresses finished to the last stich, and their minds ready, they left the house in Sheridan's car, being careful so's not to mess up their hair or the dresses, they left for the church.
No one could speak on the ride there, it was all to fantiscially overwhelming for them all.
Pilar and Whitney went first, Hank and Pilar arm and arm (Hank being not in the least disapointed that he didn't get involved with someone who wasn't ready for a commitment, but he still held out hopes of one day being with Gwen) and Whitney and Chad, arm and arm.
"I'm telling her Chad." Whitney said all at once in the back of the church, expecting to see a look of love and excitment on his face.
"You've said that before Whitney." Chad said, face turned to her and she could see his hurt through his eyes.
"I'm going to do it this time Chad." Whitney said, "I love you and I can't live without you." She paused, "I'm telling her."
Chad nodded, "You convinced me."
The music began.
Chad was right about the band, very good.
Step by step, Chad almost mouthing the 'one two, one two, one two' to keep himself from tripping.
In the pews all of Harmony's best (so ovisouly Alistair and Julian weren't there, instead watching on a hidden camra they had hidden there the night before to watch Sheridan "die" hahaha...) were there.
Kevin and Kay making a cute couple could not keep themselves quiet until the music started. They both just had to much to say to one another.
Miguel and Charity, Reese and Jessica, both growing closer by the mintute.
Everybody was present.
It was time.
Theresa took a deep breath as she saw that the bridesmaids and grooms were in place and 'here comes the bride' was going to begin to play.
Theresa went first.
She walked down the asle, remembering all the time Ethan and herself shared and everything in between.
She walked and walked, for what seemed like forever but still was gone all to quickly.
She smiled at Ethan through the veil and took her place.
Now it was Sheridan's turn.
Sheridan was not nervous at all. She was finally marrying the man of her dreams.
She was finally marrying Luis.
She walked, on air as it seemed, to Luis, looking at him and only him. Who was, in fact, looking at her and only her.
Sheridan felt a great sense of ackcomplishment like she had not only this life, but othe lifetimes and past lives building up to this one singular moment that would change everything forever.
Then she was there.
Sheridan smiled as Luis through the veil and took her place.
Father Lonigan began.
"We are gathered here today to join two unions. Ethan to Theresa, and Luis to Sheridan. I understand you have written vows. The grooms shall go first, followed by the brides." He paused. Then nodded, "Ethan."
Ethan took a breath and looked at his blushing bride.
"Theresa," he started, "For the longest time, I had the honor of being not only your friend, but your soulmate. I admit you knew it before I did, but it was fate that got us to where we are today. And I know that you and I both believe that it's fate that will lead us through the rest of our lives. I want to thank you now, Theresa, for loving me. Thank you Theresa."
"Luis." Father Lonigan spoke.
Luis took a breath.
"Last night I had all my vows prepared. I knew exactly what I was going to say." Luis began, "But now that I am standing here, with you, here and now, I can't remember a thing. All I know is that I love you and that you are the only one I can even think of spending the rest of forever with." He paused, "When I thought you had died, I thought that my whole world was crashing down. And now I know why I felt like my world was crashing down. It's because you are my world Sheridan. You're the air I breath, the water I drink, you're all I need to survive."
"Theresa." Father Lonigan spoke.
Theresa didn't breath.
"Ever since I was a little girl," Theresa started, "I dreamed of meeting the man of my dreams and fall in love. And now that I have, and I'm getting married to the man of my dreams, I don't know what else I could ask for." She paused, "We've come a long way to get where we are today, and we've passed alot of obsticales, but it was all worth it. Every moment I've every spent with you was worth it."
"Sheirdan." Father Lonigan spoke.
Sheridan didn't breath.
"One night I was driving on the road," Sheirdan began, "too fast pherhaps, but I ended up crashing into another car. The driver of the did seem very upset and I ever recall him calling me buster. Well little did I know then that the driver of that police car would be standing with me at the alter today." She paused, "We've been through alot. More than any other couple could ever imagine. But to stand here and discuss our past and my family's betrayls would be wrong. What would be right is to stand here and tell of our future and our future family's love. I never want to spend another day with you, Luis. And now I'll know that I'll never have to."
"And now, the rings." Father Lonigan said.
Hank gave Luis and Sheridan their rings and Chad gave Theresa and Ethan their rings.
"Do you, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, take Ethan Winthrop as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Theresa said, as Ethan slipped the ring onto her finger.
"Do you, Sheridan Crane, take Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Sheridan said.
Kay's breath caught in her thought as Luis slipped the ring on Sheridan's finger.
Kay let out a breath and then she felt something against her hand.
Kevin took her hand and looked over at her.
She smiled.
Father Lonigan went on, "Very well then, do you, Ethan Winthrop, take Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, as your lawfully wedded wife for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Ethan said, as Theresa put the ring on his finger.
"Do you, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, take Sheirdan Crane as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Luis said, as Sheridan put the ring on his finger, and held his hand, feeling the magic.
Father Lonigan smiled as he rose his head to the heavens and said, "Then by the power invested in me I now pronouce you husbands and wives! You may now kiss your brides."
They all smiled.
Ethan rose the veil and kissed his bride, the first time as husband and wife.
Then Luis rose the veil and passionately kissed his wife, Sheirdan Cra-er-Lopez-Fitzgerald. Then Sheridan and Luis shortly rested their foreheads together before they went to the receiption.
After the couples had their first dance to their wedding song (Sheridan and Luis to "Imagine" and Theresa and Ethan to "Kiss Me") all was well and they flew off to an exotic paridise for their honeymoon.
But everyone else was still there.
Kay was quietly sitting down and watching Miguel and Charity dance, not-so-old wounds threatening to re-open with one more gaze, after have a long talk with Kevin about his past with someone whom he couldn't remember the name of. Which Kay thought weird. He said he knows it started with an A but other than that...anyway, then Kevin said he had to leave for a moment, leaving Kay ready to think back to Miguel.
Then, at a moment more perfect than one could imagine, a new song started and Kevin walked over, blocking Kay's view of Miguel and Charity.
He said, "I requested this song just for you and me."
Kay smiled.
He held out his hand and said, "Dance with me."
"Oh I dont know..." Kay said, realizing she hasn't dance much...at all...with guys.
"Come on!" Kevin said, smiling.
Kay's smiling grew bigger as she took his hand for a dance.
*Funny how I feel
More myself with you
Than anybody else that I ever knew
I hear it in your voice
I see it in your face
You've become the memory I can't erase
You could of been anyone at all
A stranger falling an out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you*
Kay didn't even attempted to peer at Micheal (that was his name, right?) and Charity. She had always planned to be with Miguel. She was way too content with Kevin, which she would of never guessed.
*It wasn't in the plan
Not that I could see
Suddenly a mircale came to me
Safe within your arms
I can say what's true
Nothing in the world
I would keep from you
You could of been anyone at all (anyone at all)*
She thought of the birthday party that was so long ago.
*An old friend falling
Out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you (glad it was you)
Words can hurt you if you let them
People say them and forget them
Words can promise
Words can lie
But your words make me feel like I can fly*
She thought of all the people in this world.
Anyone of them could of been the one who helped her see the light and get over it.
But at that moment...
*You could of been anyone at all (anyone at all)
A net that catchs me when I fall
I'm so glad it was you (you could of been anyone)
That moment...
*You could of been any one at all (anyone at all)
An old friend falling out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you (anyone one at all)
You could of been (any one at all)*
She was so glad it was Kevin.
*I'm so glad it was you*
End
-|-Sheridan's Cottage-|-
As the sun rose on that beautiful Saterday morning, Sheridan was waking.
First she sat up in her bed-on the right side only, bringing to her attiention that from now until the rest of her life she would never have to wake up to an empty bed again-and she stretched.
THat's when something in her mind clicked as she her head shot over to her clock which read "7:23am"
She excitedly hopped out of bed and looked at her wedding gown.
Sheridan let out a short seqeul of excitment.
She quickly dressed in some white pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Then her head shot over to her nightstand and saw a rose.
The rose.
She threw herself a puzzled look as she walked over and looked down at her nightstand.
She sat down on her bed and picked up the rose.
That's when she saw that her wedding ring was around it.
She took the ring off of the stem of the rose and put it back in it's place.
Then she studied the rose.
She didn't know what it was about it but, something was different.
She smiled and shrugged, figuring that it's just because she was glowing with excitment.
She still didn't know how it got there...
Then her smile grew bigger as she decided that it must have been Luis who sneaked into the cottage at night-before midnight because she felt certain that Luis wouldn't dare mess with superstition and she her before the ceremony on their wedding day-and put slip the ring around the rose.
Just then she heard a knock on the door.
As she got closer she heard Theresa's yelps of excitment and Whitney's hopful giggles.
She opened the door (seeing Theresa, Whitney, and Gwen) and they didn't even speak!
They all-except for the forever moping Gwen-just let out a scream and threw there arms around each other in joy.
"It's our wedding day!" Theresa said to Sheridan.
"Oh really?" Sheirdan said sarcasticly, "So that's what today was!"
Theresa laughed and looked at her watch and said, "It's eight o'clock, that means in seven hours we will be walking down the asle!"
Sheridan smiled and laughed.
Then Sheridan said, "You know what else that means?"
Theresa threw her a funky questioning glance and asked, "What?"
"In seven hours and 5 mintutes you will be Mrs. Ethan Winthrop and I will be Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald."
Therese laughed then changed the subject by saying, "I have the bridesmaids dresses and my wedding dress in the car so I thought that we could all get ready here!"
"Oh it sounds great!" Sheridan said, "Then we can all head over to the church when it's time!"
Then Whitney chimed in and said, "I can't believe this is really happening!"
They all laughed and then they went out to the car and came back seconds later with their outfits.
After a few mintutes of needless chatting about how great the wedding is going to be and everything there was another knock on the door.
The girls all looked at each other, worried if the person on the other side of the door was one of the grooms.
"Who is it?" Sheridan called to the outsider.
"Hey ya'all-" Whitney's ears pricked up, "-it's Chad. I came as a spokesperson of your handsome grooms."
They all (again, except Gwen) smiled and opened the door.
Whitney sorta hung back, still hell-bent on keeping her promise to Simone.
Chad came in and when he noticed Gwen there he said, "Gwen? What are you doing here?"
Sheridan threw a puzzled look at him and answered, "Gwen's my maid of honor Chad, did you know that?"
"Well, I did. It's just..." Chad sort of trailed off.
"What?" Gwen asked, worried no doubt.
"What is it Chad?" Whitney asked.
Chad sorta shrugged and said, "Have any of you seen the papers this morning?"
Gwen smiled, knowing (or at least thinking she knew) That Chad had seen that "Theresa" sent the e-mail exposing Ethan as a Bennett, not a Crane.
They all shook their heads no.
Chad shook his head and took something out of his back pocket.
Then he said, "Look, I'm really sorry I had to be the one to show you this."
Then he showed the front cover and Gwen's face turned green.
I swear!
Well, ok, so maybe it wasn't green persay, but you could tell she was so sickened and surpirsed by the shocking headline that she was close to throwing up whatever she ate (or didn't eat, judging by the size of her) right then and there.
Both Sheridan and Theresa grabbed the tabloid from Chad's hands and they both, and Whitney, flipped inside and quickly skimmed the articale.
Sheridan looked at Gwen and said, "Is this true?!?"
Theresa jus asked Chad if Ethan was alright, Chad answered the he was okay and that he wasn't going to let this delay their wedding.
Gwen just stuttered in response to Sheridan's needless question and then Sheridan just said, with the wrinkle of hurt starting to appear on her forehead as it always did when she felt hurt or disgusted, "Don't even answer, I already know. I just don't understand how you could do such a thing!"
Gwen started for a mintute as all eyes were on her, "I-I still love Ethan. I would do anything-"
"-apparently." Sheridan said, throwing the paper in the trash, "Apparently."
There was a moment of silence until Sheridan said, "Listen Gwen I'm sorry but-"
"-I can't be your maid of honor anymore." Gwen rolled her eyes and nodded.
Nobody spoke and then Gwen left.
For the last time.
After a few moments of, well, greiving shall we say, Sheridan said, "Well what am I going to do now? I have no maid of honor."
Everybody thought for a few moments until Sheridan popped her head up with an idea and said, "Pilar!"
"What?" Chad, asked confused.
"Pilar can be my maid of honor!" Sheridan, "I've known her since I was a little girl she was practically my mother."
Then Theresa asked, "Well what about the fitting? Will we have enough time to get mama fitted?"
"I'll go call her right now." Whitney said, walking to the phone.
Chad was watching her and then Sheridan came up to Chad and asked, "So how are you and Whitney? You two seem different today."
"Yeah well, things aren't so great in paridise." Chad ansered simply.
Sheridan didn't know why, but she felt something tell her that she should do something.
Her hand feel on the rose which she had carefully placed in her pocket a little while ago.
"Here." Sheridan said, giving Chad the rose, "Take this and give it to her."
Chad was about to say that he'd already tired flowers but something about that rose made him wanna take it and give it to Whitney.
So he took it from Sheridan's hands and said, "Thanks."
Then Sheridan went back and talked to Theresa.
Chad looked at the rose and thought for a couple mintutes.
Just then Whitney hung up the phone and shook her head in a 'yes' to Sheridan, meaning that Pilar accepted to be Sheridan's maid of honor.
"She's on her way to the fitting now." Whitney told them all, "And I've got to go visit Simone at the hospital."
Chad met Whitney at the door while Theresa and Sheridan were behide them and he said, "Hey, uh, Whitney, I want you have this." Chad gave her the rose.
"No, really, Chad-" She started to protest.
"Whitney," Chad said, "Don't say anything, just take it."
Whitney took it and left.
Chad left soon after to meet Ethan, but he wished desprately that there was something he could do to make Whitney see that he really loved her, and only her and that Simone would get over it in time.
Whitney got in her car and went down the the hospital, keeping the rose close to her side.
She wished that she would be with Chad but she knew that it would break her sister's heart. But she really couldn't expect Chad to keep letting her think that he is in love with her.
When she got to Simone's room she said, "Hey sweetie how are you feeling?"
"Great." Simone said, "Better than new even."
Whitney sat down and sat, "Oh that's wonderful." After a mintute Whitney made a split desicon and showed Simone the rose.
"I want you to have this." Whitney said.
"Oh thank you Whitney it's beautiful!" Simone said, snatching the rose from Whitney's hands and putting in with the flowers Chad 'gave' her the day before.
"I really wish you could come to the wedding." Whitney said, "It's going to be so beautiful."
Simone hung her head, disappointed and but then said, "Will you take alot of pictures for me?"
Whitney faked a smile and said, "Sure honey."
After a few more mintutes of catching up Whitney said, "Well I really gotta run, the wedding's at 3pm."
Simone nodded, "Okay, okay."
They said their goodbyes and then Whitney left.
Simone was sorta lonely for a couple of mintutes, looking at the odd rose. Simone couldn't put her finger on what about that rose that puzzled her so.
She didn't have much more time to think about as Kay showed up to visit her best friend and let her know what's going on.
They said their hellos and then Kay said, "Oh, I can't stand seeing Miguel hanging all over Charity."
"Why? Are they here?" Simone asked.
"Yeah, both of them." Kay said, "I mean when is Miguel not with Charity anyway?"
Simone smiled and said, "Yeah, kinda cute ain't it?"
Kay stood up and said, "Cute? It's no where near cute!" Kay paced back and forth as she spoke, "I've been in love with Miguel for as long as I can remember, and seeing him-"
"-Maybe you're not really in love with him." Simone interrupted.
"What?" Kay asked, dazed and confused, "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," Simone started, "That maybe what you thought love was for all this time since you've felt that way about Miguel, isn't really love after all."
Kay didn't know what to say.
"What if you don't know what real, true love feels like." Simone suggested.
"I don't know." Kay said finally, after what seemed like hours, "I don't even know any more." She looked out the curtain and saw Miguel and Charity.
Kay turned away and sat back down, "Simone, what am I going to do? What am I going to do now that I am finally starting to realize that I may not be able to feel Miguel's love."
"Meet new people." Simone said, "And then maybe, after awhile, you'll forget that you ever once that that you needed Miguel's love to survive. You'll meet someone who will make you struggle to remember Miguel's name."
Kay took a deep breath and said, "You know I do have a date for the wedding tonight."
For a second Simone was speechless, "Y-you what?!"
"I met someone last night and..." Kay trailed, "I don't know, there was just something about him."
"How did you meet him?"
Kay laughed and said, "He put blue silly string in my hair and it was blue for a month."
Simone threw her a confused look, "Yesterday?"
"No no no," Kay laughed, "When I was younger, at Miguel's birthday party. His name is Kevin and he's Miguel's cusin."
Simone laughed and said, "Oh my gosh, that's unbeileveable! Kay Bennett moving on with her life-and Miguel is not her boyfriend!"
Kay nodded, barely grinning.
Simone rubbed her arm and said, "I know it might be hard, but it's time."
Kay nodded, still sore from old wounds.
Simone reached behide her and took out the rose, "Here." She said giving it to her, "Take this."
Kay took it and looked at it astonished.
Bewilidered.
"Wh-where did you get that?" Kay asked.
"Whitney gave it to me. Who knows where she got it." Simone said.
"Okay well," Kay said, totally brainless and lucky to find words, "I gotta go."
"Okay." Simone said, ditsy and clueless.
Kay walked out and put her hand on a counter, the other holding the rose.
She couldn't believe the rose had found it's way back to her. It's done it's job already, now what?
Then Kay looked up to see Miguel and Charity kissing, and once again proclaiming their love for each other.
From not so far away she heard music. She figured that it was probably the nurses having the radio on.
The words in the music spoke to her, as she watched Miguel and Charity, setting the rose down on the counter...
*As I walk this land with broken dreams
I have visions of many things
Love's happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion,
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.*
Kay could not stand seeing them so happy together. It took every fiber of her being not to rip Charity from his arms...
*The fruits of love grow all around
But for me they come a tumblin' down.
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I can't stand this pain much longer*
She thought of what life would be like if she learned to love another, and that maybe she had used Miguel as her way of eascaping the fact that she doesn't know how to truely love someone yet. But she was always searching whether she knew it or not.
*I walk in shadows
Searching for light
Cold and alone
No comfort in sight,
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and goin to where
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.*
*I'm searching though I don't succeed,
But someone look, there's a growing need.
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning,
All that's left is an unhappy ending.
Now what's become of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?*
At this point in the song her mind wandered to Kevin. This new person who woke something up in her that had been asleep ever since she could remember.
*I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
I'll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care.*
Kay's confindence about what Simone had said, about everything and moving on grew with each passing second.
*I'll be looking everyday
I know I'm gonna find a way
Nothings gonna stop me now
I'll find a way somehow*
Kay turned away from Miguel and Charity, with a smile.
She left the rose on the counter purposely.
Not moments later Kevin stopped by and stood in that very spot Kay had been not moments ago. He was looking for his cousin up saw he was alittle, well tied up at the moment.
So as he waited he noticed a rose, discarded and left for lone on the counter.
Now Kevin didn't have a green thumb or anyting but he knew that there was something not normal about this rose.
Something about it called to him as he picked it up and looked at it.
Shaking his head to help snap himself out of the daze he was in, he put the rose carefully in his back pocket.
Maybe he'd give it to Kay tonight, he thought.
He looked at Charity and Miguel and thought of his-Abby. He thought of Abby. It was just Abby now as Abby was no longer his girlfriend.
Abby was his sweetheart. Kevin was head over heels until Abby dropped him like a hot potato days before the prom.
The prom was to be that very night.
Kevin had a tear in his eye just thinking of Abby going to the prom with her new date.
That was the main reason he actually came to Harmony in the first place, as an excuse not to go to the prom.
Alone.
He still was living on the phrase, "Time Heals All Wounds" and he was hoping it would see him through.
Kevin didn't know what had posessed him to ask Kay to be his date for the wedding, but he was glad he did.
Even if she had said no-which she didn't-he still would of been glad he asked because that meant he would get through this.
He just needed someone to make him forget that he ever needed Abby's love to survive.
He needed to meet someone who made him struggle to remember Abby's name.
He wondered if anyone out there needed the same things.
-|-Sheridan's Cottage-|-
"Oh Pilar you look great!" Sheridan said as Pilar came out of her room, with Whitney behide her, "So do you Whitney!"
"Gracis." Pilar said.
"Thanks." Whitney answered, "Now we've gotta get you two ready! We've only got an hour and half before the wedding!"
"Correction!" Theresa pipped up, "One hour and 29 mintutes!"
Whitney rolled her eyes and grabbed Theresa hand and they went into the bedroom.
Sheridan and Pilar followed.
From that time on time went on faster than Timmy can make a Martimmy.
And when it came down to it, the hair was done, the dresses finished to the last stich, and their minds ready, they left the house in Sheridan's car, being careful so's not to mess up their hair or the dresses, they left for the church.
No one could speak on the ride there, it was all to fantiscially overwhelming for them all.
Pilar and Whitney went first, Hank and Pilar arm and arm (Hank being not in the least disapointed that he didn't get involved with someone who wasn't ready for a commitment, but he still held out hopes of one day being with Gwen) and Whitney and Chad, arm and arm.
"I'm telling her Chad." Whitney said all at once in the back of the church, expecting to see a look of love and excitment on his face.
"You've said that before Whitney." Chad said, face turned to her and she could see his hurt through his eyes.
"I'm going to do it this time Chad." Whitney said, "I love you and I can't live without you." She paused, "I'm telling her."
Chad nodded, "You convinced me."
The music began.
Chad was right about the band, very good.
Step by step, Chad almost mouthing the 'one two, one two, one two' to keep himself from tripping.
In the pews all of Harmony's best (so ovisouly Alistair and Julian weren't there, instead watching on a hidden camra they had hidden there the night before to watch Sheridan "die" hahaha...) were there.
Kevin and Kay making a cute couple could not keep themselves quiet until the music started. They both just had to much to say to one another.
Miguel and Charity, Reese and Jessica, both growing closer by the mintute.
Everybody was present.
It was time.
Theresa took a deep breath as she saw that the bridesmaids and grooms were in place and 'here comes the bride' was going to begin to play.
Theresa went first.
She walked down the asle, remembering all the time Ethan and herself shared and everything in between.
She walked and walked, for what seemed like forever but still was gone all to quickly.
She smiled at Ethan through the veil and took her place.
Now it was Sheridan's turn.
Sheridan was not nervous at all. She was finally marrying the man of her dreams.
She was finally marrying Luis.
She walked, on air as it seemed, to Luis, looking at him and only him. Who was, in fact, looking at her and only her.
Sheridan felt a great sense of ackcomplishment like she had not only this life, but othe lifetimes and past lives building up to this one singular moment that would change everything forever.
Then she was there.
Sheridan smiled as Luis through the veil and took her place.
Father Lonigan began.
"We are gathered here today to join two unions. Ethan to Theresa, and Luis to Sheridan. I understand you have written vows. The grooms shall go first, followed by the brides." He paused. Then nodded, "Ethan."
Ethan took a breath and looked at his blushing bride.
"Theresa," he started, "For the longest time, I had the honor of being not only your friend, but your soulmate. I admit you knew it before I did, but it was fate that got us to where we are today. And I know that you and I both believe that it's fate that will lead us through the rest of our lives. I want to thank you now, Theresa, for loving me. Thank you Theresa."
"Luis." Father Lonigan spoke.
Luis took a breath.
"Last night I had all my vows prepared. I knew exactly what I was going to say." Luis began, "But now that I am standing here, with you, here and now, I can't remember a thing. All I know is that I love you and that you are the only one I can even think of spending the rest of forever with." He paused, "When I thought you had died, I thought that my whole world was crashing down. And now I know why I felt like my world was crashing down. It's because you are my world Sheridan. You're the air I breath, the water I drink, you're all I need to survive."
"Theresa." Father Lonigan spoke.
Theresa didn't breath.
"Ever since I was a little girl," Theresa started, "I dreamed of meeting the man of my dreams and fall in love. And now that I have, and I'm getting married to the man of my dreams, I don't know what else I could ask for." She paused, "We've come a long way to get where we are today, and we've passed alot of obsticales, but it was all worth it. Every moment I've every spent with you was worth it."
"Sheirdan." Father Lonigan spoke.
Sheridan didn't breath.
"One night I was driving on the road," Sheirdan began, "too fast pherhaps, but I ended up crashing into another car. The driver of the did seem very upset and I ever recall him calling me buster. Well little did I know then that the driver of that police car would be standing with me at the alter today." She paused, "We've been through alot. More than any other couple could ever imagine. But to stand here and discuss our past and my family's betrayls would be wrong. What would be right is to stand here and tell of our future and our future family's love. I never want to spend another day with you, Luis. And now I'll know that I'll never have to."
"And now, the rings." Father Lonigan said.
Hank gave Luis and Sheridan their rings and Chad gave Theresa and Ethan their rings.
"Do you, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, take Ethan Winthrop as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Theresa said, as Ethan slipped the ring onto her finger.
"Do you, Sheridan Crane, take Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Sheridan said.
Kay's breath caught in her thought as Luis slipped the ring on Sheridan's finger.
Kay let out a breath and then she felt something against her hand.
Kevin took her hand and looked over at her.
She smiled.
Father Lonigan went on, "Very well then, do you, Ethan Winthrop, take Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, as your lawfully wedded wife for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Ethan said, as Theresa put the ring on his finger.
"Do you, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, take Sheirdan Crane as your lawfully wedded husband for rich or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Luis said, as Sheridan put the ring on his finger, and held his hand, feeling the magic.
Father Lonigan smiled as he rose his head to the heavens and said, "Then by the power invested in me I now pronouce you husbands and wives! You may now kiss your brides."
They all smiled.
Ethan rose the veil and kissed his bride, the first time as husband and wife.
Then Luis rose the veil and passionately kissed his wife, Sheirdan Cra-er-Lopez-Fitzgerald. Then Sheridan and Luis shortly rested their foreheads together before they went to the receiption.
After the couples had their first dance to their wedding song (Sheridan and Luis to "Imagine" and Theresa and Ethan to "Kiss Me") all was well and they flew off to an exotic paridise for their honeymoon.
But everyone else was still there.
Kay was quietly sitting down and watching Miguel and Charity dance, not-so-old wounds threatening to re-open with one more gaze, after have a long talk with Kevin about his past with someone whom he couldn't remember the name of. Which Kay thought weird. He said he knows it started with an A but other than that...anyway, then Kevin said he had to leave for a moment, leaving Kay ready to think back to Miguel.
Then, at a moment more perfect than one could imagine, a new song started and Kevin walked over, blocking Kay's view of Miguel and Charity.
He said, "I requested this song just for you and me."
Kay smiled.
He held out his hand and said, "Dance with me."
"Oh I dont know..." Kay said, realizing she hasn't dance much...at all...with guys.
"Come on!" Kevin said, smiling.
Kay's smiling grew bigger as she took his hand for a dance.
*Funny how I feel
More myself with you
Than anybody else that I ever knew
I hear it in your voice
I see it in your face
You've become the memory I can't erase
You could of been anyone at all
A stranger falling an out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you*
Kay didn't even attempted to peer at Micheal (that was his name, right?) and Charity. She had always planned to be with Miguel. She was way too content with Kevin, which she would of never guessed.
*It wasn't in the plan
Not that I could see
Suddenly a mircale came to me
Safe within your arms
I can say what's true
Nothing in the world
I would keep from you
You could of been anyone at all (anyone at all)*
She thought of the birthday party that was so long ago.
*An old friend falling
Out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you (glad it was you)
Words can hurt you if you let them
People say them and forget them
Words can promise
Words can lie
But your words make me feel like I can fly*
She thought of all the people in this world.
Anyone of them could of been the one who helped her see the light and get over it.
But at that moment...
*You could of been anyone at all (anyone at all)
A net that catchs me when I fall
I'm so glad it was you (you could of been anyone)
That moment...
*You could of been any one at all (anyone at all)
An old friend falling out of the blue
I'm so glad it was you (anyone one at all)
You could of been (any one at all)*
She was so glad it was Kevin.
*I'm so glad it was you*
End