Ok, so I don't really like this chapter. It's a crap chapter, but I have to post something before I get way too busy with back-to-school stuffs. And writer's block is a biotch.

The rest of the week passed by in a blur. I filled in Father Dom about Lindsey, who didn't know what to do, but talked to Lindsey himself, and handled everything. Well, not really, because Paul was still roaming school, but took over Lindsey's mediation. I went to work, aced my finals (at least, I hope I did. I did pretty well on them, so I hope I aced them!) and avoided Paul. Thursday- just two days and one week before my wedding and graduation party- I went to Hot Topic and bought my wedding dress.

Yes, I know what you're thinking. Hot Topic? That is NOT Suze Simon. However, I was passing by on my break and saw this really pretty ivory colored dress. It had a corset-y type top, and long skirt, and was PERFECT. I saw it, and the first thing to enter my mind was, "Oh My God. That is MY dress." So I bought it right then and there.

And it was perfect. I put it on and felt like a fairy-tale bride. It was incredibly soft! I stood in front of my full-length mirror Andy had put onto my closet door, and twirled around. The skirt flew out around me, and the settled gracefully.

"Oh, Susie."

I turned and saw my mom standing in my doorway. Her eyes were shining and she said, "You look beautiful."

"Really?" I twirled again. "Mom, are you OK?" She had now started bawling, silently though, but there were still tears running down her cheeks.

"Yes, sweetie, I'm fine." Mom said, sitting on my bed and motioning for me to sit next to her. I sat and she started playing with my hair, like when I was little. "It's just you're growing up so fast. Engaged and having a baby! I thought you'd be out of college when this happened."

"Mom...You're not mad are you? Disappointed? I mean, it's going to be OK. I'm going to go to college when the baby goes to kindergarten. Everything'll work out." I tried to reassure her.

"Oh, I know that." Mom said, batting at my hands. "And, honestly, we love Jesse. He's so good to you, and I know he'll make a great father and husband. It's just a shock is all." Mom wiped her eyes and looked at me. "Dinner in 5, OK?"

"Ok." I nodded and got undressed. I pulled on sweats and a shirt and went down to join everyone for dinner. There were two empty chairs, and everyone but me was already sitting down. Giving them a confused look, I asked, "Uh...Why is there an extra chair?"

Before anyone could answer, my eyes were covered and a deep voice went, "Guess who?"

Ok, I was freaked. I would have hit them had I not recognized the voice in time. "Gina Augustin! What the bloody hell?!" I jumped up and gave her a big hug. "When did you get in?"

"Couple hours ago." Gina said, sitting down.

I spent dinner discussing wedding plans with Gina, who agreed to share maid- of-honor with CeeCee. Adam was going to be best man to Jesse, and Jake and Brad were going to be ushers. David was the ring bearer, and we got CeeCee's little sister Stasha to be flower girl. After dinner, we shooed Jesse out of our room and I showed off my wedding dress to CeeCee, who'd come over with Adam, and Gina. Gina and Cee both went to work, styling my hair and doing my make-up. We spent several hours giggling over everything and nothing.

"Susannah, CeeCee, Gina? Is everyone, erm, decent?" Jesse called, knocking slightly on the door.

"Yeah, we're goo-" I called before Gina interrupted.

"NO! DON'T COME IN! YOU CAN'T SEE THE BRIDE IN HER DRESS BEFORE THE WEDDING!" She shrieked. CeeCee shoved me into the bathroom with a change of clothes and shut the door. "She'll be out in a minute, what do you need, Jesse?"

"Adam's ready to go, CeeCee, so if you'd like to stick around a little longer, I can give you a ride home later." Gina was staying in Jake's old room, since he got an apartment with a few friends. Jake seemed somewhat disappointed that he had to leave when his stepsister's hot friend would be sleeping in his old bed. Wonder why... (That's sarcasm, people!)

"Oh, yeah, I should be getting home." Cee said hurriedly. She likes Jesse just fine- as a friend, of course- but pass up a chance to spend 10 to 15 glorius minutes ALONE with the guy she's been hung up on for God knows how long? I think Cee would rather fail a class!

"Bye Suze. See you tomorrow!" Cee called through my door. I heard her say good-bye to Gina and Jesse before leaving.

I washed my face and got completely ready for bed. I hung up my dress and put it in the closet after I came out.

Jesse was just getting settled into bed. He was sitting up in an oversized shirt and boxers, reading some book. His dark hair fell over his face softly, and I smiled. It was one of those moments when you wished you had a camera so you could capture the perfect moment.

Jesse looked up and saw me smiling. "What?" Jesse asked, breaking into a grin himself. "Susannah, what is it?"

I shook my head and said, "Nothing. You just looked so...perfect." I climbed into bed and pulled the covers up around us. I was about to switch off the light when Jesse put his arms around my waist and purred in my ear, "You look pretty perfect as well, querida." Then kissed my neck slightly.

I pulled the switch with a shaky hand and rolled over to face Jesse. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled Jesse into a passionate kiss. He slowly slipped his tongue in my mouth, and pushed his body against mine. And that night was perfect. Everything was perfect. His arms on my back- perfect. The fiery feeling I got when his lips touched my skin- perfect. The butterfly feeling I got in the pit of my stomach- perfect.

Yeah. It was perfect.



"Susannah, get up." Jesse said gently, shaking me awake. I peeled open my eyes and stared into his smiling face. "Susannah, I've let you sleep long enough. You must get up now, or you'll be late."

"Uh...Do I have too?" I whined, attempting to pull the covers over my naked form.

"Yes, querida, you do." Jesse said with a laugh. "Now up."

I could already tell I would never be able to sleep in when Jesse and I were married. Gah! "Last day of school, querida. Just think of that." Jesse called as I stumbled blindly into the bathroom and turned on the water.

"Yeah, I know. Then I'm free!" I stood under the pulsing water for a good 10 minutes before even touching the shampoo or conditioner. Then I hurriedly washed my hair, got out, styled it, put on a little make-up, and got dressed.

"Gah. School. Hate it." I mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast and eating it in the car. Jesse just smirked at me and drove us to the Mission.

The day was fairly uneventful. I didn't see the point in being there, except if I wasn't, they would hold my diploma back for some unfathomable reason. I was dying to get home, but first I had to go to work.

I wished I didn't though. I wished I'd called in sick. My boss, Sarah, totally wouldn't have minded.

Why was I wishing I'd called in?

Well, you would too, if your mortal enemy had decided to show up- AND NOT LEAVE!

Paul walked into the store. Since I scored a job at Hollister, I was like, "Ok, whatever. Not really Paul's style, but maybe he wants cargo pants or something."

But then he walked up to the counter where I was folding shirts and starts flirting with me. It wasn't even innocent flirting. It was walk-up-behind-Suze-put-my-arms-around-her-and-attempt-to-kiss-her-neck flirting.

For which I told him to back off or I'd karate chop his throat.

"Now, Suze, you wouldn't want to risk your job, now would you?" Paul said.

Gah, I hate when he's partially right. I friggin' hate it!!!

"So, when do you get off? Maybe we'll go grab a bite to eat, talk shifter stuff, hit my place." Paul said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestiviely on the word "place."

"Paul, you are a disgusting piece of shit." I hissed at him. "I'm ENGAGED. Why the hell are you still trying to get me?"

"Makes life interesting." Paul smirked. I rolled my eyes and went to the register to ring up a few customers. I avoided Paul- who never seemed to leave the store- until Jesse showed up at quarter after 9, when I started closing down.

Paul hightailed it out of there pretty fast when Jesse showed up. Pretty scary, since he doesn't usually do that. I didn't worry about it, just finished shutting down and left. I was very grateful to get home and fall asleep in Jesse's arms.