A/N: I feel the need to ask a question – how many weddings am I going to plan on paper before I actually plan my own? Huh? Anyone got an answer (or a cute male friend/relative in the NY area)?? LOL!!

I'm going to let you in on a little secret – Grant and Chloe were thiscloseto going to Las Vegas . I mean really close. Just ask PCGirl – she knows that they were already on the plane. ;)

Anyway – though I'm sure it's possible to have a perfectly lovely, romantic and meaningful wedding in a place nicknamed Sin City (heeheehee) – I kinda wanted something more for Grant and Chloe. All I could think of when I put them in a chapel there was Britney Spears – and we know how well that wedding worked out. :D

So here you go – Grant and Chloe get married. :') I hope at the end I'll hear the word that's become music to my ears. You guessed it…

Aw!

Until 24! xox-G

Chapter Twenty-three

She thought it was going to be quick and easy, but nothing ever was. Chloe stared at her reflection in the mirror, blinking furiously – trying to convince herself it was true.

She would have been happy – she would have been ecstatic to marry him dressed in the denim skirt and halter top she'd been wearing all day. She'd have been just fine – but deep down she knew she'd be thinking he deserved more.

So now, thanks to her new "family" she had flowers threaded through her hair and a flowing silk dress of the lightest ice blue. Now they were all waiting outside for her, Grant's parents, two of his sisters and her father.

The only thing that she didn't have was her mom.

Chloe took a deep breath and glanced up at the ceiling. Her mother had said before she passed away that anytime she needed her that's all she had to do. In her grief Chloe had thought it a childish notion but she should have known better. It was exactly what she should do. She decided it was never too late to start.

"Hey Mom. Look at me." She said with a smile. "It's finally happening. Grant and I are getting married." She blinked back tears and her breath hitched a bit. "Oh, how I wish you could be here."

An odd sense of peace came over her as she said the words. It was as if Melissa was standing beside her. And suddenly, Chloe knew. "You are here, though – aren't you Mom? You're watching me right now – aren't you?" She wiped at her cheeks and smiled wider. "You know - I bet if I had stopped to think at all this past year I'd have been able to hear your voice telling me to stop being so foolish and go back to him." Chloe raised her eyes heavenward and asked. "Wouldn't I have?"'

Through her happiness a thought still nagged at her, "When I tell Grant how sorry I am he says it doesn't matter. I mean - of course he says that but do you think he really means it? I hurt him so badly. I know the only reason I lived without him is because of what I did. It's not about him. He'd never leave me willingly – he only walked away because I asked him to."

Chloe laughed at herself, realization washing over her. "I guess that answers my question – doesn't it? All this time I thought I'd lost him but he never really went anywhere. I did. And I guess I just needed to realize how much I needed him. So many people saw what we had before we both did. Maybe we just needed something to show us for ourselves what the world has known all along."

"It was a hard lesson to learn but it's all over now." Chloe said with a sigh, dabbing at her eyes. She picked up her small bouquet and grinned. "We got through it and now our life can finally begin."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jack watched Grant pacing nervously in the hallway. He looked as he spoke to Becky, smiling when he saw her give Grant a hug to try and calm him.

"Grant." He said softly as he approached. "Could I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." Grant nodded, pressing a hand to his stomach willing the butterflies to stop.

"See you inside." Becky said as she kissed Grant's cheek and gave Jack a smile before walking away.

"She's so grown up all of the sudden." Jack commented as they watched her go.

"Yeah. My dad's having a heart attack." Grant said with a smile, happy to be distracted by something else.

"That's nothing new." Jack replied, grinning back. As he gazed at Grant his face became serious. He was finding it hard to begin. Just suck it up and do it. He could hear Melissa whisper in his mind. Don't be such a wimp.

She'd been gone for over a year and she was still nagging at him, Jack thought with a smile. It had always annoyed him. Still, it didn't stop him from doing what she asked.

Jack cleared his throat and began. "I know this year hasn't been easy for you – Grant and I want to apologize. I didn't know. I didn't realize what Chloe was doing – pushing you away like that."

"It's not your fault." Grant said, his voice a bit shocked. He was expecting a whole different kind of conversation.

'No." Jack insisted, "lt is – at least partially. It's hard for her. She's an only child and – please - I'm not complaining. She's everything I ever wanted and more. But when things happen Grant, instead of leaning on people she tries to go it alone. It's her first instinct – because she doesn't have sisters like you."

"I know." Grant said with a nod. "I know her as well as I know myself."

"I know that you do. So here's what I'm asking of you. I'm not asking you to take care of her and keep her safe because I know for certain that you will. You've got your business and I've never seen anyone take their responsibilities so seriously – except – well – except maybe your father."

Jack sighed as he realized that this was it – he was letting his daughter go. His heart was heavy and he tried to keep his voice light. "Grant - I'm asking you to make sure she always knows – without a doubt that she's not alone anymore. I should have done a better job of that when she was growing up but I didn't. Now it's up to you."

Grant swallowed and nodded his head again. "I promise. I will."

"I know you will." Jack said sincerely. "Now there's one more thing I'd like to ask. I know that you already bought her a ring - back when you were supposed to get married last year. And I know it's something you probably put a lot of thought into picking out."

"Yes. She's very particular – your daughter." Grant replied with a laugh.

"I don't doubt it." Jack's eyes welled with tears as he reached into his suit jacket pocket. He held the small box in his hand smiling as he offered it to Grant. "I was wondering if you'd exchange it for this."

Grant knew what it was before he even opened the box. Jack's words just confirmed it.

"It belonged to her mom. It's Melissa's." Overcome with emotion, Jack had to step back a bit. "It's the ring I bought for her."

Grant looked at ring in awe. It was a delicate braided platinum band, simple but completely unique. Just like her mom, Grant thought with a sigh. Just like Chloe.

"Thank you. I'd be honored to give this to her." Grant took a deep breath as he closed the box and placed it in his pocket. "God, she'll love it."

"You make her so happy Grant. I really should be thanking you." Jack said with a smile. "Now. Are you ready? Should we go?"

Grant inhaled and exhaled deeply. The moment he'd been waiting for his entire life had come at last. "Oh yeah." He smiled back. "I'm ready."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was inching towards midnight. Judge Milton glanced at his wife, knowing they were only here because of her romantic sensibilities. He was then reminded that it would be exactly like something Clara would do. Seizing a moment without thought – nothing was too crazy a notion in her mind. And that was the thing he loved most about her.

Alison was giddy as she waited for the moment to arrive. Rafe watched her from the corner of his eye, his heart overflowing with love. He held a very sleepy Ella on his hip, smiling when he felt her bury her head in his shoulder. A small worry nagged at his mind. When they'd tried to call Kate and Colin the phone had gone straight to the machine. They must have turned the phone off. He briefly thought he should go there and wake them up but he decided against it. Kate would understand. He knew she needed her rest. They could come over tomorrow to celebrate.

The heavy door to the courtroom creaked open and a jubilant Becky walked down the aisle and moved to stand across from Grant. He shifted his weight nervously, his eyes glued to the door and then, finally, she came into view.

Grant lost his breath as he watched her approach. Never in his life had he seen anything more stunning. He couldn't believe that in a few moments she would finally be his.

Jack kissed his daughter's cheek gently and placed her hand in Grant's, smiling as he moved to stand beside Alison and Rafe.

Judge Milton adjusted his glasses and began. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here at this ungodly hour to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony."

Beside him, Mrs. Milton jabbed her husband in the ribs. "George. Behave." She scolded him under her breath.

He didn't heed her warning. "And apparently our lovebirds have some non-traditional vows, for each other, so it seems I'm here simply to make it official. Go ahead young man. I hope you realize what you're getting into."

Grant knew exactly what he was in for and he couldn't wait. Their audience looked on nearly as breathless as he was.

"Chloe." He said softly as he gazed into her eyes. "I don't know when I first loved you. It seems like there never was a time that I didn't want to be near you. And for years, just being near you was enough for me." He lifted a hand to brush a stray curl off her cheek, his heart melting when he saw her smile.

He held her hands tightly in his as he continued. "But now, that's not nearly enough. I want more. I want a home and a life and a family with you. Most of all I just want to love you, Chloe. I think I'm pretty good at it." He said with a laugh.

"You are." She replied, laughing back at him - a tear escaping from her eye and falling slowly down her cheek. "There's no one else who could love me like you do."

"I need you to remember that." He said softly as he caught her tears on the back of his hand. The need to be near her was so overwhelming Grant didn't realize that in the next moment he had taken her in his arms. He hooked a finger under her chin and made her meet his eyes. "I need you to remember that always."

Chloe sank into his embrace, hugging him tightly before pulling away - realizing it was her turn now. She gazed up at him and smiled. "My mom always knew we were destined to be together. Now that I think about it she used to try in little ways to tell me that all the time. But for a while I missed all the clues." She traced a finger over his heart and lowered her lashes a bit. "I guess we both did." She continued as she looked into his eyes and grinned. "One thing is for sure. Once we admitted the truth there was no turning back."

"That's right." Grant agreed, his arms tightening around her.

"So. The truth is - I love you Grant. And the truth is - I always will." Chloe whispered as she moved closer to him. "I know that I can't live without you. I tried and it just doesn't work. I can't believe I'm finally here. I've waited my whole life for this moment. I've waited forever to be your wife."

They gazed into each others eyes – so wrapped up in each other they barely realized where they were or what was going on. They were caught up in their own little dream world until a voice interrupted their moment.

"OK. That's lovely." Judge Milton said with a sigh, handing his wife a handkerchief before consulting the paper in his hand. "Now – let me do what the taxpayers require of me. Grant Edward Kovich – do you take Chloe to be your lawful wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward – for better, for worse – for richer or poorer – to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Grant whispered as he held her tighter.

"That's wonderful." The judge said with a bit of a sarcastic grin, earning him another elbow in the ribs from his wife. "Splendid. OK - moving on - do you, Chloe Victoria Ramsey take Grant to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward – for better, for worse – for richer or poorer – to love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live?"

"Oh. Absolutely. I do." Chloe smiled up at Grant, desperate for him to kiss her. He could tell by the look in her eyes. He leaned down to do just that when the judge tugged him on the sleeve.

"Uh uh uh. Young man, control yourself." He scolded.

Grant and Chloe both blushed and moved farther apart to appease him.

"Better." Judge Milton nodded, satisfied he'd gotten his point across. "Rings?"

Chloe turned to Becky and took Grant's ring in her hand. Grant moved to slip the ring Jack had given him from the box.

"Now Grant. As you place the ring on her finger repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

Grant held Chloe's trembling hand in his and whispered. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Chloe's breath left her body when she saw the ring he had given her. "Grant…" She gasped. "Where did you…" She glanced at Jack with tears in her eyes. "Thank you." She mouthed before turning toward Grant again. Her hand caught his and held tight. Grant smiled at her and stood waiting for her to give him his ring.

"Chloe. Dear girl – it's your turn." Judge Milton prompted.

It took a little while, but she was finally able to control herself. Chloe gave the judge a nod and turned Grant's hand in hers.

"Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring…" Chloe's voice was full of tears. "I thee wed." She slipped the ring on Grant's finger and moved back into his arms.

The judge glanced at his watch and rolled his eyes. It was well past his bedtime. His voice boomed in the empty courtroom as he finished. "By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife."

Upon hearing the magic words, Chloe threw her arms around Grant's neck and pulled his lips to hers.

"Now. You may kiss your bride." The judge said loudly, to let them know they were supposed to wait for permission. Of course, it was useless for him to add that little detail – since Chloe and Grant were already wrapped up in a passionate kiss.

The judge rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "It figures. You two haven't paid attention to the any of rules yet. Why start now?"