Michael had to stifle a gasp walking into the church. This was his first time in a church, being Jewish, so he really had no business there until now. But it most definitely wasn't what he had expected, especially for a wedding planned by the artistic Helen Thermopolis. He had honestly expected the décor to be something bright, with a random theme like Campbell's soup or something. Lysol perhaps, but definitely not white lilies, silk ribbons, and elaborate flower pieces on either side of the altar. The pews were already quite full of chatting people who seemed to all know each other. Looking around, Michael could see the Crown Prince Philippe, along with the infamous Grandmere, well known to him through Mia's all-too-common rants about her princess lessons. He smiled at the thought of her, and tried to imagine where she was at that moment and where she would be sitting.

A stately looking usher led them to the front row on the left side of the altar, right next to where Michael thought Mia would surely be sitting. The Moscovitzes sat down on the wooden benches, and Michael could sense his parents' unhappiness with being placed so close to the crucifix. They were obviously determined to enjoy themselves, and began noting the beauty of the stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and the ambiance in general.

A few minutes later, a very frazzled looking Mia seemed to appear out of nowhere and slid into the seat next to him. She absentmindedly started checking things off on her fingers, her eyes nervously darting around as if just now noting the multitudes of people that sat anxiously awaiting the start of the ceremony.

"Hey Thermopolis," Michael said, causing a faint blush to creep across her cheeks. He observed that she looked great in her baby blue, tight fitting gown.

"Hey." Mia smiled at him, and was pleased to note that he most definitely returned the gesture. Or maybe he was just in a good mood or something.

"You need to take a deep breath; you look way tense." Michael noted that her shoulders were really stiff, and she seemed to be sitting as though on something delicate. How he wanted so bad to just sit there and massage all the knots out of those creamy shoulders! Mia smiled once more, and inhaled deeply, causing her posture to be slightly more relaxed. "That's better," he said.

"It's just that with all the planning, you know my mom's absentmindedness, I didn't want her to forget anything. I mean, wouldn't it be awful if something big was left out, like a reception, or those little bottles of bubbles you blow at the newlyweds? And I mean, even though it is my mom and my algebra teacher, ya know, I really wanted everything to be special, so-" Mia's rambling was silenced as Michael placed his hand on her shoulder. He was touching her! Surely he didn't mean it though, there's no way someone like Michael could like her: the geeky princess Mia Thermopolis.

Michael couldn't believe his nerve! He had just put his arm on Mia's shoulder, but she only seemed to tense up more with it. Quickly he withdrew it, and trying to save the situation, pointed to a spot directly behind her left shoulder. "Who's that over there?" he asked, fully knowing that it was her grandmother.

Mia wrinkled her nose. "That's Grandmere," she said. "The one I told you about. The EVIL one." With this she gave a tiny, involuntary shudder.

"That bad huh?"

"Oh yeah. She's not too happy with the marriage, but then again, that's to be expected. Just because Mom wouldn't let her and her little groupies plan it, she's been walking around like she sat on a porcupine," Mia explained.

"That explains that sour look on her face too I guess."

"No that's just her usual expression!" The two laughed, as those who share a private joke do. The noise alerted Lilly to their presence, who was sitting to the left of Michael and his parents, and so was hidden from view.

"Mia! It's you!" Lilly exclaimed.

Mia was a bit disappointed at the intrusion, even from her best friend. She had thought she was doing quite well with Michael, minimum embarrassment for once, ruling out her little ramble earlier. "Hey Lil," was all she managed to get out.

"Wow the church looks great! And I can't wait to see the dress! This is so exciting!" Mr. Gianini, who had just nervously walked out in a black tuxedo, with beige under jacket, was now standing, fidgeting on the altar. Moments later, the organist struck up the beginning measures of "Here Comes The Bride," and the back doors were thrown open. Two rays of sunlight further accentuated the long aisle to the altar.

The crowd let out an audible gasp as Helen began to walk slowly downs the aisle, alone. She had insisted on this, saying that she had walked alone most of her life, so it would be fitting. Plus, her grandfather had died before Mia was born, and there wasn't anyone needed to give her away. She looked, in a word, radiant; with an expression Mia doubted had been seen on her face before. It was a calm look, yet full of excitement at the same time. The dress fit her like a glove, the gauzy train slowly dragging behind. Mr. G's fears all seemed to have melted away at first sight of his bride, and he was now looking her straight in the eye, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. It was obvious to all, even to Grandmere, that the two were very much in love.

Mia sighed and began to relax. Who knew that her mother could look so beautiful? She was pretty sure it would be smooth sailing from here on out. She leaned back into the pew's hard wooden back, and put her hand on the seat. It landed right on top of Michael's. She hurriedly pulled away, but not before he had turned and given her a quick look, then smiled. It was almost as if he liked the feel of her warm, soft hand on his. She shrugged as if to expel the thoughts from her mind, and tried to concentrate on the ceremony, but it was hard, knowing that the love of her life was sitting right beside her.

The preacher seemed to drone on forever, and the audience began to get a bit fidgety. Finally, it was time for the vows. "Do you, Frank Gianini, take Helen Thermopolis, to be your lawfully-wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness or in health, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"And do you, Helen Thermopolis, take Frank Gianini to be your lawfully-wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness or in health, till death do you part?"

"I do," she said, her eyes glistening. Even Mr. G's looked a little teary.

"Then you may kiss the bride!" the preacher announced jovially.

Mr. G. let out loud "Amen!" then pulled Helen in for a long, passionate kiss, the crowd ooh-ing and ah-ing. They broke apart and the preacher then said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gianini!"

Everyone burst into applause as the two began to walk down the aisle, arm in arm. Outside the flagstone steps, a white horse and buggy waited, with a sign on the back of the rig saying "Just Married."

Mia and the Moscovitzes stood up and stretched. "We have a limo to take us to the Plaza for the reception," Mia said. Michael grinned. He would get to ride with Mia!