Disclaimer: Still not mine.. Sadly, this is true.

Spoilers/Summary: All in the previous chapters

Notes: Well…here it is.. Series end. This story really started with the intent of a short series…but given who's at the keyboard, maybe it is a short series. Anyway.. I just didn't expect for it to get this far, nor did I really expect to get the amount of feedback that I've gotten….for the record, this story is also the one responsible for sparking the Lita/Cena shipper in me… well that's not entirely true, but it is the first story I have written that's started with the intent of this pairing.. Or that focuses solely on this pairing. So.. With all of that said, I want to thank each and everyone of you who has taken the time to read this story. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the reviews you've left along the way… and I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it.

xoxox

Fall of Next Year-- Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Lita couldn't help rolling her eyes as Dawn continued to 'argue' with Lillian's veil. The brunette was currently standing on a chair, the blonde ring announcer in front of her. As the maid of honor, Lita should've been the one helping Lillian with her veil.. But, the redhead had given up when the fifth bobby pin refused to place. Victoria had also given it a shot… along with the third bridesmaid- Nidia. But, all three had failed in their attempts.. Dawn taking over the task as Lita, Nidia and Victoria watched on. It was hard for the redhead to believe that over a year had passed since the engagement party.. And almost as hard for her to believe that she had been with one John Cena since then. If someone had told her she would be dating the outspoken West Newbury native.. She would've laughed herself into an early grave. Of course they had their fair share of stupid fights, which also meant they had their fair share of making up. Still, Lita had no complaints.. Nor did she have any regrets. While their relationship was certainly unpredictable, that just made it more fun and exciting…and something that the redhead chalked up to the unexpected surprises in life. But a good surprise and one that she hoped would last.

"Finally.." Dawn smiled triumphantly as the veil finally settled in place. "Now you look even more beautiful than you already did."

Lillian smiled beautifully as she turned to face the four women. "I can't believe I'm actually getting married today.."

Lita grinned, "Well believe it… Shawn's going to be the one in disbelief when he you walk down that aisle." She handed over the bouquet to Lillian. "You look gorgeous, Lil."

"Okay.." Dawn picked up her bouquet, "we all have our bouquets, Lillian's veil is perfect.." Her lips pursed in thought, "and do you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?"

The pretty blonde nodded, "The veil is my grandmothers…I'm borrowing a necklace from my mother, the bracelet is new and--"

"Shawn's eyes are blue." Victoria pointed out as she stood, "so there you go.. Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue."

"Then we're ready.." Lita grabbed her bouquet from the small table in the dressing room. "And good thing to, because it's almost time."

Dawn raised an eyebrow, "We will be ready when someone puts their shoes on.."

"I was getting to that.." Lita almost stuck out her tongue, slipping on her shoes before she opened the door. "And I'm telling you Dawn, the second I get a chance…these shoes are going."

Jeff coughed from the hallway, "If y'all are ready.." He nodded discreetly towards the open doors. "The guests are all here…Shawn's at the alter with the minister, so we're just waiting on the rest of the wedding party."

Victoria stepped forwards, resting her hand on the crook of his outstretched arm. "We just had a little technical difficulty with the veil.."

Nidia stepped out next, her hand resting on the waiting arm of Rey; the two mid way down the aisle when Chris and Dawn took their turn in the doorway.

"You don' cry at weddings do ya?"

Lita rolled her eyes, "No I don't cry at weddings.. I find some of them to either be tacky or too sappy, but no.. I don't cry."

John grinned, offering his arm as she joined him at the doorway. "Jus' checking.." An eyebrow raised slightly, "Jeff's already bettin' that Dawn's gonna push you in front of the bouquet when Lillian tosses it."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she did," Lita replied with a smirk. "Which is why I have no intentions of standing there when Lil does toss the bouquet."

He chuckled at that, the two sobering soon enough as they took the walk down the aisle. The guests were soon on their feet as the wedding march began, the redhead idly wondering if that could be her one day.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union between…"

The moment those words left the ministers mouth, marked the moment that Lita found herself thinking back to the pre-wedding preparations. In particular, she found herself thinking back on the one dance lesson that Dawn insisted they all needed to take.

"Thanks twinkle toes," the redhead glared at her dance partner. "I always enjoy getting my feet stepped on."

"I never said I could dance, did I?" John rolled his eyes, glancing towards the instructor before looking back to his girlfriend. "Sure.. I can half ass my way at club dancing, but this is a whole new world."

"You're not telling me anything I don't know," she shook her head, the pair probably the most reluctant out of the participants. "But could you at least try and not step on my feet?"

"I'll make it up to you," he told her seriously, though she could see the suggestive look in his eyes. "But not right now, 'cos there are too many people watching."

Lita rolled her eyes, "You're too much, ya know that?"

"Too much for you to handle?" John smirked, "you coulda fooled me.. Not that I'm 'bout to complain or nothing like that but--"

"Just shut up.. And don't even try that innocent face with me, because it's not working."

He wiggled his eyebrows, "I'll shut you up later.. An' in a way that'll be fun for us both."

Lita sighed, "I don't know why I put up with you."

"Maybe because you love me?" He shrugged, "either that or you're just with me for the sex."

"I'm sure that must be it," she told him in all seriousness, giggling when he raised an eyebrow. "But yeah.. You're right…about the first part."

"Are you tryin' to tell me you've been fakin' it all this time?" He shook his head, "I'm gonna hafta do something 'bout that."

Lita snapped back to reality, smiling to herself as the rings were handed over to Shawn and Lillian, she taking the bridal bouquet at that moment. Hazel eyes locking with blue, the Diva wondering once more if this would happen.. Or if it was a matter of when it would happen. They were currently living together, but the topic of marriage hadn't come up in any of their numerous conversations. Lita wasn't sure if that bothered her or not…or if it really made that much of a difference.

"You may now kiss the bride."

xoxox

The redhead blinked…had she just spaced out for the entire ceremony? She handed Lillian's bouquet back over, straightening her own bouquet in preparation to walk back down the aisle. A reassuring smile was sent to John, she quietly telling him that she was fine.. Just thinking about how big today must be for Shawn and Lillian. Fortunately, John seemed to believe that, the two soon joining the new bride and groom on the church steps to greet guests. And then they were waiting longer…for the pictures to be taken before they were all heading off for the reception. It was on the way to the reception that Dawn questioned if the redhead was okay.. Lita waving off the notion with a casual shrug. Of course, the brunette wasn't believing a word of it.. But she also knew when Lita wasn't in the mood to talk about something. Or maybe the subject of the conversation just wasn't her place. Whatever the case, Dawn left the issue alone.. The short ride to the reception in subsequent silence.

John shot her a questioning look as they settled at their designated table. "Are you alright?"

Lita nodded, "I'm fine…trust me. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

An eyebrow raised at that, "Is it something bad? I mean, you've been all…distant an' whateva."

"It's nothing bad, John." She squeezed his forearm, "like I said.. I just have a lot on my mind."

He nodded hesitantly, "If you say so then.."

"Stop worrying," Lita rolled her eyes good naturedly, "we'll talk about it later if it's worth talking about."

"First dance is bride and groom," Dawn informed the two from her spot at the table. "Next is father and daughter then it's the wedding party." An eyebrow raised then, "I hope you two haven't forgotten anything."

Lita and John rolled their eyes in unison at the brunette, pointedly ignoring her while the first two songs were played.

"Alright twinkle toes," Lita batted her lashes innocently at John's mock glare. "We're up."

"Ya know…unlike some people, I apologized for that." An eyebrow raised as he took her hand in his. "You still owe me an apology."

The redhead snorted softly as they took their place on the dance floor. "If you keep acting like that, you won't get it."

He drew her close to him, blue eyes gazing intently at her. "Is that so? You know I can be jus' as persistent as you are…an' I'm gonna get that apology from ya, one way or the other."

"Yeah, yeah.." she shook her head, "all talk and no--"

Discreetly, he pinched her ass. "I'll show you action."

Lita raised an eyebrow, "So you think anyway.. "

"So I know," he corrected her with a smirk. "Jus' you wait until this is over. We ain't gotta be back for the shows until Monday.. Which means we have all night an' all day tomorrow."

The redhead giggled, informing him seriously: "You just keep telling yourself that and it might be true."

"Jus' you wait.. I'm gonna prove you wrong." Blue eyes held hazel, "I wonder if we would've gotten together…if it hadn't been for that party."

"If not then.. I have a feeling Dawn would've been even more pushy." Lita shrugged, "I don't know if we would've though."

"I'll admit, I had my eye on ya but.. I jus' wasn't sure if it would've worked." His shoulders lifted marginally, "that an' I wasn't exactly sure how things were goin' between you an' Hardy at the time so--"

"And yet, here we are.." A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "over a year later." She sighed slightly, the two walking off the dance floor instead of staying.

He watched her quizzically, "Do I smell funny or something? Which is unlikely 'cos--"

Lita blinked, "No.. you smell the same.. Non offensive and familiar."

"Alright.." John tugged on her hand, settling her on his lap as he took a seat. "It's jus' you look really distant.. An' that last time you were like this.. We ended up fightin' so.."

"There's nothing wrong," she brought up a hand to cup his cheek. "Like I told you, I have a lot on my mind.. But there's nothing wrong." At his incredulous look, she shook her head. "I guess part of me still finds it hard to believe that we've been together for this long."

"Which ain't as long as you an' Hardy but--"

"No but," an eyebrow raised slightly, "the two of us.. I just wouldn't have pictured it, ya know? We're opposites in nearly every sense."

John shrugged, "That may be true but.. It also makes for an' interesting relationship. Plus we aren't complete opposites."

She half shrugged, "I guess that's true.." her expression waxed serious for a moment, "but we still need to do something about your taste in music."

"My taste in music?" He smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Wrong.. We need to do something 'bout your taste in music." She laughed outright at the expression on his face, "so now you're laughin' at me? I see how it is."

Lita rolled her eyes, "But to borrow a phrase from a friend…if I could be serious for a moment." She waited until he was looking at her, "our relationship is just something I wouldn't have expected.. A part of me still finds it hard to believe that we are together and wonders how we got together."

"An' that's a bad thing?"

"No," she kissed his forehead, "it's just something that I do think about .. And one of the things I was thinking about."

xoxox

He opened his mouth to reply when one of the waiters stopped by their table to let them know it was time to eat. And while they were eating, the redhead found herself in an 'argument' with Dawn about how she wasn't going to be standing amongst the mix of women to catch Lillian's bouquet. The brunette argued back that Lita had to because she wasn't married yet. Of course, Victoria just had to take Dawn's side.. Lita eventually agreeing to humor her two friends. Once everyone had eaten and the best man had given the speech.. It was cake cutting time followed by the dreaded toss of the bridal bouquet. And just when the redhead thought she would be spared from participating…Dawn and Victoria grabbed her arms to near drag her over to the designated spot. And only after she had warned Dawn not to push her in front of the falling bouquet…did Lita agree to stand there willingly. Just as luck would have it, the bouquet was tossed in an almost perfect arch, pegging the redhead square in the chest.

"It's a conspiracy," Lita told her friends, "I wasn't even trying to catch this thing."

"Well you know what this means," Dawn smirked as they made their way back to the table. "You're next."

Lita rolled her eyes, "Yeah…right. Just because the bouquet landed on me doesn't mean a thing. I thought you actually had to catch it."

"Say what you will," Dawn smoothed down her dress as she seated herself. "Either way you ended up with the bouquet. And I didn't interfere."

Victoria smirked, "For once.. Which I must applaud you for Dawn because I'm sure the temptation must have been great."

Chris glanced between the three before his eyes settled on the bouquet. "I guess this means you're next, eh Li?"

"Apparently so," she replied sarcastically, her expression growing confused as she looked over the table. "Where's John?"

The blonde man nodded towards the doors, "He and Jeff are talking outside."

Lita's forehead etched in confusion, the confusion growing as Jeff stepped back inside. But rather than move, she waited until Jeff returned.

"You might wanna head out there," the Cameron native nodded to the balcony, "it's nothing bad Li-Li.. We were both getting a little stuffy from bein' inside an' from bein' all suited up."

"I feel your pain," she told him seriously. "Dawn can you just keep an eye on this?" Lita set down the bridal bouquet, her shoes deposited behind a potted plant as she stepped outside.

John turned as the doors opened, watching her as she made her way over to the railing. "So.. Who caught the bouquet?"

Lita waited until she was standing next to him, the two turning to look out over the theme park. "I did actually.. And without Dawn's help."

He sent a look to his side, "Which means you're next."

"If you want to believe all of the tales, yeah.." Lita shrugged, turning to lean back against the railing. "I guess it does."

"You don' want to?"

She held his questioning gaze, "It's never really crossed my mind.. Up until today anyway."

He banded an arm around her waist, "Well it's not something we've really talked 'bout.. Unless you have other plans." An eyebrow raised, "in which case.. I'd hope you'd tell me."

Lita's nose wrinkled as she rested her head on his chest. "I know we haven't talked about it and no.. I don't have 'other plans'.. The thought just never crossed my mind until today."

"Alright," John moved her so she was standing in front of him. "So, what are your thoughts on it? Mind you, I ain't sayin' it hasta happen right away or nothing but--"

Her lips pursed in thought, "To be honest, I always thought it would happen with Matt.. I mean, we were together for years and all but…maybe it just wasn't meant for us."

His chin rested on her bare shoulder. "An' that's you an' Matt.. I was kinda talkin' 'bout us."

"I know," she leaned back fully against him, her hands resting over his. "And like I told you, I haven't really given it much thought.. We've always taken this day by day anyway and--"

"I know babe," he turned her so she was facing him. "An' if that's what you wanna keep doin'? Then that's we'll do."

Lita inclined her head, a curious look in her hazel eyes. "And if I don't?"

John grinned, "Then we start thinking 'bout it.. An' keep Dawn out of our weddin' plans 'cos I don' want her involved." He kissed her forehead, "but honestly Li.. We've been livin' together for what.. Two months now? I'm fine with that for however long it means."

She smiled fully, perching on tip toe to capture his lips with hers. "I love you."

"I love you," he rested his forehead against hers, drawing her as close as he could. "I do wonder 'bout your tastes in music an' whateva--"

"And the same could be said for you," she paused, looking up at him. "Can we go back inside though.. My feet are cold."

An eyebrow raised as he lifted the skirt of her dress enough to see her stockings and no shoes. "Where the hell did you leave your shoes?"

Lita nodded back to the reception, "Behind one of those pillars.. I couldn't help it! My feet were killing me."

Blue eyes twinkled mischievously, "Well.. Me an' Jeff were looking' for a pair of shoes or two to tie to the back of the limo.." The grip around her waist tightened, "so no.. we ain't goin' back inside yet."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, her hands coming to rest on his chest. "John Felix Anthony.. You let me go!"

"I don' think so, Amy Christine." A smirk curled at the corners of his mouth when she started struggling. "An' if you keep that up.. There's no way in hell we're goin' back to the reception.. We is gonna go right back to our hotel room." She stuck out her tongue and he raised an eyebrow. "There's better uses for that ya know."

An eyebrow raised, "And all of Lillian and Shawn's wedding guests are inside…with a good view."

"An exhibitionist are ya?" John chuckled at her withering glare, "I guess ya learn something new every day."

Lita opened her mouth to retort and he chose that moment to fuse his mouth with hers. The defeated sigh was swept into the kiss, tongues starting to tangle, the two forgetting that they were in plain view of the wedding guests.. That was until Jeff, Victoria and Dawn finally found the controls for the curtains in front of the windows.. Lita and John soon disappearing from sight. Eventually, however, the two found their way back inside.. The redhead still without her shoes as she and John joined everyone on the dance floor. And just as John had stated on the balcony, those shoes…along with Victoria's…were stringed up to the back of the limo toting Lillian and Shawn to the airport. Later that night, as she and John watched the nightly fireworks display from the comfort of the bed.. The redhead found herself thinking back to the events that had taken place over a year ago. While she wasn't sure where their relationship would go next.. She could look back and say one thing…

She had absolutely no regrets.

(FIN)