Note: Hee you guys rock :D So here's the new chapter. Just so you know, I gasp finished writing the story last night. Eight chapters in whole. So the last will be Friday ;)

CHAPTER FOUR

MONTHS LATER

"Are they all settled in?" Michelle asked Tony as he walked into the bedroom.

"I think so," he nodded.

"Think so?"

"Your Uncle was complaining about the mattress when I walked back across." Michelle shook her head with a smirk.

"I offered he take the room, but he insisted they'd be fine on the pull-out."

"I'm not changing in the middle of the night," Tony shook his head, changing into PJs. After a moment he realized Michelle was watching him with a sort of goofy grin on her face. "What?" he asked as he was pulling a shirt on. "You enjoying the show?" he asked, standing there with the shirt half pulled on. She nodded with a laugh.

"Can't help it if you're so… ogle-friendly…" she batted her eyelashes dramatically.

"Why Miss Dessler, I'm touched," he returned, kneeling on the bed before wrapping his arms around her, much to her amusement.

"Careful, don't crush me!" she managed through her laughs as they lulled about for a moment. Finally they stopped, though still locked in an embrace, now able to look into each other's eyes. "I can't believe we're getting married tomorrow…" she whispered. He smiled, reaching over to brush a soft curl out of her face, then resting his hand lightly over her shoulder. It had healed well over time, no longer bothering her.

"A lot of preparation, but it's well worth it."

"It's sad really. All these weeks of decisions and fittings and rehearsals and other tasks, all for one day… Even one thing's out of order and it could become…" He stopped her with a quick kiss before she started hyperventilating.

"Don't stress. Everything will be perfect."

"I know, I know," she nodded, then smiled. "And I thought work was rough."

"Look, just relax, okay? Tomorrow is all about you and me… but let's face it, one look at you and they'll forget all about me…" She blushed at that. "And would I ever let it go wrong?"

"You wouldn't."

"Exactly. Now get some sleep, 'Miss'," he released her so she could settle into her regular sleep position. Turning off the lamp, he did the same. In the dark, she reached over, taking his hand in hers.

"Thank you."

The next morning, bright and early they were up and rushing about. "Where are you off to first?" Tony asked.

"Amanda's picking me up to head to get my hair and nails done," Michelle explained, pulling on her shoes just as the bell rang. "That's her…" she breathed. "So… see you there," she spoke with quiet excitement before heading off with her bags of things to bring.

"Wow," Amanda laughed, helping her get everything into the car. Michelle got into the passenger seat and turned toward the back to greet James and Amanda's girls, Angie and Jenna, and Anna's son Nicholas.

Angie was five years old and had been designated flower girl. Danny's daughter, seven-year-old Ava, would also be a flower girl, but would meet them at the salon. Her mother was dropping her off, along with her brother Oliver, age 9. Michelle was really glad to know they would be there. As for Jenna and Nicholas, the 3-year-olds would be ring bearers.

"So they'll take care of the kids while we're all…"

"Yes, yes, don't worry."

"Not worried, I just…"

"I know, I was the same way." Michelle smiled as they drove off. They had Angie, Jenna, and Ava's hair to get fixed, along with maid of honor Clara and bridesmaids Anna, Amanda, and fellow CTU agent and friend Liz Whitley, and of course Michelle herself.

An hour later, things were coming along nicely. As Michelle's hair was being fixed, the girls came in, ready and anxious to show off their hair and their pink dresses. "Aunt Mimi, look!" Ava grinned. Michelle laughed lightly, clapping for the twirling girls.

"You girls look great!"

"It itches," Angie gave a small complaint, but they assured her it would pass. Soon, Michelle's veil was attached and they were ready to go. They would dress at the church, so not to risk dropping something on them and staining the dresses.

As her dress was being adjusted on her though, she could feel her heart beat faster with anticipation. She'd dreamt of this day for so long, since the engagement, even more since her childhood. She vaguely remembered having been a flower girl herself.

She was six, and it was Uncle Mike and Aunt Trish's wedding, the very pair that had spent the night on the sofa bed the previous evening. The ever-emotional Aunt Trish had naturally reminded her of this. Tony was shown picture after picture before Uncle Mike had finally gotten his wife to stop. Michelle was just glad a certain cake incident hadn't been documented.

As she sat in her dress, waiting the time for her father to come walk her down the aisle, there was a knock at the door.

"Michelle, you in there?" She shot to her feet at the sound of Tony's voice.

"Don't come in, you can't see me yet!" she stood at the door, hands on it and the handle.

"I know, I'm not coming in, but there's just a small situation and you're needed," he explained, in a similar position on the other side of the door.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. I guess mostly I just wanted to talk to you, see how you were…" She smiled. "Well, not 'see', but…"

"I get it, I get it," she assured him. "I'm doing just fine, don't worry. How are things out there?"

"Everything's almost ready, just have to wait for it to be time…"

"What are you doing there?" Michelle heard the sound of her mother's voice and laughed as she pictured Tony trying to 'keep it cool'.

"I didn't see her," he promised.

"Good, neither have I. Now go on," she sent him off. Once he'd turned the corner, she knocked on the door. "Alright, can I come in?"

"Of course you can," she opened the door, stepping aside.

"Angel… Look at you…" she breathed as she took in the sight of her daughter, tears springing to her eyes.

"Stop, you'll get me started!" Michelle tried to keep it together. "Don't want to screw up my makeup," she laughed as her mother hugged her.

"Okay, just give me a minute." Michelle nodded. "Right, here we go then. Just wanted to come see you before… I'm so proud of you Angel…"

"I know…"

"Okay, I better go… Your Dad'll come get you."

"Great." Waiting for him, Michelle stood in the quiet room, breathing in and out deeply, pacing about.

"Here's my girl," came the sound of her father's voice. She looked back and smiled.

"So what do you think?" Approaching his daughter, he took her hand, kissed her forehead.

"I think you'll have to squeeze my arm or I'm the one who'll start blubbering." She laughed, then gave him a proud smile.

"Deal. Don't worry Dad, I'll keep you in check."

"Alright then. Shall we?" She nodded, and soon after they were all in position. The music started, and they started down the aisle.

Michelle spotted Tony all the way in the front, and her heart started doing somersaults. Seeing him there, she could recall so many times wishing for something like this. She felt the last two years and some time of knowing him, of deep down knowing she loved him though it was a while longer before it could all surface. There had been moments of great fear, anguish, sadness, and he had been there for her in ways that made her walk with so much more in her steps. She knew the risks of her job, their job, of things that could come and stand in their way. But she was willing to tempt it.

Tony waited at the front, his brother and best man standing by him. When Michelle entered, it was like an escalated version of the first time he'd seen her, back at CTU. He'd been stunned then, and he was floored now. It wasn't just the way she looked. It was the look in her eyes. She put so much forth with just a glance and, near or far, he could always read it. He returned just as much, letting her know how important she was to him. With each day that passed, he felt more and more connected to her. One thing was for sure – he'd never loved anyone as much as he loved her before, and the same went for the future.

"Hey," he drew her attention with a whisper as her father gave her hand to him. She looked over. "It was worth the wait…" he continued, making her smile as they looked ahead.

As the newlyweds stepped on the dance floor, the stress either of them may have felt was now long gone. A secret present from Tony had involved booking the band from across Lyons' to play the first song they'd danced to as their first dance now. "No bumping now," Tony spoke, recalling their first date. Michelle remembered as well; the memory was a welcomed one.

"Maybe later…" she pointed out, glancing over at their gathered families, friends, and co-workers.

"Maybe…" he repeated.

After the first dance was over, others began joining in. They swapped about with others. Besides James and Amanda, Ben and Anna, Gael and his wife, there was Jack and Kate Warner, and in the spirit of friendship there was Danny and Clara. The two of them had hit it off, but had no romantic aspirations.

As much as they could though, Tony and Michelle ended up finding each other again. The party went on into the morning hours, at which point the couple headed to the airport and left for their honeymoon. They slept through most of the flight, huddled in each other's arms.

TBC