Disclaimer: blah, blah, blah...

A/N: I'm back! I'm so sorry for the delay, but suffice it to say driving nearly 3,000 miles in 10 days has a way of wearing a person out. We arrived back home several days later than originally planned because my grandma didn't travel well (got sick and such), then when we got home I came down with a terrible head cold. I'm better now, but I'm SO busy helping grandma get settled in that I have almost no computer time right now and I sure do miss it! I know this chapter is short compared to what I usually write, but I wanted to post a little something to let everyone know I'm still working on this story and as SOON as I can, I'll get to work creating the wedding chapter. It'll be worth the wait, I promise:)

Chapter 48:

"Well, how do I look?" asked Mac as she turned around from her dressing table after putting the finishing touches on her make-up.

"You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen" said Jen.

"I agree" said Chloe, "that dress is totally you." It was a floor-length, strapless, off-white gown with a semi-cathedral train which began at Mac's waist and trailed over 6 feet behind her. Where the train met the dress was a large "candy box" bow. The bodice of the dress had hundreds of sequins and pearls, and the edges of the skirt were adorned with re-embroidered lace.

"Thanks" said Mac with a smile. "The leftover baby weight doesn't show too much, does it?" she asked, rubbing her hands self-consciously over her tummy.

"Not at all" assured Harriet.

"Good" replied Mac, "these last 5 pounds are just hanging on for dear life!"

"Been there, done that" laughed Harriet. "Eventually, they do go away though, honest."

"Hey" said Mattie, "someone's knocking on the door."

"Probably the photographer" said Mac, "it's picture time."

Mattie walked over to the door, opened it a crack and found a middle-aged woman standing in the hall.

"Hi" said the woman, "I'm Helen, I'm the photographer's assistant. Is everyone ready to get started with the pictures?"

"Yep, we're all set" replied Mattie. "Lemme get the others and we'll be right there."

"Everyone except the bride and the baby" said Helen.

"Got it" answered Mattie.

…meanwhile, in the guys dressing room…

"Please sit still" asked Harm of little AJ as he tried to tie the little boy's shoes.

"Yes, sir" replied the child, who honestly thought he was sitting still, but he made a special effort to sit even more still then before.

"There" said Harm as he got the thin, round laces tied. "Stand up, lemme get a look at you."

Little AJ stood up and held his arms straight down against his sides, his eyes looking up at his godfather for approval.

"Do I look nice, Uncle Harm?" he asked.

"You look very nice" replied Harm, kneeling down to the boys eye level. "You're gonna be the most handsome ring bearer in the whole wide world."

"Thanks" answered little AJ. "Is it time yet?"

"Almost" said Harm as he looked at his watch. "They should be coming to get us for pictures any minute now."

"I bet that's them now" said Sergei as he heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it" said Harm. He opened the door and greeted the man on the other side.

"Hey, Harm" said the man on the other side. "Good to see you again."

"Good to see you too, Andrew" replied Harm, shaking the man's hand. Andrew was the photographer friend of big AJ who'd done the special shoot of Ainsley a couple months earlier.

"How's the baby doing?" asked Andrew. "I bet she's grown a lot since I saw her, huh?"

"Yeah, she has" said Harm, "but she's still as cute as ever."

"But of course!" laughed Andrew. "Is everyone ready to get started with the pictures?"

"I believe we are" answered Harm. "Want us to meet you in the sanctuary?"

"That'll be fine" said Andrew. "We'll do everything we can with you first, then we'll send you back here and bring out Sarah and Ainsley and do as much as possible with them before the ceremony."

"Sounds great" said Harm. "We'll be there momentarily."

"OK, eyes right up here, good…big smiles…" said Helen as she stood behind Andrew, looking at the group posed together in front of the altar. Harm was sitting on the steps, surrounded by Jen, Chloe, Mattie and Harriet.

click

"Let's take one more just like that" said Andrew, "then we'll do some of the groom with each of the ladies."

"Oooh" joked Harm with an ominous grin, "lucky me!"

"You're such a clown!" said Chloe, playfully slapping Harm in the shoulder.

"Yeah" he replied, "but if I wasn't, you'd wonder what was wrong with me."

"Point taken" said Chloe.

"Alright, everyone ready?" asked Helen.

"Ready" said Harm.

"OK, eyes right here…big smiles…"

click

…back in the bride's room…

"I bet they're almost ready for us, sweet girl" said Mac as she finished buttoning the back of Ainsley's dress. It was made from the same fabric as Mac's and had the same lace around the bottom of the skirt, but it had long sleeves with little ruffles at the end. The bow in back matched Mac's exactly, and Ainsley's headband had tiny versions of the same flowers that adorned Mac's curly hairstyle.

"What do you think?" Mac asked her daughter as she stood with her in front of the full length mirror. "Think daddy will be able to look at us without getting all teary-eyed? I don't think he will. I'll be honest though, baby girl, mommy's not too sure she'll be able to look at daddy and not cry." The mere thought of seeing Harm all dolled-up and waiting for her at the altar was enough to bring tears to Mac's eyes. As she blinked them away, not wanting to ruin her make-up, there was a knock at the door.

"We're ready for you and the little angel here" said Helen when Mac opened the door, carefully holding Ainsley upon her shoulder.

"Lead the way" said Mac.

A/N: Again sorry it's so short and unexciting, but I wanted to post something and this was as far as I got tonight.