There might not have been a lobster feast to celebrate Michael and Lisa's engagement but Logan had gotten slabs of ribs knowing that it was his pals favorite meat, Quinn had roasted some red potatoes, Zoey had thrown together a tasty salad while Vince and Lola supplied the champagne . Since Zoey and Chase's bistro table in the kitchen wouldn't hold the entire group, they all sat around in the living room eating and engaging in lively conversation.

'So you two, big wedding? Small wedding? 'Inquired Vince, lifting his plate up higher enabling Lola to steal a hefty bite of rib. He knew since she had gotten a small role in the new pilot of a teen soap that Lola would be obsessing over her weight and everything thing she ate.

Not that she needed too, Lola was perfect in his eyes. Vince had always appreciated that though Lola got crazed about many things, normally she enjoyed her food. Lola had never gone on those insane fad diets like Lisa did nor did she eat like a bird.

Vince hoped this acting role wouldn't affect that normal.

Michael and Lisa exchanged shared looks. They had witnessed the hubaloo of who made the guest list from both of their friend's weddings so they definitely wanted to avoid hurt feelings or inviting friends of second cousins or old business associates of their parents that they had never even met either. With their Dads alone this could be a problem if they didn't be clear right from the start which they already knew.

'Smallish ….100 maybe,' muttered Michael, between bites of his barbecue ribs,' I could probably sweet talk my Grandma from her not inviting all the ladies in her bridge club easily enough.'

Lisa tucked her legs underneath her as she sipped on her bubbly, considered.' I liked the size of Quinn and Logan's wedding but I don't know if we could realistically stick with those numbers. We haven't made our lists yet but I thought 150 but aiming for 130ish '

'So middle-ish is nice 'says Quinn, leaning comfortably into the crook of her husband's arm,' plus since its Georgia, some folks might not want the travel '

Lola placed the paper plate on the coffee table, frowning, slightly.' Wait! I don't have a clue how many episodes I …I mean, my character will have to be in or my schedule if this show gets picked up by the network. I'm not famous so I don't want to start making demands on the powers that be that give me a paycheck ….this is a bad omen for your wedding '

Lola wiped her hands on a napkin then reached across to place a hand on Lisa's arm.

'I am so sorry, you guys, I might not be able to attend all the pre-wedding fun stuff and this is awful. Maybe I should do a tarot reading to check ...'

Lola came from a long line of gypsies and dabbled a bit in the magic's when it suited her. She wasn't as devout as her sister but was more open and in tune than she used to be.

'Lola, don't put the cart before the horse,' suggested Michael, soothingly. He knew how it didn't take much for the actress to go on a full out rant,' you haven't ruined a dang thing. Can you save the major panic until after you have some details or what?'

Zoey smacked Michael soundly across the back of his head.' Be nice to her, Michael '

' Ow , damn , Zoey , cut it out ! I am an engaged man,' Michael turned to look at his fiancée,' Lisa, you going to let her beat up on me like this? '

Lisa stifled an amused laugh.' Lola's concern is because she doesn't want to miss a thing in our wedding, Michael '

' Zoey hit me ! What does that have to do with Lola's acting gig or our wedding? '

'You really need for me to tell you, Michael? '

Michael gave her an exasperated look which she took for his answer and his so called best buds were so not helping him at all. Vince gave a casual shrug as if to say not going there, paly.

'You jerks suck '

Chase and Logan high fived one another as they chuckled with Vince laughing quietly amongst them. Vince was truly happy for his friends but his chest was awfully constricting right now which he didn't want to consider the why to that. Lola didn't care to discuss their future preferred the spontaneity that was their relationship however since most of the gang had already boarded the marriage train, Vince was feeling odd. Very weird indeed.

Idly he couldn't help wondering when the wedding bug would hit Lola with Michael and Lisa now getting hitched next making them the last.

'Yes dear is what you are looking for here, Michael,' cautioned Chase with a wide grin,' be good for you to keep them in mind ...'

'Yes dear ….'

' Chase , you'd better not be using that just to placate me when we are in a fight or I am so going to be mad at you' warned Zoey, wagging a finger in his direction .

' Zoey! Honey, I am wounded that you would think such a thing 'feigned Chase, innocently.

Zoey tossed a few pretzels at him which promptly landed in his lap which he then stuck in his mouth causing the others to make faces and continue mocking him. It might have been hilarious if they weren't trying to have a serious wedding discussion here .

'I'm your husband, not the old boyfriend,' shot back Chase,' I don't placate '

Zoey's old serious boyfriend James, of the perfect blondeness and manly physique, just happened to be one of the managers of the boutique where his wife was working. Though it had been many, many years since the breakup and Zoey had married Chase, James presence irked him. He was trying to be cool, trying to not make a big deal out of it to his wife but it still bothered him. It also made Chase feel about awkward and 15 again.

'You'd better not, dear,' murmured Zoey, sweetly then focused back on the newly engaged couple,' what about a wedding planner, Lisa? Do you remember how my Mother brought one in for us at first? They can be helpful especially since it'll be in Georgia, could ease your mind on the less trivial things you'll have to decide on '

Lisa chewed nervously on the bottom of her lip.' All good points, Zo, and I imagine my Mom would offer up that we hire a planner too but I can't help but think how wholly expensive that is going to be. Surely with Val and all of you helping us, we can forget about paying someone else and her doubly expensive staff to help us with the details ...'

Lisa wanted her dream wedding but she couldn't wrap her mind around spending an insane amount of money they didn't have on that special day. She did want to find the dress, the perfect gown for her to marry Michael in, and he would so rock his tuxedo.

' We just have a million things to do in a short amount of time to pull this wedding off beautifully so we really appreciate you all jumping in to help us '

'Of course, Lisa,' spoke up Quinn, loyally,' we're all old pros by now at throwing together a spectacular wedding. You just tell us what you need for us to do '

' Yeah and again , the family plane is at your disposal so just say the word ,' offered Logan , wrapping his arms around Quinn's waist ,' I still have the lobster guy plus I have all of Dad's contacts . You don't have to be totally cheap or chintzy, guys, it is your wedding '

Quinn elbowed him in the ribs.' Logan means that in the nicest way .'

'Quinn, what was that for? They know I was being sincere '

Quinn pushed her glasses back up on her nose then smiled, softly.' Just making sure '

' Thanks ,' picked up Michael, thinking of all of the details he and Lisa had yet to talk about , let alone figure out a realistic budget that wouldn't have them just settling either . They deserved a beautiful wedding too,' so four or five months aren't that far away. Maybe we should all fly out to visit with my folks over the weekend to get this ball rolling '

Michael felt that once they talked to his folks, saw the church, and visited with Pastor Brown then actually locking in the venue, it would make it all real. They had the bridal party solid already so they didn't have the mess of worrying over the groomsmen and bridesmaids.

There was something to be said for having lifelong friends that were family.

'We need great food, great family and friends, 'considered Michael, growing serious for a second,' Traditional but nothing stuffy either. I want our reception to be a fun party with an awesome band some we can all cut up and dance '

Lisa leaned in pressing her lips to his in a delighted kiss.' Exactly! A simple celebration of our love, Michael Barrett '

Lisa wondered if they could use that for their wedding – it might make a nice theme.

'Oh that is very sweet,' gushed an uncharacteristically weepy Zoey, as Lola handed her a tissue,' you two are the one couple we all aspired to be back at P.C.A . We should all go dress shopping as soon as possible, Lisa '

'Yes 'agreed Lisa, whole-heartedly,' dress shopping is our new tradition '

'I suppose amongst our group wedding dress shopping could be considered a bit of a new tradition for us 'volunteered the scientist, quietly.

Suddenly affronted by the reality of yet another wedding, Lola found herself reacting without giving it much thought to what exactly it was that she was talking about. Only that now she would be the only single woman within their group.

'Vince and I are good,' Lola looked quizzically at Zoey as her friend dabbed at her eyes,' Geesh , just because Michael and Lisa only broke up that one time doesn't make them that perfect . No offense, you two, you know that we love you too ….'

'Lo, now isn't the time …'

Vince could be heard letting out the long suffering sigh.' Lola, let's throw all of the attention back to the couple hear that is actually getting married. Everyone here knows where we stand because it is the same spot that we have always stood...together '

Lola pouted,' what is that supposed to mean, Vince? '

'It means nothing, Lola, 'Vince rose from the couch,' I'm going to go grab another bottle of wine and some beer.'

Logan kissed Quinn's head then jumped up,' I'll help '

Quinn bit down on the side of her mouth , turning around ideas in her head before muttered very quietly under her breath ,' Uh oh I hope there isn't trouble in paradise '

She hoped her husband wouldn't make matters worse either but Logan was still Logan.

********************************Wedding *********************************

Vince didn't know what had gotten into him only that his instant annoyance with Lola's cavalier defense of their own relationship had hit a nerve so not wanting to ruin the atmosphere for Michael and Lisa; he figured it was safer to take a breather to get it together.

He pressed his hands against the butcher block, sucked in a breath, counted to five then reminded him to let go of the negativity that surrounded him. Deep cleansing breaths and relinquish control of things which he couldn't control for now.

'You okay, man? '

Vince looked up to find Logan standing in the doorway of the kitchen , a somber looking expression on his handsome face, his copper curls cut in a shorter style , confident and casual in a worn pair of jeans and a gray Boston Film School sweatshirt genuine concern etched on him .

'Yes,' answered Vince. Meeting his best friends gaze with his own,' Lola and I aren't fighting, we rarely ever fight, but sometimes the woman is too much. I love her, Logan, I do, but we haven't been casual since our junior year at PCA '

Logan yanked open the refrigerator , pulled out a couple of beers handing one to Vince before crossing his arms, giving him the floor . Vince hadn't been this uptight since eons ago which couldn't be a good thing. Better not to bring the lovebirds down either.

'I think we all know that, Vince,' told Logan, taking a pull on his beer,' that the problem? You feeling out of the loop since Michael and Lisa are getting hitched? '

Vince held the beer but didn't drink it.' I don't know, maybe, Logan, or maybe i am just freaking out for no reason! I mean, Lola and I just got the apartment together, I've occasionally brought up the idea of marriage and Lord knows her mom brings up us getting hand fasted every time she calls us. I'm not against marriage neither is Lola …..'

Logan arched an eyebrow.' What the hell is hand fasting? '

'It's like a witch wedding,' answered Vince, pausing to drink,' I know that Lola has that timeline for her career but it isn't etched in freaking bedrock. You got Quinn to change her mind and marry you, it didn't take no time at all '

Logan couldn't help thinking back to his passionate relationship with Quinn before they had gotten married. They certainly had their share of fights which came naturally because of that shared passion but after graduation, Quinn had been ambivalent about them tying the knot right off the bat. She had wanted them to weather college and film school first – they had knocked out those odds making them only stronger. So that summer had been so very right for him to propose to her at their restaurant Vaccaros and for Quinn to say yes.

'True but Quinn is more serious than Lola,' replied Logan, not unkindly. After all, his wife and Lola were best friends forever,' I mean, Lord knows the woman is independent, always has been, but we actually never avoided the marriage talk like you two do '

Vince finished off his beer in a swallow then ran a hand through his reddish brown hair that was in need of a haircut. Between his own job and life in general, he hadn't gotten to it yet. It irked him that Logan had points – the bastard!

Granted, Reese was a happily married bastard but that was beside the point.

' Not true exactly – we glossed over the subject at Chase and Zoey's wedding then did it again when you and Quinn married ,' replied Vince , truthfully ,' God , , I am freaking losing my mind here ! I should be overjoyed I am with a gorgeous , generous , talented woman who loves me and isn't jumping on the bandwagon wanting me to put a splashy ring on her finger right this moment '

Logan spluttered a laughter ignoring the glare coming from Vince before slapping him on the shoulder in sympathy. Man, he was actually glad he wasn't that guy anymore.

'Dude, talk to Lola before she sends you off the damn deep end '

Vince tried a few cleansing techniques to calm him then made the decision to not continue having his meltdown in the kitchen ruining his friend's celebration. It was time to have the heart to heart with Lola about them making actual plans for their own future.

'I will talk to Lola,' declared Vince, meaningfully,' just not tonight '

'Whipped ….so whipped '

'I'm whipped? Quinn has you wrapped around her finger, Reese '

'Shut up, Blake '

Trading insults, Vince and Logan rejoined the rest of the group in the living room just in time to hear Michael announce that he wanted to Dj the wedding much to the dismay of his bride to be who felt they could splurge on a regular Dj rather than hire a band .

'It would be awesome playing our wedding, baby,' pleaded an enthusiastic Michael, placing a kiss on the front of her hand,' it'd be memorable, Lisa '

'It'd be something alright, Michael 'snickered Lola as Vince tossed out a beer to Chase and Michael. He placed a protective arm around Lola's shoulder as she turned her head slightly to look up at him,' everything alright, Vince? You and Logan were in the kitchen for a while...is something up?'

'Just shooting the bull '

Lola sent him a questioning look but dropped the subject.' Can you get away from work for a couple of days? Michael and Lisa want us all to fly out to Georgia with them to help start planning the big wedding event '

'I'll do what I can …'

Michael pulled Lisa closer to him then addressed their inner circle of friends. ' Pack your bags, gangs , let's get ready to create some new memories for me and lil Lisa '