Chapter 9

On May 9th, Stephanie woke up and listened to the soft snoring of her idol sleeping peacefully beside her. She smiled and draped her arm over his chest lovingly, but he didn't wake. So instead, she leaned over and planted a luscious kiss on his soft lips. Roger groaned.

"Mm, have mercy…" he murmured, and he grinned and opened his eyes.

Stephanie grinned. "Good morning," she said. "How did you sleep?"

"Really well," Roger said, propping himself up onto his elbow, and looking down at her. "I never realized before how uncomfortable my bed was."

"Yeah, well, that's what changes when you marry a millionaire," Stephanie said, and then she regretted it. "Oh man…" she groaned, and she sank face-first into her pillow. "I can't believe I just said that…"

"Don't worry about it, Baby," Roger said. "I'm not marrying my biggest fan for her money." He ticked reasons off his fingers. "I'm marrying her for her good looks and her kisses and her good…"

"OK, now I need coffee," Stephanie said quickly, knowing perfectly well what he was about to say, and she leapt out of bed and pulled on her bathrobe. Roger chased her around the room and caught up to her quickly. He cornered her and picked her up and carried her downstairs to the kitchen, Stephanie laughing gleefully the whole time.

"Ah, Roger!" she squealed, as they entered the kitchen.

Roger set her in a chair at the table and went and turned the coffee on, pouring in beans and putting in a filter. "The wedding is at 11, right?" he asked.

"Right," Stephanie said. "I am really glad we got our pictures done last week."

"So am I, Baby," Roger said, grinning mischievously at her. "It frees up our afternoon for making love." He leaned down and kissed her passionately.

"You guys had better quit that, until at least the wedding," said a voice, "or you'll be so sick of each other by day two…"

"Morning, Mark," Roger said, turning around to face him. "How are you?"

"Slightly disgusted, but otherwise fine," Mark said. "I'm kidding, Steph," he added, smiling at her and ducking a punch from Roger. "Come on, we should meet Mo and Jo at the church. Can Collins and I carpool with you two, though? We don't have a car, like Jo does."

"Sure," Stephanie said, "you can do that, Mark. Come on, let's go."

Stephanie smiled at them, went up with Roger to get dressed, and then they left.

Stephanie stood at the back of the church, with Maureen, Joanne, and Jennifer, waiting for their cue to walk down the aisle. Stephanie looked up at Collins, next to her, and she smiled at him.

"Thank you for doing this, Collins," she said. "You are like a father to me, especially since mine can't be here today."

"I'm honored that you let me do it, Baby girl," Collins said, as he hugged her. He wiped a stray tear of joy off her cheek. "You'd better quit crying, Baby girl, or you're gonna mess up your makeup," he teased gently.

"I know," Stephanie said, and she looked out at the guests sitting in the pews, waiting for them, and received a shock.

Collins saw the color drain from her cheeks and he steadied her as she swayed slightly. "Baby girl, what is it?" he asked.

"Collins," she said, looking at him with tears in her eyes, her body shaking, "my parents are out there."

I know, I know, you hate me for leaving it there! But I had to! Keep reading to find out what happens next! I promise Roger and Stephanie WILL be together! And something will happen to Mark, too— but a good something, I swear! Don't forget to review!

Until next time, lots of love,

Renthead07