Buckle in - this is a long one. Enjoy!!

The rings

Ryan walked Marissa to the day spa and made sure that she was booked in for a body wrap, facial, waxing and enough treatments that she would be busy for several hours. He didn't want to take the chance that he would run into her and spoil the surprise. Next stop was to Chanel, where he purchased the dress and matching beaded shoes and took them back to the room. He quickly wrote her a short note that he left on top of the dress box, in case she got back to the room before him and found the dress and then he made his way to Bill's office. He'd decided that he needed some local knowledge to help him with the finer points of his plans. But at the same time he wasn't sure whether he trusted Bill with the knowledge of what he really had planned. All he would need would be for the news to get out and then the paparazzi would completely destroy any chance he would have of actually pulling this off. He knew he would have to decide in a hurry whether Bill was trustworthy but he would just go with his gut instincts. They usually served him well. When he got to the administration offices Bill greeted him. "Ryan come on through. What can I do to help you?" he asked.

Ryan still hadn't decided just how much he wanted to reveal. "Firstly, I was wondering if you could recommend a jeweller to me. Some one discrete."

Bill smiled knowingly. "Of course." He said the smile growing larger on his face.

"Is there a problem with that?" Ryan asked not liking the smirk on the other man's face.

"No. Sorry." Bill replied. "It's just that she's a very beautiful woman. I can understand why you would want to keep her happy." Although from what Bill could remember she wasn't happy at all when they'd arrived yesterday. Maybe Ryan was looking for a little jewellery to thaw out the icy princess.

Ryan couldn't help but return the smile ... she was beautiful ... but he already knew that the way to keep Marissa happy was not by buying her jewellery. She wasn't interested in his money at all. After the night they'd just shared, he thought it more likely that she was after his body than his money. But he didn't think he needed to share that with Bill. He could let him believe what he currently did but then decided to correct him and put him totally off the scent. "Yes she is." He hesitated and then added. "But the jewellery isn't for her. Annabel and Keith have decided to tie the knot and as best man I have been given the job of purchasing the rings." He replied.

Bill was obviously surprised at first but then decided that it did make sense. He had wondered yesterday why Annabel was in the honeymoon suite all on her own. But then Keith had a room of his own too. So that didn't really make sense. But then he'd seen them having dinner together last night and they certainly seemed 'friendly'. And they'd actually had a complaint about the noises coming from Annabel's room last night, that, when he'd gone to investigate … well it was obvious just what the noise was …. He had chosen not to disturb them. Obviously they had been getting a head start on the honeymoon fun. "I can organise you a private appointment at Tiffany's and I'll even take you myself. The manager there is very good at being discrete. He knows it's why he gets so much of the top end business. And I can get you there without anyone being any the wiser." He explained.

"That sounds great." Ryan replied. "I'll also need a car and driver this afternoon."

"A limo?" Bill asked.

"I'd prefer not. They attract too much attention. And Annabel and Keith have asked to keep this as low key as possible. Marissa and I don't want to spoil it for them by attracting too much attention and taking the shine off it. It is their show." Ryan explained. "If news gets out that we are there it could spoil the whole event for them."

"Of course. I understand." Bill replied. "How about a black SUV? And I'll even drive it myself so that will be one less person to know about what is going on."

"That would be perfect." Ryan replied.

"Is their anything else you need?" Bill asked.

"Not unless you have a contact at the courthouse to smooth things along?" Ryan replied. He thought he was pushing his luck but was surprised by the answer.

"I just may." Bill replied. "Money talks in Vegas. If you want I could make sure that they got their license without having to wait in line. Hell, I can even organise for it to happen without anyone knowing … but it will cost them."

"Just tell me how. I'll cover the cost." Ryan replied. He couldn't help but think that he'd made the right decision in not letting on to Bill exactly what was planned. He had a feeling that Bill would have been more than happy to reveal the information for the right price.

"Just leave it with me. I'll set it up. When did you want to this to happen?" he asked.

"If you could have the car ready at 5 to take us to the courthouse. I believe that Keith has booked the chapel for 6." Ryan replied.

"No problem. I'll find out how much it's going to cost you and let you know. They'll be expecting cash." He said. "But just let me call Tiffany's and we'll get these rings organised.

---

Once Keith and Annabel had managed to get themselves out of bed, they actually enjoyed their day together. Annabel had never imagined that wedding dress shopping could be so much fun. They went to a few different stores and she made Keith sit and watch while she tried on a number of dresses that she paraded before him. He loved every minute of it. She was turning out to be a truly delightful companion in more ways than one. Any initial reluctance she'd had with the plan seemed to be long gone. She was obviously having fun. Even dragging him in to one of the change rooms for a quick coupling along the way, that she informed him was 'just to keep her going.' Whenever he though he had her pegged, she surprised him yet again. She had eventually decided on a traditional white gown that had a strapless lace bodice with a dropped waist and then a silk skirt with a tulle petticoat that rustled as she walked. She looked like she could have been the model for the dolls that are used to decorate wedding cakes he thought. But as she convinced him, there would be no debate over who was the bride in their group of four. They purchased matching shoes, more condoms and after much discussion … a new suit for Keith and then retreated to their rooms to get ready.

---

Ryan meanwhile was being led in through the back door of Tiffany's to meet with their manager who quickly took him through into a private room. He explained that he was after wedding rings for friends of his that were getting married and was shown all of the usual bands, along with some that were a little more unusual. He had been hoping to find something that both he and Marissa would be able to wear on their right hands without looking too weddingified but was starting to give up hope. He was debating buying some Russian wedding rings in yellow, white and rose gold when he spotted an unusual ring tucked away at the back of the display case that he was being shown.

"What's this?" he asked.

"That's actually an Irish Claddaugh Ring." The manager explained. "The design always includes a crown, heart, and hands held together, representing friendship, love and eternity. The ring was first invented in the 16th century and it is worn both during the dating stage and after marriage, by turning the point of the heart towards the body after marriage."

Ryan ran his fingers over the intricate design and knew he'd found what he was looking for. "I'll take a set of these plus a set of the traditional gold bands." He replied. "They can choose whichever they prefer." Ryan suggested trying to keep up the pretence of shopping for friends.

"Certainly. You can just return the ones that you don't require."

"Thanks." Ryan replied.

"And if your friends would like to drop in when it's convenient then we can resize them to fit."

"Thank you. I'll let them know." Ryan replied, knowing full well that the sizes he requested he knew to be correct for him and Marissa. Unfortunately they mightn't fit Keith and Annabel but Ryan and Marissa's would be fine. He had guessed that the little finger of their right hands would be about the same size as the ring finger on the left hand so hopefully that wouldn't be a problem. And he thought that the rings were perfect. Not only would they be able to get away with them as friendship rings but also they had an Irish heritage just as Marissa did. He knew that she would love them.

---

As Marissa made her way back to the room she couldn't wait to see Ryan. While she was being pampered at the day spa, she'd had plenty of time to think. And she had thought long and hard about all sorts of things. Their relationship being one of them and her mother being another and she had come to a decision that she wanted to share with Ryan as soon as possible.

She got back to their room just before three and she was feeling wonderful. She'd had a whole day of pampering and felt like a new woman. She opened the door of their suite hoping to find Ryan, but the first thing she noticed was a large decorated gift box on the bed. Moving to inspect it she found a note in Ryan's writing.

Ris,

Would you wear this for me tonight? I've been held up but I'll be back as soon as I can. We are meeting with Keith and Annabel at 5.

Love

R.

She refolded the note with a smile on her face thinking that he hadn't changed all that much from the boy she first fell in love with… still not that big on words. She untied the box and opened it to find the dress from Chanel along with the matching shoes. She pulled the dress from the box and held it up to her spinning around. It was perfect and she loved it. Just as she loved him. She couldn't wait to wear it. She sat on the edge of the bed overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. She guessed that he had bought it for her to make her feel confident. There was no doubt that she was a little nervous about tonight's appearance. It would be her first time as his partner at an official public function. Sure there had been a lot of speculation in the press about the state of their relationship but up until this point they had never confirmed or denied it. But this was the first step to making things official. And much as part of her couldn't wait … another part was nervous.

He was one of America's Golden Boys, and anything he did attracted attention. So she would have to expect and accept that from this point on they would not have a moment's peace. Not that they'd had much to date. And no doubt she would attract some criticism. She was sure that some people would think that he could do better; that many people thought that because she had never gone to college that she was nothing more than a glorified coat hangar and that Ryan should have been with someone more fitting his intellectual abilities. She just hoped that if her future plans came off then she would be able to prove them wrong. Who would have thought when they first met that things would turn out like this? Her mother always thought that Marissa was better than him … now Marissa felt, the tables were reversed and she needed to prove herself worthy of him. She knew that Ryan loved her just the way she was but she didn't think he'd mind the new improved Marissa Cooper either.

She moved to the bathroom to start getting ready, wanting to be able to take her time and not rush. She was hoping that she would be able to do him justice and she thought that in this gown she just may be able to.

---

Bill re-entered his office to find the phone on his desk ringing. Picking it up he answered quickly. "Bill Rapson."

"Got anything for me?" the voice on the other end enquired.

"Not much. Atwood and Cooper are making a grand appearance at that architect's dinner tonight. But you already knew about that. She's quite a looker so that could be a worthwhile photo. Someone will pay for it. Hell, as long as her dress is skimpy enough, I'd pay." He laughed.

"Yeah. You sleaze. I'm sure you would. I've got that covered. Nothing else interesting?"

"Not really. His bodyguard and P.A. are doing the Vegas quickie and they are going to be witnesses, but they are trying to keep it low key." Bill replied.

"Think I should check it out?"

"If they weren't doing the dinner tonight then I'd probably say yeah, but I figure that you'll get a better photo at the dinner and it should be just of the two of them. I can't imagine that anyone would want to pay for a photo of his bodyguard and P.A.'s wedding" Bill responded.

"So there's no way that Atwood and Cooper would do the deed?"

"Exactly which deed are we talking about?" Bill asked laughing. "If you are talking about the horizontal mambo then I'm sure they're doing the deed …"

"Get your mind out of the gutter. You know what I'm talking about."

"Yeah … I do … But no… Can't imagine it. They haven't been together very long and he doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would make spur of the moment decisions. Too much the successful businessman. I'm sure he thinks everything through. Plus she was a little … no, not a little, a lot … 'frosty' when they arrived yesterday. Maybe she's one of those ice queens. She was barely speaking to him and the looks she was giving him were like daggers. Mind you she is hot to look at. I wouldn't mind a bit of …." Bill started only to be interrupted.

"You've got no chance."

"Yeah. You're right. But I figured that I volunteer to drive them to the courthouse just in case. If they do try to get a license then Eric will let me know and I'll call you straightaway." Bill stated.

"Okay. What time is that?"

"He's asked for the car at 5." Bill replied.

"Okay. Well, I'll wait to hear from you."

"Fine. But besides my fee, I want a copy of any good photos you get of her. Preferably with a tit falling out or something like that if you can manage it." Bill laughed.

"If only. Could you imagine how much I could get for that? It'd be even better if he would try to tuck it back in for her."

"I'd be prepared to volunteer for that job." Bill suggested. "Hell I'd even pay for the privilege."

"If she's really that good maybe I'll turn up to the wedding anyhow. Do you know where it's at?"

"Not yet. But I can call you and let you know when I do." Bill said.

"Okay. If nothing else comes up, I may as well turn up and get a few shots and file them away, just in case tonight is a fizzer."

"Okay. I'll see you a little later on. Just remember, I've never seen you before in my life and vice versa." Bill stated clearly. "Atwood clearly stated that he wanted the whole thing kept quiet. So he wouldn't be too happy if he knew where you got your information. And I just get the feeling that he's not the kind of man you'd want to get on the wrong side of." Bill added.

"Yeah. I know. Mom's the word."

---

Ryan quickly made his way back to the hotel. He couldn't wait to see Marissa and see what she had thought of the first part of her surprise. But the nearer he got to the room, the more misgivings he was having. He started to question whether this was such a good idea. Seth had rung earlier to ask them to dinner. It turns out that he had completely forgotten that Ryan and Marissa were in Las Vegas for the weekend. But ever since the call, Ryan had been feeling guilty about what he was intending to do and the fact that Seth and Summer would not be there for it. Maybe Marissa would feel even more strongly about it.

And it didn't help that he had a bad feeling about Bill. He couldn't put his finger on it but something about him just seemed a little off. And then of course there was the problem with what he had asked Annabel and Keith to do. He was starting to think that he was insane to even contemplate going through with it. He pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket and felt the two small boxes in there. Rubbing his fingers over them he wondered just what he should do. He could still get out of it all. He was sure that Keith and Annabel wouldn't mind and they were the only ones who knew what he had actually planned.

Reaching the door of their room, he opened it just as Marissa emerged from the bathroom wrapped in the white towelling bath robe. Their eyes met across the room as Marissa said "Hey … there you are, I've got something to talk to you about."

Ryan just stared at her. "Me too." He replied.