Hello again! Wow, this story has been super fun to write, and I appreciate you guys riding along with me! Carry on.

Nick had made his way through the casino twice, and after his third time through the bar figured he must have missed them leaving. Cursing himself for getting involved in the first place, he thought it best to head back to LA. He left the casino and headed towards the car. It was getting really late, but the casino traffic was picking up. He leaned up against the car and began looking through the contacts on his phone and when his eyes landed on Jess's name, he lingered there. She's probably still pretty pissed he thought. He scrolled past and came upon Winston. With a grin, he dialed.

"Hey, Winnie, buddy! Hey man, I need your help." Nick said.

"Yeah? Like I needed your help this morning?" Whoops.

"I was kinda hopin' that wouldn't come up. Look, about that, I'm sorry, it's just Schmidt -"

"You bailed on me man! Again!"

Nick frowned "Again? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Remember, the Bertie dinner? Man, you are never there when I need you, and now you calling me for help? How's Vegas, by the way?"

Nick looked up at the dark sky, taking a moment to calm down before continuing. "How did you – never mind. Look, I used all my cash to get here, I know it's a lot to ask, but could you drive out here and help me get home?"

"Drive out? What kind of dummy goes to Vegas with no money? Whatchoo gonna gamble with, smiles? Your smile ain't that great man!" Winston yelled.

"I didn't come to gamble, I was tailing Schmidt!" Nick yelled back. "You coming or not?"

Winston was quiet. "Yeah man, sure, I'll be there."

Nick smiled, relieved. "Really? Thanks man, I was gonna be stuck out he -"

"Nah, changed my mind. Gotta bail, Olympics are on, pairs figure skating starts in a half hour, I never miss it. Good luck, Nick, Winnie the Bish, out!"

"Figure sk- ? Winston! WINSTON! AAGGHH!" Nick shouted gripping the phone and gritting his teeth.

Nick let out a heavy sigh, and zoned out, looking at the bright lights flickering across the street. He saw a familiar form, or rather, a familiar bulbous head, following a striking brunette into the building that was the source of the lights. Tired of the subterfuge and ready to admit defeat, he shouted out for him. "Schmidt! Schmidtty!", but he was already inside. Nick jogged quickly across the road and up the sidewalk to the door, and stopped. He looked around, noticing the twinkle lights in the window, the gold lettering emblazoned on the double doors, and looking to his left, the red neon outline of a cross on the lawn.

Yanking the doors open, Nick found himself in a tiny lobby, padded with a cheap red velvet carpet and another set of doors. There was a small desk, with an out-to-lunch sign. There was an open book on the desk, with names scribbled in a list. Cocking hes head around to read, Nick noted the last set of names in the register : Schmidt/Day.

"Nonononononono." he muttered to himself. Nick rushed to open the set of doors, but they were locked. He shook them back and forth, and began knocking.

"Schmidt!" He knocked louder, and was pushed back by the door cracking open. A small, wrinkled face poked out. Looking Nick up and down, the woman sneered at him. "See the sign? We're in the middle of a ceremony! I will be back in a few minutes, hold your tail!" she hissed. She slammed the door back shut, and nick heard the lock snap back in. Running his hand over his stubbled chin, he looked around, a found a seat on the tiny bench across from the table. Taking out his phone, he checked for any messages. Jess hadn't called him back, or texted. But right now, that was the least of his worries. Besides, he may as well get comfortable with her being mad, because he couldn't bear to think of what she would say when she was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt.

Fifteen minutes and a short series of panic attacks later, The old woman pushed the doors back open and shuffled slowly around to her desk, taking a seat. She held a pen to her tongue and then notated something in the book. Nick rose and looked through the doors, only to be greeted with the sight of Abby and Schmidt kissing at the altar. Releasing her lips and taking her hand, Schmidt led her down the short walk to the door, and it was then that he met the shocked eyes of his best friend.

"Nicolas!" he said, beaming a huge grin. "Hey man, what are you doing here?"

"Hey, you know, best friend type stuff blah blah, hey can I talk to you over here for a second?" he said, taking Schmidt by the shoulder and leading him to the side. Schmidt leaned back for another kiss from Abby, and Nick tugged harder in the opposite direction.

"What are you doing?!" he whispered harshly. "Did this really just happen? Are you – are you married?"

"I know, I know, it's crazy, but It just feels right, you know? I'm tired of waiting, I wanna get my life started! It's gotta mean something more than what it has!"

"Schmidt! You barely know her! I know you had a rough year, what with Cece -"

"This isn't about Cece!" he snapped. He looked back over at Abby, who was busying herself writing fake names in the registry. "I thought you were OK with this? Back at the loft, I told you -"

"I know, I know, you wanted a change. But this is a big change buddy! This isn't some weekend excursion, this is real! This is Jess sister! I wanna be supportive, but this isn't you."

"Awe, come on Nicky!" Abby said, sidling up behind Schmidt and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Besides, you gotta get used to me anyway. I'll be your sister-in-law someday" she said, winking.

Nicks eyes widened at the suggestion, and Schmidt patted him on the shoulder. "Come on man, let's get outta here. It's my wedding day bro! I know the ceremony is over and it's kinda last minute, but for technicality's sake, I want to know if you'd uh, be my best man? You don't have to do anything, cause the weddings over, so it'll be the easiest job you've ever had, excluding your current one of course."

They made their way out of the chapel and Nick rubbed his face as he watched the newly married couple run towards Schmidt's car. Looking at his watch, he realized they might make it back before Jess woke up. Remembering he needed gas, he picked up the pace and jogged across the street to meet them. "Schmidt, wait up!"