Alrighty, here ya go :) This is actually the last chapter. I'm going to post a short epilogue after this, though. Hope you enjoy!

"You ready?"

"By, ready, if you mean miserable, about to spend a large amount of time in an uncomfortable dress, dance around like a fool and become my mother's little puppet for the reception? Then sure. I'm ready." I tell Madison as I put the rest of my make up on.

"Aren't we a bitter Betty." Madison chuckles from her seat on my bed. "At least Spencer will be there, right? I like Spencer, she's a nice girl, very pretty, she-"

I interrupt my friend's rant. "Alright there Mad, let's not get carried away with my girlfriend's attributes here."

"Sorry." She chuckles. "I'm allowed to admire."

"Uh huh. And I'll see her but only at the end of the day. I have to go early, and won't see her until the reception."

"And when you say early, you mean you're gunna be late if you don't hurry your ass up."

"That is what I mean, yes." I say as I apply a little more mascara. "I'll see you at the reception, right?"

"Yup." She bounces off my bed and throws my shoes at me. "Me and Louis."

"Oh yeah?" I turn around to face her as I strap my shoes on. "That's going well?"

"Extremely." She answers.

For some reason, there is a part of me that is nervous. I've done this a bunch of times, but as much as I do it there is always that little knot in my stomach. It's not a bad one. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a tiny bit excited. Weddings can be fun, after all. With all of my friends there, it shouldn't be too bad. With Spencer there, with me, it shouldn't be too bad.

Occasions like these, where people gather together for something happy, have a way of making you slightly less bitter than you previously were. It's sort of like an intensified family picnic.

When I arrive at the library, Kyla is already there in the dressing room with my mother.

"Thank God you're here. Um, Christine is kind of freaking out." Kyla says to me as she hustles me into the room and closes the door.

"What?"

"I guess she has cold feet or something."

I give Kyla a confused expression. "But she never gets cold feet."

Kyla shrugs. "Go talk to her."

"What! Why me?"

"Because I already tried." Kyla sighs. "And I almost bit her ear off."

I chuckle. "Alright Mike Tyson. Chill out, I'll go talk to her."

I enter the adjoining room where my mother is standing in front of a mirror. The room is a condensed version of the library. It's absolutely gorgeous. The dark wood molding and panels on the windows make me feel like I'm in someone's fancy office. The, what must be, hundreds of books on the walls make me feel like I am in a spy novel.

"Uh, hi mom." I say gently as I walk over to her.

She looks gorgeous. Really any woman in a white, flowing dress looks gorgeous. But this is the most effort I've seen her put into one of her weddings. Her dark brown hair is down and flowing around her shoulders, and for once, she does not have a pound of make up on her face. She looks naturally pretty. I smile at her.

"You look great mom."

She turns to me with a worried expression. "You think so?"

I'm taken aback at her nervousness and second guessing. This is not the Christine Davies I know. The mother I know is cocky and slightly stuck-up.

"Definitely."

"Thank you Ashley." And she gives me a genuine smile, one I haven't received form her in God knows how long. "You look beautiful, wait until Spencer see you."

I actually blush at my mother's words. "Are you nervous?"

I see the worry on her face before she speaks. "Yes. I- what if I mess this one up Ash? I mean really, how many more weddings can I take, it's ridiculous."

My mother's bluntness makes me take a step towards her and I grab her had in mine, feeling a surge of mother-daughter love flowing through the room and my veins.

"Listen mom. I've never seen you so excited for a wedding. I can tell you love Donald. And he loves you."

I see a small tear go down my mother's cheek. "And how do you know that?"

I take a breathe and give her hand a slight squeeze in mine. "Because you look at him like I look at Spencer." I pause. "Forever."

She gets it. And she sniffles a little, wiping her eye with her free hand. "When did you get so smart Ash?"

"Probably between your second and third wedding, I'd say."

I am totally surprised when my mother snorts a little bit and gives me a smile. She shakes her head and turns back to the mirror. "I'm thinking this is the last one. Thank you Ashley."

I nod and step back. "Of course. I'll see you out there alright? You'll be great." I turn to leave. "And you really do look beautiful. Ten years younger." I tell her softly and I see her face light up as I close the door.

"Is she alright?" Kyla asks me nervously.

I smile. "She'll be just fine."

This is not the first time I have walked down the aisle with a flower in my hand. But this feels like definitely the best time. I see Glen sitting in one of the chairs up front, next to Aiden. Glen is thankfully not wearing a pink or green suit. He looks handsome in his black and white tux. As does Aiden. And then I see Spencer sitting next to Aiden on the other side. Her eyes meet mine and I have to catch my breath. She looks absolutely stunning, her eyes popping in her simple cream dress. It's a dull color, but on Spencer, it is nothing short of marvelous.

When I finally get all the way up, I stand next to Kyla and give her hand a squeeze. I laugh to myself as I see a tear fall down her cheek. She rolls her eyes at me and smiles. Always so emotional. She as well, looks gorgeous. And I see Glen's eyes trained on her even when my mother walks down the pathway.

She looks beautiful. I turn my head slightly to look at Donald and his smile is big and goofy, and his eyes are shining brightly at my mother. He looks very snappy in his tux. He also looks very happy when he meets my mother and takes her hand. They step up together and proceed to get married.

Somewhere through the vows, I catch my girlfriend's blue eyes again. They're watery, but her smile shines more brightly than everyone else's here combined. I wink at her and will myself not to blubber like a baby when she blows me a kiss.

I swear up and down that I feel her kiss hit me on the cheek.

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I fiddle around with my guitar in my hands. Plucking at strings nervously and wiping off smudges.

There is no one here yet besides Kyla and Glen.

"Kyla, you wanna do this instead?" I ask her as she approaches me.

She snorts. "Right, like the wedding guests would wanna hear me attempt to make music."

"Yeah, it's not pretty." Glen adds and he gets a soft slap to the shoulder by his girlfriend. "What? I'm just saying."

As guests start to trickle in, I begin to play. I sing and strum mindless and unimportant soft songs as I see husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons. I get somewhat into it, I'll admit. It's nicer than having a large obnoxious band play while people walk through. This is simpler and I praise my mother for making me do this.

It looks extremely pretty inside where we are. There are lots of candles, and the lights are dim. Most of the people are here, including my mother and Donald. Although I haven't caught Spencer's eye yet. Eventually, my mother gives me a signal to wrap it up. So I do.

I start to play and look around at the people. They're talking, joking, whispering, laughing. Some are even dancing. Somewhere in singing, I finally catch Spencer's eye, and I smile.

If I could walk on water, If I could tell you what's next.
I'd make you believe, I'd make you forget.

So come on get higher, loosen my lips.
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips.
Just pull me down hard, and drown me in love.
So come on get higher, loosen my lips.
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips.
Just pull me down hard and drown me in love.

I miss the sound of your voice, loudest thing in my head.
And I ache to remember, all the
Violent, sweet perfect words that you said.

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"That was wonderful Ashley. Thank you." My mother gives me a large, tight embrace when I finally make my way into the party.

"You're welcome." I kiss her cheek and give Donald a genuine smile.

"Ashley!" I hear Aiden yell my name and I turn around. He gives me a hug and I smell the liquor.

"So, you hit up the bar already buddy?" I chuckle and let go of him.

"You know it. Glen and I have been there most of the time."

"Don't tell Kyla." Glen whispers as he walks up to Aiden and I and slaps Aiden on the back.

"What, like you're the only one allowed to get drunk here. Psssh." Kyla gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. She has a glass of something in her hand.

I hear Madison before I see her. "Lovely to see you in your dress, Ash." She gives a hearty laugh.

I turn around to face her. "Thanks Mad."

She gives me a hug. "You were great, though. Seriously."

I spot Spencer walking towards the four of us as Aiden is talking about something sports related. I grin out of instinct and step away from the circle we've formed.

Her bright blue eyes stay on mine all the way until she is tightly enveloped in my arms. I breathe her in.

"You look beautiful." I tell her and pull her face away so I can see those eyes once again. Her hands go around my neck and rub my skin softly.

"So do you. I missed you." She pouts, gently rubbing her nose against my own.

My face tingles and I feel wonderful butterflies in my stomach. "I missed you too." I admit with a smile.

I brush my lips against hers softly and pull her closer to me by her hips. I think we both smile into the kiss.

Because there is no reason not to.

Note: Song is Come On Get Higher by Matt Nathanson ;)