Amy stirred gently in that feeling between sleep and wake, nuzzling in closer to Ben's body. She was still a moment, awake but not quite, when the realization hit her and she opened her eyes with a gasp.

"What's wrong?" Ben flinched awake in response to her gasp.

"Nothing, Ben. Sorry to scare you. I just realized what day it was," she replied breathlessly. A wide smile spread across his face and he turned his head to the right to look at her. She was looking back at him.

"It's finally here," he replied. She nodded, as a smile lit up her face as well.

"I have to get up. I have to feed Allison and then I have to go to my Mom's to get ready; my hair, my dress, my makeup." She threw back the covers and jumped out of the bed, her nightgown bounced with her.

"Wait," Ben demanded. Amy looked back at him and he motioned for her to come back to the bed. She kneeled and crawled forward toward him on the bed. "This is your wedding day," he whispered. "Don't stress out. Don't worry about it. Even if things go wrong – which they will not – all that matters is that we love each other and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Amy Juergens."

She blushed. Ben had such a way with words. She leaned forward to kiss him, but he stopped her, pressing his hand to her lips. She looked puzzled.

"Tonight," he replied with a mischievous smile.

--

"It's really too bad Mimsy couldn't be here," Anne replied placing another pin in Amy's updo. "The travel would just have been too hard on her."

"I know. I would have liked her to be here, but I understand. It's being recorded. We'll for sure send her a DVD," Amy replied. Anne stopped to look at her work. Anne had pinned up Amy's hair in a loose but elegant bun. "It looks great, Mom."

"Really, it's okay?"

"Yes," Amy replied with certainty. Anne nodded and stepped back from daughter, looking at her in the mirror.

"Somehow, I didn't think this day would actually come," Anne said.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm glad you thought I'd be an old maid."

"No, honey, I don't mean that. I just mean, it's been a long time since you and Ben talked about this. It felt like a long time away, but now it's here."

Amy nodded. "I feel the same way. Life is going by so quickly. Allison is already two months old! I'm getting married, Mom," Amy replied with a quaver in her voice.

"Yeah, you are," Anne replied with a sigh. "My little baby girl is getting married."

"I'm more scared than I thought I would be. You'd think after having the baby, and having Ben by my side this whole time, this would be nothing. But somehow, this is something. I love Ben, Mom, but I'm scared."

"Oh, sweetie, is it that bad? Do you want to call off the wedding?"

"No, never. I just have the jitters. That's normal, right?"

"Yes, it is," Anne replied. "Shall we put on the dress?" Amy nodded.

--

"How is my boy doing?" Leo asked, entering Ben & Amy's room and patting his son on the back. Ben was slipping his right arm into the tuxedo jacket and fixing his tie. He looked up at his father in the mirror.

"I'm doing great, Dad," Ben responded with a smile.

"Are you really?" Leo asked, skeptical.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Ben replied, breaking eye contact with Leo.

"Why? Because, this is your wedding day, at sixteen you are making the most important – hopefully lifelong – commitment that you can ever make. No matter how much you love her, that's scary, son. I know it has to be."

"Were you afraid before you married Mom?" Ben asked turning around to face his father.

"You bet I was, but boy did I love her. It's normal to be afraid, son. Believe me, but don't let it get you down. You love Amy, right?"

"With all my heart," Ben replied.

"And you never want to be away from her?"

"Never," he replied again.

"Then that's all you need to know," Leo answered. "Don't be afraid. You're doing the right thing."

"Thanks, Dad," Ben smiled. Leo smiled and nodded.

"Your mother," Leo added, "she would have been very proud to see the man you've become. I hope somewhere up in heaven she can look down and see how well you turned out; how much you love and care for Amy and Allison."

Ben stared at his feet, saddened by the thought of his missing mother. How he wished she could be here with him right now, to smooth down his hair, tell him she loved him and meet Amy. For the most part, he'd made peace with his mother's death, but it was moments like this that were still painful.

"I have to believe she is," Ben replied, looking back up at his father. Leo smiled and embraced his son. "Thanks for everything, Dad. I love you."

--

Amy slipped into the strapless, cream colored floor length gown and beamed. The dress fit her like a glove. She adjusted it just slightly around the waist where the silver ribbon accented the curve of her body. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the heart pendant that he'd given her all those months ago. She clasped it around her neck and just stared in the mirror at herself. Falling a few inches above the bust line of the dress, slightly cold on her exposed skin, her right hand lingered on the pendant. Clutching the heart in her hand, she closed her eyes and breathed in heavily.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" she requested.

"It's your father," George replied as if it should have been obvious that it was him. She grinned and rushed to open the door.

"Daddy," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

"Oh," he exclaimed surprised. "Pumpkin, you haven't called me that for years," George smiled. "You look beautiful," he declared, pulling her back away from him as she did a little spin for him.

"Thank you," she blushed.

"That Ben fellow, he's a pretty lucky guy. My little girl, getting married today, I can't even believe it."

"I can barely believe it," she replied, inhaling deeply and reaching for a pair of silver hoops to put in her ears.

"Are you ready?" he asked. "We should probably get headed over."

"I just need to check on my bridesmaids, okay? I'll meet you and Mom downstairs," she said embracing him again.

Amy walked down the hall and knocked on Ashley's door.

"Come in!" Ashley replied. Amy opened the door wide to see her four bridesmaids finishing their preparations.

"You look wonderful," Ashley exclaimed. Amy was taken aback by such kind words from her sister.

"Don't wrinkle the dress," Amy laughed as she embraced her sister.

"Seriously, you look amazing," Ashley replied once more.

"Ashley's already said it, but Amy you really do look beautiful," Madison agreed.

"No kidding," Lauren replied with a wide-eyed smile.

Amy was glad that Madison and Lauren had finally come around. It had taken Ben confronting them for them to understand just how deeply he cared for Amy, and that he wasn't about to dump her like Ricky had. Once he had done that, Lauren had called Amy and apologized. They'd met the next day for dress fittings.

"Alice," Amy exclaimed. Alice had been quiet this whole time, hanging back. "Alice, your dress looks great on you, does it fit alright?" The light silver, nearly white dress looked great in contrast to Alice's dark hair.

"Yes, it does. Thank you for asking, but this is your day. You look fabulous, Amy."

"Thank you," Amy replied with a smile. "I feel good. It's nice to have my figure back, especially with a great dress like this. Is everyone ready?"

All the girls nodded.

"We're ready," Ashley replied. "Are you?"

Amy nodded and Ashley could tell she was being honest from the look in her eyes. It was very particular. Amy wasn't a good liar, but she didn't need to be. There was no need for lies anymore.

--

Amy arrived at the park to see how everything had been set up. Before her stood a massive canopy with whispy white sides which blew just slightly in the gentle breeze that was surrounding them. It was just beginning to get dark enough to see the glow of the candles on each of the guest tables. In the middle of each table was a small arrangement of pink and white tea roses. It was simple but elegant. Near the front of the tent was the white, flower covered arch under which they would say their vows.

Though they were not there at the moment, it was clear the band was set up. The hardwood dance floor had been laid, and the bustle of caterers assured Amy that the food, too, would be ready in time. It wasn't a large wedding, but it was what Amy wanted. Though everything was simple, Leo had spared no expense, assuring her that no amount was too much to spend on such an important day. He'd made sure the catering was done right, and she appreciated his contributions very much. Everything looked absolutely perfect.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, after observing the whole scene for a few moments.

"Couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day," George replied.

"You really couldn't have," Anne agreed with a smile.

"Is she doing alright?" Amy asked, attending to Allison a moment. She kissed her tiny cheek.

"She's doing just fine, Amy. Don't worry about us," Anne replied.

--

"Knock, knock," Ben said, not having a door on which to knock on the makeshift bridal tent.

"Ben, you know it's bad luck to see me before the wedding. You can't come in," Amy replied, still concealed behind the veil of white fabric.

"I know. I just wanted to hear your voice," Ben replied. "It's almost time. I can't wait." he added. It had grown darker.

"I know," she replied wistfully. She noticed that familiar feeling of butterflies in her stomach.

"I'll go see if I can find your Dad," Ben replied with a smile. He placed his hand up the curtain separating them. She pressed her hand to the outline of his and suddenly felt a sense of calm come over her. This wasn't scary; this was Ben – her Ben. The man she undoubtedly wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

"Thank you," she replied genuinely, opting to save "I love you" for the ceremony. She saw his shadow fade away into the distance, and it was a few moments later, replaced by that of her father.

"You ready to go, Amy?" George asked standing outside the tent as Ben had. Music began to play and Amy breathed deep, pushing the curtain out of the way. She linked her arm through her fathers.

--

Ben stood silently, waiting for Amy to arrive. He turned his attention to Henry only at the request of a tap on his shoulder.

"Don't forget to breath," Henry reminded him. Ben loosened up and smiled a little bit.

Breathing is good, he thought. He turned back to face front and there she was. "Wow," he gasped aloud. Henry elbowed him in the side playfully. To Ben, Amy had never looked so amazing. Her auburn hair done up, the cut on the dress on her body and the smile on her face as their eyes locked together. He wanted to run down the aisle and hold her in his arms, but he restrained himself as she slowly made her way down the aisle. When she finally reached him, George handed her off to him and took his place in the seats next to Anne, who was holding Allison.

As she placed her hand in his, he couldn't believe her soft and beautiful her skin felt, having purposely starved himself of her for this very moment; his heart raced.

She smiled at him and they took their place in front of the officiator. He now took her other hand in his and noticed how coy she was being. Her eyes barely met his for a moment, a smile penetrating her very heart.

"We are gathered here today to observe and celebrate the union of Amy Lynn Juergens and Benjamin Thomas Boykewich. Miss Juergens and Mr. Boykewich have chosen to write their own vows," he said, nodding at Amy to begin hers.

"Ben, I don't know where to begin other than, thank you. You came into my life at perhaps the most difficult moment, but I'm so glad you did. Sometimes I still can't comprehend how you stayed with me even after you found out about Allison, but I am thankful every day that you did. You were by my side every single second that I needed you from that moment on, which seems like so long ago. In a way, we needed each other, I think. You are truly wonderful, and even though we are young, I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you more than I could ever say."

Ben waited a moment and received the nod as well.

"You are perfect. My dear, sweet Amy, I love you so much. It sounds clichéd, but I mean it. From the moment I saw you, I knew. You are more amazing than I could ever imagine. I've never met a stronger woman, a more loving, kind woman or a more beautiful woman. Nothing could ever separate us now that we've taken on the biggest challenge a new relationship could face. I want you to know that when things get tough, you have to tell me. We'll work them through, because we're strong, Amy. You are and I am. Nothing is more important to me than you and Allison. I'm so glad that this day is finally here. That I can proclaim my love for you in front of all these people and finally begin the next chapter of our lives. I love you with all my heart."

"Do you, Benjamin, take Amy to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Ben replied with a smile, as she placed the wedding band on his finger.

"And, do you Amy; take Benjamin to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," she whispered, holding back tears.

"Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Amy looked up at Ben and smiled widely. They had waited all day for this. Gently, but passionately, Ben took her face in his hands and kissed her lips; and though it wasn't, it felt as magical as like the first time they'd kissed.

"I love you, so much," Ben whispered, leaning her forehead against hers.

"Me too," Amy replied with a smile.

"It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Boykewich." Everyone clapped and cheered. "The couple has chosen to take their first dance at this time, so please join them over in the reception area. Thank you."

Amy grabbed Ben's hand excitedly and the couple proceeded down the aisle and over to the dance floor.

Ben pulled her close and she wrapped her arms around his as a delicate piano line began to play, followed by words:

We were strangers, starting out on a journey/Never dreaming what we'd have to go through/Now here we are, and I'm suddenly standing at the beginning with you

Amy closed her eyes and smiled, sinking as deeply into Ben as was physically possible. A tear trickled down her face as she pictured the first time that they had danced like this, she had clung to him then as well; but this was a new beginning, she was no longer afraid and alone. This time she was on a journey for two.

--

Note: Thank you to all who are still reading. I still appreciate your reviews and thoughts. This feels like an ending, but I have at least one more chapter in me. Again, thank you.