Chapter 20- Whiskey Lullaby

"Calm down, Danielle, you look beautiful," Leila said, trying to fix the veil atop the bride's head. Leila was running around doing everything the Maid of Honor should be doing, because they couldn't find Kate. Danielle had yet to notice, so they were trying to keep it that way by pacifying her with complements. Casie and Cara just stood off the side, watching the girls fret over the small details in Danielle's appearance. Danielle stopped in her tracks after putting her shoes on. She looked around the room, not finding what she was looking for.

"Where's Kate?" she asked, her voice dropping an octave. The girls exchanged worried glances at each other. Danielle focused her eyes on Leila, who shifted under her gaze.

"We don't know. She just left the room about an hour ago without saying anything," Leila mumbled.

Danielle's eyes went red, just as the door opened. Kate strolled in, straightening the shirt of her dress that she had tailored to show off more than desired. Danielle had been okay with that, just a little tweaked, but disappearing on her wedding day was something else and she was angry.

"Where were you?" Danielle asked calmly.

Kate looked up at her, tucking a piece of hair that had fallen down from the elegant bun on her head.

"Chris and I found a snug little broom closet to explore… and we couldn't help ourselves," Kate said giggling. However Danielle was not laughing at this. Her face went a dark maroon and you could feel the heat emanating from her.

"You mean to tell me that instead of being here for me on the biggest day of my life, you were screwing around with Chris?!" she yelled at her. Kate took a step back by the force of her words. The smile that had been on her face had disappeared, and was replaced by a pursed mouth.

"It wasn't like we missed the wedding! You were just getting dressed, how much help do you need for that?" she spat out.

Danielle was livid; her eyes bugged out of her head. Leila saw this and took her place to step in. She knew that this was not the time or place to have a fight.

"Now, let's just all calm down. This is not the place to have this argument. Danielle, you want this day to be perfect, so let's just try and do that," Leila said placing a soothing hand on her shoulder.

Danielle studied Leila for a minute when a smile came on her face. "You're right Leila. I do want this day to be perfect. And the only way that's going to happen is if Kate is not my Maid of Honor anymore."

Casie and Cara's mouths dropped, Leila's hand fell from Danielle's shoulder and Kate let out a small scream of frustration.

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"And who exactly will be your Maid of Honor then?" she huffed.

"Leila," she stated simply. "If she'll do it of course."

Leila's mouth dropped open. She just stood there stunned.

"Will you be my Maid of Honor, Leila?" Danielle asked with a pleading look in her eyes. Leila looked in her eyes, seeing her desperation. She knew what she had to do.

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Andy stood in front of the rest of the boys, excluding Joe; he was already out waiting on the altar, under the traditional Jewish bridal canopy. The boys had matching outfits; a simple black tuxedo with their own choice of colorful ties with Converse shoes to match. Andy had a bright orange tie with orange shoes; Pete had a dark green tie, also with the shoes in the same green; Patrick donned bright blue tie that matched his shoes. Joe's other and last Groom's men, Joe Barker (Chavez) had a neon yellow tie. Joe himself took the more traditional route, for his parent's sake. Being Jewish, with strict parents, he had to dress accordingly. He wore a yarmulke on the crown of his head, with a black tuxedo and black shiny shoes. The head of the line stood Micah dressing in the exact same outfit as his father, but with a red tie and shoes, and a little girl with curly blonde hair stood next to him. She was about three years old and was carrying a basket of flowers. Her name was Gracie and she was the niece of Danielle. She had a knee length pink dress with paten shoes to match. She was the cutest little with her dimples and blue eyes.

The boys had just been talking out in the hall, waiting on the ceremony to start. They all turned their heads when a loud commotion came from the room where all the girls were dressing. Soon, everything went quiet. As the music began to play, they lined up in order looking around for the girls. Micah and Gracie was half way down the aisle it was their turn to start walking out. At the last second, when it was time to walk; Leila came hustling out of the room, followed by Cara, Casie and a surly Kate.

Pete looked up at the sound of the door and his eyes found Leila, and his heart skipped a beat. He knew that girls didn't have to dress up to take his breath away, but Leila just had in her knee length blue dress with matching heels. Her hair was half up and had her side bangs pinned back out of her eyes; the rest of her hair was in soft curls going down her back with a blue ribbon tied up in it. He held out his arm to her, and she shook her head. Instead of walking to Pete, she headed for Andy. Pete looked at her with confused eyes.

"Change of plans boys," Leila said, taking Andy by the arm, and slowly headed down the aisle. Andy looked confused at her, but she just smiled at him and waved his questioning eyes off. Pete took Cara by the arm, still confused on why Kate was in the back, and followed Andy and Leila. Patrick shrugged his shoulders, and held out his arm to Casie, who smiled and took it, heading out on to the aisle behind Pete and Cara. Kate yanked on Chavez arm and very jerkily walked out.

Once they were all standing in their appropriate places, and Joe giving them all a confused look, the crowd before them rose to their feet, turning to the entrance. There was a pause in the music, and a ­

beautiful sound of music came from the organ next to the altar. This surprised Leila, turning her head to the sound. They hadn't rehearsed this; but there were a lot of things they hadn't rehearsed. Patrick had slipped out of the Groom's men line and had gone the organ. Leila smiled brightly, as well as the rest of the group; they had no idea Patrick was planning this, not even Joe. The only person who seemed to know was Danielle, who had appeared at the doorway, with a broad smile on her face with her arm on her father's.

Joe forgot all about the organ in one instant. He knew nothing in that room but Danielle. He just stared at her. He knew he must look stupid, but he didn't care. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen was walking towards him. Everyone seemed to staring at Danielle… well almost every one. Leila was looking at Joe, seeing the happiness clearly written on his face. Pete had his eyes on Joe as well. He had never seen his best friend that happy for as long as he knew him. Pete then moved his eyes to Leila. She was also looking at Joe. Sensing someone staring at her, she turned her eyes to Pete; smiling at him. With a small wink, she turned her head to look at Danielle. Pete felt his face flush a little. She hadn't been able to make him flush in a while. He felt giddy as he also turned towards the bride.

Cara could see the happiness all of her Danielle's face. She was happy for her too; she took a chance to glance at Patrick playing the organ. It was very sweet of him to do that for his friends. Patrick looked up from the organ, seeing Cara looking at him. She flushed and threw him a smile, quickly moving her eyes. Patrick couldn't help but smile at her behavior.

Casie had watched Danielle enter, and looked at Joe for a minute before getting the feeling that she was being watched. Looking to the section of chair's that contained Joe's family; she found the eyes that were staring at her. It was Andrew. She really didn't know how to react to him. She would never normally make out with someone she didn't know if she was sober. She liked Andrew, and thought he was extremely handsome, but she felt embarrassed in front of him. She flushed under his gaze, which only made him smile wider. Andrew hadn't taken his eyes off her since she walked in with Patrick on her arm.

Danielle reached the altar, and her dad lifted her veil and placed it gently behind her head; kissing her cheek lightly, he sat down next to her watery-eyed mother and held her hand. Danielle turned slowly to face Joe, who was smiling brightly at her. He held out his hand and she took it and he gently guided her beside him, and they both faced the rabbi.

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"I've known this man for a while now, and all I have to say to Danielle is… good luck," Andy said smiling. The crowd listened and laughed at him. "Being on tour with him all the times we have, let me see the real Joe. The real Joe is messy, and crazy. He can get more stuff in more places faster than anyone I know. And I thought Pete was bad," he said, throwing a smirk at Pete, who secretly flipped him a certain finger under the table. "But seriously, all the things that Joe is, the most important thing is that I know that he will be there for you for the rest of your life. He'll never let you down. Congratulations Joe and Danielle."

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Joe patted Andy on the back as he sat down at the head table at the reception; but as soon as he did Pete stood up. Joe looked at him carefully; no telling what Pete would say.

"I believe that I know Joe the best, being the one who shared a tour bus with when the other's couldn't handle the mess that we could create," Pete began, looking around the room, giving Joe a small wink that only worried him more. "Joe can get into some pretty crazy things, like that one time… oh maybe I shouldn't say that," Pete started, making a face that cracked the crowd up. "But anyways, Joe is a pretty awesome guy, from his taste in music to his taste in girls," he smiled at Danielle, who smiled back, "and there's one thing you can always count on in Joe; his ability to love. So Danielle, I say this to you… if Joe can put up with all the pranks I pull and the mess I can get into, there's nothing you can do to get on his bad side. I wish you guys the best," Pete finished, holding up his glass to the both of them.

As Pete sat down, he looked to Leila, as if it was her turn to talk. She became extremely nervous and looked to Danielle, who was looking at her. She mouthed 'Just say anything' to her and Casie nudged her side and made her stand up. Leila hated talking in front of a crowd, and this was a very big one. Pete could see the uncertainty in her eyes, and just bad for her. She was made the Maid of Honor at the last minute and didn't prepare anything to say.

Leila stood there for a seconds when Casie bumped her foot to get to start talking. "I haven't known Danielle for very long, but I consider her one of my close friends. She was there for me when I needed someone and she didn't have to be," she said. Pete lowered his head a little, remembering the time that Leila needed Danielle back in New York. "These past few weeks together, planning the wedding and everything, have let me see a side Danielle that I have never seen. She's just a wonderful person all the way around, and it's been my pleasure being her friend," Leila rambled. She looked to Pete for help, he just urged her to continue. "I know that I am supposed to be witty and say funny things about when Danielle was growing up, but I haven't had time to prepare anything. I was just made Maid of Honor today in the dressing room. That in itself says something about Danielle. If she's willing to let me, of all people, be in such an honorable position, she's either one of two things; an awesome friend or someone who has bad judge of people. I'm hoping it's the first," Leila said, the crowd laughed, making her feel slightly better about this. She looked to Pete again, who was smiling at her. "But honestly, Joe, you're getting a great girl and vice versa for Danielle. I wish you nothing but happiness."

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Joe stood up and held his hand out for Danielle. The dining was beginning to end and people wanted to get out on the dance floor. Pete, Andy and Patrick jumped from their seats and hurried back out of sight to a room right off the main dining hall with only Leila and Cara noticing. Leila looked up and saw Pete wink at her. That was her signal. She stood up and went to the three lone stools off to the right of the dance floor. Leila sat them together, but with enough room in between them. When Leila made it back to her seat, with curious glances from Casie and Cara, Joe and Danielle were almost at the dance floor when they heard the sounds of an acoustic guitar.

Joe looked around for the sound and found the rest of Fall Out Boy sitting on the stools Leila had set up with acoustic guitars and Andy with a tambourine. Joe smiled at them and turned back to Danielle, who ­

was staring at the boys in wonder and pure happiness. He held his hand out for her, and led her to the middle of the dance floor. Everyone had their eyes on them. Joe looked over to boys, waiting on them to start.

Patrick started strumming the strings and soon was joined by Pete, while Andy tapped the tambourine. As the sounds of "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day, Joe and Danielle's song, Joe began guiding her around the dance floor. Danielle gasped very audible when Patrick began playing. She had no clue that Joe had told them about their song. She could say nothing, but smile at the way her wedding day was turning out. It was better than she could ever expect it to be. Everyone was staring at them, gazing sweetly at the sight before their eyes. Leila had never seen anyone happier than the two of them at that moment. Neither had Casie, which caused her to down her glass of champagne. The boys continued playing their hearts out for Joe. They normally wouldn't be playing at weddings, but this was for Joe. But no one seemed to be paying attention to three-fourths of Fall Out Boy playing in the corner; they were more focused on the newlyweds; which made the boys very happy.

The song finished and the couple kissed sweetly on the floor. Soon after that, more couples began dancing the music the DJ was playing. Leila was sitting in her seat watching everyone dance around, having a good time. Pete snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"Is it you Johnny?" Leila joked. "You better not try anything, my other boyfriend Jason is around here somewhere."

Pete burst into laughter, sliding into the seat next to her. Leila smiled, containing her laughter with her hand covering her mouth.

"That was sweet what you guys did for Joe and Danielle," Leila said, her eyes sparkling in Pete's direction. Pete shrugged his shoulders.

"He's our man, we knew we had too," Pete said, throwing off the complement. Leila knew he always felt weird about complements, so she left it alone. Instead she gazed back over the dance floor. She felt a warm hand take hold of her hand, and she looked back to Pete. He was standing up, pulling her to her feet.

"C'mon, let's dance!" he exclaimed. Leila couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. She let him lead her to the dance floor and began dancing to "Kiss" by Prince. When the song came to "I just want your extra time and your… kiss" Pete kissed her, taking her by surprise. She smiled beneath the kiss and broke apart laughing. Patrick and Cara were dancing nearby and Andy was dancing with one Danielle's pretty family members. Casie watched all of this from her seat at the table. She was happy for them all, but couldn't help but feel sorry for herself. She emptied her four glass of champagne. When she opened her eyes, Andrew was in front of her, smiling. Casie stared at him, wondering what he wanted.

"You want to dance?" he asked her with his strong voice that sounded just like Pete's. Casie stared at him again, blinked and agreed. Once they hit the dance floor, a slow song came on. "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge came through the speakers. Casie felt awkward and made to go sit ­

back down, but Andrew wouldn't let go of her hand, pulling her close to him. Slowly they began twisting around the dance floor. Casie looked around at all the other couple's dancing closely; Joe and Danielle were cheek to cheek, Leila and Pete had their foreheads touching and Cara had her head on Patrick's shoulder. And here they were, only having making out in a drunken stupor, dancing to such a personal song. But Andrew didn't seem to be minding it very much; he just held Casie close to him, guiding her around. She had to admit that it felt very good to be in someone's arms again. Slowly she relaxed and enjoyed the time she was spending with him. The song went off and the DJ's voice could be heard over the speakers.

"This next song is for mothers and their sons. I would all the mothers who have sons here today to come out on the dance floor for this next song," the DJ said.

Most everyone exited the stage. Leila went to join Casie, who was on her way back to her seat. Pete stayed out there as he saw his mother coming towards him, Andrew was close behind. Joe and his mother went out and as well as several others to the dance floor. Micah stood off to the side, looking sadly upon the scene in front of him. Patrick was a little behind him; he could have cried for his son from looking at the expression on his face. Suddenly Micah turned around to face Patrick and Cara.

"Cara," Micah spoke softly with his lisp apparent, with a nervousness about him, "will you come dance with me?" He looked up at her with his famous puppy dog eyes. Cara was taken aback. She didn't know what to do or say; she looked to Patrick, who was just as shocked as she was. The song, "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart, began to play, and Micah turned to see everyone dancing with their mothers; even Pete and Andrew were dancing awkwardly with their mother. Cara heard Micah give a little sniff, and it broke her heart. She reached down and took him by the hand. Micah looked up at Cara.

"Come on, Micah," Cara said softly to him. His wet eyes shined at her. Cara picked him up and carried him out and began swaying around with him. Patrick just looked on that sight in front of him. If it was even possible, he felt his heart grow bigger for Cara. She had gone above and beyond for him and his son, and this was just the icing on the cake. He really felt like she loved him very much. Leila and Casie took notice too. They just smiled at one another, knowing that Cara was doing the right thing. Casie took another glass from the waiter who was walking by, almost draining it in one take. Leila just stared at her, but didn't say anything; not wanting to make a scene on this day of all days. She just crossed her arms and looked away. Casie didn't let that go unnoticed. She put her hand on Leila's shoulder.

"What's wrong with you?" Casie whispered at her.

Leila just turned to look at her, "If you would put down the drink that's always in your hand, than you would know," Leila spat out, and walked away, leaving Casie sitting in a daze. The more Casie thought about Leila being mad at her, the more depressed she became; Casie finished the drink she had and got another.

The dance finished and everyone seemed to pair off again. Joe and Danielle had not left the dance floor yet. Leila went over to Pete, who saw that she was visibly upset; also he knew exactly what was making ­

her upset as well. Andrew had walked back up to Casie, dragging her back out on the floor. But this time, with more drinks in her, she wasn't that hard to persuade.

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"Okay girls, it's about time for Joe and me to leave, so you know what that means!" Danielle yelled above the noise to the crowd. Girls of all ages flocked behind Danielle. Leila stayed by Pete, as did Cara. They would have felt awkward in front of the guys to try and catch the bouquet. But Pete and Patrick pushed them to crowd, to at least be there for Danielle. Casie and Andrew had disappeared somewhere; no one knew where they were. Leila and Cara reluctantly joined the mass crowd of girls awaiting Danielle's throw. It was worse than the concert they had gone to a few months back. People were pushing and shoving to get closer. Leila threw Cara a look of absolute annoyance. Cara just laughed at her face. They looked up to Danielle just as she threw the bunch of flowers to the girls. It was like they were watching it in slow motion. Cara and Leila looked on the bouquet flew up and back down, getting tapped back up by a girl who had jumped up to catch it. Leila's eyes followed the flowers as they came flying in their direction.

"Heads up Cara!" Danielle yelled, which caused Cara to throw her hands up to guard her face, and in turn catching the bouquet. Leila looked at her with amusement. Cara just stood there stunned. She looked to Leila to make sure this was real. Leila was now trying to contain her laughter by pursing her lips together. Cara looked to Patrick, who was flushed a deep crimson. Pete was standing next to him laughing behind his hands. Joe was watching from a distance, burst out laughing into the silence.

"Get it Patty boy!" he yelled, and if he could, he face flushed a deep shade of red, along with Cara; who couldn't believe what had just happened. Leila walked back over to Pete, silently glad that she wasn't the one to catch. Marriage was not in her near future; as sure Pete would agree with her. Micah was looking from his father to Cara with a confused look on his innocent face.

Soon after that, everyone crowded outside to see off the two newlyweds. They throw rice at the couple as they ran through the sea of people to the car Pete, Andy and Patrick decorated for them. Pete was having a blast being able to throw things at people. He pelted people with the rice as hard as he could, laughing the whole time.

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Casie sat with her head on the cold floor of the bathroom. Andrew was waiting for her outside. She drank herself sick. After about ten minutes, Andrew was getting worried about her, and entered the ladies' room. He found her in the last stall with the door wide open. He rushed to her side, helping her sit up. She was speaking incoherently; he was unable to understand anything she was saying. Just as he stood her up, she fell back to the floor, putting her head in the toilet. When he though she was done, he helped her up again. She muttered something to him and blacked out. She nearly slipped from his grip; he wasn't expecting her to pass out on him. He tried waking her back up but was unsuccessful. After about ten minutes of trying to revive her, he called an ambulance.

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-note from the author- I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! Stay tuned to see what happens to Casie!