A/N: Thank you tommygirl08, breverson, renee4152, kim, misskikikat and everyone else who has read this story! This is the last chapter. Remember there is still a rather long epilogue, which I will have up in its entirety sometime soon. I just want to give you a fair warning because if you like this ending, I suggest not reading the epilogue. Okay, enough of me being depressing. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1
Chapter 8: Endings and Beginnings
Taking her seat down at the piano, Jenny began to play a soft melody as Cate and Lorena came down the aisle. As the two women made their way to the front of the altar, they took their places opposite Mark and Jake. Tiffani was next down the aisle. She beamed a smile at Tony and then let her eyes linger on Jake before standing to the left of Sly. The music stopped momentarily, when Jenny resumed playing, the sound of the wedding march filled the chapel. Everyone watched as Matt slowly led Sam down the aisle. Tony was mesmerized by Sam as she walked towards him. When she was standing right in front of him, the two of them stared lovingly at each other. Sam smiled before turning to Matt.
"Thanks for giving me away, Matt," she said.
"It was my pleasure," he replied with a grin, as he faced Tony. "You're one lucky guy. I know you'll take good care of her."
"I will, Matt, thanks."
Placing Sam's hand into Tony's, Matt stepped back and stood between Mark and Jake.
"Well," Tony said softly, staring into Sam's eyes. "Here we are."
"Aren't you glad we didn't do this in high school?"
"Definitely."
The pair faced Sly who had a goofy smile on his lips. Raising his arms, he looked at Tony and then at Sam.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God Almighty to join Antoine Bethesda Wicks and Samantha Woo…"
Pausing, Sly held out his hand.
"Deswanchu," Sam supplied while she rolled her eyes.
"In holy matrimony," continued Sly. "Now, I've know the two lovebirds for quite some time…"
"Sly, hate to cut the trip down memory lane, but just skip to the part where I'm supposed to say 'I do,' I think we've waited long enough," interrupted Sam.
She grinned up at Tony.
"I told you she wasn't going to run," Jake whispered.
After glaring at his best man, Tony returned his attention to his blushing bride.
"Okay, then, moving right along. Tony, do you take Sam to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"And do you Sam, take Tony to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Do either one of you want to say something?" asked Sly.
"Yeah, I do."
Closing the distance between them, Tony lightly brushed his hand against Sam's cheek.
"Sam, I love you. I don't think I can ever say it enough times. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone and sometimes it scares the Hell out of me how much I need you. But I am so very ready to spend the rest of my life with you."
Tony stopped speaking and the chapel fell completely silent. The ladies all looked like at any moment they were going to burst into tears, especially Sam.
"Uh, Sam?" Tony prompted nervously.
"Sorry," she apologized in a small voice. "I'm speechless."
Everyone looked at Sam, waiting for her to continue.
"What? I really am speechless. I mean, when I first arrived in America, I never dreamed I would be meeting my true love. Well at first I didn't know, Tony would be my one true love. After all you guys had that stupid bet but then I realized…"
"Sam," Tony interrupted. "A simple 'I love you too' would do."
"Oh, ooops," she blushed. "I love you too. And I'm ready to spend every waking second, minute, hour, day…"
Tony pressed his lips against hers, cutting her off mid-sentence.
"Hey, hold on a minute, I didn't say you could kiss her yet!" Sly interrupted.
Bashfully pulling apart, the couple laughed.
"Sorry, but I had to do something," Tony explained.
Sam rolled her eyes, but was still unable to suppress the smile on her face.
"Okay Sly, you can go ahead," said Sam.
"Good. Now, where were we? Ah yes, the rings."
Jake reached into his pocket and handed Tony one ring and Sam the other.
"Hey, wait just a minute," Sam protested, staring at the ring in her hand.
"It was all her, I swear" Jake immediately jumped in, his finger pointing accusingly at Jenny.
Her eyes widened in shock, but before she could defend herself, Sam spoke up.
"These are more beautiful than the rings I picked out."
"Oh," replied Jake with a nervous laugh. "Of course they are."
Jenny stared Jake down as he shuffled back to his spot, while Tony looked to the heavens and whispered a 'thank you.'
"Now," Sly said, clapping his hands. "Repeat after me, Tony. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Tony hesitantly slid the ring onto Sam's wedding finger. When he finished, everyone let out a sigh of relief, grateful that the ring fit. The reaction didn't go unnoticed by Sam.
"What was that all about?" she questioned.
"Uh-uh, nothing, dear," Tony stuttered, before holding out his hand. "Uh, it's your turn."
Letting the incident go, Sam smiled as she placed the ring onto Tony's finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed," she echoed.
Clasping their hands tightly together, the couple became lost in each other's eyes for a moment.
"Great!" Sly exclaimed, breaking the silence. "By the power invested in me by the Goo-Ga-Moo gods… Ba-boom! I pronounce you husband and wife. Okay, Tony, now, you may kiss your bride."
Tony wrapped an arm around Sam's waist and lovingly kissed her to the sound of applause.
Everyone had congregated back at Lorena's place. The loft was dressed with streamers and balloons and sitting on the kitchen counter was a beautiful white cream cake.
"You girls did a good job decorating," Mark said, draping his arm around Cate's shoulder.
"Thanks, you guys did a good job watching us decorate."
"Hey, I helped!"
His wife, Tiffani, Lorena and Jenny all stared at him.
"I moved the cake," he said meekly.
Lorena crossed her arms.
"Oh yeah, moving the cake from inside the box to outside the box."
"Must have been exhausting," Tiffani agreed sarcastically.
Mark tried to defend himself but thought better of it as he kept his mouth shut. Rubbing his arm, Cate kissed him on the cheek.
"You make it too easy sometimes," she commented with a smirk.
"Guys, they're coming!" Jake announced from the window.
Taking their positions, everyone waited as Matt wheeled Sly through the front door. Sly cleared his throat before facing his friends.
"Presenting, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Wicks!"
The gang broke out into cheers and threw confetti as Tony came through the door carrying Sam over the threshold.
"So are you going to carry her like this everyday?" asked Jake.
"Heck no, she's got two legs," Tony retorted as he gently set Sam down.
Taking the opportunity, Sam slapped him playfully on the back.
"Hey, I was just kidding," he defended.
"I'm sure."
"Guys, you've only been married for less than hour, quit fighting," said Matt.
"Yeah, save that for your five year anniversary," Sly joked.
Everyone glared at him.
"Okay, okay, tough crowd."
"Oh, come here, Winkle," Tony said, giving his friend a hug. "Thanks for doing the ceremony.
"Yeah, Sly, thanks," replied Sam. "Where did you learn all that wedding stuff?"
"Easy, Days of Our Lives."
Everyone laughed. As the couple was ushered into the room and given congratulations and hugs, Jake took to the stage.
"Hey guys," he greeted, getting the attention of the room. "On behalf of everybody, I want to congratulate the happy couple. Sam, Tony, since I'm not big on the speeches, I'm going to do what I do best."
He paused and waved Tiffani, Mark, Matt and Jenny to the stage. Mark sat behind the drums, Matt and Jenny took the keyboards and Tiffani settled down with her bass.
"Enjoy your new life together," Jake said, grabbing his own guitar.
The couple traded smiles as Tony held his bride in his arms.
"Let's do it," Matt announced. "One, two, three, four."
After Jake played the opening melody, Mark, Matt, Jenny and Tiffani began to sing.
Candy and flowers
For my Valentine
Minutes and hours
You stay on my mind
Romance and love songs
I'm down on my knees
Promise me you'll belong
Oh to only me
But that's just a start
What I'm trying to say
I'd give you my heart
But it's yours anyway
"I love this song," Sam whispered into her husband's ear.
Pulling back so that he could see her face, Tony grinned.
"I'm glad you liked it. I meant every word."
"I know. I love you, Tony."
"I love you too, Sam."
Sam snuggled herself back into the crook of Tony's neck, both of them reveling in the moment.
What would I do without you, oh, oh
To me you're the meaning of
The meaning of love
And I'll always be true
Forever with you
It just isn't long enough
What would I do
Without you
Lorena nervously approached Sly and placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Hey."
"You did a great job with the ceremony today."
"Thanks. You did a great job with the dress."
Smiling in response, she crouched down to be at eye level with him.
"If you're up for it, may I have this dance?"
"It would be my pleasure."
Sly's face lit up as Lorena helped him onto his feet. Bringing his arm around her waist, Sly clasped his free hand into hers and together, they swayed to the music.
"You don't know how glad I am that you're okay," she said softly. "I thought I was going to lose you."
"Nah, I'm indestructible," he laughed. "Must be that thick skull of mine."
Lorena giggled.
"But seriously," Sly continued. "What I did to all of you was stupid and selfish. I'm really sorry."
She processed the apology for a moment in her mind before speaking.
"It wasn't because of me, was it?"
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Sly allowed his hand to linger on her cheek."I'd be lying if I said it wasn't."
"Sly…"
"I know," he interrupted. "But I'm not going to let you throw away your marriage for a guy like me."
The two stared at each other, neither one able to say a word.
I love only you
And nobody else
With feelings so new
Like I've never felt
Come hold my hand
Oh get closer to me
Cause you understand
How true love should be
But that's just a start
What I'm trying to say
I'd give you my heart
But it's yours anyway
"So I guess after tonight, we just go back to our normal lives?" Lorena asked when she found her voice.
"Yeah, I guess, we do," he hesitated briefly, before continuing. "Lorena, there's something I need to tell you."
"Sure, anything."
Sly opened his mouth but the hopeful expression on her face didn't allow the words to come out. Looking past her shoulder, Sly caught a glimpse of the newly wedded couple, dancing in a warm embrace. His line of sight then went to the band, who was playing their hearts out. Jake and Tiffani were singing into the same microphone, both of them staring lovingly at each other while Cate had her arms draped around Mark. When his gaze met back at Lorena, he forced a smile.
"I, uh, just wanted to say that, that you look absolutely beautiful."
The look in her eyes told him that she wanted to say something, only she decided otherwise. Instead, Lorena silently wrapped her arms tightly around Sly's neck and pressed her cheek against his.
What would I do without you, oh, oh
To me you're the meaning of
The meaning of love
And I'll always be true
Forever with you
It just isn't long enough
What would I do
Without
Your kisses and your tender touch
I love you I love you I love you so much
Baby there's something I want you to know
I'm gonna die if you ever go
What would I do without you, oh, oh
To me you're the meaning of
The meaning of love
And I'll always be true
Forever with you
Forever's not long enough
What would I do
Without you
Without you...
When the song ended, the couple applauded. Lorena reluctantly released her grasp around Sly and after helping him back to his wheelchair, joined the band on stage. Meanwhile, Sam threw he arms around Jake as soon as he put down his guitar.
"Thank you, Jake," she said simply.
"Yeah, thanks, man," Tony agreed as he looked to his band mates. "And thanks to all of you, Sam and I couldn't have had a more perfect day without you guys."
"I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we couldn't be any happier for the two of you," replied Jake.
"Hey, I thought you said you weren't big on sentimental stuff," said Tony.
Shrugging his shoulders, Jake laughed.
"I have my moments."
"Well, what are we waiting for, let's cut the cake!" Jenny exclaimed.
Jake watched as everyone headed towards the kitchen with a large grin on his face.
"And just what are you so happy about?" Tiffani demanded with a mock look of disapproval.
"I think I did a decent job at this whole, best man gig," he said proudly.
"Yeah, I guess you did."
"You guess?" he questioned.
Giggling at the annoyed expression in his eyes, Tiffani tenderly touched his cheek and softly pressed her lips on his in a quick kiss. When they broke apart, she had a matching smile across her face. He brought his arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze as they re-joined their friends. Jenny and Mark dubbed themselves the unofficial photographers for the evening, taking quick snaps of Sam and Tony cutting the cake and subsequently Sam getting frosting all over Tony's face. Everyone seemed to be having a ball from Sly's vantage point as sat quietly off to the side. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice Jake standing next to him.
"Hey, you okay?" Jake asked.
Sly immediately perked up and put on a smile.
"Yeah, absolutely," he replied, nodding his head in the direction of the newlyweds. "I'm really happy for them."
"Me too," agreed Jake.
Sighing, Sly caught Lorena's eyes for a fleeting moment before she returned her attention to her conversation with Jenny and Tiffani.
"I couldn't tell her about the… well you know," Sly admitted softly.
Jake didn't say anything in response.
"It's better this way," he continued, trying to reason with himself. "Besides, I can't ruin Tony and Sam's day. I want everyone to remember this, the way it was supposed to be remembered."
"That's real big of you," Jake said finally.
"I've grown up, haven't I?"
Smirking, Jake draped his arm around Sly's neck.
"You sure have, Wimple."
"Sly! Jake! Get over here, we're taking a group shot," Mark called out.
Jake held out his hand and helped Sly walk over to where everyone was standing. Situated in the middle were Tony and Sam, Jake took his place to the left of Tony with Tiffani, Jenny and Cate. Sam insisted on having Sly next to her with Lorena and Matt. Nervously exchanging glances, Sly placed an arm around Lorena.
"Are we okay?" he asked in a whisper.
Smiling, Lorena nodded her head.
"Of course we are."
Content with her reply, Sly looked up at the camera.
"You guys ready?" asked Mark.
"Just take the darn picture already, my cheeks are hurting," Sam whined.
After adjusting the camera one last time, Mark pressed the timer and took his place at the end with his wife. The friends smiled as the flash went off, capturing the highlight of their reunion.
Fin for now