My Best Friend's Wedding

After giving much thought to what Antonio said that Saturday Nicole decided he was right. She knew she wasn't wrong for what she did, but she also knew she was judgmental and hadn't been a good friend. She pondered about what she would say and went across the street.

"What are you doing here, Nicole?"

"I wanted to talk to you. How are you?"

"You know about the baby."

"Baby," Nicole said. "You're pregnant." She wanted to say what she was thinking, about how she could have done that, about how now she would never have Nathan out of her life even if she did divorce him, but she kept quiet. "Congratulations."

"How did you find out?"

"You just told me. I actually came over here to say something completely unrelated."

"Oh, what?"

"I don't want to lose you as a friend."

"Then you have to accept my marriage."

"I do…I will…I'll do my best. Where is he now?"

"He's in the nursery, rocking Joe to sleep. What's new with you?"

"Nothing really. Just planning out the wedding. A lot more of Antonio's relatives are coming than I expected. What about you, what's new?"

"We were separated. I almost divorced him."

"What changed?"

"He did. He put all that bad stuff behind him."

"You still can't say it can you?"

"I'm afraid it might come back to haunt me in a court of law one day." Jess had never actually said Nathan was in the Mafia to anyone other than Nathan and she was not going to start with Nicole. "It's going to be a boy," she changed the subject.

"Have you picked out a name yet?"

"Not officially, but every first born son in Nathan's family has been Nathan Tobias Massey since his great, great, great, great grandfather, so I have a feeling that's what his name will be. That will be confusing though, having two people named Nathan in this house."

"How far along are you?"

"Four months. I told Kemyss last week. That's why I've stayed in the office the past few days."

"He's asleep," Nathan said as he was coming down the hall. When he got to the kitchen and saw Nicole he was tempted to turn around. "Hello."

"Hi, Nathan."

"You better get started on the lawn. The weather guy says it's going to rain later," Jess gave him an out of an awkward situation. It was more her out than his. Nathan wasn't afraid of Nicole, he just couldn't stand her. Nicole felt the same about him.

"Right." He left.

"You don't believe he's really changed," Jess stated that as a fact not a question.

Nicole didn't know if she believed Nathan changed or had just told that to Jess and she bought it. She wasn't taking any chances though. The nanny would still be taking care of Joe and Ethan in her home, and she really wanted nothing to do with Nathan.

"I hope he's really changed, Jess. I really do. And I would really like it if you came to the wedding."

"You know I wouldn't miss you becoming Mrs. Antonio Cortez."

"There will be none of that. I've been Nicole Scott my whole life and I intend to die Nicole Scott."

xxxxx

A week later Antonio's family came to Maryland. Nicole had never met anybody in his family before that day.

While Antonio was at the airport picking up his parents his sister and her all-American husband Mariela and Dave Hadley and their three children pulled into Nicole's driveway.

"Hello, Nicole. Antonio has told me so much about you," Mariela said.

"It's nice to meet you." She shook her hand and Dave's.

Dave introduced all their children starting with the eldest, his ten-year-old daughter. "This is Yarisbet, Alejandro, and Elian." He wanted to add 'can't you tell my wife picked the names' after that, but he thought better of it.

"The baby of the family. Your uncle Antonio told me all about you," Nicole said to Elian.

Elian smiled, but was too shy to say anything. But he was thinking I'm not a baby.

"My nephew is upstairs. You can go up and play with him if you want."

xxxxx

When Antonio came through the door with his parents Carlos and Armena Cortez their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren were anxious to be reunited with them. After the chaos calmed Antonio introduced them to the woman who would soon be their daughter-in-law.

"Mom, papa, this is Nicole."

Armena caught her off guard with a hug. "Welcome to the family, Nicole." Her English was better than Nicole expected. There was barely an accent.

Carla stopped by after her shift like she promised Nicole she would and met the family.

They spent the day together getting to know each other.

xxxxx

The children and adults were outside in the backyard. Carla came in the kitchen to see if her daughter needed any help preparing dinner.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No. I got it. How do you like everyone?"

"They're great. You are going to be so happy."

"I am so happy already."

xxxxx

Nicole couldn't stop smiling that day. That night after the house was quiet (because Carlos and Armena were asleep in the guest room and Mariela and her family went back to their hotel) Antonio and Nicole were in their bed trying to sleep, but neither of them was tired.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"Kelly is coming to get Ethan in two days. After the wedding she's taking him back to Chicago."

"I thought you were sad about that. Why are you smiling?"

"She agreed to send him to Geneva in Chicago. And I've been thinking about something else. But I am going to miss him."

"I know how you feel. I am going to miss having him here too."

"It'll be weird not having kids in the house. I've gotten used to it. Earlier I was watching Ethan and Mariela's kids play in the backyard and I was thinking what if all those kids were ours. I was thinking if you had your way and we had four kids how overwhelming would that be? So I was trying to really pretend they were all mine."

"Is that what you were just thinking about?"

"Yes. It was great."

"There is a way we could get kids in this house after Ethan leaves."

"I was thinking of that too."

"Really? You're ready to have a baby?"

"Well…maybe not a baby. I had something else in mind."

"What?"

"I lost my family when I was three years old. There are so many couples out there that only want to have biological children and that's why I and so many other kids are raised by the state."

"You want to adopt a child? That's great. I think that's a really good idea, Nicole."

"I want a three-year-old girl. I want to give her what I never had."

"We can apply to an adoption agency as soon as we get back from the honeymoon."

They laid in bed for a while longer still too excited to sleep.

"Antonio," what she was about to say would kill all the excitement he had, "if you want to postpone this wedding until you can get in touch with Elias I would understand."

"I'm not going to do that."

"He's your brother-"

"It doesn't even feel like that anymore. It feels like he's my kid. I've been trying to help him for eight years and I can't do it anymore. I have faith that he will change, but I can't let him run my life anymore."

xxxxx

On the day of her best friend's wedding Jess got up early. Nathan was going to stay home with Joe (because the seven-month-old was too young to be quiet through a wedding ceremony and because Nathan wasn't invited, nor did he want to go) and was feeling uneasy about being alone with the baby all day.

He followed her to the entrance hall with his fussy son in his arms. "How long do you think you will be gone?" he asked with a hint of the nervousness he was feeling.

"It's almost nine-thirty now. The ceremony starts at twelve, and the reception starts at one. I will try to leave by four, so I should be back before five."

"Seven hours, Jess? I thought you would be back at like one."

"Relax, baby. In ten minutes he should take his morning nap and then at three he takes his afternoon nap. During the time I am gone he will only be awake for three and a half hours. His schedule is on the counter. You'll do fine. But if you have a problem you know my cell number. I will see you later." She kissed him and their son and walked out the door.

xxxxx

Nicole came out of the bathroom to Armena, Kelly, Jess, Beth, Mariela, and Carla who were waiting for her.

"You look great!" Mariela exclaimed.

"Beautiful," Armena told her.

Nicole was less excited. "I can't believe I let you talk me into wearing this thing," she said to Beth.

"That dress looks great on you," the wedding planner replied.

"Jess, tell me the truth. Do I look ridiculous?"

"You look beautiful."

"Sit down. Let's get started on your hair," Carla said.

Beth worked on her make-up and the rest of the ladies talked Nicole out of her pre-wedding jitters.

xxxxx

Down the hall Antonio was just about ready to wait for his bride to walk down the aisle. He was combing his hair when he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." He thought it was his father even though Carlos had just left after giving him some last minute marital advice. He couldn't believe who he saw (from the mirror he was standing in front of) come through the door. "Elias."

He turned around. He wasn't sure how to feel. He was happy his only brother came, but still angry that he hadn't bothered to tell him he was coming, so he wouldn't have had to spend the days leading up to his wedding wondering if he should or should not postpone it; let alone the worry that had been plaguing him about what was wrong with Elias that he hadn't called in months.

"You didn't think I'd come did you?"

"You should have called me."

"I know, but I'm here now, right? Lighten up, man, you're getting married. Congratulations!"

Antonio let himself smile despite the fact that he wanted to be mad. He hugged his brother, and Elias allowed it even though he didn't like affection—between men anyway.

xxxxx

It seemed like forever while Nicole waited for the double doors to open and the music to start. While she waited to walk down the aisle she thought of her life leading up to where she was standing that day. It seemed insurmountable that the life she led brought her to Antonio.

She lost her father before she got to know him. She didn't remember him, but she had been told he never harmed her. The abuse she suffered in the foster homes was mainly inflicted by women. Even though most of her pain had been caused by women (her foster moms and her real one) she grew up thinking she would never have a good relationship with any man. But as an adult she learned that wasn't so. She dated many good men. The problem with the relationships was always her. She couldn't get close to anyone. They tried to reach her, but couldn't. When they couldn't take it anymore they left.

Antonio was different. He knew if he gave it enough time he could get to her. He was the only one who put up with her difficulties bonding and learning to trust again. He was the only one she couldn't push away with her issues. She lost him once for being unfaithful. She lost him the second time when neither of them really wanted to be in the relationship. But she never lost him because he couldn't take her problems. As much as she pushed (particularly during their first relationship nine years before) him away she couldn't chase him off. She tested him and tested him, but he wouldn't leave. As much as she thought about it it seemed more than just luck that she found him. It was a miracle.

The doors were opened and the music started. Nicole began her walk down the aisle. She tried to ignore the thirty-three adults and twenty young children and teenagers that stood watching her, but found it very difficult in that dress. It wasn't long before she was by Antonio.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…"

The minister went on with words he said several times a week. Nicole and Antonio stared at each other. Both of them nearly forgot they had an audience.

"Antonio, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, till death do you part?"

"I do."

"Nicole, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, till death do you part."

"I do."

"By the power vested in me by the state of Maryland and Almighty God I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

xxxxx

An hour into the reception Nicole danced with her husband. Mariela danced with her husband and children. And Jess was on the other side of the room talking Nathan out of panic.

"It's okay to just leave him in the crib and let him cry."

"I don't think you're listening to me, Jess. He is not crying. He is screaming."

"He's teething. We have to expect him to be more irritable for a while. Turn off the monitor and give your ears a break."

"Is this seat taken?" Elias asked Jess as she was putting her cell down.

She motioned with her hand for him to sit down. "Go ahead. That was my husband. He's home with our seven-month-old. It's his first time spending the day with the baby and he's a little nervous."

Elias reached across the table to shake her hand. "Elias, brother of the groom."

"Jess, friend of the bride and groom."

"You work with my brother. I think he mentioned you."

"I used to work with him. Antonio quit the bureau."

"He did? I guess a lot has changed since I talked with him last. Do you want a drink?"

"Sure."

xxxxx

"Come on, buddy," Nathan tried to pacify Joe, "you're not hungry. You're not wet. What is bothering you?"

Joe cried louder.

"I'll change you again. Maybe that will help."

Nathan laid Joseph on the changing table. The baby kicked his legs, not wanting to be put down. While thrashing Joe hit his arm on the rail of the table and cried louder from his self-inflicted pain.

After icing the baby's arm and changing him Nathan laid him on his back in the crib, annoying Joe further. He turned the monitor off and left the baby to his own devices.

xxxxx

The fast music stopped and Antonio and Nicole sat down.

"Phew. You still got it. Remember those clubs we used go to every night back in phoenix? I couldn't keep up with you then and I can't keep up with you now."

"Check this out," Nicole said pointing out her friend and brother-in-law laughing and drinking at another table.

"I hope he knows she's married."

"Who could miss that ring?"

"Someone who's as drunk as he seems to be. That is just the kind of trouble Elias would get into, to mess around with an ex-mobster's wife."

"That's so great."

Antonio was confused until he realized Nicole was watching her mother and Antonio's family talking. Carla had Elian on her lap and what ever she was saying to him was very funny to the five-year-old.

"It's like they've been family forever. You wouldn't know that they didn't know each other until a couple of days ago."

xxxxx

It was nearing four o'clock and the guests were starting to leave. Nicole and Antonio's flight to Hawaii didn't leave until the next morning, so they were spending their first night as man and wife with their family. Mariela and Dave went back to the hotel. They were going to come over for dinner that evening. Antonio's parents were riding back home with him.

"We will be in the car," Antonio's father said.

"I better get going to," Jess told them. "Nathan's probably at the end of his rope by now. Oh, yeah, about your brother, he is wasted. I figured you wouldn't have room for him in the car with your parents, so do you want me to take him in my car?"

"Yes. Thank you," Antonio said equally embarrassed and grateful. He was especially grateful that his parents spent the afternoon talking to Carla and their grandchildren, so they never noticed Elias after he'd drank too much.

xxxxx

After taking Elias across the street to Antonio—and helping him take his brother to the bedroom, so his parents wouldn't see Elias drunk—Jess went home to her frazzled husband.

"Honey, I'm home," she said only to bug him because she knew he wouldn't be in the mood for jokes.

"I don't need you now. He just fell asleep."

"I told you you could do it. How'd you get him down?"

"I just left him there. I haven't heard anything from the nursery, so I assume he is asleep."

Jess was hit with a bad feeling. "How long ago did he fall asleep?"

"Just now. A couple of minutes ago. It was pretty sudden actually."

She ran down the hall to the nursery. Nathan stayed in the living room until he heard his wife scream.

Jess found the baby face down in the crib. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully at first; until she picked him up and noticed his pale face and light blue lips.

"Nathan, call 911!"