"Mommy," Everly yelled, "I have to go potty."

Allison jumped out of bed, "I'm coming princess."

Allison rushed the little girl to the washroom.

"Okay missy," Allison said, "everyone will be here in about 45 minutes. You have to do your physio and I need a shower."

"No physio," Everly whined.

"We're only going to have time to do it once today," Allison said, "daddy and I get married today."

"No physio," Everly whined.

"Now," Allison demanded, "we do this then we both have to shower. I need to wash your hair. Auntie Nee wants it wet so she can do your braids."

They quickly did the physio exercises before Allison had a shower and while Everly played with the ipad.

Allison and Everly came upstairs with damp hair to meet the hairdresser.

"Miss Ev," Annie called, "come let me do your hair."

"The french braids to the mini buns," Allison confirmed.

"Yes," Annie replied, "I grabbed some ribbon to braid into her braids, do you want me to do the purple or the white?"

"Let her choose," Allison smiled, "then the flower crown for the ceremony."

"Yes," Annie replied, "I'll pin it in right before."

Allison sat down in the chair the hairdresser indicated and chatted with Ellie, Cat, Eden and Ava as her hair was being done. The other girl's updos were simpler. Allison's hair was curled and pulled up into a loose bun before being sprayed with what felt like the whole can of hairspray. The style played with her natural waves.

"Breakfast before makeup," Teddy said, "Annie is going to take Everly and get her ready at their house."

"No," Allison said, "Nee keep her here."

"Bean have the day with your friends," Annie said, "I'll finish getting her ready at my house plus I need to make sure my boys actually put dress pants on. If I leave it up to them they'll be in shorts including Josh."

"I want a picture of you mom and I before," Allison said, "we have ones from mom and dad and your wedding just the three of us."

"I think we're holding you in both of those," Teddy laughed.

"I'm sure we could manage," Annie teased.

"I want you here Annie," Allison said, "I want my big sister."

"I can stay a while longer but I will have to run and make sure everyone is ready at my house," Annie said, "I don't have my dress here, I need to do my hair and make up."

"Call Josh and do it here," Allison said, "I want all of us here today please."

"Henry will be in shorts," Annie laughed.

"Josh can get him in proper dress pants," Teddy said.

"Don't let him bring a baseball and glove," Allison teased.

"We won't," Annie agreed, "I'll run home, get my stuff and be back in 30 minutes. This means I need to bring Heather."

"All of us," Allison said, "together."

"Okay," Annie smiled.

After breakfast Ava, Eden, and Cat joined them.

"Allie your hair," Ava said.

"I love it," Allison smiled.

"You look gorgeous," Eden smiled.

The girls got their hair done together giggling and chatting. Annie and Teddy sat back and smiled both reminiscing silently and supervising Heather and Everly.

"I'm going to go check on the back yard," Teddy said.

"Heather, Ev let's go for a little walk," Annie said, "give Allie and her friends some time."

"Playground," Everly asked.

"Yes but you're riding over," Annie said, "we don't want you tired."

"Ride," Everly pouted.

"Yes," Allison said, "if your walking with your basket on your own you need to ride now and rest. You can go on the swings but no climbing."

"Okay," Everly pouted.

"Lets go," Annie said leading the little two out of the house and carrying Everly's wheelchair down the porch steps.

"Grandma and grandpa need a ramp," Heather observed, "so do we."

"We do," Annie replied, "we'll talk to Dad and maybe we can all build one together. Do we need it out front or in the back?"

"Back," Heather said, "we only have one step out front."

"It's very thoughtful of you Heather," Annie smiled.

"Ev are you rolling your self or can I push you," Heather asked.

"Rolling," Everly said.

"Okay," Heather agreed.

Allison giggle with her friends as they finished getting their hair done and had their makeup done.

When it was time to get dressed Teddy called Allison upstairs.

"You ready baby girl," Teddy asked.

"I am," Allison said, "we have 20 minutes."

"I know," Teddy smiled, "I just wanted to borrow you before we put your dress on."

"We're doing some family photos before the ceremony," Allison asked, "the five of us?"

"We are," Teddy agreed, "I'm so happy for you sweetheart. Allison it's time, this is right."

"It is," Allison agreed, "but mom I think this is the part where you give me some deep life changing advice."

"Nothing earth shattering," Teddy replied, "your marrying your best friend. Allison there is no magic wand to a happy marriage. It's not instant or easy. You have to put in the time together. Your dad is my best friend first, my person. Asher is yours. You need to spend time being together being friends. Keep doing those things you love to do together. Make connecting a priority and the other things will work themselves out."

"That's it," Allison asked.

"That's it," Teddy assured, "be friends first."

"Knock knock," Owen called from the door.

"Daddy," Allison smiled.

"So munchkin ready to be married," Owen asked.

"It's too late to talk me out of it," Allison replied.

"I have to ask are you 100% sure this is what you want," Owen asked.

"It is," Allison assured.

"I can't believe my daughter is grown up enough to be married," Owen shook his head, "you were the only one I got to see as a new born. To watch you grow from the very beginning. I remember the day you were born and Carina put you in my arms and you looked at me thencried."

"I cried," Allison asked.

"You cried," Owen smiled, "and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. You were so tiny and helpless. I was scared, I could face mortar fire and keep operating, be blasted from a vehicle by a IED, but holding my daughter for the first time I was scared. What if I wasn't enough, what if I couldn't protect you and keep you safe."

"You did," Allison assured.

"But you grew a bit and I stopped being as scared," Owen said, "I've always worried and I always will. Allison you're ready for this. You found Asher. Yes you were very young but I think of all the pain and the struggles mom and I went through before we got it right and I think this is the way it should be. Allison love isn't easy or magical. It's two people agreeing to be together no matter what. Good and bad, sickness and health. You and Asher have already done that you already know you can do it. "

"Moms big advice for a happy marriage was be friends first and work on the friendship," Allison said, "what's yours?"

"It sounds cliché," Owen said, "no matter how tired or stressed you are always find a moment in your day to kiss and tell him you love him. Find that moment in your day to say I love you. There's been some random times and moments but we never go a day with out. "

"It's time to get dressed," Teddy said from her spot on the bed.

"I'll be right outside when your ready," Owen smiled.

"A hug first," Allison asked.

"Of course," Owen smiled hugging his youngest, "I love you munchkin."

"I love you too dad," Allison replied.

Owen stepped out of the room closing the door behind him.

Teddy helped Allison into her wedding dress and fastened all the hooks up the back.