"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said, concluding the ceremony. "Mr. Carter, you may kiss your bride."

"Kiss her daddy!" Elizabeth yelled, causing everyone in the church to burst into hysterics. Nick grinned at his daughter and then pulled Kayleigh towards him, kissing her gently.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear before pulling completely away.

"I love you too," Kayleigh mouthed to him.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the priest began. "I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Carter." The church erupted into applause as Kayleigh and Nick made their way down the aisle, the rest of the wedding party behind them.

"Congratulations Mrs. Carter," Nick said as they stood in each other's arms at the back of the church.

"You too, Mr. Carter," Kayleigh replied, tearfully.

"What's wrong, baby?" Nick asked, concerned. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not upset," Kayleigh answered, wiping her eyes. "These are happy tears. I swear."

"Come on lovebirds!" AJ announced, ruining their moment. "We have a party to get to."

The reception was being held at a place overlooking Tampa Bay called Windows on the Bay. The sun was just beginning to set and the place looked beautiful. While the newlyweds got their pictures taken, Brian took the time to pull his cousin aside and question him about that little outburst he had the day before.

"What was that yesterday?" he asked.

Kevin shrugged. "I don't know, Bri. I just remember how he was when she ran away. He was a mess. I mean, what is this going to do with him?"

"Nick knows what he's doing," Brian stated. "This is different. He loves her. He always has. I mean, what does it matter that they're married now?"

"I don't know," Kevin responded.

"It doesn't matter, Kev," Brian continued. "Kayleigh is the mother of his child. Of course, it's going to be hard. But she's also his best friend and she's been his best friend for the better part of his life. The fact that they're married now is not going to make the fact that she's dying any harder or any easier for him to deal with."

"I guess you're right," Kevin mumbled.

"I know I am," Brian grinned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to dance with my wife. You should apologize to Nick." Kevin nodded and watched as Brian walked away to find Leighanne. He looked around for Nick and noticed him dancing with daughter. He felt someone tap his shoulder and spun around, coming face to face with Kayleigh.

"May I have this dance?" she asked, hopefully.

Kevin smiled at her and took her hand, leading her out to the dancefloor. "You look beautiful, Leigh," he commented.

"Thanks," she said, appreciatively. "Listen, Kevin, I heard what you said to Nick yesterday."

Kevin's smile faded and his eyes widened. "I'm sorry, Kayleigh," he stated. "I was way out of line."

"Kevin, I'm not upset," Kayleigh told him. "You were just looking out for your little brother. How could I find fault with that?" Kevin shurgged but didn't say anything. "The truth is, that's exactly the reason I originally told him that I couldn't marry him. I didn't want to have to leave him alone. I told him that he didn't deserve all that. He deserved so much more than I could ever give him. But Nick has very good powers of persuasion."

"That he does," Kevin laughed.

"But the fact is," Kayleigh continued. "Is that I love him. I've loved him for the past four years. And as much as I don't want to hurt him, I'm going to end up doing that anyway. Why shouldn't I make all of us happy while I still have the chance? I mean, Elizabeth adores him. He adores her. And he and I love each other. No matter how long it lasts, I'd rather live every day with Nick to its fullest instead of wondering what could have been."

"I don't know what to say," Kevin admitted.

"You don't have to say anything," Kayleigh replied, smiling slightly. "Just know that I love Nick and I would never intentionally do anything to hurt him."

"Excuse me," Nick interrupted before Kevin had a chance to reply. "May I dance with my wife?"

"Of course," Kevin replied. He leaned in and placed a kiss on Kayleigh's cheek. "Congratulations. You're a lucky guy, Nick. "

"Thanks," Nick said, confused. Just twenty four hours ago, Kevin was telling him every reason not to marry Kayleigh. "What just happened here?"

"Nothing," Kayleigh answered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "We were just clearing up a few things. Don't worry."

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Nick questioned.

"Hmm…" Kayleigh pretended to think. "Not in the last, I don't know, ten minutes."

"Well, I do," Nick responded. "I love you. I love you. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Throw it!" Brooke yelled to Kayleigh who was standing up on the stage getting ready to toss the bouquet. All of the unmarried girls, Brooke, Nicole, Amanda, Ashley, And Nick's sisters, assembled underneath of her. After a minute or two of suspense, Kayleigh tossed the bouquet. After a scramble, Amanda came up with it.

"I got it!" She shrieked.

"Oh god," AJ groaned. "Now she'll never leave me alone. Thanks a lot Kayleigh!"

Kayleigh laughed and jokingly blew him a kiss. "No problem, Age!"

"Alright!" Brian announced. "I think it's time for the newlyweds to get out of here!" Nick and Kayleigh said goodbye to everyone before disappearing into the limo. They would be spending the night in the honeymoon suite of the Tampa Bay Marriot before flying to Hawaii for a week-long honeymoon. As soon as they reached the suite, Nick's lips were attached to Kayleigh's neck. "I just want to get you out of this dress," he growled into her ear.

"Gee Nick," Kayleigh giggled. "You'd think you haven't gotten any in a while."

"Shut up," he laughed, spinning her around. He pressed his lips to hers in a fervor that neither one of them knew he possessed. They hadn't been together like this since Elizabeth was conceived. And for Kayleigh, she hadn't been with anyone since Elizabeth was conceived. When Nick proposed, they both decided to wait so they would have something to look forward to on their wedding night. And now the moment was finally here. Before long, their clothes were discarded and Nick was pushing Kayleigh gently on to the bed. He kissed her gently before slowly entering her.

"You okay?" he questioned, seeing her face tense up from the initial pain of him being inside of her after so long.

"I'm fine," Kayleigh whispered, breathlessly, as he moved inside of her. "It's just been a while." Nick increased his pace and soon enough, both of their climaxes were building. Kayleigh came first, moaning Nick's name as a feeling of euphoria washed over her. Nick was soon to follow, her name escaping his lips as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. He collapsed on top of her and they both just lay there, tangled up in each other, sweat beading off of their foreheads.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment," Nick told her, honestly.

"Me too, Nicky," Kayleigh said, tears in her eyes. "Me too."

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