AN: With sadness, I end this story. Um wow, I feel like I've been writing this for ages and to just end it, is kinda sad. Like Carrie told me the other day, I wish it could go on forever. But this is the last chapter of It's Now or Never. I really hope you enjoyed reading and found every chapter interesting cause I was trying to make it that way. There is a very likely possiblitly for a sequel but I'd like to hear if there's a demand for it. Let me know!

“Nick, remind me why we’re going to this wedding again.” Carrie said with a yawn. They were driving back from the airport at the early hours of the morning. As soon as AJ informed them of his engagement, Nick booked a flight back to the US in order to attend the ceremony. Carrie covered her mouth and gently leaned back on her seat. Nick removed one of his hands from the wheel and rested it on top of hers. He glanced at her for a second before returning his attention to the road.
“Because AJ’s our friend...” Nick replied.
“And so is Destiny.”
“I’ve known him longer and anyway she said she didn’t mind.”
“And you believed her?” Carrie said, shaking her head.
“I tend to believe people when they tell me things.”
“Nick, how can this not kill her?”
He considered her words and swerved into the right lane.
“Whoa, where are you going?” She asked
“I’m going to Destiny’s.” He answered her.
Carrie was confused but didn’t say a thing. She thought it would be wise to let him handle this since for once, he seemed to know what he was doing.

“This is so beautiful...” Serenity gushed over the location they were having the reception at. The sand was was decorated by baby blue and silver roses petals, which she had specially made. There were six large tables, each covered by a light purple table cloth. Each table was surrounded by eight chairs. Different colored lights were hanging from trees and the platform, which was situated in the between the tables, was lit by lamps attached to its sides. Serenity had made a list of hundreds of people she intended to invite but was asked to cut them to a quota of 50. She managed to lower the list to 48 people, other than her parents, most of them AJ’s acquaintances.
“Yeah, it is something special.” Her mother agreed.
“Is it time I start getting ready?” Serenity questioned.
“Just about. Come on, lets go back to the hotel room before you get a cold or ruin your hair.” Her mother put her arm around the bride to be and together, they walked back towards the car.

AJ tossed and turned in his bed for what seemed to be hours. Gently, he removed the pillow that was covering his head and looked at the clock on the table beside him. It read 6:30am. AJ rolled out of bed and faced the open doors of his closet. The tuxedo was facing him. He studied it and grinned widely.
“Wow, The day has finally arrived.” His whispered to himself and jumped out of bed. Quickly, he started to get ready, making sure each and every inch of him looked perfect.

“Tell me you’re not lost, Nick.” Carrie pleaded.
“I’m not lost.” Nick replied.
“Oh good, then where are we?”
“We’re uh at the corner of...Washington Mutual Bank avenue and 7/11 Road.” He said as he looked around at the familiar bank and market.
“Hardy har har.” Carrie rolled her eyes.
“I don’t know where we are, doll but I’m sure I’ll find Destiny’s house soon.”
“Unless she lives in a bank, I doubt that.”
“Would you like to drive then?” He asked with a pissed off expression.
“Sure would. Pull over there.” She said, tapping on the glass window beside her.
“You’re not serious?”
“Sure am.” She nodded.
“Fine.” He shrugged and parked the car at the gas station Carrie was pointing at.
They switched seats and with a fearful look in his eyes he handed her the keys.
“I resent that. I’m a good driver!” Carrie pointed out, noticing the look.
“I know, babe.” was all he could say as he pressed the button which lowered his seat down to a lying position. He held on to the arm rest as if his life depended on it.
“Go ahead and patronize me, why dontcha?” Carrie shook her head.
“Nah uh, it’s not like that. I’m just...tired.” Nick said.
“I bet you are.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, hinting the actions of the past few weeks.
(AN: You asked what they were doing and now you got an answer, Carrie)
“None of that while you’re driving young lady.”
“You sound like my dad.” Carrie said.
Nick didn’t reply. He shut his eyes and before he knew it the car came to a stop.
“What happened? Did you run over something? Did it die?” He panicked as he unbuckled the seatbelt and jumped up looking to his sides.
“No Nick, we’re at Destiny’s house.” Carrie said, pointing at the house.
“Oh...right.” He opened the door.
She chuckled and followed him out.

Nick knocked on the door and waited for his girlfriend to reach him.
“Well hello their, snail.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“Snail?” Carrie gave him a disgusted look.
“A very cute one?” He asked with a wink.
“Okay, sure.” She laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Yeah with pretty pink slime oozing out of its corners.”
“Um, Nick...ew.” Carrie pulled back.
“Kidding, kidding, come back here!” He demanded as he scooped her up in his arms.
“None of that while we’re waiting for my friend to answer the door.” Carrie mocked him and moved away from him to lean on the wall.
“Hmmm?” Destiny asked, forced to squint her eyes because of the sun’s bright light.
“Rise and shine.” Nick said loudly.
“Easy on the tone.” Destiny said and opened the door wider allowing the couple to come in.
“Aw does baby need her sleep?” Carrie asked as she hugged her friend.
“Something like that. What the hell are you guys doing here?” Destiny asked, adjusting to the brand new day.
“We were on the way to doom day.” Carrie said, moving her balance from one foot to the other.
“Doom day? Oh you mean his wedding.” Destiny said, refusing to say her ex’s name.
“Yeah, I thought since I kinda have to go...I could leave Carrie here with you.” Nick sat down on the love seat.
“Why would you do that? This is the wedding of the year. Both of you should go.” Destiny walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a small bottle of chocolate milk. Without a struggle, she opened the bottle cap and gulped it down.

“I have to admit, I am kinda pissed you woke me up. I had a busy day ahead of me.”
“We just didn’t want you to be lonely, Des. Didn’t know you had plans. What are you going to do?” Carrie asked.
“You know, the usual ex girlfriend thing. Thought I’d do some moping around the house, eating a few gallons of ice cream. Watching TV for a while and comparing each soap to my life. Then do some cussing of the current fiancee, stuff like that.” She said as she returned to the living room.
“Sound like fun.” Nick said.
“You know it.” Destiny smiled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to hang out today?” Carrie asked, as she sat down on Nick’s lap.
“I’m fine. You two go have fun and be sure to take plenty pictures for me so I can burn them.”
“WHAT?” They both asked with their eyes wide open.
“Joke.” Destiny stated.
“Okay...” Carrie said quietly.
“Now get outta here before I have to get my purse and chase y’all out.” Destiny pointed toward the door.
“We’re out like Nsync.” Nick quickly ran out the door.
Carrie walked over to Destiny. She gave her a last hug, a small wave and exited the house.
“Where to now?” Nick asked.
“Your place, to change.” Carrie said and got back in the drivers seat.
“I think I can find my way back home.” Nick whined and unwillingly sat in the passengers seat.
“I don’t know about that, Nicky.” Carrie joked and started the car.

“Okay mom, I’m going to put the dress on and I’ll come to your room when I need to apply the make up.” Serenity called out to her mother.
“You got it!” Her mother replied and entered her own room, on the other side of the hall.
Serenity searched through her purse in order to find the key. Just as she was pulling it out a hissing voice was heard from around the corner. She looked around but couldn’t find anyone.
“Serenity!” The voice hissed again and she dropped the key in fright.
Slowly, Serenity walked over to the direction the voice was coming from.
“You’re not supposed to be here...” Serenity said.
“I know but I couldn’t stay away.” The male facing her replied.
“I can’t stay mad at you.” She leaned over to the man and kissed him deeply.
“Today’s the day, huh?” He asked.
“Yeah Jordan...It’s today.” She smiled
“And you’re going through with it?”
“Well, what do you expect me to do?” Serenity asked, desperately.
“Leave with me.” Jordan insisted.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not? Do you love him?”
“I stopped loving him ages ago.”
“Then what’s holding you back?”
“I need him.”
“For what?”
“I need him in order to get someplace in life. God Jordan, I grew up in a slum. I was poor my entire life. I never had designer clothes. I never had anything cool or worthwhile growing up and I deserve to have some pleasure and luxury. AJ can afford to give me all of that plus much more.” Serenity said, sternly.
“And I can’t? I might not be worth 20 million but I could give you a nice life.” Jordan said, looking her right in the eye.
“I’ll divorce him. As soon as I have 50% of his money we can be together.”
“Don’t you think that would seem a little suspicious?”
“Nah, divorce happens all the time. Now let me get ready.” She pushed him off of her and entered her room.

“Wow, you look amazing, Corz.” Brian said admiring his girlfriend’s dress.
“I feel wrong doing this. I shouldn’t be her maid of honor. I can’t even stand her.” Coral said, sitting down on the bed.
“I know but AJ said none of her friends are going to be there so he kinda needed to volunteer people.” Brian explained.
“Why didn’t she invite her friends? She did have the choice of the 50 people.”
“I don’t really know. That is kinda weird, isn’t it?” He said while straightening his tie.
“Everything Serenity does is strange.” Coral shrugged.
“If Ashley’s going to be there with you so don’t worry.” Brian said, referring to Carrie’s sister who also got recruited to the job.
“I only met her once. It isn’t much of a relief but if Howie’s dating her, I guess she’s alright.”
“I know you feel bad doing this, knowing how close you are to Destiny but if do it for AJ. He seems really happy.” Brian said quietly.
“I know, that’s the only reason why I’m even bothering to show up.” Coral admitted.
“I think that’s the only reason anyone is bothering to show up.” Brian grinned.

“AJ! Are you ready? It’s time to go!” Howie yelled from downstairs.
“Yeah, hold on.” He grabbed his hat, the last touch to the perfect outfit and ran down the stairs.
“How do I look?” AJ asked his friend.
“You look pretty.” Howie joked.
“PRETTY?”
“Don’t ask me how you look. You’re dressed appropriately and lets just go.” Howie rushed AJ out of the house.
The white stretched limo was parked outside, waiting for the arrival of the groom. When the driver caught a glimpse of him, he circled the car and opened the door for the two men.
“Straight to the church?” The driver asked before closing the door.
“Actually, I think I’d like to break the rules a bit. It wouldn’t be a McLean wedding if I didn’t. So could you take us over to the hotel she’s staying at?” AJ asked and dug through his pockets to remove the hotel’s business card.
“To the plaza it is.” The driver nodded and gently closed the door.

“Serenity, you look gorgeous. Not that you don’t always look this beautiful but there’s something about a glow in a woman’s face on her wedding day.” Serenity’s mother said as she finished applying the make up to her daughter’s face.
“I get it mom.” Serenity said, deep in thought.
“Is everything okay? You look worried.”
“You know, wedding jitters.” Serenity said.
“Perfectly normal.” Her mother agreed.
“Uh huh. Lets go.” Serenity sighed.

Just as the family was about to exit the hotel and enter the limo, Jordan called her name. He was waiting patiently on a couch. He signaled for her to come near him and she shook her head violently.
“ I think that young man wants to talk to you.” Her father said.
“I know daddy I don’t really want to talk to him.”
“It’s your wedding day, you can afford to be late. Go talk to your friend.”
Serenity nodded and sat beside Jordan.
“Are you still going to go through with this?” He asked.
“Are you ever going to leave me alone?”
“Not until I can convince you to quit the madness.”
“It’s good for the both of us.”
“I want to be with you now. I don’t want any other guy getting his paws all over you.”
“I can’t pretend like I’m not tempted to just walk off with you...”
“So you have been thinking about it.” Jordan ran his fingers through her soft hair.
“Yeah.” She nodded, lost in his eyes.
“Then do it...” He leaned over and kissed her.

“WHAT THE FRIGG?” AJ yelled, separating the two with his hands. “Why does this keep happening? And with you!” AJ looked as if he was about to punch Jordan.
“Get over it dude. I forced myself on that other girl you dated.” Jordan shrugged.
“What?”
“She paid me.” He pointed at Serenity.
“You’re kidding...” AJ said. He knees felt shaky and he fell to the floor.
“AJ, I was thinking...I think we should call it off.” Serenity said.
“You think?” He said, trying not to let his emotions overtake him.
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Forgive me If i can’t believe that right now...” He slowly got up.
“I hope you two have a nice life together.” AJ walked out of the hotel. Never looking back. No regrets. No doubts.

“D, do me a favor. Go to the church and tell everyone the wedding’s off. I have somewhere to be.”
AJ talked to the driver privately and in a few minutes he was on the road again.

When Howie arrived at the Church, everyone turned their glance to him. By the look on his face, they could sense that something was wrong.
“It’s off.” He said loudly, making sure everyone heard him.
“I told you this was a mistake.” Coral groaned.
“Maybe not.” Brian said.
“Please enlighten us and tell me how this day could get any better?” Coral said sarcastically.
“Lets get married.” Brian said.
“WHAT?” Coral said, shocked.
“You heard me...” Brian removed a ring from his overcoat.
“I wasn’t planning on doing this today but since I’m not taking the spotlight away from the other couple, maybe it’s a good idea. I want to be with you, always.” Brian smiled.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.” He jumped up and down nervously.
“Our parents aren’t here and...”
“Say yes.”
“Yes.” She grinned.

Lazily, Destiny walked over to the front door. She was wearing sweat pants and even though it was about 90 degrees outside, she was wearing her favorite sweatshirt. She had a spoon full of ice cream in her mouth, licking it until there was nothing left. She opened the door.
“Hey.” AJ said.
“AJ, what are you, why are you, aren’t you supposed to...” Destiny was unable to get out a full sentence.
He gave her half a smile and gently led her into the house where he explained to her every detail.
“And why are you here?” She asked when he concluded.
“I thought we could um, work things out?” He asked hopefully.
“I do still love you but I don’t want to be the rebound girl. I don’t want you to be with me just because Serenity dumped you for the same guy you accused me of cheating with. It’s just, I need time. I’m not saying never. I’m just saying not right now...” Destiny said, carefully selecting each word.
“I’ll wait as long as I have to...”
“I don’t think it’ll be that long.” She walked over to him and embraced him tightly.
“I’m sorry.” She soothed him.
“Yeah...” He lets the tears flow now.

When he finally calmed down, he lifted her chin and stared in her eyes.
“Just a question...” He started
“Yes?”
“Was I really a crappy lover?”
She burst out in a laughing fit.
“No!”

The End...for now.