E opened the front door and watched as Nick walked by her, Michael in his arms. He looked like hell. "Nick you okay?" she asked concerned.
He shook his head. "No..." he set Michael's bag down. "I gotta grab a shower...where's BJ and AC?"
Just as he finished asking they walked in. "Hey Nick." BJ said walking over to him. "You worried us last night...I thought maybe you left again." she said giving him a hug.
"I spent the night at Lis'...one last night together..." he trailed off. "Can you watch him? I'll be down in twenty."
"Sure." AC answered and they all watched him go upstairs. "Man he looks like hell."
E nodded, "Even more reason to go through with the plan."
Jenn turned to AJ as they pulled into the driveway. "Are you sure he's even going to want to see us?"
AJ took a deep breath. "Jenn, he's been home a month and I didn't get to see him once...and today of all days he needs to know his brothers are here for him."
"You're right." she agreed and got out of the car, following him up the front steps.
AJ smiled nervously at her as he knocked on the doorbell. A second later the door opened and there was AC. "AJ! Jenn! What are you two doing here?"
"I...we...we're here to see Nick...if he wants to see us." AJ said.
BJ smiled. "Course he'd want to see you!"
AJ relaxed. "Great, where is he?"
"Taking a shower." AC explained. "I'll take Michael up and let him know you're here."
Nick stood in the shower, feeling the hot water run over him. He leaned against the damp tile and started to cry, still in disbelief he'd lost her. "Its just one day...you can make it through." He told himself as he turned the water off. Deep inside he knew it would take everything he had not to interrupt the wedding.
Alec looked at Kevin and then at Lis. "She's out of it..." she whispered.
He nodded. "None of this makes any sense. I thought she was back with Nick and now she's marrying B."
She shrugged. "Who knows what happened. No ones telling anyone anything."
Suddenly Lis jumped out of the chair she was sitting in and ran to the bathroom. "I better go check on her." Shan said, heading after her.
Lis opened the door meekly and looked at her two friends standing there staring at her. "Nerves." she said, hoping they'd believe it.
"If you're not feeling well...everyone would understand if you delayed the wedding." Shan stated.
She shook her head. "No the wedding's going ahead as planned...we delayed it once all ready."
Alec sighed. "Are you sure it's nerves?" she whispered.
"What else could it be?" Lis asked, "Now come on we've gotta get ready."
AJ walked into the room and looked at Nick dressing Michael. "Hey man!"
"AJ! Good to see you!" Nick said with a smile.
AJ grinned and gave him a hug. "Been too long."
"Knock knock!" Howie said from the door.
"D!" Nick said, waving him in. They exchanged a quick hug. Nick quickly wiped away the tears that had formed. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Just came to see you, you're not much for calling us to tell us you're in town." AJ said, sitting down on the bed.
Nick nodded. "Been kinda busy...probably would have had a better time hanging out with you guys." he set Michael in his playpen.
D sat on the chair in the corner. "You okay Nick? I mean I think everyone would understand you not going..."
"I promised her... I broke enough promises. It may kill me but I'm gonna be there."
AJ patted his back. "Damn Nick I don't think I could do that if it was me."
"I'm not so sure I can either." Nick said honestly. "But he's good to her right?" he asked them, looking them in the eyes.
D nodded slowly. "He wouldn't hurt her."
"Like I did." Nick said looking down at his hands.
"Come on Nick...you two went through hell there..." AJ started, then looked at Michael who was watching them while mumbling to himself. "Hey at least you have a son together...that's a bond that can't be broken you know."
Nick nodded. "We better get going huh?" He said knowing if they kept talking he'd break down. It was hard enough keeping his mind off the fact he wasn't just losing Lis but their baby as well.
"Yeah I can drive you." D offered.
"It's okay, I'm driving E too." Nick said going over to pick Michael up. "I'll meet you guys there."
D walked over. "We're here for ya Nick."
He smiled. "I know, thanks guys."
Kevin hurried up the driveway, hoping he didn't miss Nick. He stopped seeing BJ and AC walk out of the house. "Nick still here?" he asked.
AC nodded. "Yeah he's just waiting on E."
BJ smiled. "Go on in, he was in the kitchen."
"Thanks. You look great guys." he said and disappeared inside the house. "Nick?" he called out, not seeing his friend in the kitchen.
Nick walked downstairs. "Kev...hey man."
Kev played with the keys in his hands. "Just wanted to say I'm here for ya if you need anything."
"Thanks Kev, it means a lot."
"And uh just because I'm Bri's best man doesn't mean that... I still think you and Lis should be together."
Nick sighed. "So do I," he leaned against the wall. "Just couldn't get her to see that."
"I'm sorry little bro." Kev gave Nick a quick hug. "I gotta get back there before Bri sends a search party for me but I'll see you soon."
Nick walked Kev to the door. "Thanks for stopping by Kev."
"No prob..." Kev waved as he got into his car and Nick shut the door as Kev pulled out of the driveway.
Bri sat in the grooms room nervously tapping his foot on the floor. The only other person in the room was Kevin and he was talking on his cell phone. "Shouldn't D and AJ be here by now?" Bri asked as Kev hung up.
"Relax, it's probably traffic." Kev smiled reassuringly at his cousin. "Need anything?"
Bri shook his head, the only thing he wanted he probably couldn't have. He looked at his hands and hoped he'd be able to go through with his plan. "I uh I'm gonna take a walk." He said getting to his feet.
Kev smiled "Just stay away from the brides room. Bad luck remember?"
"Right." Bri forced a smile.
"I'm going to check and see if D and Bone are here yet."
Shan smiled as Jenn walked into the brides room. "Sorry I'm late." Jenn apologized "AJ had to stop somewhere."
"It's okay really. We're slow getting ready." Lis said smiling at her friend.
"Now that Jenn's here I'm going to grab some air. Be back in five." Shan said, quickly leaving the room.
Bri stood in the bright Florida sun, his eyes on the side doors. He watched as Shan walked outside and smiled at him. "Hey." he said, giving her a hug.
"Hi B." she whispered.
"Don't worry okay?" he said, looking into her eyes.
"I won't. Come on, we better get back in there."
He nodded. "Can't start without me."
Lis walked down the aisle, nervously glancing at the people smiling at her. Suddenly her eyes met Nick's and she stopped momentarily. It felt as all time stood still as she looked into his blue eyes and saw the pain there. Before she realized what was happening she was at the front of the church next to Brian and Nick and their life together was behind her.
