Lucky groaned and shifted beneath her as she ground into him once more. Making it impossibly hard to sit through the ride. The words ‘hard’ and ‘ride’ made Lucky lean forward. Extending his arm past her head to tap on the tinted glass behind her.

Wow…she didn’t even budge when the chauffeur’s window came down. Her lips were still securely fastened to his neck.

Closing his eyes for a moment to get his bearings, Lucky held her head and spoke rapidly to their driver. "Um…are we…are we almost there yet? Because I –

"Almost Sir," the man in the black visored hat responded. Trying to hold back his grin. "You and your fiancée should be arriving at JFK in just about 10 minutes Mr. Spencer."

Elizabeth mumbled something against Lucky’s neck and he nodded quickly towards the driver. Not certain of what she’d actually said, but certain that it wasn’t G-rated.

"Oh – ok, ok…" Lucky grinned. Pushing the button in front of him once more. The window slid up and he caught the sly grin on the driver’s face right before he disappeared behind the dark glass.

"The driver thinks you’re crazy," he muttered then. Pushing her hair to the side in order to take her earlobe in his mouth.

"Me?" Elizabeth questioned from the crook of his neck. Grabbing his shoulders as she pushed the apex of her thighs firmly against his waist. Her knees buried within the cushioned seating behind him. "You’re the one who asked a virtual stranger to marry him," she sighed. Biting him.

Lucky hissed through his teeth and eased his palms under her ass. Bringing her closer, without the use of his common sense. He most definitely would be coming in his pants again before the honeymoon at this rate.

"Not true," he grimaced. Squeezing her plump derrière. "I know you very well…and by this time tomorrow…I’m gonna know…every, single, centimeter of you," he whispered. His breath hot and sweet against her ear.

Elizabeth pulled back just enough to gaze into his eyes before she began to ride him again. Grinding her pelvis against his. Feeling his hardness graze her even through the panties that he had prime access to because of the dress that she still wore.

The dress that she’d been wearing when he’d asked her to marry him.

Lucky slid his hands beneath the hem that now gathered at her knees and pushed it up to the crease where thigh met hip. He dug his fingers into her skin and watched in tortured silence as she bit down on her lip and rode.

He remembered how that bottom lip of hers had trembled just about an hour ago when she’d agreed to be with him for the rest of her life.

***

"Elizabeth…Elizabeth Webber, would you do me the honor of dancing with me – and only me…forever?"

With her mouth still hanging wide open, Lucky watched as her eyes flitted from his eyes to the ring, and then back to his eyes, completing the circle over and over again.

Nervously, licking his lips again and shifting on his knee, Lucky brought the ring up to his face and examined it.

"You know, I thought about going with something…something a little more extravagant, but I thought…I don’t know you’re just so beautiful, and my mother used to say this thing about only not so beautiful women needing huge pieces of jewelry and I – I mean, I don’t know how much truth there is in that…but I didn’t want to take the chance of you having heard that little – little…what do you call it? A saying? A cliché? I don’t know damnit, it’s probably just something my mother said to me when I questioned some cheapy piece of jewelry my dad bought her from a vendor on the street in India," Lucky gasped all of a sudden, trying to catch a breath. "Jeez, I’m really rambling aren’t I? I guess what I’m trying to say is that I can take it back – I can…I mean whatever you want Elizabeth…I mean maybe…Oh God, maybe you don’t even want…a ring," he swallowed hard then. "Maybe this is the farthest thing from what you want…maybe you don’t – I mean maybe the whole idea of marrying me skeeves you out and…Ok, could you maybe – could you maybe TALK already because…because my knee hurts and I think I’m about to have a heart attack…yeah, I think…I think maybe I’m having one right now," he panted.

Dumbfounded, Elizabeth continued to stare. "But h – how? Wh –

"How?" Lucky asked then. Trying to read her mind. He looked up and the spotlight that had been such a nice touch before, was starting to blind him and make his forehead sweat just a bit. He would have yelled for Wallace to cut the friggin lights, but he knew he’d also told him to cut the sound on stage…so he wouldn’t be able to hear him.

‘And duh,’ his brain reminded. ‘You wouldn’t be able to see her either ya putz.’

"Um," Lucky swallowed then. "I’ve sorta…I’ve sorta been planning this. We’re – if you want to, that is – we’re flying out tonight…to get married. I kind of wanted it to be a surprise...and I still do – but if you need to know or……Your family will be there!" He added then. Knowing she probably wanted to know that minor detail. "Oh no," he said then, reading the sudden look of horror that crossed behind her eyes. "I mean Jillian and Walter – Jillian and Walter will be there if…I mean…if you want. God, I feel like such a moron right now, but I just wanted this to be special for you. I wanted to give you everything you deserve…but now I realize I probably should have let you plan some of this huh? I mean I hear every little girl dreams of planning her wedding and –

"Every little girl dreams of finding her prince…everything else is secondary," she whispered then. Finally finding her voice.

Lucky caught his breath and waited. Reading in her face that she wanted to say something more.

"Do you know what you’re doing?" She asked then. Her lip and chin began to tremble. "Do you have any what you’re doing?"

Leaning forward then she clasped his precious face in her hands. "Oh you, crazy crazy man…you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, do you?…And because…because you absolutely can’t help yourself," she paused sniffling. "I’m gonna give you a chance to recant your proposal."

His eyes widened and he started to rise, but she pushed him back down by his shoulders. "Do I look like I want to recant?" He asked in surprise.

Shaking her head slowly, she reached out for his cheek once more. "You look like an angel."

Smiling then, her head shook back and forth even more. "I’m crazy, Lucky…you know I am. I am NOT completely right in the head."

"Who is?" Lucky shrugged then. A small tug pulling on the corner of his mouth. "You basically just told me I was certifiable, so I figure that means we’re perfect for each other……

"Elizabeth," he said then. Whispering her name. "Say you’ll stay with me for the rest of your life. Say you’ll be my wife."

Her eyes clouded so badly she could barely make his beautiful face out anymore, but it only made him look like more of a mirage. It only made him look like more a figment of her imagination.

"You have done….so much for me," she said. Pausing when a sob escaped her chest. "But I will never," she sighed through tears. "I will never, ever be able to repay you for this one...moment in time."

Lucky gazed up at her with so much love in his eyes that it broke her heart just a little bit more.

"The only payment I need is a ‘yes,’" he sighed. "The only payment I need is the rest of your life…if that’s not too much to ask."

Elizabeth lifted her dress slightly, so that it wouldn’t be beneath her knees when she kneeled down in front of him. Their eyes met and held for a long moment, before she smoothed both hands down his cheeks and held his face in her hands.

"Yes."

"Yes?" Lucky said then. His voice trembling with shock. The word hadn’t even registered yet.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"YES?" Lucky asked again. His eyes wide now as it began to sink in.

With a wide smile, Elizabeth squealed. "YES!"

Lucky’s mouth dropped open and he rose to his feet. Tugging her by the arms so she would stand with him. Once he realized he had yet to put the ring on her finger, he gasped and pulled them both back down the stage in the following second.

Elizabeth laughed out loud as he set the box down and pulled the ring from it’s cushioned home. "Tiffany’s" she mumbled under her breath. Awestruck again.

Lucky sank to his butt with wide eyes. "Is that ok?"

Good God he was serious.

Shaking her head vigorously she pushed at a few strands of hair that had escaped from her bun behind her ear. "Yes, yes…yes!"

"The guy said the crown-like setting for the diamond is one of a kind, and –

"Lucky it’s BEAUTIFUL – it’s EXQUISITE," she said softly. She pushed her hand closer to his face. "Can I wear it please?"

Smiling wide, Lucky nodded. "Oh yes, of course!"

And finally, he slid it down her ring finger. Watching it as it settled against her skin and then caught the light. Setting her sapphire gaze afire.

She looked up at him and he thought he’d die, his heart beat so fast. He reached out for her slowly, trying to steady his own hands as he touched her face. Slipping those errant strands behind her ears for her this time. Even though he really wanted to take it down. To her silken tresses slip through his fingertips.

But there’d be plenty of time for that soon. Plenty of time just to look at her…admire her…watch her sleep, eat, drink…love.

He grinned softly at her. "I hope you don’t mind short engagements."

Not sure she’d heard him right before, when she’d been so dazed she couldn’t speak, Elizabeth shook her head. "We’re – we’re getting married…tonight?" She swallowed hard.

"No, of course not…what do you think I am? A magician? Nope – tomorrow."

Elizabeth threw her head back in laughter, oblivious to the way his eyes devoured her neck when she did so. "Well, pardon me…tomorrow – yes…much more sensible."

He shook his head. "Nuthin’ at all sensible about this wedding."

Meeting his gaze, Elizabeth inhaled deeply. "How could there be anything sensible when Mr. Impetuous is involved?"

Lucky bit down on his lip. "You ready to become Mrs. Impetuous?"

She grinned and draped her arms around his neck. "I’m ready to become Mrs. Spencer…I was born to be Mrs. Spencer."

"Damn good answer," Lucky sighed.

"FABULOUS! Now can we get this SHOW ON THE ROAD PLEASE!" Wallace shouted from somewhere in the dark theatre.

Lucky glanced up towards the light booth and scowled while Elizabeth followed his eyes. The little dirtbag had, turned the stage mics on after all. When Elizabeth tightened her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder though…it didn’t matter.

All that mattered was he was getting married.

"Yeah," he whispered into Elizabeth’s ear. "Let’s get the show on the road."

***

And they had indeed taken it on the road. In fact he was quite sure their chauffeur was getting quite the show.

"I wanna marry you," Elizabeth groaned suddenly working her fingers inside his shirt and yanking it out of the waistband. Lucky gasped when one of her hands worked its way around his beyond stiff penis. "I wanna marry every inch of you."

Lucky nearly jolted out of his seat. "Good to know! Good to know!" He almost shouted as she squeezed. "Damn…Elizabeth…ah…yeah…yeah right there."

Elizabeth nibbled at his collarbone and tightened her grip around him. Wanting to give him a fraction of the happiness he’d given her tonight if she could. Slowly she began to move her fist along his shaft. Easing it forward and then back again as he head sank back into the cushion behind him.

She smiled when he inhaled through his nose and then closed his eyes.

Suddenly the window began to descend once more, and Lucky’s eyes shot open and his head snapped upwards. Elizabeth stilled her hand, but kept it wrapped securely around his hot, throbbing member. She smiled slyly and then bit her lip as the driver behind her spoke.

He cleared his throat and tried to keep his eyes straight ahead. "Um…yes…yeah – ma’am and sir…um, we’re…we’re here – at the airport. You may want to…want to get – get off…I mean, I mean – I mean OUT," the driver corrected. Quickly realizing his faupaw.

‘Yeah buddy,’ Lucky thought. Aching something fierce. ‘I was JUST about to – THANKS.’

He glanced outside as the driver put the window between them up again and he slowly shook his head. "I definitely should have taken Nikolas up on that whole private jet offer."

Elizabeth grinned as she removed her hand from his erection and swung her legs from around his waist. When her thigh brushed against his body, he nearly came on the spot.

It was cold outside, right? At least that was something to be thankful for. Winter was upon them now, and when he stepped out into the frigid air, his body would succumb.

‘Oh jeez…of all the words, Spencer…SucCUMB?’ Lucky thought. A long suffering sigh escaped him as he head fell against the cushion behind him once more. He heard her laugh as she hopped out of the car.

This was going to be the longest 24 hours of his life…if he lived to see the end of it.

~~~~~~~

Wallace sighed and lugged in the bags. Grumbling under his breath about how if they hadn’t been attached at the mouth, they could have gotten a friggin bell hop. But no…no, he was playing ‘gopher’ during this wonderful trip down matrimonial lane and he wasn’t even gonna get a friggin TIP for it.

He turned around and cleared his throat. But it took yet another – louder clearing to make them disengage from one another.

"Yeah um…hello, Mr. and Mrs. Tongue," Wallace began sarcastically. "You two might wanna go register…it’s two rooms."

Elizabeth’s eyes widened at Lucky. "We’re not in the same room?"

"No Honey, you’re not."

The voice was so familiar, and so missed that Elizabeth whirled around and lept before she even looked. She wrapped her arms tightly around Jillian and hugged the older woman hard.

"Oh my God! Oh my God!…I knew it!" Elizabeth exclaimed, pulling back. "I knew when I talked to you on the phone the other day that SOMETHING was up! You wouldn’t tell me WHAT – but I knew it was something…I just never thought," Elizabeth said pausing. "That it would be…THIS."

Jillian smiled and held the girl’s face in her hands. "Are you happy? You ARE aren’t you?" Her surrogate mother asked. Having had her fingers crossed and her breath held for days now.

She could still recall Lucky’s tone when he’d phoned her from New York City. It’d been in the early a.m. hours there, and he’d apologized profusely for waking her up in the middle of the night. Then he’d assured her that nothing was wrong, and that in fact…everything was right – really right.

It was then that he’d asked for Elizabeth’s hand. With Walter listening in on the extension, he’d asked them as if they were her real parents, and Jillian had cried buckets. Whimpering the word ‘yes,’ over and over again until Walter had simply had to remove the phone from her hand and handle the rest of the conversation.

Never in her life could she remember being as weepy – well maybe at her own wedding – but that was about it.

Elizabeth breathed deeply and smiled in response to her question. The woman didn’t need a verbal answer. After a moment she let go of Elizabeth, and walked towards Lucky. Embracing him silently.

Lucky rubbed his hand along her back. "Thank you for being here…thank you for making this so special for her."

She leaned back to look into his soft, sincere eyes. She held his face in her hands and spoke slowly. "YOU are the one that’s making it special…" She sighed then. "Lucky I just saw the –

When his eyes instantly widened, she clamped a hand over her own mouth. Elizabeth’s curiosity piqued and she moved in front of Jillian. "What? What? You saw the what? You saw where we’re getting married? Where are we getting married?"

"That’s for us to know and for you to find out."

Elizabeth whirled around at the answer that didn’t come from Jillian, but someone she’d hoped – but hadn’t truly expected to see – Lucinda.

Wallace looked down at his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets as Lucinda moved into the circle. Folding her arms around Elizabeth. "Congratulations Hon."

Lucky glanced at a silent Wallace and then moved to kiss Lucinda on the cheek. "Thanks for coming."

Lucinda nodded silently and watched Wallace move farther away from the corner of her eye. She turned her gaze back to Lucky and Elizabeth and smiled softly. "Of course…I couldn’t exactly flake on my first maid of honor gig."

Elizabeth’s face lit up, but quickly dropped when she spotted Jillian. "Oh –

"Don’t you worry," Jillian cut her off abruptly. Knowing where she was going. "I’m more than happy to play mother of the bride and get to WATCH right along with the other in-laws."

With open mouth, Elizabeth turned towards Lucky. "Other in-laws?"

He grinned. "My parents should be in town first thing tomorrow morning if their plane isn’t delayed."

"Which means," Lucinda piped in then. Placing her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders. "That we need to start getting you ready for your big day…You ready?"

"Ready?" Elizabeth asked. Turning around to stare blankly at the excited expressions that both Jillian and Lucinda wore. She turned back to Lucky and he smiled again.

"Yes," Lucinda continued. "Ready – ready for pampering, ready for primping, ready for all that good stuff…we’ve got a LOT to do Elizabeth. I mean in case you haven’t noticed you’re getting married tomorrow and you have no wedding gown."

Elizabeth clamped a hand over her mouth and Lucky snickered under his breath. She had wedding gowns…she had tons.

At the continuously shocked expression on Elizabeth’s face, Jillian and rolled her eyes and pulled the girl towards her. "Which means it’s time to say goodbye…FOR NOW…to Lucky – go ahead…say goodbye," she continued. Pushing her back towards Lucky.

She nearly stumbled over her feet she was in such a daze of wonder.

Lucky took her hand and led her away from the crowd for a moment. "You ok?"

Nodding silently, her eyes seemed to go even wider. "This is…this is…"

"Fast, I know," Lucky said. Smoothing a hand down the side of her face. "Elizabeth if this turns into something you don’t want or you feel like you need to call it –

She cut off his concern with a kiss that weakened him to the knees and a couple of hoots and hollers erupted from the small clan watching them.

He grinned at her and pressed his forehead to hers. "Ok…" he panted. "I’ll call you in a little while ok? Make sure everything is going alright."

Biting her lip, she nodded vigorously. "Ok…I’ll be waiting."

Lucky stood to his full height and watched as Elizabeth backed away from him. Blowing him a kiss as Lucinda and Jillian helped her with her bag. One little big that Lucky had packed for her.

How he expected her to survive until the wedding she didn’t know…but she was so happy she didn’t care. She continued to gaze until they yanked her and pulled her through the crowd in the casino.

He returned the gaze, until he felt a slap on his back. He turned to face Wallace with a grin on his face, but the grin quickly extinguished itself.

"Look man," Lucky began. "I’m sorry. I know things are weird between you and –

Wallace held up a hand. "It’s your wedding. You can have anybody here that you want here…and she obviously made Elizabeth happy."

Lucky grinned and turned back to see if maybe she could catch another glimpse of her, but she was long gone. "She did look happy didn’t she?"

Wallace rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Yeah she looked happy…real happy."

Sighing, Lucky folded his arms. "Listen…maybe this is the perfect time for you go and talk to her man, I mean…you haven’t been able to tie her down at home, but here – she’s really got no place to go, you know? She’s gonna have to talk to you sooner or later and –

"Hey," Wallace interjected suddenly. "I don’t wanna talk about this ok? We’ve got more pressing needs to take care of. Like deciding whether this is poker time, nap time, or getting fitted for tuxes time."

Lucky knew they needed to get fitted. Especially since the suits were kind of "special," in nature. But he also knew his friend needed to get his mind off of a few things. Namely the brown-haired model that had just swooped in and kidnapped Elizabeth.

Slapping his hands together and then rubbing them, Lucky nodded. "Yeah…I’d say it’s poker time."

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth rubbed at her eyes as Lucinda pulled her through the casino. She’d been trying to take a nap – and even though she hadn’t been all THAT successful, what with this tremendous amount of energy literally buzzing through her – it was still nice to just lie there and contemplate the next few hours of her life.

But Lucinda wasn’t having it. For some reason they had to leave right that minute. She pulled Elizabeth through the long corridor of the casino that was humming and towards the shops at the end. It was amazing, what a different world you stepped into once your feet crossed from carpet to cobble stone. It was huge atrium like hall of expensive looking shops.

Halting, Elizabeth looked from side to side. "Why isn’t anybody in here? Are they closed?"

Lucinda grinned and nearly squealed. Elizabeth had NO idea what she was in for.

"Um, remember that thing I said about being pampered Elizabeth?"

Nodding, slowly Elizabeth turned to her. "Yeah."

"Well it starts right here and right now……Because these stores ARE closed Elizabeth…to pretty much everybody but you….and me of course," she added with a grin.

When Elizabeth failed to comment, Lucinda tugged her further along. Figuring why not start with a bang? Why not start with the biggest purchase…first.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and Lucinda thought for sure that she would have to catch her because she looked as if she’d pass out. But she didn’t. Her eyes simply stayed riveted to each of the wedding dresses that hung around the store.

There were 8. Four lined up on one wall – each designated it’s own little spot – complete with accessories and veils. And four on the opposite wall. Each of them carrying their own accoutrements as well.

Each of them represented a single theme, and it made a knot the size of the entire hotel lodge it’s way inside her throat……each of them looked like a dress made for a princess.

Before she could speak a word, there was a saleswoman at her beck and call.

"Ms. Webber?"

Lucinda had to elbow Elizabeth to get her to speak.

"Uh..yes, yes…I’m yes…Elizabeth, please," she said then. Shaking the woman’s hand.

The saleswoman smiled. "Hello Elizabeth, I’m Maxine. I’ll be helping you with your gowns this afternoon. Mr. Spencer took the liberty of selecting a few from our top designers. A few that he thought fit with the theme of your wedding…however, he did tell us that you are to have WHATEVER you want – so if none of these gowns fit your needs, please feel free to consult with one of the 3 designers and stitchers that I have here on staff and we’ll get something made for you by tomorrow."

"Uh…uh, ok," Elizabeth sighed. Sinking down to the white couch in front of the dresses. Everything in the store was…white. She felt like maybe she was in heaven.

"Oh, and one more thing before we get started," Maxine said then. Lifting a small blue box from the table in front of her. It looked like the same blue her engagement ring had come in, and Elizabeth quickly looked down at her finger. Admiring the diamond as it caught the light.

Was this for real? Was ANY of this for real? Was she about to wake up and realize this was all just some crazy dream? The whole thing?

Meeting Lucky – moving in with Lucky…maybe it was all just some elaborate dream and she’d wake up in just moments and be back in Vegas – back at Showgirls preparing to step out on stage and strip to American Woman.

Well - half of it was true – she was in Vegas.

But everything her eyes landed on now was so very far away from a sequined patriotic bikini that she could imagine. Everything was…white.

When Maxine place the box in her hand and stepped back, Elizabeth met her eyes. "What is it?"

The woman shrugged with a grin. "I’m not certain Ms. Webber, but your fiancée did mention something about your mutual love for chocolate…and that you should wash your fingers before trying anything on."

Her ‘fiancée,’…a small, grin tugged at the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth upon hearing him referred to as that, and she slowly lifted the top of the box. Her smile grew wider as she reached inside to pull out the small silver foiled kiss.

Lucinda grinned and leaned over to get a peak. "He sent you chocolate?"

Elizabeth shook her head and looked at the little white flag that protruded from the tip of the candy. She read the small blue writing and sighed. "No, not just chocolate," she paused then, reading. "A kiss to build a dream on."

~~~~~~~

Lucky nodded and did a quick open palmed drum beat on the marble desk. "Good, good…good…sounds like everything is going…Good, then?"

"Yes sir," the Concierge nodded. "Things are coming along quite nicely in our botanical garden. The pond you requested, with the water lilies is being set up as we speak –

"And the roses – the white roses?" Lucky asked quickly. Wanting everything just…so.

"The guy already said it was perfect…they’re being suspended from the ceiling or something," Wallace muttered from behind.

Lucky turned to him and rolled his eyes before he turned back to the concierge. "Well you can do me a favor with one of those ‘suspended’ roses," he said sarcastically throwing a glance back at Wallace. Even after a steak lunch buffet he was still surly. "And have it placed on Miss Webber’s pillow for when she returns to her room this evening."

"Yes sir," the concierge agreed quickly, bending at the waist.

Wallace mocked him as he walked away.

With hands on his hips, Lucky sighed. "Hey…that’s it. You’re talking to her…like NOW."

"I am not. You can’t make it."

"Oh I can and I will my friend…this is getting out of hand. I’m getting MARRIED here and your playing the part of the Grinch whole stole the Wedding."

Wallace huffed and looked up at the ceiling. Huge, weird looking flowers descended from it. The hotel was like a friggin castle. It was like someone had mistakenly put a bunch a slot machines in it.

"Listen," he sighed. "I didn’t win any cash, and that steak is settling the wrong way already…so why don’t you just go FIND your girl, and I’ll be in the room perusing the mini-bar."

Lucky shook his head. "Excuse me, but you’re supposed to be the best man. You’re supposed to be doing like…you know – best man duties right now."

Wallace threw up his hands. "Lucky, I ALREADY took you to a strip club, and you decided to marry the stripper…..what else do you want from me?"

Lucky covered his mouth. Determined not to laugh.

"Yeah well," he sighed after a moment. A mock frown on his face. "You have to keep from SEEING her until tomorrow. I talked to my mom and she already told me she’ll have my head if she finds out I’ve seen Elizabeth before the wedding……Do you want my death on your conscience?" He asked then.

Wallace groaned. "Alright, alright…come on," he said. Draping an arm around his pal. "We’ll go the arcade for awhile."

Lucky grinned and slapped an arm around him too. "Did I ever tell you about the night Elizabeth and I first met? We played down there in the arcade and –

"Yeah – yeah Lucky you TOLD me," Wallace began. Shaking his head as Lucky continued.

"I bought her this bear…it’s the first thing I ever bought her and then…………"

~~~~~~~

She had a wedding dress. She had a gorgeous, stunning, unbelievably beautiful wedding dress and now she was in yet another dressing room. One that fortunately did NOT have a 3 sided mirror this time.

It was lingerie that was even more stunningly beautiful than the pieces she’d seen during her shopping trip in Manhattan. And Stephanie was nowhere in sight.

Elizabeth’s face contorted more at the sight of herself in the mirror now. Trying on lingerie…a humbling experience. But necessary, right? She wanted something that would make Lucky’s head spin around!

When she adjusted the straps and turned around, to look at the burgandy colored gown, she smiled. This one was good…this one was actually kind of…nice.

She was still wondering about her wedding dress. It was beautiful but…something about it bothered her. Something…she couldn’t put her finger on it.

‘The fact that it’s white?’ A voice commented from inside her head. Elizabeth shook it off. It was the first time she’d heard that tone since telling Lucky about her past. It was the first time the voice in her head hadn’t belonged to her, and it made her shiver.

Eyeing herself in the mirror, she shook her head. She wouldn’t do this today…not today. Not anymore.

Clearing her throat, she called out to Lucinda.

"Lucinda there isn’t much more to try on is there? I think I need to get out of here and –

Peaking her head in, Lucinda grinned. "Yes in fact something just arrived for you."

By the look on her friend’s face, she knew it was another gift from Lucky. She bit her lip and held out her hand for the midsize rectangle box in her hands. She held it flat in one while opening it with another.

Elizabeth nearly dropped it when she covered her mouth with one hand. Lucinda’s eyes widened at her friend’s expression, and the way her face turned completely red.

"What is it?" Lucinda asked. A smile widening her face.

Continuously shaking her head, Elizabeth’s responses sounded muffled behind her hand.

"Oh just let me see it! What’d he send you? Condoms or something?" She giggled. Knowing it had to be something of a sexual nature to make Elizabeth blush like that.

The woman had made her living as a stripper, yet still got red when certain topics were brought up. She handed Lucinda the box and stepped back with a gleam in her eyes.

Lucinda’s eyes widened. "Well now…" she sighed after a moment. "Looks like you don’t exactly need to be trying on anything here now do ya? Looks like…ahem," she cleared her throat. "Looks like my pal Lucky knows what he um….knows what he likes."

Before she could speak another word, both women broke out in a giggling fit of laughter. Elizabeth nodded through it and tried to speak after a few seconds.

"At least he’s got good taste."

Lucinda giggled. "Impeccable."

~~~~~~~

Lucky flopped down on his bed with a sigh. God help him, he was happy Wallace had decided to take a break from things and go in search of a "better" poker game. He loved the guy, but he was seriously beginning to make him feel a little guilty for being so – as Wallace liked to call – ‘puke inspiringly happy.’

But now, with only the sports highlights and the phone to keep him busy, he was feeling not so guilty and so much in love that it hurt.

Biting his lip, he glanced at the phone. There wasn’t any rule about CALLING the bride before the big day, was there? Well damn, if there was…he was about to break it. Lucky reached for the phone and jolted when it rang just beneath his fingertips. The red light at the top lighting up like a firefly in the dark room.

He lifted the receiver in a split-second. Knowing exactly who it was. "My bride?"

Elizabeth smiled on the other end of the line and lifted the white rose she’d found on her pillow to her nose. Inhaling deeply before she spoke. "My groom?"

Lucky folded one arm across his chest and sighed. "How was your day?"

Glancing at the garment bag that lay on the next bed, she smiled to herself and closed her eyes. "I think you know exactly how my day was…thank you so much," she finished on a whisper.

There was no one in the room with her – they’d both gone out for dinner, but she wanted to whisper anyway. It made it feel like he was really there with her – next to her.

Turning towards his side, Lucky shifted the receiver to his other ear. "You’re welcome……Everything was – everything was to your liking?" He asked a bit nervously then. Hoping that he hadn’t messed up. He’d just gone on instinct with a lot of his choices, but this was her wedding…if she didn’t like something – it’d be changed.

Elizabeth smiled at his thoughtfulness. "How can you even ask me that? You know me…you know what I like – everything was perfect…everything – IS perfect."

Something in her tone, made Lucky’s brow crease. "What is it? I can tell by your voice that something is NOT perfect."

Wanting to kick herself, Elizabeth rolled to her back and stared hard at the ceiling. "I just…you…"

She tried to find the words. Damnit, she didn’t want to worry him, and there was no need to bring this up. But, she knew he’d want the truth. She knew if something were wrong, he needed to know – deserved the truth after everything he’d done for her. After everything they’d gone through to get here.

"Sometimes…sometimes silly things bother me," she whispered then. "Like thinking about what a white dress really means or trying on lingerie –

Lucky closed his eyes as he interrupted. Praying while he said the words. "Elizabeth, you could walk down the aisle in a paper sack and I wouldn’t care, none of those wedding gowns even do you justice……but if you’re thinking that it’s vice versa – that YOU don’t do them justice…Sweetie, your sadly mistaken.

"As far as I’m concerned," he continued. "Tomorrow night won’t just be my first time with you…but it’ll be my first time – period. Because I know that I have never, ever made love. I know that the first time I touch you, it’ll be like being born all over again…like finding my soul."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and her silence unnerved him.

"Elizabeth –

"Sssh," she whispered then. "Don’t say anything. I just wanna lay here and listen to you breathe………I love you, Lucky Spencer."

Lucky closed his eyes. He wouldn’t make her say it again, but he held on to the words and sealed them against his heart. God, every time she said those three little words, it drove him crazy.

"Promise me," he began. With eyes still closed. It had been a heck of a long day. "Promise me that if there is something that you don’t like – before the ceremony begins – you’ll tell me so that I can fix it."

"There’s nothing I don’t like," she whispered. Yawning then. "The only thing I don’t like is not being able to sleep in your arms."

Lucky bit his lip. "Oh relish this Sweetie…your last night as a free woman – from here on out you’re not gonna be able to move without me curling up beside you."

"That doesn’t sound so bad," she sighed.

"Well, for tonight…how ‘bout we just hang on the line until we fall asleep."

"Or Lucinda and Jillian come back and yell at me for breaking clause number 1600 – talking to the groom via telephone…I’m surprised they didn’t put a block on it."

Lucky chuckled. "That bad huh? Thankfully Wallace hasn’t gone that far…I don’t think he cares much anyway."

Elizabeth sighed. "How’s he doing? Not so good huh?" She sighed again. "Lucinda’s been avoiding the issue. Every time I’ve tried to bring it up, she quickly changes the subject."

Sighing, Lucky brought his legs a bit farther up to his chest and curled up as he moved beneath the blankets. "Hopefully they can work this out," he said groggily. "Or we’re banning the two gloomy gusses from our wedding."

Elizabeth smiled and let her eyes close once more. "Where IS our wedding? The Holy Chapel of Elvis?"

Lucky’s eyes shot open. "Do you really THINK I’d marry you in the Holy Chapel of Elvis! Man, woman what do you take me for!"

"Hey you just said you’d marry me in a paper sack, I thought maybe the same went for your taste in chapels."

Lucky smiled. "Well I probably would marry you anywhere you wanted to…but I went out on a limb and decided that you probably weren’t too keen on being walked down the aisle by the King."

She giggled and snuggled into her pillow. "Well when Lucinda gets back, I’ll tell her that unless he makes up with Wallace, she has to sleep out in the hall for the night…next to the vending machines."

"Aaah," Lucky sighed. "Hopefully by the time we get back, Wallace and Lucinda will be all patched up and much happier then we left them."

Elizabeth’s brow knitted. "You really think they’ll patch things up in a couple of days?"

Lucky opened his eyes and chuckled. "Oh I forgot to mention that huh? We’re not…" he cleared his throat. "We’re not only gonna be gone for a couple of days…Elizabeth there’s a little matter of a honeymoon."

She sprang upwards then. "A honeymoon! Where?!"

Lucky laughed and sat up as well. "What did you think? We were just gonna have some shot gun wedding and then fly back home? Please! What do you take me for?"

"I know, I know," she apologized. "I’ve been completely wrong in underestimating the powers of Lucky Spencer."

"Ya got that right," he muttered. "Well, now I’m afraid the honeymoon part of this little adventure is a secret as well."

"Lucky!"

"Oh come on," he chided. "You know you love surprises."

"Well – well YEAH…but I also like to know what kind of clothes I have to pack! Considering I don’t HAVE anything aside from what’s in this little bag that you packed like we were going away for a DAY."

"Oh you can do some shopping when we get there."

"Get where?!"

"Get THERE," Lucky smiled. Knowing he was driving her crazy. "Hey, weren’t you getting sleepy," he said then. Changing the subject.

Elizabeth growled and flopped back down on her bed. Lucky chuckled.

"Oooh, I think I like it when you growl."

"Yeah well, get ready to hear a lot of it…I can’t believe you’re not gonna tell me."

Lucky closed his eyes and folded his arms. "Ok…let’s put it this way – I couldn’t decide where we should go."

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. "Ok, well then run your choices by me and I’ll help you!"

"Uh-uh."

"What do you mean ‘Uh-uh’?"

"Typically ‘uh-uh,’ means NO."

She growled again.

Lucky smiled. "Do me a favor and make that sound when we’re going at it tomorrow night, ok? That would do WONDERS for my ego."

Elizabeth smiled and rolled over. "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Oh I can think of plenty," Lucky smiled. Raising his eyebrows. Just the thought of finally getting his hands on her, and her finally having her hands on HIM was enough to get him through the night.

"You know," he began then. "Things are gonna get even crazier tomorrow when my parents arrive…do me a favor and don’t let them drive you insane ok? They have a way of doing that."

"Lucky, I love your parents," she smiled. "Unless…I mean – do they have issue with you marrying me? I mean their first introduction to me wasn’t exactly –

"Elizabeth they’re EXTREMELY happy. They couldn’t be anymore happy or they’d DIE. They LOVE you," he said then. "Just like I do…they love you."

Breathing deeply, Elizabeth shifted the phone to her other ear. "Sleep with me tonight."

Lucky smiled and leaned up for a moment to turn of the television. The room went completely dark and he laid back down on his pillow. "Good night my bride."

"Good night my Groom."

~~~~~~~

It was a weekday, thank God. And with it being right before the holidays began, the town wasn’t as crowded as it could be. Only a few people loitered along the bridge like she did.

Nobody cried like she did though, nobody sniffled like an idiot as the 80 foot jets of water propelled up into the air to the tune of Andrea Bocelli’s, ‘Time to Say Goodbye.’

Lucinda brushed her hair back when the wind blew it forward and sighed as the song began to end, and the dancing fountains started to sway a bit slower. The people on the bridge next to her took their cameras and began to walk slowly away.

She wouldn’t be going back yet. So much happiness…such wedding bliss only made her feel horrible. Not because they were happy, but because she’d never be able to erase the look on Wallace’s face when she’d shown up in the lobby.

There he’d stood amidst all the architectural beauty, and had taken step after step away from her.

‘Well what did you expect,’ she thought to herself. Shaking her head. ‘How the Hell did you think he would react to seeing you here? Did you think he’d be glad? After how you’ve treated him for the last few days?’

Gripping the smooth, stone railing that lined the huge lake beneath her she sniffled again and reached up with one hand to smooth the tears away from her cheeks. She probably looked like a raccoon. She wanted to stay for the next show. There was one scheduled every 20 minutes, it said on the sign. But she’d probably scare some poor kid away with how she looked.

Sniffling once more, she turned on a sigh. Ready to go back to her room, or maybe find a midnight buffet to pig out on. The last thing she expected to see when she turned, standing opposite of her – staring at her from the other side of the bridge – was Wallace.

Her breath caught, and she could do nothing more than stand impossibly still as he began to close the distance between them. Hands in his pockets as he walked.

When he got within a few inches, she found her voice in the back of her throat. She didn’t sound like herself, but there it was…She needed to say something – something that would make him understand that she hadn’t ever meant to hurt him. That he was the very last person on Earth that she’d ever meant to hurt. That she was doing this in his best interests…

But when his hand touched her face and his thumb brushed a tear from just under her eye, all her thoughts went out the window. All she could say was his name.

"Wallace –

The rest of what would have been, was stifled beneath the force of his kiss. Tight, slow…and urgent with need. She would have fallen if his hands hadn’t moved quickly around her waist to steady her.

When finally he pulled away, her eyes slowly opened. Trying to adjust, before the dizziness did indeed bring her to her knees.

Wallace slipped one hand inside hers and gently tugged on it. Silently asking her to follow him as he began to stride down the bridge.

She did.