*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

A couple hours went by and people were still having a good time. Nickolas, Kevin, and Alyssa wee sitting at a table taking a dancing break. Kevin and Alyssa were talking and Nickolas was watching Valondra, as she danced with Trace. His heart was still broken and he knew only Valondra could fix it.

“Why don’t you ask her to dance?” Alyssa suggested. “Instead of sitting here and staring at her. You’re going to burn a whole in her.”

“She seems happy,” Nickolas said. “I don’t want to take it away from her.”

“She’d be happier if you danced with her,” Kevin said. “Even if it is for a second.”

“We danced earlier and she didn’t say a single word to me,” Nickolas said.

“That dance doesn’t actually count,” Alyssa stated. “You had to dance, because that’s how Rachel and Brian wanted it. You didn’t ask her to dance that dance. And you still haven’t asked her.”

“I don’t want to take the smile from her face,”

Nickolas said looking away from Valondra. “Besides, with my luck she probably doesn’t even love me anymore, the way I love her.”

“You’re an idiot,” Kevin said and Nickolas looked at him. “She’ll love you the same no matter what.”

“If it makes you feel any better,” Alyssa began, “all that stuff she had in the boxes, you gave her, she took it out.” Nickolas just looked at her.

“That should tell you something,” Kevin said.

“That $1000 necklace you got her,” Alyssa started again, “I’ve seen her wearing it a lot lately and that huge rock she wore on her left hand ring finger, I saw her wearing that too. She only wears the ring when she goes to bed, because I saw it on her finger the other day and again this morning. I’m taking that as a sign.”

“But should I hold my breath?” Nickolas asked.

“Yes,” both Kevin and Alyssa said then Kevin added, “I thought you weren’t giving up?”

“I’m not,” Nickolas answered. “I can’t.”

“Maybe she’s waiting for the right time,” Alyssa said. “She probably wants it to be perfect. When is your three year anniversary? Thursday?”

“Yeah,” Nickolas said looking at Valondra.

Kevin and Alyssa looked at him, as he continued looking at Valondra; who was now standing with a group of people. He watched, as she laughed then look over at him with a smile. The smile didn’t leave her face, as they made eye contact and Nickolas smiled at her.

Nickolas watched as Valondra left the group and started towards his table only to be caught by Alexander. He watched, as Alexander picked her up, spin her around then began dancing with her. Nickolas stood up, walked away, and went out.

Kevin and Alyssa looked at each other and Kevin said, “Come on. I have an idea.” He took Alyssa’s hand and they walked over to the DJ.

An hour went by and Nickolas still didn’t ask Valondra to dance. He was afraid she would say no and just watched, as she continued to dance with Trace. He wanted to dance with her more than anything, but so afraid of her rejecting him. It was the last thing he wanted; especially at a wedding. He probably could handle it if it wasn’t a wedding, but it was a wedding and he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

His thoughts were interrupted when Ariel said, “It’s time for the bride to throw the bouquet, so all you unwedded ladies get together.” Valondra tried to sneak off to the side with Trace, but Ariel grabbed her from behind. She stood behind Valondra and stuck her arms around her. “That includes you too, Valondra. Trace, you can go.”

Trace walked away smiling and Valondra said, “I’m not standing over there, because I’m not getting married.”

“Lon, you’re marrying Nick whether you want to or not. You’re going to be the next to get married.” “Lys caught the bouquet at your wedding, but she wasn’t the next to get married. It don’t work that way.”

“This time it will. Trust me. Now get your fanny over there with the others.” She pushed Valondra over to the front of the crowd.

Before Ariel walked away, Valondra said, “I ain’t fighting to get it.”

Ariel just rolled her eyes and walked away. She walked over to Rachel and said, “Try to aim for Loni.”

“Why?” Rachel asked.

“She needs a little excitement in her life,” Ariel said, as Rachel just nodded her head and turned around, but first made sure where Valondra was. “On three. Ready. One…two…three.”

Rachel threw the bouquet and turned around just as the bouquet hit Valondra. She watched as she caught the bouquet before they fell to the floor. Ariel and Rachel walked over to Valondra and the other girls gave her a hug.

“I knew you’d catch it,” Ariel said. “You’re getting married.”

“Whatever,” Valondra said, but a big part of her wanted to marry Nickolas at that moment.

“You’re so lucky,” Lillie said. “At least Nick had the guts to ask you to marry him. Howie ignores the subject.”

“The thing is,” Valondra began, “Nick and I never mentioned marriage he just asked me and I said yes. I think it’s because we knew the other wanted it as much as the other one. Funny how that works, ya know.”

“That’s love,” Storm said. “Speaking of which, where is mine? Never mind, I see him. Excuse me.” She started walking away just as Jonathan said, “Garter time, fellas! Gather round!”

“Damn it,” Storm complained and the girls just laughed at her.

“This is so mine,” Alexander said and Nickolas looked at him. “I’m catching this garter and then I’m going to stick it on Loni’s sexy leg.”

“I don’t think so,” Nickolas said. “You just keep your hands off her.”

“Protective are we?”

“Yes and you have your own girl. Or did you forget about Riz?”

“No I didn’t forget about Riz, but Lon’s legs are so sexy. Do you even look at them?” “Yes I look at her legs and I’m lucky enough to get them wrapped around me.” He smiled.

Alexander glared at him. “Don’t rub it in.” Nickolas continued smiling. “But I got this in the bag so just walk away now.” Nickolas just grinned and looked at Brian and Jonathan.

“Alright fellas, on three,” Jonathan said. “One…two…three!”

Brian threw the garter and it went straight towards Nickolas and Alexander. Alexander got all excited and ready to catch it when Nickolas reached his arm over. Nickolas caught the garter with one hand and looked at Alexander smiling. Alexander just glared at him and walked away in protest.

“You can have the next one, Alex!” Nickolas yelled after his friend and chuckled. He looked at Valondra, as she stood to the side biting her bottom lip. A chair was set beside him and the girls dragged Valondra over.

Valondra and Nickolas looked at each other and Ariel said, “Park it, sistah.” Valondra didn’t budge and Ariel pushed her down on the chair. “Put that thing on her, Carter.”

“Or I’ll do it,” Alexander said and Nickolas glared at him. “Ooh, he didn’t like that idea.”

They all laughed and Nickolas knelt down in front of Valondra. They just looked at each other, as the others watched them in anticipation. Nickolas hesitated a moment before he stuck the garter on over her foot. They didn’t take their gaze off each other, as Nickolas took the garter up her leg. He got the garter about an inch from her thigh and stopped. They continued looking at each other and he moved it up a little further. She chuckled and put her hands on his shoulders.

“What?”

“That tickled.” Nickolas just smiled and moved it up a bit more then stopped. He slowly took his hands down her leg and she took a deep breath. She left it out slowly and just watched Nickolas.

“Ok, that’s enough,” Alexander said and everyone laughed. “Party on!” They all walked away and Nickolas and Valondra continued looking at each other.

“If you were trying to seduce me it wasn’t working,” Valondra said.

“Whatever,” Nickolas said smiling. He got up and helped her up. He kissed her cheek and she watched him walk away.

“You and Nick are so getting married,” Antoinette said and Valondra looked at her. “Even if I have to get you both drink and drag you to Vegas myself.”

“Sure,” Valondra said walking away.