Natalie looked in the mirror as Jess placed the veil in her hair. Her dress was simple, sleeveless with a sequined top and a flowy white body. Roxy had done her hair in a beautiful half-up, half-down due with curls framing her face, just the way she knew John would love it. As the tiara with the veil attached finally set in her hair, Jess started crying.

"Jess, please. You can't get me started, we'd have to go through this whole process again" Natalie tried as she willed her tears to go away.

"I know" Jess started, "It's just- we've all waited for this day for so long-"

"We're happy for you" Gigi said for her, "You deserve this more than anyone"

"Well, I made him work for it" Natalie said, trying to make it not seem as big a deal as it was.

The year had gone swimmingly. John left his cases at work, he and Liam had really grown close, and she'd never felt more special than when they were alone together. He'd followed his word, was home by seven at the latest, he called when he was leaving town to tell her and he came back when he said he was, never more than just a few hours to chase a lead. The two of them had re-opened Rodi's, spending lots of nights together there pulling it all back together; when so much seemed right it was easy to let the pieces of their life fall back into place. A few months ago, they had realized they had saved enough from Rodi's to put a down payment on a house and as luck would have it, their old house was on the market. They'd taken all the stuff Natalie had put in storage and moved back in, and since then, it had been smooth sailing. When it came to planning the wedding, they'd both agreed on a summer wedding, an extended weekend in AC, and finishing off their honeymoon at home. He'd been uncharacteristically helpful with the wedding plans, only bitching and moaning when she refused to spend last night in the house. She knew it was mostly because she had told him just a few days before that she was a few days late, though she wasn't going to do anything about it until she was a full month late. John was clear on his thoughts; he'd love another, especially a little girl. He wanted her close in case she got sick or something, but she refused to jinx what was promising to be a perfect day.

"Good strategy by the way" Gigi said, "worked so hard, he can't run out now"

"Oh, he wouldn't run" Natalie said, "If he had his way, we'd have been married for months by now"

"Who knows what would have been different if Dad hadn't intervened" Jess said, "Did he change his mind?"

Natalie sighed. She had made her stance clear, she wanted her father in her life, and in Liam's, especially since Liam had grown so close to his grandfather. But John was in her life permanently and whether Clint liked it or not, that was how it was going to stay. It had helped that John had willingly signed a prenup and a contract waiving his rights to ever take legal action against anyone in her family, and done so without even a wince. But even that hadn't been enough for Clint to give them his blessing, or even accept their invitation to the wedding. John was civil whenever the two of them were in a room together, despite Clint pointing out his flaws at every turn. She'd asked Rex to walk her down the aisle in the event her father refused to come, and she was secretly glad she had. Though Rex had never been the biggest supporter of her and John, he was genuinely happy that she was happy.

"No, he hasn't. He's not coming" she said, "But, I have John, and Liam, and you guys flew out. He's not going to ruin this day"

"Like I was going to miss this" Jess said.

"For real. This has only been forever in the making" Gigi added.

"Let's get you ready to go" Jess said, and they heard a knock on the door. Jess gave Natalie a glare, then shared a knowing look with Gigi.

"What?" Natalie asked.

"We've already had to stop John from seeing you once today. He's not going to enjoy the repeat performance" Jess said.

"Natalie" they heard John's voice on the other side of the door.

"Oh, he's going to get it" Gigi said, starting towards the door.

Before she could reach the door, John had opened it and had entered the room. Fortunately, Natalie stayed behind the dressing shade, out of sight, though she thoroughly enjoyed what she heard.

"Get out" Gigi started.

"I just want to-"

"We know what you want, you can't see her in her wedding dress, its bad luck" Jess said.

"That's ridiculous" John said.

Typical John, Natalie thought. She figured she could save him from this confrontation with a compromise, and it would do her some good to talk to him, too.

"Guys, just let him in. He's not going to give up" she said.

"But its bad luck-" Jess started.

"I'll stay back here, he won't see me" Natalie said.

"Natalie-" Gigi started.

"Let's be real, this wedding isn't going to start until someone gives into John" she said, "Look, I can get my shoes on myself, and I have my bouquet, you two just get ready and we'll be out in a minute"

"And it better be separately" Gigi added.

"Fine" Jess said.

Once the door closed, John made his way to his side of the dressing shade.

"They're gone, you can out from behind this thing now"

"No" she exclaimed, "It's bad luck for you to see me in my dress"

"Yes, we're very traditional, that's why we already have a child" he said, "You're not one to be superstitious"

"Need I remind you of the last time you saw me in my dress before our wedding?"

"I have no more psychotic exes to be worried about"

"Better safe than sorry" she said.

"Natalie-"

"The best part of my day is going to be seeing your face when you see me. Are you really going to take that away from me?"

"Fine" he said.

"So what's so pressing?" she asked, though she knew exactly what he was going to say.

"I just needed to see you. Or at least hear you, I guess"

"Was boy's night that boring? Liam and Michael put you to sleep that fast?"

"It was fun. Michael tried to tell Liam embarrassing stories. I got him back with Gabe, though"

"It's easy to embarrass Michael" she said.

"Liam and Gabe went down pretty early. Then Mike wanted to talk, about married life and stuff"

"How awful" she said.

"I missed you last night"

"I missed you, too. It's been a long time since I slept at my mom's. It was weird"

"It was weird to be in our room without you"

"I'm sure we'll get enough of each other over the next few weeks"

"I could never get enough of you" he said, "that's not fair when I can't even see you"

"You'll see me soon"

"It's just been too long since I've seen you, and it'll still be awhile before we can be alone together. I had to be with you for a little before all the craziness starts"

"I figured" she said, smiling, "I know you pretty well"

"How was your night?"

"We had fun. Jess wanted to celebrate more, but we really just caught up. Shane's doing real good in school"

"I'm glad to hear it" he said, then paused for a second, "So how are you feeling?"

"Well, my feet are little cold" she teased.

"Not funny, if anyone gets to run out, it's me" he said, smiling too.

"I feel good. Nothing's changed" she said.

"I was worried-"

"If something had happened, either way, I would have called you" she said.

"I know, I just- wish you'd stayed last night"

"We're doing this right this time, John. I'm not gambling, this wedding will go off without a hitch, and I was not about to tempt fate"

"I dreamed about you last night"

"I bet you did" she said, smiling.

"I know you're going to be prettier than I imagined"

Her smile grew, "So what was I wearing? I wonder if I'll compare"

"Well, you were wearing white, and then-"

"Then what?" she goaded.

"Well, after that, nothing but a smile"

The way he said that sent shivers down her spine. She knew he was going to do this all day, his own exquisite type of loving torture to get her to leave early.

"Sounds like you've got plans for tonight"

"Oh, I can't wait to get my hands on you"

"Not til we're married" she taunted, "And the sooner we start, the sooner we head to AC"

"If that's not motivation, I don't know what is" he said, "So you're really okay?"

"Yeah, I feel good. Besides, it's still too early to have morning sickness" she said, "How about, until the honeymoon's over, we don't worry about it, just enjoy it. When it's over, we'll take the test"

"Alright" he said, "I guess I'll go up to the alter before Jess and Gigi drag me out"

"I'll see you at the altar. I'll be the one in white"

"Like I could ever miss you" he said, then waited a second, "And Natalie?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you"

"I love you, too"

Shortly, she heard the door close again and she stepped into her shoes and grabbed her bouquet. She couldn't wait to be his wife. The second she stepped out of the door, Jess and Gigi were on top of her.

"I hope that was important"

"It delayed the ceremony"

"It could bring bad luck"

"I have all the luck I need" she assured them, "Did they make it to the alter?"

"Yup, we're ready to go when you are, sis" Rex said, "You look good. McBain's going to eat his heart out"

"Unless he's seen her already" Jess said.

"He hasn't" Natalie said, "You guys ready?"

"Let's do this thing" Gigi said.

Within minutes, the bridal march had started and Gigi processed down the aisle, followed shortly by Jess. As she and Rex started down the aisle, she and John locked eyes. She prayed that as long as she'd live, she'd never forget the look in his eyes right now. He looked so happy, so in love, and so captivated by her. Not that she'd ever doubted his love for her, but in this moment, she knew it would be impossible to do that. She was so focused on his face and so oblivious to everyone around her that when the priest spoke, she had to stop herself from jumping a little bit.

"Who gives this woman to this man?"

"Her parents and I do, Father" Rex answered.

She kissed the side of his face, whispering a quick thank you in his ear. Rex took a seat by her mom, and she joined John on the alter.

"You look pretty" he whispered.

Before anything else could happen, the door to the back of the church opened and everyone turned to see what was going to wrong at this wedding.

Clint stepped through the door. For a second, the only thing that happened was John taking Natalie's hand. He had a tux on, but everyone had the same thought: had he hit the bottle again? He nodded at John and Natalie, then took a seat in the back of the church. Natalie managed a smile at her father, and she could hear everyone let go of the breath they'd been holding.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, though she couldn't have been happier with it. It seemed before she knew it, she and John were on their way to AC in the limo Viki had insisted on getting them. They hadn't accepted any other offer she'd put forth to help with the wedding, so she had really pushed the limo, and in the end, it seemed a good idea to have someone else drive them after the wedding and reception. They were in the limo for a whole two seconds before Natalie took her heels off and John took them in his lap, starting with a great foot message.

"Mm I knew I married you for a reason" she smiled. Damn, his hands were talented.

"So did you like the wedding, Mrs. McBain?"

"It was perfect"

"Yeah, it was"

"So I guess it was as good as you dreamed?"

"I've had this dream a million times. Nothing's as good as the real thing"

"I'm glad" she said, "I feel like we've accomplished something so great. For all the times we got so close and it didn't work out"

"This has been ten years in the making. And we probably should have gotten here a lot sooner. I should have married you the second I put

Spencer behind bars, but, that's what makes this moment feel so worthwhile. I'm not saying I got no regrets, but I wouldn't trade a minute with you for anything. We got here"

"Took the scenic route, but yeah, I feel the same way"

"I love you" he said, "and I can't wait to tell you that everyday"

"I love you, too. I can't wait to live my life as Mrs. John McBain"

"That has such a nice ring to it" he smirked.

"Yeah, it does" she smiled, too, "I feel like this is what I've always supposed to be, your wife"

"Well, so far I'm really liking being your husband, too"

"You better" she said, smiling.

"We're going to have a good life together. I promise"

"We already have a great one. It's finally time we made official"

"Thanks for taking another chance on me"

"Well, guess I owe it to you, you know, saving my life all the time and all"

"Well" John said, taking a six pack of beer out of the fridge in the back of the limo.

"Oh, you're the greatest" she said.

"I try" he said, handing her one, "Here's to hopefully, no more time apart, no more chances, and no more lives at risk"

"Cheers" she said, smiling. They clinked their bottles together, taking a drink. John leaned over to kiss her. And as he kissed her, she had the fleeting thought, that maybe she'd live happily ever after after all.