And a happy end to this story... Yes, the glass is always half full in my crazy little world populated by dolphins that bring you pearls and singing flowers, haha... An all-star lineup and something very special in this one.

I can't believe this is actually happening... I can't believe it...

"Matty? Hello?" GAH! I just about jumped out of my skin when I realized Alfred was talking to me. In case you haven't noticed, I tend to zone out a little. Alfred grinned and fixed my collar. "Come on, dude, we're gonna be late."

Ding! I grabbed my phone as we headed out the door and looked at it:

1 New Message From: Katyusha Leaving now so excited I think I'm gonna faint haha c u soon 33

I quickly replied back.

I hope this isn't a dream

I hit "Send" and...

"OOGHFF!" I exclaimed as I tripped over a curb. You really shouldn't text and walk, Matt... Arthur managed to catch my phone and handed it back to me with a grin, very out of character for Arthur. But then again, this was a special day. I got into the car with Arthur, Alfred my youngest brother Peter and my friend Gilbert, who was driving. Once in the car, I texted Katyusha again:

Just stubbed my toe *ouch* it's not a dream :)

Ding! A reply:

Bet it's the only time you were glad to stub your toe :P

I texted back:

Yeah you bet

Ding! Her again:

I love you Matvey

I realized my eyes were watering at that. My reply:

I love you too sweetheart

I could hear the other guys all chattering and laughing quietly but I really didn't pay attention to what they were saying. Arthur and Alfred were actually getting along for once... Thank you, guys, I think to myself. This means a lot to me...

When we arrived at our destination, Gilbert pulled up to the curb and the rest of us got out. "Hey Matt," Gilbert teased me just before he drove off to park the car, "watch the curb, okay?"

"Yeah, Gilbo," I laughed. "Thanks." Arthur took hold of my arm and led me through the open doors of the building. "Stand here," he told me quietly.
I looked around at all the people gathering, finding seats, talking quietly... I felt a little nervous, but more happy than nervous. Everyone began to settle, and then...

Seated to one side was a string quartet. It consisted of: my old music teacher, Mr Edelstein (who got a little irritated when I called him that... "You're an adult now, Matthew, it's Roderich"), Feliks, perhaps one of the craziest guys I've ever met (but a darn good cello player), Feliks' best friend Toris, and my old school buddy Yong Soo. They played one note together, then struck up Pachelbel's Canon... and a procession came through the open double doors.

First was Alfred. He was grinning from ear to ear. Arthur followed, smiling, and I thought he had a few tears in his eyes... Gilbert came next, and amazingly he was on his best behavior (he can be a little... um... goofy at times). They all took their places at my side.

Next, Natalya came along. "Ye gads, she's smiling," I heard Arthur whisper behind me. She was followed by Katyusha's friends Elizaveta and Bella. "Everyone looks so nice," I told Alfred who was standing beside me. Immediately following the girls were my brother Peter and his best friend Lili, arm in arm and carrying two pretty little wooden boxes.

"That was a pretty neat idea, having them each carry a ring," Alfred whispered to me. "Her idea or yours?"

"Hers." I was straining to see...

THERE SHE WAS.

I felt like my throat was closing up. Katyusha looked... breathtaking. The smile on her face could have lit an entire city as she came toward me, holding onto her brother Ivan's arm. Ivan looked a little uncomfortable in his suit, since he really wasn't a suit type of guy, but at least he looked happy and not like he was about to break someone in half (which is the way he normally looks. At least he decided he likes me).

Don't cry, Matt... don't cry... Then I looked at Katyusha. I never listen to myself, and so I started crying. I heard sniffles, but they were beside me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that both Alfred and Arthur were crying, and Gilbert was trying not to. That made me laugh a little bit.

Katyusha reached my side, and I noticed her eyes were teary too. We turned and faced Feliciano, who was officiating (who knew he was an ordained minister?)...

This is the best day of my life, I think to myself.

"Mine too," Katyusha whispered. She knows what I'm thinking... she always does.

AND~~~~~~

My eyes pop open before the wails start. I've noticed that we both wake up at the same time.

Beside me, Katyusha stretches. I put a hand on her arm and tell her, "Don't get up." "Are you sure?" She says. I nod, and she kisses my cheek. I yawn, stretch and shuffle to the bassinet sitting a few feet away. Sure, we haven't been sleeping much, but it's so worth it.

"Come here, Saskie," I cooed to the tiny baby in the bassinet. She stopped fussing and giggled, reaching out for me. I carried her to her mom and sat next to them as Katyusha fed our daughter.

I suddenly had a memory that made me chuckle. Katyusha chuckled too. "And to think this all started in a coffee shop," she said.

How does she do that?

Aaaaand... FIN! Maybe a little sappy, but this is MY world and it will end the way I want it to DOGGONEIT! Haha. Hoped you enjoyed it And BTW, Saskatchewan is their baby girl.