This is the last chapter of 'I Promise.' It has been a fantastic time writing this and I love and appreciate every single one of the reviews. Thank you for reading and enjoying and just a heads up... this was the most difficult chapter of any story I have ever written. I cried.

20 Years Old

Wedding Day

Olivia stepped into the chapel and she couldn't believe today was the day... wedding day. Melinda was going to marry the love of her life and Olivia couldn't have been more confused about her emotions. She was more than pleased with Tyler Hale. He was such a gentlemen and he treated Melinda with the utmost love and respect. The night he propose to her in front of both their families proved that. Olivia just couldn't believe that today was the day Melinda actually started on with her life. She would be moving out when she got back from her honey moon and into a nice apartment with Tyler just a few hours away in Providence. They moved up there so they could be close to Tyler's father who had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Olivia couldn't argue with them and she would feel guilty if she tried to persuade them to stay. Today was the last day her little girl would be her little girl...

She felt her eyes beginning to water and the wedding wasn't even close to starting yet. She let out a slow and steady breath and continued her way down the aisle where she was laying down flower petals in an organized fashion.

"It's a beautiful church, isn't it?" Olivia stopped what she was doing and turned around to see Melinda.

"It's gorgeous."
Melinda smiled, "I can't believe I'm getting married today," she said with a shakiness to her voice.

"Neither can I. Tyler's a great guy. You two are perfect for each other," Olivia assured. She went back to laying the flower petals down on the aisle way until she came to the stairs.

"I already talked to the caterer and they will be here on time and the cake needs to be picked up at one so, I'll go do that while you girls are getting your dresses and things on."
"Calm down," Melinda said, "You don't have to be so frazzled. Today's going to be perfect. I just know it."

Olivia and Melinda worked until noon decorating the church with bouquets of soft blue flowers. They were almost the color of cotton candy. The pews were lined with blue ribbon and it looked just how a wedding should.

"Okay," Olivia said fixing the last bouquet, "The girls are all here so, you go ahead and get ready. I better get back to the house and help the guys."
Melinda laughed, "Yeah, some of them have probably never seen a tie before."

"Before I go..." Olivia reached into her back pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box, "I want to give you this."
Melinda took the box and carefully opened it, exposing a gold necklace that was engraved with the word 'Fearlessness.'

"Mom," she whispered with tears pooling in her eyes, "This is your favorite necklace. I've never seen you without it."

Olivia smiled sadly, "I know. I want you to have it now."

"Will you put it on me?"

Olivia picked the necklace up out of the box and Melinda turned around so it could be clasped on. The necklace made Melinda feel very safe because it would always remind her of her mother. She had never seen Olivia without it.

"This is wonderful," Melinda said, "Thank you." She reached her arms around Olivia and pulled her in for a tight hug. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Sweetie."

The wedding was going to start in less than thirty minutes and Olivia was rushing around making sure everything was perfect. All of the groomsmen had their suits on right and their bows straight. All of girls had their hair up in buns with no loose strands or pieces sticking up. Everyone was ready to go. Olivia took one last breath in the dressing room and gave Melinda one last hug before making her way into the chapel with the rest of the guests.

Elliot made his way to the ladies dressing room and motioned for Melinda to step into the narrow hallway with him.

"What's up, Dad?"

Elliot smiled as he looked into Melinda's soulful brown eyes. They reminded him of Olivia and their wedding day. He would treasure that day forever.

"You look beautiful," he commented with his own eyes tearing up.

"Don't cry, Dad," Melinda warned, "I have make-up on!"

Elliot laughed and wiped his eyes before any tears would fall. "I just want you to know that I am so proud of the women you've become. You've grown up to be as close to perfect as perfect can get. I couldn't ask for a better kid. I really can't believe that today you're getting married. It seems like just yesterday you were a tiny baby and I was rocking you to sleep and feeding you with a bottle... Time goes by fast."

"I love you," Melinda said softly, "And I wouldn't have become such a great woman if I didn't have a great Dad. You really are the best."

Elliot smiled and looked down at his watch to check the time. "Well, we better get this wedding started. What do you say?"

Melinda hugged Elliot the same as she had hugged Olivia earlier and then they got all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up outside the chapel doors. Tyler was already standing and waiting patiently at the altar.

Melinda was just about to cue the music player to begin the song when Fin busted through the doors. "We have a problem."

"What is it?" Elliot asked angrily. He didn't want anything to stand in the way of his daughter's day.

"It's Daniel. Casey said she spotted him a minute ago and now we can't find Olivia."

"Oh my God," Melinda said pulling her arm out of Elliot's, "Has anyone called her phone?"

Fin nodded, "She isn't answering."

"This can't be happening," Melinda said shaking her head, "This can not be happening!"

Then everyone waiting outside the doors of the chapel heard Cragen's voice, "Put your hands up!" They all turned around to see Cragen aiming his gun at Daniel and Daniel with Olivia in his arms.

"Mom..." Melinda said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel had a knife to Olivia's throat and dared anybody to move. "This is how you wanted it," he said out loud, "This is how it's going to be me."

"Mom," Melinda said gaining her voice.

"Melinda, it's okay," Olivia said with her voice cracking. Tears were spilling down her face.

"Let her go," Elliot said to Daniel, "You're surrounded by cops. Just let her go."

Fin, Munch, Cragen, and Elliot, all had their guns drawn and aimed at Daniel but nobody had a good enough shot.

"Any last words?" Daniel asked Olivia.

"Melinda, I love you," Olivia said sincerely, "I love and your sister and your father more than anything else in this entire world." Her voice cracked again. "Don't ever forget that. I know you think you need me in your life but... you don't. You'll do just fine without me."

Melinda shook her head no, "I need you."

"You don't," Olivia said back, "I love you."

Melinda's make-up was ruined now. Mascara and eyeliner made black traces down her face as her tears fell rain drops.

"MOM!" As Olivia fell to the ground Fin shot his gun at Daniel and he went down too. They all raced to Olivia's side with Melinda getting there first. Cragen had already called for a bus.

"Mom!" Melinda cried, "Just hang on. Just hand on! I love you! Please! I can't do this again! Mommy! Please."

"Mel," Elliot said through his tears as he placed a hand gently on Melinda's shoulder, "She's gone."

"No!" Melinda cried, "She isn't! I can't- she can't- I can't do this again!"

Elliot pulled Melinda up off the ground and into a hug. She had crimson blood all over her white dress and all over her hands from where she attempted to stop the bleeding. Melinda sobbed into Elliot's shirt and all the guests from inside came outside to see what the commotion was about. Tyler wished he could help Melinda but he knew nothing he could say would help her. He knew about Melinda's past and how she was led to believe her mother was dead for so long;. He knew that when Olivia got the chance to come into her life they had a bond that was unbreakable. There was so much love there and now...

"I'm so sorry," Elliot kept whispering to Melinda as she continued to weep into his shirt, "I am so, so sorry."

The End!