Francesca shoved her father gently toward the door - gently only because he was carrying her son. "Papa, please do not argue with me. If I do not have this tomato sauce for tonight, dinner will be ruined!" She pretended, as convincingly as possible, that she was distraught. "Go to the market and find me this sauce, please?"

"Okay, okay." AJ shifted Cris to the other hip. "Lord, you women can be emotional over food."

Rolling her eyes behind his back, Francesca murmured, "Yes, yes, of course. Goodbye, Papa," she said, shutting the door after the boys. As AJ's SUV pulled out of sight, Francesca dashed upstairs, calling out, "Keely!"

Keely came out of the study. "What?"

"I need you a moment. Come to my room." Francesca disappeared down the hall, and a rustling sound emanated from the guest bedroom.

Keely stretched, following the bustling woman to her room. "What's up? Are you okay?"

With her head stuck in the closet, Francesca said, "My package arrived from Milan yesterday." Triumphantly, she pulled the long, wide package out of the closet, dragging it into the middle of the room. "I think you will like to see it."

Keely furrowed her brow for a minute before her face split into a grin. "Is that what I think it is?"

Grabbing a pair of scissors, Francesca cut into the side of the box with an excited nod. Reaching inside, she pulled out the paper-wrapped dress and laid it on the bed. "Go ahead," she gestured toward the dress. "It is yours, open it. Happy Christmas."

Keely stepped towards the bed, an earth-shattering grin on her face. She felt the garment bag for a moment, looking at Francesca with wide eyes, before pushing the plastic bag towards the hanger. As she did, her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, God, Francesca...it's amazing."

Francesca's nimble hands traced the edges of the dress, the silk under her fingertips soft and yielding. "Signore Tirelli does wonderful work, does he not?" The Italian silk that made up the bodice of the dress was a cream color. It would cling easily to one shoulder to accentuate the line of Keely's proud Irish shoulders. The sapphire-blue satin edging along the neckline set off her engagement ring perfectly. The A-line design of the dress' skirt would hug Keely's curves, flowing along her flat stomach and over her slim hips. Edging the very bottom was the same sapphire-blue silk that complemented the bodice. The matching veil, which Francesca pulled out of a smaller box, was a simple headpiece of silver, designed to look like a crown of flowers. The inside of each flower was painted a shade of blue to match the dress' edging.

Keely covered her mouth, overcome. "It's everything I imagined. Oh, my God, Francesca..." She made a disbelieving sound, caught somewhere between bursting into tears and laughter. "Your father is going to pee his pants, man."

"I hope not. He is renting that tuxedo."

Keely laughed, wiping her eyes. "Can I try it on?"

"Yes, but hurry. Papa will be home soon, and he should not see you in the dress before the wedding," Francesca warned Keely. "It is bad luck."

Keely sighed, unbuttoning her jeans. "I know. I'm not much for tradition, but I'd like there to be as many witnesses as possible to see him cry."

"Speaking of witnesses," Francesca said, occupying herself with tidying the room as Keely changed. "Is your guest list complete? It is only one week before the wedding, we must finalize all the smallest details now."

"All of our guests have RSVPd, and the Hyatt is set; they're doing the reception and the ceremony itself. We talked to one of the ministers from an Episcopalian church nearby, and she's more than happy to do it. All the other dresses are done...I can't think of anything else, really." Keely reached behind her and did up the zipper. Turning around, she cleared her throat. "How is it?"

Francesca's words caught in her throat, and all she could do was murmur, "Nice. Very nice." Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "My Papa is very lucky to have found you," she added. "Now, I must go finish dinner." Francesca smiled at Keely. "Get undressed and hide that," she gestured toward the wedding gown, "where Papa will not look."

Keely smiled, ducking her head. She caught Francesca's hand as the young woman went to leave. "Thank you so much, Francesca. You have no idea what all this means to me."

"It means a great deal to me, too, Keely," Francesca insisted, turning around to hug Keely quickly. "I am glad to do this for you."

Keely hugged her back tightly. "All right, let me find a spot for this...sheesh, where doesn't your father wander around this house?"

Francesca thought a long moment. "Perhaps we will just put this back in my closet. Papa knows not to touch my things."

Keely snapped her fingers. "Perfect!" She reached behind her and began to unzip, stopping when she heard the garage door go up. "Would you stall him for me for a few minutes? Tell him I'm on a conference call or something."

"Yes, of course." Francesca dashed downstairs, greeting her father at the door and scooping Cris into her arms. "How was shopping?" she asked him, guiding AJ toward the kitchen.

AJ shrugged. "Fine." He settled down at the kitchen counter. "Where's Keely? We have an appointment in half an hour with the minister."

Francesca smiled innocently. "She is on a call, something about a book," she lied easily. "She will be down momentarily."

Keely carefully climbed out of her dress, admiring it as she covered it back in the garment bag and hung it in the back of the guest closet. She got changed again, feeling light on her feet for the first time in a long time. She went downstairs, pausing to kiss AJ on the side of the neck before sitting down next to him. "Hey."

"Hey. You remembered our appointment this afternoon, right?"

"Yep. Do you want to drive or shall I?"

"You can," AJ smiled easily.

"Cool." Keely grabbed her keys and headed toward the door. "See, sweetheart, you *can* compromise. Our marriage'll be easy...as long as you let me get my way, of course."

* * *

Francesca glanced around the kitchen before calling, "Keely? Where is the dip?"

Keely groaned, getting up from her comfortable position on the floor in front of the television, and wandered into the kitchen, narrowly missing stepping in Martie and Mac's meat-lovers pizza. "It's not in the fridge?"

"No, it is not, I checked." Francesca held her hands up in defeat. "I have looked everywhere."

"Huh, that's weird." Keely began pulling apart the refrigerator doors and drawers, searching. "Wait, wait, I know where it is." She moved over to the pantry, moving aside several jars of pickles and cans of tuna. Triumphantly, she held it out the door to Francesca. "I have a feeling your father wanted to keep this for himself. He's a little miffed we kicked him out tonight."

"He will live." Francesca took the can of dip and opened it, placing it on the plate with the chips and carrying it into the living room. "Chips and dip," she announced cheerily, setting it among the nail polish and accoutrements on the coffee table.

Martie reached over Harriet's head and grabbed a few chips, tilting her head back to eat them. "Harriet, these shower pictures are the best...I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be there!"

"You missed a great time," Harriet said, ducking and reaching for a few chips. "The stripper was so cute," she giggled.

Keely groaned again, hopping over the back of the couch to sit next to Martie. "I still can't believe you two pulled that," she said, mock-glaring at Harriet and Mac.

Mac held up a hand. "I refuse to apologize."

"Me either. Hell, I've been married for almost ten years. I *deserved* Chad The Dancing Towel-Boy." Harriet giggled, blushing despite herself.

Martie laughed, filing through more pictures. Keely just rolled her eyes and added a fresh coat of nail polish to her toes.

Mac noticed her unusual quietness and asked softly, "Keely? Are you okay?"

Keely looked up, startled, but then smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine...I just can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow. I never thought this day would come."

Martie snickered. "None of us did. I mean, Christ, it's been a year."

Keely shook her head. "No, it's not that at all...I mean, we didn't think we'd last five minutes...and here we are."

"I know." Harriet nodded. "I still remember the first time we all met you. We thought the Admiral was crazy!"

Keely giggled. "Who says he isn't?"

Martie slung an arm around her friend's shoulder. "I'll tell you what, though, when I met him when you were sick...shit, that boy was whipped. You could see it all over his face...and when he nearly jumped over a group of interns to find out where they were taking you after surgery..." she shook her head.

Laughing, Francesca nodded quickly. "That is my Papa...as you say, whipped. Do you know he even washes her delicates?"

Mac's mouth dropped open. "He does laundry?"

Martie squeezed Keely against her side. "And cooks. And cleans. And remembers to pay the bills. Without him, Keely here'd be living in a box...or worse, still living with me!"

Keely shrugged. "I catch the good ones."

"Sounds like it," Harriet agreed. "I knew the Admiral was just an overgrown teddy bear, but I never pictured the former SeAL washing your underwear." Giggling, she added, "And I don't think I want to."

Keely laughed, finishing her toenails. "So how nervous were you guys the day you got married?"

Mac took another piece of pizza, wiping her hands on a paper towel. "Surprisingly, not that much...once I knew Harm had arrived. But somehow I don't think you'll have that problem, Keely," she smiled reassuringly.

"No," Francesca agreed with Mac, "she will not. I am tying Papa to the roof of his car and driving him myself."

The room burst out laughing and Keely nodded, hooking a thumb towards Francesca. "That's my stepdaughter."

"Who is three years older than you, mind you."

"Picky, picky," Keely grinned, winking at Francesca. "So, Harriet, do you have any wedding day advice for me?"

"Pee before you put the dress on."

Keely did a double take at Harriet, who sat primly in the chair, sipping a cup of coffee.  Martie, on the other hand, burst into cackles of laughter. "That's the best thing I have ever heard!"

"It's true," Harriet protested. "Once you're in the damn thing, you can't pee for, like, four hours, so go before."

Keely nodded, stealing some popcorn from the array of junk food in front of the group. "No, Harriet, you're right. That's good advice. I wouldn't have thought of that. "

"No one does." Harriet sighed, the voice of experience. She perked up as she asked, "So what's next?  We ate, we watched movies, we painted our toenails," she wiggled her bright blue toes as proof, "do we go egg the boys or something?"

"Oh, don't give Martie ideas," Mac piped up, eliciting a chucked throw pillow. Keely giggled, checking her watch. "Well, it's almost twelve...we could tell ghost stories before bed."

"Ghost stories?" Francesca made a face. "We can make obscene phone calls."

Martie snapped her fingers. "That's my kind of girl!"

Keely rolled her eyes. "And who, dare I ask, might be the recipient of this obscene phone call?"

"Papa."

"That's so sick, Francesca!" Keely replied.

"That's fantastic!" Martie exclaimed, digging around the couch cushions for the phone. Over Keely's flailing arms and voiced protests, Martie threw the phone to Francesca. "Go for it, baby!"

Francesca ducked, protecting the phone from Keely's prying hands. "Mac, what's your telephone number?"

"555-8228."

Francesca dialed quickly, thrusting the phone into Harriet's hands.

"Uh....me?" Harriet squeaked. Someone answered - you could tell by the three shades of red the blonde's face turned. "Uhm, Harm? It's Harriet. Uhm, yeah...hi. Is AJ around?" As Harm went to get AJ, Harriet tossed the phone to Martie. "I have no idea what to say!"

Martie took the phone, tapping her chin in a desperate effort to try and figure out what to say. The definitive gleam in her eye warned everyone that she'd come up with it. As AJ clicked on the line, the Cheshire Cat grin grew on Martie's face. "Hey, AJ, what's up?"

"Hey, Martie. How's my bride-to-be?"

"Oh, she's fine..." Martie drew out the last letter. "Actually, we were sitting here shooting the breeze, and we had a question for you."

"Shoot."

"Well, we were just wondering if Keely had ever told you the story about how she lost her virginity."

The screech from deep in Keely's throat could have been heard up and down the east coast, she was sure. She lunged for the phone and Martie, but Martie deftly leapt from the couch and started at a brisk pace around the living room.

"No, no she didn't." AJ covered the mouthpiece and called the guys over. "Harm, Bud, story time."

"Martina Ingrid Salinas, I swear to God I will kick your ass back to Seattle if you continue with one more word," Keely seethed, leaning across the table.

Martie simply grinned and continued speaking into the phone. "She didn't?" Clucking her tongue, she began. "Well, it was when our heroine was about sixteen..."

Keely sank down on the couch. "Oh, Christ."

"Keely was sixteen...barely, mind you, her birthday had been a few months before...and she was at this social for her parish, right?"

Harriet and Francesca were in the corner, huddled together laughing hysterically as Martie did a little dance around the living room, trying to outpace Keely.

Having put Martie on speakerphone, AJ leaned over and spoke loudly into the base. "Yeah?" he replied. "Go on."

"Okay, so it's after they've blessed the meal and all that crap, and Keely and this kid, Johnny MacAlvey, are dishing out the mashed potatoes. All the parishioners have been served, and Keely makes herself a plate and stands back in the kitchen to start eating. Johnny thinks it'd be funny to flick mashed potatoes at her, so he does. Except his aim is so bad - a precursor of things to come - that they go splat! Right down her shirt."

Keely buried her head in her hands. "Martie..."

"So Johnny, thinking quickly, decides that the best course of action, is, obviously, to go after them with his face. So he proceeds to give Keely a tongue-bath and clean her up. Poor Keely hasn't the faintest idea what to do, so when Johnny leads her upstairs to a closet next to Father Michaels' office, she doesn't really protest that much."

"Really?" AJ could barely keep a straight face. Harm was chuckling softly to himself, probably lost in memories, and Bud was flushed as bright as his wife on the other end of the game of telephone.

"Oh, yeah, totally. So they hide out in Father Michaels' office, who, of course, is downstairs eating the meal. So Johnny starts kissing Keely, and one thing leads to another, and they end up with him on top of her, piled on top of Father Michaels' preaching robes. Needless to say that it didn't last very long, but they forgot one important thing about Sundays at Roman Catholic churches." Martie grinned broadly. "They have evening services."

Keely whimpered, flopping into the couch.

Martie prepared herself for her coup de grace. "So, they're going at it so heavily that they don't really notice that someone's come into the office with them. But they sure noticed when Father Michaels opened his closet. Keely was absolutely mortified, but Johnny was still doing his thing. She had to sit up and throw him across the closet in order to get him off her. But the best part about the whole thing was that Father Michaels took them directly into the sanctuary and began saying a hundred Hail Mary's, pleading with God to forgive the whoopee that had taken place in a holy house of the Lord. Father Michaels was so devastated that he asked the entire congregation to pray that little Keely O'Reilly hadn't been knocked up, and that he'd update them the next month. And that, my friends, is how Keely Shannon O'Reilly lost her virginity."

Peals of laughter emanated from the Rabb house, so loudly that the entire bridal party could hear them through the cordless phone. AJ was gasping for breath, and Harm was watching to make sure he wasn't having a heart attack. But, no. He was just laughing at his bride. "That's my girl," he stammered through tears of laughter. "Always in the thick of it."

Keely sat up and looked around her living room. Harriet and Francesca were hysterical up against a wall, tears streaming down Harriet's beet red face. Mac sat, stunned, on the floor, gasping and hiccupping as she laughed. Martie stood proudly in the middle of the room, grinning uncontrollably. "Needless to say, the entire parish was relieved when Keely didn't get knocked up by Johnny...so they had another pot-luck supper. And, also needless to say, they kept Keely and Johnny separated by a couple of nuns and many rosaries."

"Can I...speak to Keely?" AJ gasped, wiping away tears.

"Of course." Martie handed the phone proudly to Keely, amidst the applause of Harriet, Francesca and Mac.

"Hello?" Keely said waveringly, embarrassed beyond all belief.

"Hi, baby. I love you," AJ said immediately, still laughing.

"Good...will you love me after I murder Martie and dispose of her body in your garden?"

AJ chuckled. "Only if you plant her under the gardenias. They need fertilizer."

Keely chuckled, shaking her head. "I can't believe she just did that."

"Honey? Are you new?"

Keely laughed outright. "I know...I just didn't think she was capable of stooping *that* low."

"Of course she is. This is *Martie*. But listen, sweetie, we all ought to get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."

Keely sighed, heading towards the back porch for a little privacy. "I know. Are you excited, AJ?"

AJ thought for a moment, striding into Harm's bedroom and shutting the door. "Honestly?"

"No, AJ, lie your ass off. Yeah, honestly."

"Honestly, I'm terrified." AJ laughed softly. "I don't know. I mean, this is *you*. We've been together since God was in short pants. But I'm still scared."

Touched by his honesty, Keely paused before replying. "I think what I'm feeling is equivalent to the anxiety you had when you proposed, times ten."

"Same here. But we're doing it, right?" AJ's voice was set and stubborn.

"AJ, an army and a shoe sale couldn't keep me away from that hotel tomorrow." Keely grinned, resting her forehead against the cool glass. "I love you, old man."

"I love you, too, kiddo. See you tomorrow at the hotel?"

"With bells *and* a massive dress on." Keely paused a minute before hanging up and turning back to her friends. "I hope you're all happy."

Martie grinned. "I sure am."

"Yup," Harriet nodded.

Francesca giggled. "Ecstatic."

Keely sighed, sinking back down onto the couch. "Me, too."

* * *

Keely rolled over in her bed at eight o'clock the next morning, holding up a palm to the massive sunlight streaming through her window. She sat up, blinking several times, forgetting momentarily why AJ wasn't next to her. As it hit her, Keely couldn't control either the massive grin or the massive number of butterflies overtaking her body at the same time. She looked at the clock, running her schedule through her mind. She climbed out of bed and swung the door open, yelping at Mac, who was about to knock on her door.

"Sorry," Mac apologized with a smile. "I was just coming to wake you up."

Keely stretched, rearranging her ponytail on top of her head as they walked to the kitchen. "I'm up. Who has coffee?"

"Coffee," Francesca murmured sleepily. "Already poured."  She handed Keely a cup.

Keely made a happy noise in the back of her throat before she plopped herself at the table.

Martie came in from outside, dressed in jogging clothes. "Good morning, all!" she said perkily, to which Keely groaned.

"Come on, Keely Shannon, into the shower with you. We need to figure out what the hell to do with that rat's nest you call hair."

Keely grumbled, but headed upstairs anyway. Half an hour later, she emerged, every square centimeter scrubbed. Martie knocked on the door once, then sat Keely down on top of the toilet and began on her hair and makeup.

"Damn good thing that sister of yours is a beautician," Keely muttered.

"Yeah, we always knew Amanda would amount to something, we just weren't sure what the hell it was going to be," Martie replied. "As far as I can figure, we need to get out of here in an hour or so, get you to the Hyatt as close to eleven as possible."

"Okay," Keely replied. "Am I done yet?"

Martie stepped back, admiring her work. "Oh, designer woman!" she hollered down the hall. "Come make sure I did her hair okay!"

"Coming!" Francesca popped around the corner, chugging coffee and buttoning her blouse at the same time. She stopped as she saw Keely. "She looks wonderful." Francesca smiled proudly. "Now, come with me and I will finish you off."

Keely smiled, rising from the toilet and giving Martie a big hug. "Thank you, honey."

Martie hugged her back, kissing the top of her head. "Don't make the matron of honor cry," she warned. "I might have to kill you."

Keely chuckled, following Francesca down the hall. "I don't want to get ready too early...I might get fidgety, and then we'll all be screwed."

"You are not early. It is almost ten-fifteen," Francesca warned. "By the time we get you in your dress and arrange your veil, the limousine will be here."

Keely's eyes widened and she fumbled for the bed, overcome. "Holy God." She took several deep breaths and then put her head between her knees, muttering to herself.

Francesca poked her head into the hallway, hollering, "Harriet! Come here, please!"

"What's wrong?" Harriet asked immediately, the crinoline under her bridesmaid's dress swishing with every step.

Francesca sighed. "She is panicking."

"You owe me ten bucks, Mac!" Harriet yelled, stepping into the bedroom and crouching as best she could in the tumble of blue satin that surrounded her. "Can you give us a minute, Francesca?"

Nodding, Francesca warned, "Yes, but only a moment. She has to get ready soon or we will be late. But then, they cannot start without us!" Francesca ducked off to finish double-checking Mac and Martie's make-up and outfits.

Harriet crouched in front of Keely, reaching for her hand. "Keely? What's wrong, honey?"

"Can't....can't breathe..."

"Yes, you can. Slow down, take a deep breath and relax." Harriet patted Keely's head gently, forcing it lower between her knees. "You're fine, Keely. This is AJ. You've been with him since you were in college. This is nothing new, it's just a some flowers, a couple of rings, a party and a license."

Keely fought for breath a few more times, then raised her head slowly, trying to stave off the impending head rush. "I'm scared, Harriet," she whispered.

"What are you scared of?" Harriet asked gently.

"What if I'm not cut out for this? What if *he's* not? I mean, it's taken him so much to be able to open up again...what if I betray that? I don't know..." Keely had to fight back tears. "What if I disappoint him?"

"What if you don't?" Harriet countered. "What if this is everything you've both dreamed of for so long?"

Keely wiped at her eyes and nose with the back of her hand. "That'd be a first," she said, sniffling. "We haven't exactly taken the easy road with this thing."

Harriet nodded. "No, you haven't. That's why this is so easy. It's just another step. You'll be fine," she assured Keely.

Keely blinked a few times and collected herself. "Just another step," she echoed. "One foot in front of the other, one step at a time." She exhaled loudly, then looked at Harriet. "Let's get me to that hotel."

"Right on. Francesca!" Harriet hollered.

Francesca popped back in, finishing off a breakfast burrito. "Hmph? Dwess?" she asked, her mouth full.

"Dress." Keely rose, undoing her bathrobe. "Time to make your father a blubbering idiot."

Francesca's grin widened. "Fantastic!" She brushed crumbs off her hands and reached for the dress, slipping it out from under the protective cover. She held it out, letting Keely bend over and slide into it carefully, so as not to mess up her hair.

Keely straightened, butterflies of excitement and exhilaration joining in with those of nervousness. She straightened, allowing Francesca to zip her up. "Harriet, my shoes should be at the edge of the bed...would you mind getting them for me?"

"Shoes, right." Harriet dug around, finally finding them *under* the bed, where Francesca had had to hide them, to save them from Sadie's wandering teeth. She slid them over to Keely.

Keely smiled. "Thanks." Deftly, her toes hooked in the back of the shoes and she slid her feet in, wiggling her toes around in excitement. "Are we all ready?"

"I think so." Harriet ducked out into the hallway, calling, "Mac! Martie! We're ready."

Martie sprayed Mac's hair a little bit and smiled. "I want some of that bet money. I called that ages ago."

Mac rose, adding a bit of lipstick. "Right, Martie."

Martie grinned and headed into the hallway. "The hotel called and the flowers are there."

Keely nodded, hiking up her dress to maneuver the stairs. "Did they say whether or not the groom was there with the flowers?"

* * *

AJ paced the length of the ballroom, muttering to himself. "Flowers, caterer, rings. I know I forgot something. I know it. What the hell did I forget?"

"Nothing," Harm assured him, from where he was relaxing in a folding chair. "Everything is under control, AJ."

Growling to himself, AJ continued to pace. "T minus thirty minutes. I'm going to have a heart attack before they even get here."

Bud piped in, "I'm sure everything's fine, Sir. They would have called if Keely had chickened out."

* * *

Keely bent down and gave Sadie a kiss goodbye. "Don't slobber on my dress, Saders. I might have to kill you." Instead, Sadie licked Keely's face, causing the bridal party to burst into giggles. Keely shook her head and rose, motioning to the gray December morning. "Let's get it on, girls." She opened the front door and took one last deep breath.

Martie leaned into Mac as she closed the door. "Do you have a brown bag for when she hyperventilates?"

Mac opened her coat and revealed a large Safeway brown paper bag. "We're set."

Keely climbed into the limo, smiling at the driver. "We're going to the Park Hyatt, 24th and M."

The driver smiled back, waiting until Francesca, Harriet, Mac and Martie were safely inside the limo before heading towards the city. "Beautiful day for a wedding," he commented. "I hope you like snow."

"It's going to snow?" Harriet squeaked in terror. "Oh my goodness, the guests...ice...on the sidewalk...wet slush..." She looked as if *she* might need Mac's paper bag.

Keely patted Harriet's arm. "It's okay, Harriet. The Hyatt has a large mat outside their front doors, and I'm sure they'll have extra carpets in the lobby. Everything is going to be just fine. And besides," she sat back against the leather seating, "I've always wanted a wedding with snow. It'll be beautiful."

"Yes, of course." Harriet's knuckles were white as she imagined all the things that could go wrong.

Martie opened the mini-bar in the limo and picked out a nice bottle of Johnny Walker Red, handing it to Harriet. "Take a swig. It'll calm you down."

* * *

Taking a long sip of the scotch and soda Harm had managed to procure, AJ sighed softly. "This is going to be all right. It is," he tried to convince himself.

"It'll be fine," Harm agreed. He turned his head as the door to the ballroom swung open.

Harriet smiled at the men. "Bud, can I steal you for a minute? We need you."

"Uh, sure," Bud replied, heading to his wife. Upon seeing the light blue dress on his wife, Bud stuttered a bit. "N - nice dress."

Blushing bright red, Harriet ducked her head as they left the flower-bedecked ballroom. "Thanks. Keely said I can keep it," she giggled.

"Great," Bud replied enthusiastically. "So what's going on? The ceremony is going to start soon."

"We need to get keep AJ in the ballroom for a few minutes," Harriet said, "but I didn't want to just say "you're grounded, sir"." She giggled again. "Can you just make sure he doesn't leave the ballroom for a few minutes? Keely needs about five minutes to get from the limo to the bridal suite without being seen."

Bud shrugged. "Sure, I can handle that." He gave Harriet a kiss on the cheek and headed back to the ballroom.

Harriet headed out to the limo. "Coast's clear!" she called. "Operation Garter Belt is up and running."

Keely took one look at Martie and burst out laughing. She grabbed Mac's hand and hoisted herself out of the limo. A small redheaded woman came up to her with a smile. "Ms. O'Reilly? I'm Alicia Carter. We spoke on the phone?"

Keely smiled. "Yes, of course. It's nice to meet you."

Alicia held the door open for Keely and the party. "I'll take you to the suite, if you'll just follow me."

Keely scanned the beautifully decorated marble lobby of the Park Hyatt for a minute before briskly following Alicia to the elevators. Once they were safely on board, Keely ordered her heart to return to a normal rhythm. Alicia showed them to a suite on the ninth floor, lavishly decorated in green and red for the Christmas holiday, complete with a Christmas tree, surrounded by presents. Keely grinned as she saw tiny flakes of snow dancing off the balcony. "It's perfect."

Martie whistled. "Damn, girl, I think I need to get a bigger chunk of those royalty checks."

Keely laughed, then turned to Alicia. "Have you seen the ballroom?"

Alicia nodded. "It looks great. Your guests are being seated now, so the processional can begin in about twenty minutes, or whenever you're ready."

"Twenty minutes sounds great," Keely nodded, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. Motioning to the presents and her bridesmaids, she said, "I think Santa came a little early for you guys."

"Keely," Francesca murmured, "you did not have to do that."

Harriet nodded agreement. "This is *your* day," she protested.

Keely shook her head. "It's also Christmas. And on both counts, you four have been the most amazing friends I could have ever wished for. I wouldn't have made it here without you guys. And anyway," she waved a hand, "it's nothing big. Just a little thank-you."

Martie shook her head, but headed over to the tree. She handed Harriet, Francesca and Mac their gifts, then looked at her present for a moment before tearing into it enthusiastically. She pulled out a plaque, her eyes tearing up as she read it. "Editor of the Year," she sniffed. "Shit, Keel, now you've messed up my makeup, God damn you!"

Keely smiled, handing Martie a tissue. "Not to mention best friend of the year," she whispered before hugging her friend. "I love you, Mar."

A bit more delicately, Harriet tore open the paper surrounding her gift. Her eyes widened as she saw a silver photograph frame. It had three sections, the first two containing little AJ's and Catie's Christmas card pictures. The third section was blank. "It's beautiful. But why is this one empty?" she asked Keely, wiping away her tears.

"It's for the next Roberts child, whenever he or she decides to join us," Keely replied, handing Harriet a tissue from the pile in her hand.

"Oh, Keely!" Harriet hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she said tearfully.

"You're welcome, Harriet. And thank *you* for everything you've done for me. I don't think I would have survived without you."

Mac smiled, her eyes looking around the larger package she held in her hands. Carefully, she opened it, bursting out laughing at what she saw. "A Super-Soaker?" she giggled.

Keely turned, smiling. "For the next time you come over. That way, you can defend yourself when I get rowdy."

Mac grinned. "Thanks, Keel."

Motioning to the back of the package, Keely said, "There's more."

Confused, Mac turned the package over to find an envelope. She opened it, surprised to find a gift certificate to Paper Moon, a wonderful restaurant in the heart of DC. "Thanks, Keely!" she said, surprised. "How did you - "

Keely shrugged. "I'm psychic."

Martie guffawed. "You are not. You heard AJ and Harm talking about it."

Keely grinned. "Or that." She turned to Francesca. "Come on, you, open your present before we have to go."

Francesca's smile lit up her face as she ripped the paper off the gift. As her eyes registered what they saw, she began to cry - making the tears unanimous. "Keely," she murmured, her fingers tracing the frame of the portrait. "It is lovely." Turning the charcoal drawing toward the girls, she explained unnecessarily, "My Papa and his grandson." With a sincere smile, she glanced up at Keely, adding, "But there is something missing." She paused briefly. "You."

Keely ducked her head. "I looked like I'd been run over by a Mack truck on that roll of film. There's something else. Look behind the frame."

Turning the portrait over, Francesca smiled as she saw what was obviously a plane ticket tucked into the back. Pulling it out gently, she gasped. "Keely, this is too much! Milan to Washington...these three must have cost you a small fortune."

Martie stood, readjusting her hem. "I repeat, I need more of those royalties. Christ, Keely."

Keely shrugged. "You guys deserve it. And this way, you have no excuse not to come see us."

There was a soft knock at the door and Mac went to answer it. "Who is it?"

"Alicia."

Keely hugged Francesca quickly and nodded to Mac to open the door. Alicia smiled. "It's about that time, if you all are ready."

Keely nodded. "I am. Guys?"

"Let's do it," Harriet grinned, reaching up to wipe away Martie's raccoon eyes where her tears had smeared her mascara.

Martie grinned at Harriet. "Thanks."

As they exited the room, Alicia handed each woman her bouquet, leaving Keely's for last. As they headed to the elevators, Martie wrapped an arm around Keely, using the half-inch height difference to kiss the redhead on her brow. "You can still turn around and run, Keel."

Keely shook her head. "Not in a million."

Martie grinned as they entered the elevators and descended to the mezzanine level. "That's what I thought you'd say."

They reached the ballroom doors and Alicia began to arrange the women as the processional music began. There was a blip on the walkie-talkie that hung on her hip, and she turned to the bridal party and began to speak softly. "The groomsmen are making their way to the front, and the flower girl and ring bearer are heading our way. We'll wait for them and then we'll step off."

Standing underneath the arch of flowers, AJ fidgeted inside, but his outward appearance gave no sign of nerves. Harm stood beside him, half a flyboy grin on his face, remembering his own wedding day. Bud, Tiner and Giovanni made an odd little procession of their own as they made their way up the aisle and claimed their places beside Harm.

Alicia received another blip on her walkie-talkie as Catie and little AJ joined the bridal party outside the ballroom doors. She knelt down and spoke to them softly before moving to open the doors. "Here we go."

From behind a corner, Keely watched as Catie and AJ made their way proudly down the aisle, followed by Harriet, Francesca and Mac. Martie paused a minute before she stepped off, glancing over her shoulder at Keely and giving her the thumbs-up sign.

Keely closed her eyes and touched the small cross hanging from her flowers, saying a quick prayer as Alicia closed the doors. Keely made her way up to the edge of the doors, taking a few deep breaths as Alicia readjusted her dress. The music changed and Keely couldn't help but smile.

"Ready?" Alicia asked.

Keely nodded. "Let's do it."

Alicia smiled, opening the doors.

The doors swung open, and AJ's heart pounded. This was it.

Keely took another deep breath before stepping off. Her hands were shaking and sweaty, but the smile on her face barely wavered as she walked down the aisle. She winked at Jack as she passed him, and even Sam, her editor - staunch, pole-up-his-ass Sam - smiled at her as she passed.

Keely returned her gaze to the arch, watching AJ's reaction as she neared.

Reaction was the wrong word for what AJ did as Keely approached the front of the aisle. "Had a heart attack" would be a better choice of words. If there hadn't been a crowd of fifty people gathered to see them get married, AJ would've spirited her off to the bridal suite and they wouldn't have left for days. But since they'd already paid for the flowers and the minister, AJ figured he'd better just wait it out. His eyes widened, as Keely got closer. "Damn," he murmured.

Keely saw the change in his eyes, and nearly burst out laughing. She finally ascended the steps the hotel had placed at the arch and winked at AJ. "Hey there."

"Hey, kiddo. How was your morning?" he whispered as the minister fiddled with a few note cards.

"Oh, same old, same old." Keely looked appreciatively at AJ in his tuxedo. "Nice outfit."

"Thanks, you too." AJ's eyes caressed Keely. The dress showed off just enough of her shoulder and back to make him want more.

Keely smiled, taking the opportunity to look around the beautifully decorated ballroom. There were flowers everywhere, accented by twinkling white Christmas lights and candles. She turned, handing her bouquet to Martie, and then stood, her hands folded at her waist.

The minister glanced up, a smile adorning her face. "Are we ready?" she murmured to AJ and Keely.

Keely nodded. "I think so," she said quietly, looking at AJ.

"Yup." AJ nodded, a nervous smile tugging at his the corners of his mouth.

Maria, the minister from the Episcopalian church down the street from their home, raised her voice to address the congregated friends and family. "Welcome, everyone. As you already know, today we're gathered here to celebrate the joining of AJ and Keely in holy matrimony. But before we begin, I've asked the best man," she gestured toward Harm, "and the matron of honor," indicating Martie, "to say a few words about how AJ and Keely got here. And Martie's promised not to say 'in a limo'," Maria chuckled, before turning the floor over to Martie and Harm.

Martie smiled, standing next to Keely and AJ. "Once upon a time, not too long ago, because that would make us old, Keely and I sat under the stars in the Grand Canyon. I remember looking over at her and was shocked to find her sitting with her eyes closed. When she opened them, I asked her what she was doing. 'Wishing on a star', she replied, and I remember that she ducked her head at her cliché. 'About what?', I asked, knowing for certain that Keely believed we are all makers of our own destiny. 'For my knight in shining armor,' she replied. 'For the one who's not an a-hole, for the one who will let me be independent, but will understand when I'm clingy. For the one who loves me unconditionally, but will still rip into me when I deserve it most.'" Martie turned and smiled. "Many years later; again, not *too* many, Keely called me up and couldn't stop talking about some man that had come into her bar. And at that exact moment, believe it or not, I saw a shooting star cross the sky above me, and I knew Keely had found her knight and everything she'd wanted. It hasn't been the easiest ride, but what is? All I know is that Keely adores AJ with everything she is, and that I've never seen her happier than when she's with him."

AJ chuckled softly, his hand reaching for Keely's, squeezing her fingers gently.

Harm picked up where Martie left off. "I've never seen the Admiral wish on a star," he began with a lopsided grin. "But I've known AJ for almost fifteen years, and I've never seen him happier than when he's with Keely. He's a totally different person when she's around: funny, laid-back..." Harm trailed off as the guests laughed. "Like Martie said, they've had their trials. But through everything, the one constant was unconditional love. They are a matched set, if I've ever seen one," Harm finished up, "independent but totally devoted to one another. And if she could put up with him this long, how hard could the next forty years be?"

Keely laughed, squeezing AJ's hand back and wiping her eyes with her free one. She winked at AJ as they turned to face Maria once more, the nervousness dissipating slightly.

Maria smiled reassuringly at the pair. "I've known Keely and AJ for almost a year, since they started planning their wedding." She paused dramatically. "But unfortunately, all the good stuff is protected by clergy-penitent privilege. So let's just get on with it, shall we?" she smiled. "AJ and Keely, you've come to me today to receive God's blessing on your union. You've come to make known your love in front of friends and family, and to ask for their blessings for your marriage." She turned to Keely. "Do you, Keely Shannon O'Reilly, take this man, AJ Chegwidden, to be your lawfully and spiritually wedded husband?"

Keely turned to face AJ, holding his hands in hers. Clearing her throat, she looked in his eyes and said, "I do."

Maria had obviously tailored the vows to the couple's unique sense of humor. "Will you love him through sickness and health, through wealth and poverty, through PMS and moments of doubt?"

Joining in the light chuckles of the crowd, Keely nodded. "I will."

"Do you promise to love him from now until you are parted by death?"

Affected by the mere thought, Keely ducked her head and bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears. After a moment, she raised her eyes and nodded again. "I promise," she whispered, wiping at her clouded eyes.

"Good." Maria smiled gently at Keely before turning to AJ. "Do you, AJ Chegwidden, take this woman, Keely Shannon O'Reilly, to be your lawfully and spiritually wedded wife?"

AJ wrapped his fingers around Keely's, holding them tightly, like a lifeline. "I do," he said, any hint of nervousness disappearing from his voice as his eyes searched Keely's.

"Will you love and cherish her, through sickness and health, through wealth and poverty?"

Nodding, AJ affirmed, "I will."

Maria smiled. "And will you love her, even when you're being the stubborn SeAL and Admiral that everyone who knows you knows that you can be?"

A laugh burst forth from AJ's throat. "Damn right I will," he said, chuckling.

"Do you promise to love her from now until you are parted by death?"

"I do." AJ reached out, his strong fingers brushing another tear off Keely's cheek. "Every day."

Keely closed her eyes as AJ's hand touched her cheek, and she forced them open. "I love you," she whispered. "Always."

Melting, AJ could only nod, and echo, "Always."

"You guys are stealing my show," Maria teased in a whisper. She raised her voice again. "As a symbol of their love, AJ and Keely have offered each other a ring. Rings are an almost universal representation of the circle of love: pure, unbroken and never-ending." She crouched down, beckoning little AJ closer. Removing the rings from his little satin pillow, Maria dabbed holy water on them, blessing them. Handing each their partner's ring, she said, "AJ, place the ring on Keely's finger and repeat after me: With this ring, I promise you my eternal love."

AJ took Keely's ring and slid it onto her finger. "With this ring, I promise you my eternal love." His eyes shone with happy tears.

"Keely, place the ring on AJ's finger and repeat after me: With this ring, I promise you my eternal love."

With shaking hands, Keely took the ring and said with a smile, "Even though you already have it, with this ring, I promise you my eternal love."

Chuckling softly, AJ raised Keely's left hand to his lips, kissing it gently.

"Then by the power vested in me by the Episcopalian Church and the state of Virginia, I pronounce you husband and wife." Reaching for the small bowl of holy water, Maria dipped her fingers in it and touched them to Keely and AJ's foreheads. Then she looked out over the guests. "Since Keely is Irish, her friends asked me to bless them in the old Irish custom." Maria grinned broadly. "So here is a toast to lying, cheating, drinking and stealing. If you lie, lie in the arms of the one you love." She smiled at Keely. "If you cheat, may you cheat death," she blessed AJ. "If you steal, steal your lover's heart. And if you drink, drink deeply of the joy of your new life together." Pausing, she added, "and as my mother used to say, 'May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.'" Laying a hand on Keely's shoulder, she laid the other on AJ's, turning them gently to face the crowd. "Friends, Mr. and Mrs. AJ and Keely Chegwidden!" Squeezing AJ's shoulder, she added, "You can kiss the bride anytime now."

Keely grinned, looking up at AJ, as Martie let out an ear piercing, "Yeah!" and started the congregation in a standing ovation of thunderous applause.

AJ bent his head, capturing Keely's lips with his own. With a ferocious happiness, he kissed the breath out of her.

In an effort to balance herself, Keely placed her newly heavy left hand on his cheek, shivering from a combination of his kiss, her giddiness and the cool, foreign platinum pressing against her hand. She broke the kiss, wiping the tears from her eyes and the lipstick from AJ's mouth.

Laughing, AJ looked out at their guests, who were clapping and hooting. "Ready to party?"

"Heck yeah!" Keely replied, getting her bouquet from Martie's outstretched hand. As AJ helped her down the steps, Keely was shocked to hear not her original recessional music of "The Holly and the Ivy", but instead, an Amanda Marshall song.

"They called us crazy behind our backs; romantic fools, we'll just let them laugh, because we knew it may be a long shot, it may get lonely down the line. But love knows no reason, and I won't let them make up my mind. My money's riding on this dark horse, baby, my heart is saying it's the lucky one. And its true color's gonna shine through someday, if we let this, let this dark horse run."

Keely paused and turned, shocked. Certain she'd see a telltale glint in Martie's eye, Martie simply shrugged and motioned somewhere behind Keely. As she and AJ made their way down the aisle, Jack winked. "Had to keep you on your toes, Special K." Keely's mouth dropped open and she laughed all the way to the hallway outside the ballroom, where she turned to AJ. "Dude," she said incredulously. "We're freakin' *married*."

"I know, right?" AJ chuckled. "It's weird."

"But a good weird," Keely countered, squeezing his hand.

"A very good weird." AJ tugged at the collar of his tuxedo shirt. "Can we change now? I hate monkey suits."

Keely laughed, rising up on her toes and kissing him gently. "We have to do pictures and part of the reception first before we can change. Sorry."

"Damn." AJ wrapped his arms around Keely's waist and lifted her slightly off her feet, kissing her soundly.

A catcall sounded from behind them, and AJ turned to see Harm clapping, and Mac, her fingers in her mouth, whistling loudly.

Keely grinned broadly and kissed AJ's neck before wiggling in a silent attempt to be released from AJ's strong hold.

The rest of the wedding party joined them in the hallway, and Keely noticed Martie wiping away a few stray tears. "Aw, Salinas, were you moved?"

Martie made a face and motioned to the poinsettias in the ballroom. "Yeah, O'Reilly, I wish they'd move it to Pittsburgh. Damn plants affected my allergies, that's all."

"You're full of it, Martie," AJ chuckled, releasing Keely, but keeping his arm lightly around her waist. "Now, can we get the pictures and stuff over with? I'm hungry and this tie is cutting off the blood flow to my brain."

As they filed into the reception room, AJ heard Harm murmur laughingly to Mac, "So *that's* why he finally got married. He was oxygen-deprived."

* * *

Thirty minutes and a hundred pictures later, Keely noted with humor that AJ was fidgeting more than little AJ and Catie combined. Luckily, the photographer caught wind of this and nodded to the group. "That should do it. Congratulations, kids."

Keely grinned at AJ, and then knelt down next to Catie, retying the blue satin bow at the little girl's back. "You ready for food?"

Catie shook her head, but then grinned. "I'm ready for cake!"

"Not until you eat dinner," Harriet called from across the room, without looking up from what she was doing.

Keely grinned back at Catie. "I promise I'll save you the biggest piece for after dinner, okay?"

Slinging her shoes over her shoulder, Martie's head shot up. "Hey, I thought *I* got first dibs on the biggest piece!"

"No way," Catie said firmly. "I had to wear a *dress* and carry *flowers*," she added dramatically. "You can have the next biggest."

Bud held out his hand to his little girl. "Come on, sweetheart, let's go downstairs, okay?"

Martie turned, dumbfounded. "Wait a minute, what the hell kind of logic is that? I had to wear a dress and carry flowers too!"

Keely shook her head. "Think of it this way, Martie. You get to have alcohol."

Martie nodded, a sly smile crossing her face. "True. Very, very true." Clapping her hands, she started to round up the bridal parties and head them downstairs to Melrose, the Hyatt's restaurant, for the reception.

After the room had been cleared, Keely took one final look at the ballroom, and all its beauty, before heading to the doors herself, lacing her fingers with AJ's.

The scents of a fabulous dinner caught AJ's nose before they even entered the restaurant. The maitre'd held the door and AJ and Keely came into the room to applause and cheers.

As they made their way to the head table, Keely couldn't help but get choked up at the intimate gathering of friends and family that surrounded them. She sat down at her seat, dabbing her eyes before digging in ravenously to the house salad they placed before her.

After Keely and AJ had settled and had something in their stomachs, Martie rose, clinking her fork against her champagne glass. The room quieted, and Martie smiled. "Thanks. Normally, it's about this time that either the best man or matron of honor make a congratulatory speech to the newlyweds. Well, as much as Harm and I love the attention," she paused amidst the light laughter in the room, "we thought it might be more appropriate to have AJ's daughter say a few words. Francesca?"

"Thank you, Martie," Francesca smiled, standing nervously. She smoothed her light blue dress, winking at her father and stepmother. "Keely," she began. "You know that I did not like you much when I met you. But," she added quickly, "Papa changed my mind. I saw how happy you made him, how he smiled when he spoke of you. I realized that you were meant to be. And now that I know you, I know that you are a good person, sweet and funny. I could not wish a better woman for my Papa."

AJ's heart swelled as he listened to his daughter speak about his fiancée - *wife*, he corrected himself mentally.

Francesca turned to her father. "Papa, I love you," she said, choking on her words. "I am happy that you are happy, that is all I can say. I hope you and Keely are as happy for the rest of your lives as you are now. Il dio li benedice." She sat down to a few soft claps and a lot of sniffling.

Keely sniffled along with the rest of the guests, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose softly as Martie rose again, raising her flute. "To AJ and Keely; may the remainder of your ride be less bumpy, but no less fun."

Keely raised her glass, smiling her gratitude at Martie and Francesca, her emotions written plainly on her face.

"To love," Francesca chimed in.

AJ grinned. "To getting O'Reilly down the aisle, finally."

"Oorah," Harm cheered.

Keely's mouth dropped open and she glared at AJ, with a grin the size of Montana on her face. "*Me*? Me, Mr. Marriage-phobe?" She raised her own glass in Martie and Jack's directions. "To Viagra. And kids, don't ask your parents what I mean by that."

AJ growled a warning in Keely's ear. "If we're going to air our dirty laundry, Miss Professor, I'd like to point out that I'm not the one who needs Viagra, if you get my drift."

Keely shot a prim and teasing look at AJ, but quieted nonetheless, returning to her dinner. As the servers began clearing plates, Keely rose, relying on Mac's whistle to get everyone's attention. "Thanks," she said. "Well, first, I'd like to thank you all for being here...I know it was a bit of a shock for some of you to get phone calls and/or invitations, but your presence here really means a lot. I would especially like to thank the Florence Nightingale of weddings, Harriet Roberts, for her expertise and friendship...Harriet, without you, I know we wouldn't be here. We'd be in Vegas or something. A big thank you as well to my best friend Martie Salinas, and her husband David, for their constant laughter and friendship, and Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb for keeping us all in check." Turning to AJ, Keely smiled shyly. "And to my husband," her voice cracked as she said the long-awaited word, "being with you in any respect amazes me, and there are no words to thank you for all you've given me. But," she smiled, a bit stronger now, "I thought it might be fun to give you something in return." Turning back to the guests, she made her way to the restaurant entrance, where she took a platter from one of the servers. "AJ's a Texan boy, and at many Southern weddings, the bride makes a groom's cake. Now, AJ knows I don't cook, and for any and all baking attempts, the National Guard must be called in. But, I made it work this time. So, honey, here's your groom's cake." Keely placed the platter in front of him, and took off the sheet covering it, revealing a chocolate frosted battleship.

AJ burst out laughing. "Honey, that's *priceless*. How'd you manage this?" he asked, coming around the head table to peer at the cake.

"While you were at work last week, Harriet and I destroyed both our kitchens. But it ended up working," Keely replied, blushing. "You like? Bud tested it, and he hasn't keeled over dead yet, so we're figuring I didn't screw it up too badly."

Bud poked his children gently, and on cue, all three pretended to fall over dead.

Laughing, AJ held up a fork hesitantly. "Do I dare?"

Turning to Harm, Keely asked, "Now, if I accidentally poison him, I still get widow's benefits, right?"

"Accidentally, yes."

"Well, the definition of 'accidentally' can be manipulated," Keely grinned. "Go ahead, sweetheart."

Lowering his fork, AJ shook his head. "Uh...maybe after dinner?" he grinned. "Thanks, Keel." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "It means a lot." Clearing his throat, AJ said, "However, my gift to you is...well, I couldn't really bring it with me, it's at home. You'll have to wait until later tonight to see it - even though I know how much you hate waiting."

Martie let out a low "oooh" and then led the reception in a loud round of applause. Keely touched AJ's cheek and smiled. "I'm glad you like it," she replied.

"I love it. I love *you*." He paused. "I love cake. Speaking of which?" AJ turned to Catie and little AJ. "Who's ready for cake?"

"I am!" Catie piped up, in chorus with her brother.

"Maggie?" AJ turned, glancing at Keely's daughter, sitting at the table next to theirs. "Would you do the honor of cutting the wedding cake?"

Maggie nodded, eyes wide. "Really?" she asked.

Keely nodded, placing a hand on Maggie's shoulder and handing her the knife. "Go for it. Just make sure he can't smash it in my face."

"How do I prevent that?" Maggie giggled. "Would you help me?" she whispered nervously to her birth mom.

"Of course, honey," Keely replied, placing a hand over Maggie's as she cut gently through the wonderful richness of a cake from the Watergate bakery. "Now make a triangular cut...a little smaller...perfect!" Keely reached over and got a plate, helping Maggie guide the piece onto the china. She bent down and gave it to Catie, dropping a dollop of icing on the little girl's nose.

Catie giggled, extending her tongue and licking the icing off. "Thank you." She sat down, taking a huge bite of cake.

Maggie placed another piece on a plate, passing it to Keely. "That one's AJ's," she ordered. "It's got the rose on it, he likes the icing best."

AJ grinned. "How'd you remember that?" he asked.

Maggie shrugged. "I just did."

Keely grinned, handing AJ the plate. "One piece of cake, hold the cake," she joked, fingering a piece of icing with her index finger and reaching for AJ's nose.

Leaning back, AJ shook his head with a grin. "Do it and you'll be wearing that piece," he warned.

"Darn," Keely said, licking the icing off her finger. "You're no fun."

"That's not what you were saying the other night," AJ teased.

Keely shot him a look. "Not around the young ones, AJ," she laughed, giving Maggie a hug for her help.

Maggie winked at AJ. "You and I know the truth," she murmured, nudging Keely. "*She's* the party pooper."

Catching Maggie in a headlock and rustling her hair, Keely retorted, "I am *not* a party pooper, young lady. I'm just trying not to add you to the list of youth that I've corrupted."

"Too late." Maggie grinned, wriggling out of Keely's grasp. "Don't let her have any more kids," she mock-warned AJ. "She'll warp 'em."

AJ echoed Maggie, grinning, "Might be too late. The idea's already there." Turning to Keely, he held out his hand. "If I have to stay in this monkey suit, do I at least get to dance with my wife?"

Releasing Maggie with a light, loving smack to the back of the head, Keely took AJ's hand. "I like hearing you say that," she confessed softly, in that voice she knew AJ loved. "It has a nice ring to it."

As AJ pulled Keely into his arms, he growled at her. "Don't use that voice," he warned. "It makes my insides ache."

"That's the whole point," Keely replied with a grin. Wrapping one arm around his waist and lacing her right hand with his left, she turned his hand to admire the white gold band adoring it. "I can't believe we're here," she continued softly, seriously. "It seemed like forever and a day to get here, and now, it feels like half a second has gone by."

"I know," AJ replied, lowering his mouth to kiss Keely quickly, as other couples started gathering around them on the makeshift dance floor. "Do you remember when we danced like this in Italy?" he murmured, holding her close.

Keely nodded, laying her head on his shoulder, her mouth tickling his neck. "I remember the first time you came into the bar, to meet with the SecNav." She chuckled, raising her head. "I wondered then what Shaun would think if I dated a much older man." Keely shook her head. "If I'd only known what snowball effect that thought would bring."

"You did?" AJ leaned back. "I just thought you had a nice ass, for a bartender."

Keely hit him lightly on his own ass. "I thought you were the most frustrating man I'd ever met, no matter how hot I thought you were."

"Whoo," AJ chuckled. "I knew you were gonna be my girl as soon as you did that karaoke crap."

Keely laughed. "That was pretty sad, wasn't it? But it had really good after effects."

"Definitely." AJ's stomach knotted up, remembering their first time together. "Do you remember that night?"

Keely groaned softly. "I couldn't forget it if I tried."

"Is that a good thing?" AJ murmured, tickling her ear with his words.

"Definitely," Keely echoed, pulling herself fully against him.

"Good." AJ grinned suddenly, remembering something else. "Did we do anything that night except break to pee?" he teased quietly.

Keely bit her lip in thought, then shook her head with a grin. "Nope. As I recall, we didn't even shower afterwards." She rose and kissed him slowly. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Me, either. You're a good lay." AJ ducked, knowing he'd get smacked.

Keely's mouth dropped open. "I'm caught in between being aroused and being offended," she replied.

"Go for aroused, it was a compliment," AJ leaned in, twirling Keely slowly around the floor. When they were together, it was as if no one else existed.

Keely played her nails against the back of his neck. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, truly comforted for the first time that day. "Were you nervous today?" she asked softly, trailing her free hand under his tuxedo jacket.

"Like a deer staring at an oncoming semi-trailer," AJ teased, his hand tracing lines in the soft skin of her bare back. "But in a good way."

Keely laughed. "Mac and Harriet had a bet going as to whether or not I'd freak out."

"Who won?"

"Harriet. I had a bit of a breakdown at home. Luckily, it was only for ten bucks. I told Harriet later that she should have upped the ante and had a good payday."

Laughing softly, AJ kissed Keely's cheek. "I was ready to bolt until I saw you coming down the aisle."

"But we made the right decision, right?" Keely leaned back slightly, searching his eyes.

"No question."

Keely smiled, folding up in his embrace again. "Good." They danced closely for a little bit, through many of the "wedding essentials", until Keely leaned back again. "I need a break. Maybe you should ask Francesca to dance."

"Okay." AJ kissed her forehead, worrying - probably unnecessarily. "You okay?" he asked Keely, watching her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. My feet are just killing me." She hefted her skirt up and showed him her strappy shoes. "See?"

Nodding with a grin, AJ escorted Keely back to the table and extended his hand to his daughter. "Giovanni, can I steal my daughter?"

"Si, Signore." Giovanni smiled broadly, cuddling his son, who had slept through the entire ceremony and most of the reception.

AJ and Francesca made a beautiful pair on the dance floor, chatting as they moved around the floor.

Martie came up next to Keely and sat in AJ's seat, watching AJ and Francesca. "I've never seen you smile so much, O'Reilly." Laughing, she corrected herself. "Chegwidden. I mean Chegwidden."

Keely laughed. "Either works, Salinas." She shrugged, taking a drink of water. "And I've never smiled this much because I've never had a reason to smile this much."

Martie smiled, kissing Keely on the cheek. "Just make sure you don't have lipstick on your teeth. Then, you'd look like a doofus."

Finishing their dance, AJ settled Francesca back at the table with Giovanni before sinking down next to Keely. "Hey, baby, can we go home yet?" he murmured. "I'm exhausted."

Keely nodded. "We just have to throw the garter and the bouquet, and then it's home."

"Fantastic." AJ stood, tapping his water glass. "Okay, folks. My bride," he grinned, "and I are pretty much tuckered out, so if we could just do the bouquet and the garter, we're gonna kick ya'll out and go to sleep."

Martie snickered and replied under her breath, "Or something."

Keely took the tossing bouquet out of the box from under her seat and said, "All right, all you single ladies, out to the dance floor." Using Martie's head as a balancer, she climbed up on her chair and called out over her shoulder, "One, two, three!"

Harriet giggled from the sidelines, cheering, "Go Francesca! It's yours, girl!"

"Heads up!" Keely threw the small bouquet over her shoulder and then turned slightly to see who caught it.

Maggie stood, her eyes wide as she stared at the bouquet in her hands. Harriet and Catie started the round of applause.

Jackie shook her head as Maggie glanced at her. "No way," her mom grinned. "Not until you're thirty."

"Hey!" Keely laughed, clapping loudly. "Way to go, Mag!"

"Thanks, *Mom*," Maggie glanced from Jackie to Keely, laughing at both of them. She plopped down, blushing, slouching in her seat to avoid everyone's applause.

Martie helped Keely down, who grinned at AJ as she lifted up the skirt of her dress slowly, revealing shapely legs.

Swallowing hard, AJ got down on his knees in front of Keely.

"Hey, isn't that elderly abuse?" Harm teased.

"Watch it, boy," AJ growled with a smile, reaching for Keely's leg. His hand trembled slightly as his fingers brushed her soft skin.

"It's up a little higher, there, old man," Keely teased, wrapping a hand around the back of his neck and stroking softly.

"You're gonna get it later," AJ promised, his hand slipping over her silky thigh. His finger hooked around the garter easily, but AJ took his time, pretending to struggle with the little piece of lace and elastic.

Keely let out a nervous laugh, shaking her head. "Me? You're the worse of the two of us," she replied.

AJ chuckled, sliding the garter down Keely's leg slowly. "Not by much," he teased in a breathless whisper.

"We'll see," Keely replied softly, her voice reverting back to the tone that she knew drove AJ crazy.

Harm stood up, announcing, "Okay, guys, it's our turn." The single men gathered around AJ, watching him remove the garter. Half of them looked nervous, the other half couldn't tear their eyes from Keely's legs.

AJ lowered his voice to a throaty growl, hoping to affect Keely the way she was affecting him. "We'll see, indeed, kid." He pulled the garter off triumphantly and aimed it behind him, tossing it quickly.

Giovanni caught the garter, blushing as AJ teased him about making his daughter 'an honest woman'. When all that was done, AJ turned to Keely, pleading, "Now can we go?"

Laughing, Keely rose and kissed him deftly on the cheek. "Now we can go. I just have to grab my purse from upstairs and then the limo will take us back to the house. Can you last another five minutes?"

"I think so." AJ smiled at Keely.

"'Kay." Rising from the table and blushing as Martie and Mac started a rousing round of applause for them, Keely took AJ's hand and they headed back upstairs to the bridal suite. Leaning against the elevator's mirrored walls, Keely let out a sigh of relief. "God, my feet hurt," she said, turning and readjusting her hair in the mirror.

"You look amazing," AJ murmured, brushing his lips across her bare neck.

Keely tilted her head back, smiling and shivering at the contact. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

"Thanks." His hands traveled around Keely's front, making much-missed contact. "I missed you last night," he whispered.

"Mmmm," Keely replied, turning in his arms and capturing his earlobe with her teeth. "I missed you, too. That bed's too big without you."

"Told'ja you'd freeze without me," AJ teased, his stomach churning at Keely's touch. Just then, the elevator doors dinged open and AJ groaned. "Dammit."

Keely laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her suite. "Think of it this way: the faster we change, the faster we get home."

"Okay, let's do it."

An hour later, Keely stretched her jean-clad legs and climbed out of the limo, never happier to see her home than she was at that moment. She reached in and grabbed her garment bag, accessories bag and purse, grinning at AJ as she made her way up their front walk. Fitting her key into the lock, she commented, "Smells like snow. Maybe we'll have a white Christmas after all."

"I hope so." AJ sighed softly, his entire body numb from the receding adrenaline.

Keely opened the door, and a sleepy-eyed Sadie greeted them. "Hey, beautiful girl. What do you say we get Daddy into bed?" Keely turned and kissed AJ as she shut the door. "Why don't you head on upstairs? You look absolutely exhausted."

"I am. I'll meet you in bed in ten minutes," he promised.

"Okay." Keely watched him go and then turned to Sadie. "Do you have to go out, kiddo?" At the dog's tired woof, Keely smiled, making her way to the back door. She watched Sadie stretch and then do her thing on the white-dusted ground, inhaling the scent of winter; only this time, there wasn't a sadness about it. Keely shook her head. *Can't blame the sappiness on anything but your demeanor, Keely,* she thought, opening the back door for Sadie. "Come on, cutie, bedtime," Keely said, turning off the lights and heading to her bedroom.

AJ was curled up on his side of the bed, awaiting his bride.

Keely went into the bathroom to change, brushing her teeth as she put on her GW mesh shorts and tank top. She rinsed and put her hair up in a messy bun, grinning at the sight she made. It wasn't exactly how she had imagined spending her wedding night, but somehow, it was appropriate. She turned out the bathroom light and headed into bed, curling up in the soft down of the comforter. She moved to her side, facing AJ, and smiled.

"Hey, baby," AJ murmured.

Scooting closer, Keely whispered, "Hey, honey." She ran a hand along his side. "Did you have a good time?"

"Fantastic," AJ yawned. "You?"

"It was amazing." Keely reached behind her and removed one of the decorative pillows from behind her head. As she did so, she saw the clock. "Merry Christmas," she said. "It's after twelve."

"Merry Christmas," AJ murmured, wrapping his arms around Keely as they snuggled under the down comforter. "Mrs. Chegwidden," he added with a contented smile.

THE END