Chapter 1

Lies, that's what his marriage had been based on. No, he can't even say that. It was only one lie. One lie that Faith had known from the beginning. He had questioned her many times on how she knew when he knows he hadn't given anything away. Faith always told him the same thing. 'You may be able to fool others, but I go to bed with you every night'. She never got upset over it. In fact, she's encouraged him through everything.

John had gotten lucky with Faith. She could have easily torn him apart for what he'd hid from her, but she didn't. She understood more than John ever could have imagined. And as he sits here, watching as Faith exchanges vows with the man she should have always been with, John can't help but feel guilty that he held her back. It's because of him Faith almost lost Chris. Of course, the marriage did give John the best thing in his life, a daughter. Oakley is now five and has been John's life ever since. He would give everything up just for her.

Watching Faith and Chris walk back down the aisle, John can't help but smile. Faith looks at him as she passes, smiling widely at him. John lets out a soft breath as he watches them disappear out of the church. Looking back up toward the alter, John sees Oakley making her way over to him. He laughs softly at the way she's carefully walking.

"Did you see me?" Oakley asks wrapping her arms around John's legs.

"I sure did," John answers. "You look beautiful Peach." John leans down, lifting Oakley up. "Want to go find Mama?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go." John walks outside to find Faith and Chris standing at the bottom of the church stairs, greeting everyone who walks by. "I see Mama." John walks down the steps.

Faith smiles up at him. "Two of my favorite people," she says.

"Congratulations Faith," John says before he kisses her cheek and slides his right arm around her in a gentle hug. "You finally get your happy ending."

Faith reaches up, resting her hand on John's cheek. "You'll get yours too. Don't give up."

John nods as he lets Faith take Oakley from him. Looking at Chris, John holds his hand out. "Congratulations Chris."

"Thank you John," Chris says shaking John's hand.

"You hurt her and I hurt you." John grins at him.

"I'll remember that."

"You are coming to the reception, right?" Faith asks.

"Of course I am," John answers. "I'm not missing my dance with you."

"Good."

"Mama, can I ride in the limo with you?" Oakley asks.

"On the ride to the reception you can."

"And then I go home with Daddy, right?"

"Yes." Faith looks at John. "Is it okay if she rides with us?"

"Absolutely. I'm going to go get out of this hot weather and into my air conditioned car."

"All right. We'll see you in a little while."

John nods. He waves before walking away. Walking past his former in-laws, he can't help but let out a soft breath. They hadn't been happy about Faith wanting him here, not that he really blames them. However, he knows why Faith wanted him to come. It has nothing to do with the fact he's Oakley's father. No, Faith wanted him here because despite their marriage failing, they are still good friends. John couldn't have asked for anything more from Faith. She has definitely been his angel throughout all of this.

******

John looks around the banquet hall and smiles a little. This is all the doing of Faith. Everything around the room screams Faith. It's almost what he had seen years earlier at his own reception. The biggest difference between the two is the color. This is all blue while theirs was green.

"John," Darrin Martin says walking over.

John looks at his ex-father-in-law and lets out a soft breath. "Darrin," he replies. "Beautiful wedding."

"It was wasn't it? The one that should have happened years ago. But you came in and ruined it."

"You only have yourself to blame. I came to you and asked your permission. You told me yes."

"Because I thought she was smart enough to know you're no good for her. And I was right. How dare you come here? Why would you want to ruin her…?"

"You don't know what you're talking about. I told her I shouldn't be here but she insisted I come. She wanted me here. So go tell your wife your insane theories of why my marriage with your daughter didn't last. Excuse me, I need to go find my daughter."

"She won't be yours for long. Not with Chris around. He's going to be her dad, unlike you. Or did Faith forget to tell you this?"

John stares at Darrin, baffled at what he had just said. There's no way it can be the truth.

"Faith, we were just talking about you."

John turns his attention to the blonde woman. "Tell me he's lying," he says.

"What?" Faith asks. "What did he say?"

"Are you taking my daughter away from me?"

"What? No…"

"Right, okay." John turns and walks out before Faith can finish. How could this be happening?

"John, wait," Faith calls after him when he steps out of the banquet hall.

"Why would you do this?" John asks as he turns to look at Faith.

"I didn't." She stares up at John. "I don't know what my dad told you, but you are Oakley's dad and that's never going to change."

"Well according to him, you're planning on having Chris be dad now."

"No, John. That's never going to happen. She doesn't have your name for nothing. I promise you John, you will always be daddy. Chris will be her step-dad, but never her dad. I promise." Faith reaches up, resting her hand on John's cheek. "You will never be replaced as daddy."

John nods. "Okay."

"You believe me?"

As he lets out a soft breath, John nods again. "Yes. I just…" John shrugs. "He'll never forgive me for the divorce."

"Just remember I never had anything to forgive you for." Faith hugs John. "You will always have a place in my heart."

"Right back at you."

"Now come on, you owe me a dance."

******

John tucks Oakley into bed. "Now you go right to sleep," he says. "It's late and way past your bedtime."

"I will," Oakley says as she hugs John. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Oakley." John kisses her before standing up. "Goodnight Princess."

"Night Daddy."

John turns the light off as he steps into the hallway and shuts the door half way, the way Oakley likes it, before making his way to his own bedroom. It's been a long day and John just wants to sleep.