And here we are. A week before the wedding. Everything is ready for the great event. The wedding of the year, as the reporters are calling it. The reporters, who literally camped out in front of the family home to get a photo of the future husband and wife and everyone else, or to get more details about the ceremony and all the rest. At Sebastian's direction, the gang patrols around the property 24 hours a day, making sure to keep prying eyes away.

I've already said that everything is ready. And it is, only the future husband and wife have no idea. What do I mean? Let's go see ...

~ SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2011 ~ LATE AT NIGHT ~

The family is gathered around the pool, drinking cold cocktails to beat the heat.

Mary: Oh, guys... You should see Lois' wedding dress. It's a masterpiece.

Lois: Say no more. I want it to be a surprise.

Sebastian: Just tell me one thing. Is it sexy enough?

The women look at each other and giggle.

Lois: Sexy enough. Oh, yeah.

Sebastian: Then I don't care about anything else.

Alexander: Don't say that, Wolf. The wedding dress is very important. I still remember Jace's reaction when he saw Mary in her dress. His breath caught in his throat. His knees buckled and I held him at the last moment.

Matt: It made sense. My Biscuit was a poem. The most beautiful bride I've ever seen.

Jace: And the groom was nothing to sneeze at either. Right, Sweetheart?

Matt: I'm not denying that, Perverted. I never doubted your beauty. I'm not blind, and I'm not stupid.

Simon: Yeah, but what made you say what you said to him when you saw him? You know, have a lot of kids, etc.

Matt: It was the light. The light that emanated from him. I knew from the first moment he walked into my house that he was charismatic, but on the day of the wedding, when I saw him coming down the stairs smiling, I saw that light. The light of the sun that Mary kept talking about and I thought she was biased by her love for him.

Isabella: I've never heard you talk about Jace like that before. Are you ill or something?

Jace: No, Beautiful. My Sweetheart just decided to show his true feelings for me.

They laugh, and Matt frowns.

Matt: Don't get excited, Perverted. That was a weak moment. It won't happen again.

Jace: I love you.

Matt: Fuck you.

Alexander: And he's back, ladies and gentlemen.

They laugh some more. A few minutes later, Jared gets a message on his phone.

Chloe: Who's it?

Jared: My sister. She says it's all set for Thursday. My mom is coming to help George and Zoe with the kids, and she and her husband are coming with us to the bachelor party.

Alexander: Good. I like your sister's husband.

Matt: How exactly do you like him?

Alexander: Easy, gladiator. As a friend. Nothing more.

Matt: Hmm ...

Jace: You know who else we should invite? James.

Alexander: JACE!

Matt: Why, baby? I think that's a very good idea. I like James.

Alexander: MATT!

Sebastian: Who's this James?

Jace: An old friend. He's a cop. Actually, a detective in the sex crimes unit. He's helped us out with a problem in the past.

Jared: And why does Alex react like that?

Simon: It's very simple, Jared. Because this James guy is a good-looking gay man and, more importantly, a big fan of Matt's.

Jared: Oh!

Alexander: That's bullshit. I don't have a problem with James. I just ...

Matt: You just what, baby?

Alexander: I just ... nothing. James isn't invited. End of story.

Matt: Whatever you say, Othello.

They're laughing again.

Chloe: Well ... Before our Othello commit a crime of passion here, let's go over some last-minute details. Thursday is the bachelor party and Saturday is the wedding. What about Friday? What are we gonna do then?

Matt: Nothing. On Friday night, the kids will sleep at the Dragon's Nest, the women will sleep at the Prince's Palace, and the men will sleep at our place.

Lois: Excuse me, but who decided that?

Matt: I did, Watermelon. Friday night is the night before the wedding. The groom shouldn't see you. You two won't see each other until you get to the altar. It's tradition.

Lois: And how am I supposed to sleep at night?

Mary: Like the rest of us. Like a pile of shit. You'll wake up every damn ten minutes, trying to find his body next to you. I went through the exact same thing.

Lois: God! I hate these stupid traditions.

Sebastian: Don't worry about it, Kitten. After the wedding, I promise we'll sleep together every night for the rest of our lives.

Lois: I hope you keep that promise, or I'll die of insomnia.

Sebastian: I will, but besides, I still have to organize our honeymoon. We shouldn't have left this to the last minute.

Jace: Actually, you don't have to.

Sebastian: What's that supposed to mean?

Jace: It means I've arranged everything for you and my sister.

Matt: You mean Clary arranged everything. You just paid the bills.

Jace: Whatever, Sweetheart. That's what she's paying for. Anyway. Like I said, right after the wedding reception, you go to the airport and fly to Athens. At El. Venizelos Airport, a limo will be waiting to take you to the Grande Bretagne Hotel downtown. It's located directly opposite the Greek Parliament. There will be a motorcycle waiting for you at the hotel so you can get around, because the traffic in the city is a disaster. You'll be staying there for a week. You'll have plenty of time to visit the Acropolis and the museum. To stroll through the narrow streets of Monastiraki. To pop into the traditional shops, dance with the street musicians and of course, to eat the traditional delicious souvlaki in Plaka against the backdrop of the Parthenon.

Mary: Don't forget to watch the National Guard changing shifts in front of the Parliament. The spectacle is breathtaking. Seven-foot tall, beautiful men in traditional costumes perform something akin to choreography with absolute precision and superb discipline. It'll leave you in awe.

Jace: And of course, you've got to explore what the locals call Athens by night. The so-called "Bouzoukia." Live orchestra, singers, dancers, and lots of flowers. The Greeks know how to have a good time.

Matt: You can say that again!

Jace: The next Sunday morning, you'll leave the hotel and take a limousine to Piraeus, which, by the way, is one of the largest ports in Europe. There you'll see the famous lion of Piraeus, the Porto Leone, which, according to legend, guarded the entrance to the port from pirates. Afterwards, a yacht will be waiting for you there to begin your cruise to the islands. The first stop is on Naxos and then on Santorini. You will stay three days on Naxos and four on Santorini. The captain of the yacht will tell you where to go and what to see.

Mary: Don't forget to visit the taverna of old Stelios. You'll love him, his stories, and his delicious fish that he catches himself. Tell him that the Blond Prince and his Brunette Angel sent you. Also, don't miss swimming in the Red-Hot Waters under the volcano. You'll remember me. And of course, we expect photos of you in the face of the setting sun.

Jace: After that, the yacht will take you to Thessaloniki, where you will stay for two days.

Mary: Then you take the plane back here. That's it.

Sebastian and Lois look at Jace and Mary with wide eyes and are speechless.

Jace: Come on, say something.

Matt: Give them some time. They're in shock.

Alexander: You shouldn't have told them all together. They're freaked out.

Jared stands up and walks closer to Sebastian. He snaps his fingers in front of his eyes.

Jared: Hey, Sebby? You okay, buddy?

But Sebastian nothing. He continues to stare off into space, unresponsive, just like Lois.

Mary: Oh, God! What have we done, Prince?

Jace walks up to Lois and shakes her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

Jace: Lois, please talk to me. You're scaring the hell out of me.

Chloe: What if we throw water on them?

Jared: Don't joke, Beauty.

Chloe: I'm not.

Isabella: Maybe we should call a doctor or something?

Chloe: Oh, come on!

She stands up and grabs two glasses of water.

Chloe: Let me through.

She stands in front of the couple and pours the water on their faces.

Jace: Chloe, no!

Sebastian and Lois jump up and scream.

Sebastian/Lois: What the fuck?

Chloe: Did you see that? Everything's fine now. They're still functional.

Lois: You crazy bitch. Why did you waterboard us?

Matt: Because you've been standing there motionless and blank-eyed for the last five minutes.

Isabella: You were in shock and apparently, you needed a stronger shock to recover.

Sebastian: Really?

Jace: You scared the hell out of us.

Lois: I'm so sorry, Jace, but ...

Sebastian: It hit us all of a sudden.

Mary: Don't dramatize it. It's just our wedding present to you.

Sebastian: I ... I can't accept it. It's too much, Jace. At least, let me pay half the money.

Jace: Forget it. You didn't let me help with the house.

Lois: Sebastian's right. Mary, say something.

Mary: Leave me out of this. This is my husband's decision, and I can't say anything. I have to obey him.

Lois puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow.

Lois: Oh, really? Since when?

Mary: Since now.

Lois rolls her eyes.

Lois: You, traitor!

Mary: Yes, I am!

Sebastian: Jace, please ...

Sebastian looks at Jace with pleading eyes, but he just smiles brotherly.

Jace: No, Sebastian. Lois is the only thing of value my father left me. It's the least I can do for her, but also for you. I owe you the smile on her lips, and why not, I even owe you her life, so don't insist. You're not gonna make me change my mind.

Lois: Oh, Jace!

Lois throws herself into her brother's arms and he kisses her head.

Jace: I can't wait to walk you down the aisle.

Lois: I love you so much, brother.

Jace: I love you too, my girl.

When Matt sees the tender scene, he hides behind Alexander's back.

Alexander: What's wrong, baby?

Matt: I hate it when I can't make a snarky comment.

Alexander: And why can't you?

Matt: Did you not hear what your brother said? I got touched by that asshole. Shit!

Alexander laughs and hugs Matt.

Alexander: You are so fucking adorable.

Mary, wanting to lighten the mood somehow, approaches her other half in mischief and whispers in his ear.

Mary: Don't you think the atmosphere has gotten too heavy?

Sebastian: Yes, but what can we do to change that?

Mary: I have an idea. Are you with me?

Sebastian: Yeah, sure. Whatever it is.

Mary points her eyes at the pool.

Sebastian: Mmm ... I think I get it now.

He leans forward a little.

Sebastian: Climb on my back and hold on tight.

Mary climbs onto his back and wraps her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Mary: It's fucking awesome that you are as crazy as I am.

Sebastian: I know, right?

They giggle.

Sebastian: Are you ready, spider monkey?

Mary: I was born ready, Wolf.

Sebastian: Then let's go splash around a bit.

Sebastian runs off and dives into the pool with an impressive leap, making the water splash all around.

Jace: What the fuck was that?

Lois: Sebastian just jumped into the pool.

Jace: With Mary on his back?

Lois: Oh, yeah.

Matt: I really don't know who the bad influence is. The Wolf or the Biscuit?

Alexander: Both. Those two are a bad combination. Worse than you and Jace.

Jared: We should never leave them home alone. They're capable of tearing everything down.

Sebastian and Mary show up, insanely excited.

Mary: Wow! Wow! Awesome! That was fucking awesome!

Sebastian: Yeah. Awesome!

Mary: Come on, Wolf. Let's do it again!

Jace: Get out of the pool and I'll show you something even more awesome, you crazy Angel.

Lois: And as for you, crazy Wolf. You're gonna be one crazy dead wolf when I get my hands on you. Get the fuck out!

Sebastian and Mary laugh and speak with one voice.

Sebastian/Mary: Catch me if you can!

And they dive back under the water.

Lois: What do we do now?

Jace: We're going to give them what they want. Take off your shoes.

Lois kicks her shoes off her feet and Jace grabs her by the arm, puts her on his back and dives into the water. Matt rolls his eyes as the others laugh.

Matt: There's no saving for these four. I'm going to bed now.

Alexander: I'm coming too.

The others followed Matt's lead and retreated to their private quarters while the two couples played in the pool laughing and screaming.

* ~ *

~ THURSDAY , JUNE 23, 2011 ~

~ JUST BEFORE THE BACHELOR PARTIES ~

The children and babies are at Simon and Isabella's house with their grandfather George, his wife Zoe, Jared's mother, and Simon's mother. The Harronate Corp. limo for the women is waiting in the parking lot, along with another, rented, one for the men. Both groups are in Jace and Mary's living room, almost ready to leave.

One group, the groom's squad, consists of Jared, Jace, Matt, Alexander, Simon, Negro, Tiny, Dog and his boyfriend, Mark, Kyle, and Jared's sister's husband. What a squad, right? They're all wearing jeans, sneakers, and the t-shirts Jared gave them moments before, playing the role of best man to the fullest. They are a sight for sore eyes, but the other group, the bride's squad, is nothing to sneeze at either. It consists of Chloe, Mary, Isabella, Jessie, Katerina, and Jared's sister. They're wearing matching denim shorts, pink Snickers, and the t-shirts Chloe gave them as maid of honor. But the most impressive thing is the bride-to-be's crown Lois is wearing on her head.

Jared picks up his camera.

Jared: Come on, ladies. Surround our bride and strike a sexy pose.

The girls stand to the left and right of Lois and join hands, forming something like a tunnel.

Click... Click... Click

Matt: He asked for a sexy pose, girls.

Chloe: And we gave him one.

Jace: Sorry, ladies, but that wasn't sexy.

Mary: When you hear the name of the pose, you'll change your mind.

Sebastian: I'm so curious to hear it.

Lois: That pose, my Wolf, is called "Vagina Tunnel."

The girls laugh and the guys look at each other.

Mark: Good lord!

Negro: I've faced bloodthirsty gangsters, drug dealers, and pimps and never been scared, but now my legs are shaking.

Simon: Women, my friend. The ultimate lethal weapon.

Dog: One reason I'm gay.

Matt: Exactly.

Sebastian: If you want this bachelor party to be real, stop talking about vaginas.

Jace: The groom is right. Oh, man! I need a drink.

Jared: And a cold shower. Oh, God!

Alexander: Well! It's getting late. Let's get going, shall we?

Lois: Yeah, but give me a minute to properly say goodbye to my Wolf.

Lois begins to approach Sebastian and Matt, sensing exactly what she means by the word "properly", tries to intervene to prevent disaster.

Matt: No! Jared, grab her. Don't let her touch him!

Even though Jared reacted immediately, it was too late. Lois was already too close ...

Sebastian, unable to resist her request and ignoring the fact that the living room was full of people, lifted her up, groped her buttocks and pushed her against the wall.

Lois: Are you sure you want us to party separately?

Sebastian: Fuck, no. Not at all. Let's cancel everything and go upstairs to celebrate just the two of us with an epic fuck.

Lois: Yeah. Yes. Yes.

But the others have a few objections. Especially Chloe, who grabs Lois by the arm and pulls her towards her.

Chloe: Come on, Lois.

Lois: No. Leave me alone. I want to stay with him.

Chloe: Oh, no! No, no, no! No, you crazy, horny bitch. I didn't ruin my brain cells to throw you the perfect bachelorette party to put me on hold for his dick. Girls, help me! Jared, pull him away.

Jared interferes in the game and pulls Sebastian away, or at least tries to.

Jared: Come on, Sebby. Chloe's right. We've got to go.

Sebastian: Get your hands off me. I'm not going anywhere. I want to stay with her.

Matt: I told you, damn it! They weren't supposed to touch each other. Now we're fucked!

Mary: This is unbelievable. Could someone please get this on video? We should remember that.

Jace: You're not helping, Angel.

Jessie: Okay, but we have to admit it. It's so cute, they can't keep their hands off each other.

Simon: Yeah, it is, but the clock is ticking. I think it's time to take more drastic measures. Negro, Tiny, take them apart.

Negro: Are you sure, Dragon? I mean...

Simon: Do it, Negro. I take full responsibility for this.

Negro: If you say so. Tiny, grab Wolf and I'll take care of our lady.

Tiny: God help me.

They get closer and Tiny pulls Sebastian while Negro simultaneously lifts Lois up, grabbing her by the waist. Sebastian bares his teeth and Lois throws her legs in the air. Simon interferes.

Simon: That's enough! Both of you! Show is over.

Either out of respect or fear - who knows? - Sebastian stops and Lois does the same.

Simon: Great! Thanks so much for your cooperation.

Isabella whispers to Mary.

Isabella: He's so damn sexy when the Dragon awakens in him, isn't he?

Mary: You can say that again. Wow for Simon.

Matt claps his hands together.

Matt: Perfect! And now that everything's back under control, let us go. Ladies, have a great time and we'll see you in the morning.

Sebastian: Bye, Kitten.

Lois: Bye, Wolf.

The men are leaving and the women are getting ready to do the same.

Chloe: Lois? You know you are totally addicted to him, right?

Lois: Yes, I am. So what?

Chloe: So...

Mary: So... it doesn't matter. Besides, Lois isn't the only one who feels that way. We're all like that. Let us face it and move on.

Lois: Thank you, Mary.

Katerina: Whatever! Are we going or not?

Lois: Of course, we're going. Let us go party, bitches. I'm getting married in two days!

And so, the women walked away, laughing loudly.

* ~ *

TO BE CONTINUED ...