Amy’s wedding was beautiful. Her fishtailed dress gave Amy the elegance she wanted. The bouquet Jeanna designed for her highlighted the dress’ playfulness. As Jeanna walked down the aisle with her escort, one of John’s college buddies. It felt like she was the one getting married. As all eyes turned to watch the bridal party walk down the aisle, she felt the nerves bubble in her gut. Jeanna’s knees felt like she was going to give way, especially when she caught the awestruck face of Aaron sitting two pews from the back of the church. He gave her an incredulous grin and wink as she passed him, making her nerves dissipate.

Once Jeanna had taken my respective place at the end of the aisle, the familiar march started up and out walked the ring bearer and her little flower girl. Those attending stood, positioning themselves toward Amy as she made her decent on her father’s arm. She looked absolutely radiant and had happy tears on her cheeks.

Though the ceremony was beautiful, Jeanna couldn’t wait until it was over. The bridal party stayed behind at the church for a few minutes so the photographer could get a few shots. When that was over, she kissed Amy and John on the cheeks before grabbing Risa and meeting Aaron on the cathedral steps. He had taken off his blazer, had rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt, and was sitting on the steps, leaning back against the black handrail.

“Did you give up on us?” she teased, sticking her hand out to help him up.

Aaron gave her a cheeky grin and lifted Risa up into his arms. “You both look so beautiful!” he exclaimed, kissing her temple. “But are we ready to get outta here?”

“We have to go eat cake now!” Risa exclaimed, tossing her hands into the air.

Jeanna laughed. “Yeah, I left our change of clothes at the reception venue, so we don’t have to worry about carrying anything. It’s just a couple streets over.”

“Well, my lady,” Aaron said teasingly, offering Jeanna his arm, which she took gladly.

Amy’s now mother-in-law had gone all out in planning the reception. A large parachute was hung over the ceiling in the large ballroom, giving the area a tasteful tent-like feel. Clear lights were scalloped around the room, looking almost like stars. Aaron, Risa, and Jeanna found their reserved seats at one of the elegantly designed tables scattered about the room.

“Mommy, I don’t like this,” Risa whined, spitting her half chewed bite of fish out onto her plate.

“Risa Eydine! Don’t do that! That’s gross!” Jeanna scolded, wiping her daughter’s mouth.

“Listen, Reese, if you’ll hang tight, we’ll go by McDonald’s on the way home,” Aaron stepped in.

A moment later, a voice came over the sound system, announcing the trio of traditional dances before the dance floor became open to the guests. Once done, Aaron leaned over towards Risa again. “Come dance with me, Reese-Cup.”

The sight of Aaron twirling Risa around on the dance floor was the last straw for Aaron. She found herself pondering their conversation last night. Though she hated to admit it, she saw herself marrying Aaron and settling down with him. Heck, she even saw herself having two more children. Wait, she stopped her thoughts. What am I doing? We’ve only been back together for two months. Who knows what can still happen?

“Just go for it, Jeanna.” Amy’s voice in her ear made Jeanna jump sky high.

“What?” she asked, quickly averting her eyes from watching Aaron and Risa dance.

Amy rolled her eyes and bumped Jeanna with her hip. “I see what you’re looking at. It’s sweet,” she grinned, nodding towards the pair on the dance floor.

“Yeah, he’s really good to her.” Jeanna heard herself agreeing with her friend.

“Please, just promise me that you won’t shut him out again,” Amy continued, alluding to her past with Aaron. “Sometimes it’s a good thing not to think and jump in head first. Who knows what’ll happen? Just don’t keep yourself from being happy with someone who cares the world about you.” Amy pulled her friend in for a hug and wiped the tear that had escaped Jeanna’s eye.

She’s right, Jeanna thought, squeezing Amy back. She cleared her throat and blotted her eyes with her knuckles. “Anyways, today’s not about me. It’s about you and John! And you look stunning. Everyone held their breath as you came into the sanctuary.” Jeanna grinned.

“Thanks,” Amy laughed, “but you know I couldn’t have looked this sexy without your help! Thanks for being the best friend a girl could have, Red. Seriously, I love you.”

Jeanna rolled her eyes. “Love you, too! Now, go find your husband and get yourselves to the airport! I’ve already got your getaway car packed.”

Amy’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh, Venice! I’m so excited I can hardly contain it!”

~*~

After the wedding reception, the trio made their way back to Aaron’s apartment for the night. As promised, Aaron had requested them stop by McDonalds to get Risa a happy meal since she wouldn’t eat the fish served at the reception. Jeanna had objected at first, insisting her daughter have a healthy alternative at home. Upon the wailing and pouting of her daughter, she finally agreed, deciding it best to pick her own battles. When they got home, Risa was already asleep in Aaron’s arms, tired from all the day’s activities.

“Here let me make up the couch. Where’re your sheets and blankets?” Jeanna asked, setting her bag down next to the door.

“In the hall closet,” Aaron replied, shifting Risa in his arms.

Jeanna quickly retrieved the blankets and made Risa a bed on the couch. They tucked her in without a sound, praying that she stayed asleep. Once she was settled into bed, Aaron swiftly pulled Jeanna back into his room. He quietly shut the door behind them and started attacking her lips with his.

Jeanna laughed and smiled into his kiss, but pushed him back away from her. “Not tonight, Aaron. I’m tired.”

The sad look of rejection on Aaron’s face was enough to make Jeanna regret what she had just said. “Fair enough. We’ll just watch some television or something?”

“That sounds nice,” Jeanna remarked, dropping the pair of denim capris she had changed into after the reception and crawling under the covers in just her t-shirt. She patted the space next to her and grabbed the remote from the nightstand to turn the television on.

“Ugh, do we have to watch this?” Aaron protested, referring to the episode of House that covered the screen. He slid between the sheets and pulled the covers up to his chin. “Jesus, it’s cold in here.”

Jeanna giggled. “Yeah, of course! Jesse Spencer is one sexy hunk of a man! I mean look at him! He’s blonde, blue-eyed, has a great body, and he’s Australian. What more could a girl ask for?”

“Hey now!” Aaron argued. “What about me?”

“Aw, you’re so much more than that, Baby,” Jeanna laughed, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips.

The sound of a baby’s cry made Jeanna freeze and pull away from Aaron. She glued her eyes to the television screen. Dr. Chase was working in the NICU and one of the babies had just gone into ventricular fibrillation. He ordered the nurse to take the boy off dialysis as he prepared the paddles. After a few unsuccessful attempts, he pronounced the child dead.

“Baby, are you okay?” Aaron asked, reaching out and rubbing her shoulder. Jeanna didn’t break focus. “Come on, Baby. What’s wrong?” He took the remote from her lap and changed the screen to a random channel.

Jeanna shook her head to switch her focus. “I’m fine,” she said, but Aaron could tell she was lying from the tears that made her eyes glisten.

“Look, if you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I’m not going to pressure you into anything.”

She took a deep breath. “No, I’m fine. It’s stupid, really. It’s just… I’m really bad at putting myself into people’s positions.” She laughed uneasily. “I don’t know what I’d do if something like that happened to Risa.”

“Nothing like that’s going to happen to her!” Aaron comforted, pulling Jeanna to his chest and kissing her forehead. “She’s a perfectly healthy soon-to-be four-year-old.”

Jeanna giggled, snuggling closer to his bare chest. “Yeah, my baby’s growing up! Just a few more weeks…” The pair was silent for a moment while they turned off the television and settled down into the mattress. “When do you leave for D.C.?” Jeanna’s voice broke the silence.

Aaron sighed. He was almost agitated about this new role. “About a week after Risa’s birthday. My flight’s been booked for November 2nd.”

“Will you be back in time for Thanksgiving?” Jeanna questioned, sadly. “I mean, I don’t want you to leave at all, but I know this is something you really want to do. I want you to know that I totally support you.”

“Definitely… but there will be a lot of travelling involved with this show,” he said carefully.

Jeanna nodded against his skin. That gave her a lot to think about. She found her thoughts drifting back to when Hairspray was touring. What would be the chances of something happening again? Just as bad, would Jacqui come out of hiding once Aaron was gone? Her head spun with “what ifs” until she succumbed to the sleep that was slowly taking over her body.