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» CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE «

The next few days flew by like normal, but to Lauren and Nick, they lasted forever. But finally came Saturday, the highlight of the whole week, and the beginning of their lives together.

Lauren was at AJ and Jessica's place getting ready. Nick was at his house with all the men. Jessica and Lauren had all the women. Lauren was so totally jittery, even though she was so excited she could scream. Jessica got her a glass of ice water to calm her down.

"Thanks so much, Jess." she smiled.

"You're welcome, of course. It's the big day! You have a right to mixed emotions." Jessica reminded.

"Yeah. Does my dress look all right? I was still dizzy from Nick's proposal when I picked it out." Lauren joked.

They both gazed at their reflections in the mirror. It reminded them of when they were looking in the mirror, getting ready for the first BSB concert. They'd come such a long way, and silent tears formed in both sets of eyes.

"You look beautiful. Nick is gonna eat his heart out. But's it's just not the dress. It's your face, it's glowing with happiness!" Jessica replied, absolutely thrilled for her friend. Lauren kept smiling, like a grin was frozen on her face.

"Thank you, Jessica! I just can't stop smiling! I feel like I'm just going to explode with joy." Lauren declared.

"I'm so happy for you, Lauren! So...how do I look?" Jessica kidded.

Lauren gave a look to her maid-of-honour dress. It was baby blue, with a white lace wrap-a-round and shoes to match. Her hair was pulled up, with certain strands hanging in her face.

"Totally da bomb. I can't wait until I get to see you in your wedding dress!" Lauren exclaimed.

"Me neither!" Jessica agreed. Just then a bridesmaid knocked on the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we should be heading to the chapel now. I think the guys just left." she informed.

"O.K., thanks!" they replied. Lauren and Jessica looked at each other grinning and linked arms.

"Let's go!"

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Nick and all the guys had just arrived at the chapel, and Nick immediately headed up to the altar. His hands were shaking, but it wasn't really of nervousness. It was really of being anxious. He knew in just a few minutes, Lauren would be walking down the flower-strewn aisle and make him the happiest guy in the whole world. Soon all of the seats would be filled up, making for about 300 people total.

Nick wasn't even thinking about that in the next few minutes millions of teenage girls would be crying at the loss of one of their favourite teen idols. He wasn't worried about losing fans. If they were loyal fans, they would support him no matter what. Sometimes things happen in life where you just gotta suck it up and smile.

When everything was ready, and all the guests were present, the wedding began. Nick smiled at all the members of the wedding party, just waiting for Lauren. And then there she was. Even though the veil covered her face, Nick could still see how beautiful she was. Her dress might have looked simple to someone else, but to Nick she looked like an angel. He could see her eyes glowing with happiness, even through the veil.

His heart began to skip beats, he could feel it. Lauren joined him at the altar and held his hand.

"We're finally here, Carter." she whispered. "I love you." she mouthed.

"I love you too." he mouthed back. Before they knew it, they were saying their "I do's".

"I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Carter! You may kiss the bride." the minister smiled.

Nick lifted Lauren's veil to see her beautiful face, then leaned in to give Lauren their first kiss as man and wife.

"Congratulations!" the minister announced, and Lauren and Nick made their descent down the aisle.

"Wow." Nick whispered to her.

"Ditto that." Lauren smiled.

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The wedding party and guests headed to the reception, and AJ quickly found Nick.

"Congratulations again, man! I hope you and Lauren have a great life!" he declared.

Nick smiled.

"Thanks, man. Same to you and Jessica." he replied.

"You know," AJ commented, "married life is really gonna be hard on us."

Nick just shrugged his shoulders.

"Of course, but it's all worth it. I am so lucky, man. I have everything I ever dreamed of."

"Amen to that." AJ picked up a glass of punch. "Cheers!" he and Nick hit glasses.

After the classic cake-eating, garter removal, and bouquet-throwing (Jessica caught it), it was time for Nick and Lauren to head out for their honeymoon.

"Have a good time!" All the BSB's patted their not-so-little-anymore youngest member on the back.

"You're all grown-up now, Nicky." Brian said, giving him a hug. All the others followed.

"Thanks, guys." Nick sniffed, wiping his eyes.

Meanwhile, Jessica was hugging Lauren.

"Have a fantastic time! I'm so proud of you!" she cried. Lauren was crying too.

"I will! I'll miss you! Good-bye!" she sniffed.

"I'll miss you too. Ciao!"

Nick and Lauren, hand in hand, waved good-bye as they got in the very-decorated Prowler. As they drove away, cans clanking and all, they knew their first step: carwash!

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Jessica and AJ headed back home after a wonderful wedding for their closest friends.

"I am so happy for Lauren!" Jessica exclaimed.

AJ agreed.

"Nick and Lauren are perfect for each other. It's hard to believe little Nicky's already grown up and married. I mean, I watched him grow up! He's like my little bro." he smiled.

"Wow. You guys have been a group for so long. What do you think will happen when it's time for all of ya'll to part ways?" Jessica asked innocently.

"I don't think we'll ever really break up. We are a long-lasting group. But if we ever did part ways for a while, we'd still keep in touch, I'm sure. I know me and Nick would considering you and the new Mrs. Carter are best friends." AJ reminded. Jessica smiled.

"That's true. Now, while one couple are celebrating their wedding, we should celebrate, too...." she teased.

"Celebrate what?" AJ played along.

"We should celebrate.....our love, and our own upcoming wedding!" she declared.

"Good enough for me!" AJ agreed.

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Nick and Lauren arrived at their honeymoon resort in Bermuda, which was absolutely beautiful. The air was perfumed with the sweet aroma of exotic flowers, and the sun was setting on the breathtaking view from their room. Nick laid Lauren down on the bed, kissing her slowly and sweetly.

"Isn't it so beautiful here?" Lauren murmured, staring into the beautiful blue eyes she knew so well.

"It's perfect." Nick breathed, kissing her neck.

"Nick....thanks." Lauren whispered.

"For what?" he paused, staring into the stormy green eyes he loved so much.

"For waiting." she smiled. Nick smiled back.

"You're worth it. I love you, so much baby." he reminded.

"I love you too." she replied, then began to kiss him again.

They shed their wedding clothes, and began on a path they had never taken before. As they made love for the first time, they could feel all the tensions of the past few months being released, and their passions unfolding. When their souls became one, Nick could feel tears forming in his eyes. The love between them was so beautiful. It was true he'd had sex before, but it didn't EVEN compare to him and Lauren together. Love was truly an amazing gift.

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Lauren couldn't believe how totally and completely amazing it felt to be with Nick. It was like nothing she'd ever imagined. She could tell Nick felt the same way just by the look in his eyes.

When he settled down beside her, breathing heavily, Lauren couldn't help letting tears fall from her eyes. Nick looked concerned. He rubbed Lauren's shoulder gently and murmured,

"What's wrong, baby? Did I hurt you?"

Lauren shook her head no.

"In fact, it's the complete opposite. You amaze me. I love you so much. Just hold me and never let go." she spilled.

"Wish granted." Nick smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I love you too. We've come such a long way since that time in the mall." he reminded.

"And when I stole your swimming trunks. I'll never forget the helpless slash pissed look on your face." she giggled.

"Or the night I first told you I loved you." he whispered with glossy eyes.

"You wanna know something else, Carter?"

Nick squeezed her hand. "Sure, Mrs. Carter." he grinned.

"You were right. Heaven is in the eyes. Your eyes." Filled with emotion, Nick kissed her passionately, and with that, they made love again.

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¤ Chapter 32 ¤
REMEMBER to send feedback to the author, Lauren