"How could you!" Dee said.
    "What? I didn't mean to ruin your wedding day," Shelly said.
    "You didn't ruin my wedding day!  You hurt Howie!" Dee said before resuming her silence.
    "What's your problem?" Dawn asked.
    "What do you mean?" Shelly said.
    "You broke up with Howie abruptly to be with your ex, whom, may I remind you, cheated on you with the woman who tried to kill me!  Howie was there to comfort you and you turn around and stab him!" Vanessa practically yelled.
    "But...." Shelly tried.
    "May I also remind you that you also walked out on your friends.  Three of the best friends you've ever had and 2 more who were becoming good friends! You left us with your half of the rent and bills, but that doesn't matter-we found means to cover that!  You stabbed us too!! One day you were all nice, the Shelly we knew, and then, you're secretive and betraying and you just announce you're leaving with no explanation.  You're here for forgivness, no doubt, but I don't know if we can give you that!" Kris said.
    "Guys, please! You don't have to forgive me, but at least hear me out!" Shelly reasoned.
    "Um, may I interject?" Sandi said, "I know I haven't known Shelly that long, but all friends fight. If they didn't, it would'nt be a friendship.  Granted, this fight is really bad, but we could at least hear her out and try to patch things up a little.  Are you sure you wanna throw away seven or eight years of a great friendship?  We can get through it, let's just listen to her."  The girls were silent.
    "Okay," Dee said quietly.  The others followed since they figured, or hoped, that Dee knew what she was talking about.  They all exited to another small room.
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  As they were gone, Howie was awake again and AJ was with him.  Brian and the others went to be with the guest to calm them down.
    "Excuse me," Brian said into the mic, "Um, I know that there has been a lot of confusion tonight. Um, if you can just bear with us, I'm sure the girls will be out shortly.  I know that Dee and I would love for you to resume your activities.  I'll be out here with you guys so, Kelly if you'll help, you party animal, let the party begin, again!" he kinda laughed.  Brian started the music again and urged the guest to the floor with the help of Kelly.
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  Howie and AJ sat in silence.
    "D?" AJ asked.  Howie looked up at him and burst into tears.  AJ just placed a hand on Howie's shoulder as he cried.
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    "No excuses, don't beat around the bush! I just want to hear what you have to say!" Vanessa said as the girls all sat down, their dresses surrounding them noisily.
    "Um, okay.  I met up with Chris again right after Vanessa's wedding.  We talked like old friends and he boutgh me some drinks and introduced me to Juliet.  We became good friends and she always had alcohol (Note-Okay, this whole dialogue deal with drinking-I DO NOT, in any way, promote the use of alcohol! Just to let ya'll know!) adn I thought I was only drinking a little, but soon I got addicted to is.  I didn't know what I was doing.  Chris and I hooked up again and I began drinking more and more.  I was so caught up in it, I didn't care what I did or who I hurt.  It wasn't until Chris hit me once in his drunkiness adn then.....then.... Juliet died of alcohol poisoning," she paused and tried to push back her tears, "It wasn't until then that I realized I had a problem.  I sought help and found it.  I cleaned up my act-and now I'm here.  I'm sorry!  I wish I could say more, but I'm not that articulate.  I want forgiveness, but I understand if you cannot give that to me.  I know I've been an awful person and I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!! I hurt my friends and the man I truly loved over such a stupid thing!! I'm so sorry!" Shelly broke down in uncontrolable sobs.  The rest of the girls sat in silence, they all looked at each other until Dee slowly got up and embraced Shelly.
    "I'm so sorry!" Shelly wailed as Dee held her.
    "It's okay, ssssshhhhh!" Dee comforted.
    "Does this mean I'm forgiven?" Shelly sniffed.
    "Listen," Dee said as she lifted Shelly's chin, "We can forgive you for what you did to us, but Howie's got to forgive you for what you did to him before we will.  You know it'll take a while for you to gain our trust back, but we'll work on it!"  Shelly nodded her head adn looked to the rest of her friends.  They all smiled at her and hugged her again.  As they walked out the door, Shelly sighed.  She knew that she had to talk to Howie, but she dreaded his reaction.  However he reacted, she knew she deserved it, but she also knew she wouldn't be able to handle it.  Rejection from the man she loved! She had to do it and deal with whatever consequences there would be.  She slowly headed to the other room.
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    "Are you okay?" Brian asked as he held Dee tightly on the dance floor.
    "Yeah," she said as she smiled weakly up at him-her fingers making small patterns on the back of his neck and in his hair.  Brian could tell she wasn't being completely honest, but he decided not to push the subject since it was their wedding day.  She'd tell him soon enough.  Soon after the dance ended, they both sang, "Amazed" by LoneStar, ending it in a kiss.
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    "Howie?" Shelly asked as she knocked on the door.  AJ looked at Howie.
    "It's okay, AJ," Howie said before AJ left the room, "Okay, at this point, I'm just gonna listen.  I'm not gonna argue-I'm tired of argueing!" he said as she was silent.
    "Okay, well...." Shelly proceeded to tell her story, "....So, whether you forgive me or not, I'm sorry and I still love you!" she finished as she sighed and tears began streaming down her cheeks.  Howie looked up from his position on the couch adn his eyes met her teary ones.  He immediately started crying.  He couldn't handle it!  They had to get through this!! He loved her so much and, as he looked into her eyes, he knew she loved him too.  He got up from the couch and embraced her.
    "Sorry!" she sobbed into his shoulder.
    "Sshh," he said as he kissed her head, "Here, I think this is yours," he said as he pulled her engagement ring out of his pocket, he'd carried it everywhere for no reason.  He slipped it back on her finger carefull.  She looked at the ring and then to him and hugged him as both cried.
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  It was about 10:00 p.m. when the reception finally ended.  Brian and Dee were showered in confettie as they exited the doors of the reception hall.  They were halfway to the limo when the skies opened up and the rain poured down.  Dee stared crying.
    "Aw, honey! Please tell me those are happy tears!" Brian said.
    "They're both! Today has been so overwhelming! I learned I have a sister, one of my friends is back-on weird terms- and I'm Mrs. Brian Thomas Littrell!!" she cried and laughed at the same time, "And to top it all off, it's raining on my wedding day!" she sorta laughed again.
    "I can make you feel better!" Brian said as he picked her up.  She shrieked and laughed as he ran the rest of the way to the limo!