"I love you."

You begin buttoning your tuxedo.

"You have to believe me."

You shake your cuffs before buttoning them too.

"C, I'm sorry."

You turn around and stare into the mirror, straight through him. Your nimble fingers play with your bow tie. You contemplate not wearing it but Chris said you looked better with it. And you wanted to look nice.

"Did you hear me?"

You nod slightly and realize you still have your engagement ring on.

"I didn't come here to see you get married."

You sigh. Justin could be one selfish bastard when he wanted to be.

"I know." you answer closing your eyes, calming your frazzled nerves with deep breaths.

Justin beside you sighs and you pray he leaves soon. He's not making it any better.

"JC?"

You're looking for that piece of mint you left out when you answer. "What?"

He shifts in the chair he's been sitting on for over a half and hour.

"Forget about him. We both know I'm the on-" A knock at the door interrupts him and he looks at it, peeved.

You walk over to it and grin. "Who's there?"

A manly and raspy voice answers. "Who else, baby?"

You smile but it slips off once you notice Justin's frown.

"Benj, you know you're not allowed to see me before."

Benj's laugh is loud and endearing. "I thought that was only for girls."

You smile. "Well last time I checked, I was deemed the bride." you chuckle and lean against the door.

Count on Benj to make you forget your nerves.

"I bet you look great." he compliments, his words muffled.

You blush. "And I bet you look so handsome everyone in the room is gonna hate me."

Benj laughs. "Jealous? Of You? Oh no no no, I think people will be jealous of ME. I mean, I am the one with YOU on my arm."

You didn't think you could have smiled harder, your cheeks sore. You were about to answer when Justin stood up, catching your eye. You gasp slightly because you had forgotten he was there.

"JC." he says simply and you turn back to the door.

"I'll see you in a few, sweetie."

You can see Benj's grin though the door.

"I love you Josh."

You can't help the string that tugs at your heart.

"I love you too, baby."

You lean against the door for another moment before turning back to a standing Justin.

"What'd you come for then?" you ask, resuming your earlier conversation.

"Oh yeah. Well, you. Basically."

You shake your head and curse that you actually felt bad for him. After all he put you through.

"Justin, we had our chance." You try to keep your voice light. "It didn't happen." You keep it at that when you run a hand through your hair.

"C?"

And suddenly Justin is closer than you want him to be.

"What?" you whisper, your voice trembling. He leans in and your noses bump.

"Can I get something to remember you by?"

You want to say no. You even let your mouth wrap around the word but to no avail because Justin's lips settle on your's and a familiar tingle shoots up your spine. Your lips move naturally with his, your hand coming up to cradle his soft cheek. You had forgotten how he made you feel when he kissed you.

He angles his head, his nose brushing against your's and momentarily you were lost. But when his hands wander lower, and grab your ass harshly, you push him away suddenly. You want more, you do. But not from him. You bite your tongue as anger fluidly swims through your veins.

"Its about wanting what you can't have Justin. I'm not gonna stay around, with a fucking collar and leash. I'm not your bitch and-"

The door opening and a jubilant Chris barging in ruins your speech.

"Oh hey. Sorry to interrupt but everyone's ready." He looks at Justin and narrows his eyes in thought. He shakes it off quickly, though and slinks out of the room easily.

You turn back to Justin who had shiny eyes.

"You're getting married." he sighs and you nod, helpless.

"Justin, you'll be a good husband, too. Just not mine-"

"I don't get why." he cut through ignorantly.

"Because." You sigh. "I know you love me. Just not the way I need you to love me." You check out your appearance, noticing your frown. "You'll meet someone. Don't worry." It feels weird saying those words. A year ago you would have walked straight into his arms. Now, well now you were walking down an aisle.

You leave the room without another glance.

You close your eyes when you approach, feeling awkward and nauseated and nervous and scared and...

Your eyes open and they land on a bright Benj, his hazel eyes glossy too. You smile the whole way up to the altar.

Count on Benj to make things better.

When you stand in front of each other, your eyes involuntarily slide over the crowd, hurt clouding your eyes for a second because Justin is no where in sight.

But the moment you look back to Benj and his beautiful smile and gentle eyes you know this is the best you can ever have.

"I now pronounce you man and... husband." A short chuckle passes through out the crowd. It's nice.

"You may now kiss the groom."

Benj's smile is wicked and when he kisses you, he dips you and you smile and cry at the same time.

Yes, this is the best. And you deserve it.

-Fin-
________________________________________________________________________________