quick comments: Michael /Elliot - and the light goes on in the author's head as she realizes she missed a chapter when she was uploading... I have put in the missing chapter, where it belongs, as the chapter BEFORE the PREVIOUS one...and again, I apologize!

I just didn't see Michael backing down easily, mostly because I think any parent would (should?) react strongly (and possibly even a little out of normal character)when they feel their child is threatened...... which is truly, finally resolved (because I believe in happy endings, even forthe antagonists - unless they're REAL bad guys) ...but I don't want to get ahead of myself... as to the other comment, if the anymous reviewer ever checks back, yes of course I'm a faithful fan, but no offence taken at all! We all have our visions of what we'd like to see...and mine involves some pretty wild crossing over (which has honestly always been my favourite type of fanfiction)... speaking of our visions, I have finally decided that maybe David is ok, after tonight's episode (ok, I admit it, when they walked up their newhouse, I got all gushy inside!)... ;) (although the previews for next week on the other hand...I really hope we get some kind of happy ending for Amy on a personal level in the series...)

This is it! The Big Day is arriving fast…

Elliot made the transition to the suburbs of Hartford easily – mostly because Amy was there and that was all that mattered… He switched his usual Monday night at the clinic for Friday night and scheduled most of his in-office meetings for Monday mornings… the rest of the time he spent on one construction site or another, occasionally dropping by the office – but nearly always getting home to Hartford early enough to have dinner with Lauren and Amy… Mrs. Miller coordinated everything from New York and kept the press from picking up on he and Amy's wedding plans…

September brought cooler nights and changing leaves… and eventually, Lauren forgave her father enough to spend some time with him. But he had to promise to stop talking about Elliot the way he had the day she ran off…

Despite his promise, however, Michael couldn't give up on his fears…

And before Amy realized it, they were throwing a bridal shower… there were two, one Below and one with her family, which thankfully Catherine and Diana also attended… that was where Catherine gave Amy her wedding present… she had booked a flight and hotel for Amy and Elliot's honeymoon…

"Tuscany?" Amy opened up the envelope with the travel brochures.

"It used to be one of my favourite places," Catherine smiled at her.

"Oh my God –!" Amy was crying and laughing a the same time, "I don't believe you! Either of you," she pulled Diana into the hug.

"This was all Cathy," Diana laughed. "All we got you was a toaster," she teased.

Amy just smiled; Diana and Fin had bought her a beautiful painting of Central Park, for their living room in Hartford… "You guys are both the best. I love you," Amy whispered.

"Congratulations, Amy," Maxine smiled, handing across a small jewelry box.

"Mom?" Amy took it from her.

"Elliot and I discussed this," Maxine told her, as she began to tear up.

"Mom?" Amy asked again – she opened the box – and recognized her grandmother's wedding band. "Oh Mom…"

"She would have been so proud of you, Amy – and she would have loved you very much."

"I'm afraid what I got doesn't quite stack up to that," Donna said, a little awkwardly.

"That's ok," Amy took the box from her and opened it – pajamas. Not quite sexy pajamas – cute, comfy – Amy smiled, "You have no idea how wonderfully appropriate these are." Just right for the nights they stayed Below…

"Really?"

"Really!"

Jillian handed her a bag with ribbons and tissue paper… "I – didn't really know what to get you – if I should get you something for here or the apartment…"

Amy pulled out the paper, carefully – candles. Beautiful, lavender scented candles. "You – did good, Jillian. I know exactly where I'm going to put these."

"Really?"

"They're coming to New York with me," she said. "You guys are so wonderful – all of you," Amy smiled at them. There was a knock at the door – while Amy refilled their wine glasses, Jillian answered it – Bruce stepped in.

"Bruce!" Amy jumped up and hugged him. "What are you doing here?"

"I – ah know this is a lady's night – but I wanted to stop by and give you this." He handed her a small wrapped package.

"Come in – would you like a glass of wine?"

"No – thank you, I won't be staying long," he looked around at the ladies…nope, not a safe place for any man who was in any way wise…

Excited and happy, Amy unwrapped it – it was a statue of a lovely guardian angel, with her wings spread wide. "What – in the world…" she smiled up in amazement…

"I remember a conversation I had with Elliot – when your mother was in the hospital. I saw this – and thought of the two of you."

"Bruce – you have no idea how much he's going to love this – and I love it too," she kissed his cheek, hugging him for a long moment. "Thank you – thank you so much, from both of us."

"You're welcome – I'll see you back at the office in a couple of weeks?"

Amy nodded, "Just a couple of weeks."

"Well – ladies – good night," Bruce let himself out – he cast a last smile at Judge Gray – in a couple of days she'd be married… "And congratulations again," he added, softly.

"Thank you, Bruce," Amy returned his smile, feeling the warmth of his friendship…

"One year ago tomorrow," Elliot kissed her lightly. They passed by the spot where they'd met on their way to the restaurant where they'd had their first date.

"I can't believe it."

"What can't you believe?"

"That the year has gone by so quickly – and yet I feel like I've been with you my whole life."

Elliot pulled her close; their friends had begrudgingly agreed to give them two hours together – then Joe and Fin were taking him out to play pool while the girls swept Amy Below to do whatever it was women did on the night before getting married… all Elliot knew was that they were absolutely forbidding him to spend the night with her tonight, no matter that they'd been living together for four months.

Cathy and Diana were waiting for them at the storm drain entrance – Vincent was with them. He and Elliot shared a long, silent embrace – Elliot felt the love of their friendship – and the joy that his friend felt for him… he gave Amy a fleeting kiss as the girls pulled her, giggling, into the Tunnels. Then Elliot headed out for the pool hall where he knew Joe and Fin would be waiting… and was delighted to find that Kate had crashed their stag party. Kyle showed up just after Elliot got there…

It was nearly two a.m. when they got back to the apartment… Caroline was sitting up, reading a book.

"Thanks," Kyle said to her, trying to offer money, which Caroline refused. Usually Claudia sat with Nicole, but they knew they'd be up late and Catherine felt better having the older of her daughters out this late…

"She was a doll," Caroline told him. "She went to sleep around nine and has been out since – and we had our first successful potty," she added.

"Oh my God, this means she's really growing up."

Elliot laughed, "They do that, you know," he kissed Caroline's cheek. "I remember when this one was a babe in arms."

"I don't think I ever want to see Nicole all grown up," Kyle told him.

"Sorry," Caroline smiled, "You can't stop it."

"Will you be ok getting home?" Elliot asked her – it was later than she usually stayed out.

"Of course I will."

"Are you sure?" Kyle looked from one to the other. He had tried to drive both Claudia and Caroline home on more than one occasion – but they would never let him, usually saying that Nicole was asleep, why wake her…

"It's not that far – see you tomorrow," she added to Elliot.

Elliot closed the door behind her, then, "Look – about tomorrow – you know we'd invite you if we could…" he had truly grown to like Kyle, over the last few months. He was quiet and kind – and a hell of a good doctor, despite what he said of himself. In some ways, Kyle reminded Elliot a little bit of himself, when he'd first met Vincent and realized that his life wasn't at all what he wanted it to be…

"Don't even think about it," Kyle told him firmly. "I know you two have something big and secret planned."

"Thanks for understanding. And not saying anything to anyone."

"I wasn't around when Aunt Max was getting married – but I've heard a few of the stories."

Elliot chuckled…he took a quick shower before bed… and laying there, alone in the dark…he realized just how much he missed Amy... They'd only been living together for four months, but he honestly didn't know how it was he'd ever fallen asleep without her next to him… Still, Elliot smiled, and pulled her pillow close to take in the scent that lingered there – tomorrow was going to be the most wonderful day of his life…

Although the alarm was set for nine, Elliot woke to the sound of Kyle calling his name at eight thirty. He pulled on his robe – and found Alicia Cassidy sitting in his living room. Kyle made himself scarce… Elliot wished he could do the same…

"Please," she got up as soon as he came in, "Where is he?"

Elliot looked at her, quizzically. "I beg your pardon?"

"Michael didn't come home last night – please – where is he – what did you do to him?"

"I haven't seen your husband since the altercation back in August," Elliot began, briskly – this was getting to be entirely too much. Then he saw her, really saw her. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?" he asked – the woman looked as if she hadn't slept all night…

Alicia shook her head, "Please, Mr. Burch, I just want to find my husband."

"What makes you think I'd know where he was?" Elliot motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen… blessedly, Kyle had already started a pot…

"He's been following you for a month – I thought you knew – you must know – that's why he didn't come home last night."

"You think I have something to do with your husband not coming home?"

"I've called every hospital in the city – he isn't there – I called the police but they won't do anything for two days – I know he's been following you, after you did something to that private investigator he'd hired."

Elliot drank his coffee. Anger welled in him – even if it wasn't directed at her. "I honestly don't know what you're talking about."

She started to cry, "Please! I just want to know where he is, if he's all right."

Elliot put down his cup. "When did you see him last?"

"Last night, about nine – he went out. He goes out all the time. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about leaving him – but – I love him. Please – I love him so much – we have two children. I just want to know if he's all right."

"And you're he's been following me?"

She nodded.

"What has he said about me?"

"Just – that you're – you've got girl you see – on the side. That she's really young. He – says – you're – everyone knows your rich and you're powerful – but you could buy and sell us ten times over and you've never tried to hurt Michael that way – I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen. He just – he – he's – he tells me about all these things you did. Please – it isn't worth it, whatever you've done to him…"

"I haven't done anything to your husband," Elliot said in disgust. "I haven't even seen him."

"But he was following you."

"Did he keep a log or a journal? Or take any pictures," he added, with a sigh of vexation.

She nodded, "He keeps a journal."

"Where is it?"

"At home."

"Let's go – maybe if we see where he's been, we can figure out where he is."

Alicia looked up at him, afraid.

"Give me ten minutes to put some cloths on."

She just bit her lower lip; Elliot left her sitting there.

"Elliot – " Kyle caught his arm in the hall, "You're supposed to be getting married today."

"I know."

"You don't have time to go chasing around with Amy's ex husband's wife."

"If Michael was really tailing after me – I need to know what he found."

"What he found?"

"It's – complicated. And depending on what he's gotten himself into – it could be dangerous for him."

Kyle just frowned…

Elliot glanced over the journal entries – the guy was thorough, that was for sure.

"Mr. Burch?" Alicia appeared at the door, with a cup of coffee. "I noticed you took milk," she added.

"Thank you – and please, just Elliot."

"Do you have any idea where he is?"

Elliot looked at the more recent entries… "Yes. I need you to stay here."

"But – where is he?"

Michael had found one of the remote Tunnel entrances, near Kate's part of town… he must have followed her down… and every instinct told Elliot that if he'd been following Amy, or Kate, or even him last night – that he was somewhere Below… "I'm going to try and find him," he told her, taking the last journal, the one that detailed his foray into the underground Tunnel system, with him. "You're sure he doesn't have any pictures?"

She shook her head. "He took some – but they always came out too dark – he's not a very good photographer."

There was one small mercy, "All right. I'll call you when I find him."

"Thank you."

On his way to the park, Elliot called Fin, catching him just as he was headed out himself…

"You've gotta be shitting me."

"He's down there – I'm sure of it."

"Sentry had t've seen him by now."

"Not if he came in through one of the more remote accesses. Fin – he could be lost down there forweeks if we don't find him."

"This is your wedding day."

"I know. I'll be there."

As soon as he got into the Tunnels, Elliot listened to the messages zinging along the pipes – there was nothing about a stranger wandering around. Still, every instinct told him that there was one… Elliot headed towards the point where he thought Michael might have come in – Kate was already there, waiting.

"Fin found me," she explained. "Told me about this idiot. I think you're right." She said – there were footprints in dirt where there shouldn't be.

"Kate – you're faster than I am – I don't want Amy to know – I don't want her to be upset – can you get to Father – ask him to send out a couple of small search parties?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Try to find him before he gets hurt down here."

"Elliot – you're getting married today."

He grinned, "You know, people keep telling me that, as I could ever forget."

"I'm serious."

"I have plenty of time. I'll be there."

"I believe that Father would put this under the heading of impetuousness."

"Probably."

"Don't wander off the main Tunnels," she told him. "There are some side and secondary Tunnels down that way that areunstable."

"I just hope Michael has enough wisdom to stay away from them."

"What?" Father gawped at the girl.

Kate nodded. "Elliot's gone looking – he probably feels responsible – and he doesn't want to ruin Amy's day."

"No – no of course not – but – of all the reckless abandon – he shouldn't have gone looking himself!"

"I'm going to catch up with him – can you send others?"

"Yes, of course –"

"Father?" Vincent stepped into Father's chamber. "Kate – Rachel said she saw you pass this way – and that you appeared to be in a hurry – what is the matter?"

"We need your help," Jacob told his son what had happened…

Vincent, Jamie, Mouse, Jake and Zach each headed small teams of searchers… meantime, Catherine and Diana helped keep Amy occupied…

"Too many possibilities," Mouse said, frustrated. "Too many Tunnels – too many choices here." He shook his head. Stranger could have gone anywhere…

Michael Cassidy stumbled through the dark. This had probably not been his best or brightest idea. He was hungry, cold, wet from passing under a dripping water pipe… and hopelessly lost… every now and again he caught the faint sound of tapping – but he couldn't follow it to its source… he didn't even know what he'd expected to find down here, except that Burch's girl came down here, a lot…he'd followed her a couple of times…started exploring… Last night he tried to follow her and got lost in the dark after the batteries in his flashlight died. When he tried to find his way back, he realized that he only became more lost…

Voices…

Too many possibilities. Too many Tunnels – too many choices…

The echo bounced over the walls as if from very far away.

"Hello!" Michael shouted – maybe someone had come looking for him!

Mouse called a halt to his party… in the distance they heard a faint hello echoing through the Tunnels. It was impossible to tell where it came from. This section of the Tunnels was unused – it was a labyrinth of unsafe chambers and passage ways… "HELLO!" He called back, anyway, hopefully.

"Mouse!" he recognized Jamie's voice bouncing through the echoing tunnels.

"Thought it was someone else!" He hollered back to her.

"Just us!"

"No – wait!" Michael called – but he couldn't hear them any more… it was as if the very walls conspired to keep him prisoner… Michael trudged onwards, for what seemed like forever… the gradual slope of the floor became steeper – and the dirt looser…he began to skitter faster, downwards, unable to catch himself in the dark… He called for help, but it seemed as if no one heard him…

"Going in circles," Mouse finally announced to his companions.

"We can't just turn back," Julia told him.

Mouse shook his head, "Not turn back. Divide up. Cover more ground. Find the stranger – go to the wedding." He said firmly. Then he added, to Rachel who was headed down one of the narrower passages with Julia, "Don't get lost."

She smiled, "With you and Mom as my parents how could I possibly get lost down here – I was born with a tunnel map in my head!"

Mouse smiled at his daughter – she was right, she was in every way half his and half Jamie's…

Kate's sharp ears caught the sound of Michael's cry… she sent the crow on ahead (while he complained about not being meant to fly in the dark, underground) – Elliot was just behind her. She listened – Vincent wasn't far behind him. Of course, those two would be able to find one another no matter what…

For a few very frightening minutes, Michael wondered if this was one of those bottomless chasms…but eventually he skittered to the floor. He pulled the lighter out of his pocket and flicked it – the flame illuminated… a room. A real room… and there was a torch in the corner…it still seemed to have some pitch on it… he lit it and gazed around in awe at what he saw… statuary – tables – chairs – stone and wood – and beautiful stained glass – at a guess, he'd put it as Byzantine in era or at least style… He held the torch high – the ceiling was lost in the darkness – but there was a balcony running around the entire room, just about twelve feet over his head… and there appeared to be doors cut into the second story…so maybe there was a way out, if he could find – yes – the staircase… It was ancient and made of stone – but it looked stable enough to hold him –armour suits stood in niches along it's recesses – they looked hundreds of years old…

And then a big black bird flapped into the room from above and settled on the balcony railing. "What the – where did you come from?"

"Pretty amazing place, isn't it?"

He looked up – sitting on another balcony, two stories up, was a girl. The girl. Burch's girl.

Kate chuckled. "Stay put. I'm coming down to you." She decided to take the stair instead of scaring the wits out of him – not that the asshole didn't deserve it. Moments later, she was face to face with the man who had put Elliot in jail – and hurt Lauren. Kate reigned in her darker self, keeping a very tight leash on her anger.

Michael looked down at the waif – she wasn't more than fourteen. She was very slight of build, as if she didn't eat quite properly – she had on a black leather halter top and jeans that laced up, dark red lipstick and thick black eyeliner… "Aren't you cold?" he started to hand her his jacket.

Kate shook her head, "No. Thank you."

"My name's Michael – Michael Cassidy."

"I know. I'm Kate." She didn't trust herself to shake his hand.

Michael took his hand back. And stared at her for a moment. Then, "You're – Elliot Burch's – " he didn't know what to call her…

"Friend."

Michael laughed.

"You find that funny." She felt her temper railing against its leash…

"Just that you'd choose that word for what you do together."

Kate eyed him for a long, cold moment. "You have a very little mind, Michael Cassidy. I feel very sorry for you – and even more sorry for the people who must surly love you. I am glad that Amy has found Elliot – I cannot imagine her ever having loved someone so empty inside." She stepped back form him.

"Kate – is that you?" Elliot reached the chamber.

"Yes. I have him. If you want him," she gazed on Michael with disdain.

Elliot stopped short – her voice was layered in ice. He wondered if Michael realized how dangerous she was when she got like this… and he wondered what Michael had said to set her off… at last Elliot reached them – he looked from Kate to Michael and back again. "Are you all right?" he asked her.

"I will be."

"Come here," he held his arms out to her – she had grown cold, he could feel the darkness of the abyss radiating from her.

Kate drew away from his warmth, giving him a warning look.

Elliot stepped closer to her – he was one of the few people who did not fear her when she was like this.

"He's hollow," she hissed, giving Michael a dark, sidelong glance.

"I know. Come here," said Elliot. He looked at Michael – yes, it was sinking in that this child was no child – and certainly no whore.

She eyed Elliot – the darker part of her felt uncertain all the time – forgot that she was loved – but she was loved… Kate stepped into Elliot's warmth… it spread over her – she held him, finding her balance once again…

"Shhh," Elliot held her. He gazed at Michael, not trying to hide his scorn, "Is this such a terrible thing?" he asked. "Giving comfort?"

"You're supposed to be getting married," Kate whispered, as if completely unaware he'd even spoken to the other man.

"I know," he held her for a long while, watching Michael watch them…

Michael could see something pass between them – the something seemed to be…love? There was a tenderness in Elliot Burch's eyes when he looked on the girl – a girl that frightened him to the core, even though he kept telling himself that she was just a child… "Who is she?" he asked at last.

"An angel," Elliot told him softly. "My angel."

Kate drew away from him and gazed deeply into Amy's ex husband. "You have a wife – children – they must love you, surly. Nurture your soul with that love – before you truly have nothing left to nurture."

"I – don't understand."

"I think you do. Over the past months, you have allowed fear and jealousy to rule your heart – and it has withered because of that. You are becoming nothing – and in time you will have no one to show you the road home."

"Michael," Elliot held his hand out to the other man – an offer of peace. "How would you like to come to a wedding – that is, if you're good with secrets."

Kate gave him a look…

"I think that is an excellent idea," Vincent said from the shadows. "Although you know what Father will say."

Elliot chuckled. "I hope he'll take one look at Michael and realize that he has less than I did when I first came here."

Michael accepted Elliot's hand, "You came down here looking for me? On your wedding day?"

"Alicia came to my place looking for you – after she told me you'd been following me – I had the feeling you might be down here."

"Alicia. She must be sick with worry," Michael realized. "I don't think I belong here. If someone can help me find the way out – I should be with my wife – if she'll even let me in the door."

"She loves you," Elliot told him.

Michael looked at him – and the girl – and back again. "Was I really wrong?"

"Yes," Elliot told him. "I understand why you believed what you believed – it is truly human nature to believe the worst, especially when you have your daughter to worry about – but what's between Kate and I is – there really isn't a word," he shrugged. "She's my guardian angel – and I will always love her – but not in the way you had believed."

"And you really do love them both, don't you – both Amy and Lauren?"

"Very much – but you'll always be Lauren's father. I can't take that away from you."

"No, but I can. She's still angry at me, I can see it in her eyes."

"Give her time," Vincent said from the shadows. "She is at an awkward age."

"You must have teenagers."

Vincent laughed softly, "Four teenagers – one daughter just younger than Lauren and my youngest is eight."

"Vincent?" it was Zach.

"On the other side of the room – we have found Michael – he needs someone to escort him home."

Caroline stepped into the bathing chamber where Amy was soaking, alone. The room had been decked out with flowers and was lit with rose scented candles. "How are you doing?"

"I think I'm a prune," Amy smiled up at her.

"Good – Mother said you weren't to come out until you were thoroughly pruned." Caroline helped her wrap in a big, thick towel. She was on 'distraction detail' – word had come back to them that Michael was found and headed up – but things were running behind. "You sure you're ok?" Caroline asked – there were so many emotions going on inside of Amy that she was having a hard time blocking them – or even sorting them out.

"I guess I'm a little nervous," Amy admitted. "I love him – and I'm so – amazingly happy – and it felt like today would never come only now it's here – and I'm crying again!" Amy laughed at herself.

Caroline laughed with her, wondering for a moment if she'd cry on her wedding day…if she would ever have one…

"I guess part of me is a little scared – I don't remember feeling like this when Michael and I were married. It was overwhelming – but that was different. The caterer was running late – the flowers weren't the ones I'd ordered – the minister got into a traffic accident – it was horrible. This – " she looked around the candlelit bathing chamber, "This is wonderful."

"I'm glad – we all are. You know we all love you."

"I know – and I appreciate the way everyone has taken me in. It – was a little intimidating at first – and not just your father," she added.

Caroline smiled at her. "I was just a little younger than Jayne when I really realized how different he was. How different we were."

"You're thinking about that boy you met last spring – Elliot told me you've been emailing him."

Caroline nodded, "How do you know when you're really in love?"

"I don't know – I thought I was in love before – but those were all such pale experiences compared to Elliot." She realized she was blushing. "I've never been so – comfortable with someone. When he's around, it's like nothing else really matters – and there's a way he looks up, when I come into the room – I know I have his full attention, no matter who else is there. Honestly, I think I wanted to be in love so badly after Lauren's father and I split up – because he found someone right away and I was very hurt and jealous – that I pretended a lot. I don't think I loved Stu – or even David – half as much as I thought I did. I'm not even sure I loved Michael – because I never felt as – content – as I do when I'm with Elliot. Is that making any sense?"

"I think so. And it scares me – because I think I could feel that way about Simon."

"Why is that scary?"

"I'm not quite sixteen. He lives in California. And – then there's my father. My life."

"Honey, if he really is the right one – and you're right, you're not even sixteen, you have a whole lot of living left to do before figuring out what love is – it won't matter. Believe me. Nothing will matter – and you'll know it's love because I think in some way you are wiser than I am because of the world you grew up in."

"Elliot said the same thing, about nothing mattering if he really is the one – but he almost didn't ask you to marry him because of – everything."

"Because I freaked out," Amy conceded. "I know – but we got over that, didn't we?"

"Yes. You did. And I'm so happy for you both."

"But?"

"But – I don't know if you and Elliot ever plan to have children together – but if you did, you know they'll turn out – like regular people."

"Caroline – I cannot begin to imagine the burden – and joy – of your heritage – but I do know that when you meet the right man, it won't matter. He'll be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to be with you – because he'll love you as much as you love him."

"Like you, living between Hartford and New York?"

"And like Elliot, moving into my house because he knew without asking that I didn't want to move."

"Don't you want a place of your own?"

"I don't know – maybe someday we'll find something closer to the middle – or not," Amy shrugged. "What really matters is being together." She smiled – she was so very in love with him…

"But – if – I ever have children – they have at least a one in three chance of being so different that whoever the father was would have to give up everything – just to live here, where it was safe."

"You'd have to give up everything too."

"This is my home – living here is easy."

"I thought you wanted to be a lawyer."

"I – don't always know if that's what I want to do."

"You have your whole life ahead of you, Caroline. You'll figure it out."

"Thanks," Caroline hugged her. "You really are wonderful."

"You only say that because I'm someone else's mother."

Caroline laughed, "I get the feeling Lauren thinks you're pretty special too."

Caroline escorted Amy to Catherine and Vincent's chamber where Catherine and Diana were waiting; their hair was done up, the way Amy had talked about having it, with tiny white roses. Lauren was there, too, having her hair braided by Mary, who was plaiting in tiny pink roses. Claudia's hair was already done up with flowers – and she was sitting brushing out Jayne's hair – Jayne had graciously consented to be Amy's flower girl.

"Oh God," Amy said when she walked in, "You all look so beautiful!"

"You look like a prune!" Lauren giggled.

"But a very pretty one," said Mary.

Catherine and Diana laughed and made Amy sit down at Catherine's dressing table where they refused to let her lift a finger to get herself ready.

"I don't believe this is really happening," Amy said when they'd finished with her. Her hair was down and they'd let it dry naturally, so it was curly – there was a wreath of white and red roses – and a long silk veil that Mary had sewn pearl beads onto for her…

"It's really happening," Catherine whispered. She and Diana helped Amy get into her dress – it fit like a perfect second skin…where there were supposed to be buttons, Amy had done ties instead, and added an over skirt of lace – the lace that Brigit had sent Catherine years ago that she still hadn't done anything with… And Mary had gathered the women together to embroider the hem of the silken under skirt with tiny blue flowers that were only barely visible.

While Catherine and Diana got their dresses on, Mary helped Amy with her head dress and veil – she was almost crying herself. "You look so wonderfully beautiful, child. Now – don't you dare cry!" she laughed.

Amy just smiled back at her – everything – everyone – her soul swam with an overflow of emotions…and then she saw her daughter, in a dress of beautiful black velvet…it wasn't quite a woman's dress…but it wasn't a style for a little girl either. "Oh God – you are not allowed to grow up!"

Lauren just laughed and hugged her mother, "Too late, Mom – I'm already growing up."

"No fair doing that when I wasn't looking."

"May I come in?" Vincent queried from the doorway.

"Absolutely not!" Mary told him. She walked to the door and shooed him out into the hall. "If there is a message for the bride, I will take it to her."

He chuckled softly. "Only that the groom is ready when she is. We are taking him to the Great Hall now."

"I shall convey the message," Mary grinned up at him. Vincent looked stunning in an ivory coloured silk shirt with ruffles at the throat and cuffs, with a vest of burgundy brocade. Joe and Fin were similarly attired, but with black vests – the former having fussed about the ruffles until he actually got a look at himself and decided that Catherine was right, he did look rather 'dashing'. Elliot had an ivory shirt and burgundy vest of similar design and long black jacket… Mary and the other ladies of the Tunnels had worked very diligently and were quite proud of their collective efforts… the boys did look quite dashing indeed…

Vincent bowed to her and exited, still chuckling…

Mary handed the ladies their bouquets – and the basket of flower petals to Jayne, who wore burgundy to compliment the brides maids… Caroline and Claudia led the way, to ensure that the coast was clear… but everyone had gone to the Great Hall…even the pipes lay silent…

"Nervous?" Kate asked Elliot – he was fidgeting. Which was better than the pacing he'd been doing a few minutes ago. Fin and Joe had gone to wait by the doors for the ladies – and Vincent had gone to tell the bride that they merely awaited her presence to begin.

"Does it show?"

She laughed, "I could see it if I was blind."

From the hallway, she caught sight of Vincent's return, through the eyes of the crow who sat perched on Fin's shoulder. "Show time," she leaned up and kissed Elliot's cheek, before sliding to her place with the others who were seated in the Hall…

Moments later, Vincent joined Elliot – and they took their place near the head of the room, where Father stood – he should be sitting, according to Mary – but he refused.

Elliot tried to just concentrate on breathing. It felt like the longest ten minutes of his life, waiting for her to arrive… he stole a glance up at Vincent – his best friend – the brother of his heart and soul…the other smiled down at him.

"All is as it should be," Vincent told Elliot.

"I know – and I know how many times it came close to not working out."

"It never came close to not working out – you were just too close to the situation to see that."

Elliot chuckled. "You might be right."

"Of course I am right."

"Vincent."

"Hmmm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For believing in someone who had forgotten how to believe in himself. Thank you for coming to me when you had every reason in the world not to – and for brining me into your life."

Vincent put his hand on Elliot's shoulder, much as he had once before, so many years ago – Elliot squeezed it…

Fur… he smiled at the memory of the first time he had realized just how special Vincent really was…

Amy felt the butterflies in her stomach whirling around as they neared the Hall – Fin and Joe were standing just outside the closed doors – this was the first time she'd seen their outfits. "Oh – God," she whispered, feeling her knees starting to go. "If Elliot is dressed like that – I think I'm going to faint!"

Diana and Catherine both laughed, holding her tight… they sent Caroline, Claudia and Mary in, to let everyone know that it was time…

"You are going to be fine," Diana told her. She caught Fin's eye – and felt a few butterflies of her own dancing… Fin winked. She blushed… yeah, the boys did look pretty hot at that…

"You look beautiful," Joe came up and kissed Amy's cheek.

"I think I'm officially scared," Amy admitted.

"Mom!" Lauren chided her. "Why? You've talked about nothing but the wedding for – months!"

"I know," Amy told her.

"It's just one of those mysteries," Catherine said to Lauren. They heard the first strains of music – Lauren pulled her mother off to the side so that no one would see her once the doors were opened…

"Were you this nervous?" Joe whispered to Cathy, as he took her arm.

"I think so."

"I know I was – when Erika and I got married – no, none of that," he said, feeling her sorrow more than seeing it. "We had a great life together – and that is more than some people get."

Three hundred days were all that Brigit and Ian had had...the doors opened…Catherine and Joe stepped into the candlelit room… shortly behind them, Fin and Diana followed… and then Jayne, sprinkling flower petals.

Lauren snuck a peek in, "Ready?" she whispered to her mother, seeing that the others were almost in place.

"If I said no, I don't think you'd understand what I mean," Amy took Lauren's arm.

Together they stepped into the room – and she saw Elliot…somewhere in the back of her mind, Amy knew that she saw the flowers and the candles – and Catherine and Diana looking so beautiful – and Joe and Fin on the others side – and surly Vincent was a sight… but really all she saw was Elliot…

And after the ceremony, a single photograph was taken, of Elliot, Amy and Lauren, in front of one of the tapestries, so that Amy would have a memento for her family…

"Elliot," Amy said, as she lay snuggled against him, much later that night. She was exhausted from dancing and laughing…and other things… but happier than she ever remembered being before.

"Hmmm?" he stroked her hair, gently, marveling at the softness of the curls and the curve of her lips.

"Thank you."

"For?"

"Everything."

"I love you. Amy Madison Burch."

final thoughts…

Michael didn't admit to Amy what he'd done – or the things he'd seen, partially because he wasn't quite sure how much he'd imagined and how much had been real… and he certainly never told Alicia… but every once in a while, when passing a grate in the sidewalk, he looked down…and wondered…

And truly lastly, I hope that no one thinksI introduced Kyle back into theiras a haphazard thing... I'd like to see Kyle and Lily back together...but first, I do promise to finish Simon and Caroline's story!