"Honey, I'd better get back to my room. You know what they say... It's bad luck

for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." Donny grinned as he

kissed me on the cheek.

"Right." I said, hopin I looked as disappointed as he did. "Um... I'll miss you."

At this he smiled and wrapped his arms around me. "Aw, Honey. It's just for a

little while. In only..." He looked at his watch. "... Nine hours you'll be Mrs.

Donny Douglas!"

"I-I can't wait!" I said, prayin' that he wouldn't notice the quiverin' in me voice

or the tears in me eyes.

I'd already cried enough in the past few hours to last a lifetime.

"Well... goodnight." Donny said. "I love you, Mrs. Douglas."

At my surprised look, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, as though he

couldn't bear the thought of lettin' me go.

How ironic that statement seems now.

"I'm sorry." Donny said, his face reddening as our kiss ended. "I guess I just

can't believe that you'll be my wife soon."

I sighed and touched his face in a romantic gesture, painfully aware of the

tears that were movin' dangerously close to the surface. "I love you." I said,

me voice barely a whisper.

"I love you, too." He said givin' me one last kiss.

As the door closed behind him, the tears unleashed and fell like a waterfall

down me cheeks.

I had to get out of here; away from the memories.

I crossed the room and opened the door that led to the balcony stepping into

the cool summer night air, ignorin' the chill that went over my bare shoulders.

When I looked up, the moonlit and star-filled sky was blurred by my tears.

Just hours ago, Niles and I had stood in this very spot, confessin our love for

each other. And then we shared the most romantic kisses...

Niles looked into my eyes and promised that we would work out our newfound

relationship, no matter how difficult.

He really was the kindest, sweetest man I'd ever known...

And my love for him was deeper than I'd ever dreamed.

But I couldn't bring meself to break Donny's heart; not after I'd made a

promise to him. And Niles was already married to Mel. Every time I saw them

together I could tell how happy he was. He'd finally gotten over Maris and

past his loneliness.

Even though he'd told me that he loved me, he shared something with Mel

that I could never be a part of. She was far better suited for him than I was.

Mel was a successful doctor, and what was I? Just a physical therapist from a

poor family in Manchester, who got the opportunity of a lifetime to work for a

famous radio psychiatrist.

Not that I'd trade me job with Dr. Crane for anything else in the world. I loved

what I did for a living and I was good at it. Even if Mr. Crane would never come

out and say it. And come to think of it, I loved Dr and Mr. Crane as well.

Stayin' just friends with Niles was probably for the best.

Donny was a kind and decent man and he loved me. And if I'm to be honest

with meself, that's all I ever really wanted, was for someone to love me. It

may not be the kind of love I dreamed of as a girl, but it's still love.

So even though I wasn't entirely sure I loved Donny in return, I'd probably

grow to love him as much, if not more.

But as I thought about Donny, I was also thinkin' about someone else. And it

was nearly impossible to get him out of me head.