Epilog
Saturday, June 5th. Four days
after Jen graduated from high school. The
wedding was set for the
"I'm so nervous. Look at me, I'm shaking," she complained to her mother in the exhausting heat of the little secluded room at the chapel.
"It's only natural. Don't worry, I was also nervous at my wedding. Today's a glorious day in your life. I promise you, nothing will go wrong," Mrs. Dawson reassured.
"I hope you're right, Mom. I just can't believe I'm getting married today. I'm so excited and so happy, but I have this feeling. I don't know how to describe it. I'm scared. What if something happens when I'm at the alter? What if I make a fool out of myself in front of the Backstreet Boys and Savage Garden and 'N Sync and South 65? What am I supposed to do?" Jen asked, confused about everything.
"Honey, everyone has their bad days. They probably have had some bad experiences in their life. Don't worry about it. Today is your day to shine," she comforted. Jen smiled and looked at her mother. She always had ways of making her feel better.
"Thanks, Mom. I think I'm ready now." Jen stood up and walked out of the room. Her father met her on the sunny beach where the wedding would be held under a thousand white roses. Then music began and Jen could see Drew already at the alter. He looked stunning in his black Georgio Armoine suit.
Drew stood there, extremely nervous. He didn't know if the wedding would go as planned. He only hoped he'd be able to stay calm through it.
"Drew, chill out. You don't want Jen to see you act like this," Nick whispered. He stood by his side, waiting to give him the ring.
"But look at all these people. I got Savage Garden, the Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, and South 65 to come. All those bands have members who are married, engaged, or dating," Drew answered, then he saw Jen walk down the isle with her father. He hadn't noticed the procession of bride's maids and their escorts pass by in their matching baby blue dresses. The flower girl was Stephanie's eight year old daughter. She looked adorably cute, prancing around in her pink dress and matching flowered hat.
Jen seemed like the apitimy of beauty. Her blond hair shimmered in the sunlight as a large smile grew across her face. A single tear, masked by the vial, dripped down her cheek. Drew loved the way the dress fit her slender body perfectly, and how the 12 foot train glided across the red carpet.
As Jen approached him, he took both of her hands into his and held them. The minister began his prayer, and they listened taintively until he finished.
"If there is anyone who thinks these two people should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace," he said. The minister turned to Drew and asked, "Do you have the ring?" Nick handed it to him and the minister began the ceremony.
"Do you, Andrew John Lachey take Jennifer as you lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love, honor, and obey, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Drew answered, placing the gold ring on Jen's finger.
"And so you, Jennifer Karen Dawson, take Andrew as you lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love, honor, and obey, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Jen responded. Another tear dripped down her veiled face.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister proudly said. "You may kiss the bride."
Drew slowly pulled the vial away from Jen's face to reveal her glowing smile. He waited a couple of moments to take in her beauty, then bent down for a long, deep kiss.
"I love you, Mrs. Jennifer Lachey," he whispered.
"I love you too," Jen answered.
They walked down the isle, arm in arm, to greet their guests. The first people to approach them were Nick Carter, his wife, Alex, and their two year old daughter, Christina.
"Hey, Nick. Thank you so much for giving us the chance to tour with the Backstreet Boys. I'm so glad you were able to find your wife," Drew said as he shook his hand.
"Thanks a lot for actually coming. You really were a big help. Thank you for helping me find Alex," Nick replied.
"Drew, could you please clue me in?" Jen asked.
"You remember when I wasn't able to see you over the holidays? I was out touring with Nick and the Backstreet Boys. He invited us to help search for his wife, and we just had to take the opportunity. You have read about Nick's accident, haven't you?" Drew answered.
"Yeah, I remember reading about it." She turned to Alex and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're daughter is adorable. Thank you so much for coming."
"It was my pleasure. You're a beautiful young lady. You deserve Drew. I wish you the best for the future," Alex commented. She left with Nick and Christina as Brian, his wife and son all walked up.
"Drew, I have to say. You picked one really pretty girl. Good luck. I wish you the best," Brian remarked.
"You do have a beautiful wife. Congratulations," Jay, Brian's wife, complimented. They made way for JC and his soon to be wife, Beth, to talk.
"I'm so happy for you two. I hope life turns out great," Beth said.
"Yeah, me too. It was great having the pleasure of coming here," JC added.
"Hey, Drew. Wrap it up. We need to get to the reception hall," Jeff yelled from across the beach.
Jen and Drew left the beach and got into their limo. The reception hall was about a mile away. It was a large place that could fit all their guests. Nick and Alex aided in finding it. Jen and Drew were happy with their decision.
As they arrived, everything seemed so perfect. They took their seats at the head table and waited for the rest of their guests to arrive before serving lunch. After lunch, the party began. Jen changed into a green party dress and shorter heels. Drew wore a gray shirt and pants. The first song was dedicated to them be Daniel Jones and Darren Hayes of Savage Garden as their gift. Of course, it was "Truly Madly Deeply." Jen was over excited to have their special song dedicated to them by the song writers.
The second one would be "I Do (Cherish You)" from Nick, Jeff, and Justin. They sang it to Jen and Drew with the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Jen's favorite dedication was "To Me," from South 65. Even though she didn't like country, she though the song was very sweet for the occasion. Then came Drew's special song. He chose "Heaven's Missing an Angel."
Jen cried through most of it because he held her hand while singing it to her. They stood in the middle of the dance floor, everyone staring. The smile on her face was enormous. Everything was perfect, just like her mother had said. This moment was one to remember for the rest of her life. Nothing could compare, not even receiving a gold medal in the Olympics. Having Drew by her side for the rest of their lives was the best part about marrying him. Her life was perfect.