"Momma, I'm right here. What's going on?"

"Oh. Carly just asked for you. And honey, she looks really upset. Try to make her feel better. It's the biggest day of her life."

"Yeah, I'll try Mom." Turning away from her mother, Raleigh knocked twice on the door to where her best friend waited and entered.

Carly was standing in front the floor-length mirror but Raleigh knew she wasn't seeing herself. She wasn't looking at the beautiful satin gown she wore, with the beaded lace and a-line skirt. Raleigh basked in how gorgeous her best friend was. The halter top of the gown showed off her slim shoulders, the pink sash showing off her slim waist - perfectly matched to the color of Raleigh dress - as it wrapped around, meeting at her laced-up back and falling to the floor with her chapel train. Her hair was swept back, gentle curls cascading down her back beneath the veil which was outlined in the same pink as the sash.

"Carly," Raleigh sighed. "You are so beautiful." A hint of a smile hit Carly's lips and right away Raleigh knew something was terribly wrong. She'd hoped her mother hadn't been right. "Ok, what's up?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah, and I'm Cleopatra. Carly, you know you can't lie to me."

"I just..." Carly let out the breath that had been collecting in her lungs and shook her head. "I don't know if I can do this." Her voice was so low that Raleigh almost missed the ridiculous words that had just come out of her mouth. Almost.

"What? What do you mean you don't think you can do this? You've been waiting to marry Justin for almost ten years, Carly. What on earth would make you change your mind so suddenly?"

"No, Ray that isn't what I meant. I still want to marry Justin, that's all I want."

"Ok, rewind, you're completely contradicting yourself here. You just said you can't do this, so what do you....oh. Oh." Raleigh cut her sentence off, finally understanding what was going through her best friend's head. How could she not have known? "He's not coming, is he?"

Carly's somber eyes never met Raleigh's as she shook her head, trying to hold back the tears she knew would eventually fall. Stepping up beside her, Raleigh wrapped her arms around Carly and pulled her head to her shoulder, comforting her the only way she knew how. It was only a matter of seconds before Carly failed and the tears flowed freely down her face, wetting Raleigh's shoulder.

Raleigh was never so thankful for her family as she was at that moment. She had a sister and 3 older brothers she knew would do anything for her, a mother who - even though they had their differences and fought a lot - loved her, and a father who loved her unconditionally and who was so very proud of her. She had a father who was going to walk her down the aisle and give her away in six short months. Carly had never had any of that.

I could just hit him for putting her through this, on this day of any! Raleigh thought angrily to herself. How could you not be at your own daughter's wedding to walk her down the aisle? To be there for her and to support her on the most important day of her life?

"I'm sorry, Carly, but you know how I feel about the man. He doesn't deserve you as a daughter and I don't think he really deserves to share this day with you either."

"But he's my father, Ray."

"Biologically, yes." Realizing she wasn't helping the situation with her hate towards her best friend's father, Raleigh sighed and tried a different tactic. "My dad has been more of a father to you than he has. He loves you like his own daughter, you know that right?"

"Yes, I know." Carly pulled away from Raleigh's embrace and wiped at the streaks staining her cheeks. As Raleigh watched Carly dab at her cheeks, all she wanted was to make her happy. To cheer her up and make her excited that today was her wedding day - with or without her father present. Realizing that one of those fathers was present, Raleigh decided she knew just how to cheer Carly up.

Grabbing her make-up bag, Raleigh handed it over to Carly and told her to try and fix her face as she turned to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"I'll be right back, I promise." Raleigh left the Bride's room and began the search for her family. She spotted Alan sitting with his kids so she went to him first. "Hey Al, have you seen Dad?"

"Last I saw him he and Mom were out front with Justin and Bobbie."

"Thanks." Just as her oldest brother had said Raleigh found the man she was looking for outside the church. She didn't mean to be rude and interrupt her mother speaking, but she felt that her little crisis was much more important than her mother's slightly too loose dress. God forbid something ever not be skin-tight on her.

"Daddy, I need to talk to you."

"Raleigh, can't you see..." her mother began to berate before she cut her off again.

"I know and I'm sorry but its really important."

"Is everything all right?" Keith's brow furrowed just as it always did when he was worried.

"Uh, no not really." Raleigh led him back inside the church where Justin wouldn't overhear that his fiance didn't think she could walk down the aisle to marry him.

"Raleigh, what is going on?"

"Paul isn't coming." She didn't bother to try and work up to it. She knew it was best to say it right out and that he would understand the meaning of her words immediately.

"Oh. I see. How upset is she?"

"Very. She doesn't think she can do this alone." Keith just nodded. He didn't need to ask Raleigh if there was anything he could do to help. He already knew.

"Is she in room one or two?"

"Two." Keith gave Raleigh a kiss on the forehead just before turning away to head back where Carly was nervously waiting.

Raleigh followed her father inside and leaned against the wall in the back hallway. She closed her eyes trying to stop the headache that was quickly forming at her temples. She sincerely hoped her wedding was less stressful.

After a minute or so of rubbing her temples, Raleigh felt someone come up beside her. She knew who it was even before he spoke. She'd spent a majority of her life feeling him beside her. Some things you didn't forget.

"You are possibly the best and worst maid of honor ever."

"Thank you so much for that wonderful insight, will you go away now?" Raleigh replied, never opening her eyes, but Josh went on as though she hadn't spoken.

"I mean, you will do whatever it takes to make this the best day Carly has ever had, including lending your own father to her. But on the downside, you slept with her fiancé. Not very honorable of you, Ms. Coons."

Raleigh let out a loud sigh before asking, "Are you trying to annoy me, Josh?"

"No. If I were trying to annoy you I'd say something like you look like a giant bottle of pepto bismol in that dress."

"And I'd say you look like a raging homosexual in that hot pink vest."

"Ouch. There's the feisty Raleigh."

"Leave me alone."

"I'm just saying she's been gone a long time. It's nice to see her once in a while."

Raleigh rolled her eyes and pushed herself away from the wall. "Okay I'm going now." Just then, Raleigh's father came out of Carly's dressing room and headed straight for her.

"Is she all right?"

"She's fine. She wants to see you." Nodding her head, Raleigh immediately left he and Josh in the hallway and headed back to where her best friend was. She slightly opened the door and peered inside.

"Knock knock." Carly pulled her inside and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you so much, Ray."

"Does this mean the wedding can go on?"

"Yes. Just help me fix my eyes." Raleigh noticed they were still wet and she grabbed a paper towel and dabbed them dry, trying to get the mascara making her look like a raccoon off her skin. When she was smudge-free Raleigh reapplied Carly's eye liner first.

"Did you hear about that storm that's supposed to come through town later on?" Carly asked as she sat perfectly still for Raleigh. "The weather man was saying it's supposed to be tornado weather, minus the tornado."

"Yeah I heard that this morning when we were getting ready at Tully's. I guess it's supposed to hit here about four."

"I was looking out the window and I'm not so sure it's going to hold off that long. It's already wicked windy out and its getting darker. I just hope we make it to the reception hall before it down pours."

"I'm sure we will." The girls continued to talk about random things while Raleigh put the finishing touches on her best friend's make up. As soon as she was done she said, "There. Beautiful." and began putting away everything she'd used.

Carly turned to look at herself in the mirror and smiled. The splotches that had been covering her face just minutes before were now perfectly concealed and her normally plain brown eyes seemed to pop with the natural tones Raleigh had chosen. Her lips were painted a soft pink that glistened from the gloss that had been applied, and for once Carly allowed herself to believe she truly looked beautiful. She could hardly recognize the face smiling back at her.

There was a sharp knock on the door and Deb, Raleigh's mother, poked her head in. "Is the bride ready?" Carly turned to Deb and gave her a big smile and nod. She'd been ready for this day for a long time. "Ok well everyone is seated and waiting, so lets go." Raleigh and Carly followed Deb down the short hallway and into the church's lobby where the rest of the bridal party was waiting. Everyone took formation as the music began playing. First Daniel and Paige, then Joey and Tully followed by Bobbie with Alicia then finally Raleigh and Josh. Once they made it down the aisle and took their stances to the left and right of the alter the guests all stood and everyone's attention was turned to watch as Carly entered on the arm of Keith.

Raleigh felt a stinging in her throat as she watched the two come down the aisle. Her father had Carly by the hand and it was obvious just how grateful she was to have him by her side. She looked as though she were shaking and her hand was white from clutching him so tightly, but the smiles never wavered from their faces.

Once they made it to the alter, Keith turned to Carly, lifted her veil and kissed her on the forehead before hugging her tightly. He placed her hand in Justin's then turned to sit down with his wife. As he took his seat Raleigh could have sworn she saw his eyes glistening with tears. The sight made her own eyes well up.

When it came time for Raleigh's two best friends to exchange vows and rings she couldn't hold back any longer. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks and she gave no mind that she was going to have black tracks down her cheeks. From the corner of her eyes Raleigh caught sight of Josh watching her. He should have been watching his best friend get married, nearly as emotional as Raleigh was. But instead he had the full intensity of his crystal blue eyes fixated on her, his beautiful face void of any emotion and yet somehow Raleigh knew exactly how he was feeling, exactly what he was thinking. The thought seemed to go from his mind to hers through their met gaze.

"That should be us" it seemed to whisper to her. Raleigh ripped her eyes away from him and back to the now married couple just in time to see Justin dramatically dip Carly and kiss her so that they may be man and wife. Applause and hollers broke out throughout the guests as they stood to watch Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake descend the alter and head out into the lobby. Raleigh couldn't help but to laugh when she saw how red Carly's face was from the attention.

Raleigh reluctantly took Josh's offered arm as they followed their friends out. The wedding party formed a line just inside the church's double doors so the guests could hug and congratulate the couple before heading out to their cars.

Raleigh stood beside Dan and waited while everyone filed by trying to get to Justin and Carly.

Once they were safely inside their limo after all the hugs and kisses Raleigh asked Dan what time it was. She had to yell to be heard over the howling of the ever growing wind. She suddenly wasn't so sure they wouldn't have a tornado.

"It's two-twenty-five. Why?" He shouted back to her. That meant they had just under three hours until the reception. That was more than enough time.

"I have to go do something. Can you stay with the rest of the group for a while?"

"What? Ray, we have to go with them to get pictures taken."

"Look at it out here, Dan. This is a photographer's nightmare. We're not doing them. Carly didn't want to risk having to replace his equipment because of this weather."

"Fine, then where are you going?"

"That's not important. I promise to be back in time for the reception, ok?" Raleigh could tell he wanted to fight her on this and she didn't try to hide her relief when he didn't. He just nodded to her in agreement.

"Thank you. I'll see you in a little bit."

"Raleigh, please be careful. This storm is turning ugly fast." Raleigh saw the worry in his eyes and kissed him quickly on the cheek.

"I promise." Raleigh ran back into the church and grabbed her purse. Not wanting to run into anybody, especially not her mother, she exited through the back exit and straight into the parking lot. Only when she got there did she remember one small problem. She hadn't driven there.

"Shit." She was about to go back and ask her father to borrow the truck when someone called out behind her.

"Need a ride?" Raleigh spun around, unable to hide the fact that she'd been startled.

"Jesus." She mumbled, placing a hand to her chest. Her heart was hammering against her chest.

"No, Josh. But I can see how you can get us confused." He gave her his lop-sided grin and she narrowed her eyes at him in annoyance.

"What do you want?"

"It's obvious you need to get somewhere but that can be a bit difficult when you don't have a car."

Raleigh squared her shoulders before saying, "I can borrow my father's truck, thank you."

"Ah, but you want to avoid getting questioned which is why you ran out the back way. "

"Is that so? Well isn't there a certain question you would need to ask me anyway if I allow you to give me a ride?"

"No." He answered simply, throwing her off."

"No?"

"I already know where you need to get Raleigh, and quite frankly we better start heading out. The storms coming in fast and we have a little bit of a drive ahead of us." Sighing, defeated, Raleigh gave in. Of course Josh would know where she needed to go and just exactly why it was pertinent she do this now. Besides, the guests were beginning to head to the parking lot and he'd been right, she wanted to avoid their questions.

"Fine, where is your car?"

"I have Tyler's. It's the red cruiser over there." Raleigh followed his lead and got into the passenger seat. As they drove away she didn't speak to or look at him. His eyes were glued to the sky so he didn't bother speaking to her either. With each passing second it seemed to turn a darker shade of gray. By the time they drove through Memphis it was practically black and Raleigh was holding onto her "oh shit" handle for dear life, as though it would save her if a tornado decided to spout down and pick up the small car right then.

Raleigh fiddled with the radio knobs until she found one talking about the storm. According to the broadcaster, the wind had reached seventy miles-per-hour and were steadily increasing, expected to not slow for hours. She was suddenly worried this may not have been the best plan when she realized Josh was really straining to not put them in a ditch.

Trying to take her mind off the dangers of nature, Raleigh turned the knobs again and settled for the first station playing music. It was a soft melody she'd never heard before but she found it incredibly relaxing, even with the uncomfortable factor quickly approaching a ten inside the small car. Deciding to ignore that, Raleigh leaned her head back against the head rest and moved her eyes to watch the ever darkening scenery as it passed them by. They sat like that for a few minutes, neither one speaking, just listening to the soft music, but finally Josh couldn't take the silence between them anymore.

"So how's life in LA?"

"Great." She answered automatically. "How's life in New York?"

"Great." He answered in the same monotone Raleigh had used. "Why haven't you been back home before now?"

"Why haven't you?" Raleigh shot back at him, wishing he hadn't spoken. She'd preferred the uncomfortable silence to uncomfortable questions.

"Because I was avoiding you." He answered easily, honestly.

Raleigh blinked in surprise at his blunt honesty. He'd caught her off guard for the second time since leaving the church. If she'd allowed herself to be honest she'd admit that was her reasoning for staying away from Shelby also. But it wasn't that often she allowed herself to be that honest.

"Oh." Came the stupid reply. She turned her eyes back outside and wasn't at all surprised to see lightning lighting up the sky.

"Its getting nasty out. I really hope we make it back before the tornado hits."

"Tornado? There's not supposed to be a tornado."

"Oh no? Listen." Josh reached for the volume knob and turned up the radio so they could hear the broadcaster prattle on about the weather.

"...the winds have reached a whopping 100 miles per hour and it looks like it could begin to rain anytime. We expect the tornado to touch down in Memphis within the hour and we urge you to remain indoors. There hasn't been one this strong since May of ‘95! Experts are for an F3, possibly an F4..."

Raleigh focused her wide eyes on Josh. "We need to get there now. It could form any time."

"I know." Josh gritted his teeth and pressed down harder on the gas pedal. They were on a very dangerous race against mother nature and the odds weren't in their favor.