“This feels weird.”

Chloe was standing on a podium in Kleinfeld’s Bridal in New York.  Klienfeld’s was the largest luxury bridal retailer in the world and Justin had arranged for Chloe to have a private appointment to pick out the dress of her dreams.  They had only been there a few minutes but already Chloe was feeling a bit overwhelmed.  There were so many beautiful dresses to choose from and she really wasn’t sure what she wanted in terms of style or fit.

Thankfully, Adam, Gabby and her mother had come along to help her choose. 

Adam smiled up at his sister.  Dresses were a bit of novelty for Chloe.  She rarely wore them so he could understand why she might feel a bit awkward given the circumstances. 

“It’s not supposed to feel weird; it’s supposed to be fun. “

Chloe made a face which in turn made Adam laugh.

“Yeah Mommy, you get to dress like a princess.” Gabby quipped.

This made Chloe smile. 

“A princess, huh?”

Gabby nodded emphatically.

“Do you think Justin would like a princess dress?”

Adam smirked and shook his head.  “I think Justin would marry you wearing a paper bag and not care but since I think they are fresh out of bags here I am with Gabby…a princess dress seems like a good choice.”

Right on cue the Bridal consultant appeared at Chloe’s side.

“Are you ready to get started?”

Chloe swallowed hard and nodded.  “As ready as I am going to get.”

“Great! Any ideas?!”

Chloe bit her lip and looked to her entourage for support.  She had no idea where to start.

Thank goodness for Adam.  Yet again, he was there to come to her rescue.

“She’s a surgeon.  Dresses are foreign territory.  Scrubs, dress slacks and lab coats are pretty much her staple.”

The Bridal consultant smiled and nodded knowingly.  She understood completely.

“I see.  Well then, let’s start with who you have with you today?”

Chloe smiled and winked at her brother.  Thankful for the opportunity to answer a question that she was actually comfortable with.

“This is my mother, my daughter and my Man of Honor, also known as my big brother.”

“Ah, very Patrick Dempsey, I like it.”

“Not quite, but I won’t argue that he is nice to look at.” Adam smirked.

Chloe giggled as their mother just rolled her eyes and smiled.  Meanwhile, Gabby was giving the adults in the room disapproving looks.

“Who is Patrick Dempsey?” Gabby asked.

“The guy in the movie, Enchanted.”

Gabby grinned and nodded.  She’d seen the movie a few times. 

“Oh! He is handsome but not as handsome as Uncle Adam.”

Adam chuckled and squeezed Gabby in a hug.  “Thanks Gabs!  Now, how about we get back to your mommy’s dress?”

“Please!” Chloe sighed.

“Hmm…well, is there anything you don’t want in a dress?”

Chloe let out another sigh, but this was a sigh of relief.  There was a reason that Justin had sent her here.  They obviously knew what they were doing.

“Sleeves! I don’t want sleeves! The wedding is in June, here in New York.  I want to be comfortable.”

“Ok, so something strapless.”

Seeing an opportunity, Gabby decided to weigh in on the topic as well.

“A princess!  She needs to look like a princess!”

Adam nodded in agreement then smiled up at his sister and the Bridal consultant.  He knew exactly what to say to communicate the look Gabby had in her mind, and he had the feeling that once Chloe understood she would go for it as well.

“I agree.  Something strapless and sleeveless, with a ball gown silhouette and maybe beads or some other applique on the skirt.”

Chloe looked at her brother in disbelief.  How he knew this type of stuff was beyond her realm of understanding.

“How do you know that?”

Adam chuckled, his face coloring a bit with embarrassment. 

“I dated a guy once who was obsessed with “Say Yes to the Dress” so I have seen a few episodes. “

Chloe just shook her head and then directed her attention to the Bridal consultant.

“Sure.  What he said.  Let’s start there.”

Minutes later the Bridal Consultant returned to the private fitting room with an armful of dresses.  All of them gorgeous.  Chloe swallowed the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat.  This was not going to be an easy task.  She knew that much.

With a bright smile on her face the Bridal Consultant looked at Gabby and winked.

“A princess, is that right?”

Gabby nodded emphatically; her smile as equally wide.

“I think I have just the dress.”

Chloe looked at the Bridal Consultant, her eyebrow arched in question but said nothing as she followed the woman to the changing room.  The room was small, or at least it seemed that way with two women and a large ball gown cramped inside but some-how, they fit.  Truthfully, Chloe would have preferred a bit more privacy but given the enormity and intricacy of these dresses she understood getting any one of them on was a two-person job.

Chloe quickly stripped out of her jeans and t-shirt, leaving her in just a bra and underwear.  Thank goodness she’d had the forethought to wear a strapless bra just in case. 

“Are you ready?”

Chloe laughed nervously and shook her head.

“No, not really…but I don’t know when I will have another day off before the wedding …AND…well…I know my fiancé went to a lot of trouble to get this appointment.”

“No worries. I promise to make this as painless as possible.”

Chloe bit her lip and nodded as the consultant helped her step into the dress and then fasten the seemingly endless row of buttons down the back of the bodice. 

Chloe couldn’t help but gasp at her reflection. 

“Wow!” Chloe whispered.

“It looks gorgeous on you!  Would you like to show them?”

Chloe felt a lump start to form in her throat and her eyes were starting to well with tears but some-how she managed a nod.

In a daze she followed the Consultant to the room where her family was waiting.  Gathering the dress in each hand Chloe stepped onto the podium then waited for a reaction, afraid to look at anyone seated in the room.

The dress was absolutely the most beautiful dress Chloe had ever put on in her life.  It truly felt like a dress fit for a princess. A beaded bodice featuring a shimmering rose brocade, a ballgown silhouette with sparkle tulle, rose sparkle patterned organza, soft English net, embroidered lace with crystals and beads throughout and soft pickups in the skirt and train.

Adam grinned, Gabby’s eyes lit up and tears started to glisten in her mother’s eyes.

“That’s the one!” Adam exclaimed.

“Really?!” Chloe asked, her eyes still brimming.

“Oh honey, you know it is.” Her mother added.

“Gabby bug?”

Gabby grinned more and nodded.  “Yup! You DEFINITELY look like a princess!”

“But it’s only the first dress I’ve tried on.”

Her mother brushed away a few tears and smiled.

“If you know, you know and I can tell that you already know.”

“And it just so happens, that dress is IN FACT a princess dress.  It’s from the Disney Fairy Tale Wedding collection.”

Chloe smiled and bit her lip as she tried to force back the lump in her throat.  It was an emotional moment.  For several seconds she just stood there in silence, looking down at her family and her reflection.  Her mother was right, she knew with 100% certainty that this was the dress she’d be wearing when she and Justin said their “I do’s.”

“I don’t need to try on any more dresses …this is the one.”

***

Today was the day.  Justin and Chloe were getting married.  After a lot of searching around the city and some guidance from Adam they had found a venue.  The wedding and the reception would be at the St. Regis Hotel.  Once again, Justin had gone above and beyond for the occasion renting out the Dior Suite and the Milano suite for the bridal party. 

Chloe and Gabby would be getting ready in the Dior Suite while Adam and Justin got ready in the Milano suite, and although the other members of *NSYNC were not officially part of the wedding party, but were performing at the reception they would be joining Justin and Adam.   Truthfully, Justin wanted his “brothers” with him on his big day.  It just wouldn’t be the same without them.  He needed them by his side.  He knew that on a day like today they would be his sanity, his calm in the chaos, because right then he was a jumble of nerves.

At the moment he was sitting in the master bedroom, on the bed, his feet on the floor dressed in his tux pants and an under shirt as he tried to get a hold of his emotions.  Everyone else was in the living room area getting ready.

There were a million things running through his mind.  He wasn’t having second thoughts, not even for a moment but all the emotions swirling inside of him were a bit overwhelming. 

It was as he was sitting there, trying to calm his breathing and steady his racing heart that a small voice seemed to break through his haze.

“Justin?”

Justin looked up and there standing in the doorway to the bedroom was probably the most adorable thing he’d ever seen in his life.

Gabby was dressed in a sleeveless tuxedo dress.  The top looked like a true tuxedo with black lapels, a royal blue bow tie at her neck and a matching cumber bun at her waist but the skirt was all sparkly black tulle.  It was perfect for her. 

“Wow Gabby…. you look…”

Gabby beamed.  “Yeah?”

Justin smiled.  “Beautiful.  You look beautiful Gabby but aren’t you supposed to be helping your mom get ready?”

Gabby shook her head and then bounced into the room; her hands tucked not so discreetly behind her back.

“Nope.  She said I could come over.  Grandma and Mrs. Karly are helping her and besides I am the “Best Girl.”

Justin laughed and nodded, feeling a little bit of his nerves start to melt away.

“That you are.  Actually, I am glad you are here.  I have something for you.”

Gabby grinned.  “I have something for you too.”

Justin nodded and smiled as she approached and produced the small, square box from behind her back.  It was a simple, square, flat, white box with a dark blue ribbon tied around it.  Justin took the box when she offered it to him then carefully began to untie the ribbon.  With the ribbon now sitting on the bed beside him Justin lifted the lid and couldn’t help but get a little choked up at what he saw.

Inside the box, lying on one of those cotton inserts meant for jewelry was a silver key chain.  On a square silver plate were the words “Thanks for being the dad you didn’t have to be”, and on a small, rectangular plate next to it was the word “Gabby” with a heart.

Immediately, Justin set the box down next to him and pulled Gabby into a hug. 

“Thank you.” He whispered into her hair as a few tears spilled over.

After several moments Justin pulled away and looked back at her.  He opened his mouth to speak but she surprised him.  Her little hand reached up and brushed the tears away from his face with her finger tips as she smiled back at him.  It was such a sweet and loving gesture but one he had not expected. 

“No tears today, Dad.  This is a happy day.”

Justin chuckled and sniffled a bit before nodding. 

“You’re right.  Today is a happy day, but these are happy tears.  I’m happy because today I get to make you and your mom a part of my forever family…officially.”

Gabby giggled a bit and nodded.  “Well…since you put it that way…”

Justin grinned and hugged her again then retrieved the box he had for her from the night stand next to the bed.

The box was similar to the one she’d given him.  Square, white, but this one was tied with a pink ribbon.  Justin handed the box to her and waited anxiously for her to open it.

Gabby’s eyes went wide when she pulled the tissue paper away.  Inside the box was a silver necklace with a heart shaped pendant on the chain.  The heart had tiny diamonds running along one side and a vibrant, red Garnet in the middle.  The card the necklace was sitting on had a sweet poem printed on it, but because the script was fancy Gabby was having a hard time reading it.

“Do you want me to read what it says?” Justin asked gently.

Gabby nodded.

Smiling wistfully Justin took the card and read it out loud to Gabby.

To my Handpicked Daughter,

You may not be flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone, but I’ll proudly still call you my own.

So never forget for a single minute.

You didn’t grow under my heart, but in it.

I love you.

As soon as he finished reading the card Gabby threw her arms around Justin again, wrapping him in a tight hug.  They hugged for several minutes but as soon as Gabby pulled away, she immediately nodded towards the necklace.

“Will you help me put in on?”

Justin nodded and gently freed the necklace from the card then carefully fastened it around Gabby’s neck.

Gabby fingered the necklace for a moment, making sure it was perfectly placed against the fabric of her tuxedo dress then she turned her attention back to Justin.  He looked as if he wanted to say something so she stayed quiet.

“There’s something else Gabby…something I want to tell you.”

“Ok?!”

The butterflies in Justin’s stomach were going wild again.  True, what he was about to say wasn’t as nerve wracking as proposing or saying “I do”, but it was as equally important, or at least it was to him.

“I already asked your mom…and she said it was ok with her if it was ok with you…”

Justin paused for a moment and took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I want to adopt you, Gabby.  I don’t want to be just your step-dad. I want to be your dad!”

Gabby’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wide as saucers.  It was obvious she was in complete shock.

“Really?!” Gabby whispered.

“Really! I mean…if that’s what you want…”

Gabby grinned, her eyes dancing in front of her and the smile on her lips illuminating her face. 

“Yes!  I want you to be my dad!!  I told you that’s what I wanted!  I want to be Gabriella Michelle De Luca-Hunter-Timberlake!”

Justin couldn’t help but chuckle at the last bit.

“Are you sure?  That’s a lot of names for one person.”

Gabby made a face and nodded.  “It’s not any crazier than North West or Blue Ivy Carter.”

Her sass only made him chuckle more.  One thing was certain, he was going to have his work cut out for him with her but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Good point.  Ok, we will work on that AFTER your mom and I get back from the Honeymoon.”

Gabby seemed satisfied with his response and therefore, in true 6-year-old fashion abruptly changed the subject.

“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?” Gabby asked.

The top half of his tux and various accessories were still in the garment bag on the other side of the bed.

Justin smiled and nodded.

“Yeah.  I probably should.  I was just taking a moment.”

Gabby nodded, giving him a reassuring smile.

“You’re nervous! Mommy is too!  Mrs. Karly and my grandma were helping her get into her dress when I left.”

“Yeah?!  Have you seen it…the dress I mean?”

The thought of seeing Chloe in her wedding dress was giving Justin some serious butterflies.  He knew that regardless of what the dress looked like she would be absolutely radiant in it.

Gabby grinned and nodded.  “At the shop…when she picked it out.  She definitely looks like a princess!”

Justin smiled and nodded.  “I bet she does.  What about you? Are you all set? Do you have the rings?”

Gabby shook her head.  “I’m all set, ready to go, but I don’t have the rings yet.  Mr. JC has them right now.  He said he would give them to me just before we go out there.”

Justin nodded.  He had asked JC to pick up the wedding bands for them when he’d arrived in town.  He knew that Chloe and her family would be too busy with last minute preparations and with Chloe working right up until the day before the wedding he wanted to take as much of the burden off her as he could.  Calling in a few favors with the guys had been the perfect solution.

Just a few floors away in the Dior Suite Chloe was standing alone in the master bedroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror.  Her make-up was done, her hair fell in lush curls around her shoulders and down her back, with a bit pulled back at the sides helping to secure her jeweled comb veil in place.  Around her neck, a single pearl pendant necklace.  It was her “something old” and “something borrowed” from her mother.  It had been her grandmother’s.  Her dress was her “something new” and her “something blue” was the blue ribbon and lace garter currently hugging her left thigh beneath the folds of her dress.

Chloe’s dress really was fit for a princess and she felt like a princess in it.  It was probably the most beautiful thing she’d ever worn and also surprisingly comfortable.  Although, she was grateful to her mother and Karly for insisting she use the restroom BEFORE putting on the dress. 

Being the only other wife within the *NSYNC inner circle Karly had been a God-send!  She’d been the one to share tricks like wearing a button-down shirt to get ready in so Chloe wouldn’t mess up her hair or make-up.  She’d also volunteered to help Chloe bustle her dress after the ceremony so it wouldn’t get trampled during the reception.  Having another female around was definitely something Chloe was looking forward to.

Chloe couldn’t help but smile and chew on her bottom lip as she looked at her reflection.  This was definitely a HUGE departure from scrubs.

“Wow!  Chloe…DAMN…you look…”

Chloe turned at the sound of his voice and couldn’t help but giggle.  Adam was leaning against the bedroom doorway his jaw on the floor.

“Good? Bad?”

Adam chuckled.  “Good! Really good! You look gorgeous!  Wow! Just wow! Look at my little sister all grown up and marrying the man of her dreams…literally!”

Chloe giggled. “Stop!”

“Am I wrong?”

Chloe giggled more and shook her head.

“No.”

“Didn’t think so.”

Just then, the hotel Wedding coordinator appeared in the doorway.

“Ready when you are Dr. De Luca.”

Chloe nodded and took a breath.  Adam took that as his cue.

“Give us a moment?!”

The wedding coordinator smiled and nodded.  She understood that the bride needed another minute to collect herself.

Adam crossed the room and stepped towards his sister, stopping just in front of her and taking her hands in his.

“For almost 3 years now I’ve watched you fight tooth and nail every day to be the best doctor to your patients, the best daughter to mom and dad, the best sister to me and the best mother AND father to Gabby.  You never ask for anything in return.  THIS is your moment, Chloe! This is your happy ending!  I have no doubt that Justin will fight every day to be the husband you’ve always deserved…and if he doesn’t…”

Chloe couldn’t help but giggle through her tears.

“I’m not worried.”

Adam nodded and smiled.  “Neither am I.”

“I guess it’s time then, isn’t it?”

Adam offered his arm and Chloe immediately accepted.  “I think so.”

The wedding ceremony was being held in the Versaille room while the reception was going to be in St. Regis roof ballroom.

All of the guests had been seated and the ushers, or Justin’s bandmates, were now escorting members of the family to their seats. 

Joey and Chris escorted Justin’s stepmother to her seat alongside Justin’s father and step-brothers.  Lance had the task of escorting Justin’s mother, Lyn Harless to her seat with Justin’s step-father and JC escorted Chloe’s mother to her seat.

Justin was already standing at the podium with the officiant for the ceremony.

Traditionally, the bridesmaids walked down the aisle next but since nothing about this ceremony was traditional Adam and Gabby walked down the aisle arm in arm with JC handing the rings off to Gabby as she took the podium next to Justin. 

Gabby gave JC a wink and a thumbs up as everyone stood and directed their attention to the back of the room where Chloe and her father had just stepped into view.

Justin immediately sucked in a breath and held it.  Nothing, absolutely NOTHING could have prepared him for the emotions that swirled through him in that moment.  Chloe looked absolutely ANGELIC in her dress.  It was the happiest he’d ever felt in his entire life.  Justin could feel his eyes start to cloud with tears and he swallowed hard as he tried to force them back. 

Everyone was looking at Chloe but her eyes were only on Justin.  She’d always been of the opinion that he looked AMAZING in a tux but this tux, this tux was different.  This tux was special.  This tux was a part of this moment, and then she spied the cuff links she’d given him for Christmas attached to his tuxedo and her own eyes started to brim with tears.  She knew that he’d worn them for her.

“Who gives the bride to be wed?” the officiant asked.

Chloe’s father, Arturo opened his mouth to answer but Gabby beat him to it.

“I do!” Gabby exclaimed.

Everyone in the room chuckled, meanwhile Gabby’s grandfather nodded before speaking as he tried to force back his own laughter.  In a way, she had a point.

“Her mother and I do…as does her daughter.” Arturo said winking up at Gabby.  Then he turned, offering Chloe’s hand to Justin and stepped back to join Chloe’s mother in the front row.

The officiant smiled and nodded and then continued on with his speech.

“Welcome loved ones, we are gathered here today to join Dr. Chloe Rae De Luca and Mr. Justin Randall Timberlake in holy matrimony.”

The ceremony carried on as normal until the exchanging of the rings.

“May I have the rings please?”

All eyes turned to Gabby and while any other six-year-old might have been nervous with all those adult eyes on her she didn’t miss a beat.  Very carefully she reached over to her left side and untied a ribbon that was attached to her dress.  The rings were tied to her dress with the ribbon, but she quickly released them and handed them to the officiant.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Justin took the opportunity to give Gabby a high-five.  He’d known all along that she was the only one capable of being his Best Man/Girl for this moment.

Once again, everyone chuckled.  The bond between Gabby and Justin was evident and that was just how Justin wanted it.  Also, it made Chloe’s heart soar.  There was no doubt that Justin would be the father that Gabby deserved.

The exchanging of vows and rings followed and then before Chloe could even blink the Officiant was saying the words that Chloe had been dreaming of at first subconsciously, and then very consciously since their first date.

“And now…by the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss the bride!”

Everyone clapped and cheered as Justin wrapped his arms around Chloe and dropped his head, capturing her lips in a very PG kiss. 

Pictures followed while the guests enjoyed appetizers and drinks in the ballroom reserved for the reception.  Once the photo session was complete the bridal party joined the reception already in progress.

Tables surrounded the dance floor.  Each table set with tall crystal vases, adorned with beautiful white flowers.  The lights were down low save for the tea lights flickering in vases on the tables and the soft glow from the lights of the chandeliers above.  There was a place card at every table along with a carefully selected menu card atop each table setting. 

At the head of the room, a gorgeous sweetheart table with two chairs facing the dance floor and guest tables.  It was even prettier than Chloe had imagined it.

As soon as they took their seats the sound of silverware being tapped against glass echoed around the room.  Justin obliged without hesitation kissing his bride softly as everyone cheered.

“Be ready for Joey and Chris to do that about 1,000 more times before the night is over.” Justin whispered.

“Adam too.” Chloe giggled.

Just before dinner was served Adam stood from his seat and looked to Justin and Chloe, a mischievous grin on his face.  Apparently, someone had given him a microphone.  Chloe instinctively knew what was about to happen.

“Uh oh.” Chloe giggled quietly.

“So…umm…since we are all friends and family here and there are no Paparazzi, I think I can tell this story without breaking any confidentiality agreement or getting my ass handed to me to by my sister later…”

Chloe gave her brother a warning look meanwhile everyone else was laughing.

“Anyway…as I was saying, about nine months ago…give or take a day my sister came stumbling into the kitchen one morning after a night at work looking like a freight train hit her…”

“Gee thanks.” Chloe grumbled.

“Patience little sister…I’m getting there…”

Chloe just smirked and shook her head. 

“She looked rough, but being a good doctor, she wouldn’t tell me what happened.  She told me she had a fender bender.  I figured out the rest on my own and when I did, I told her that I had this feeling that a CERTAIN individual was going to come looking for her once he figured it out.  She said I was delusional but here we are…so thank you Justin…for proving me right and for making my sister the happiest girl in the world.”

Justin smiled and nodded but didn’t get a chance to respond before JC popped up.  Chloe smiled and bit her lip while Justin could only chuckle.

“So…we just heard from the Man of Honor and technically it should be the Best Girl’s turn but being the awesome little lady that she is she asked me to do the honors.  She said she knew that it would mean a lot to Justin if I did and that title or not, I was just as much his Best Man as she was.”

Around the room a chorus of “awws” could be heard as both Chloe and Justin choked back fresh tears.

JC grinned at Gabby and then turned back to the happy couple. 

“So…about nine months ago…give or take a day…”

Everyone started to chuckle.

“I got one of the worst calls I’ve ever gotten in my life.  My best friend had been in a motorcycle accident and was lucky to be alive.  A Good Samaritan had saved his life.  For at least a week or two after he would not SHUT UP about this mysterious “Angel.” He said he couldn’t get her voice out of his head and once he found out her name, he was determined to find her…apparently, he even sent her flowers…semi-anonymously.  Then I went to visit…and he had a panic attack…insisted I take him to Mt. Sinai hospital…and there she was…”

JC then turned his gaze on Chloe.

“He hasn’t shut up about you since that day.  Not that I blame him in the least.  You saved my best friend’s life that day…in more ways than one and for that …well…we…and by “we” I mean the rest of the guys and I and pretty much everyone in this room, are eternally grateful.  You are an “Angel” to all of us.  Thank you, Chloe!”

“To the happy couple!” Joey chimed in raising his glass.

“To the happy couple.”

After the toast dinner was served and as predicted Joey, Adam, Chris and even Lance initiated a kiss at least a half a dozen times throughout the meal.

Once dinner had been cleared away it was time for the first dance.

JC, Joey, Chris and Lance stood and started to make their way to one corner of the dance floor with microphones in hand.  Meanwhile, in the opposite corner of the ballroom Adam and Gabby were cooking up a surprise of their own.

Lance put the microphone to his lips to invite Chloe and Justin to the dance floor.

“And now ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the bride and groom share their first dance as husband and wife.”

Hand in hand Justin and Chloe stood and started for the dance floor as the opening melody of “This I Promise You.”

Chloe looked to Justin in surprise as he slipped one arm around her waist, pulling her to him.

“You asked them to do THIS song?” Chloe asked, her lips curving into a smile.

“I did.  It is your favorite, right?!”

Chloe nodded as they started to sway.

Typically, Justin sang the first verse of the song but given that it was his wedding day and he wanted to actually focus on dancing with his wife he’d asked JC to cover his parts, or at least that had been the plan. 

As the first verse started JC opened his mouth but before he could sing a single note another voice took Justin’s part.

From the opposite side of the dance floor from the rest of *NSYNC Gabby stepped forward, a microphone in her hand as she sweetly sang Justin’s part.  She was actually quite good. 

JC’s mouth fell open as did the mouth of almost every person in the room.  Even Chloe and Justin looked a bit in shock.

Oh, oh
When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surrounds you
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call
Was standing here all along

All four members of *NSYNC grinned at Gabby and quickly joined her for the chorus while motioning her over to join them.

“Did you know she could do that?” Justin chuckled shaking his head as they danced.

“Nope! I mean …it makes sense she knows the song…it is my favorite…and well…”

“She sounds great!  Damn! Maybe the guys don’t need me after all…” Justin teased.

“Hush!  And don’t be putting any ideas in her head…she wants to be a scientist.”

JC took his verse as normal and Gabby joined the group for the harmonies.  They finished the song up until the very last line, which Justin sang quietly to Chloe.

Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh, I promise you

When the song finished everyone clapped and cheered, congratulating the happy couple.  Just off to the side of the dance floor JC, Joey, Chris and Lance were busy fawning over Gabby.

“WOW! Gabby, you got some pipes!” JC said grinning.

Gabby blushed.  “Thanks.  I wanted to surprise my mom and Justin.”

Chris chuckled.  “I think you surprised everyone!”

“Yeah girl, you can sing Justin’s part with us anytime you want.” Joey teased.

Gabby giggled.  “Nah.  That was just for fun, just for tonight.  It’s not really *NSYNC without Justin…besides I want to be a scientist.  I want to cure cancer or diabetes or something like that.”

Lance grinned at this and nodded.  “I bet you will…and when you have that cure ready, I’ll be your first patient.”

“Deal!”

After a few songs it was time to cut the cake.  Rather than go with a traditional cake the couple had opted for cupcakes, each choosing a favorite flavor.  Justin chose Red Velvet while Chloe chose Tiramisu.

“No smashing!” Chloe said giving Justin a look.

“What?! What do you mean? Where is the fun if I can’t smash it?”

“Absolutely not!  I’m not getting cake all over this dress.”

Justin laughed and nodded, smiling at his bride.  Just the thought made him giddy.  He wasn’t going to spoil her mood, not tonight.

“Alright, no smashing.”

After cake and a bit more dancing it was time for the garter and the bouquet toss.

The garter toss was first.  A chair had been set up in the middle of the dance floor.  Chloe sat in the chair while Justin got on his knees in front of her.

“I’ll be gentle.” He whispered before popping a quick kiss on her lips.

Chloe giggled and nodded as he started to lift the hem of her dress with his hands.

“Oh, NO J! No hands! Just teeth!” Joey called out.

“I don’t think so!” Chloe shot back.

“That’s how I did it.” Chris snickered.

“Me too.” Joey agreed.

Lance just shook his head and made a face at Chloe. 

“Don’t look at me.”

Chloe just blushed and covered her face with her hand.

Justin chuckled and put his hands behind his back.  “Like I said, I promise to be gentle.”

Chloe bit her lip and gave Justin a warning look.  “You better.”

As if right on cue “Sexy Back” began to play causing Justin to turn beet red as he looked across the room at the DJ.  Adam was standing at the DJ booth with a sly grin on his face.

“Ha Ha! Very Funny!’

Still giggling and shaking her head, Chloe lifted the hem of her dress up as Justin clasped his hands behind his back and leaned forward, grabbing the garter with his teeth.  Across the room, at the table where Gabby and Chloe’s parents were sitting Adam’s boyfriend, Derek was covering Gabby’s eyes with his hands.

Once the garter was free everyone cheered as all the single men in the room were directed towards the dance floor.  Chris and Lance made a big production of pushing JC and Joey towards the dance floor.  Justin gave Chloe a wink then turned and launched the garter in the air.  The garter was airborne for several seconds before it as if by magic it landed in JC’s hand.

Both Chloe and Justin laughed as JC just shook his head and shuffled off the floor.  Lance and Chris could only snicker as Joey congratulated JC with a pat on the back.  It was all in good fun and it made Chloe feel good to see them interact with one another like this.  They truly did act like brothers. 

The bouquet toss was next and there weren’t nearly as many single women at the wedding as there were men.  Seeing an opportunity, Chloe saw her brother had rejoined the family table and she smiled to herself as she approached him and pulled Adam out to the dance floor.

“Umm…I think I have the wrong plumbing for this.” Adam laughed as Chloe dragged him out onto the floor.

Chloe just laughed and shook her head.  “I’m the bride so what I say goes and what I say is…so what.  There aren’t nearly as many women at this wedding as there are men.  Besides, I got my happy ending…I think it’s time you got yours.”

“It’s only been six months…” Adam protested.

“Nonsense.  You two have known each other since Law school…”

“Chloe…I…”

“Adam, you have been looking out for me my whole life…you can stop now…I promise…I’m in good hands this time…”

Adam smiled and nodded.  He knew she was right.  Justin wasn’t Eddy.  Justin was the man she’d deserved all along.

“I know.”

“So, what’s your excuse?”

Adam laughed and shook his head.  They were definitely related.  Chloe could definitely be stubborn when she wanted to be.

“Umm…I guess I don’t have one.”

“Exactly!”

And with that Chloe walked across the dance floor, turned her back to the crowd and tossed her bouquet back, over her head where Adam caught it with absolutely no effort whatsoever.  In fact, it seemed as if the bouquet found him all on its own.

Shortly after the bouquet toss Chloe and Justin quietly made their exit.  They were spending the night in Justin’s suite before leaving the next morning for the honeymoon.  A week in Italy, just the two of them.  Chloe was excited.

They were standing at the doors to the elevator hand in hand, waiting in silence for the doors to open.  As soon as the bell rang and the doors opened Justin grinned to himself and without saying a word, he swept Chloe into his arms and carried her into the elevator, both of them laughing as the doors closed in front of them.

“Justin, you can put me down.” Chloe giggled.

Justin shook his head before popping a kiss on her lips. 

“No ma’am.  Not until we are in our suite.”

“I thought you were supposed to do that when you came home from the honeymoon.”

“Oh, I plan to do it then too…and when we get to the hotel in Italy.”

Chloe giggled and nodded.  “I see.”

“Do you know how happy I am right now?” Justin asked, his voice low.

“I think I might have an idea.” Chloe whispered back.

“I’m SO happy right now.  I’m happy because I am the luckiest guy in the world.  I am the luckiest guy because I get to be your husband.”

“I love you too Justin, and I’m the lucky one, because I get to be your wife.”

Justin grinned and dropped his head as the doors opened into their private suite.  His lips captured hers in a gentle kiss.  Chloe moaned softly and leaned into the kiss as he stepped into the suite, still carrying her in his arms.

“Mmm…my wife…yeah…I like that.”

“That does sound nice.  Now, why don’t you set me down and then help me get this dress off.” Chloe whispered back.

Justin chuckled and nodded.  “That sounds even better.”

“I thought it might.”

Several minutes later they were tucked into the bed together, their bodies facing each other, their faces mere inches from one another as they both stared into each other’s eyes.

“Thank you.” Justin whispered.

“For what?” Chloe replied.

“For saving me.”

Chloe blushed and nodded.  “I think I should be thanking you.”

Justin smiled as he gently played with a few strands of her hair, his eyes locked on her.  “For what?”

“For saving me back.”