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“Hold on, Cat,” Alexis said. She looked at CeCe and smiled. “I never thought I’d fall in love again. And there was no way I was ever getting married.”

“That’s right. Lex told me that from the beginning, but our hearts had a better idea.”

“And here we are. I never imagined I’d ever be this happy,” Alexis said, putting her arm around CeCe.

“Keep your heart open, Cat.” CeCe smiled at Alexis. “You never know what can happen.”

“What about Cory?” Cat said defensively. “She’s not even dating anyone.”

“More like I’m battling someone,” Cory said.

CeCe gave her sister a strange look. “Is that who you were swearing about when I ordered our wine the other day?”

“It’s nothing. I’m having an issue with a sales rep that keeps trying to steal my accounts. But I’m making progress and she and I are working on it,” Cory said with a grin.

“You didn’t look like enemies the other day when she was at your bar,” Cat said.

“Hey, can we talk about this later? I’m engaged and I want to dance and celebrate with my fiancée, my family, and our friends.”

“Yeah, we have plenty of time to figure out the wedding,” Alexis said.

CeCe grabbed Alexis's hand and they danced into the middle of their friends.

“Hey!” Melanie shouted as she and Krista danced next to the brides-to-be.

“Have you met my fiancée?” Alexis said, putting her arms around CeCe.

Krista laughed and yelled over the music. “When you get ready to plan the wedding, call me. We could have a beautiful outdoor wedding at Lovers Landing.”

CeCe looked at Alexis and nodded. “That’s a great idea,” she shouted back. “It’s good to keep our options open.”

After they’d danced and talked to a few more friends, Alexis grabbed CeCe’s hand and pulled them away from the others. She stopped near the back door and turned to CeCe. “Look at all our friends,” Alexis said, gazing back over the room.

“Are you having a good time?” CeCe asked. “I wanted tonight to be special.”

“Every night is special with you, but this is wonderful. I’m so surprised.”

“You keep saying that.” CeCe grinned then her face turned serious. “I love you so much.”

“I want to hear all about this wedding thing. I can tell it’s bothering you,” Alexis said.

CeCe draped her arms over Alexis's shoulders. “I don’t want to wait forever to marry you, but this thing with my sisters could be a problem. Mom’s right, neither one of them is even dating anyone.”

“Babe,” Alexis said. “We weren’t dating anyone that long ago either. Love will find a way and we will get married when the time is right.”

“You don’t mind waiting?”

“It may not be as long as you think. Right now, can we go back to our engagement party and not worry about the wedding? Then later we’ll go home and maybe we’ll try out our new toy,” Alexis said in a sultry voice.

“We don't need that toy tonight. It’s you, me, and our love,” CeCe replied.

Their lips met in a kiss that promised never-ending love. For a moment the world fell away and they were surrounded by the people they loved, sounds of joy, and the happiness their love had created. This was happily-ever-after.

SIX MONTHS LATER

“Knock, knock,” CeCe said, slightly tapping on Erin’s open door.

“Well, hey!” Erin exclaimed, getting up from behind her desk. “I figured you’d be off taking care of last minute wedding details.”