Chapter 55

"Lucky, come home and pack, we're going to france."

"Bu-.."

"Just do it. It's for Courtney and Jason's wedding" Leah ordered, shutting the phone off as Lucky sat in surprise from being cutoff so suddenly by his pregnant wife. Numbly placing the phone back on it's cradle, he stood up from his desk, walking around the corner while grabbing his coat and keys from the hook with his name printed below it near the lockers, he began making his way towards the exit, only looking back as he got the attention of his boss.

He didn't know how all of this was happening, or why Leah had suddenly pushed away all of the bad things she was feeling towards him. "Probably one of Carly's plans." he thought to himself. He didn't even pay attention to what was going through his mind, he just wanted to concentrate on getting home.. to her.

"Ric, I'm going home" Lucky called, pushing the door open while the dark haired man just sat in his cubical, turning towards the door while slowly proccessing the goodbye his officer had given. Normally he would have turned a quick left to get to harbor view towers from the station, he just needed to make one quick stop before he got that far.

*Kelly's*

Courtney breezed in through the double doors of the diner, her face beaming with excitement from the wedding announcment she was going to make to her father as she carried herself easily up to the front counter where Mike was busily gathering some dirty dishes.

"Hi Daddy." She cried happily, nearly bouncing her way closer to him while he looked up and gave her a confused look.

"Hello Angel, what are you doing here this late? Shouldn't you be at home taking care of that little girl your carrying?" He asked pointedly, giving her a fatherly glance while she rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Don't worry, she's fine. I came here to fill you in on the wedding." She told him, brushing off the subject while she rubbed her belly to get the point across.

"Your's and Jason's wedding, I presume?" He asked, leaning his body over the counter with his chin propped up by his fist.

"The very same." Courtney answered sneakily , sitting herself down in the chair closest to her, sliding her purse onto the counter top as Bobbie walked into the room with a few books in hand.

"Bobbie, just in time. Courtney was about to share some new's on the wedding." Mike said, motioning for the woman to join them as she smiled and complied.

"Oh, do tell." She said in wonder, watching Courtney who bit her lip anxiously and folded her hands onto her lap.

"Jason and I are getting Married in france-.." She began telling them, when both adults interrupted at the same time.

"Wow, in france?"

"Honey, that's wonderful" They told her, showing their support while she finished off her sentence.

"-... Tomorrow." She ended, causing the pair to drift into silence until Bobbie found her voice.

"Are you seriouse?" She asked, a look of utter surprise crossing her features.

"So Soon?" Mike stated, looking at his oldest daughter in confusion once more, only with a different meaning behind it.

"There is just too much going on here, and the wedding would only be adding to it. Jason and I want to get married somewhere where it can be just us and the people we love, The french countryside seems perfect for that." She explained, looking back and forth between them for support.

"We understand honey, it's just that-..." Mike started to respond, glancing at Bobbie, when Courtney cut him off.

"What?" She asked hurriedly, her tone slightly paranoid at the thought of something putting off her wedding. Not that she wouldn't if it was really important, but they had already gone through too much postponing already.

"There's something we need to tell you."

*PH 2*

By walking into it, the penthouse looked like a hurricane hit. Jason had searched through every drawer, crawl space, and corner that was visible, gathering all the travel information he could get his hands on in the time he had to himself before Courtney returned and banned him from helping her at all.

"166-992, 69-..." He said aloud to himself, sitting alone on the big leather burgandy couch with dozens of papers in front of him, dialing the number that he had last seen on a travel ad for the Le Chateau Cinq Mains. "Uh.. Hi, My name is Jason Morgan, I need Several rooms for a three night stay... One honeymoon suite, and then two regular sized suites with queen sized beds" He started, listening closely to the speaker's rich french accent. "You only have one more regular suite free? oh.. um, what else do you have available?.. uh huh.. one honeymoon suite? ok.. no thats fine, they can deal with it.. ok, uh, we'll be arriving tomorrow morning around ten, and leaving the 6th around noon. Thanks" He finished, pressing the end call button before sinking into the couch, taking a deep breath while resting his head on the pile of pillows behind him. "This wedding stuff is going to be the death of me."

"I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't.." Leah shouted, bursting through the front door, causing Jason to jerk his head up hurriedly. "-.. Do this!"

"I can't believe he's coming! Well, I guess he's coming, I hung up on him after I called, but he didn't call back and harrass me so-.." She started going on again, talking as if she was the only person in the world why Jason interrupted her last statement.

"Why would he do that?" He asked in confusion, giving her a look while she threw her arms in the air.

"I don't know! Because of everything that has happened today! God, we were just looking at dresses this morning Jason, and then all of a sudden our lives were turned upside down by some phsyco who decided to get trigger happy on a pregnant woman and her best friend.. I just don't think I can be around him after we had one of the biggest fights we've ever gotten into-.. He's going to stare at me the entire time, and I'll end up throwing something at him because I can't stand when he does that and I always ask why he does it and he says "because your the most beautiful thing in the room", it drives me freaking crazy! I mean, I'm blowing up like a blimp in barely my third month of pregnancy, how can I be beautiful?!" She rambled on, fidgeting with everything within arms length while Jason's eyes widened from the show she was putting on in front of him.

"-... It's just that I want to be so mad at him, and this afternoon before you and Sonny were released I got myself all ready to call and yell at him and then I looked at his number on the speed dial, and I just sat and cried all over myself for how I let him affect me, and I don't want to be a mess when my sister get's married, because I've worked so hard to get you two this far and I just can't de-.." She started again while Jason got up, grabbed her hands, and led her over to the couch where he sat her down, propping her feet up onto his lap.

"Yes you can, I have faith in you." He said simply, giving her his special "Jason" smile while she narrowed her eyes in his direction, finally taking equal notice in his presence.

"Shut up. Your just saying that to make me stop talking." She accused, crossing her arms over her chest, resting them on her Soccer ball size stomach.

"I used to be so good at this." He thought to himself, shaking his head at her while she raised an eyebrow. "Leah, I love you.. You know I do. But I know you can do this. We've been through worst and got passed it right? With AJ, and Faith, and the whole twin scare.." He started telling her gently, brushing her hair soothingly with his fingertips as she listenend, looking down at her hands.

"I know.. And a part of me does want to get passed this with him and move on, I almost get myself to that place where I can just forget about it all, and then something stops me, and I'm back to where I started from. All I can think of is him handcuffing you and playing it off by saying it was for our family. How do I get passed that?" She asked, a tone of uncertainty rising in her voice while she closed her eyes.

"You know, I'm not one with words.. So I'll just stay and be here with you instead." Jason answered honestly, his words bringing a smile to her face while he kissed her forehead gently like he used to do. Taking a deep breath she switched over her position and rested comfortably in her best friends lap while his reaction was left unchanged, this was normal for them.

"You don't have to be good with words Jase, you make me feel better by just listening to what I have to say." Leah told him, looking him straight in the eyes as he grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

"I know, I just wish that I can't offer you any good advice-.." He began to say when she groaned and interrupted him.

"God, advice is the last thing I need. I mean in one moment you think it does good for someone when you give them your opinion during a bad time in their lives, but until your in a similiar place like that you don't realize that the only thing someone can do to help is let you handle it yourself." Leah explained, trying to sort her words so that they made sense while Jason tilted his head and listened closely.

"You should write a book." He said firmly, a serious _expression claiming his features while Leah burst out laughing for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime.

"I'm going to change the subject. Before I came in and went all phsyco, what were you doing?" She asked him, brushing off his comment while placing her hands on his broad shoulders, causing him to chuckle at her approach.

"Making reservations at a top-of-the-line chateau." He said simply, almost as if it were an everyday occurence.

"Really?" She asked, her mouth slightly open in awe from his response. "Did you get a honeymoon suite for yourself and Court?"

"Yeah.. I got one for you and Lucky too.." Jason stated, his voice lowering softly while her jaw practically dropped to the floor.

"You did what!?" She cried in horror, her body stiffening as she felt the walls slowly closing in around her.

"Everything else was full, it was the onl-.." He started to defend himself, raising his voice once she shook her head in disbelief just when her cell phone rang and vibrated at the same time, nearly causing her to fall off the couch from shock.

"WHAT!?" She yelled into the phone, retrieving her balance before she was suddenly surprised by the person on the opposite line. "Mitch?" She asked, her tone softening a bit while she changed her sitting position and sat facing the front of the couch, away from Jason. She listened to the older man for a moment and groaned after he finished, covering her eyes with her free hand. "Omg, I forgot" She whispered to herself. She had forgotten her mother's funeral. "What time is it at tomorrow?.. ok.. Well my sister's getting married, but I'll see if I can make it.. ok, yeah.. bye."

"Do you have your gun with you?" Leah asked, turning to a taken aback Jason who sat looking at her in confusion.

"Why?" He asked suspiciously as if that was the stupidist question he had ever heard.

"Because I need to die. I forgot my adopted mother's funeral. It's almost worse than forgetting a mother's birthday." She answered, staring off into space, her head shaking softly.

"Leah, I'm sure she forgives you." Jason told her obviously, trying to make her feel better.

"After everything I did as a kid I'm surprised she never killed me herself." She said, pursing her lips together while her thoughts drifted away once more.

"What time's the service tomorrow?" He asked, trying to get her mind going in a different direction while she remained still.

"It's later in the morning. I just need to go, even for a few minutes in the early morning if neccessary.. I owe her that much. Maybe it will help me with some things I've been covering up." She said, slightly shaking herself awake from her trance while sliding off of his lap.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Jason asked curiously, watching her get up and wring her hands together.

"No I'll be fine, This is something I have to do for myself." She replied, looking at him once more before quickly exiting without another word. Jason sighed and stood up, heading to the back room to bring down his and Courtney's luggage bags before she returned from Kelly's.

*Kelly's*

"There's something we need to tell you."

"What is it?" Courtney asked with an uneasy look appearing on her face, bringing her hand up as she reclaimed an old habit of biting her fingernails. "Your not having an affair are you?"

"Oh god no." Bobbie burst out, covering her face with her hands as Mike gave her a look that plainly said "Thanks alot."

"Honey, what we were going to say-.." Mike started, stopping in the middle of the sentence to give Bobbie a pointed glance. "-.. was that.. we won't be joining you all for the wedding.."

Courtney sat silently, allowing what her father just said to her to sink in while she looked down at her lap, trying to think of what to say next. She opened her mouth, closing it quickly as the words swirled through her mind. ".. Why?" She finally said, choking out that question while her eyes filled with many more questions that she didn't know how to ask.

"Your wedding should be about you sweetheart, we would just be taking up time that you should spend with Jason." Mike explained, moving closer as he took her hand in his.

"I just-.. I just always thought that my dad would be the one to give me away..." Courtney said, shaking her head slightly as she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"We would love to be there honey, we just don't want to take away from the significance of the ceremony by blubbering everywhere on how much you've grown." Bobbie spoke up, breaking through the uneasiness while attempting to add a bit of humor into the conversation. "Besides, with all of the pregnant ladies there, the babies will be enough guests to fill a banquet room."

Courtney cracked a smile so that Bobbie didn't feel bad, but deep down she was devestated that her father wouldn't be coming to the wedding. "I have to go.." She said just above a whisper, grasping for her purse while pulling her hand away from Mike, who's _expression turned sad and defeated.

"I'm sorry baby." He muttered to her retreated form as Bobbie's hand found his, giving it a reassuring squeeze while the door to the diner swung open, allowing the night breeze to enter.

"Courtney's going to be fine Mike, she'll understand." The older woman offered. Her head tilted gently to look at the man next to her.

"I just wish she would have listened.. She know's Jason better than anyone, even Leah.. She should know that he wouldn't want a big crowd around when they get married.." He said with a sigh, giving her hand a squeeze as she had done earlier.

"Thats true.. Although when Courtney's concerned, Jason will do anything to make her happy." Bobbie replied with a soft smile, reaching out as she embraced Mike, who returned it and held onto her.

*Harbor view towers Hallway*

Leah stepped out of Jason's penthouse, looking down the empty hall as the door to Carly and Sonny's home opened up and a disgusted Max stepped out, holding a full trashbag at arms length while a bandana covered his face.

"Ms. Corinthos, run! I have to get this out of the building!" He cried through the cloth while Leah's mouth fell open in shock and the muscular guard ran past her like a flash of lighting.

"Hurry Max, before it blow's up!" She called playfully, finally finding her voice after the surprise that had just occured. She shook her head and slightly pushed the open door before entering her brother's Penthouse, looking around to find Carly sitting on the couch with Morgan, Michael, and Rocky playing at her feet.

"Hello all." She greeted the four with a smile, closing the front door behind her as Carly looked up from the kids.

"Your in a good mood for once" She stated, a look of wonder on her face as Leah shut her mouth quickly and pursed her lips.

"Nice, Carly." She replied, rolling her eyes at her sister in-law who shrugged. Michael quickly got up from his place on the floor and ran full speed for his aunt who's eyes widened as she opened her arms expectantly.

"Aunt Leah, I havent seen you in forever!" He yelled loudly, saying the statement she used to say to him all the time. "-.. and don't worry, Mommy's hormones are just acting up today." he told her as she giggled, holding onto her tightly while he buried his face into her white short sleeved shirt, causing Rocky to bark from all the excitement.

"Oh, Buddy I've missed you so much. How's school going? You got a girlfriend yet?" She asked him with a grin, bringing his chin up so that he looked her in the eyes while he laughed out loud.

"No, I still need you to help me. For some reason the girls have a problem with red hair." He confided, giving her a look that said 'they have issues.'

"Well you know what, I'm going to go and knock them all upside the he-.." She started saying defensivly when Carly interrupted her.

"Leah!" She cried, giving her an obvious look while her sister in-law sighed and ran her hands through Mikey's thick short hair.

"Ok, you know what, the reason why I came over here was to let you know that Jason and Courtney are getting married tomorrow in france, so you need to hurry up and pack." She told the older woman, rubbing Michael's back before he bent down and began wrestling with the puppy.

"Tomorrow? Are you freaking kidding me?! They expect me to pack in 10 hours?" Carly asked in an assertive tone, her face giving off the panic she felt of not being able to bring everything she had in her closet.

"11 hours actually, it's only a two hour flight on Sonny's miracle jet." Leah answered smartly, a smirk grazing her features while Carly scoffed.

"Mom, can I go pack now?" Michael asked, looking up with Rocky pinning him down to the ground while Morgan clapped happily and laughed at the two.

"Honey, I'm going to call Leticia to stay with you and Morgan for a few days-.." She replied, causing her son to become upset.

"But mom-..!" He shouted, setting the dog down while he fought to stand up straight from the weight change just as Leah interrupted him.

"Carly, it's his Aunt's wedding, why shouldn't he go?" She asked, confusion spreading over her face as Carly stood up and picked Morgan up into her arms.

"There is going to be alot of wine there and I don't want the boy's around that-.." She started to explain, giving her sister an unfortunate look while Leah narrowed her eyes at her.

"Just because there's going to be wine doesn't mean you have to drink it.. And besides, what about all the alchohol Sonny has set up in plan view?" Leah struck back, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I didn't mean it that way. Michael, I'll have Max and Marco come over so you four can have a boy's night in okay?" She looked down to her eldest son who shrugged his shoulders, looking slightly disappointed.

"You think that is such a great idea? The man just ran out of here acting like there was an explosive device in the trash-.." Leah added, giving the woman an apprehensive look while she interrupted her.

"You know what, stay-.." Carly started when the front door swung open and Leanna walked in, her dark hair swept up into a messy pony tail while she wore a long black sundress and sandals.

"Would you both shut up? I can hear you all the way downstairs for god sakes." She said firmly, eyeing the two who looked down as if being scolded by their mother.

"Good job Lana." Michael applauded, smiling up at his cousin who laughed and gave him a hug.

"Thank you Mike." She said victoriously, while looking back up to the two family members.

"You guys better not make me come up here again, I'll kick some ass." She warned them while they both nodded in understanding.

"Uh huh." Carly said, looking down at her feet while Leanna shook her head.

"Shouldn't you guys be packing for France anyways?" Leanna asked them in a pointed tone of voice, her eyebrow arched in wonder.

"I'm getting to it."

"It's a lost cause." They answered seperatly while Leanna smiled at them.

"What about you? You can't be packed already." Leah said, looking slightly taken aback by the thought.

"Samuel and I aren't going. Jason told me about the ceremony, but I just think that I owe my marriage enough to stay here and work some things out with my husband. Especially before Alex is born." She explained, rubbing her stomach softly causing Carly and Leah to look at each other.

"Which isn't for like another year! You aren't even showing yet." Carly brought up, placing her hands hautily on her hips while Leanna pouted slightly.

"Shut up." She argued, pursing her lips as Leah had done earlier.

"Just enjoy it while you can, you'll appreciate having a figure later when your the size of a bus." Leah shared with her, shaking slightly at the thought of how big she would eventually be while Carly pointed to her.

"Leigh, your the only one who's going to get that big." She answered, giving her the truth straight out in a way only Carly could. That was her nature.

"You know what, I'm just going to ignore you today. I need to leave anyways, I have to go meet my phsycotic husband." Leah retorted sarcastically, her handbag swinging every which way before she waved to her nephews and cousin, rushing out of the Penthouse at full speed.

"Good luck with that." Leanna muttered, biting her bottom lip with a worried look on her face at what Lucky and Leah's meeting would bring.

*PH 2*

Jason had placed three suitcases side by side along the couch, wrapping a few gifts that he had gotten Courtney carefully so that they would be ready for the couple's wedding night. He ran his hands through his stiff spiked hair and exhaled, licking his bottom lip just when the wood front door opened and his beautiful bride walked in, looking far from happy.

"Something wrong Court?" Jason asked her in a concerned tone, shutting the suitcase he had been packing so that she wouldn't see his surprise.

"My dad's not coming to the wedding." She muttered softly, throwing her purse onto the desk by the front door while approaching her fiance who watched her closely.

"Mike? Why not?" He asked, furrowing his brows while helping her sit down in the matching recliner to his right.

"I don't know. He says it's because him being there will take up my time with you. I just-.. really wanted him to come." She admitted, her face looked depressed and disappointed. Jason reached over and wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her back soothingly with his free hand while she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Well, Mike has his own reasons for not coming I'm sure.. Maybe he doesn't like french people-.." He started to say when Courtney jerked her head up halfway through his sentence.

"Jason!" She scolded, giving him a stern look while he smiled and shook his head.

"ok, I'm sorry. I don't know, maybe he does like french people. No matter who goes, this wedding is just about the two of us." He told her, looking into her eyes deeply while she took a deep breath and smiled, bringing her hand up while her thumb ran over his lips.

"You know, for some reason I keep forgetting that.. I just remember Leah's wedding and I want to have that look on my face that she had, the one of pure happiness and Joy.." Courtney admitted, looking somewhat wishful and apprehensive at the same time.

"Yeah, but look at where she is now.. Worrying about whether or not her husband is going to come home and whether she'll have to raise the girls alone because of his grudge against Sonny and I.." Jason told her in a worried tone, his _expression tired and worn while Courtney shook the thought out of her head.

"She's strong though, I know she'll work things out, which ever way it's meant to be." She answered, looking up at him. Her insecurities gone, sadness slowing disappearing, a new found strength coming into view.

"She got that from you, ya know?" Jason said, a smile tugging at his lips while he gazed at her fondly. Courtney blushed softly and looked deep into his eyes, smiling while she took a deep breath.

"I love you. I just haven't gotten to say it in awhile." She whispered, cupping his cheek into her palm while his hand dropped and his arm went around her waist tightly.

"I love you." He replied, leaning forward as they both met in a powerfully passionate kiss. One full of yearning and hope for the brand new life they would be starting in only a day's time.

*PH 3*

Emotionally wrecked. That was a good way to explain how Leah felt at that point. It had been two hours since she called Lucky to come home to get packed for the trip and there was still no sign of him yet. She didn't know what to expect from him during the wedding, didn't know whether she was supposed to apologize for sticking up for her family just to put her breaking marriage back together, or to wait for him to put her first and come back to her and the girls.

So many things had happened since she first got into town. Then a young girl who wasn't afraid of anything, wasn't expecting to find a growing family waiting for her, and the love of her life that she thought was lost to come back into her life. She had grown in more ways than anyone would have imagined. She was an adult. Someone with goals, priorities, and Fears. All that were based around her babies, how they would be raised, and how she would keep them safe.

Without realizing, Leah had paced back and forth across the living room floor, her hands wringing together silently with her back facing the entrance to the penthouse. Nothing, no foot steps pounding against the floor boards, no cries from Michael and Morgan, not even a sex driven scream from Jason and Courtney's place could be heard. The only thing that caught Leah's attention was the doorway. She slowly turned to face the door and watched as Lucky stepped into view. His hair was cut shorter than before, no longer his usual 'in your face' look, but surprisingly resembling Jason's. Spiked and perfect. It made her hate and love him that much more.

"Hey" He began, his tone a little unsure as if he was nervous about her reaction. "How are you?" He asked, his light blue eyes studying every inch of her as if to comfirm to himself that she was okay.

"Great.. How 'bout you?" She said simply, wrapping her arms around herself while feeling her daughters kick inside of her, as if they knew their daddy was there.

"I'm okay.." He answered, his voice trailing as he looked down to the floor.

"So your going to come with us?" Leah asked, making small talk. She didn't know why she was trying to be so nice to him, it wasn't like he deserved it after everything he did, but she couldn't help herself. Lucky was like a drug to her, and she was addicted.

"Yeah." He said, nodding gently while looking back up into her eyes, piercing a whole through her while she felt a tug in her heart.

"Ok.. I-.. I'll go get your suitcase for you.." She started, turning slightly to walk out of the room when he cut her off suddenly.

"Leah.." He said firmly, trying to get her to come back as she turned towards him.

"Yeah?" She said, in a soft hopeful tone, unsure to what he was going to say next.

"I'll get it later, that way I can pack and everything." He explained, shoving his hands into his jean pockets while she began messing with her wedding ring.

"Ok-.. Um, well I'm going to go to bed then.. I have to get up and go somewhere in the morning before we leave-..." Leah announced, feeling slightly defeated while he jerked his head up.

"Where are you going?" He asked curiously, his _expression causing her to smile inside herself, she caught his attention.

"My Mother's funeral.. I'm going to go before it actually starts so I can get back before we leave." She told him, brushing a few stray pieces of hair from her eyes.

"Oh.. well if you need someone to be with you, just-.. let me know.." He said apprehensivly, almost like he was afraid of rejection by her.

She nodded furiously, scolding herself silently at how much of a fool she was making herself out to be. "Yeah-.. ok.. Well, I'm going to go.." She said, sounding almost like a young teenage girl who was talking to her longtime crush.

"Alright.. I'll just-.. Sleep on the couch." He told her, motioning towards it while she took a minute to process the thought. She hadn't slept without him since before they even moved in together.

"O-.. Ok, good night." She said, looking at him one last time before turning and walking into their bedroom, leaving Lucky alone in the middle of the room with his thoughts.

*The Next Day* July 3rd*

Leah lay awake in her bed most of the night, unable to sleep for the fact that Lucky was just in the room next door. The next morning she woke up around Six. Not her normal time range, considering she wasn't a morning person, but if she wanted to get to the Jet landing by Eight, she needed to be at the queen of angels by seven. Hurriedly she raced around trying to get ready, pulling on a pink ruffled chiffon shirt that fitted her to show off her rounding belly, a bigger pair of jeans that what she normally wouldn't have worn so that they would fit her waist, and white sandals with her hair softly curled in ringlets.

Sneaking past the small hallway bathroom with her two suitcases in hand she heard the light sound of the shower water running, her mind drifting back to Lucky while she grabbed her purse from the counter and walked out the front door, placing her bags by the desk where Lucky had his packed and ready to go before leaving.

Sitting in the back seat of the Car, Marco at the wheel, Leah absentmindedly began taking deep breaths, trying to make sure that she didn't lose control of her emotions at the church and cause all of her makeup to wash off before she even got on the plane.

"Mrs. Spencer, We're here." Marco announced, turning his head to look at her as she shook herself to the present time.

"Marco, Don't ever call me that again. It's Leah." She told him with a sigh, giving him a look as he chuckled and nodded.

"My apologies. Do you need me to walk up with you?" He asked in concern as she shook her head and unbuckled herself from her seat.

"I'll be fine. Just give me a half an hour and then we can head over to the Jet." She explained, opening the back door while she exited the car, shutting it behind her before walking up the concrete path to the front doors.

Her footsteps were quiet against the stone floor, her pace slow yet steady while she made her way into the chapel. As soon as she entered, she felt the wind being knocked out of her, the site of the room causing her to think she had just died and gone to heaven herself. The entire place was covered with Candles, the only thing keeping it from being enveloped in darkness along with at least a thousand twinkling lights hiding in the banisters. Leah mindlessly walked up to the front, unaware of her mother's open casket until she reached it and looked down at the woman who had raised her for so many years.

"Mom.." She whispered, her bottom lip trembling as she fought the tears from coming. She wasn't ready to give in yet. She ran her fingers along the edge of the dark wooden bed that held the older woman, its glossy texture light and smooth. Her mother's beauty hadn't changed, it had only a few differences from the last time she saw her. Her eyebrows were perfectly arched, nose small yet flawless as always, her lips just the right shape. Only now she had her light brown hair cut short and permed with more grey then brown color. Her soft skin looked worn and her laugh lines were visible on her once glowing face. She looked like an angel, despite the navy blue dress they had put her in at the funeral home. "I bet your personality never changed. Never could deny anyone anything. Not even me." Leah thought aloud, leaning over the casket while placing one hand over her mother's. Cold to the touch, yet there was a familiarity there that no one would be able to replace, it was a mother's touch. The only one she ever knew.

*Flashback* 3 years earlier*

"Happy birthday Honey!" Marie cried, bringing in a vase of a dozen roses while Leah's eyes jerked open and she raised her head slowly in dread.

"Mom.. why?" She asked pleadingly, burying her face into her pillow while Marie adjusted the flowers on the desk next to her daughter's bed fondly.

"Because sweetheart, Your sixteen today, and Your father and I made a special breakfast for you, so get yourself cleaned up and get downstairs." She explained while Leah muttered something, but it was muffled by her pillow. "Your going to have to speak up."

"I don't feel like eating." Leah said loudly, raising her head from the cushion as her mother walked over and sat at the edge of her bed.

"Did you and Lucky get in another fight?" She asked knowingly, rubbing Leah's back as she shook her head.

"We don't get in fights mom, he annoys me and I yell at him, thats all." Leah said sarcastically, clearing feeling frustrated while Marie mouthed silently 'thats all'.

"Well then whats the problem?" She asked, knowing her daughter well enough that she knew Leah would open up in her own time.

"We never see each other any more. I'm just afraid that something's going to happen and he's going to be gone for good." She confessed, turning over to look at her mother who gave her a comforting look.

"Now don't think about things like that, this is a special day and you should be happy, not just because it's your birthday either." She told the young girl who nodded, already knowing this speech by heart.

"Because everyone should be happy right?" Leah asked sarcastically while her mother ignored the tone.

"Life is too short to be ruined by bad attitudes darling." Marie stated, standing up from her seat while walking out of the room. "Oh, and before you come to eat with us, look out your window.. Your father and I left something out there for you."

"What is it?" Leah called in confusion, her eye brows furrowed while Marie called back.

"You'll see."

Leah frowned slightly by her mother's hint and pulled the bedding off of her body, standing up on the cold floor while walking over to her window that looked down to the ground of their two story house. In the Driveway, was a beautiful, Red Saturn, shining up like message from god.

"Oh my god!!" Leah screamed, jumping up and down as she did her own little dance for sheer joy of having her own car. Her new piece of freedom.

*End of Flashback*

"You were always the giving one mom." Leah whispered to her mother's figure, sighing as she licked her lips in thought. "I'm so sorry I never appreciated you."

She sat there, just holding onto Marie's hand, despite the ache she felt in her heart by the loss she was experiancing. This woman's death was finally hitting her.

"I was so lucky to have you as my adopted mother, I never realized how much I took for granted." Leah admitted, looking down at her hands. "I can't believe half the things you used to put up with over me."

*Flashback* Seven months ago*

"How could you do this to me?!" Leah screamed, her face rigid with fury while Marie stood up against the kitchen counter, her _expression calm and unmoving.

"Honey, I would have told you-.." She began, when Leah quickly cut her off.

"When?! I'm 18 mother! Oh wait, I can't call you that because you were never my mother to begin with!" She yelled, causing Marie to take in a sharp breath of air.

"I was as much of a mother as anyone else could have been. I loved you as if you were my own flesh and blood, even beyond that." She said patiently, her voice sincere yet firm at the same time.

"That doesn't take away from the fact that you lied! You lied to me my entire life and let me believe that I was actually living with the woman who gave birth to me." Leah cried, throwing her arms up in the air.

"I lied because I love you! You were my daughter ever since the first time I laid eyes on you just days after you were born." Marie tried to explain, only getting a glare from the young woman opposite her.

"God, stop saying all of that, it doesn't matter!! I hate you for what you've done to me!!" She began, screaming as loud as she could, not caring whether the whole neighborhood heard her or not. "I lost my baby, the love of my life, and now I find out the my entire life has been a lie over your selfish decision! How dare you!! As soon as I get my stuff, I am out of this place and I am never looking back!" She declared, storming out of the room while grabbing her keys from the hook near the door.

*End Flashback*

"I am so sorry." Leah whispered softly, tears slipping down her cheeks as the guilt set in. This was something she would never be able to get through. She never got the chance to apologize to her when she was alive. "Please forgive me.." She breathed, looking up at the ceiling when a voice cut through the silence.

"Ms. Leah? I'm sorry to interrupt you, I just got a call, and everyone needs to leave soon." Marco said worriedly, holding his hands together nervously while Leah stood up and wiped her tears away, nodding as she took one last look of her mother and began to walk away.

"I love you." She whispered softly, walking out of the chapel while her hands shook gently.

The Jet arrives in France

The Group enjoys a lively brunch together

The wedding begins