Rafe, dressed in the black tuxedo Lucy had helped him pick out a few weeks ago, walked around the empty church. It was quiet at the moment, with the exception of the rain hitting the windows. The church was already decorated with an arrangement of pink roses scattered around. It was very beautiful.

"Don!" Lucy yelled, her voice reverberating against the church walls.

Rafe looked towards Lucy's direction. "Lucy, what is it?"

"It's wrong!"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm here; what's the problem?" Don asked.

Lucy turned to Don and fumed. "Don, what were you thinking? I specifically told you that I wanted that flower arrangement over there!"

"Well I think it looks better over here," Don replied.

"No, no it doesn't! It looks better over there!"

"No, it's in the way over there."

"It's not in the way!" Lucy shot back.

Rafe shook his head. Well, so much for having a quiet, peaceful moment.

"I'm moving it back," Lucy said as she walked over to the flower arrangement and started to pick it up.

"I'm telling you, it's in the way over there, Lucy!"

Rafe cleared his throat. That got their attention. "Um, can I maybe have a say in this?"

"Oh, well of course, cousin. This is your wedding, after all. Where do you like the flowers best?" When Don wasn't looking, Lucy mouthed to Rafe and pointed, "Over there."

"You know, to be honest, I think the flowers look better there." Rafe pointed in a totally different direction.

Lucy and Don lit up excitedly.

"That's perfect!" Don said.

"Why didn't we think of that?" Lucy laughed and moved the flowers to the new location.

"Oh, the wedding cake!" Don remembered. "I need to go run and pick that up."

"Yes, that's right!"

"And also, I need to make sure the decorations for the reception are in place." Don left the room in a hurry.

Lucy turned to Rafe. "Oy, I better go make sure he doesn't screw this up. I'll be back before the wedding! Ta!" Then, Lucy took off running after Don. "Don! Don! Don't leave without me!"

Rafe couldn't help but laugh. And finally, the church was quiet again. He looked out the window. "Wow, that rain is really coming down," he said to himself.

Back at the house…

The first thing Alison panicked about was her wedding gown. "Rain and wedding gowns…not a good combination!" Alison hollered.

"Don't worry, Alison. I put all of the gowns in the car already," Livvie said quickly to appease her.

"Livvie, I love you! Wait a minute…I don't have to worry about the gowns, but I do have to worry about….my hair! And Eve, you just fixed it!"

"Stop panicking, Alison. We won't let anything happen to your hair," Eve said calmly.

It was about time to head to the church, and unfortunately, the rain was not letting up. Armed with the two umbrellas they could manage to find, the three women made it to the car, and they only got just a tiny bit wet.

Alison's hair survived.

Fortunately when they made it to the church, staying dry was a lot easier. Eve was able to drive the car around to the back where there was a little shelter.

"Oh good, you made it!" Serena was waiting outside the church for them. "Do you need any help with anything?"

Eve smiled at Serena and handed her the flower bouquets. "You could take these to the backroom."

"Sure, no problem."

"Serena?" Alison called out.

"Yeah?"

"Do you know if Rafe's here?"

"I think he's around somewhere…" Serena said as she headed inside.

"Okay, let's get these gowns inside," Livvie urged.

The women gathered all of their things and headed inside. It was time to really get the bride ready…

"Okay, someone help me with the zipper!" Alison laughed as she struggled with the zipper in the back of her dress.

Livvie rushed over and zipped it up. "Alison, you've got to come look at yourself in the mirror."

Alison walked over to the mirror and was speechless.

"Alison, you make a very beautiful bride," Eve commented.

"You really do, Ali," Livvie added.

Alison blushed.

"Oh, the veil!" Livvie said. "Eve, will you hand it to me?"

Eve handed Livvie the veil and Livvie carefully helped Alison put it on. "There, now you're all set."

Alison looked in the mirror. "Oh my god. This is really about to happen isn't it?"

"Mmm-hmm," Eve nodded.

"Eve, were you this nervous when you married Ian?"

"Alison, I don't know a bride who isn't nervous on her wedding day."

There was a knock on the door. "Can I come in?" Lucy asked.

"Come in, Lucy!" Alison said.

Lucy walked in and gasped. "Oh, Alison. That dress is simply gorgeous. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Lucy."

"Oh, I have something for you! For your 'something blue'." Lucy handed Alison a blue garter.

Alison took the garter. It looked very familiar.

"It's the same garter I wore at my wedding to Doc," Lucy said proudly. "I don't know where it came from, so you can have it. But it seems to have brought me a whole lot of good luck so I wanted to give it to you." Lucy couldn't help but notice how happy this was making Alison. "Alison, what is it?"

"Oh, Lucy, I was just thinking about something, about Rafe and I…oh, thank you so much, Lucy." Alison gave Lucy a big hug.

"Well you're very welcome!" she laughed.

"Oh, I have something for you too, Ali!" Livvie said. She walked over to her purse and got out a long black box. "Your 'something borrowed'," Livvie explained.

Alison took the box and opened it up. "Oh, Livvie, your bracelet!"

"Yeah, I know how much you love it. So it's yours for today. But remember, it's borrowed!" Livvie laughed.

Alison laughed with her. "I will be sure to return it to you. Thank you, Livvie." Alison hugged her.

"You're welcome."

"What about your 'something new'?" Eve asked.

"Oh, my something new is my wedding gown!" Alison said proudly.

"Is that my granddaughter?" Amanda said as she poked her head into the room. "It can't be. My granddaughter is just a young girl but there's a grown woman in here."

Alison laughed. "It's me, Nana."

"You look lovely, dear," Amanda said and gave Alison a kiss on the cheek.

"Well, why don't we give them a few moments?" Eve suggested to Lucy and Livvie. They agreed and left the bride with her grandmother.

"So Nana, I guess you heard that my parents aren't coming."

Amanda moved a few stray hairs behind Alison's ear. "Well you know they're awfully busy, dear."

"Yeah, I know," Alison said softly.

"I have something for you." Amanda reached into her purse and took out a box. Inside the box was a beautiful pearl necklace.

"Oh, Nana, those are beautiful."

"These have been in the Barrington family for generations. All of the Barrington women have worn these on their wedding day. And now, it's your turn. This can be your 'something old'."

"Will you put it on me?" Alison asked.

"Of course, dear." Alison turned around and her grandmother put the bead of pearls around her neck. "There."

Alison looked into the mirror and held the pearls between her fingers. "It's gorgeous."

"Now, don't lose these. Hold on to them and keep them. Maybe you'll give them to your own daughter someday."

"I'll hold on to them."

"Well, I'll let you finish getting ready. I'm going to go sit down."

"Nana."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Amanda smiled. "I love you, too." Amanda smiled at her granddaughter once more before walking out of the room.

Alison turned to the mirror to admire herself. She had to admit-she thought she made a beautiful looking bride herself.

~*~*~*~

Rafe looked at his watch and frowned. Where was Reverend Lovejoy? Rafe didn't want to be all paranoid, but it was getting closer to that time and having someone to perform the ceremony was crucial to say the least.

"You ready to get married?" Ian's voice caught Rafe's attention.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Rafe smiled. "A bit nervous though."

"Well that's to be expected. Is um, is something else going on?" Ian sensed that something other than pre-wedding jitters was on his mind.

"Well, I got a call from the reverend about twenty minutes ago. He said he would be late because he was just getting back into town from performing another marriage ceremony and then got caught in the rain. But he should have been here by now, and he's not."

"Well give him a little while longer. You still have some time."

"True."

"Ian," Kevin said, walking into the room.

"Yeah?"

"The guests are beginning to arrive."

"Well, I have usher duties to attend to…excuse me," Ian said and followed Kevin.

Rafe stepped into the hallway and spotted the maid-of-honor. "Livvie!"

Livvie turned around. "Hey, nice tux, Rafe!"

Rafe smiled. "And that's a beautiful dress."

"Thank you."

"So um, is Alison ready?"

Livvie laughed. "Oh, I know where this is going. You can forget it, Rafe Kovich."

"What?"

"You're not seeing Alison yet."

"What's the big deal? I already saw her once today. You can't tell me you're superstitious about all of that."

"Yeah, but she's in her gown now. Don't even think about seeing her until the ceremony begins."

Rafe sighed. "Okay, fine. Listen, I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure, anything."

"Okay." Rafe dug a piece of paper out of his pocket. "This is Reverend Lovejoy's number. He's running late because of the rain. I need you to try to get in touch with him and see what's keeping him, because he should have been here by now."

"Okay, no problem. I'll do that now."

"Thanks."

"Rafe! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Rafe turned around to see Serena. "Serena, look at you! You look so grown up," he said.

The girl smiled. "Thanks, cousin!"

"What did you need?"

"Mom wanted me to let you know that she's back and she's looking for you."

"Okay, where is she?"

"In that room over there." Serena pointed him in the right direction.

"Lucy?" Rafe walked into the room.

"Rafe! Look at my pretty dress!" Christina ran over to Rafe and turned around, making her flower dress twirl.

Rafe grinned and kneeled down. "Christina, you make a very pretty flower girl."

"Sweet pea, how about you go find your sister while I talk to Rafe?"

"Okay!" The child ran out into the hallway. "Serena!"

"Lucy, you look wonderful," Rafe said.

"Think I make a good 'best-cousin'?"

"I think you make a great one. So, what's the situation with the reception?"

"Well, Don and I only got into two arguments over the placement of things but overall, everything looks great."

"Good. So, what did you need to see me about?"

Lucy laughed. "What do you think? I'm your best cousin! I have to help you get ready!"

Rafe laughed.

"Okay, so I have to admit, I don't really know much about being a best man, or best cousin rather, so I had to do a little researching."

"Researching?"

"Yeah. I went online and grabbed this nifty little best man checklist!" Lucy pulled out this sheet of paper. "Okay, it says here to ensure that the groom has: used the restroom. Have you used the restroom?"

Rafe laughed.

But Lucy remained dead-serious. "You won't be able to go once the ceremony starts."

"That's taken care of, Lucy."

"Oh good! Now, ensure that his shoes are tied." Lucy looked at his shoes. "Check. Pant's fly is up. Check."

"Is that really on the list?"

"Yeah, it's right here!" Lucy showed him the list. "Okay, face and hair are in order. Check, the groom looks great. If vows are on him, are they with him? Do you have your vows?"

"They're right here," Rafe said and pointed to his heart.

"Aww. Okay, check to make sure nothing is between his teeth. Okay, all clean. Ring with the best man, oh that's me! Yep, right here!" Lucy held up her hand. The ring was on her thumb. "Okay, are the groom's fears and second thoughts calmed and put to rest? Any fears or second thoughts?"

Rafe laughed. "No fears or second thoughts."

Lucy smiled. "I didn't think so. Check then. Now, there's also a list of things we may need in case of an emergency, so I'll just go through this list and make sure we have everything. Okay, aspirin or Tylenol. Yes, we have that. Do you have a headache?"

"No."

"Good. Well if you get one, come to me. Okay, antacid, check. Hair comb, check. Black magic marker-black magic marker? What the hell is that for? Well, we'll just skip that one. Okay, hair gel or spray, um, your hair looks fine. Toothbrush and toothpaste? Hmm, I'm sure you've already brushed your teeth. Oh, mouthwash! Very important. And deodorant. Also important."

"I'm fine, Lucy."

"You don't need anything?"

"Nope, I'm ready to go."

"Good!

"Knock, knock." Livvie poked her head through the doorway. "Rafe?"

"Yeah?"

"We have a little situation…"

~*~*~*~

Alison, alone in the room, took this opportunity to practice. She grabbed her bouquet and slipped on her shoes. Watching herself in the mirror, she hummed the wedding march as she practiced how she would walk down the aisle. "Walk slowly and normally, Alison. Whatever you do, don't trip. Whatever you do, don't fall. Take nice, slow steps. Being nervous will make you walk faster, and therefore, increase the chances of you making a total fool of yourself." Alison practiced walking to the mirror. "Smile." She laughed. "Like I would have to remind myself to do that!" Alison cleared her throat. "I, Alison Barrington, take thee, Rafe Kovich, to have and to hold, from this day forward…"

Alison was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me and Jack," Jamal said.

"Um, just a second!" Alison set down her bouquet and slowly walked over to the door. When she opened the door, both Jamal and Jack's jaws dropped.

"Wow," Jamal said, "That is one incredible gown. You look beautiful, Ali."

"You're a very beautiful bride," Jack added.

"Aww, thanks guys!"

"Nervous?" Jamal asked.

"Mmm-hmm," Alison nodded.

"Well everything is going to go fine; I just know it," Jack said with a smile.

"Yeah in fact, you should see the crowd out there," Jamal said.

"Yeah, almost all of the guests have arrived now."

"Really?"

"Yeah," they said.

"Hey, is it still raining out there?"

"In sheets," Jamal said.

"Well if I didn't know any better, I'd say tropical storm Arthur was so huge that not only did it hit Cancun, but it's hitting Port Charles as well!" Alison laughed. "Well, Weatherman Ramsey, how much longer is this rain going to last?"

"Hopefully not too much longer. It's one of those summer storms though so I'm sure they'll be popping up all afternoon."

"Lovely," Alison said sarcastically.

"Can we come in?" Serena said, holding Christina's hand.

"Of course, come in, come in!" Alison said cheerfully. "Oh, look at your girls! You look beautiful!"

"So do you, that dress is really gorgeous, Alison," Serena said.

"Yeah, it's pretty! Like mine?" Christina twirled around, modeling hers.

Everyone laughed.

Alison walked over to Christina and picked her up. "You, miss Christina, are the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen!"

"Hey everyone, hate to break up the party but can I talk to Alison for a while?" Livvie stepped into the room.

"No problem, we were just on our way out," Jamal said.

Jack and Jamal left and Serena and Christina followed.

"So what's going on, Livvie? Did you see Rafe yet?"

"Yes I did."

"How does he look in his tux?" Alison said excitedly.

"He looks great."

"Is he nervous?"

"About as much as you are."

"Oh, I wish I could see him! Oh, I'm sorry, did you want to tell me something?"

"Yeah. Now, Alison, first of all, I don't want you to freak out or anything."

Alison suddenly became very worried. "Freak out? Why would I freak out? Livvie, what's going on? Tell me!"

"Listen, okay? Reverend Lovejoy got held up by this storm, and now on top of all of that, he's having car trouble."

"Oh no!"

"Alison, remember, don't freak out! This is not a big deal. He said he's going to try his best to get here as fast as he can, and if not, then he'll send for someone to perform the ceremony. Don't worry, you will get married today. I promise."

Alison sighed. Couldn't she just get a break already?