Title: Wedding Kiss

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Viva Las Vegas. This is set after it so anything past it is nonexistent in this storyline.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: It’s been six months since the last kiss. This is the end of the series.

Feedback: It’s the circle of life. I love to write, you love to read. Tell me you love reading, I’ll continue to love writing.

Dedication: To all Mental Vibrators. Isn’t it fun to be us?

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At the Crashdown, Michael smiles as he watches Tess talk to Isabel. It’s been over six months since he first kissed Tess, six months since she let him in her heart. The best six months of his life.

He looks to where Max is sitting with Liz, Maria, Alex, and Kyle. Things have been strained since Michael told everyone how he felt about Tess. They got frosty when Tess moved in with him last month after her eighteenth birthday. The only ones talking to them are Isabel and Alex. Kyle and Tess are still friendly but Kyle continues to act like Michael stole Tess from him.

Michael admits to himself that he misses his friends, especially Max. Sometimes, it’s hard for him to remember when they were like brothers. On the other hand, Michael wouldn’t give up what he has with Tess for anyone or anything.

Tess walks up to Michael and grabs his hand. "What are you thinking about?"

"How much I love you," says Michael, leaning down and giving her a soft kiss. "Can we get outta here?"

"Yeah, I already told Isabel we were leaving."

They walk out hand in hand.

Outside, Michael turns to Tess. "You wanna go home or for a ride?"

"Ride."

They hop on the bike and speed off.

An hour later, after riding around, Michael steers the motorcycle toward the pod chamber. When they stop, Michael wordlessly gets off and holds his hand out to Tess. They walk to the chamber in silence.

"What’s going on?" asks Tess once they’re inside.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"It had to be here?"

"Seemed like the right place. Tess, I love you."

"I love you too."

"These last months have been great. I never thought I could be this happy, that I’d have someone who loved me the way I am. The reason I brought you here is because this is where I learned my destiny with Isabel."

"You changed your mind about us? You want Isabel?"

"I love you Tess, just you. I don’t want us to end."

"Neither do I."

"Then marry me. Let’s spend the rest of our lives being this happy."

"Do you mean it?"

Michael pulls a ring from his pocket. "The stone’s kinda small but it’s all I can afford right now. Later on, I’ll get you something better-"

Tess wraps her arms around his waist and buries her head in his chest.

"I’ll get you something else," says Michael desperately.

Tess looks up at him with watery eyes. "It’s perfect."

"But it’s not-"

"You bought it for me, it’s perfect. Now put it on."

Michael’s hand shakes as he slips the ring on her finger. "I take it this is a yes."

"Yes. I can’t wait to marry you."

"Why wait? Let’s do it tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yeah. We’ll head to Vegas and get married."

"Is there some kind of rush?"

"I’m afraid you’ll realize you can do better and change your mind."

"Never happen."

"Maybe not, but I don’t wanna wait to be married to you. And I figure Vegas cause our last trip convinced you to write what you did. If I hadn’t read it, we wouldn’t be together."

"I think we’d have found each other anyway."

"I’m glad we don’t have to test that theory. What do you say? Vegas, tonight?"

"Let’s go home and pack."

Michael leans down and gives her a quick, hard kiss before pulling her toward the chamber door. "Don’t forget to pack some heels. This leaning down to kiss you is hard."

"But worth it, right?"

"Definitely."

***************************************

A couple hours later, Max walks into Isabel’s room to find her packing. "Where are you going?"

"Las Vegas," says Isabel, holding a dress to her body in front of the mirror. She nods and puts it in her suitcase. "I talked to Mom and Dad, so you don’t have to cover for me."

"Are you and Alex eloping?"

"Not me and Alex." Isabel stops packing and turns to Max. "Michael and Tess."

"What?"

"Michael asked Tess to marry him. He doesn’t wanna wait so they’re going to Vegas tonight."

"Is Tess pregnant?"

"They love each other Max, and they wanna be together forever."

"It’s just…a little sudden."

"They’ve been together over six months. Why are you surprised?"

"I gotta go."

"Go where? Max! Don’t do anything stupid!"

Max doesn’t stop or acknowledge her words.

***************************************

At the Valenti house, Kyle looks at Tess in disbelief. "Tonight?"

"We’re leaving in about an hour."

"Did he get you pregnant?"

"I’m not pregnant. We love each other Kyle, this is what we want. This is what I want."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You’re my best friend. I’d love it if you were there."

"I don’t think I can do that."

"Please Kyle."

"If he makes you happy then I’m happy for you. But I can’t act like this doesn’t hurt."

"I thought you were over whatever we almost had."

"So did I. But you weren’t marrying him before."

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. I knew goin’ into this your heart belonged to someone else. I was just so busy being on guard against Max, I didn’t watch out for anyone else. Then I thought you and Guerin would eventually split up and I’d have my chance."

"If things could be different…"

"Don’t apologize to me or anyone else for being happy. You deserve it."

"Thank you," says Tess, hugging him.

"Tell your fiancée that if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass."

"I will. I gotta go."

"See you when you get back."

***************************************

On Liz’s balcony, Maria stares at Alex in shock. "Tell me you’re joking."

"I’m picking up Isabel in twenty minutes, then we’re meeting Michael and Tess at their apartment."

"He’s actually marrying her?"

"Were they keeping their engagement a secret?" asks Liz.

"Michael asked her today," says Alex.

"Did Tess get pregnant to trap him?" asks Maria.

"I don’t think she’s pregnant, and the rush is Michael’s idea. At least that’s what Isabel said."

"I have to talk to him."

"What are you gonna say?" asks Liz.

"Something. He can’t marry her."

"They’ve been together a while."

"There’s together and there’s married. If he marries her, he’ll regret it."

"He loves her," says Alex quietly.

Maria wraps her arms around her waist tightly. "He loved me."

"I’m sorry."

"You didn’t make Tess write what she did and deliberately leave it for Michael to find. You didn’t make him give into her or draw naked pictures of her. You didn’t steal him from me."

"I thought you liked Brody now," says Liz.

"Brody’s great but he isn’t Michael. I thought we were gonna last forever. Why does he want forever with her?"

"I don’t know."

Liz holds Maria as she cries, nodding for Alex to leave.

***************************************

Max is driving past the park on his way to Michael and Tess’s. He stops when he sees Tess sitting on a bench. He gets out of the car and goes to her. "I thought you’d be at home packing."

"I needed to do something here first."

"What’s that?" asks Max, sitting next to her.

"I needed to let go of you. Don’t get me wrong, I love Michael. You’re not some specter hovering when we’re together. But when Michael proposed to me, I realized part of me held on to you and the dream of our destiny."

"You never acted like it."

"I wasn’t unhappy with Michael, far from it. But sometimes, I’d get a flash of memory of our life together. It made me sad that we’d never have that again. Part of me wanted that, even when I was with Michael."

"But you don’t anymore?"

"I think part of me will always love you Max. Part of me will wish things had been different. All first loves are like that. And that’s what you are, my first love. But you aren’t my only love and Michael will be my last love, my best love."

"I…I was on my way to talk you out of marrying him."

"Why?"

"Isn’t it a little rushed? And you just said you aren’t over me."

"I am over you Max, don’t think I’m not. You’re part of me, and loving you changed who I am. But if you wanted me, I wouldn’t be available because I choose Michael. He’s now the one I think of when I think of forever."

"What’s the hurry?"

"Michael wants to get married as soon as possible."

"What about you, what do you want?"

"I wanna feel the way Michael makes me feel for the rest of my life. I spent my entire human existence waiting for this kind of love. I thought I’d get it from you, but I’m thrilled to have it from Michael. I do love him Max."

"Make him happy. I want you both to be happy."

"We will be. Michael would love it if you came to Vegas with us. So would I."

"No he wouldn’t. Things haven’t been good between us."

Michael steps from behind a tree. "I still want you to come."

"How long have you been there?" asks Tess.

"Long enough not to have any doubts."

"You were having doubts?"

"A few. I wasn’t sure I was who you really wanted."

"You are," says Tess, getting off the bench and kissing him. "You talk to Max, I’m gonna finish packing."

"Okay. Kyle going with us?"

Tess’s eyes flicker with sadness. "No, but he wished us well. Amy and Jim are gonna stay in town for him and Maria. I’ll see you in an little while."

Tess walks away, Michael and Max staring after her.

"She loves you," says Max. "I wasn’t sure before but I am now."

"Do you wish she didn’t love me?"

"I wish you loving each other wasn’t so hard on our friends."

"You can’t help who you love."

"No you can’t. Take care of her Michael. Tess acts a lot tougher than she is."

"I will. I understand you not coming to the wedding Maxwell."

"Who said I’m not coming?"

"You are?"

"My best friend is marrying my ex-wife. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I just gotta pack and call Liz."

"We’ll wait for you."

Max gives Michael a bear hug. "Congratulations man. I’m really happy for you."

"Thanks."

***************************************

THE END

This is the end of the story and the series. Hope you enjoyed it.