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Justin sat at his desk early that morning. The light shown in beautifully over his shoulder. But, it was a bitter sweet kind of beauty, for today, the day of his wedding, he was left broken hearted. He picked up the list of cancellation number and it brought an even greater heaviness to his heart. He set them back down with a sigh, for this task was too hard to follow through with. He couldn't bring himself to cancel anything. He couldn't admit defeat.
As he exited the office of his home with a quickness, he began down the steps and towards the kitchen for coffee. His fingers barely touched the handle when it came flying open quickly, nailing him in the face.
"Oh for God sake!" He shouted as he grabbed his face,
"Oh God, Justin, are you OK?" Her voice flooded his ear and he looked up at her quickly. Crystal. A worried look occupied her face. She advanced toward him and purely out of shock he backed away from her.
"What are you doing here?" He asked softly.
"I wanted to talk. Cedric said you were in your office, so I was waiting in the kitchen."
"Since when do you wait for anything?" He asked.
"Since I was afraid you didn't want to talk to me..." Crystal began, "I know I screwed up. I screwed up beyond screwing up. I've just been so... confused, about everything. For the last few days, I've been hearing different things from everyone around me, and the only person I didn't listen to was you. And I'm not trying to make excuses cause right now I really don't have a right too." She paused. "I know nothing happened with you and Erica. And I came to apologize for ever thinking for just a second that you would ever hurt me like that. I just needed you to know that." Her voice trailed off softly.
"I don't really know what to say anymore, Crystal." Justin began. "I mean, if this is how its going to be from now on. I don't know if I can do it. I can't be constantly wondering if your going to believe everything I say. I shouldn't have to wonder if you're going trust me. I shouldn't have to always worry rather or not you're going to walk out on me again."
"I know..." Crystal stated gently as she quickly wiped a tear from her face. "I understand completely. You deserve better than this." After a brief pause she began to speak again. "I'm sorry I couldn't be the one for you. I just hope one day you'll forgive me." She glanced into his eyes only a few seconds before she began to leave.
Justin stood there a moment,fighting within himself. His mind said it was for the best and his heart said to never let her go. And as he watch the only woman he had ever loved walk out the door, there wasn't even a questioned left in his mind. Justin ran to the door and out onto the porch.
"Crystal..." He crooned as she reached for the door to her car. She looked up at him as the tears streamed down her face. He made his way down the steps and over to her. He looked her in the eyes as he reached for her gently. He placed his hands on ether side of her cheeks and pressed his lips gently against hers. He heard her soft sob and felt the quiver of her lips beneath his. He pulled back slightly. She wrapped her arms around his chest and he leaned his forehead to hers.
"Don't go..." He spoke softly. "I don't want to live without you.... I can't live without you..."
"So what do we do now?"

Jason stood in front of the mirror getting ready to head over to his parents home for the possible wedding. He sighed slightly knowing if they don't wed, it's half his doing. Just as he grabbed his keys to leave, Erica walks in.
"Well, well. Don't you look handsome." She smiled.
"I don't have time for this. I have a wedding to attend." He pushed past her. She laughed lightly.
"You still think this wedding is going to happen?" Erica asked. "They don't trust each other anymore and I dare say you too, have partial blame for that."
"Yes, but unlike others involved my doing is forgivable. And if not I'll see you in hell." Jason spat.
"Maybe so Jason, but do you really think Justin's going to forgive what you did to Shelby?" She questioned.
"You know, you can't hold that over me anymore, because I'm going over there now to confess. No more of your lies or tricks. You're games are over, and as soon as out divorce is final, you'll have no one but your self to blame for your pitiful miserable life."
"I guess we'll see about that no won't we?" Erica stated, but he could tell by the sound of her voice that she had nothing left to go. That she, too, knew that her games were finally over. Jason just laughed it off lightly and left the room.

Shelby stood on the porch of the Walsche's home, pacing back and forth nervously. She looked up as she heard the sound of a car coming down the road. She sighed half heartily as she saw that it was her brother's car. She descended the steps as Justin emerged from the car and then stopped in her place a moment, in slight shock, when Crystal stepped out as well.
"You two... here... together?" She asked.
"Not now Shel, we need to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Walsche..." Justin stated tiredly. She nodded with a smile.
"Of course, I was just surprised that's all!" She stated, Crystal caught the glimpse of pure sadness in her eyes as she looked down at the ground.
"Justin?" Crystal called, He turned to her as he reached the steps. "I'm going to talk to Shelby for just a moment, I'll be right in."  Justin nodded and went into the house. Crystal turned her attention to Shelby. "Honey?"
"It's nothing really. I mean, it can wait. You should really just go ahead and get today settle on rather its a go or a no." She stated.
"Well, I know a broken heart when I see one Shel. Hell, I've given myself one more than needed. So, I'll just stand here with you, until you tell me." Crystal stated. Shelby looked up at her, tears strolling down her face.
"Troy..." She stated. Crystal sighed remember the conversations with Jason last night. The one Troy had overheard. "He found out about Jason. I'm not sure how or when." She paused a moment. "But he was completely devastated. The look on his face when I couldn't tell him it was lie, was completely heart wrenching. I swore if he had stared at me any longer I would have turned to dust and crumbled away."
"Oh sweetheart." She embraced her. "I'm afraid me and Jason are to blame for his knowing. He overheard me yelling at Jason about what had happened. I didn't even know he was standing there. I would have never said a word."
"I can't lay any blame on you, Crystal. Its my own fault." She stated. "He told me it was over. Really Truly over... And I believe he meant it. I don't want to, and I want to be able to live in that state of denial, but i can't. There's not even the slightest little how that I could."
"Listen, Troy is a reasonable young man, I'm sure once everything settles, he's going want to talk to you. Even if its just to finally get things straight between you two. It may not result in the way you wish, but it will help with closure on the subject, and believe me dear, closure is something you can't go without. No matter how small or how large the issue."
"I know, I know... I just with I never would have agreed to that plan of outing Erica, I wish I never would have lied to Troy and I wish I never slept with Jason."
"...What?" They heard the voice of Justin echo in from behind. Shelby turned to him slightly and she could see the anger fueling up in his eyes.
"Justin, now  really isn't the time for this conversation!" Crystal began. He gave her a look and she shut up quickly and looked away from his burning eyes.
"You did what?" He asked. Shelby gave him a begin look.
"I don't want you to blow it out of proportion!" She stated.
"Just tell me! Did you, or did you not, have an affair with Jason?" He asked. She looked away a moment.
"Yes..."
"How could something like this happen?"
"I don't know... I was just so upset over Troy and he was nice to me. Sweet."
"He took advantage of you Shel." He stated as he made his way around the car.
"Justin?" Crystal called.
"I'm going to go find him, make him tell me what happened and then I'm going to bash his face in." Justin stated as he searched his pockets for his keys. "Damn it."
"Look, I talked to him yesterday about it. He knows he was wrong and..." Justin cut her off.
"You knew?" He asked.
"She came to me about it yesterday morning."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What was I suppose to say Justin?" She asked. "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch lately, and oh, by the way, my cousin had an affair with your sister!" He looked up at her. "And in case you haven't noticed, we haven't exactly been in a position to judge people!"
"She's my sister, Crystal." Justin crooned.
"And Jason is you're best friend." She began, "He is probably hurting so bad thinking about this and how he's going to tell you about it. He made a mistake, they both did, and now they're paying the price for it."
"I swear its never going to happen again." Shelby said softly. Justin nodded as he embraced her tightly with a huge sigh.

Jason pulled into the driveway of his parents home and made his way inside in some what a hurry. He looked around a bit as dozens of people, familiar and not, rummaged around preparing for a 'maybe' wedding. He spotted his mother across the room and hurried over.
"Mom!" He called, She looked over at him. "Justin?"
"He is around this mess some where." She stated. "However, he is not in good spirits today."
"I'll brave it. I really need to speak with him." Jason stated quickly before he scurried off to find Justin.
Jason stepped out onto the cement walkway in the back yard. The yard was crowded with chairs and flowers and the hired help for the wedding. Jason looked around all the through the yard until his eyes caught sight of Justin half into the yard.
"Justin!" He called out to him. Justin looked up as Jason began to make his way over. He noticed an angered look in his eyes begin to grow. "Hey, can I have a word with you?"
"What could you have to say to me, Jason, that I haven't already found out from someone else?" He questioned.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"How dare you even show up here after what you did." Justin began.
"Justin, I'm not sure what..." Was all that escaped his lips before Justin pulled back and punched him clear in the jaw.  Jason turned back toward him, bringing his hand to his mouth as blood began to trickle out. He grabbed Justin by the shirt.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He pushed him back slightly. Justin pushed him back. Crystal came out of the house and rushed over to them.
"All right, break it up. Don't cause a scene!" Crystal stepped in between them.
"My sister?"
"Its not what you think!" Jason stated.
"Its not? You didn't take advantage of her? You didn't use her as a pawn in your little revenge game against Erica? You didn't ruin her future with Troy?" He paused, then spread his arms out, "Well then, Jason, what is it?"
"I never meant for it to happen."
"So that's just suppose to make it all better? Because you didn't mean it?" Justin shouted.
"Justin... please." Crystal grabbed his hand.
"Look, Justin, I know what happened hurt Shelby, and that's hurting you even more, but I can't take it back." Jason shouted back. "I apologized for not thinking it through, and Shelby forgave me, because she knew we shared equal blame for that night. And now we have to live with the consequences of our actions and so do you!" Justin turned away from him and Jason sighed.
"Maybe you should just give him some time right now. OK?" Crystal asked Jason. He nodded and began away. Crystal turned to Justin and placed her hands on his back gently as she leaned her forehead against him.
"How can I ever look at him again without seeing what he did to her?" Justin asked, a sad tone joined his words.
"It'll pass with time, I promise." Crystal replied. She felt his chest rise and fall with a sigh.
They heard a loud crash behind them suddenly. They turned toward the noise, and saw Erica falls over some chairs in the back.
"Wow! I can't say I expected this..." Justin stated. Crystal looked up at him.
"She never fails to surprise me." Crystal stated as she started over towards her. Erica stood and laughed slightly as she saw Crystal walking up.
"Well if it isn't the bride to be!" Erica stated. There was a rough slur on her lips and a horrid liquor on her breath.
"What are you doing here, Erica?" She asked.
"I'm here for a wedding!" She laughed lightly, "that is, if there's still one!"
"And if there isn't, I'm sure its all in thanks to you!"
"You are always so dramatic you know that?" Erica stated.
"I only have one question for you, and then I want you to leave."
"What?"
"Why did you do this to me?" She asked softly tears in her eyes. "I thought we were friends."
"Friends? Crystal, I've always hated you!" Erica stated. "And you know why? Because you were always so perfect, and sweet, and pure and it made me sick. I watched on for years as you lived in your little fantasy world while the rest of us struggled to find some sense of belonging, of being wanted." She paused as she glanced back at Justin. "And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, comes the perfect man. But all he could see was you. And I hated you for it. While I tried so hard to find that perfect man to take care of me and love me, it just took you a 15 minute trip to town. It wasn't fair!" She shouted tears streaming down her face.
"So you ruin it for me? You confuse me and shove Peter in my face and then con me into believing Justin was having an affair with you?" She paused. "You killed my baby because you were jealous!" She shouted. "How could you?"
"You didn't deserve it!" Erica screamed. You still don't!"
"I want you to leave. Now!" Crystal stated. Erica stared at her a moment before turning away and stumbling her way towards the front of the house.
"She's really messed up..." Justin sighed. Crystal nodded.
"I would almost feel sorry for her, but I don't' care enough to bother. I'm tired of caring..." Crystal stated softly.

A few hours later that afternoon, all the guest had arrived and filled the back yard in hopes they would see two people unit in love and life. Standing at the back of the crowded yard was a person who wasn't quite sure if the guest would see such an event.
Mr. Walsche turned towards his wife and sighed.
"Have they decided yet?" He asked. Sara shrugged.
"I don't know, they're been locked up in that room for hours now."
"Maybe its just not the time, you know." Jake stated.
"Hey. Are they still talking it over?" Shelby stated as she walked up. They gave her a nod. "Well I hope they decide soon. The guest, as well as myself, are getting rather antsy." She stated with as sigh and then headed back to the front of the ceremony.
A few moments later, the backdoor opened and out came Crystal and Justin. Neither one dressed for the wedding. Justin whispered to Crystal and she nodded as he began down the aisle and she made her way over to her aunt and uncle.
"Is everything all right?" Jake asked. She nodded as Sara wrapped a hug around her.
Justin turned and stood facing the guest. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"I appreciate you all coming out and attempting to share in this joyous occasion, but I'm afraid there won't be a wedding today." He stated. The crowd began to murmer. "Crystal and I have had a rough week, and we've decided that our relationship isn't quite ready for something as serious as this. We're wounded and it's going to take some time to heal. Time we are prepared to take. I apologized for the inconvenience, but I welcome you to still stick around and enjoy the after party that is planned. There's no reason to let perfectly good food go to waste." Justin smiled slightly.
"Or a perfectly good wedding!" The loud voice flowed over the crowd and Justin looked to the back with a slight smile. Shelby stepped out onto the aisle.
"Troy?" She called. "Troy, what are you doing here?"
"I got half way back to school before I pulled off to the side of the road and started to think. I thought about all the time we spent together, all the pain and heartache we put ourselves through. And that's when I realized that no matter what you do, you could never make me not love you." He began. Shelby smiled as gently tears fell from her eyes. "And I figured, if I could still love you, after all we've been through, then I have no reason not to forgive you." He grabbed her hand. "I love you Shelby Micheals and I'm ready to marry you, today, right now. If you will have me." Shelby let out a slight laugh and began to nod her head.
"Yes... Yes, of course!" She replied as she through her hands around him tightly. "I love you so much."

"Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to join these two souls in holy matrimony...." The father's voice demanded the attention of the crowd, but Crystal couldn't stand to listen. She grabbed Justin by the hand and he turned to look at her. She nodded towards the house. He followed her inside.
"What's a matter?" He asked.
"I just... I couldn't watch anymore." She sighed. "I mean. I know we're not ready and we agreed on that, but that is my wedding and I can't sit and watch Shelby live it." She looked up at Justin, "Does that make me a bad person?"
"Not at all." He wrapped around her.
"Do you think we'll ever be ready for this?" Crystal questioned. She felt Justin shrug.
"I don't know, but as long as I get to see this face every morning and touch this skin every day, I could care less about a little piece of paper." He whispered gently in her ear.
"No matter how horrid my uncle gets about my unwed bliss?"
"Yeah, well I think I'm growing on him!" He smiled. She laughed lightly
"Yeah me too!" She leaned in and he met her lips halfway. Their kiss was gentle and sweet. They pulled back slightly and for a moment just stared at one another. Justin glanced outside, before picking Crystal up and heading towards the stairs.
As everyone cheered outside for the newlyweds, the only sound pure enough to drown it out, was the loving laughter flowing from the top floor of the Walsche Manor.