“I hope that Howie isn't going to be late with the kids,” I said to Amber completely stressing out.
“Don't worry Rhonda,” Amber tried to reassure me. “He will be here.”
“But these guys have a habit of being late to weddings!”
“Don't worry, the groom is here – that's the most important part!”
“I don't want to get married without my kids here!!” I shouted at Amber.
“Let me see if AJ has heard from him yet. You finish getting dressed.”

I walked around the dressing room, hoping that Howie wasn't going to mess up this day. He said that he was okay with Nick and I getting married, but I had my doubts.

Amber's View

I walked out to find AJ and ask about Howie before Rhonda drove me insane. I found him holding a crying Tyler in his arms. “What happened?” I asked.
“He was climbing all around the church and he fell. I told you to stop, didn't I buddy.” Tyler wiped his eyes with a fist and nodded his head. “Well maybe next time you'll listen to me.”
I sighed. “Both of your kids seem to have your energy level. Are you sure we want another one?”
AJ laughed and patted my sixth month belly. “I think it's a little late to ask that now don't you think?”
“Speaking of kids with your energy level, where's Arrianna?” I asked looking around.
“Last I saw her your mother had her. Ever since your family moved down here she seems to not be able to get enough of the grandma role.”
“Well they've only been here for a month, give it time,” I laughed.
“Hey guys,” Howie said as he came up behind us.
“There you are! It's about time!”
“Yeah I guess Rhon's been wondering where these two have been huh?”
“Yeah she's been wondering where all of you have been. Come on I'll show you were she is.” I took Nikki's hand and lead the others back to the dressing room where Rhonda was now pacing.

Rhonda's View

Nikki and Jacob ran into the dressing room and into my arms, both of them were already dressed. “Sorry,” Howie said, “Nikki didn't want to put her tights on. We had quite a struggle.”
“She's been hanging around Arrianna too much,” Amber laughed as she followed them into the room.
“Well...” Howie said looking down at the floor, “I guess I'll be going now.” He headed towards the door.
“You're not going to stay?” AJ asked Howie. “It's been over two years D, I thought you would be used to Nick and Rhonda together.”
“I'm okay with them together. But don't you think its strange that for an ex-husband to be at his ex-wife's wedding?”
“Howie,” I said walking over to him, “please stay. I invited you because Nick and I wanted you here.”
“Yeah D, it wouldn't be the same without you here,” Nick said from the hallway.
“Nick!!” Nikki and Jacob yelled running into his arms.
“Hey guys! I missed you,” he said picking them up and giving them a kiss. “Psst...maybe if you guys ask your daddy to stay he will.”
“Daddy you are going to stay aren't you?” Nikki asked Howie with her big brown eyes batting at him. “You're not going to miss me as the flower girl are you?”
Howie looked up at me looking for the right answer. “If it's too much for you Howie, you don't have to stay.”
“No, I'll stay.”

At the reception

“Would you mind if I danced with um...your wife?” Howie asked Nick.
“That's really up to her,” Nick laughed, “I'm kidding. I wouldn't mind.”
“Have you seen her?” Howie asked.
“I think she took Jacob to the bathroom,” Nick said pointing towards the bathrooms.

Howie walked over to where Amber was trying to get the kids away from the cake table.
“Arrianna Marie!! Nicole Caroline!!!” Amber shouted. “You guys got frosting all over you!! What am I going to do with the two of you!?!?”
“Well if you would have let me have a little piece of cake already I wouldn't have had to stick my fingers in it!” Arrianna answered back.
“Come on Nikki,” Howie said taking her hand. “Let's go clean you up before Mom finds you like this!” Howie headed towards the bathroom with frosting covered Nikki.

“Oh my god!” I shouted. “What did you do to her?”
Howie just laughed, “Well, she was with Arrianna...”
I sighed and stopped him, “No need to explain anymore!”
I traded Howie Jacob for Nikki and took my little girl into the bathroom to get her clean.
“I just wanted cake mommy,” she said.
“I know honey, but its not time for cake yet.”
“But...Nick said that Arrianna and I can just taste the frosting a little bit!”
“Oh did he!! Well then maybe he should be in here cleaning you up!!”

I took Nikki out of the bathroom and Howie was still standing by the door. “Where's Jacob?” I asked.
“Brian and Leighanne came and got him. They knew I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
Just then Brian appeared and took Nikki out of my arms. “Sorry,” he said. “I want to get used to this 'Dad' thing. I've only got two more months to get the practice in.”
“Go ahead and take her...just make sure you keep her away from the cake!”

“Um...can we go talk outside or something?” Howie asked.
“I guess so,” I said.
Howie and I wandered off to the courtyard. I was hoping that Howie was going to start the conversation because I wasn't exactly sure what he wanted to talk about.
After a few minutes of silence, Howie spoke up. “It was a beautiful service.”
“Thanks.”
“I'm surprised that Nikki and Arrianna didn't fight over the basket of flowers.”
“They did during the rehearsal and got yelled at pretty good for it. I was more worried about Jacob – he was really nervous about walking in front of everyone.”
We could hear the music from inside the reception. “I had the DJ play this song for you. Would you...would you give me one last dance?” Howie asked. “I already asked Nick and he said he wouldn't mind.”
“Sure Howie - we can have one last dance.”

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