+chapter.three+

After a few more hours, the party was hopping and everyone was having a great time. Including Jenn and I. We danced every slow song that the DJ played. Tay, Zac, and I had volunteered to be the band, but Angela and Nicholas refused, wanting us to have a good time after putting so much work and effort into the whole thing. I secretly slipped the DJ a piece of paper before anyone came. Suddenly, he nodded to me. I tensed up a bit as he started to talk. "Here comes the Backstreet Boys' 'Anywhere for You'. After the song, I have a special message for one of you lucky ladies." And the song began to play.

Jennifer and I got into dancing position. "I wonder what he's talking about," she said.

I'd go anywhere for you,
Anywhere you asked me to.

"No clue," I replied, trying to sound convincing.

I'd do anything for you,
Anything you want me to.

I'd walk halfway around the world for just one kiss from you
Far beyond the call of love, the sun, the stars, the moon

And the song played out. With every word that came out of the group's mouth, I grew more electrified. The song had almost ended, and I was prepared for my next move. "And that was the Backstreet Boys' 'Anywhere for You'. Now if you could all quiet down please. Thanks," the DJ spoke as the room fell silent. "Okay, now as I had said before, I have a very special message, or should I say question, for one of you girls. Jennifer Anderson, could you please come up here?"

Jenn, looking confused, which I wanted, walked up to the small platform that the DJ's equipment was on. "Okay, Jenn, I want you to read this note."

Jennifer slowly took it, looking at me, confused the whole time. She opened it, read it quickly and gasped. She ran to me saying "yes". We hugged each other and exchanged gentle kisses.

"To the Hanson's and the Anderson's," the DJ started talking to the beyond confused crowd, "you're about to be in-laws."

At this, Mom and Angela nearly fainted. Their "babies" were getting married.

"Jenn, I love you more than anything in the world," I spoke, between kisses.

"I feel the same way. I mean, I would give my life just to be with you, I love you and I always will," she replied, through tears.

We pressed our foreheads together. "I love you," we said in unison. We breathed a laugh and returned to the world around us. All I heard was "congratulations" coming from every person in the hall. I smiled and kept saying "Thanks". Jennifer and I walked, my arm around her waist and her arm around mine, back where Tay, Susan, Zac, and Jess were sitting. Taylor and Susan and Zac and Jess had each "come together".

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my future sister-in-law," Tay said smiling.

"Yea, it's great. He totally took me by surprise," Jenn said, looking up at me. I looked down and smiled at her. She put her head on my chest and I raised my other arm, so I had her in a hug.

"You know what I say?" Zac asked.

"What do you say, Zac?" Jenn questioned, smiling.

"I say, IT'S ABOUT TIME!"

Jennifer and I laughed and smiled at him. "This is great with you guys," Jess spoke.

"Yea, I know," I replied.

"No, I mean for us. You two move out and find your own place now!" Everyone at the table laughed.

Jenn hugged her sister. "I wouldn't say that! I may just ask mom and dad if we could stay there…" she grinned evilly.

"I mean, I'm SURE gonna miss you!"

I laughed to myself. They haven't changed. They're still thirteen and eight. The same old antics…but that's what I love about them. Jessie's just like a little sister to me. I'll always be protective of her and watch over her as I do Jessica and Avery. Jenn's no longer just gonna be my best friend, "sister", and girlfriend, but now she's gonna be my wife. Wow. My wife. I knew she was the one. As soon as I met her. Those sparks in her eye, the tone in her voice, and the chills that went up my spine when we touched told me. It's really amazing.

"This song is for the happy couple. Congratulations, you two," the DJ said and played Shania Twain's "You're Still the One".

"May I have this dance?" I asked, taking her hand.

"But of course," she replied with that golden smile of hers.

We walked to the dance floor and began to slow dance. "You're still the one I run to. The one that I belong to. You're still the one I want for life. You're still the one I love. The only one I dream of. You're still the one I kiss goodnight. You're still the one," Shania belted out the lyrics. Each verse made me think of Jenn. I mean, how could it not?

At that moment I had a sudden thought. What would life be like without Jennifer? I mean, if she never moved next-door to us, what would it be like? Then, what would it be like if she…well died? I shook my head clear of the thought and realized just how lucky I really was to have her.

"Jenn, I love you," I spoke.

"I love you too, Ike," she replied sweetly.

The song came to an end and I gave Jenn a tight hug. We walked off the dance floor, hand in hand. We went to sit down and grab something to eat. When I was putting a spoonful of ziti on Jenn's plate, Mom and Angela walked up to us.

"We're so happy for you two!" Angela exclaimed. She hugged Jenn as Mom hugged me, the ziti spoon still in my hand. Jenn and I both smiled.

"Thanks," Jenn said and I echoed her.

"Well, we'll let you kids eat," Mom said.

"Okay," I waved as Jenn and I went to sit at an unoccupied table in the back of the room.

"We have a lot of planning to do," Jenn spoke, taking a bite of the ziti.

"You're telling me!" I smiled, taking a bite of the sausage Jenn's mom had made. Her mom could really cook, as could mine, but that sausage was just, wow. Jenn returned the smile.

"It's gonna be worth it."

"Mmmhmm."

I felt her take my hand and squeeze it under the table. I squeezed it back. It was a shame that we weren't sitting in a booth. "You know, it's funny how our parents still call us kids, but we're the oldest from each family," Jennifer smiled.

I laughed. "I know. It's weird."

"Well, we're a weird bunch of people!"