Elizabeth: Right on the stroke of midnight.

Gia: Oh, that is so incredibly romantic.

Nikolas: Romantic it is. I just -- I don't know. It's too soon. I don't think there's enough time to put together a decent wedding.

Elizabeth: Well, I don't need anything fancy. Do you?

Lucky: Me?

Elizabeth: Well, you said you wanted to elope. Getting married on new year's eve is the next best thing to eloping. So, what do you say?

Lucky: I say we do it.

Elizabeth: I love you.

Lucky: I love you, too. {He kisses her}

~*~

Gia: Thank you.

Elizabeth: Thank you.

Waitress: You're welcome.

Gia: So, guest list, food, flowers, reception -- there's a lot to take care of on such short notice, but it is not impossible, especially with me in charge.

Elizabeth: Well, whatever we can't do, we'll do without, because nothing else matters but us.

Gia: Oh, your wedding is going to be perfect. And I have a few friends in high places who can pretty much make anything happen. Right, my rich, influential fiancé? You can pull a few strings. I mean, after all, it is lucky and Elizabeth's single most important day of your lives, right?

Nikolas: I agree. I agree. I think that, I don't know, that we should be sure that everything is right before you go ahead, you know.

Elizabeth: Hey, you know what? Maybe we can get married in that Mt. Hebron Baptist church.

Gia: Really? I never thought that would be your first choice.

Elizabeth: Well, the first time Lucky and I promised to love each other was there -- on Valentine's day in the middle of the worst blizzard in 20 years. It was absolutely perfect.

Nikolas: The church could be booked for, you know, a midnight service on New Year's eve.

Lucky: Well, then I'm sure mom would let us take over the house.

Elizabeth: Oh, I would love to get married in her house.

Lucky: Ok. Well, I'm going to call her, then, and maybe we can go over there later and arrange the plans in person.

Elizabeth: Ok.

Lucky: How does that sound?

Elizabeth: Ok. {Lucky leaves the table}

Gia: So, a Baptist church in the middle of a blizzard? Tell me about it.

Elizabeth: There was no one around but Lucky and me, and he gave me a bouquet of white roses, lit every candle in the church. We held hands, looked into each other's eyes, and that's when we knew we would love each other forever.

Nikolas: Excuse me. {Kisses Gia's cheek} I am going to go talk to my brother. {Goes over to Lucky} Hey

Lucky: Mom's not home.

Nikolas: That's good. Look -- I don't know. I think that you should look at all this and just take a step back before we go any further.

Lucky: I know what's right.

Nikolas: Then call off the wedding, Lucky.

~*~

Gia: So, you're sure about the dress?

Elizabeth: Yes, and gram and I ordered it the first time Lucky asked me to marry him. It's been sitting at Wyndham's bridal department forever.

Gia: Well, the dress is crucial, and as long as we've got it, we can just fill in the rest.

Elizabeth: Ok, this is going to be a simple family wedding.

Gia: Do you think it's too late to order a string quartet?

Elizabeth: Wait, there's something more important.

Gia: What?

Elizabeth: A maid of honor.

Gia: Oh. Any ideas?

Elizabeth: My sister, of course, but I can't ask her to fly in from Europe on such short notice. And Emily's still at this spinal clinic. And even if she's feeling better, I wouldn't want her to push herself.

Gia: Fine. I'll be your third choice, as long as you don't pencil me in under "settled for on short notice." Besides, I do happen to have the most appropriate dress for the occasion.

Elizabeth: Whoa, wait a minute. Isn't the bride supposed to pick the maid of honor's dress?

Gia: Well, not this maid of honor -- that is, if you are asking.

Elizabeth: I'm asking.

Gia: Well, then, I'm agreeing. I mean, after all, Lucky's over there asking Nikolas to be his best man.

Lucky: There's no way that I'm backing out of marrying Elizabeth.

Nikolas: I understand that. But you said it yourself. You don't feel the same way she does.

Lucky: And you said the feelings would come back. Or was that just your guilt talking?

Nikolas: Lucky, nothing would make me happier than seeing you and Elizabeth in love again. But if you don't love her now, I doubt you will by New Year's.

Lucky: It's not about me, man. I mean, look at Elizabeth. This whole idea has got her lit up like a spotlight.

Nikolas: Yeah, because she thinks she is marrying a man who is in love with her as much she's with him. You see that?

Lucky: No. Elizabeth went through hell. She stood up to Helena for me. She was fighting for me when I couldn't fight for myself. Her love saved me, Nikolas. She probably saved all of us. Now, I can't go over there in my right mind and tell her that we shouldn't get married. Can you do that?

~*~

Nikolas: I see Elizabeth is happy. I do. But what about you?

Lucky: What about me? I'm blessed. I'm blessed to have somebody like Elizabeth in my life. In fact, I owe her big time.

Nikolas: Right, "owe," and not "love." You see, Lucky, I'm afraid that you're going to tie yourself down to a lifetime of obligation for what? Because --

Lucky: Because of you? I don't blame you, Nikolas. Helena's the one that took my love away. All you tried to do was save me. I get that. Do you?

Nikolas: I want to make it right.

Lucky: Well, then let's talk about you being my best man, because part of the job is you being happy for me.

Nikolas: I am happy for you. I'm proud of you, brother. You know that.

Lucky: I love Elizabeth in my own way. So it's not the same way that she feels about me. So what? She's got enough love for the both of us. Now, if I let Elizabeth go, Helena wins. You remember what you told me? In time, the feelings will come back. Elizabeth and I are going to be happy.

Nikolas: Ok.

Gia: {Her and Elizabeth walk over to the guys} Hey, you two.

Nikolas: Hey.

Gia: Lighten up.

Elizabeth: Yeah, she's right. We're planning a wedding here. Aren't we?

~*~

Lucky: Yes, yes, of course. Sure. I mean, where's the list?

Elizabeth: Wait, lucky. It's Ok if you want to wait. I got caught up in the moment. I just figured a new year's eve wedding would be a nice way to start off the new year and our life together.

Lucky: It is. That's why we're getting married new year's. The only thing I'm waiting for is Nikolas to be my best man.

Gia: {Nudges Nikolas} What are you waiting for?

Nikolas: I'd be honored.

Lucky: So, there it is! At the stroke of midnight, 2002, we will be husband and wife. {They kiss}