~Annlie's Point of View~

Today was the day.

Today was the day that I was to marry my best friend. The day that I had been waiting for my entire life. If only Vlad could be here. He would be so happy for me. While I was getting my hair done, there was a knock at the door.

"May I come in?" asked Evgeni poking his head in.

"Of course, but just for a second, she needs to get ready."

"She's already beautiful," he said coming up behind me and kissing my cheek.

"Hello handsome," I said looking up at him.

"Hello."

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Annlie there's something that I have to tell you."

Oh God, what was this about? Was he having cold feet, did he not want to marry me anymore? Maybe he had been seeing someone else. My mind raced with the possibilities of what he was going to tell me.

"Okay," I replied uneasily.

"Annlie, you have been my best friend since we were toddlers. You know me, honestly, better than I know myself some days. You have given up so much to be with me here in the States and I can't thank you enough for that, but I can promise you that I wall always be here for you, even when you are old and gray. I bought you this," he said pulling out a long black box from behind his back, "It is a necklace for you to wear today. It symbolizes a new life, the journey that you and I will travel together as one from this day forward. It is a symbol of my undying love for you that I promise is yours, whether I am on the road or here in Pittsburgh with you. I love you."

Opening the box I gasped, the necklace was beautiful and so shiny.

"Thank you Evgeni," I said kissing him on the mouth, "It's beautiful."

Releasing the clasp and taking each end in his hands, he gently placed the chain around her neck and fastened it.

"A beautiful necklace for a beautiful woman."

It was perfect, it was just what I needed for a final touch with my dress. Now I was positive that I would look my best.

"I love you Evgeni," I said standing and giving him a hug.

"I love you too Annlie,"

"Okay, time's up. We still have to get this pretty lady in her dress. Besides, don't you have a tux to be getting into mister?" Renee barged into the room shooing Evgeni out the door

"Girl, that necklace is gorgeous. Did he just give that to you?"

"Yeah, he did."

"Yeah, if you're having cold feet, I'll gladly take your place there hunnie. Anyone that buys you that type of bling and provides such a nice wedding is definitely a keeper."

Laughing, I said "Nah, I think I'm all set. There is absolutely no chance of me turning back."

"Alright," she said, "But if you ever change your mind, give me a call."

"Girl, you know you have Kris wrapped w=around your finger. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the next wedding we attend s yours," Jen stated.

"Ha! We'll see about that," Renee said turning to the mirror to apply another layer of lipstick.

Going over to the closet I pulled out my dress, this was the first time anyone had even seen it, let alone seen me in it. Going into the bathroom I slipped it on and took a look at myself. It was perfect.

Walking back out into the bedroom I watched as my bridesmaids turned around and their jaws dropped.

"Annlie, that dress is gorgeous. You look absolutely. ." Heather started.

"Wow, I am speechless," Vero chimed in.

"You guys like it?" I asked.

"Love it, it's perfect Annlie," Renee said giving me a hug. It was time to get in the limousine and head over to Pennsylvanian.

On the ride over I began to feel nervous. I was so excited and anxious and all I could think about was slipping up and falling down in front of everyone.

"We're here miss," the driver said as he opened the door, letting in the bright sunlight.

Photographers were everywhere, some were hired, others were PR for Evgeni. Nonetheless it was nothing short of perfect. Looking down the isle I found Evgeni standing at the altar in the tux, looking at me with tear-filled eyes. The music began and first up was Sid and Marie, watching them walk down the isle in front of all my friends and family made everything real. This was the day, the day I had been dreaming of since i was a little girl. I was living a fairy tale, marrying my best friend. Next up was Jen and Max, then Jordan and Heather and finally Kris and Renee.

Finally it was time for me and my father. Looking at my daddy and walking up to him I felt tears sting my eyes. What I wouldn't give to have Vlad there walking on the other side of me. Somehow I got the sense that he was there though, looking down on me smiling. As I walked arm in arm with my father I stared at Evgeni smiling through tears as I kissed my father on the cheek and was handed off.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Evgeni Malkin and Annlie Leslie in holy matrimony," the justice of the peace began.

As I stood across from Evgeni and looked him in the eyes I couldn't have felt any happier. He was all I had ever wanted and more and I couldn't wait until I could begin my life with him. I had to be the luckiest woman in the world.

~Evgeni's Point of View~

Standing across from Annlie as the justice of the peace spoke I got lost in her beauty. She looked like an angel sent from heaven in her wedding dress. This was a day I had waited for my entire life. I had loved this woman for as long as I could remember and I would spend the rest of my life showing her and making her happy.

"The couple have prepared their own set of vows, so at this time I ask you to please recite them, starting with Evgeni."

I was up.

Looking into her eyes I spoke, "Annlie, we've known each other our entire lives and there was never a doubt in my mind that you were who I wanted to be with. For as long as I can remember you have always been my first. My first phone call when something happens, my first kiss, my first date, my first love and I want you to be my last. There isn't any other woman in this world that I could imagine myself being with and I promise to love you whether it is here in Pittsburgh, home in Russia or I'm on the road somewhere in a foreign city. You are the only woman I will ever be thinking of, as you have been for all these years. I promise to love and cherish you and treat you with the respect you deserve for as long as we both shall live, from this day forward until forever. I love you."

She had tears in her eyes and I wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

"Annlie, your vows," the justice said.

"Evgeni, you have always been my rock, my shoulder to lean on, my brother's best friend as well as my own. You've always been there when I have needed someone. You have helped shape me into the woman that I am and have shown me what true, honest love is. It's a love that starts in your heart and fills your soul with warmth. It's knowing that there isn't anyone in the world that I would rather spend my time with, the one person who understands me and knows me better than I can understand myself. I have loved you since before I even understood what love was and I promise to love you more and more with each passing day. I know this journey in life will ring us happiness and sorrow and that we will hit some bumps along the way, but as long as I am with you and we are together, we'll make it through. I love you Evgeni."

"At this time, we will now exchange rings. Evgeni, taking Annlie's left hand in yours place the ring on her ring finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. "

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. "

"As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you."

"As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you," I recited.

"I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day."

"I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day," I said slipping the silver band on her finger, smiling.

"Annlie, please take Evgeni's left hand in yours and place the ring on his ring finger after reciting these words, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. "

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. "

"As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you."

"As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you," she recited through tears.

"I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day."

"I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day," she said as she slipped the band around my finger and gave my hand a squeeze.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Pulling her in towards me I placed my lips to hers and kissed her passionately on the mouth in front of all of our friends and family, cheers and applause erupting.

"Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time mister and misses Evgeni Malkin."

Taking her hand we walked down the isle together and I had never felt so happy in my entire life. Getting into the limo we waited for the rest of the bridal party. Sitting there, holding her hand I looked into her eyes, "You are beautiful Mrs. Malkin" and kissed her on the lips as Max and Jen got in the limo.

"Alright guys, save it for the honeymoon, we have a reception to go to!" he said smiling and cracking open a bottle of champagne as everyone else filed in.

"Congratulations to the bride and groom!" he said pouring everyone a glass as we made our way to the reception hall.