Beckett couldn't believe his eyes. There was a line of limos and town cars as far as the eye could see, and now there was a commotion brewing near the front of the line. There were photographers swarming around some of the cars and more were starting to join the hoard. Security was going crazy trying to get to the spot. It was bad enough that the photographers were able to get this close. There was a helicopter overhead trying to get shots, but this was worse.

The ones in the air weren't going to get anything. The tents were going to keep it all a secret. They weren't going to get a shot of Leah's dress either. She was already inside and they'd borrowed a trick from many other celebrities. She'd been smuggled in the back of a box truck. The only problem left was the guests.

Everyone had been sworn to secrecy. It was a small wedding for someone of Jasper's level, and Beckett was sure that no one had spilled details. He had no idea what the fuss was, but it was getting out of hand. He was sure they were going to have to call the police from the looks of it.

"What's going on down there?" Jasper asked.

"I don't know. I'm going to have to ask security," Beckett said. "You stay here while I try to find out what's going on."

He could leave it up to one of the assistants running around or one of the other groomsmen, but this he wanted to do it himself. Jasper's brothers, his co-best men, were inside making sure everything was going right with the guests already seated. Jasper's father was making sure that everyone who was important was already there. Beckett had been keeping Jasper calm, but this was something more substantive he could do for the party.

Maybe if he could figure out how to get some of the paparazzi to spread out, the guests could get there quicker. It was a rarity for the bride to make it to the wedding before most for guests, but that's what had happened. He was concerned they were going to have to start the ceremony with half the guests in attendance if things didn't settle down out there.

They hadn't expected just how badly the paparazzi wanted a picture of this event. If this whole event was any indication of what it could be like for him, he was even more glad now that he was shunning the whole thing. Not that he was as popular as Jasper. But still, there was a chance that his own wedding could end up like this. Jasper's two brothers had gotten married quietly and no one had even cared. They hadn't had to go to all of this trouble. But neither of them had ever caught the public's imagination like he and Jasper had.

"What's going on down there?" he asked a security guard when he finally got to one that looked like he was in charge.

"There's an old woman and a young lady walking in from one of the cars." The security guard shook his head. "They're getting mobbed by the paparazzi. I have no idea what they were thinking, but it is a total mad house down there. We managed to get three guards out to pick them up, but it's still dicey."

"Do you know what their names are?" Beckett had half a mind to block them from coming into the ceremony. This was Jasper's special day and they were ruining it. There was already a delay in getting in and they were making it worse. Who would be so inconsiderate? He would have guessed his stepmother, but she was already inside.

"No idea. The girl is really hot though." The guard seemed to realize who he was talking to and straightened up. "Sorry. I'm sure that isn't helpful at an event like this. I haven't seen a single unattractive person here."

"You're right. That wasn't very helpful." Beckett said dryly. He had to wait more than fifteen minutes for the cluster of guards to get the two guests into the tent. When he got a glimpse of two familiar faces, he was almost speechless.

It was difficult to keep his anger in check. "What were you thinking?"

He took both women by the arm and led them to the quietest corner he could find.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," he whispered fiercely. "Why didn't you stay in your car?"

"We were going to miss the ceremony," Potter told him. "Don't get cross with me, young man. We are two grown women and we can decide what we want or not. I don't care what you think. It isn't any of your concern how we got here. Just be glad we made it."

"You're ruining Jasper's day," he sputtered. "It is my concern. I told you two to be careful and this is what you do. I am shocked and disappointed."

"Nonsense," Potter stood tall. "We are going to take our seats and you are going to stop making a big deal about this."

"You're exactly like Stephanie," Beckett told them. "Both of you. I should have known this would happen. As soon as I saw that picture of Lenni and her, I should've known. Someone less obsessed with having her face in the papers would have at least tried to talk you out of it, Potter."

Her face turned red. "Not fair. This was Potter's idea. I didn't want to miss the ceremony either. You have no idea what it's like down there. I'm surprised no one else is walking. Why haven't you guys figured out how to fix this problem instead of having us wait out there like idiots?"

Beckett shook his head. "It was a mistake bringing you here. I should have known. This was too much too soon. I knew we shouldn't have hired anyone new for this. You're making this all worse."

"What's going on?" someone asked from behind him. "Why is no one here yet? Half the seats are empty in there you know."

Of course. Who else would make this moment even more stressful for him? He should have never gotten involved. He should have stayed with Jasper and let security deal with this mess.

"This doesn't concern you, Stephanie. Please go back your seat." Beckett didn't bother turning around to look at his annoying stepmother.

"I was just asking you a question." She was in front of him now.

"No you weren't. You were bothering me." He pulled himself to his full height. "The three of us are discussing an issue and I don't need you here right now."

She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. "Don't you talk to me like that."

"I've had enough of you people today," he roared. "Everyone just needs to sit down and shut up. No more trying to get your picture taken and no more making a scene. Just go in and shut up."

"Who are you talking..." Potter and Stephanie began at the same time.

He put out his hand. He'd realized his mistake as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He was letting his anger get the best of him. "I apologize for telling you guys to shut up. I'm losing my temper. I'm sorry."

"You have a real keeper here, mister, and you should treat her nicer," Stephanie told him. "You're lucky to have someone as nice as Lenni to be your assistant. She followed you all the way out here to make sure you were dressed nicely. And you've looked great every day. And Potter has been with you for almost your entire life. I don't know what problem you have with them, but they surely didn't do anything to deserve that tongue-lashing."

"I pay them handsomely for working for me," he said through gritted teeth.

"Not enough." Potter snorted.

"This is getting a little out of hand," Lenni finally spoke again. "I just want to go in and sit down. Beckett's right. Now isn't the time to make a scene."

"He's the one that caused a scene," Potter argued. "Once we got here, it was fine."

"What is going on here, son?" His father walked up and joined the crowed. "Is this the cool kids' meeting place or something?"

Beckett rubbed his palms into his eyes. Could this get any more out of hand?

"That please take Stephanie to her seat. And take Potter with you," he asked his dad.

"I'm not leaving Lenni with you so you can yell at her," Potter said.

"Why don't we all take our seats now?" his father suggested. "I think the ceremony is going to start soon and we don't want to miss anything."

"I just want to have a word with Lenni before she goes inside," he said. "I'm confused why she's here and would like to talk to her about it."

His father growled. "What are you doing, son? I don't know what's gotten into you, but now isn't the time for that kind of conversation. If you want to fire her, do it after the wedding."

"Why'd you even come, Lenni?" he asked her directly. "You don't need to be here. You only needed to be here to look after my clothes and I told you I didn't need that service today."

Potter slapped him on the forearm. "I invited her. Once again. You are not the boss of everyone here. She did her job and now she can have fun."

His father took her by the arm. "Let's take our seats now, ladies. I'll leave my son here to remember his manners. Because I didn't raise him to talk to people like this."

From the look on his father's face, he knew this wouldn't be the end of it. He was going to get a real talking-to. Didn't matter how old he was; his father didn't mind telling him off.

"Watch yourself," Potter told him before stalking off with his father and stepmother.

Stephanie looked troubled but said nothing. Beckett was left alone in the corner growling. He was angry, but he didn't think he'd gone too far. He had made a mistake and he saw that now. He should never have let Lenni come to the wedding. He should have given her clear instructions and not let her run around like she was a guest. All she wanted was the attention, and now she was obsessed with it. She wasn't ready to be thrust into a situation where people were desperate to get her picture. All the attention had gone to her head and he was seeing a gross side of her personality.

If she just stayed back at the estate or even in Hope Springs, none of this would've happened. He still could've had a nice opinion of her.

He was so disappointed in who she had turned out to be. But on one hand it was better that he knew her true colors now. Though on the other, it was too bad it had to be on today of all days. Without the cameras tempting her, maybe it would have been different. But now he could never unsee any of this. He was only going to remember her as the attention-hungry woman who almost ruined his best friend's wedding for him.