Friends and inside sources have been whispering about rapper T.I. and his fiancee Tiny’s “secret” wedding in Miami for months now. The news of the wedding’s date and location (this weekend) was made public by a number of radio and blogs last week.

When the couple finally say their “I do’s” after 9 years together, they will be surrounded by close family and friends, including their combined children from outside relationships.

But the most important family member there will undoubtedly be Tiny’s dad, Charles Pope, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Tiny’s parents, Mr. Pope and her mom Dianne Cottle-Pope, were introduced to her fans in episodes of her popular Tiny & Toya Show on BET.

Mr. Pope is a proud man who continued to perform as the last founding member of the group The Tams even as the disease began taking its toll on him. Now inside sources say Mr. Pope can no longer walk or talk. Tiny hopes that he will be well enough to escort her down the aisle on her happy day this weekend.

Friends and family have rallied to assist Dianne with Mr. Pope’s care. Her helping hands includes one of Tiny’s childhood friends who arrives from work every evening to help out. She is a strong woman who lifts Mr. Pope from his chair and carries him to his bed.

Even Tiny’s 5-year-old son King pitches in. From the moment he wakes up in the morning, King is by his grandaddy’s side watching over him making sure he’s OK.

The family is currently working out the logistics of getting Mr. Pope to Miami because he requires total care. The director of T.I. and Tiny’s Alzheimer’s foundation (For The Love of Our Fathers) is sending a licensed nurse to Miami with Mr. Pope to look after him.

The family is considering whether to fly him to Miami first-class or bus him there by custom coach — a grueling trip of over 16 hours.

If all goes well, Mr. Pope will escort his daughter Tiny down the aisle in a wheelchair.

Family friends say that, in addition to getting her husband to Miami, Diane has to contend with false rumors that she somehow forced T.I. into marrying her daughter. “She’s very upset by that,” said a friend.

“Please tell [your readers] that Dianne did not force T.I. to marry Tiny. He loves her and wants to marry her. They’ve been together this long [9 years], they might as well be getting married.”