19. Tammy

CHAPTER 19

TAMMY

It’s finally here. At one point, I seriously thought this day would never come. But Baxter’s made it happen for us, and I’m fighting happy tears as I gaze at my reflection in the mirror. My original dress from three years ago still fits me perfectly. After Nova was born, I wasn’t sure it ever would… but I’ve lost the weight I gained with her and am now back to my regular size. Brushing my hands down the dress, I swivel sideways and can’t help an impish grin.

“I look pretty,” I whisper, a thrill running through me when I think of the look on Baxter’s face.

He still hasn’t seen this dress. Lani’s helped me keep it hidden, and I can’t wait to see his eyes light with affection and that hint of awe he gets. Even after all this time, he still adores me, and I find it so incredibly humbling and thrilling. By the end of today, he’s going to be my husband. I’ve never been so excited to do anything. This has been such a long time coming, and even as I lay in bed last night, listening to the steady fall of rain and worrying about how that will affect our day, I still couldn’t squash the giddy lovebugs dancing in my chest.

Today, the minister is going to pronounce us husband and wife, and then we’ll go and celebrate with our friends at some location that must be perfect by the excited little look Baxter’s been getting on his face every time he says, “It’s a surprise. Trust me, TT, you’re going to love it.”

“I am so here for all of it.” I giggle the words, spinning like a little girl and loving the way my dress flares out.

The girls came shopping with me after Bax and I first got engaged and helped me design the perfect dress from all the things I saw and loved. The bodice is fitted and drops into a V that accentuates my breasts. Cinching in at the waist, it then falls to my knees. It’s a unique wedding dress, but that’s what I love about it. The skirt section is covered with a layer of glittery fabric that shimmers when I move, and it makes me want to spend my day spinning. My heels are tall and strappy, adding a few inches onto my short frame. Baxter won’t have to bend down so far to kiss me.

“It’s going to be perfect.” I let out a soft squeal, then laugh at myself for acting like a child. But I can’t help it! “I’m getting married today!”

The words pop out of me just as Lani and Rachel walk in the door, Nova toddling between them. Her hair has been curled, and she looks freaking adorable.

“Yay!” She raises her chubby little arms in the air, then barrels toward me. I crouch to greet her, hoping her hands aren’t sticky.

“She’s clean,” Lani murmurs with a smile. “It’s taken maximum effort, but between the two of us, we’ve kept her as pristine as we could.”

I laugh, hugging my enthusiastic daughter, who is now jumping up and down, bashing my chin in her excitement. I lean away before she can do any more damage, grinning at her.

“You look very happy, my sweet.”

She nods. “Me happy. You happy?”

“I am so happy.”

With another cheer, she dances in a circle, then catches her reflection in the mirror and starts admiring herself. The dress we found for her is too cute. It matches the bridesmaids’ outfits and makes her look like a princess—according to her. To me, she’s a little cherub, and I adore her.

Brushing my fingers lightly over the top of her head, I then turn to my bridesmaids. “You both look so gorgeous.”

Their cheeks bloom with color as they smile at me.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. You truly are the bestest of friends.”

I reach for their hands, and we stand in a circle.

“We love you. Being your friend is the easiest thing in the world.” Rachel smiles, then pulls me into a hug. Lani gets in on the action, and we stand in a little circle while I soak up all the goodness that is this day.

“Oh, what time is it?” I pull out of the hug, glancing at the clock.

“Still ten minutes to go.”

“Ugh. It feels like an eternity. I just want to get down that aisle and stand beside my man.”

They laugh at my impatience, but I argue back that I’ve been waiting for this day for freaking years.

“Well, your wait is over, Tammy.” Rachel takes my hand again, her smile glistening. “You deserve this special day.”

“Thanks.” I squeeze her hand and mouth, “Love you.”

She grins and kisses my cheek just before my dad taps on the door and walks in.

“Ganpa!” Nova runs to him, and he swoops her up, perching her on his hip and telling her how pretty she looks.

I tense without meaning to. My parents always do that. As wonderful as they are with their grandchildren, they still make their own daughter feel like she’s constantly letting them down.

But then he glances my way, and his eyes soften with a kind smile. “You look beautiful, Tamara.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

For a second, I think I see pride, but I glance away before I can overanalyze it. That look is so rare, I might just be imagining it.

“Right, only minutes to go.” Lani claps her hands. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

“Is everyone seated in the chapel?” Rachel asks my father.

“Yes, all the guests seem to be here, and Baxter and the groomsmen are up front waiting for you.”

A thrill races through me. “Okay, then.”

I take Nova’s hand once Dad’s placed her on the floor beside me, and we head out to the entrance of the church.

Kai is waiting in his suit, looking very handsome, and my chest floods with affection.

“Wow,” I murmur, tweaking his collar and brushing my hand down his jacket. “You look very grown-up.”

“Thanks, Mom.” His face is beaming. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you, baby.” I kiss his cheek, then quickly wipe the lipstick off before he complains. He follows it up by licking his finger and making sure his cheek is completely clean before handing Nova the basket of dried flower petals.

“You remember what to do?” He holds out his hand.

“Yep.” She slips her little fingers into his, and I’m once again flooded with an overwhelming love for my children. Kai is so sweet with Nova, and she looks at him like he hung the moon.

“Here you go.” Lani hands me my bouquet, then tweaks the fabric of my dress so it’s sitting perfectly.

I thank her with a smile, then glance at the sound guy, about to nod that he can start the music, but then my eye catches on something in the shadows of the entranceway.

Perched against the wall is…

“Caroline?” I whisper.

Rachel jerks to glance at me, then whips around, following my line of sight.

And sure enough, I’m right.

Caroline raises her hand in a feeble wave. “Sorry, guys. I know I’m supposed to be in there, but I just…” She shakes her head, still leaning against the wall and cast in shadow. “You go ahead without me. I’ll watch from the back.”

“Are you okay?” I let go of my father’s arm and walk toward her.

“Yeah, I just needed to go to the bathroom and—” She hisses, her face bunching with pain as she rubs her belly.

Rachel and Lani are beside me in a second, studying Caroline as she battles a wave of pain and looks about ready to cry.

“Are you in labor?” Rachel whispers.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I can’t be. It’s too soon. She’s not due for another month,” she squeaks, a look of panic washing over her face. “But something’s definitely wrong.”

“I’ll go get Casey.” I move toward the aisle.

“No!” Caroline tries to snatch my wrist. “This is your big day. I will not be the reason it doesn’t happen for a third time. You have to get married. I’ll be fine. Just—” Her expression buckles again, her mouth popping open as her body is gripped with obvious pain. She bends over with a soft moan, and I ignore all pleas to stay put, running down the aisle as a ripple of surprised whispers travels across our guests.

Baxter walks down the two steps to greet me, his face washing with concern.

“Baby, are you okay?” His big hand on my lower back is gentle and sweet, and I so wish I wasn’t ruining this moment for him, but…

I look up at Casey, who is fighting a bemused grin at the way I just ran in here. But his humor quickly fades when I tell him, “Something’s wrong with Caroline.”

“What?” He jerks down the stairs.

“I think it’s the baby.”

The color drains from his cheeks as he chokes out, “Where is she?”

“In the entrance. She’s in pain. We’re not sure—” I don’t even get to finish my sentence before he’s bolting down the aisle.

Another ripple of whispers and shocked gasps cascades throughout the chapel as I share a worried frown with Asher and Bax.

Asher follows his friend, buttoning his jacket like a gentleman as he walks calmly down the aisle. I look up with an apologetic frown.

With a kind smile, Baxter brushes his fingers down my cheek. “You look so beautiful I want to cry.”

I let out a soft, watery laugh, my eyes glistening. “Happy wedding day.” It’s a feeble attempt at a joke, because we both know… this isn’t happening right now.

He gives me a sad, pained smile and whispers a question he probably already knows the answer to. “What do you want to do, TT?

“I want to make sure Caroline’s okay.”

He nods, his smile tender as he takes my hand. “Let’s get her to the hospital, then.”