The door opened to reveal Celia, with Miranda in tow.
"Mommy you look pretty.” The little girl had stars in her eyes as she looked at her mother.
She smiled easily, taking a long look at her daughter dressed in a pale peach gown similar to her own. Her curls were pulled back with a sparkling ribbon of the same color with the bow at a jaunty angle. Trinity’s breath caught in her throat at the sight, reminding her of not so long ago.
"You look beautiful too, Miranda."
"We are getting married!" Miranda’s enthusiastic reply and her tension returned twofold at the reminder.
"You make a fine bride," Celia complimented her with a soft smile.
"Thank you, Celia." Despite her nerves, the words reassured Trinity.
"It’s time!" The housekeeper gave a quick nod, and for some reason it felt like a death knell, the passing of a death sentence without a plea.
"Can you give me a second?"Maybe several minutes?She needed more time to think.
"Having second thoughts about going through with the marriage?"
"Yes." Somehow, she found herself staying the truth again.
"It means you want to be sure you're doing the right thing, and it shows you have some sense and my offer still stands," Celia concluded with a soft smile.
Trinity bit her lips at that comment. "What if this is all wrong?"
"Have your reasons for doing this changed?" Celia asked.
Involuntarily her eyes strayed to Miranda before returning to Celia's. "No." It was the truth.
“Then you best be prepared to get married today. You have a strapping young man waiting for you in the yonder room." Celia’s words were encouraging, despite her sudden cold feet. "Just remember to breathe."
"Just breathe," she chorused.
Taking a deep breath, Trinity snagged Miranda's hand and walked out of her room. Making the long trek to the living room, she knew she had a date with destiny.
?MICHAEL?
Despite the curve of her lips and the easy expression on her face, Michael could still feel the fine trembling of Trinity’s body next to him.
When the officiating minister had pronounced them man and wife, and ended it with the obligatory you may kiss the bride, she huffed a sigh of relief and finally relaxed, her tense hand loosening in his grasp.
Totally unprepared for his quick move, he tipped her closer, the movement drawing a gasp from her. Before she could draw another breath, his mouth closed over hers.
He had not prepared for the taste, that wet warmth. At first, she had been so shocked and stock-still, her lips stiff and unresponsive. But then, she moved. Just one tentative flick of her tongue and he swore, the back of his head had exploded with pleasure.
It was meant to be a quick, obligatory kiss to fulfill all righteousness and appease the crowd, but before he knew it, he was invading her mouth and she was returning the favor.
Her taste exploded in his mouth, a light elusive fruity tang that drove him to delve deeper as he tried to decipher the flavor.
The awareness between them blazed so suddenly out of control, and if it wasn’t for the sudden clearing of someone’s throat, Michael would have completely forgotten their crowd. So had she, judging by the way she appeared startled when pulling back. She blinked as if she didn’t understand what had happened between them, and he mourned the loss of her lips.
He really hoped he could kiss those lips again.
They turned hand in hand to the crowd with a smile, then the entire group moved to the dining table for a small feast that Celia had prepared.
???
Much later in the evening, he knocked at her door. She opened it and flashes of surprise and confusion crossed her face. She stepped out of the bedroom and slightly closed the door, leaving just a little space.
