“Some. You?”
“Brutal for the first two months. It’s finally easing up.” She grins. “Garlen has been an absolute wreck about it. Every time I look slightly green, he’s ready to call the Doctor.”
“Keric doesn’t know yet, so I haven’t had anyone fussing over me.” I pause. “Well, except Maggie, but she fusses over me anyway.”
“He’s going to be so happy, Anna.”
“I hope so.”
“Oh, he will be, trust me.” She squeezes my hand. “Orcs live for the moment they are allowed to become a father. And his parents are going to be thrilled too.”
“I still can’t believe we’re both pregnant at the same time,” I admit. “When I left for Maine, you’d just found out. And now...”
“And now you’re getting married and we’re going to raise our orc sons together.” Ellie’s eyes are sparkling with happy tears.
I pull her into a careful hug, mindful of both our bellies. “I love you, you know that?”
“I love you too.” She pulls back, dabbing at her eyes. “Okay, we need to stop or we’re both going to ruin our makeup before you even get down the aisle.”
The door bursts open and Maggie, sweeps in, tissues already in hand, her eyes red-rimmed. Drew and Miranda trail behind. “Oh, sweetheart.” She stops dead, one hand flying to her chest. “Anna, look at you.”
The tears start immediately. Full waterworks, just like I predicted.
“Maggie,” Drew sighs affectionately. “You promised Keric you’d hold it together until the ceremony.”
“I lied.” Maggie crosses to me, cupping my face in her hands. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. My son is the luckiest male alive.”
“Thank you, Maggie.” My voice comes out thick. Damn it, now I’m going to cry too.
“I have something for you.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a velvet box. “This belonged to Keric’s grandmother.It’s been in the Irontree family for four generations. I wore it at my wedding ceremony to Cadoc and I want you to have it.”
She opens the box to reveal a delicate diamond necklace with a fine gold chain and a small pendant, simple and elegant. Perfect for my dress.
“Maggie, I can’t?—”
“You can and you will.” She’s already fastening it around my neck, her fingers gentle. “You’re an Irontree now. This belongs to you. And don’t worry, there’s lots more jewels where this came from. You’ll see.”
I touch the diamond pendant where it rests against my collarbone. “Thank you, for everything. The planning, the decorating, all of it. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Don’t be silly.” She dabs at her eyes. “I’ve been waiting years for this. When Keric finally brought home a Bride, I wasn’t about to let anyone else plan the wedding.”
There’s a commotion near the door. I look down to see a small furry, grey and white menace running in, trying to attack my dress hem.
“Dinah, silly girl.” Ellie scoops up the kitten before she can do any damage. “We discussed this.”
Dinah meows indignantly. She’s wearing a little floral collar and looks absolutely ridiculous and yet adorable. My little cat has been trying to murder my train for the past hour and you’d think I’d banish her from the ceremony, but I love it that she’s here.
“I can’t believe you put a bow on my cat,” I laugh.
“It’s not a bow, it’s a fancy collar, and she looks darling.”
Laurie Willis appears in the doorway, looking elegant in a navy-blue dress. Ellie’s mother has been with Dane since the winter holidays and the happiness suits her. She’s glowing.
“How’s our bride?” She crosses to give me a careful hug, mindful of the dress. “Oh, Anna. You look stunning.”
“Aww, that’s nice of you to say. Thank you for coming all this way. I’m so happy that you’re here.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it.” She steps back, her eyes warm. “Dane’s been insufferably proud all week. Keeps telling everyone his nephew finally found his Bride and he gets to officiate this ceremony too.”
