Kiara got along with Annie okay, but even though the woman looked like Angie, she wasn’t her. Because of that, Kiara wasn’t sure how she was going to get through the two weeks without contact with Angie.
Under the table, Kiara wrapped her arm around her belly. She had to remember that everything she was doing now was for him. And if she could survive those years with Jim and Sandra at the homestead, she could survive two weeks without Angie, while living in the lap of luxury.
“Stop being such a baby,” she murmured to herself.
Angie leaned over to her. “Are you okay?”
Kiara gave her a quick smile. “I’m fine.”
Her sister didn’t seem to buy her response, but she didn’t press her. Kiara might have been worried that Angie would delve into it later, if not for the fact that there were too many other things she needed to focus on.
Friday was spent doing last-minute prep for the wedding, including settling the photographer, hair, and makeup people into the same short-term rental that the designer and seamstresses had used.
The pastor from Angela and Jude’s church, who would be marrying them, as well as Jude’s best friend and best man, Cooper, and his wife, Melanie, came to the estate for a brief rehearsal on Friday afternoon. The ceremony was pretty simple, so it didn’t require much rehearsal.
Since Angie and Jude only had one person each standing up with them, Annie wasn’t part of the wedding party, but she’d taken over the organization of the event, along with Elizabeth.
Kiara was glad that on the day of the wedding, her only responsibility was being a witness for Angie and Jude. She wasn’t sure she had the emotional or physical fortitude to do much more than that.
“You look beautiful,” Kiara said, emotion swelling within her as she stood in front of Angie in her wedding dress on Saturday afternoon.
The dress Angie had chosen was an A-line style with a halter neck. The bodice was covered in lace, but the rest of the dress was white satin.
Angie had decided to wear her hair up, with loose tendrils framing her face. Her diamond drop earrings were a gift from Duncan and Elizabeth.
“So do you,” Angie said. “How are you feeling?”
“Really good.” Kiara was very grateful that it wasn’t a lie. It was her hope that any nausea would stay away until after the ceremony at least.
Once everything was done, it could come on with a vengeance, and she wouldn’t complain.
“I’m so glad,” Angie said with a smile. “I’ve been praying that you’d feel good for the day.”
“Are you ready for the pictures?” Elizabeth asked as she approached where they stood.
“Yep,” Angie said, taking the bouquet of orchids and roses that Elizabeth held out to her.
They went outside to the garden, where Jude and Angie were going to have their first look. Kiara stood back with Annie and Elizabeth, watching as Angie approached Jude, who stood with his back to them.
When Angie reached Jude, she didn’t touch him right away. She appeared to be saying something to him, but the others were too far away to hear. Jude’s head was bent, and when Angie laid her hand on his back, he hesitated for a moment before turning to face her.
His usually stoic expression was nowhere to be found as he gazed down at Angie. Reaching out, he touched her cheek gently before gathering her into his arms.
The photographer unobtrusively captured everything from a short distance away from the couple. She waited for Jude and Angie to end their moment, then waved everyone else in the wedding party over.
Once the wedding party was done with their pictures, it was time for the family ones.
Kiara wasn’t sure she would have originally been included in the family pictures. However, now that she was married to Julian, she was instructed to join them.
When the photographer requested just the immediate family plus Jude, Kiara stepped away. Angie started to protest, but Kiara gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
This would likely be the photograph Duncan had on his desk after Julian divorced her. Though she’d always be Angie’s sister in her heart, her legal connection to the family would be severed at some point in the future.
“Julian and Kiara?” the photographer called out. “Your turn.”
Kiara frowned as she glanced at Angie. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Angie asked. “You’re married, plus it would be nice for the baby to have a picture of his parents together.”
