Shatter (True Believers #4)(63)
Author: Erin McCarthy

“And I know this isn’t part of the ceremony, but I have to add something. I need you to know that I understand that I’m committing to you, but that you have taken a vow, and a commitment, not just to me, but to my brothers and I want you to know how much that means to me, how much I love and appreciate you for that. I can’t ever . . .” His voice cracked a little. “Repay you for that, but I can promise you that you’ve got me and these guys backing you up for the rest of your life.”

Jessica was swiping at her eyes, trying not to screw up her makeup, and she leaned forward and gave him a kiss. “Thank you.”

Riley gave her father a sheepish look. “Sorry.”

“Emotions are never something to be ashamed of, son. Every woman needs to know she is appreciated. Marriage is a partnership.”

I could feel Jonathon’s eyes on me and as I adjusted my bouquet in front of my baby bump, I met his gaze. I love you, he mouthed.

Grateful there was no recording of the ceremony being done, I mouthed it right back, wanting him to know that I couldn’t wait for the day when it was my turn to stand up there and commit to him.

Not that I hadn’t already.

I had moved to Illinois with him and knew that I would go anywhere on the planet as long as we were together. We were having a baby, despite me going on the pill to ease his anxiety. Because it was meant to be.

It was written in the stars and I would never doubt him or myself again.

* * *

Kylie looked tired as I pulled her down onto my lap at the reception, her cheeks flushed from dancing. Resting my hand on her bump, I kissed the back of her head. “How are you doing? Do your feet hurt?” I had wanted her to wear flat shoes, but she had insisted on matching the other bridesmaids.

“They are totally killing me,” she said cheerfully, kicking them off. “Of course, I’ll never be able to get those back on, but whatever.”

“I’ll rub your feet tonight, and anything else you would like rubbed, for that matter.”

“Ooh, yummy.” She shifted and kissed me. “How inappropriate is it that I totally want to do you even though we’re staying at my parents’ house?”

“Not at all,” I assured her. Now that she was in her second trimester, Kylie was eager for sex, and I was eager to take advantage of that fact. “I think your parents know we have sex.”

She laughed. “True. What do you think gave it away?” She pointed with her two index fingers to her belly.

I ran my thumb over her bump, loving the changes to her body, loving that it was our baby growing in there. In defiance of two forms of birth control. Now that was science, though Kylie preferred to call it a miracle. She also didn’t find the onesie I’d bought that said “Made with Love and Science” nearly as entertaining as I did. I’d give her the miracle thing publicly but I wasn’t returning the onesie.

“Your family is being really awesome,” I told her. I had met them during the holidays over the past year and they had been to Evanston once to visit, but we were in Troy for a whole week to celebrate Kylie’s graduation and to be there for all the wedding prep and events for Jessica, and my girlfriend’s family had been great. My mother had come up for the graduation party and she and Kylie’s mom were definitely enjoying bonding over their future grandchild.

Who was a boy. According to the science of ultrasound.

“They’re just glad to have us around.”

We were going to be in Evanston at least two more years so I knew that was hard for them, but Kylie and I both liked it there.

Robin collapsed into a chair at the table with us. “I’m sweating bullets. I can’t dance with Jayden anymore. He’s like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. He’s relentless.”

I had to admit Riley’s brothers were entertaining to watch. Easton had already stuck his face in the chocolate fountain, earning him a cussing out from Tyler, and Jayden was chatting up all the ladies.

Kylie laughed. “Totally. Where is Phoenix?”

I was proud of her for being able to forgive Robin and move past all of that. I knew it helped that Robin had been so clearly contrite, and that she had completely changed her life. She and her boyfriend lived an organic lifestyle, even growing their own food, and belonged to an artists’ collaborative down in New Orleans.

“He is running the leftover reception food to the local food bank. It’s something Riley worked out ahead of time. He’ll be back in ten minutes.” She pulled her dark hair off her neck and fanned herself. “By the way, you are like the cutest pregnant person ever.”

“You should have seen me two months ago.”

I nodded. “There was projectile vomiting. It wasn’t pretty.” It seemed Kylie was just going to be one of those women who were prone to aggressive morning sickness. It hadn’t helped that I been on edge, worried about another miscarriage. Kylie had been serene, though, sure that everything was fine. Sometimes I watched her and I was amazed at how instinctively maternal she was, and how much she had blossomed into a mature woman. Or how mature she’d always been. I felt downright neurotic compared to her.

“Thanks, honey.” She made a face at me.

“You’re pretty. Just projectile vomiting isn’t pretty.”

“Quit while you’re ahead.”

“I’m not sure I’m actually ahead at this point.”

She laughed.

Then she reached out and grabbed Jessica’s hand as she came over and sank down into a chair next to us.

“Holy shit, I am having so much fun! And shit, did I just say holy shit?” Jessica asked.

“I didn’t hear it,” I told her as she glanced around guiltily.

“I mean, my father is being pretty awesome. I don’t want to be disrespectful. I mean he didn’t even say anything about you being knocked up, Kylie bug.”

Kylie snorted. “No, he totally didn’t.”

“Hey,” I protested. “It’s not like she’s just knocked up by some random guy.”

Jessica yanked up the bodice of her dress and gave me a look. “This time.”

Ouch. “Point taken.”

“My eggs just want to be fertilized by his sperm,” Kylie told her. “We can’t help it.”

I visualized her eggs with free will and was amused.

“Oh my God,” Jessica said. “I can’t wait for you guys to see our new house. It’s the tits.”

I had to laugh. It seemed the champagne had given her only arbitrary control over her tongue.