The Hardest Part (38 page)

"
I wanted to come tell you. I wanted to tell you that you didn't have to live in fear anymore, but when the FBI found me, they placed me under surveillance and wouldn't allow me to make contact with you… not until a few days ago anyway... when they found his body. Then, when I finally had the chance to see you, I couldn't do it. I wasn't sure if that's what you needed or even wanted. All I wanted was to see that you were happy, and for the past few days, I saw that you were. You looked happy.”

So it had been Mike in the mysterious car following us.

When Mike finally stopped talking again, I blinked a few times, absorbing what he’d just told me.

It was over. Everything. My nightmare. My fear. My worry.

I
WAS
never the girl to dream about her wedding day. I never wanted to wear a big, poofy white dress. I never pictured my groom standing at an altar, waiting for me. I never imagined myself being walked down the aisle on the arm of my father. It never occurred to me to dream like that because, well, I never thought it would happen like that for me. A big reason for that was I had never found the right person, the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with… not until now at least.

Lexi had dreamed about her wedding day. She knew what colors her bridesmaids would wear. She knew where she wanted to get married and on what day. Since her parents couldn't be there, she wanted to honor them by getting married on their wedding anniversary. She already had the dress of her dreams designed in her head… and it was the big, poofy princess dress. She had dreamed of walking down the aisle on the arm of her father. That was the saddest part about all of this. The one dream that no matter what we did, it would never come true. However, Reed was there to take his place.

Right now, as I glanced up at her, my heart ached. The girl standing in front of me had been through so much, yet she was still the strongest and sweetest person I knew. I wished I could make all of her dreams come true.

"
How do I look?" Lexi twirled around, smiling.

"
Absolutely beautiful. You look like a princess." I blotted my eyes with a tissue, soaking up all the tears. I took in a few deep breaths, trying not to totally lose it right here in the dress store.

"
I feel beautiful." She beamed.

Right after I’d gotten myself under control, the sales lady came over and placed a veil on her head. Then I burst into tears all over again. I had been a blubbering mess the past few months, not to mention I felt as big as a house. I only had one more month until my due date.

"
If you don't stop crying, I'm going to start." Lexi looked at my reflection in the mirror. She was still smiling, but I could see the tears forming in her eyes.

"
Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I just can't help it." I sighed. "I can't wait until Reed sees you." I exhaled loudly, determined to get myself under control before he got there. It was Lexi's last dress fitting and she wanted him to see it before the wedding in a couple of days. I think she was hoping to avoid any tears on her big day. I'd already told her I couldn't make any promises and I was sure that Reed wouldn't be able to either. I mean, I was already losing it here in the store.

The sales lady turned to me and smiled.
"Are you almost ready for your fitting?"

Even though I had been dreading this all week, I nodded and gave her a tiny smile. I'd had nightmares that the dress wouldn't fit me and I would not only be mortified, but I would ruin Lexi's big day. Not to mention, I felt like the dark-purple color Lexi had picked out for me made me look like a giant eggplant.

"
It's in the dressing room when you're ready." She turned to leave. Then Lexi and I were alone again.

My eyes ran over her, starting at the veil on top of her head, all the way down to the bottom of the dress. I couldn't get over how beautiful she looked.

The wedding would be a small event, yet it was going to be a beautiful one. Christine and Sharon had coordinated it and let me peek at a few things, but for the most part, I was kept out of the loop. Christine wanted it to be a surprise for all of us.

I tried to get up off the chair, wanting to give Lexi a hug, but my large belly made it difficult. Lexi saw me and stepped over to help me.

"
You are the cutest pregnant woman I've ever seen." She laughed.

I playfully glared up at her.
"I don't feel cute."

"
Well, you are, and you're going to look even cuter in your dress. You have to try it on, you know."

"
I know," I said. "I just wanted to see you in yours first."

"
Okay, well, now you've seen me. Come on, let's go. Reed's going to be here soon and I want him to see both of us all dressed up."

I waddled my way over to the dressing room and shut the door. My purple dress, which really looked more like a large purple sheet, was hanging there in front of me.

Gathering up my courage, I took off my clothes and stepped into the dress, fully prepared to have a huge mental breakdown when it wouldn't fit or zip up all the way. Much to my surprise, it fit like a glove. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked back out to the large mirrors where Lexi was standing.

Reed was already there, standing beside her, telling her how beautiful she looked. I was pretty sure I could see tears forming in his eyes. He caught a glimpse of me in the mirror and our eyes locked.

When I smiled, he turned around to face me and Lexi did, too.

"
Oh, Emily, you look so beautiful."

Yeah. Right.
But I kept the smile on my face.

"
You do look beautiful." Reed's smile matched Lexi's. I decided to twirl around to give them both the full view.

"T
HE WEDDING
was absolutely beautiful." I smiled as I felt him stir beneath me. "Lexi looked happier than I've ever seen her."

"
Yeah, she really is happy.” Reed sighed and pulled me closer. "So what do you think about us walking down the aisle one day?" he asked, causing my heart to leap into my throat, like it did all the other times he asked me anything on that subject.

He started hinting about us getting married a few months ago, but I'd tried my hardest to avoid the subject. I knew I wanted to marry Reed Alexander one day. One day when I wasn't nine months pregnant. Over the past few months, especially after I decided to let go of my apartment and move into the condo on a more permanent basis, I knew it was a discussion that would happen sooner or later. I mean, we were having a child together and we loved and cared for each other. It was inevitable, but I’d been doing a really good job of sidetracking the questions every time he would ask them.

"
Where are you going to run now?" He secured his arm a little tighter around my back. "I think you may have to actually answer me this time." I could hear the smile in his voice. His free hand moved up my arm, to my neck and landed on my chin, tilting it up until my eyes met his.

"
Do you not have an answer for me yet?" He smiled smugly. "Don't you think it's about time we started talking about this seriously?"

I wasn't sure what to say. I knew it was time, yet I wasn't sure why I was so nervous about talking about it. Maybe because I was afraid. Sometimes I felt like Reed was too good to be true. That one day I would wake up from this dream and my happy, little bubble would pop.

At that moment, I felt a strong ache in my stomach. Biting my lip, I closed my eyes and waited for it to pass. I'd been having these pains the last couple of days. I chalked it up to standing so much and working non-stop for the wedding.

Then another wave of pain came and I wondered if it was time. Opening my eyes back up, I found Reed staring at me.

"
Everything okay?"

I nodded.
"Yeah, I think it's time."

"
Really?” He sounded excited, happy. “You never want to talk about getting married."

I shook my head.
"No. I mean, I think it's
time
." I gestured down to my stomach.

His eyes grew wide. I couldn't hold my smile back now. He looked so cute terrified.
"Like time, time? Time for the baby?"

"
Yeah, I think so," I said, keeping my voice calm. Reed looked like he was about to go into panic mode.

"
Okay." He hopped out of bed. "Just remain calm. Everything is going to be all right."

My smile grew wider. I
was
calm.
He
, on the other hand, not so much. It wasn't very often I saw him not under control. Usually, he exuded calm.

"
You stay here, and I'll call for the car and bring our stuff down. We have bags packed, right?" He was already pacing the room.

I nodded and sat up in bed. This was going to be interesting.

"
Are you okay? Are you in any kind of pain?" he asked, coming toward me. His face suddenly changed from panic to worry.

"
I'm fine." I smiled. "Everything is perfect."

THE END

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First and foremost, I would like to thank the readers who purchased this book. Without you guys, writing would not be as rewarding or near as much fun. I love reading your messages and hearing the love you have for my stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my family and friends who have encouraged me, listened to my complaints, my fears, and my crazy story ideas. I don’t know what I would do without you guys! Thank you.

To my beta readers Miranda Kavi and Lindsay Sparkes. Thank you guys so much for taking the time to be the first ones to read my story and give me your thoughts and suggestions. This story wouldn’t be what it is today without your help.

Most of all, a huge thanks to my husband, Ryan, who is always supportive and patient when listening to my endless worries and fears about my story and my characters. Even though deep down he probably thinks I’m strange, he never shows it. Love you, babe.

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