| Chapter Twenty-Eight The morning of my wedding I sat up in bed and stretched slowly, enjoying the sunlight that poured through the windows. It looked like Kevin’s demand of perfect weather was going to be granted after all! “Well baby,” I whispered as I softly caressed my tummy, “today is the day.” I swung my legs off the bed and began to stand when a sharp pain ran through my back. I gasped and then chuckled softly as the pain eased into a dull throb. “Okay, okay! I get the picture. No more standing up so fast,” I mumbled as I made my way to the bathroom to begin my day. I quickly showered and washed my hair, knowing my sisters would soon be in to help me get ready. I toweled off and slipped into my robe just as a knock sounded at my door. Carly peered around the edge of the door and smiled. “Good morning sis! We’ve brought you some breakfast,” she said as she and Callie entered the room. “I’m not very hungry, but thanks,” I replied as Carly set the tray on a table. “Just eat a little so I can tell Kevin I did as promised.” “Just what did you promise Kevin?” I asked as I sat down and nibbled a piece of toast. “I promised that I’d get you to eat a little something. He was insistent that you eat and wanted to come see to it himself, but he’s not supposed to see you until you walk down the aisle, so I promised I’d do it.” I nodded my understanding. Kevin was a worrier and a caretaker, and while at times it drove me crazy, I loved him all the more for it. “How’s everything looking down there?” I asked. “Everything looks wonderful. They’re beginning to put the chairs out and the last of the food is being put together. It’s just the way you and Kevin described it,” Callie stated. “Good! I want this day to be perfect, both for me and for him.” I finished my toast and the last of the juice and pushed away from the table. I felt a twinge in my back but brushed it aside, noting that it wasn’t near as strong as before. I crossed to the bathroom and quickly brushed my teeth before returning to the room. “Ready then?” Carly asked as she led me back to the chair I’d just vacated and seated me gently. Together, my sister’s went to work, applying my makeup and curling my hair. Though I was being pampered, and having everything done for me, I was frustrated. Hair and makeup were things I was used to doing myself, and sitting still while they did it for me made me want to fidget. “There, I think that does it,” Carly said as she took a step back and perused my face. I started to move, reaching for a mirror, when Callie spoke. “Be still Cassie, or your hair is going to be a mess,” she admonished as she pinned another roller in place. I sighed softly and forced myself to be still, knowing that it would take that much longer if I continued to move. “That’s the last one, now we just have to wait for those to set and then I can pin your hair up. In the meantime, why don’t you go ahead and get dressed. By the time your finished, it’ll be time to finish your hair.” I nodded and she helped me stand. I gasped and grabbed my belly as a pain unlike any I had known before wrapped from my back around the front and squeezed. ‘Calm, I just have to stay calm and I have to breathe,’ I thought distantly; while the thought that this couldn’t be happening today screamed in my head. “Cassie, what is it? Is it the baby?” Callie asked as she placed her arm around me in support. At first I couldn’t answer, the pain was so intense. “I’m going for Kevin!” Carly stated and went for the door “NO! No, I’m fine. It was just a little muscle spasm.” “Cassie, that was no ordinary muscle spasm. That was a contraction,” Carly said as she crossed to stand in front of me. “Wasn’t it?” I wouldn’t lie. “Yes…” She started to turn and I grabbed her hand. “Don’t say anything, either of you…” “But…” “No buts. It wasn’t that bad, it just took me by surprise that’s all. Besides, you know as well as I do with first baby’s labor can take hours and hours. What’s the point of ruining everyone’s day, just to go sit in the hospital?” They both looked like they were weighing the saneness of my decision and I knew I had to talk fast. “Look, just let me get through the wedding. Then, if I’m still having pains, I’ll gladly go to the hospital. Okay?” I asked, my eyes pleading with them to understand. Slowly, both heads nodded and I breathed a sigh of relief that is until Callie spoke. “Just understand, the first sign of another pain and we’re telling Kevin.” I had no choice but to agree, I knew those looks in my sister’s eyes and I knew they meant business. I determined right then and there that I would hide the pain, if it came again, as well as I could. I knew I wasn’t being smart about it, but suddenly I didn’t want my child being born without Kevin and I being married. I sent them both a smile and then said, “Well, are you going to help me into my dress or what?” CCC Index Chapter Twenty-Nine Main |