“Libby’s pregnant.” I yelled out as I pointed to her.
Alex’s mouth dropped open as Taylor quickly wrapped Libby up in a hug. “Oh Libby! Are you really? How far along are you?”
Libby’s face glowed. I couldn’t believe none of us noticed it until now. “Luke and I didn’t want to say anything just yet. We were waiting to say anything, but . . . well . . . my emotions are all over the place!”
Taking her hands in mine, I tried to push away the ping of jealousy I was feeling. I wasn’t sure why I was so bothered by this news. I mean, I wasn’t bothered, I was happy for Libby and my brother. Very happy. But a part of me was envious and that bothered me.
Plastering on a smile, I prayed like hell it didn’t look fake as I attempted to push away my sadness as I said, “Libby, you have to tell us. That’s my little niece or nephew in there!”
Chewing on her lip, she finally said, “I’m almost three months along. My due date is actually New Year’s Day!” Libby said, as happiness spilled from her body.
Everyone took turns giving Libby a hug. Once everything was settled, Libby walked up to me and said, “Grace, I didn’t want to say anything until after your wedding. I’m so sorry.”
Shaking my head, I instantly felt guilty for how I was feeling earlier. “Oh, Libby. Don’t be silly. This is the best news I’ve heard all day!”
Giggling, Libby pulled me to her. “I’m so glad you found love. And I’m so glad you stood and fought for that love.”
Holding her tighter, I whispered, “Thank you, Libby.”
A light knock on the door caused me to take a step back and say, “Come in.”
My mother walked in and tears immediately filled her eyes. “Girls, it’s time. Grace darling, we need to put your dress on. Your father is waiting outside.”
“What about my ankle?” I asked as I held up my expensive ass high heel shoes I’d never get to slip my feet into. I guess I could put one on.
My mother winked. “Noah has it covered.”
Alex and Libby picked my wedding dress up from the bed and made their way over to me as all four of my best friends helped me get dressed.
The tears in all their eyes as well as my mother’s told me I looked good as I stood before them in my wedding gown.
“Noah’s going to shit his pants,” my mother said as I let out a laugh while trying to hold my own tears back.
Grace
After my dress and the veil were on, I asked to spend a couple minutes alone. There was a light tap on the door and it slowly opened. Attempting to turn toward the door, I lifted my dress and did a couple of hops on my good foot. My father stood before me as his watery eyes took me in.
“Oh, Grace Hope. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight.”
My mother stood to his side and dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “I told you,” she said to my father.
They both approached me and I took their hands in mine as I rubbed my thumb across their skin. “Thank you for loving, Noah. And for welcoming him into our family like you both have.”
My mother smiled and nodded her head as she whispered, “Of course, Grace. You’d have to be a fool not to see how much that boy loves you.”
My father cracked his neck and looked out the window. “I never said I loved the little bastard.”
Hitting my father on the chest at the same time my mother hit his arm, I said, “Daddy! Stop that. You know you like him.”
My father’s eyes captured mine as they built with tears. “After seeing what the two of you have been through together, and what that boy did today, yes . . . yes, Grace. I like Noah very much.”
Joy swept across my body. “Oh, Daddy. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Placing his hand on the side of my face, I gently leaned into it. “God, do you have any idea how much you look like your mother?”
Peeking over at my mother, I took her in. Her long brown hair was up in a French twist and her green eyes stood out as they sparkled with joy. My mother was breathtaking. Her beauty was flawless and I was blessed to have anyone say I looked like her.
Standing next to my father, my mother gazed upon me with the most adoring eyes. “Grace, I can’t believe my sweet little girl is getting married. It seems like it was just yesterday we were in the barn in one of the stalls having a tea party.”
Smiling, I shook my head. “Leave it to me to have a tea party in the barn!”
My father and mother both started laughing. “You always did love your horses,” Daddy said with a sweet smile.