“Hold still.” Em repinned a stray lock of hair that refused to stay put. She added an extra clip. “There, that should do it.”

“Can I look yet?” Kinga said.

Em covered Kinga’s eyes with her hand and spritzed hair spray all over her up-do. “Tal, get the mirror.”

Tally pushed the floor-length mirror into place. Good job it was on wheels. She had no chance of carrying it, not in her condition. She caught a glimpse of herself sideways. Jesus, she was huge—and she still had seven weeks to go. At this rate, she’d probably give birth to a two-year-old. She winced. That would be bloody painful.

“Okay, Kinga. Stand up and turn around.”

Tally’s hand shot to cover her mouth as she got her first proper look. “Oh, Kinga. You look so beautiful.”

Kinga wore an expression of awe. Tally remembered having that same feeling when Em weaved her magic the night she met Cash. That event had forever changed the course of her life. Sadly, Kinga’s course was set, but at least she would carry the memories of this day with her until the very end.

Kinga clasped her throat, her lips parting as she drank in her reflected image. “Is that me?” she whispered.

“Yep.” Em rested her hands on Kinga’s shoulders. “Go on. You can say it. I’m a fucking genius.”

Kinga turned around and planted a kiss on Em’s lips. “You are a fucking genius.”

“Whoa there,” Em said, giving Kinga a playful swat. “Kiss me like that again, and I might have to tell William you’ve swapped sides.”

Kinga laughed, her girlish giggle making Tally’s stomach tighten. This should be a happy occasion. Kinga deserved a future. Marriage, kids, grandkids. Not this. Not the path chosen for her.

“Won’t be a minute,” Tally said as a sob bubbled up in her throat. She dashed out of the room and staggered outside, where she sucked in huge gulps of air. Her lungs burned. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t stick around and watch someone else she cared about fade away before her very eyes.

“Hey.” Em gripped Tally’s shoulder and gave it a little shake. “Pull yourself together, Tally. This isn’t about you. It’s about her.”

“I know. I know.” Tears streamed down her face. She was losing it. “I can see Dad. I’d forgotten what he looked like. But now, I can see him so clearly, Em. It’s coming. It’s coming for her. What happened to Dad is going to happen to Kinga. I can’t do this. I can’t.”

Em’s sharp slap brought Tally’s hand to her face.

“What the hell, Em?” she said, clutching her cheek.

“Sorry, babes, but you’re going to have to hang onto the hysterics. By all means, lose your shit, but do it later in the privacy of your hotel room. I get how hard this is for you, Tal. I was there, remember? I know the memories of how fucking awful it was for your dad at the end are all resurfacing when you thought they were long buried. But you can’t do this. I’m not the biggest Kinga fan, but right now, I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with that woman. You need to do the same.”

Tally buried her face in her hands. Em was right. She had to find a way to push the bad memories aside and focus on making Kinga’s day a happy one. She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly through her mouth.

She met Em’s gaze. “You’re right, and I’m ready.”

“I’m always right, but you’re definitely not ready. Go to the bathroom in the lobby. I’ll sort Kinga’s final touches and meet you in there in a few minutes to fix your make-up.”

Em disappeared, and Tally made her way to the bathroom. She chuckled when she faced herself in the mirror. No wonder Em had said she wasn’t ready. Mascara streaks lay in tracks down her cheeks, and she’d smudged her lipstick.

After Em touched up her make-up, they took their places next to Rupe in the conference room of the hotel, which was doubling as a wedding venue. Kinga had point-blank refused to get married in a church, making it clear that just because she was dying, that didn’t mean she was about to turn to a God she didn’t believe in.

William looked so smart in a black tuxedo, his wild curls tamed for once. He was standing at the front of the room with his best man beside him. He caught Tally’s eye and smiled as the wedding march began to play. Tally twisted in her seat as the double doors at the back of the room opened and Kinga appeared, her hand tucked into Cash’s arm.

Tally met Cash’s gaze as he matched Kinga’s footsteps and they made their way up the aisle. The outpouring of love in his eyes made her stomach clench. When they reached the end, he placed Kinga’s hand on top of William’s and came to join Tally.

“Is she okay?” Tally asked, receiving a nod of confirmation from Cash. He grasped her hand, knitting their fingers together.

“Love you,” he whispered.

Tally swallowed past a huge lump in her throat, blinking furiously as her tears, once more, threatened to fall. She was an emotional wreck these days. The slightest thing set her off.

As Kinga and William began to read the vows they’d written for each other, the baby chose that exact moment to perform acrobatics in her stomach. She cradled her bump, top and bottom, and rubbed her hands back and forth. Cash’s hand covered hers, and he tracked her movements as they both tried to comfort their baby. More tears fell. The contradictory experiences were messing with her head. When her baby made its entrance into the world, Kinga’s time would be ending.

“I’ve got you, babe,” Cash murmured, but instead of stemming her tears, his words made her sob harder. At least she had an excuse. People were supposed to cry at weddings.

Kinga and William headed back down the aisle as husband and wife. Kinga was flushed, a bright smile gracing her face. She was gazing up at William, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm. As the guests filed out behind the happy couple, Cash stopped Tally from following.

When the room was empty, she turned to him. “What’s going on, ace?”

Cash held both her hands in his. He skimmed his thumb over her knuckles, his eyes cast downwards. He dropped her left hand, reached into his tux jacket, and pulled out her engagement ring.

“I promised myself I’d do this when the time felt right, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better time.”

He got down on one knee, her left hand still cradled in his, and when he raised his eyes, they were glistening with emotion.

“When I said these words to you in Paris, I never thought anything could separate us. We’ve been dealt a shitty hand since then, and although there are still difficult times ahead, I see so much hope in our future. You, me, and our baby.

“Natalia McKenzie, I love you more than I ever thought possible. You’re my light, my life, my heart and soul. My everything. Will you marry me?”

Tally thrust out her left hand. “Don’t you ever try to leave me again, Cash Gallagher,” she said in a choked voice.

He slipped the ring onto her finger. “Never, baby.”