It was Saturday. My wedding day…

I rubbed my eyes and turned over onto my stomach. I hadn't expected to sleep as well as I had. Down pillows and eighteen-hundred thread count sheets. Who knew?

A second after the knock, India opened the door and poked her head in. "Rise and shine, mother-to be." She had a breakfast tray in her hands.

"Shut up, and get that food over here. No spilling the beans prematurely."

She sat the tray down in front of me and for just a split second, I felt my stomach roll over. I took a sip of herbal tea and swallowed nervously.

"What…?" India leaned in for a closer look. "Is that a hint of green I'm seeing… like all around the gills?" She smiled a satisfied smile. "Screw the too early routine… You are, aren't you?"

I took a bite of toast, mostly to buy time.

"It worked, didn't it? And you and Jack are making me an aunty…" She took my hand with the toast in it. "I won't tell, I promise."

I swallowed hard. "It is still a few days too soon… But, I think so… yes…"

She whooped out loud and I clamped a hand over her mouth. "You can't say anything, India. You fucking promised me… And nothing's certain until I've taken the test." She watched me closely as I picked at my eggs and finally gave up.

"Test, my ass," she said, shrewdly. "That glow comes from only one of two things. Love, or a baby belly… And there's no hard rule it can't be both…"

I got out of bed, shoving the sheets back and leaving her to rescue the silver tray. "A minute ago, you said I looked green," I said irritably, "Make up your mind."

"Okay, okay… if you're going to be touchy…" She bit into a strip of my bacon. "But aren't you excited about it? You could have a perfect little baby growing inside you right now. And in a few more months, you'll even be showing." She drank my juice and wiped her lips. "And I want the blow-by-blow, Libby. The whole nine months. I want to know what it's like…"

She had a dreamy kind of expression. India was the kind of girl who always knew she'd have a big family of her own one day.

I smiled, gathering my robe before I headed into the bathroom. "If there's anything to tell, I will," I said indulgently. "And thanks. It's hard enough that Jack and I have to keep everything a secret from the rest of the family. I don't know what I'd do without you…"

She got up and came over to give my hand a squeeze. "You've got me, sweetie," she said. "And don't forget it." She gave me an odd look. "No doubts?"

"No… no doubts," I said with more confidence than I felt. "Jack Is a good man. He deserves to be happy…"

India opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"You're right," she said finally. "Everyone does…"

* * *

The next ten minutes I had in the shower were the last ones I had to myself. My stomach continued to churn, but it could so easily just be nerves. I was about to be married to a man I would be divorcing before the year was out. Not that it's all that unusual these days… It's just strange to be planning it before the actual I do's.

I soaped and rinsed quickly, but my hands lingered over my belly. It was funny, really… but with every day that passed I felt more and more attached to the tiny little life inside me. I could imagine her, with Jack's warm brown eyes and my dark curls… And I'd been having dreams at night. Of putting her into his arms for the first time… the look on his face. And Jack… putting her to my breast to suckle…

And then I'll walk away, I reminded myself sternly. It was so easy to let my imaginings run away with me. More and more often, I found I had to remind myself that our agreement would only be completely fulfilled when I packed my bags and returned to my own life… Images of Jack flashed through my mind…

Jack in the water, holding me in his arms…

Jack's face as he read to me by the fire…

Jack hands exploring my sculpture… then exploring me…

I shut off the water and toweled off harder than I needed to. It was that damn kiss on the stairs that had fanned the flames again. I wiped the steam off the mirror and saw my flushed cheeks and wild curls reflected back. I looked exactly the way I felt. Aroused and needy. Excited, and yet terrified. Confused, but rushing forward anyway…

But there was no more time to think. And no point in looking back.

There was a hairdresser waiting for me downstairs. And a wedding dress to squeeze into. The wedding wasn't going to wait any more than the baby I was carrying would. There was no time for the riot of emotions inside me to fall into place.

I tied the belt of my robe and stared at my own reflection.

"Mrs. Liberty Mason," I whispered.

* * *

Everyone was dressed and ready. India was sparkling in her silver gown. Jack's mother and father were fussing with boutonnieres for all his brothers. We'd gathered in the solarium. Everyone except for Ben. And Jack.

A string quartet was playing outside as the last few guests were being seated. Long liquid notes blew in on the cool breeze. Fletcher had opened the French doors and everyone was beginning to line up…

"You look perfect," India's voice was soft in my ear. "I never saw a more beautiful bride." She gave me a wink. "Courage," she whispered, as Fletcher came to offer his arm.

She handed me my bouquet. I took it, the tremor in my fingers setting the tender freesia blooms quivering. They were in white and gold, mixed with pink hydrangeas and tied with white satin ribbon. The scent rose up and I felt my stomach tighten.

"The only bride I ever saw who rivalled my Vivian," Fletcher said, taking my hand and placing it with comforting firmness on his arm. He kissed my cheek and I felt myself flushing. The rest of the wedding party was slowly working their way down the aisle. It was only the two of us left, and all of a sudden everything was happening too quickly.

"Fletcher… Dad… I… this isn't…" I stammered hopelessly, my nails grasping at his arm. For a moment I felt dizzy. It's the baby, I thought.

Fletcher laughed softly, patiently and patted my back kindly while I leaned on him. I could see so much of Jack in his face.

"Everything's going to be just fine," he said soothingly. "Deep, slow breaths, sweetheart. Take your time."

I looked out to where Jack's family and friends were waiting. It wasn't too big, still private… but I knew each and every person there was important. To Jack… to his family… I looked to the enormous rose covered arch where he stood with Ben at his side.

As if he could feel my eyes, he turned to me. The man who was about to marry me. The man who'd fathered the baby I was carrying… He was looking at me like I was the only woman in the world. And for a moment, just one little moment, I told myself… I would let myself believe… What harm could it do?

"It's time now." I heard Fletcher's voice in my ear. I turned from Jack's gaze to look up into his handsome, lined face. "Are you ready to make my son the happiest man in the world?"