Chapter 271 Chapter 271

Chapter 271 Chapter 271
The morning came in like a lamb… mild and gentle.
That's what Emma's mother had said that morning, standing in the kitchen of the Taylor family home, looking out at the unseasonably warm day. No rain in sight. Just clear blue skies and the first hints of spring in the air. She did have a cape just in case.
But so far, today was perfect wedding weather.
Emma stood in front of the full-length mirror in her childhood bedroom, staring at herself in her wedding dress. White lace and silk, fitted bodice, flowing skirt. It was simple but undeniably elegant. It was everything she'd wanted.
Her hand drifted to her stomach, which was still flat. No one could tell yet.
She was eight weeks along. She had found out two weeks ago when her period hadn't shown up and the exhaustion she'd been attributing to wedding planning wouldn't go away. Five positive pregnancy tests later, and Emma had a secret she was terrified and thrilled about in equal measure.
She hadn't told Daniel yet. Hadn't told anyone. Only the doctor who had confirmed what she had already guessed. After finding out she had wanted to rush home and tell him… They didn't keep secrets, but something stopped her. The pregnancy could be her wedding night gift to him. She hadn't known what to get him, and this was perfect. Daniel was an only child and wanted a big family.
"Emma?" Faith's voice came from the doorway. "You okay, baby girl?"
Emma turned, found her mother watching her with that knowing look mothers always seemed to have. "I'm fine. Just—wow… I can't believe this is happening. I thought I lost him, but... here we are."
Faith stepped into the room, beautiful in her mother-of-the-bride dress, soft blue that matched her colouring so well. "You look stunning."
"Thanks, Mom." Emma's throat went tight. "For everything. For standing by me through… through all of it. You never told me what was best. You just let me talk and work it out myself, never dismissed my feelings. Even if I only saw it from my point of view."
Faith crossed to her, took both her hands. "That's what mothers do. We stand by our children. No matter what." She paused, studied Emma's face. "You sure you're okay? You've seemed a bit off lately."
Emma's heart jumped. Did her mother know? Could she tell?
"I'm fine," Emma said quickly. "Just nervous. Wedding jitters, I'm sure."
Faith didn't look entirely convinced but nodded. "Well, you've got just over twenty minutes before we need to head down. Your father's already a mess. Grayson's trying to keep him from opening the whiskey."
That made Emma laugh. "Poor Dad."
"He's losing his little girl, sort of. You know you have always been your father's little princess. It's hard for him today." Faith squeezed her hands. "But he's gaining a good man. Daniel's one of the best."
"Yeah." Emma's voice went soft. "He is."
Faith pulled her into a hug, careful not to wrinkle the dress. "I'm so proud of you, Emma. For fighting for your happiness. For not giving up on love even when it hurt. No marriage is prefect and you will need to work at it every day. But it's worth it."
Emma held on tighter, blinking back tears. She couldn't cry now. Her makeup was perfect.
"Okay." Faith pulled back, dabbing at her own eyes. "No more of that or we'll both be a mess. The makeup artist just left as well. okay…well. Do you need anything before I go check on the mayhem downstairs?"
"No. I'm good."
"Liar. It may have been a long time ago, but I remember how I felt on my wedding day." Faith grinned. "But I'll let you have your moment. See you soon, sweetheart."
Faith left, and Emma turned back to the mirror. Her hand drifted to her stomach again.
A baby. She and Daniel were going to have a baby. It just made everything about today prefect.
A knock at the door. "Emma?" Honey's voice. "Can we come in?"
"Yeah."
The door opened, and suddenly her bedroom was full of women. Honey, Lauren, Maggie, Prue. Her bridesmaids, all dressed in soft lavender, looking beautiful and excited.
Honey put a hand over her mouth and tears filled her eyes.
"Oh my God," Lauren breathed. "Emma, you look amazing."
"Really stunning," Maggie agreed.
"Daniel's going to lose his mind when he sees you. He might drag you away before the reception starts," Prue added with a grin.
Emma felt her cheeks heat. "You guys look beautiful too."
And they did. Honey's red hair was swept up, elegant and perfect. Lauren's whiskey eyes were bright with happiness, her long legs making the lavender dress look like it belonged on a runway. Maggie looked softer than Emma had ever seen her, practically glowing since Eric had proposed last month. Prue was radiant, happy in her own marriage to Nate. Her slight baby bump well hidden in the folds of the dress. Not like Emma would have cared if she was showing more.
These women had stood by her through the worst time of her life. Had held her while she grieved. Had celebrated when Daniel came back. Had visited him in the hospital after he'd been shot protecting her.
They were her family. Not by blood but connection.
"I have something for you," Honey said, pulling out a small velvet box. "Something borrowed."
Emma opened it to find a delicate bracelet, white gold with a single large diamond. "Honey, it's beautiful."
"It was my grandmother's." Honey helped Emma fasten it around her wrist. "For luck."
"Something old," Maggie said next, holding out a lace handkerchief with hand embroidery around the edge. "My grandmother made them."
Emma took it carefully, touched. "Thank you."
"Something new." Lauren grinned, producing a garter, white lace. "And sexy, because you have to have one. And I'm sure Daniel will enjoy taking this off later."
"Lauren!" Emma laughed, but let her help with it anyway.
"And something blue." Prue held out a small blue ribbon. "For your bouquet."
Emma felt tears prick her eyes. "You guys are going to make me cry."
"Don't you dare," Lauren said. "We don't have the time to get your makeup fixed."
They gathered around her, all five of them reflected in the mirror. Emma in white, her friends in lavender, all of them smiling.
"Thank you," Emma said quietly. "For everything." She didn't need to explain.
Honey said firmly, "We're family. That's what family does."
Another knock. Luke this time, poking his head in. "You decent?"
"Come in, Dad," Emma said.
Her father stepped into the room, looking handsome in his tuxedo. His eyes went soft when he saw her, then filled with tears. "Em. You look—" His voice broke.
"Don't." Emma held up a hand, using her other hand to wave in front of her face. "Don't make me cry before I even get downstairs."
Luke crossed to her, pulled her into a careful hug. "My little girl," he murmured. "All grown up."
"I've been grown up for a while now."
"I know. Doesn't make it any easier." Luke pulled back, cupped her face. "Daniel's a good man. He'll take care of you."
"I know."
"And if he doesn't, Grayson and I will kill him and hide the body."
"Dad!" the women in the room laughed.
"What? I'm allowed to threaten my son-in-law on his wedding day. It's tradition." Luke smiled, kissed her forehead. "It's time. You ready?"
Emma took a breath. Thought about Daniel waiting for her. About the life they were about to start together. About the secret she carried that would make that life even fuller.
"Yeah," she said. "I'm ready."
After fixing her veil the bridesmaids filed out first. Honey leading the way as matron of honor, then Lauren, then Maggie practically floating on air, then Prue bringing up the rear.
Then it was just Emma and her father.