| 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 |