Page 25 of Healing Bonds

“Okay, baby.” I rested my right hand on his jean-clad thigh and drummed my fingers against the material, all the while admiring my ring on my other hand. Sometimes, it still didn’t feel real. I couldn’t believe this was my life—that Ryan Wilson truly wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

Celine sat back down at the table a moment later, looking pale. She gingerly took a sip of her water before looking at me and smiling.

“Everyone, Amber and I have an announcement,” Ryan started, halting the conversation between Ace and Mr. Wilson about work. Everyone turned their heads, staring at him. Ryan cleared his throat. “Today, we set the date and chose our venue for the wedding.” Ryan’s mother shrieked with joy, and Celine jumped up, darting across the table to wrap her arms around my shoulders.

“Where, Ames? Where?” Celine shrieked in my ear, so excited she could barely contain it.

“The Pink Palace,” I told her, my heart racing. “We reserved the beach for the ceremony and one of their ballrooms for the reception on April third.”

Celine pulled away and paused, her eyes going wide. “April third this year or next year?” she asked.

“In three months, Cece. I didn’t want to wait.”

“Holy fuck, we need to get you to a dress shop, stat! You haven’t sent out invitations! Oh, my God, and you have to plan the flower arrangements, the food… oh, my Lord, the cake!” she exclaimed. She was panicking, and now it was making me a little panicky, too.

“Congrats, brother.” Ace winked with a smirk. “Celine and I have some news to share, too.” Celine sat back down, grabbing Ace’s hand and looking up at him with love.

“We’re pregnant!” she squealed, tears of joy suddenly rolling down her cheeks.

“Oh, my children!” Mrs. Wilson held a hand over her heart, looking between Ryan and Celine with love shining in her eyes. “So grown up! Congratulations, all of you! Oh, what a wonderful year we’re going to have!”

“We have to go to the dress shop tomorrow and find you the dress. Oh, I’m so excited! Oh, shit, I’m going to be as big as whale at the wedding!” Celine dropped a hand to her flat stomach and looked at me with wide eyes. “You couldn’t just wait a year? Then, you’d have a flower girl or ring bearer to walk down the aisle, too,” she suggested, laughing.

“Definitely not wasting another year of my life. I’ve wanted to be his wife for six years, and he finally figured it out,” I told her. Ryan shot me a sheepish smile.

“What color are your bridesmaids going to wear? I look best in pink, just saying—well, assuming I’m a bridesmaid. You were at my wedding, so you owe me.”

I scoffed. “Of course, you’re one of my bridesmaids… my matron of honor, if you can handle it with the baby?” I asked, suddenly unsure.

“What about your sisters?” she asked me, concern washing through her blue eyes.

I frowned and shrugged. “I’m not sure if they’ll even come to the wedding, but you’re my best friend and my sister. You’re closer to me than they are. I want you standing next to me on my special day, Cece.”

Tears welled in her eyes, alarming all of us. “You’re making me cry, Ames. The hormones are already affecting me.” She sniffled, wiping a hand across her cheek as a couple of tears roll down.

“How far along are you?” I asked, wanting to distract her so she didn’t burst into tears at the dinner table. She smiled at Ace and then me, beauty radiating off of her. She definitely already had the pregnancy glow about her.

“Three months tomorrow. Can you believe it, Ames? I’m finally having a baby,” she cried, so emotional, but it was adorable.

“It’s time to celebrate. We’re getting everything we wished for as little girls.” Ace and Ryan’s deep laughs filled the momentary gap in silence as the two shared a fist bump, always kids at heart.

Glancing at all of the happy faces at the table, I knew nothing could tear me down. I had the man of my dreams sitting beside me, holding my hand under the table, his declaration of love from this afternoon still echoing in my head. Celine’s smile was infectious. She was finally having the baby she’d wanted with Ace for the last few years.

What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Eleven

AMBER

THREE MONTHS LATER

I was speechless, tongue twisted at the thought of what was about to happen. Giant butterflies were swirling around in my stomach, and my blood was pulsing faster and faster. Today was the day. I would finally be Mrs. Wilson.

I stared at myself in the long mirror, my eyes sweeping over my perfectly braided, red hair. The twist-in diamond pieces I bought from the mall this morning glinted in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Celine was standing behind me, zipping up my white lace dress that flowed like a waterfall over my body. The lace sleeves covered my arms, leading down to my white nails that I had done that morning. My eyes trailed down the length of the gown, searching for imperfections but finding none.

“Stop it,” Celine giggled, stepping away from me to look at herself in the mirror. Her rose-pink gown accentuated her growing belly, making my best friend glow. She smiled, her blue eyes shining with happiness despite her swollen ankles and continuous morning sickness that had kept her glued to thetoilet all day. Morning sickness stopped for most women after twelve weeks, but poor Celine was still saddled with it. “What time did you say the sun was setting today?” She placed a hand on her big belly and looked at me through the mirror.

“I think my phone said eight-thirty-nine on the dot, but I can’t remember. I need another glass of champagne, I think. Maybe some tequila will help?” I was turning into a nervous wreck. She laughed, shaking her head at me before waddling over to one of the plush armchairs overlooking the beach, where I would be saying my vows in just a few minutes.

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