Page 55 of The Forever Game

“Is everyone seated in the chapel?” Rachel asks my father.

“Yes, all the guests seem to be here, and Baxter and the groomsmen are up front waiting for you.”

A thrill races through me. “Okay, then.”

I take Nova’s hand once Dad’s placed her on the floor beside me, and we head out to the entrance of the church.

Kai is waiting in his suit, looking very handsome, and my chest floods with affection.

“Wow,” I murmur, tweaking his collar and brushing my hand down his jacket. “You look very grown-up.”

“Thanks, Mom.” His face is beaming. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you, baby.” I kiss his cheek, then quickly wipe the lipstick off before he complains. He follows it up by licking his finger and making sure his cheek is completely clean before handing Nova the basket of dried flower petals.

“You remember what to do?” He holds out his hand.

“Yep.” She slips her little fingers into his, and I’m once again flooded with an overwhelming love for my children. Kai is so sweet with Nova, and she looks at him like he hung the moon.

“Here you go.” Lani hands me my bouquet, then tweaks the fabric of my dress so it’s sitting perfectly.

I thank her with a smile, then glance at the sound guy, about to nod that he can start the music, but then my eye catches on something in the shadows of the entranceway.

Perched against the wall is…

“Caroline?” I whisper.

Rachel jerks to glance at me, then whips around, following my line of sight.

And sure enough, I’m right.

Caroline raises her hand in a feeble wave. “Sorry, guys. I know I’m supposed to be in there, but I just…” She shakes her head, still leaning against the wall and cast in shadow. “You go ahead without me. I’ll watch from the back.”

“Are you okay?” I let go of my father’s arm and walk toward her.

“Yeah, I just needed to go to the bathroom and—” She hisses, her face bunching with pain as she rubs her belly.

Rachel and Lani are beside me in a second, studying Caroline as she battles a wave of pain and looks about ready to cry.

“Are you in labor?” Rachel whispers.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I can’t be. It’s too soon. She’s not due for another month,” she squeaks, a look of panic washing over her face. “But something’s definitely wrong.”

“I’ll go get Casey.” I move toward the aisle.

“No!” Caroline tries to snatch my wrist. “This is your big day. I willnotbe the reason it doesn’t happen for a third time. You have to get married. I’ll be fine. Just—” Her expression buckles again, her mouth popping open as her body is gripped with obvious pain. She bends over with a soft moan, and I ignore all pleas to stay put, running down the aisle as a ripple of surprised whispers travels across our guests.

Baxter walks down the two steps to greet me, his face washing with concern.

“Baby, are you okay?” His big hand on my lower back is gentle and sweet, and I so wish I wasn’t ruining this moment for him, but…

I look up at Casey, who is fighting a bemused grin at the way I just ran in here. But his humor quickly fades when I tell him, “Something’s wrong with Caroline.”

“What?” He jerks down the stairs.

“I think it’s the baby.”

The color drains from his cheeks as he chokes out, “Where is she?”

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