Page 29 of Choosing Happily Ever After

Levi glanced again at the screen full of beach holidays in front of him before closing the laptop lid and looking at his cousins. “Yes,” he said. “I have a few things to work out.”

Hope

“Becky, it will be okay,” Hope said for at least the dozenth time. “I promise, adding a flower girl at the last minute won’t be a problem. Not at all.” Hope made a mental note to check with her friend who worked at Glacier Falls High for some babysitter recommendations for this surprise flower girl after the ceremony.

“I’m so sorry, Hope.” Becky, who was getting married in only a few short days, looked the very opposite of a glowing bride at that moment. She’d showed up unexpectedly about forty minutes earlier and had been crying and panicking about almost every detail for her special day ever since. They’d already gone over the centerpieces, the music, the place settings, the seating arrangement, and now were on to the unexpected addition of having her five-year-old niece as the flower girl.

“It will be perfect,” Hope reassured the woman again. “I’m sure she’ll be absolutely adorable. I’ll give her a little basket full of flower petals that she can scatter. Super easy, and she shouldn’t need any help. Does that sound okay?”

Becky nodded, but instead of smiling, she broke out in tears. Hope moved swiftly to get the woman a box of tissue. She’d dealt with her fair share of overwhelmed brides, but it had been awhile since she’d had one as emotional as Becky. “That doesn’t sound okay?” Hope asked tentatively.

“No,” the other woman said between sniffles. “It sounds good. It does and she’s super cute and I love her. It’s just…”

“What’s going on?” Hope led Becky to a nearby bench and sat down next to her. “What can I do to make things better for you?”

It was an innocent question, one that should have helped relive some of the stress, but instead it only made her cry harder. Hope waited her out and finally Becky blew her nose and said, “There’s nothing you can do. It’s all such a mess.”

Alarm bells went off. In her career, Hope had only had three brides call off their wedding at the last minute, and it usually started with something like what Becky had just said. She took a deep breath. “I’m sure it’s not so bad.”

“It is! I’m pregnant!”

Hope felt as if she’d been punched in the gut. She’d managed to put off all thoughts of the call she’d had with Doctor Friesen a few hours earlier, but the mention of a baby brought it all rushing back with a clarity that made her want to throw up.

Baby.

Her eyes instinctively went to the other woman’s stomach.

Baby.

Becky was talking, but all Hope could focus on was her belly and the life growing in there.Would she ever have the same?Would she one day have a child? A baby of her own?

Ever since she was a little girl, Hope had wanted a child of her own one day. Maybe twins if she was lucky. She’d never considered the possibility that she might not ever be able to see that dream become a reality.

Until now.

Her hands went to her own stomach. Something was growing inside her, all right, but it wasn’t a child she would hold and love and raise. It was a terrible disease that was slowly threatening her very existence, never mind any of the dreams that she might have so foolishly believed were untouchable.

Tears pricked at her eyes.

“Hope?”

Becky’s voice brought her right back into the moment in a flash. She blinked hard and wiped at her face.

“Hope? Are you all right?” Becky’s face had morphed from one of stress and overwhelm into one of distinct concern. “You don’t look well.”

Hope took a deep breath and forced a smile to her face. “I’m fine.” She had to stay in control. Her personal crisis wasn’t going to change anything for this bride, and her special day was only a few short days away. Hope would remain professional and do her very best to make sure it went off without a hitch. “Sorry, I don’t know what just happened there. But yes, I’m fine.” She reached for Becky’s hand and squeezed. “Now, tell me why being pregnant is going to ruin everything because I think it’s absolutely wonderful.” She swallowed hard to keep her own feelings from taking over.

Becky gave her one last concerned look, but ultimately, her own concerns took precedence. “My mom is going to freak out if she finds out that I got pregnant before the wedding. She’s so old-fashioned. She almost had a heart attack when I told her that Phillip and I were going to live together before we got married. I don’t want her to say anything or ruin the wedding or anything because of it.”

Hope couldn’t help but smile. “This is an easy one,” she said. “Just don’t tell her. After all, will it make a difference if you let her know before Saturday, or can it wait a little bit longer?”

“It can wait.”

“Of course it can. And I’ll make sure the staff knows that you won’t be drinking any champagne. I’ll have some sparkling apple juice brought in just for you, and you and Phillip can keep it a secret.” Becky started to visibly relax. “In fact, it will be kind of special, don’t you think? In a way, your little one will be with you on your special day.”

Becky’s hands went to her stomach and she smiled so broadly, Hope knew she was on board. “That’s perfect,” she said. “Thank you, Hope. I’m so sorry I got so freaked out. I’m just so overwhelmed with everything and—”

“Don’t give it anymore thought. That’s why I’m here. I’ll take care of everything, okay?”

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