Page 63 of Conail

"You can thank me by making my daughter happy."

"You can count on it." He hung up and settled back in the chair. It had been a week since the awful incident and he had not slept a wink or had a moment of peace. His own mother was not speaking to him after she heard what had happened. And he missed Yasmine like crazy. He could not go on like this.

Chapter 16

She busied herself with the preparation and planning of her brother's wedding. And if the hurt and pain was hidden to be taken out when she was alone, then so be it. He had stopped calling and she convinced herself it was for the best. She was having a son.

No. The sharp pain of denial hit her like a ton of bricks.

He was having a son. And no doubt the doctor had imparted the wonderful news. If she still cradled her belly and crooned to him when she was in the privacy of her room, then so be it. She could not help herself. His mother had visited and tried bringing up the subject, but she politely and firmly refused to discuss it or him.

And she told herself that she was happy for her brother. She was of course. How could she not be? He was her brother, and she loved him. She was also aware of what he and Maddy had been through. Now they were back together and getting married.

She just had to ignore the pang of envy.

"I've never seen a more radiant bride."

Maddy turned slowly, the shimmering length of the silk and lace shifting around her feet.

"It's not too much? I know we stared at it for hours in the dress shop but seeing it on me now--" She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked. "I never thought we would get married, that God would give me a second chance with Colin. I thought I had lost him forever."

"Nonsense." Yasmine grinned at her as she wandered into the room. She had spent the night over at Maddy's family home. "My brother would have realized sooner or later that you two belong together."

"Oh honey, look at you! You're positively radiant!"

"It's not too much? I know it shows how pregnant I am--"

"It suits you to a tee."

She came forward to tug at the shoulders of the midnight blue wool dress her friend had chosen to wear. It had a high Victorian waist, with pleats going down the middle held together by a jeweled clasp. Silver sparkled at her ears and around her neck and her makeup was flawless.

Linking her hand through Yasmine's arm, she pressed her face against hers. "My best friend and soon to be my sister." She whispered. "It's wonderful."

Yasmine returned the hug and willed the tears away. "Let's go before my brother starts to hunt you down."

With a happy laugh, the bride spun away to grab her stole and bouquet.

*****

She avoided the curious stares and the whispers. She had started showing and for the first time, she was out and about. Not to mention the fact that the dress was highlighting her pregnancy. It was a small town, and people were wondering where the daddy was. She did not indulge their curiosity.

As soon as she had the baby, she would be heading home anyway. And try to put it all behind her.

In the meantime, she was determined to enjoy the ceremony. The small chapel where she had spent most of her childhood was packed to capacity. Snow lingered on the ground, giving the place a winter wonderland look. The chapel had been decorated by the women of the church, and there were balloons, winter white, gold and blue suspended from the high arched ceilings. The pews had been polished to a high sheen and matching crepe papers dotted the plain white walls.

The musical interlude started, indicating that her duty as maid of honor was almost at an end. She marched in slowly, holding her bouquet of peonies, baby's breath and sprigs of rosemary. Her smile winked out as she stared at her brother, who lookedachingly handsome in his dark blue tux. His thick dark hair was properly brushed and combed in a high afro. And he looked nervous.

"She's on her way." She whispered as soon as she took her place across from him.

"She'd better be." He muttered. "You clean up well."

"I could say the same about you."

The music changed, and a hush descended as everyone turned to face the arched doorway. Yasmine heard her brother's gasp and could not help the pang of envy settling inside her.

He slipped in just as the couple were finished exchanging their vows. He had been away for a few days and almost did not manage to make it back. He just had enough time to go home, take a quick shower and change into something else before rushing out the door again.

Deciding to stay at the back, he ignored the startled eyes trained on him as he stared at her. Her profile was turned towards him, and he saw when she smiled as the couple were pronounced husband and wife. The dress suited her, he thought with a pang. The blue was stunning against her skin. Was she even more radiant and beautiful than when he had last seen her, he wondered achingly. The need to touch her was such, he could barely stand it. He had spent the most miserable time of his life being away from her.

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