Page 55 of Secret Match
The soft fabric hugged her waist without pinching in any way.
Befriending the designer had perks. She waited until her mother finished with the last button and instead of turning toward the mirror, she took her mother’s hands in hers and asked, “You approve then?”
“If Gio was twenty-five years older and had asked me to marry him, I’d have said yes too. So I’m happy my daughter found an exception to my rule on men.” Her mother laughed and then directed her to look in the full-length mirror set up for her and then hugged her from behind so they were both seen in the reflection. “And besides, what would you do if I said no now sweetheart?”
Kiwi giggled as she realized she looked even prettier than she’d ever imagined possible. Her mother took the veil and handed it to the hair dresser as Kiwi followed for the finishing touch. “Tell you that you’re crazy, because Gio’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Her mother patted Kiwi’s belly and said, “Good because my grandchild-”
“Granddaughter,” Kiwi interrupted. She’d intended to tell her mother in person when she came home but now was better.
Her mother had tears in her eyes. “A girl!” She clucked her tongue to her teeth like she was scolding though Kiwi knew better as she said, “You’ll have your hands full with your own little diva soon enough.”
Kiwi shook her head until the stylist stuck her curls with a bobby pin. She stopped but met her mother’s teasing gaze in the mirror. “Mama, I’m not a diva.”
Her mother squeezed her shoulder as the stylist finished and said, “I forced you to take math seriously as money comes from being logical.”
“And we were never poor,” Kiwi said because she never once remembered them struggling for anything, though they were never rich like her husband-to-be.
Her mother folded the veil over Kiwi’s face and another tear washed down her cheek. Kiwi waited as her mother wiped her tears away. “Which was how you pursued a hobby that led to your career and now marriage, but will Giorgio Morgan make you a good husband?”
Ah, now there was her mom’s vulnerability. Kiwi hugged her as she said, “Mama, Gio’s amazing.”
“And he’s okay with you helping him raise his boy?” Kiwi adjusted the veil in front of her face and couldn’t help that her feet were light as she quickly jumped for joy.
She removed her veil and gripped her mother’s slender fingers as she made a solemn vow. “Tom is precious. I’ll protect him and raise him as if he was born from me.”
Her mother patted her cheek and then kissed it. “That’s good to hear. Now I’m going to take my seat.”
Kiwi called out to her mother’s back the moment she turned, “Don’t forget to sayyeswhen it’s time to give me away.”
Her mother gave her a wink. “You’ll put me in a retirement home if I don’t.”
Kiwi’s lips parted as she quickly retorted, “I’ll make sure you get the worst nurses as punishment.”
If someone didn’t know they were joking with each other, they’d probably think they were enemies. Her mother stopped at the door and held the knob. “I’m going to go sit with my new grandson now.”
She slipped out and Serenity and Caro entered in similarly styled bridesmaid dresses. Serenity used both of her hands to draw a heart in the air as she walked over in clear approval. “So your mom seems happier now that she’s talked to you.”
“She’s great.” Kiwi patted her hand and loved the pink on Serenity and the purple Caro wore. They’d paid attention to her every detail which was probably Serenity’s ten or more years of knowledge as her best friend, and Caro’s caring nature.
Serenity then stepped back and offered her diamond stud earrings that Kiwi once joked she’d borrow for her own wedding. Kiwi quickly put them on. Now she looked complete as Serenity said, “All the Morgans are here now. And we’re going to be sisters.”
True—nothing might ever break their bond now. Kiwi patted her belly and said, “Our children will grow up together, just as we said years ago.”
Serenity already looked like she’d never had babies though her twins must be outside with her husband. Caro came over and touched Kiwi’s wrist. “Kiwi, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you for this dress.” Kiwi was genuinely appreciative because no one else could have spun together exactly what she wanted and so fast.
Serenity picked up the flower bouquets and handed them out first to Caro as she said, “Now that Victoria and Gio signed the merger you’ll both be in Miami and Italy, so we’ll still see each other all the time.”
Kiwi took her lily and orchid bouquet but also Serenity’s hand as she said, “Um, you and Damien need to come visit me here too.”
Serenity squeezed and released her fingers. “Yes, we’ll bring our children again.”
Victoria popped her head in and then walked in with two men that looked like Gio as she said, “Did I miss anything? Are we ready?”
Caro handed her the last bouquet as Kiwi said, “No. Who are these men with you?”
