Page 91 of Forgive Not Forget
Rebecca picked a bit of fluff off Katherine’s jacket. “Decided not to go for a traditional dress then?”
“I thought I’d let Anna have that pleasure since I’ve already done the elaborate wedding dress.”
Her thoughts fell back to her first wedding; it had been quite the big, traditional event. Katherine would have been happy with a small ceremony, yet Helena insisted on the full works. She’d said at the time that they were only getting married once, so they might as well do it in style. Katherine took in a deep breath. Here she was doing it again, which was fine. Helena was gone, and Katherine deserved every happiness she could find with Anna.
“She’d be proud of you if she could see you now,” Rebecca said, smoothing the material back down with her fingers.
“I know she would.” Katherine’s heart warmed at the fact that Rebecca’s thoughts had drifted to the same place. She checked her watch as she had been every few minutes since she’d got up. “Right, it’s two forty. That gives us a few minutes for champagne. There’s a half-full bottle left that Laura and Anna started, and you know me, I can’t have a half-finished bottle in the house.”
“Damn right.” Rebecca chuckled as she followed Katherine through the sitting room to the kitchen. Four faces were staring at two presenters on the television as they warmed the audience up for an impending football match.
“I’m intrigued,” Rebecca continued as they reached the kitchen. “How did you get a registrar at such short notice?”
“I offered them a lifetime membership to the abbey.”
Rebecca’s face fell flat. “You bribed a government official?”
“Of course not.” Katherine rolled her eyes. “They had a cancellation.”
“A cancellation that so happened to coincide with your birthday?”
“Shh,” Katherine hissed, checking if anyone in the sitting room had overheard. She extracted the open bottle of champagne from the fridge. “No one knows but you and Anna. I really don’t want any fuss, reminders, or surprises, thank you.”
Rebecca laughed at her as she fetched down two flutes. “Your secret is safe with me… if you insist.”
“I do. I don’t want anything to overshadow today.”
“Not even your half-century?”
Katherine passed a glass over to her. “Not even that.”
“In that case, happy birthday, my dear friend.”
Katherine clinked Rebecca’s glass. “Thank you.”
Rebecca downed the champagne in one go. “Right, let’s get the two of you wed.”
“Yes, let’s.” Katherine followed suit and drained her glass. “You take everyone over, and we’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Right, everyone!” Rebecca clapped as she entered the sitting room. “Off we go. We’ve got a wedding to attend.”
Katherine watched as Rebecca herded everyone out. Harry was managed between her and Mabel. Once the house had fallen silent, Katherine walked through to the hallway where Laura was slipping out the front door.
Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up the stairs to see Anna in a floor-length, A-line, ivory wedding dress. Long curls cascaded over her shoulders and down her long, lace sleeves. Katherine drank her in as she descended the stairs. The small hint of make-up enhanced her bold, brown eyes, and her subtle red lips glistened, calling out to be kissed. How was Anna hers?
“You look… breathtaking,” she said, the truth in this case. “It’s a beautiful dress. Sadly, all I’m going to be thinking about is getting you out of it later.”
Anna’s gaze fell over Katherine. “You look amazing too. Somehow I knew you’d avoid the traditional gown.”
“I wanted everyone to be looking at you. I know I will be.” Katherine reached out for her hand as she descended the last step.
“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this. And on your fiftieth birthday.”
“It’s the best birthday present I can imagine.” Katherine stroked Anna’s face, unable to stop herself from touching her.
Anna squinched her nose. “I just want to kiss you, but I don’t want to smear our make-up — whichwillhappen if I kiss you.”
“Then let’s wait until after.”
