Page 67 of Pierced Pages
“I just… I know how much you want kids, and I know you’ll be a great mother one day,” Morgan said. “But I don’t think I can be like you. Or like Danielle. Or like anyone who would be halfway decent at this job.”
Felicia turned and put her hands on Morgan’s shoulders. “Then be like you. That’s enough.”
That’s enough.
But was it?
“Seriously, we should get you outside,” Morgan nodded toward the door. “That photographer looked mean.”
“For sure. I picked her for her photography skills, not her personality. Clearly.”
Morgan laughed. “Let’s go, anyway.”
“I’ll go if you promise me you’ll think about what I said before you stop kissing this woman.”
Morgan put a hand on her sister’s back and gently nudged her toward the door. “Promise.”
Chapter 30
Danielle
Danielle slipped into the last pew on the right side of the church. She didn’t know anyone there and wanted to save the closer seats for true family and friends, so she sat beside a woman with a fussy baby who was clearly ready to make a swift exit if necessary.
She’d arrived just before she needed to, so it wasn’t long before the keyboard, trumpet, and vocalist all began playing a procession song to begin the ceremony. Danielle turned toward the back and watched as couples lined up and walked down the aisle together. The women each wore performative smiles, taking their roles as bridesmaids very seriously, while the men looked as if they were marching toward a firing squad.
After three pairs made it past, Danielle’s heart kicked up speed as a familiar face appeared in the doorway. She wore a sage green dress that paired well with her fair skin and dark hair. The halter top of the dress was another good choice as it showed off her broad, leanly muscular shoulders.
Morgan’s eyes darted around the room until her gaze landed upon Danielle, and a genuine smile blossomed on her face.
Danielle wasn’t sure how she was going to continue to contain her heart as it raced in its cage. The rest of her buzzedwith a nervous energy as she smiled back and took in the sight of her date for the evening.
No, not her date.
She was having to remind herself of that fact frequently that day.
Morgan snapped her attention back to the aisle as her groomsman partner took a step without her. She slipped into step alongside him, quickly fading down the aisle until all Danielle could see was her head and shoulders above the rows of people.
Soon though, Danielle could see her again, standing in front of the altar in line beside the other three women waiting as the maid of honor and the best man now made their way up front. But Danielle’s eyes were not on them. Her gaze was firmly glued to the most gorgeous woman up there.
Someone had taken a curling iron to Morgan’s short dark bob, and it was a good look on her. Not quiteher, but it looked nice. Danielle thought it softened Morgan’s features a bit, which was probably what the bridesmaid stylist had been going for. But Danielle didn’t need any part of Morgan softened. Her sharp features, inside and out, were part of her charm. And Danielle had learned firsthand just how soft Morgan really was.
The trumpet played a fanfare as the large wooden doors at the back of the church opened to reveal a gorgeous woman in the most elegant dress Danielle thought she’d ever seen. It had a full bottom, but the top was smooth satin with a sweetheart neckline. The veil was pulled back, so Danielle could see, even from her distant position, the resemblance between the sisters.
The baby beside her fussed, so Danielle turned her attention toward the mother and attempted to grab the baby’s attention by waving her fingers in front of it and letting its tiny hands try to grasp them. The mother gave a grateful smile, and Danielle kept her attention on them as the priest began speaking.
Danielle watchedas Morgan exited through the back doors, then she helped the woman beside her gather up the baby’s toys, bottle, and cloth.
“Thank you so much,” the woman said while she held the baby on one hip and slung her diaper bag over the opposite shoulder. “Really, you were a lifesaver.”
“No problem. I remember what these days were like.”
The woman swung slightly to keep the baby satisfied for the moment. “How old are yours now?”
“Just the one,” Danielle said. “Thirteen.”
“Does it get any easier?”
Danielle gave her a reassuring smile. “Yes, definitely.”
