Casey pointed a finger. “Em, you promised!”

“I can’t help it. It’s the hormones making me even more emotionally crazy!”

“Ugh, you seriously have to quit the waterworks or you’ll have me crying, and this waterproof stuff only works so much.”

“Fine, I’ll go put on my dress.”

“Good. And while you’re at it, think of disgusting things, people who piss you off—anything not to be crying.”

Emma swept a hand to her hip. “Don’t you think people will wonder why you’re very pregnant bridesmaid has such a ‘screw you’ look on her face?”

Casey laughed. “As long as you’re not crying, we’re good.”

“You’re impossible,” Emma grumbled as she slipped into the dressing room. The maroon dress hung in its bag on the hook where Aidan had delivered it. She slipped into it, and then after trying to wrestle with the zipper, she headed back into the main room for help. Carlee, Casey’s sixteen year old sister, happily obliged.

Emma eyed her reflection in the mirror as a knock came at the door. “It’s Aidan,” a voice called. Carlee giggled as she ran to open the door.

When Aidan stepped inside, his gaze flickered over the room for her. The moment he saw her, he beamed. “You look beautiful!”

Emma grinned. “Thank you.” Staring down at her dress, she shook her head. “Frankly, I feel like an Oompa Loompa at the moment!”

“Trust me, babe, you don’t look like one.” When she gave him a skeptical look, Aidan winked at her. “Then I must have a Willy Wonka fetish because I’d like to devour you right this instant.”

Emma smacked his arm playfully as Casey asked, “And what about me? No compliments for the bride?”

Without missing a beat, Aidan said, “You’re an exquisite vision of perfection in white who will take Nate’s breath away the moment he sees you.”

Casey grinned. “Smooth Big Papa, very smooth.”

He leaned in and pecked her check. “It’s the truth.”

“I’ll take it then,” she replied.

“I’m so glad to get to be a part of your happy day.”

“So am I,” Casey replied, with a wink.

Emma’s mouth gaped at their exchange, especially when Casey kissed Aidan’s cheek as well. What happened to her hating him? Was the very fact he had been willing to stand in and save the day enough to make Casey forgive Aidan for all he had done wrong?

“Did you need something?” she asked.

“I just wanted to check on you, see how you’re feeling, but most of all, I wanted to bask in your rapturous beauty.”

“OMG, that’s so sweet!” Carlee exclaimed while one of the other bridesmaids bobbed her head.

Aidan’s lips curled into a cocky grin at their appreciation of his sentiments while

Emma rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

He laughed. “Actually, it’s time to take the bridal party photographs.”

“I thought as much.”

Aidan placed his hand on her shoulders, his expression waxing concern. “I may have been joking, but I did want to check on you.”

Her heart warmed at the seriousness his tone had taken. “I’m fine.”

His lips tightened into a hard line. “Try to stay off your feet as much as you can today.”

“Aidan,” she protested.

“I’m serious.”

“I was cleared to return to work and all normal activity two weeks ago, remember?”

“That still doesn’t mean you should be going full throttle all the time. It was one thing going back to work, but between the rehearsal dinner and bachelorette party this week, you’ve been pushing yourself.”

As much as she hated to admit it, she was exhausted. “Okay, okay, Mr. Bossy. When we finish with the pictures, I’ll sit down and put my feet up until the ceremony.”

A pleased smile filled his lips. “Good.” He brushed one of the curly tendrils out of her face. “But save me at least one dance at the reception.”

Her stomach clenched at the very mention of the reception. Not only was she singing at the ceremony, but Casey had asked her to sing during hers and Nate’s first dance. Aidan must’ve noticed her apprehension because he drew her to him. “Getting stage fright?”

She gulped down the rising bile in her throat. “A little.”

“You’ll sound amazing. You always do.”

“I hope so,” she croaked.

He pulled away to cup her face in his hands. “Well, I know so.” He brought his lips to hers. Both a calming and pleasing tingle spread from the top of her head down to her toes.

“No, no, no! Don’t you two start! You’ll ruin Emma’s make-up before the pictures!” Casey protested.

Aidan groaned against her lips before Emma broke apart from him. “You are such a bridezilla,” he kidded.

Casey laughed. “Watch it, Big Papa. I might find another purse to nail you with.”

With a shake of his head, Aidan only chuckled at her jibe. “Don’t think I haven’t warned Nate to steer clear of you when you’re pissed and wielding a purse. It’s a dangerous weapon!”

Emma continued to be so shocked by their friendly banter that she merely followed dumbly behind them as they walked into the sanctuary. After taking a million pictures, first with Casey, and then after she disappeared, with Nate, Emma began to feel her face was frozen in a smile, and she might be blinded from all the flashbulbs.

All too soon it was time for the ceremony to start. Emma took her place in front of Carlee and gazed out at the massive crowd in attendance. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched as Casey took her father’s arm. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’ll always be my little girl,” he said.

A pang of sadness washed over Emma that her own father would never walk her down the aisle. At the same time, she knew that if she and Aidan ever married, Granddaddy would be more than happy to do the honors. She turned away from her feelings of sadness and regret. Instead she embraced the ones of pure and complete happiness at the future ahead for both herself and Casey.

She didn’t have to force a beaming smile to her face when she met Aidan at the altar door. As she slipped her arm through his to take their walk down the aisle, Noah gave a gentle kick. She couldn’t help feeling like the most blessed woman on earth.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Emma sat with the bridal party at the head table under multiple glittering chandeliers. She couldn’t believe how beautiful everything looked from the overflowing floral arrangements to the ice sculptures. Casey and Nate’s families had gone all out for the reception.