Rachel faced the mirror, smoothing down the front of her dress. Megan’s mother’s Virginia house was beautiful, and she’d jumped at the chance to host an impromptu Christmas wedding.
The door opened behind her and she turned, unable to hide the wince.
Steve frowned as he entered. “That’s what I was afraid of.” He held up his hands, hiding her white wedding dress from his view. “I’m not looking at it until you convince me you’re well enough to do this.”
Rachel set one hand on her hip. “Oh, I’m doing this.”
“Not good enough. You want me to send Bradley in here?”
“No!” She didn’t need him playing big brother. Underneath the gruff and the complaining, she figured he was happy for her. He just also needed time to adjust to the fact she was getting married.
Rachel said, “It’s too late now, anyway. We’re already dressed, and the shrimp is going to get warm if we don’t get on with it.”
She looked down then. His suit was amazing. “You look so handsome.”
Steve smoothed down his tie and smiled. He held out one hand, and she placed hers in it. He took her in, head to toe and then back up. “Wow.”
“I forgot to get shoes.”
“Go barefoot.”
Rachel laughed, then groaned and laid a hand on her stomach.
“You aren’t okay.”
She shook her head, still holding his hand. “I want to do this. I might need a nap in a couple of hours, but I don’t want to wait.”
Maybe she was rushing just so the fear didn’t take hold, but she was also trusting God that He would work it all out. They had the rest of their lives to figure out the little things. Rachel wanted to be in his arms, safe. Warm and comforted. Nothing denied, nothing but the two of them together in all the ways they could be.
New, beautiful memories to wash away the past.
He lifted his eyebrows. “Am I invited to this nap?”
She smiled. “Only after it’s official.”
“Good.” He closed the distance between them. “I’m ready to start adding more tallies to the list of honorable things I’ve done in my life.”
He crouched and lifted her into his arms.
“There’s nothing wrong with my legs.”
“I know.” He strode to the door, carrying her.
“I can walk.”
He said nothing.
“I love you.”
He stopped in the hallway, short of where all their friends waited for them, and smiled down at her. “Merry Christmas.”
Rachel smiled, happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Yes, it is.”