EMMA

Today's the big day. Gemma's big day. It'll be the wedding of the year, at least, although this decade is probably more likely.

All our careful planning and every minuscule decision comes down to tonight's ceremony and reception. Thinking about everything - the dish-ware and the napkins, the centerpieces and goodie bags, the menu and the desert buffet, the music, speeches and floral arrangements - coming together gives me tingles all over.

Rolling over and stifling a yawn, I catch the time on my phone.

Ugh. Five A.M.

Gemma wanted something romantic and whimsical and of course, chose a site over state lines. The pictures of the location, physically seen only by the couple pre-ceremony, do look perfect, somewhere along the lines of what you'd expect from a woodland fairy getting married.

Large trees with thick trunks and billowing branches, covered in light petals and hanging moss, string lights and silk curtains to decorate the scene, all looking over an ever calm lake.

It will be lovelier than any wedding I've ever been to.

Even still, Adam and I have lots of driving to do today. Especially since the bride and groom would like to stay separated until the ceremony.

Which isn't so bad, considering the awkward news I shared with Adam earlier this week...

Okay, enough dallying. Time to get going. As I sit up, a little tumbling feeling in my lower belly stops me in my tracks.

Was that...?

With one hand over my mouth, I use the other to gently press my abdomen and receive a soft flutter in response.

"Oh, my God," I whisper, warmth erupting in my chest. The baby twitches again, so gently it's almost not noticeable, and I can't help the little squeal that escapes my lips. This hasn't happened before, or if it has, I've been too preoccupied to feel it.

"Hi baby," I murmur softly to my stomach, grabbing my phone immediately and waiting for the call to connect.

"Beau?" I blurt as soon as he picks up, not giving him the chance to even say hello. "Beau, you should come over now."

"What?" His tone is serious, concerned. "Is something wrong? Are you okay?"

Zeus barks loudly in the background, picking up on the edge in his dad's voice and I smack my forehead guiltily.

"Oh," I realize stupidly. "Everything is fine. I'm sorry for worrying you, I just... I felt the baby kick."

I rub a slow circle over my skin, hoping for another reaction, but get none.

Sleeping, maybe, I conclude with a twinge of disappointment.

"You felt the baby kick?" Beau repeats slowly as if he's testing the words on his tongue. "That's a good thing, right?"

"Right," I smile to myself, still trying to coax another twitch out of the little one. "He's stopped now."

"He?" Beau catches immediately.

"I shouldn't say that," I admit, allowing my head to hit the pillow for a few more minutes. "It's just a feeling."

Every time I think about our baby, I picture a little boy with big, round cheeks and happy, green eyes. His hair is dark in my imagination, because I've only ever seen Beau's dyed black. He's the perfect, baby version of Beau - sweet and innocent, and oh, so loved.

"Oh," Beau finally murmurs.

I can't tell if he sounds disappointed or not. Hm.

"You know, we could just ask the doctor. So we don't have to wait."

I roll my eyes at the conversation we've had a few times before. I want to be surprised, to have no expectations, despite my instincts. Beau is as impatient as ever.

"Patience is a virtue." I remind him.

"That's what you keep saying," He chuckles. "Should I still come now?"

Sighing when the baby doesn't resume its movements inside my belly, I finally rise to my feet and into the master bath.

"No, I still have to finish packing. I'll see you in an hour."

When I put the phone onto my vanity and take a good look at myself in the mirror, I see what people mean when they say pregnant women glow. My skin, behind the freckles, looks better than ever. Like the happiness is just seeping through every pore.

I smile at the idea, even more excited than I'll admit that Beau is driving me to Adam and Connor's place before the wedding. A weekend without him has once again become a rarity and I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it.

That might be stupid of me, but today, I won't let myself think about that. Because today is a happy day.

I brush my hair quickly, just a little bit in need of a wash like the hairstylist instructed, and finish getting ready for when Beau arrives.

***

"Remember, you can call me if you want to leave early." Beau narrows his eyes as Adam trots down the stairs outside of their apartment complex. "I'll come out."

"It's two hours away," I laugh, glad to see we're still exactly on schedule to arrive by nine.

Plenty of time for hair, makeup and any last minute catastrophes before the ceremony.

"Still." He grunts, rolling down his window reluctantly as Adam leans inside, a happy grin plastered on his face.

"Woo-hoo wedding day!" He shouts, "Ready to go, Emma? Hey Beau, how's it going?" He taps Beau's shoulder and for a moment, I think Beau might punch him right then. "Thanks for letting me borrow Em for the evening. If you third-wheeled this couple, you'd get it."

He gives me playful, knowing eyes but Beau doesn't even grunt a response, his eyes focused somewhere straight ahead through the windshield. I notice the little muscle in his jaw flexing when Adam calls me Em and have to grab my bags from the back to hide my blush.

Men.

"Let me grab those," Adam offers, coming to my side of the car and taking my duffel and backpack from me. "I'll bring them upstairs, keep the door open for you. We're all finishing up loading the cars - not Con and Gemma, obviously."

"Where are they?" I clasp my hands together excitedly, feeling almost giddy. I can't wait to give Gemma a squeeze.

"Locked in two separate bedrooms." Adam grins, hoisting my bag over his shoulder as he heads inside, allowing me some privacy to say goodbye.

"Tell Gemma congrats for me." Beau says stiffly, leg already bouncing impatiently as I come to his window to say goodbye.

"I will," I promise, biting my bottom lip. Not thinking better of it and in too good of a mood to care anyways, I lean in and place a swift kiss on Beau's cheek. "Have a good weekend."

"You, too. Have fun." After a second, the corner of Beau's lip turns up in a half smirk. After I've taken a couple steps away and he's started his engine again, he calls after me. "But not too much fun!"

Just inside the door of the large but charming bed and breakfast the family is renting for the evening, I shift in my heels. I gnaw at my bottom lip, wiping my lip gloss clean, as I adjust my bouquet to best hide my belly.

The light green gown Gemma and I chose is flattering due to some clever seam work and a flattering cut, but I still feel exposed. It'll be my first time bearing the belly in public.

And how public it is, standing at the altar of a wedding.

"Are you ready?" I turn my attention to Gemma, more stunning than any bride in all the magazines in her dramatic but romantic lace gown and never ending veil. "This is it."

Her mother, Nadine, and Laney have walked down the outdoor aisle already and I'm up next. Then her father will take her to Connor. Just imagining it now brings tears to my eyes, the thought bittersweet.

God, I'll be a mess during their vows.

Getting ready was chaotic, as I knew it would be. Nadine and I were dressed and ready to go when Laney suddenly tore her gown on a rogue nail in the bridal suite.

Of course that led to the blowout argument we'd all been waiting for the past couple of months: G accused Laney of stealing her day and Laney told Gemma she was spoiled. Gemma's mother stepped in to call her sister and Laney's mother, an ungrateful witch who raised one even more wicked. What Laney's mother replied, I'm not entirely sure, it was almost to shrill to comprehend.

A few moments and some champagne later, they were back to giggling and singing Gemma's bridal praises, like one, happy family. All pretty much as expected, with Gemma's family. Nadine and I maintained a respectful quiet until the storm passed.

Gemma nods up at me finally, pink lips pursed tightly together as she grips her father's arm frantically. He is emotionless, likely because he was already a blubbering mess moments ago, and doesn't seem to pick up on her nerves.

Still unsure, I hear my cue in the procession. I lift my foot to walk over the threshold and through the curtain, when suddenly Gemma pulls me backwards.

"Emma, wait." She snatches my forearm tightly, tugging me away from her father. "I'm scared."

I can't help but laugh until I realize that she's serious. "Oh, Gemma." I place a hand on her cheek, softly pushing a bouncy curl from her perfectly made-up face. "You aren't scared of anything."

"But I am now," Her dark eyes fill with tears, threatening to stain her cheeks with mascara. "What if I'm making a huge mistake?"

Wrapping my arm over her shoulder carefully, I pull her close, tucking her veiled head beneath my chin. I hear the music stop playing, a low rumble of voices coming through the curtain.

How long until they send someone to check that we haven't run off in a secret getaway car? I'd happily drive, but I know it's not really what she wants.

"Remember what you told me the day you met Connors family?" I speak softly, gently, tracing soothing lines into the sleeves of her gown.

She nods against my cheek.

"What'd you tell me?"

"That his family was so nice." She dabs her eyes with manicured fingers. "That for once, my boyfriends family actually liked me."

We laugh together, her sniffles slowing. "And what else?"

"That was the day Con said he loved me, but I didn't say it back. Because I was scared." She hiccups.

I nod to keep her going.

"Because I never felt like that before."

"Felt like what?" I whisper, a smile cracking at the memory. She's come so far.

"At home." Gemma finally replies, instantly standing straighter and with more purpose.

"That's right." We pull apart and I grab her shoulders, squeezing tightly. "You can do this, Gem. You're going to be an amazing, kick-ass wife, okay? Now let's go, Connor's waiting for you."

She laughs, blinking back the rest of her tears, and nods, waving me on. "Okay, you're right. Now go, don't mess my wedding up anymore than it already has been."

I roll my eyes, resolving my giggles into a composed smile as I step through the silk curtain and onto the aisle, lined with white linen.

The band begins playing again, the traditional processional music adding a timeless flare to the whole event.

Long and lined with white and soft green petals, the aisle takes me to where Connor, Adam, and their other college roommates are standing beneath a wood-crafted arch, the moss and flowers flowing gently in the breeze over their heads.

I take my place and turn in time to watch Gemma walk - radiant and glowing and everything a bride should be. Her smile is the biggest I've ever seen it the entire way, her gaze never faltering from her husband to be.

The ceremony is emotional, a blur really, going by way too fast. Except for the vows they've written themselves - as we listen to them declare their love, things move slower, like the world knows this is a precious moment.

My heart aches, missing someone deeply, before bursting with pride again when I hear Gemma finally say "I do."

There's no time to be sad, not today.

Cheering with the rest of their friends and family, I turn and catch Adam staring at me, dark eyes full of emotion. Breath catching in my throat, I ignore the tingly feeling in my belly and refocus on giving the new couple my applause.

"So Gemma," Connor holds up a flute of bubbling champagne, nearing the end of his toast. "I promise to love you every day. Even though you absolutely terrified me today, wasn't sure you were actually coming out for a second there."

He peers down at Gemma, her head tilted back as she watches him with admiration.

Throwing her hands up in surrender, her face breaks into a wide smile. "You know me, I had to make an entrance."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Connor grins proudly as the rest of us laugh, a chorus of love and support. "To a lifetime of watching you make grand entrances, then."

Friends and family raise their flutes and I lift my water, finally content that Gemma has found the right guy for her.

Beside me, Adam leans in closer, placing his napkin atop his finished dinner plate. "Kinda makes you want to say to hell with it and get married, doesn't it?"

Taking my last bite of pasta - immaculately creamy in cheesy white sauce, sautéed per person by the five star pasta chef Gemma hired, I laugh lightly.

"Oh, I don't know," I steal a glance at the extra bread on my dish. "Not everyone gets so lucky."

Adam meets my eyes, brows furrowing. My belly flip flops at the intensity of his stare, the tingles buzzing all over my skin under his gaze.

"You're right." He says finally, turning back to the rest of the toasts.

The rest of the night goes by quickly - between trailing Gemma to make sure she remains picture perfect at all times, doing my due diligence to say hello to all the guests and ensure their evening is going smoothly, and trying to capture any memories the professional photographers might miss, I'm exhausted.

The dance floor is crowded, her family all as wild as Gemma when they're drinking. Connor's family is more reserved but by this time into the night, they're feeling the effects of the open bar, too.

As the sun sets, sparkling fairy lights light up the sky overhead, twinkling like stars. The upbeat, dance music morphs into a slow, romantic melody as Gemma and Connor take the center of the floor.

Other couples join them, swaying in time to the music, the words of love everlasting bringing tears to a few.

Adam approaches me at the table then, finishing up a conversation with his and Connor's parents. Settling beside me, he lets out a long exhale.

"Long day, huh?"

"But worth it." I agree, hand on my heart as I watch my friend dance the night away with her new husband.

"So, I think as your date I'm entitled to at least one slow dance." Adam extends a hand to me, kind smile in his eyes. "What do you say?"

"That seems about fair." Nodding, I stand, self-conscious about the belly without my flowers to hide behind.

Grinning even wider, Adam grips my hand gently, gracefully leading me to the dance floor. So delicately, as if I'll break, he places his hands on the small of my back, peering down at me warmly.

Resting my own hands on his neck, I feel my pulse quicken as my hands touch his body, feel the tickle of his dark curls against my skin. He pulls me a little closer into his chest and it's like electricity is shooting straight to my heart, his embrace warm,  comfortable, and unfamiliar all at once.

What's going on? It's just Adam. Unless it's not just Adam...

Catching my eye, he grins brightly, lightening the mood without even trying.

"You look beautiful, by the way." He lifts a hand from my back to push a curl behind my ear. My breath hitches in my throat as his fingertips trace my shoulder, eventually finding its place on my back once more. "The prettiest girl here."

"Gemma is a gorgeous bride." I chastise with a blush, narrowing my eyes at him in mock reprimand.

"Even still." He winks. "Just don't tell her or Connor that."

Laughing softly, we resume our dance, one slow song fading into another, the evening sky darkening all around us. Nervous, excited, frenzied energy buzzes through my veins, messing with my head.

I rest my cheek comfortably on Adam's shoulder, allowing his movements to guide my tired body and exasperated mind, as we twirl and sway and spin until the music finally stops.

Pulling away, Adam doesn't drop my hands, our fingers intertwined as he gazes down at me, eyes emotional, expression conflicted. The look catches me off guard and even though I know there are people around, laughter and cheers, it's like it's just us two, nothing breaking our connection.

Glancing up at the bed and breakfast, where our individual rooms await us for tonight's rest, Adam wets his bottom lip with his tongue. Leaning in close so his breath tickles my ear, Adam speaks softly into my hair.

"Do you want to go upstairs, Emma?"

Happy Friday!!
PHEWWWW - long chapter lovelies.
But just so much I needed to get in there!
I know how you get nervous with the cliffhangers - my apologies friends - you know how I am!
Nevertheless... will Emma go upstairs with Adam?
See ya in the comments + remember to vote if you enjoyed!