A Tricky Proposition(55)

But in the half-hour lull between photos and ceremony, she had more than enough quiet to contemplate what might have been for her and to ponder the future.

She kept apart from the rest of the group, not wanting her bout of melancholy to mar the bride and groom’s perfect day. Shortly before the ceremony was supposed to start, Jason approached her and squeezed her hand.

“You look pensive.”

“I was just thinking about the baby.”

“Me, too.” His expression was grave. “I want to tell everyone I’m the father.”

Ming’s heart convulsed. Last night, after discovering she was pregnant, she’d longed to stand at Jason’s side and tell everyone they were having a baby. Of course, doing it would bring up questions about whether or not they were together.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“The only reason you wanted to keep quiet was because you didn’t want to hurt Evan. But he’s moved on with your sister.”

“So you decided this because Evan and Lily are involved?”

“It isn’t about them. It’s about us. I’m going to be in the child’s life on a daily basis.” His expression was more determined than she’d ever seen it. “I think I should be there as his dad rather than as Uncle Jason.”

He’d said us.

Only it wasn’t about her and Jason. Not in the way she wanted. Ming’s heart shuddered like a damaged window battered by strong winds. At any second it could shatter into a thousand pieces. She loved the idea that he wanted to be a father, but she couldn’t ignore her yearning to have him be there for her as well.

“Come on, you two,” Missy called as the wedding party began moving into position near the church’s inner door. “We’re on.”

Jason strode to his position in line and Ming relaxed her grip on her bouquet before the delicate stems of the Gerber daisies snapped beneath the intensity of her conflicting emotions.

As maid of honor, Rachel’s sister, Hailey, was already in place behind Max and his parents. The music began signaling the trio to start down the aisle. The groom looked relaxed and ready as he accompanied his parents to their places at the front of the church.

The bright flowers in Ming’s hands quivered as she stood beside Nathan. He appeared on edge. His distress let Ming forget about her own troubles.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Lines bracketed his mouth. “I tried to convince Emma to stay home. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she’s really having a difficult time today. I’m worried about her.”

“I’m sure it’s natural to be uncomfortable when you’re past your due date,” Ming said and saw immediately that her words had little effect on the overprotective father-to-be. “She’ll let you know if anything is wrong.”

“I’m concerned that she won’t.” He glanced behind him at the bride. “She didn’t want anything to disturb your day.”

Rachel put her hand on Nathan’s arm, her expression sympathetic. “I appreciate both of you being here today, but if you think she needs to be at home, take her there right after the ceremony.”

Nathan leaned down and grazed Rachel’s cheek with his lips. “I will. Thank you.”

He seemed marginally less like an overwound spring as they took their turn walking down the aisle. It might have helped that his wife beamed at him from the second row. Ming’s stomach twisted in reaction to their happiness. Even for someone who wasn’t newly pregnant and madly in love with a man who refused to feel the same way, it was easy to get overwhelmed by emotions at a wedding. Holding herself together became easier as she watched Rachel start down the aisle.

The bride wore a long strapless dress unadorned by beading or lace. Diamond and pearl earrings were her only jewelry. Her styling was romantic and understated, allowing the bride’s beauty and her utter happiness to shine.

With her father dead and her mother out of her life since she was four, Rachel had no one to give her away. Ming’s sadness lasted only until she realized this was the last time Rachel would walk alone. At the end of the ceremony, she would be Max’s wife and part of his family.

Ming swallowed past the lump in her throat as the minister began talking. The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. She was roused out of her thoughts by the sound of clapping. Max had swept Rachel into a passionate kiss. The music began once more and the happy couple headed back down the aisle, joined for life.

Because they’d been the last up the aisle, Nathan and Ming were the last to return down it. They didn’t get far, however. As they drew near Emma, Ming realized something was wrong. Nathan’s wife was bending forward at the waist and in obvious pain. When Nathan hastened to her side, she clutched his forearm and leaned into his strength.