"What's up?" I say, offering Bryn a quick smile. "You snuck off and met Matt, didn't you?"
"Yeah. How could you tell?" Bryn looks embarrassed which is cute.
"You walked out with lipstick and came back with none. That's a dead giveaway," I say.
She rolls her eyes, her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink. "I think he wants to ask me to marry him soon."
"Wow. Really?" I'm surprised, yet not. If any of those guys were a not-so-secret romantic, it'd be Matt. He's never tried to hide it either, but his worshipful side has come out big time since Bryn came into his life. "That's wonderful."
"Yes." Bryn shrugs, her expression turning miserable. "It is."
I stand up and peer at her, noting the way she tilts her head so her gaze is cast downward. Like she doesn't want to look me in the eye. "What's wrong?"
Bryn shakes her head. "Nothing. Let's focus on you. It's your wedding day. You don't need to worry about my insecurities."
Beautiful Bryn has insecurities? "You're worried about your relationship with Matt and whether he loves you or not? I don't think you should be concerned. That man is so gaga over you it's sort of disgusting." Matt is always shooting Bryn moony looks, like he can't believe she's with him. "He's madly in love with you."
"And I'm madly in love with him but . . . I'm scared." Bryn whispers the last two words and lifts her head so I can see the tears welling up in her eyes. "So stupid. I know we have a great relationship, but it's moving so fast. We haven't been together that long but all of a sudden he wants to marry me? How can he be sure? Does he even know the real me? Do I even know the real him?"
"Oh Bryn." I give her an awkward hug because I don't want to wrinkle our dresses or mess up our hair. "Don't worry about the what-ifs or how fast your relationship has moved. You love Matt. He loves you. Be happy that he's so willing to commit to you."
"I know. You're right. I should be happy." Bryn fans her hands in front of her eyes, like that's going to stop her from crying. I can feel my own eyes answering the call to cry with her, but I try my best to ignore it. I do not want to ruin my makeup. "And it's your wedding day which means I need to shut the hell up and quit whining."
I start to laugh and shake my head. "I think weddings make everyone emotional. You're not the first person to fall apart on me. Still"-I wag my finger at her, my voice turning stern-"you need to stop crying before you ruin your makeup. The ceremony is going to start soon and the only one allowed to hold it up is me."
"Okay. Right. You're so right." Bryn sniffs and wipes delicately beneath her eyes with the tips of her fingers. "I'll touch it up and pretend we never had this conversation."
"No." I shake my head and take her hands, squeezing them gently. "We'll resume this conversation later, all right? I'm here for you. You've been such a support to me through all of this. I'm not about to ignore you during your time of need."
Bryn smiles. "You and Ivy are the best friends ever, you know that?"
I smile in return. "Right back at you, sweetie." My smile fades. "I miss Ivy though. We need to call her. I hope she's okay."
Ivy
"GET IT OUT! Oh, my God." I let my head fall back against the pillows. My entire body aches, especially my back. My water broke about twenty minutes ago and the nurse said I'm transitioning, whatever the hell that means. I can't pay attention; that's Archer's job. I'm too busy birthing his baby.
"Babe. You need to calm down. Reserve your energy." He's right by my side, smoothing my hair away from my forehead, offering me water or ice chips from a little paper cup the nurse brought by earlier. What I'd really like is a sandwich but they're not giving me anything to eat until after the baby comes.
Ugh. I'm starving.
Shivers move through me to the point where I can't seem to stop shaking, and I have no idea what's wrong with me. "Y-you're r-right," I say through chattering teeth. Archer slips his arm around my shoulders, and I lean against him, my forehead pressing into his jaw as he comforts me. He's been sitting on the edge of the hospital bed since we arrived, always with an encouraging word or a kiss on the forehead.
I really, really love this man. And I would really, really love to have this baby. Now.
"You cold?" He rubs my shoulder and tugs me even closer which makes me wince. I don't want to protest since I love nothing more than being in my husband's arms, but I am incredibly uncomfortable. In pain. I feel like I'm about to drop a two ton brick from my vagina-not that I would ever repeat that to Archer-and I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night, and now I think I know why.