A Baby In The House

“September sixth.” Seeing Krystal’s jaw drop open, she quickly added, “I know, it doesn’t give us much time, but we’ve hired a wedding coordinator who assures us it’s possible. Still, I feel as if I have too much to do.”

“I would think so. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Actually, there is. You could be one of my bridesmaids.”

The invitation caught Krystal by surprise. “You want me to be in the wedding?”

Dena nodded and looked at her expectantly, waiting for her response, only Krystal didn’t know what to say. “That is so sweet of you to ask me, but…” She paused, searching for the right words to decline without hurting Dena’s feelings.

“But I shouldn’t have asked because we haven’t been friends all that long,” Dena finished for her, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Krystal. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

Krystal reached for her hand. “You didn’t. I’m honored that you asked me. The fact that you did says a lot about our friendship.”

“But you still don’t want to do it.”

“I want to, but…” She hated to bring up the subject, but knew she had no choice. “You know I’m pregnant.”

Dena gave her a blank look. “Yeah, so what?”

“So all eyes are supposed to be on you, the bride. By September sixth I’m going to be just far enough along that people will be wondering if I’m having a baby or if I’m just getting fat. You don’t need that kind of distraction at your wedding.”

“Have you been talking to Maddie? She’s worried about the same thing and I’m going to tell you what I told her. It doesn’t matter if your belly sticks out like a watermelon, which it won’t. I want you to be in my wedding.”

Maddie Donovan was a dear friend to both of them. Although she’d already married Leonie’s son Dylan and moved to France before Dena had moved into 14 Valentine Place, her friendship with Dena went back to their college days when they’d been roommates. Had it not been for Maddie, Dena wouldn’t have rented her old room at the boardinghouse and she and Krystal wouldn’t have become friends.

“Is Maddie going to be in the wedding?” Krystal asked.

“Yes. I convinced her that I had found the perfect dress to cover what she refers to her as her walrus-shaped body, although I can’t imagine Maddie looking anything but gorgeous no matter how much weight she gains.”

“Are there dresses that can hide pregnant tummies?”

“Actually, there are.” She thumbed through the magazine until she’d found the page she wanted, then shoved it toward Krystal. “Look at this plum one. See how high the waistline is? It’s perfect for you and Maddie…and my sister-in-law, Lisa, too. She’s going to be my matron of honor, and having had three kids, she also wants to hide her bulges.”

“Don’t dresses in these magazines take months to order?”

“Not a problem. Quinn’s sister has a friend who works in a bridal shop and she says she can put a rush on them and get them in time, but I do need to get moving on this, which is why I really need an answer from you…like today.” She gave her an apologetic grin.

Krystal wanted to say yes. Dena had only lived across the hall from her for six months, yet in that time they’d become good friends. She also liked Dena’s fiancé Quinn, who was the only man Leonie had allowed to live upstairs. A close friend of the family he had become like a brother to Krystal, as well.

“Would it make it any easier for you to say yes if I said you could bring Roy as your date?” Dena asked when she continued to deliberate.

“Good grief, no!” Her response was forceful enough that Dena apologized.

“I guess that means you haven’t worked things out.”

“No, and we aren’t going to.”

“I’m sorry. I thought…with the baby…” She trailed off, looking a bit self-conscious.

Krystal reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I should have told you before now that Roy isn’t the father of my baby.”

Dena tried not to look shocked, but Krystal knew she was. Although she’d dated many men, Roy had been the only serious relationship she’d had since living at 14 Valentine Place. It was only natural that people would expect that she was carrying his child. Krystal knew it was what most of her friends would think when they learned of her pregnancy.

“Have you told the father?” Dena asked in a quiet voice.

Krystal shook her head. “Not yet. I want to, but it’s complicated.” She wished she could tell her just how complicated it was, but she couldn’t. Not with the wedding only weeks away.

“Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, you’ll let me know, right?”

Krystal nodded. “Thanks for caring, but I’m afraid the only thing you can do is not mention to anyone that I’m pregnant.”

Dena held up her hand. “That goes without saying. I won’t say a word.”

“What about Quinn? He was the one who found my home pregnancy test in the bathroom,” she reminded her.

“Yes, but I’m not sure he even realizes it was yours. At the time I told him it could belong to any one of a number of your friends who’d stayed with you. Don’t forget. He’s lived upstairs so he knows how popular you are.”

“I usually do have people coming and going, don’t I?” she said, hoping Dena was right about Quinn.

“Yes, but if you’re worried, I can speak to him about it.”

“Would you mind?”

“No, not at all. Now, back to my request,” Dena said with an endearing smile. “Will you be my bridesmaid?”

As tempting as it was to decline her request, Krystal could see by the look on Dena’s face how important it was to her. “If you’re sure you want me, then yes, I’d love to be in your wedding.”

Dena leaned over to give her a hug. “Thank you. It’ll be so much easier for me to do this whole wedding thing knowing you and Maddie will be there.”

Easier for Dena maybe, but more difficult for Krystal. “How many people are coming?”

“We wanted to keep it small, but that’s not easy to do when your fiancé is a professional hockey player.” She flipped open her day planner. “Here’s what’s been decided so far.”

They spent the next two hours discussing everything from what music should be played at the church to what lingerie Dena should take on her honeymoon. It was exactly the kind of girl talk Krystal needed and she appreciated the fact that Dena made no other references to her pregnancy.

“So now you know why I’m so nervous,” Dena said as she stacked her day planner on top of the bridal magazine. “By the time this wedding is over, I’m going to be a basket case and you are going to be happy to be rid of me.”

“I most certainly will not be. I hate the thought of you leaving,” Krystal said sincerely. “I’m glad you decided not to move out until after the wedding. Do you know if Leonie has found someone for the third floor?”

“You haven’t heard?” When Krystal gave her a blank look, she continued. “I thought you would know all about it. You see more of Garret than I do.”

Krystal frowned. “Know what?”

“Your plan worked.”

Krystal was puzzled. “What plan?”

“Going with him to the hospital ball to make his old girlfriend jealous. It must have worked.”