Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding

He grinned. “You sound surprised.”

“No, I just didn’t know.”

“So now maybe I’m one small degree more acceptable.”

She didn’t answer, thinking about all that had happened between them. He picked up her hand and brushed a warm kiss across her knuckles. “Stop worrying so much, Ashley.”

“I’m trying, Ryan,” she answered. “It’s difficult,” she said, thinking about his father and brothers.

“It’s obvious that at some point in time, about four months back, you found me likable,” he said dryly. She started to pull her hand free, but he tightened his grip.

“Calm down, Ashley. You’re annoyed because you want to make every single decision yourself. Let me hold your hand.” He raised it to his lips to brush another kiss there.

“By the end of two weeks, I’ll be a wreck with wanting you,” he said in a hoarse voice that set her nerves humming.

“The two weeks will fly by,” she said, thankful for all she had already accomplished.

“Not quickly enough for me.”

At her door he gave her a light kiss and left. As she moved around, getting ready for bed, she thought about all that had happened during the weekend. Ryan had a great family, and she was more relieved over that discovery than she’d let him know. She realized that the more she was with Ryan and the more she learned about him, the more likely it was that she would fall in love with him. She paused with her nightgown in hand.

Was she already in love with him? They were together constantly now, and everything she learned seemed to increase his devastating appeal. They were opposites in so many ways, yet they were compatible, too, about families, schools for their baby, dancing and even being together, when marriage wasn’t the issue. He had always made her heart pound just by being there. But were her feelings for him stronger now because she was more involved with him? Was she already in love with Ryan, when he didn’t love her in return?

Seven

Two weeks later, on Saturday morning, Ashley stood in front of an oval mirror in the bride’s dressing room at Ryan’s church. She gazed at herself, while her grandmother stood beside her smoothing out her veil. “You look so beautiful, Ashley. If only your mother could see you!”

“You look pretty, too,” she said, thinking her grandmother did look lovely in her slim-fitting rose silk dress, her silver hair turned under. On her shoulder was a gardenia corsage from Ryan. “I can’t believe this day is actually here.”

“It is, and it’s time for me to go, since I’ll sit in front, in your mother’s place.” She placed her hands on Ashley’s shoulders. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. You must be marrying a fine man, Ashley. He’s been amazingly generous and kind to us. I know about the mortgage and about his offer to send Jeff to college.”

“Dad seems to be happy and grateful. I was afraid he would refuse to let Ryan help.”

“I think Ryan convinced him that we’re part of his family now and he’s part of ours, so it’s all the same. But of course, it never really is. You’re fortunate, Ashley. You’re marrying a fine man.”

“I am, Grandmother,” she answered, feeling thoroughly insincere, wanting to cry that she really didn’t know Ryan that well, and they didn’t love each other. Or at least, he didn’t love her.

She turned to hug her grandmother, wondering what would have happened if she had told Ryan no. It was too late for such speculation now. She stepped back, and Laura straightened Ashley’s train.

“This is a gorgeous dress and perfect for you. Now c’mon, girls, it’s time,” she said to the bridesmaids, who wore yellow sheath dresses and carried bouquets of mixed spring flowers with huge yellow tulips.

They filed out with her grandmother, and Ashley turned back to the mirror to look at herself, unable to believe what she saw in the mirror. She fingered the exquisite gold filigreed necklace entwined with diamonds and pearls that Ryan had presented to her last night.

Ashley knew her father was waiting, and in minutes it would be time for her entrance. But she wanted a moment to compose herself.

There was a knock on the door, and she assumed someone had come to get her. She turned, expecting her father. “Come in,” she called. The door swung open and Ryan’s redheaded friend, Kayla Landon, entered.

Startled, Ashley felt a chill as she turned. “If you’re looking for the sanctuary, it’s down the hall to the right.”

“No, I’m looking for you,” Kayla said in a soft voice, and again, Ashley was amazed that Ryan had wanted so badly to marry, because this woman was stunning. She wore a gorgeous, skintight white silk dress with embroidered red rosebuds along the neckline and the hem. Her hair was curled, hanging to her shoulders. She had flawless skin; rosy cheeks; a full, pouty mouth; thick eyelashes; and a figure that should turn all male heads at the wedding.

As Ashley looked at her, she suddenly no longer felt so pretty, and her dress seemed incredibly plain and simple in comparison.

“I wanted to congratulate you on catching Ryan,” Kayla said, coming into the room and closing the door behind her. “That’s quite a coup. You’re not in his social class and you’re definitely not his type. We all know that he’s marrying you out of pity,” she said with a smug expression.

Ashley had started to reach for her bouquet, preparing to leave, but she halted abruptly in shock.

Kayla came close enough for her perfume to reach Ashley. “I never dreamed a pregnancy would do it,” Kayla continued. “You know he doesn’t love you. That’s the only reason a man like Ryan would marry you.”

Ashley clamped her jaw more tightly as a knot closed her throat. The only way Kayla could know about the pregnancy was from Ryan. He had broken a trust, and at that moment she hated him for it.

“Of course, he’ll marry you, but if you think he’ll stay faithful, think again,” Kayla purred, smiling slyly. “If he can’t stay faithful before the marriage, he won’t stay true after, and you might as well know now what you’re getting into. I’m sure you don’t care, though, as long as you get some of his money. He ought to insist on a paternity test, however, to make sure he’s the father.”

“Get out, Kayla!” Ashley snapped, hating the tears that threatened. “Get out!” She looked around for something to throw at the woman whose eyes widened before she turned to yank open the door again, her laughter floating behind her.

“Of course, it’s never too late to back out. And I’m definitely not out of his life.” She closed the door.

Shaking in dismay, Ashley dabbed at her tears, knowing she was streaking the light makeup she wore. Ryan hadn’t been faithful. He had shared the secret of her pregnancy with Kayla, when only their families were supposed to know. That hurt worse than anything.

Ashley clenched her fists. She couldn’t go through with this sham wedding! It wasn’t too late. She could run away right now, and explain to her family and friends later. It would prevent this wedding from happening, and save her from marrying a man she couldn’t trust.

She reached behind her to unfasten Ryan’s necklace and throw it against the wall. She hurt all over and didn’t want to marry him, no matter what he did or what happened.

She was reaching back again to free the top button of her dress, when she paused. Could she hurt so many people—Ryan’s family, her family, the baby? Or marry him and take his financial support and have an easier life—would that be better?

Someone rapped on the door. “Ashley, it’s time,” her brother called. “Everyone’s waiting.”

Numbly, she picked up her bouquet of white orchids and white roses. She walked slowly to the foyer, while her father came forward with a somber expression. He tilted her chin up.

“You don’t look happy,” he said gruffly, unable to hide his worry. He dug in his pocket and withdrew keys. “Honey, you can walk right out the door now. Take my car and go, and I’ll explain for you. Don’t enter into a marriage that’ll make you miserable. You can back out this minute and I’ll stand by you. Take my car keys.”

With a heavy heart she stared at the keys in his open palm. She could walk away and her father would give her his support. Did she want to escape this marriage to Ryan? Because here was her last chance before taking a vow.

Had something gone wrong? Ryan knew time was passing.

While he stood at the altar, he reminded himself to be patient. Maybe it was something with Ashley’s dress or hair that had delayed her.

The bridesmaids were in place and the organist was improvising, playing the same music repeatedly.

Right now, their wedding night seemed a thousand hours away instead of the end of the day. Ryan’s father stood beside him, and Nick and Jake were lined up beyond his dad and brothers. Ryan glanced over the large crowd. His church was beautiful, with rock walls, a vaulted ceiling and a huge pipe organ. The carpet was a brilliant blue and sunshine poured through the stained glass windows, which glowed like multicolored jewels, but he barely noticed his surroundings. He wanted to glance at his watch. Ashley was late, which was uncharacteristic of her.

Where was she? Had something happened? Was she having cold feet at the last minute? Worries plagued him and he thought about the moment this morning when he had been seized by the feeling that he had pushed Ashley too hard into this wedding. But then he’d come to the same conclusion he always had, that marriage was the best for all concerned.

Should he have waited and courted her, and married her after the baby’s arrival?

Too late now, unless she had run out on him. He shifted his weight slightly, wanting to leave and go find her. He’d heard of runaway brides.

And then he saw her appear in the narthex and take her father’s arm. They stood talking, and Ryan wished they would begin. Finally, the organist received the signal that the bride was ready.