Demi looked absolutely stunning. The dress fit perfectly, though she’d been worried since she’d started to show. But given the high waist, her currently tiny bump didn’t even show. Gigi Fern’s hairpiece shone among her dark curls, and when she slid her arm through Dad’s, they both had tears in their eyes.
I ignored the way my own welled up and put on a huge smile, “Ready?”
She nodded and I turned, signaling to the DJ. A second later the song began, and I kissed Demi’s cheek before walking through the doors and up the aisle. The seats were filled with all our nearest and dearest, and it wasn’t even a fraction of the folks who’d be here for the party after.
Nerves fluttered in my gut, which was weird because all I had to do was stand beside Demi, hold her bouquet while she and Luke said their vows, and sign the certificate afterward. But I chalked it up to the fact that this was my twin and that I’d be standing in front of all these people. I focused on not tripping and breathing.
Dinner had gone late last night, all of us sharing stories and laughing. Mom cried more than once, and I liked that when we moved to the living room, she sat on Dad’s lap. Ville stayed close to me, but we didn’t really have much of a chance to talk. And when Demi wanted me to hang with her in her room afterward, Ville gave me a kiss and sent me on my way. Demi and I ended up falling asleep, cuddled together, just like when we were little.
I thought we both needed it. Even though she’d been with Luke for years, it still felt like a final step.
The ceremony was short and sweet. The couple had written their own vows, but it was hardly more than a promise to love each other until the end of time. It suited them both. I particularly liked the part where Luke leaned away from the microphone that his uncle was holding to whisper in her ear.
“And most of all, I promise to never get you pregnant, ever again,” he murmured, making them both laugh and which I only heard because I was right there. Judging by the way his uncle’s eyes widened, he heard it too. But considering that Demi hadn’t announced her latest pregnancy yet, he wouldn’t know the context.
The kiss was epic, with Luke dipping Demi and her laughing wildly. Her happiness spilled over and so did my tears. Theyturned to the crowd and a cheer went up. I clapped harder than anyone and joined Luke’s brother to walk back down the aisle.
Official pictures were happening closer to the pond, which was a bit of a trek. Dad drove Bluey with Mom, Demi, Luke, and the photographer. The rest of us piled into trucks and SUVs to head over. It was an arduous process, with lots of maneuvering and plenty of shuffling. Aria got bored quickly, but fortunately Carter had come along. After her parents, and maybe her mimi, Carter was the three-year-old's favorite person. And no, I wasn’t jealous at all that my niece liked someone better than me. Not at all.
Three-year-olds were fickle little gremlins.
When Wy arrived with Jolene, Demi started crying hard, her hands pressed to her mouth. It had been awhile since she’d seen her mare all kitted out in her show gear, and honestly, the horse was stunning. I futzed with Jolene’s tail until it was just so, then stepped out of the way so Demi could get her pictures.
Ville came out of nowhere and he had to grab my shoulders to keep me from falling when I overbalanced. I wasn’t even aware he’d come, thinking he’d stayed back with the rest of the guests to enjoy cocktails waiting for the party to start.
“Hey there,” I said with a smile, taking him in. He looked so damn fine in his suit, which had obviously been tailored to his frame. No way he’d bought that off the rack.
He smiled back, but it looked a little pinched. He cupped my cheek, and used his thumb to tip my head up.
“You done avoiding me now?”
Chapter 19
Ville
Iwatched the family, watched the guests too. As much as I wanted to sit next to Wren while Demi and Luke were wedded, I didn’t. I stood by the sidelines, keeping an eye on everyone instead. Because that was what I was here for now.
I’d tolerated the way Emery had ignored or avoided me yesterday and this morning, because I understood half of it. He was doing what he could for his twin who was unable to do everything herself. The other half… well, maybe I knew what that meant, too.
“Emery and Ville, come here!” Demi was calling out to us before Emery could respond to my question.
He moved as if an invisible string connected him to Demi—and maybe it did—before he seemed to make a conscious choice to do so. I tagged along, because it was her day.
“What’s up?” Emery asked her.
“I want photos with us and each of my siblings with their partners.” There was a challenge in her gaze.
Emery glanced at me. Something wild and defiant bloomed inside my chest.
“Sure. Where do you want us?” I asked her, and noticed the corner of Luke’s mouth twitch.
She grabbed Emery and pulled him to a sideways hug kind of thing, then told me to go to his opposite side while Luke took hers. We smiled for a few photos, and then she shooed us away to get one with Hawk and Carter next.
Fern was holding her girlfriend’s hand. Isley and Jerrica were there, too, as were Crew and Mal. They’d be at this photo op for a while still.
Because the sun was hot and Demi was not feeling 100%, they took a break for water and making sure her makeup and hair were still good or some such. I walked over to Hawk and raised my brows. He grinned and nodded.Excellent.
Emery was talking to Gemma and the twins, so I went to Demi.
