Page 97 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

Caroline sighed. It wasn’t the same, but she couldn’t explain the complexities of why. Not when it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of her life.

Diya let her go and gave her a look she couldn’t quite read before continuing, “Is this traditional cold feet, or is it related to⁠—”

“No,” Caroline cut her off. “It’s only pre-wedding jitters. I’ll be fine after the wedding.”

Diya had tried to broach the topic of Valeria several times, but Caroline didn’t want to have the conversation.

“I would have supported you two no matter what,” Diya said quietly.

Caroline nodded, her throat too thick with emotion to say anything else. Even if it didn’t matter now, her best friend’s support still meant the world to her.

A knock sounded at the door, and she was full of agony and hope as she turned quicker than she ever had before.

Misery swallowed her when it was only her mother who walked in. It was foolish, but she had gotten her hopes up anyway. Even though it was the middle of the day. When praying for a miracle, one never ruled out the impossible.

“Look at you girls, you’re both absolutely stunning. Oh, I’m so glad your father insisted on having that photographer from London. I want to remember how you look forever.”

Having portraits taken at her wedding was an extravagance, but she couldn’t fight it because she did love the idea of photographs. Something to have forever. She wanted to remember her friends and family just as they were now.

“My mother is too excited to have our portraits done. She has made a list of all the combinations of people she wants, just to prepare you.”

Her mother laughed. “And I would expect nothing else. I’m thankful she has a plan, so I don’t have to worry about forgetting one.”

“And I’ll remind you of that when it’s hour three of her forcing us all to keep taking photographs.” Diya squeezed her hand before heading to the door. “Speaking of her, I should go check on my parents. I’ll leave you to finish, and the next time I see you, you’ll be Mrs. Andrews.”

Her stomach dropped, but her smile stayed strong.

Her mother stood behind her and started adjusting her veil and hair. Part of her wanted to swat her away because she didn’t need to be rearranged, but she stopped herself. It was an emotional day. Already she could see the tears in her mother’s sky blue eyes.

“I’ve dreamed of this day for as long as I can remember and you’re somehow even lovelier than I ever imagined.”

“Couldn’t wait to get rid of me?”

“Of course not.” Her mother squeezed her arm, but smiled so she knew she accepted the joke. “It sounds funny now, but I started thinking about your wedding after I got married. I kept thinking about what would happen if I had a daughter who had no choice but to run away to get married. I thought about how I would react if she told me she had fallen in love with someone and was too scared to tell me because you thought I wouldn’t approve or would love you less.”

Caroline’s mouth went dry. “Oh?”

“My parents were never supportive. The one time I mentioned your father in a letter before we married, my mother sent me a full page in response as admonishment. After the wedding, they didn’t respond to a single letter until I told them I had you. I decided I didn’t want to parent like that. I didn’t want my child to suppress themself thinking it would make me happy.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I think it’s something you might need to hear. I know you, and I know what it looks like when you’re unhappy. I just want to let you know that you’re my daughter and I will support you and love you no matter what.”

Emotions flitted through Caroline too quickly for her to name. It felt like a lot as she stood there in her wedding dress. It was ugly, but there was a kernel of resentment that everything was coming up now while they waited for the carriage to take them to the church. Everyone had traveled into the village for this, some of them from far away. And Edgar had only put down a deposit to get their roof replaced.

“And this is so important to you that we are only having this conversation now instead of a day or a week ago?”

Her mother flinched, and she felt awful for how bitter she sounded, but she couldn’t help it. Everything was too late.

“I know it isn’t the best timing, but that doesn’t make it any less sincere. It shouldn’t be difficult to talk about, but somehow it is. I just wanted to say something before it’s too late.”

“It already is too late,” she wailed, hating the tears in her eyes. It would be so much easier if she could just love Edgar. Or if she didn’t love Valeria.

“Oh my angel,” her mother said as she wrapped her arms around her, patting her nape.

The door opened again as she was caught up in her trying-not-to-cry sobs.

“How are my favorite ladies doing?”