Chapter Eleven

The organ music grew more dramatic as Karen appeared and began to slowly walk up the aisle. I shivered-I was wearing a small jacket around my shoulders, atop my spaghetti strapped dress but even so the church in November was cold.

I glanced sideways at Haley. She was over six months along, and showing obviously. As was I-our dresses had had to be accommodating. Her hair was curled and she looked beautiful, but obviously uncomfortable. We exchanged commiserating looks.

Lucas, with Whitey, stood across from me, with Keith. Lucas glanced alternately from his mother to my round stomach. He'd finally grown out his stupid buzz cut, and he'd grown fitter in his months at university.

It made us sad to watch Whitey. In ways that he'd never admit, Nathan and Lucas had been an incredible inspiration to him. His new team had nothing on his previous, best ever one. He was growing older before our eyes, and we all noticed it.

I turned slightly to glance at Brooke and Mouth. She was leaning her head on his shoulder, and smiled slightly when she saw me looking at her. She'd been surprised when I'd told her about my baby-happy for me, but under was an annoyance at being the last to be told, yet my best friend. A gap of sorts had formed between us, now that our lives were so different.

Jake and Jenny sat with Mouth and Brooke. Jenny waved to me, and Jake winked. He cast an admiring glance at my wedding dress-my rounder figure bothered me, but not him. He was so adorable with the baby, trying to convince me to do less work with Jenny and Tric, just to stay at home and relax.

Karen reached the alter. She'd walked it unaccompanied, not desiring to see the father who'd kicked her out. Keith approached her and offered his arm, beaming. He'd waited twenty years for her, never truly believing it would happen. Luke's eyes were fast upon them-he'd always wanted this. We all had. We'd been afraid when she'd been with Andy for so long, and he with Jules.

Karen handed Deb her bouquet. She and Keith faced the officiate, hand in hand. As they were married, my thoughts drifted to my own wedding-my gaze shifting from Jake to Luke, Haley and Nathan staring at each other, my deep feeling of confusion. As I glanced at Deb and Haley, I knew they were thinking of similar things.

As Karen kissed her new husband I thought of my wedding night-Jake being adorable and my pushing him away, and continuing to push him away until our Prom, when I'd gotten pregnant and he'd almost left me after Luke had kissed me for the final time.

Karen beamed as they were proclaimed man and wife-how odd it must be for her, being pronounced Mrs. Scott after always believing to be married to his brother, after bearing his child and watching him walk away from her. Was it odd, to be a Mrs. Scott to be a man she'd refused once before? One who was the brother of the man she hated the most?

The guests cheered as us, the wedding party, as we went back down the aisle behind Karen and Keith. Jake smiled as I passed him, and I grinned at the pair of them. This was a happy day, nothing could ruin it-even my philosophies. Even Luke staring.

I shrieked and hugged Karen as we escaped into the hall. She laughed, and showed me her ring. It was a diamond, unlike my ruby and Haley's simple band. Luke hugged his mother manly hugged his uncle, as Whitey, Haley and Deb followed a similar routine.

Haley and I sank into two hard chair in one corner. She was farther along than I was, but even for me standing for so long was an ordeal.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her, brushing a stray curl away from my eyes.

"He's kicking me," she moaned. After she'd passed sixteen weeks she'd had an ultrasound, and it had been determined that their baby was a boy, though Jake and I wished to be surprised.

"I just need to pee," I said. She nodded.

"I must say, we're lucky we have each other to complain to," she commented. I giggled.

Deb and Karen walked over and smiled down at us.

"How are you guys?" asked Karen.

"Fine," I said quickly.

"Oh please. At your state I never could have managed that long," said Deb.

"Nor me," said Karen. As they exchanged glances, I realized that their situation was ever so slightly similar to our own.

"Yeah, I could do with some relaxation," I admitted.

"Me too," she agreed.

"Mrs. Jagielski?" came a voice. Haley prodded me and I looked up at a running man, holding a portable phone.

"Yes, that's me," I said, attempting to rise but failing miserably.

"A phone call-it's from a hospital in California, and it sounds urgent," he said nervously. I glanced warily at him.

"Who do I know that's sick?" I asked the assembled group. I didn't notice the panic that passed through Karen's eyes.

"This is Peyton Jagielski," I said into the phone.

"You are the daughter of Larry Sawyer?" said a bored sounding voice.

"Yeah," I said slowly.

"We regret to inform you…"

As I slid from consciousness, I recalled the voice in my ear telling me the one thing I didn't want to hear. I saw Karen and Deb bend over me in concern, heard Haley call for my husband. I felt a sharp pain in my belly and even vaguely recall his panicked face before I faded into blank, blessed relief.