Part 20
"Hold still!" Becca tried for the fifth time to straighten Nick's tie as he shifted nervously from foot to foot.
"Bec, I hate these things. You KNOW that."
"I can't help that, this is for Sarah & Howie and after today, you owe them this. Now hold still!"
Nick sighed, looking down at Becca and his breath ruffled her hair. She shivered and he grinned, running his hands up her arms.
"Nick, I swear-"
"Whatsa matter?" he asked innocently.
"You. You're what's the matter. There, all fixed, look." She turned him toward the mirror and their reflection took her breath away. They made a stunning couple, he in his tux and she in her dark silk dress. He pulled her back against him as he looked her over from head to toe. The silk folds hugged her curves and the diamond heart he had given her at Christmas sparkled at the base of her throat.
"You're gonna knock 'em dead, Bec."
"Nope. Not my turn tonight. Tonight is for Sarah. And if we don't get moving, we'll never live this down."
As they descended the staircase, the doorbell rang announcing the arrival of the caterers and the extra security team that Howie had hired for the evening. Nick pointed them toward the kitchen then led Becca to the car.
In record time they were in Key West and pulling up in front of the chapel. Becca took a deep breath as they rolled to a stop, seeing Brian waiting on the steps.
"It's ok, Bec, they're all gonna be just as glad to see you as I was. Well, ok, maybe not," he grinned, "but they'll be glad to see you. Just remember I love you, ok?"
Becca nodded as Nick handed his keys to the valet and moved to open her door. Brian, as bubbly as usual, was fast descending on them and began to chatter before she could even get out of the car.
"Nick! About time, bring any sea grass with you?" Brian laughed and elbowed him as Becca winced at the first of what she was sure to be many jabs at Nick's misfortune.
"Nice. Hello to you, too. Back up so Bec can get out, will ya?"
"Bec! Baby, how are you?" he said, trying to peer around Nick, who had a very silly grin on his face.
"You ready for this?" he whispered to her.
Nodding her head she answered, "Let's get it over with." Stepping from behind Nick, she had the supreme pleasure of seeing Brian rendered speechless. "Hello, Brian," she smiled, watching as his eyes traversed her entire front, not missing anything.
"God." He looked shell-shocked. Probably about the way Nick and Sarah had felt yesterday. "You're –"
"Five months along, yes." She turned to Nick. "Well, that was fun. Two down, two more to go." She laughed, patting Brian's cheek. "It's ok, the shock wears off after awhile, kinda like the morning sickness."
"Nick, did you know-?" Brian gasped.
"Think about it. Think very carefully," he said speaking slowly, as if to a small child. "If I had known about this would I have been with you jokers all this time? No. I would have been out scouring the country to find her. Now, we have a wedding to attend. Let’s go!"
The three of them climbed the steps to the chapel and Nick led Becca to a seat in the front. Just as she was searching for the best way to scoot into the pew without bumping her belly, AJ rounded the corner from the groom's waiting room. It was comical how he paused in mid-step, took one look at Becca and yelled, "Good GOD!"
Becca, Nick and Brian cracked up. "C'mon, AJ, don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel!" Becca laughed.
"Dude! What did you DO to this precious flower?" he asked Nick in mock horror.
Brian snorted. "De-flowered her, looks like," he mumbled.
"You're all pathetic," Becca said. "This is a solemn occasion, now act like it."
"Yes, *mom*," AJ retorted, cackling at his own twisted sense of humor. "We'll talk later Bec. I'm really glad you're home." He kissed her on the cheek before dragging Nick back to the groom's room to wait for the service to begin.