She squeezed Alexei’s hand harder.
“We’ve set a date to get married."
Yes, yes, yes! “Oh, Iris. I am so happy for you both.”
There was a giggle from the other end. “Geoff said, he might let me be a single mom of one kid, but no way he was going to let me be a single mom of two kids. He insisted on marriage."
She chuckled. “Very old-fashioned, but I approve."
"Me, too. Oh, Marguerite, I had no idea everything could work out like this. That I could end up getting everything I wanted. I'm so happy."
She felt a shiver of recognition in the words and firmly reminded herself to focus on Iris, not herself.
“Have you told Mom yet?"
"I wanted to tell you first. Geoff told me that he talked to you and you gave him some really good advice on how to handle me. And I just want you to know how much I appreciate you. I want you to be my bridesmaid. My maid of honor, in fact.”
Her eyes filled with sentimental tears. "I am so thrilled and of course I accept. I can't wait. When's the wedding?"
"We want something small as soon as possible. I don't want anything fancy. A quiet celebration with our family and the people closest to us. We’re thinking maybe the week after next.”
"Wow. You don’t let grass grow."
"I know. We need to work around Geoff’s school schedule. We won’t get much of a honeymoon but at least we’ll get a few days away. Rose has a friend with a cousin who knows how to run a bakery, it turns out. I’m going to interview her and hopefully she can help out when I’m away. Dosana can keep an eye on her. If she works out, I’ll offer her a job.“
"I don't even know what to say I am so excited. It’s like everything is falling into place.”
"I know. Listen, I’m here, now. Come over. Okay? Just drop everything and come over. We’ll drink tea and eat muffins and I’ll sit and grow my babies.”
Marguerite had news of her own but this didn't feel like the right time to share it. She felt a tiny stab of guilt as she said, "Give me a couple of hours. You need to tell Mom and Dad and that's going to take at least an hour. I’ll be over this afternoon."
Sounding a little puzzled, Iris said, "Okay. Is there something you're not telling me?"
She glanced over at Alexei and couldn't help the grin of pure mischief that crossed her face. "Yes, there is."
Iris hadn’t known her all her life not to be pretty smart where Marguerite was concerned. After a short pause, she said, “Marguerite Chance, are you in bed with a man?"
"I will talk to you later."
A purely evil laugh answered her. "I will want details. Juicy, Technicolor, nothing left out, details."
"I'm hanging up now. Congratulations again."
"Thanks. Love you."
"Love you back. And my nieces and nephews. See you soon."
Alexei ran his hand through her hair. He didn't say anything, just gave her a moment to digest the news. She felt happy and intimate and delighted to have someone to share that news with, other than a rescue cat. “Iris and Geoff are having twins, and getting married in a couple of weeks. She wants me to be her maid of honor.”
He leaned over and kissed her. "Of course she does. You’ll be a perfect maid of honor."
She snuggled against his chest feeling warm and alive and happy. His words rumbled against her ear where it was pressed against his skin when he said, "I was hoping to spend the day with you. But it sounds like you need to go to your sister."
It was a beautiful thing to know he wanted to spend all day with her, even if it was to plan a cookbook, and that he understood she needed to be with her sister right now. She said, "I do have time, however, for breakfast."
He glanced at her quizzically. "Are you sure you worked up enough of an appetite?"
She sighed and stretched in pure bliss. "If I develop any more of an appetite I won’t be able to walk down the stairs."
He gave her a resounding smack on the lips and then jumped out of bed naked and so mesmerizing she couldn’t tear her eyes away. "You are so beautiful," she told him.
He turned to look at her, his expression tender. “You are."
