Chapter 725
Everything was so beautiful, and for the most part, the food was delicious…well, the food that I managed to swallow down without gagging.
It was like the baby was refusing to eat to stomach whatever it was that was on my plate.
“Are you okay?” Gavin asked, staring down at my almost untouched plate.
“Yeah, I guess I’m not as hungry as I thought,” I told him, not wanting him to worry and cause a fuss in the middle of Nan’s wedding.
“You haven’t eaten all day,” Gavin told me, his brows furrowed. “I can tell when you’re lying.”
“How did you know I hadn’t eaten all day?”
For a moment, he looked a bit sheepish.
“I’ve had Irene keeping tabs on you,” he admitted. “I hadn’t been here in 8 days, and I was worried. Can you blame me? You’re my pregnant mate…”
He looked so cute when he admitted this that I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss him sweetly on the lips.
“I love you,” I whispered against him. “You have nothing to worry about… It’s okay.”
“Now it’s time for the maid of honor to make a speech!” Irene announced, clinking her fork against her glass. She smiled at me, winking.
I had prepared a speech, but suddenly, all the words were washed out of my head. Nan was watching me, expectantly, and I took in a deep breath before standing.
I cleared my throat, the room falling silent as all eyes turned in my direction. As I stood, Gavin took hold of my hand, a show of silent support, and suddenly, my worries melted away.
“Hey everyone… most of you already know me, but for those of you who don’t, I’m Judy… the bride’s best friend. Nan had been my best friend for my entire life… she’s my family. She was there for me when no one else was… she’s been through so much in her life and for so long, 1 Was the only one she could turn to. But now, she has Chester, and I watched Nan’s walls crumble down around her. Chester makes her shine in a way that I had never seen before… his love for her is clear, and I couldn’t be happier that they finally found one another. Not only are they fated mates, but they are soul mates as well they are everything ….
My voice trailed off for a moment as Nan leaned into Chester, his arms draping around her protectively. I could feel their love for each other, and it was intoxicating. It also almost made me a little sad to watch their affection. I always saw myself getting married in this lifetime… thought once found my mate, would mark me and then marry me because he couldn’t see himself with anyone else… I thought he’d make it known that I was it for him.
“Nan and I used to talk about our futures growing up…” I said, my voice a bit softer as the memory surfaced in my mind. “We’d always say we’d have a combined wedding and get married at the same time…” My hand suddenly felt weak in Gavin’s grip as I fought the tears. “Even though I couldn’t be by her side and get married to her. I’m so Honored to be by her side as her maid of honor and be here to support her every step of the way. I just hope you know, Nan, that I will always be here when you need me. No matter where life takes us…”
My words are stopped by a choking sob that escapes me. Nan reaches out and pats my arm affectionately, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I love you, Nan,” I told her. “You will always be my sister.”
“I love you too,” Nan replied. “Always and forever.”
I raised my glass, which was filled with apple juice.
“To Nan and Chester,” I said, pausing as everyone echoed my cheer.
I took a sip of my juice as I sat back down. There was a small round of claps before the meal continued, everyone chatting away as they ate their food. I stared down at my barely touched plate, that sick feeling returning to my belly. I took a deep breath, steadying my racing heart and swallowing down the bile that threatened my throat.
I felt Gavin’s eyes on me and the worry that was coursing through him, but I couldn’t look at him… not right now… not while I was fighting to keep the small amount of food I kept down.
I quickly stood to my feet.
“I need to use the restroom,” I said and darted out of the room without another word.