For Fiona

4. Wedding Day

Tamara saw the distinct crease in Lucy's forehead as she curled her hair. "What's got you so stressed out?"

"I'm getting married today," Lucy stated the obvious then froze to look at herself in the mirror, because she was getting MARRIED within a matter of hours.

"But, if it's just for a piece of paper, what does it matter what you look like?"

"This is all for Fiona."

"I thought you said the social worker wouldn't allow her to come to the wedding."

"Yeah, Madison said she can't take Fiona out of the group home for that kind of visit. I tried to tell her that her parents are getting married, so Fiona should be there, but-"

"Did you just refer to Tim as Fiona's 'parent'?" Tamara's eyebrow arched with intrigue.

"I know I'll be her mom, and Tim will play a part in her life, too. He wants to be involved, and I'd love that. Can you check my hair? I don't know if it looks right." She angled her head to show Tamara a patch she could not see.

She examined her coiled locks. "Your hair looks perfect. I'm confused...if Fiona isn't coming to the wedding of her 'parents', then how exactly is getting all dolled up something you're doing for her?"

"This wedding needs to look believable, okay? No one can suspect the real reason we're getting married, or we might lose our chance to foster her." She wrapped another strand of hair around her curling wand as she worried at her lip.

"Oh, and what's the real reason you're getting married? I've got my theories."

"Your theories are all wrong. I'm not in love with him."

"I didn't even have to say it, but it's written all over your face right now. You care about this wedding, because you love him."

She set her curling wand down, having finished styling her hair. "I'm ignoring you until I finish putting my makeup on."

"Are you gonna wear lipstick? I don't think you should, since Tim will just kiss it right off of you."

"It's going to be one little kiss at the end of the ceremony," Lucy insisted.

"So all that practice last night was for nothing?"

If nothing else, the practice kisses yielded burns on her body that lived beneath the surface of her skin like Tim branded her everywhere he touched and certainly her lips that felt like they were permanently marked by him. Like they belong to him. Like they were his and only his to kiss. Lucy wished that was the case; if she could, she would kiss him a million times, but there would only be one more opportunity to let him claim her mouth, and it was fast approaching. That was what she was stressed about; her last chance to taste him was coming too soon for her liking, and then there would never be another excuse to kiss, especially like they had the night before. How could she live for the rest of her days with lips marked for Tim that never got to taste him again? Would it drive her mad? She tried not to think about it as she applied her makeup, but she was already in mourning. What other couples deem as their first kiss as man and wife would be hers and Tim's last kiss...unless she could come up with another reason aside from the now overused "practice" excuse.

Tamara kept all other jabs to herself to be supportive as Lucy requested the night before, so she silently helped zip up her floor length white gown with long, gossamer sleeves, a generous v neckline, and a flow to the skirt that made her look ethereal. "You look amazing."

Lucy smiled at her while eyeing her own reflection. "Thanks. There weren't a lot of last minute options, but I think Tim will like it."

"I'm sure he will." It took every shred of restraint not to point out that Lucy should not care what Tim thinks of her appearance.