Page 62 of Julian

Obviously, Angie wasn’t going to accept Kiara’s protest, so Kiara turned to Julian. But he wasn’t any help. He just shrugged and stepped toward where the photographer waited.

Kiara’s heart was pounding as she joined Julian. The photographer approached them and showed them how she wanted them to pose. Kiara tried to relax as Julian stood behind her, his arm around her waist. She didn’t the pictures to reveal how awkward she felt, but she wasn’t sure how to accomplish that.

After the photographer had taken a couple of shots of that pose, she moved them to stand facing each other. Kiara was convinced that these were going to be the worst pictures ever taken.

The photographer was obviously unaware that they weren’t a happily married couple, and she kept wanting them to gaze at one another and hold each other in ways that didn’t come naturally to them.

The woman was a pro, however, and she was able to get them to relax and mostly let go of their awkwardness.

“This feels like we’re taking pictures at prom,” Julian murmured.

“I never went to prom,” Kiara said.

“You didn’t miss much. Just imagine this with pimples and braces.”

Kiara laughed. “I can’t imagine you with either.”

“Pimples weren’t an issue, but I did have braces.”

Imagining Julian as a teen helped take Kiara out of the awkwardness of the moment, and after a couple more poses, the photographer declared them done.

Next up were Duncan and Elizabeth, who posed together with ease. Kiara didn’t know if it was normal to take pictures of everyone separately at a wedding, but she thought perhaps Elizabeth wanted to take advantage of them all being together and nicely dressed.

Once all the pictures were done, she and Angie returned to the solarium, while the others went to the white tent that had been set up for the ceremony and then the reception.

Angie slipped her arm through Kiara’s and leaned her head against her shoulder. “Thank you for everything, Kiki. I know this hasn’t been easy.”

“It’s been fine. I’m just so glad to see you happy.”

“I want you to be happy too,” Angie said.

“Iamhappy,” Kiara said, hoping she wouldn’t push. “If the nausea would just disappear completely, I’d be thrilled.”

Angie laughed softly. “You can text me while I’m away. Let me know how you’re doing.”

Kiara shook her head. “Nope. That’s your special time with Jude. You need to focus just on him.”

“I want you to at least check in every two or three days. We don’t have to video chat. I just want to be reassured that you and the baby are doing okay.”

Kiara was grateful for her sister's thoughtfulness, but she was still determined not to intrude on their honeymoon. "Okay. I'll send a quick text every couple of days. Just so you don't worry."

"Thank you." Angie squeezed her arm. "I know you've got Julian here now, but…"

"But he's not you," Kiara finished for her. The truth of those words settled heavily in her chest. Julian might be her husband on paper, might be the father of her baby, but he wasn't her person the way Angie had always been.

And she had always been Angie’s person. That had changed a bit already, but after today, Jude would fully take on that role in her sister’s life. It was hard not to feel like she was losing a huge part of her identity. Of her usefulness.

A knock on the door interrupted them, then Annie poked her head in. "It's almost time. Are you ready?"

Angie straightened, a radiant smile transforming her face. "More than ready."

Kiara felt a flutter of emotion as she watched her sister's happiness. This was what love looked like. This was what Kiara had always hoped for her sister—to be cherished by someone worthy of her gentle heart.

"You're going to make me cry," Kiara said, blinking rapidly to hold back tears. "And then my makeup will be ruined."

Angie laughed softly. "Can't have that." She took a deep breath. "Let's go. I can't wait to be Mrs. Jude Kessler."

They followed Annie to the entrance of the tent. Duncan was already waiting there, looking handsome in his dark suit, his expression a mixture of pride and wistfulness.