Page 117 of Under Ground
Delaney picks up a box from beside her bed and opens it. She hands me a folded piece of fabric. “It’s a handkerchief, but look what’s printed on it.”
I unfold the fabric and slam one palm over my mouth. “Oh my god.”
“We couldn’t take the original magazine clipping. That was too fragile. But we tracked down the magazine it was in and we had the article scanned and the printed onto the fabric,” Delaney says.
“This is amazing.” I hold the handkerchief to my chest. “I love it.”
“We figured it’s what helped bring you and Alex together. And it means a lot to Casey. Plus, being fabric, it won’t deteriorate like the paper has. Even if Casey gives it some love,” Pania says. She picks up her handbag. “I’ve got your something new.” She reaches into her handbag and pulls out two small blue pieces of fabric. “Garters to hold your stockings up that match everything else.”
I stare. “I don’t … I don’t know what to say.”
“Let me help you with them because we both know getting them on will be a struggle while you’re hapu.” She laughs.
I nod. “The stockings were tough enough with this bump in the way.”
I raise one foot and then the other as she slips them on and pulls them up to just above my knee.
“Perfect.” She sits back and smiles.
“Here’s the something borrowed.” Delaney holds out a jewellery box. “These are the diamonds Josh gave me when we were married. I keep them tucked away for special occasions, but I’d be honoured to lend them to you for today.”
She opens the box, and I gasp. Inside is the most beautiful tear-drop diamond necklace and a matching pair of earrings. “I can’t wear these.”
Delaney smiles. “Of course you can. I’ve only ever lent them out once before, and that was for Pania’s intro into LA society. That’s how special they are to me. And you are that special, too, my friend.”
I blink back tears.
“Don’t ruin your makeup,” Pania says. “The something blue is your gown. I know we talked about payment in a vague way, but it’s my gift to you.”
I brush the skirt. “No. I can’t accept this.”
“Well, I’m not going to accept payment.” Pania crosses her arms and laughs.
“I love you both so much.” A tear rolls down my cheek and Pania grabs a tissue and dabs at my face.
“We love you. Now, let’s get these jewels on, and then you’ll be ready to go.” Delaney fishes the necklace out of the box.
“I’ll go and get Casey,” Pania says.
I tuck the handkerchief into my pocket as Delaney takes the necklace out of the box.
Today couldn’t get any better.
* * *
Casey and I hold hands as we make our way out the back door and into the bright sunshine. We don’t have far to walk—just around the side of the pool fence and toward the floral arch where we’ll exchange our vows.
Alex stands there, Reece by his side. He blinks back tears, and Reece grips his shoulder. It’s a moment that makes my heart flutter. They’re not just biologically related—they’re true brothers.
It’s so crazy to think that if we hadn’t met, Alex might never have found out the truth about his parentage. They would have made the movie together, pretending to be brothers, but never known they really were.
My gaze is fixed on Alex’s as we walk toward him. Josh, Delaney, Pania, and Alex’s mother, Ruth, all gather around as we reach the arch.
“You look incredible,” he says.
I reach up and straighten his bow tie. “You look pretty alright yourself.”
He grins.