Home Run (3 page)

Victoria pressed her lips together tightly. “I won’t.”

The bridal store attendant set them all in an enormous fitting room. It was as if they were having a private party in the store. There was champagne, strawberries, and a whole lot of laughter.

Each bridesmaid tried on their dress and paraded around while the others applauded. The attendant made any adjustments that were needed and the next woman would go.

Victoria opted for one glass of champagne, but waved off the second when Clara offered.

Clara smiled and poured anyway. “Your day has just begun.” She leaned in closer. “You’re not driving for hours anyway. We have a surprise for Darcy and you’re coming along.”

Victoria’s stomach filled with the unwelcomed nausea that came when butterflies invaded. Sonia said to stay away and the kids were safe and happy. She sat back in her chair and tried to accept the warmth she was being surrounded by, but it was all going to come at such an emotional price later.

Darcy was the last to try on her dress and tears flowed from Regan and Simone. Arianna shook her head at the two, but then turned and dabbed at her own eyes. Victoria, on the other hand, could feel the unwelcome onset of a full-on tearful breakdown coming.

As everyone in the room gushed over the bride, Victoria quietly slipped away to the bathroom. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t spend the day with these women knowing that once, this day would have been hers.

She locked the door to the stall, took a handful of toilet paper, and began dabbing at her eyes.

“Tori, are you in here?” Clara had come after her and now she felt even worse.

She swallowed hard trying to steady her voice before she spoke. “I’ll be just a moment.”

“I can wait.”

No, that’s not what Victoria wanted. “You can go back. They need you.”

But she didn’t hear the door open again so she knew that Clara wasn’t going anywhere.

When she felt composed she plastered a smile on her face and opened the door to the stall.

“Why are you crying?” Clara asked and that started the tears again.

“This is too hard. I don’t think I can go on with you all today. I think I’d better go get the kids and go home.”

Clara shook her head and walked toward her.

“Don’t let him break you like this. He’s hurting too.”

“It was his choice.”

Clara’s brows drew together.  “It was a stupid choice.”

Victoria sucked in a breath. “No. It’s a lot to throw at someone. The kids aren’t his. There isn’t a reason in the world that he should want to take on that responsibility.”

“And you should have? Alone?”

“Well, they are mine.”

Clara shook her head again. “In blood. Chris is yours in heart. That’s equal.”

Victoria dabbed at her eyes and kept the smile plastered on her tight lips. “No. He needs to heal in his own way. I needed to move on.”

Clara took a step back. “I want you to stay. I want you to be part of our party. Don’t let Chris ruin this.”

“I’m a mess.”

Clara laughed. “No, that would be Aunt Regan. Did you see how she blubbered out there?”

That finally gave way to a chuckle from Victoria. “I miss having you around.” She cleared her throat. “Especially since my sister is gone.”

Clara pulled her to her again. “I’ll always be here, even if my buffoon of a brother is out of the picture.” She gave her a squeeze and stepped back. “Okay, you get yourself together. Darcy is getting changed and we found a dress we think you should wear.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, so hurry out.”

Clara left the bathroom and Victoria stood there trying to compose herself. She’d so wanted to be one of the Keller women. They were strong and united together. Perhaps she was one after all.

She looked in the mirror at the woman she hardly recognized anymore. As she moved closer to the mirror she tried not to limp when she saw herself do so in the reflection, but it was near impossible. Her eye lids drooped and there were dark circles shadowing the blue eyes Chris had said he’d fallen in love with. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulders.

She set her purse on the counter and fetched out the small brush she kept there. After a few swipes through her hair she dug around for some lip tint. Finally, she found something that had a hint of pink. After a few more moments of primping she thought she looked healthier. Now it was time to test her nerves. Could she keep it together long enough to spend the day with the Keller women?

All of the Keller women were sitting on the couches in the fitting room as Darcy finished changing out of her dress. Victoria would have like to have just slipped in, but they were obviously waiting for her.

“C’mon, we found a dress we think you’ll love,” Regan stood and reached out a hand to Victoria.

She took her hand and let Regan lead her to an open dressing room.

“What do you think?”

It was simple. It was exactly what she’d been looking for. It was another trigger to start the tears.

“I think it’s wonderful.”

Regan smiled as if she knew what she was going through. “Try it on and come show us. Darcy thought the size was right.”

Victoria nodded with a smile as Regan turned and left her alone in the room.

Her hands trembled as she reached for the dress. Already she knew it was out of her price range, but what was a little dress up among friends?

She took off her yoga pants, which she realized she’d become accustom to. Maybe she should think about a new pair of jeans. Toeing off her ratty sandals, she realized she needed a pedicure. Was that the beginning of a hole in her old Victoria Secret panties?
Wow,
she thought. She’d really let herself go.

Victoria stripped off her shirt and pulled the dress off the hanger.

Darcy had been right on the size. The floral print was warm and full of spring time. The capped sleeves gave a graceful accent to her arms, which she’d always thought was her best feature. And the V-neck gave way to her delicate B-cups.

Victoria slowly opened the door to the dressing room to the room full of women whose conversation stalled as she walked out.

“Oh, Tori! It’s perfect!” Darcy clasped her hands together. “That’s it! That’s the dress.”

Victoria walked toward the large mirrors where all the women had stood in their dresses. The dress was flattering and sophisticated—and fun.

Simone walked up behind her and gave a few tugs on the fabric. “It fits so well, I don’t think it even needs altering,” she said in her beautiful French accent, which Victoria adored.

“It’s very nice. I don’t think I can afford it though.”

The women again went silent.

Darcy walked toward her and took her hands. “We are all pitching in and buying you the dress. It’s a gift.”

“Oh, no. I can’t…”

“It’s already done. And look at this.” Darcy turned around and pointed to Madeline who held a smaller version of the dress. “There’s one for Ali.”

That was the final straw. The tears gave no notice before they fell freely down her cheeks.

“Really, you all don’t have to…”

“We all want to.” Darcy brushed a tear from her own cheek. She leaned in to Victoria. “You’re supposed to be my sister-in-law. Just because he’s a freaking moron doesn’t mean I have to lose that,” she whispered.

Victoria pressed her fingers to her lips to keep them still.

She
was
a Keller woman. She would just have to do without the Keller man.

Chapter Four

Christian adjusted the tie that currently suffocated him. He hated the monkey suit. His brother was getting married—not him. Why did he have to be formal for dinner? Really…it was going to be his family and Darcy’s dad and he needed a suit?

“Stop fidgeting.” Clara walked up and adjusted the tie he’d just loosened. “Are you sick or something? You’re sweating.”

He rubbed the scar on his forehead when it began to itch, as it did when he’d get hot. “I don’t want to be here.”

“I worry about you. You always were a quiet kid, but since the accident you’ve been shut off from the world. We all still exist you know.”

Christian grit his teeth. “I’m just nervous. It’s been a long time since I stood in front of a lot of people and had to talk. Giving speeches is not my forte.”

“You’re going to be fine.” She patted him on the shoulder. “And to think two years ago you were a cocky ball player.”

She walked away, but the sting of her words had done their job. She was right. He’d been a quiet, almost shy, kid. Then he’d become the epitome of the jock. Full of himself and easy with the ladies. And then came Tori.

Okay, he had to admit it—the real issue at hand was knowing he had to face Tori tomorrow. Seeing her had been one thing. Knowing she was bringing a date had twisted him up. And then to top it off, all Clara and Avery could talk about all week was about the day they had with her. They’d bought her a dress and took her to lunch. After that, Simone had surprised Darcy with a limo and a spa day—in which they’d included Tori.

He knew she was going to knock his socks off tomorrow. She was going to take that wedding by storm. And she was going to do it all with another man at her side.

Christian clenched his fists to his side. He’d turned her away, why did it hurt so bad to think about her?

With two beers and a glass of champagne already floating in his system, Chris sat down for dinner next to his sister. Thank God for bread, because once they passed around another flute of champagne he was expected to stand up and give a nice speech. Worse, he was expected to do it again tomorrow night—a different speech.

Clara patted his arm. “You’re up.”

Chris’s mouth went dry and he licked his lips as he stood. He was supposed to be prepared, but he wasn’t. Couldn’t Warner, his professional performing brother-in-law, give the speech?

He cleared his throat. “Ed and Darcy. Well, we made it to this day. I don’t know about you, but it seems as though you’ve been planning it forever.” Everyone laughed and he loosened the tie his sister had tightened again. “I love you both and I’m so glad you found each other.” He cleared his throat again. “Darcy, you are a wonderful addition to our family. And I don’t just mean our little family. I mean all of the Keller/Benson family.” He watched her dab a tear from her eye. “Ed, you’re a pain in the ass.” Again, everyone laughed. “But I can’t think of a stronger man I’d like to follow though in this life.” He held his glass high. “The best to you both—forever.”

Everyone applauded and sipped their drink. Chris noticed his hand shook and he downed the golden liquid just to numb himself.

It was then he was reprieved from being the center of attention when his cousin Tyler walked through the door.

The gasps and sobs continued as Regan flew from her seat and toward her son who, almost two years earlier had abandoned the family, to find himself, after learning that Darcy was the sister he’d never known about.

Christian sat back down in his chair and let the room swarm around Tyler. He was much more comfortable with that. He’d take his moment with him. He understood feeling lost. But Chris had to admit, he was glad to see him again.

Tyler joined them for dinner in the private dining room and Christian was able to relax into his chair and no one seemed to notice him.

After dessert, he took his glass of water out onto the veranda and watched the people who gathered under the atrium.

“You look far away, cuz.” Tyler slapped a hand on Chris’s shoulder and left it there.

“It’s nice to see you.”

Tyler rested his arms on the railing and looked down at the people below as Chris was doing. “I’m not quite ready to come back.”

“Everyone misses you.”

“I’m dying not being around everyone.” He turned and leaned against the railing looking into the room where their family celebrated. “I’ve really tried to think about what my mom was going through when Darcy was born. For Darcy’s sake, she did the right thing by giving her up for adoption.”

“So what’s holding you back from forgiving her completely and coming home?”

Tyler shrugged. “She kept it from us and that hurts. I get it, God, I get it. But…”

“I know.” Chris turned and leaned against the railing next to his cousin. “If you do decide to come back I have a lot of space in my house. You’re welcome to stay.”

Tyler chuckled. “So you and Tori?”

“Old news.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. She was something really special.”

Didn’t he know it? He thought about the hotel they stood in, and the memory of their first date played in his head. They’d gone to his Aunt Simone’s fundraiser and his best friend had set him up with his sister-in-law. It hadn’t taken long for him to fall in love with Tori. Making it even funnier was the thought that he’d met Darcy that night too.

Chris sipped his water. “I can’t be a father to her niece and nephew. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what has happened in my life in the past few years.”

“It can only get better, right?”

He hoped so.

Tyler moved from the railing. “Well, even if things don’t work out in the forever department, maybe you can still be friends.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.”

“And who knows, maybe I’ll take you up on that extra space.”

Tyler gave him a nod and went back into the room with their family.

Chris let out a steady breath. He’d already decided that friendship was possible. Yeah, he’d start with that.

~*~

Victoria looked in the mirror and turned her head from side to side. She hadn’t realized how much she’d let herself go over the past year, until she’d been spoiled with a facial and an eyebrow wax. Even nearly a week later, she still looked refreshed. She studied her manicure. She’d managed to keep it intact too.

Sonia looked at the dress that hung in the doorway to the bathroom. “I can’t believe they bought you a dress for the wedding.”

“Look at the price tag. That would have set me back a month.”

“It wasn’t about the price, Tori.”