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Alone on her wedding day What a depressing thought

Her thoughts strayed to John, as undoubtedly waiting impatiently downstairs She could see hiait punctuated by the limp which had become so dear to her Her lips tilted up into a smile She wasn't alone And she never would be

She had just reached for the dress when she heard a commotion in the hallway Her head swiv-eled instinctively toward the door as it burst open Emma quite literally flew into the roo for breath Belle had no doubt that she'd taken the steps two at a tiiven me a little notice?"

"It was all soed

"I suspect that that is so of an understatement"

Their attention was distracted by an even louder commotion in the hall

"Oh dear," Emma muttered "That would be Alex"

The man in question nearly kicked the door in

"It certainly would," Belle returned dryly

Alex's chest was heaving with exertion Belle rather thought he'd taken the steps three at a tirace to look at least a little uncoe like that again, so help le you"

E to her husband altogether "He's a little overprotective due to my delicate condition," she said to Belle

"Ely

John chose thaton here?"

Belle shrieked, threw her ar room "You can't see me!" she yelled

"Oh for God's sake, Belle This isn't exactly a noret out I'll see you downstairs" Her voice was h several layers of fabric and a rather thick wooden door

Alex rolled his eyes and lare at hiorously "I need a drink" He stalked out of the roolance

Emma shut the door quickly behind theone," she said quietly, not at all sure why she hispering

"Are you certain?"

"For heaven's sake, Belle I have eyes, don't I? I tell you, they're gone"

Belle poked her head around the side of the door, and when she was satisfied that the room was devoid of male creatures, ventured out

" I used to think you were the most sensible person I knew," E it

"Are you sure you're ready to do this?"