Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

ever wanted to know. I just got off the phone fast.â€
    â€œI’ve got news,†Joley announced, adjusting her dress and frowning at the tiny baby bump she couldn’t hide. “Sheesh, I’m total y showing. I’m kicking Ilya when I see him.â€
    â€œWe already know you’re pregnant,†Sarah pointed out. “There’s not much news after that. And you aren’t showing at al .â€
    Joley waited for the laughter to subside. “Very funny. Al of you,†she sniffed indignantly. “Just for that I’m not tel ing you a thing.†She studied her figure again and drew in her breath. “Couldn’t you have chosen something a little less clingy? It’s beautiful, but honestly it looks almost like a wedding dress.â€
    The dress was ivory in color, a halter top made of transparent lace beaded with platinum and pearls gathered together at the midriff with a sheer lace panel encrusted with more platinum and pearls. The dress showcased her generous breasts and left her back daringly bare. Sarah had chosen the gowns from the same New Zealand designer because they were perfect for the beach wedding and flattered them al . Silk satin crepe flowed to the ankle, creating elegance with every movement.
    â€œIt is a wedding dress. I loved it and wanted to be married in it, but because we were having a church wedding, I didn’t think it was appropriate so I chose them for El e’s wedding. The designer is a friend of mine and she’d already made most of them for bridesmaid dresses.â€
    â€œGreat, I have a big baby bump in the front of a wedding gown. How attractive is that?â€
    â€œVery,†Hannah said soothingly. “You look so beautiful, Joley. Don’t be upset.â€
    â€œOh, for heaven’s sake,†Sarah said, “everyone knows you’re pregnant. Why are you making such a fuss? Hannah’s showing and you’re not at al .â€
    Joley looked uncomfortable. “Hannah’s married. I wanted to wait until El e was home.â€
    â€œJoley!†El e wailed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done this so quickly. Maybe I should wait until al of you are married.â€
    â€œNo, you shouldn’t,†Joley said firmly. “I just feel funny facing Mom and Dad pregnant. You know I’m always the screw-up.†She shrugged. “I suppose it’s sil y to want to be married when I’m always the one in the tabloids. And boy, is the press ever having a field day right now.â€
    â€œMom and Dad don’t think you’re a screw-up, sil y,†Sarah said, wrapping her arm around her younger sister. “They’re proud of you. They love Ilya and they know why you waited. Of course you’d wait for El e. I guess you’l just have to be impulsive like Jackson and be the next ones. We can put something together fast. Abbey and Aleksandr are getting married in their backyard with only family there.â€
    Joley smoothed her hands over the dress again. “I’m crazy about Ilya,†she admitted in a little rush, “but sometimes, I worry that I’m so crazy about him that I’l blow it al .â€
    Abigail frowned. “Joley, Ilya is just as crazy about you. Where did you get al these insecurities?â€
    â€œI’ve always had them when it comes to Mom and Dad. And Ilya is my life. I’m so wrapped up in him, I sometimes feel like I’m obsessed.†Joley ran her palm down her thigh. “I hate being away from him.â€
    Sarah looked at her watch. “Wel , honey, we’ve only got a few minutes to finish up or the bride wil be late and Jackson wil send a cop to pick her up.â€
    â€œSo tel us the news,†Hannah urged.
    â€œSylvia Fredrickson is going to have a baby.†Joley dropped the bombshel on her astonished sisters. “Inez invited Mason and Sylvia to the wedding and Sylvia wanted to make certain it wouldn’t make us uncomfortable to be there. She was real y very sweet on the phone and sounded happy. She said Mason didn’t divorce her and they’ve worked things out. She asked to apologize again to Abigail and wanted you to know, Abbey, that her life is a thousand times better because of you.â€
    â€œOf course you told her to come to the wedding,†El e said.
    â€œI did,†Joley confirmed.
    â€œThat makes me