Chapter One Hundred and Ten

Favour opened the door and they stared at each other for a while until Jasmine spoke.

'Can I come in?' she asked.

'Sure' Favour replied and stepped out of the way.

'How are you?' Jasmine asked her.

'Doing good'

'And the baby and Leonard.'

'They are both fine, and Leonard is out' replied Favour, walking slowly to take a seat on the couch. 'It's one of the things that I don't like about pregnancy... Sometimes I'm just too tired to move around'

Jasmine smiled at her and sat down too beside her. 'You are doing great' she said, 'And it will be over soon'

There was a brief hesitation before she added, 'I'm sorry, Favour. I behaved so horrible towards you that night. I was frustrated, but it was still no reason to say the things that I said to you. I hope that you can forgive me'.

Favour began to cry. 'I'm so sorry' she said. 'About your baby... I can't believe that I didn't know, and every time I saw you, I just rambled on and on about mine. And you had to sit there and listen'

Jasmine took her hand. 'It's not your fault, dear. How could you have known when I didn't say anything to you.'

'I should have known that something was wrong instead of getting mad at you... And your baby... You lost your child. I can't even imagine how you must have felt because if I' she hesitated and rubbed her stomach, 'if I lost my baby, I'd be so... I'm so sorry, Jasmine'

Jasmine held her hand. 'it's alright, I promise. I just want us to let this go please. I want to focus on the future and be happy'

'About Collins' Favour began. 'Are you guys alright? Things seemed so bad between you that night'

Jasmine smiled. 'Well, speaking of Collins'. She held up her hand and flashed the ring at Favour, who couldn't help but scream excitedly.

Jasmine laughed and hugged her. 'Calm down' she said.

'Calm down? Calm down? I'm about to go nuts' said Favour, grabbing Jasmine's hand and inspecting the ring. 'He proposed? When?'

'Yesterday' Jasmine replied. 'I was so happy and I couldn't wait to tell you. I get to be with the man I love'

'Leonard is going to be so happy' said Favour. 'And so am I. I love you, sis'

'I love you more, Favour, and thank you for introducing us'

Favour smirked. 'Yeah, am I a match maker or what?' she bragged then added when Jasmine raised an eyebrow. 'Maybe it didn't go exactly as I planned, but the point is that it finally worked.'

'Yeah right' said Jasmine.

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September. .. The first month of Spring in Australia...and the day was bright and sunny, perfect for the wedding.

'The flowers have arrived!' Favour yelled from downstairs. 'I'm bringing ours up.'

Jasmine stepped into the dress she'd chosen to wear and pulled it up, carefully sliding her arms through the armholes. She was positioning the bodice properly on her shoulders as Favour sailed into the bedroom.

'I need help with the back fastening.' she appealed to her sister.

'Oh, wow!' Favour breathed at first sight of the dress on Jasmine.

She quickly laid the flowers on the bed and moved to complete the fitting. When it was done, they both stared at the reflection in the mirror.

'That is fabulous!' Favour declared in absolute awe.

It wasn't a traditional bridal gown. It was a Collette Dinnigan creation that Jasmine had bought—rashly almost emptying her bank account — to wear at the Academy Awards night, desperately wanting Collins to see her as the woman he always wanted at his side. She'd never worn it. The dress was the kind of dress that dreams were made of. It finally felt right to wear it today. It was made of opalescent sequins, sleeveless, the front bodice providing graceful movement with a longcowl neckline that dropped to below her waist, also showing quite a tantalising amount of cleavage. The slim-line style flared into a swinging skirt below the knees, allowing room to walk freely, though with a decidedly seductive swish.

'With your hair fluffed out over your shoulders and down your back, plus all those millions of glittering sequins, you kind of look like a mermaid, Jasmine,' Favour remarked assessingly, then laughed as she gestured to her own appearance. 'And I look like a whale.'

'No, you don't. You look absolutely beautiful, Favour, and I'm sure Leonard will tell you so.'

'Just as well you chose midnight-blue for me. It helps to minimise the lump.' She sighed. 'You could have waited another two months until after I'd had the baby. Having a matron of honour this pregnant is not fashionable.'

Jasmine shook her head, smiling at the grumble. 'Babies are always fashionable, before and after they're born.'

'I can't see my feet anymore.'

'What's so great about your feet?'

'They're about the only part of me that hasn't swelled up. Which is just as well because I'll have you know I've done a lot of running around, getting this wedding right for you and Collins while you two did your jet-setting thing.'

'I know, Favour .' Jasmine kissed her cheek. 'Thank you so much for everything you've done for us.'

'Well it wasn't just me. Mum and Collins mother were wild to get in on the act, very eager to get the two of you married. I'm sure Mum thought it was a miracle that you finally found someone.' Favour raised a wagging finger.

'And she wasn't alone in that sentiment.' Jasmine grinned, recalling all her sister's matchmaking efforts. 'I didn't find Collins. It was a blind date, remember?'

Favour rolled her eyes. 'And is Leonard going to make capital out of that in his best man speech! He is so wrapped that we're all going to be connected by marriage. And so am I, Jasmine.' She gave her a hug. 'it's great!'

'Yes, it is.' With heartfelt pleasure beaming between them, Jasmine couldn't keep the secret to herself any longer. It had to be safe now. The doctor had assured her all was well, and just this past week the scan had actually showed their baby sucking its thumb—so endearing it had brought tears to her eyes.

Collins, as well.

'We'll be sharing more than being in-laws, Favour. I'm pregnant, too,' she happily announced.

'You're not!' It was a squeal of delight.

Jasmine nodded.