My wife looked me right in the eye. She smiled and whispered to me, her husband‘Is that you, Lucky? Have you come back to me?'

No one breathed.

And then she died, Piers said. He began to sway. Tears rolled down his face.

Piers, please. No, Lucio said.

You left me nothing, Montevez. I have nothing.

Josh leaped to grab Piers's legs, but he'd already begun to fall backward, eyes to the sky. Lucio watched Piers extend his body in a graceful arc, offering himself to the nothingness.

Then he was gone.

No, no, no, Lucio moaned.

Instantly, Larry was at Lucio's feet. Listen to me, Montevez. Larry's eyes were steely behind their swollen lids, and a deep frown of concentration dominated his face. Your friend is gone. But we've got another problem right here and I'm afraid it can't wait.

Larry's face began to wash out as Lucio's vision faded. He turned to Ginger. The last thing he saw was her beautiful hazel eyes, filled with fear and love. The last thing he heard were the words femoral artery and the sound of his jeans being ripped to shreds.

Ginger took one last glance at herself in the full-length mirror and grinned at what she saw.

She was big as a house. Her cheeks were chubby and her ankles had morphed into cankles and she was happier than she'd ever been in her life. Lately, she wasn't sure the world was big enough to hold all her happiness.

Today was her wedding day.

Psst.

Ginger looked up to see Josie sticking her curly head in the door. Are you ready?

Ginger nodded.

Are you okay?

Ginger nodded again.

Are you sure?

She held out her hand. Josie came to her, arms outstretched, and hugged her tight. They both began laughing.

We have to stand five feet apart to hug these days, Ginger said.

Between the two of us, we're twelve months' pregnant! Josie separated from her friend and smiled at her, touching her cheek. Ginger, I have never seen you more beautiful.

She reached for Josie's hands. I remember the first time I did this, I was a nervous wreck. It was such a huge production. My mother and my father had to be separated because they hated one another. Larry was hungover from his bachelor party. I'd practically starved myself to squeeze into my wedding gown. I couldn't get my hair right. It was raining and I was supposed to have an outdoor reception

Josie grinned. But this time?

Ginger glanced to the French doors that looked out over the snow-covered vineyard. This time I'm just happy. That's it. I'm not worried about anything. I'm forty and pregnant and getting married in a freak snowstorm and I'm happy about it!

Josie went to the dressing table to retrieve Ginger's bouquet just as there was a knock at the door.

You decent in there? Bea asked, sticking her head in before Ginger could answer.

I'm an unwed mother, but other than that, sure, Ginger said.

Bea laughed. Just for another ten minutes or so, babycakes.

Roxanne came in next, smiling broadly. Everything's ready in the main house. Mrs. Needleman is getting antsy and your mother is still hitting on Lucio's dad, who doesn't understand a freakin' word she's saying but sure seems to like looking down the front of her dress.

Bea snorted. Maybe she's finally found her ideal man!

Please, please don't make me laugh, Ginger said, holding her belly.

So you don't ruin your makeup? Roxie asked.

No! So I don't wet my pants! Ginger said. My bladder is the size of a raisin these days.

Tell me about it, Josie said. Just you saying that and I've got to hit the powder room again. Don't leave without me!

Before Josie toddled off to the bathroom, she tossed the bouquet to Roxie, who looked like she was going to keel over in horror. She stared at the red roses in her hands for a second, then flipped them to Bea.

Remember the last time we were all in this room? Roxie asked cheerfully, making sure no one said anything about what had just happened.

Absolutely. Ginger's gaze drifted to the guest room bed. You guys were worried that my honor was being compromised.

Silly us! Bea said with a snort.

Josie's voice echoed from the bathroom. Compromise can be a good thing! Sometimes all it takes is a little compromise to make your dreams come true!

Roxie rolled her eyes. We better get moving, she said. Lucio shoveled the walkway so you wouldn't get snow on your shoes, but if we wait much longer he'll have to do it again.

Ginger sighed. That was sweet of him.

Josie, would you hurry up in there! Bea walked through the dressing room and toward the bathroom. We don't want Ginger's kid to be born out of wedlock, do we?

Coming, coming.

Josie opened the door and waddled past Bea, shaking her head. You're such a bossy thing.

Bea's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes bugged out. Then Roxie did the same. That's when Ginger saw what they found so hilarious. Josie had tucked the back of her maid-of-honor dress into her pantyhose.

Hey, Joze, Bea said. You know how you're always telling me to mind my own business?

Josie spun around. Yeah. She spun back around when she heard Ginger and Roxie snicker. What's so funny?

Look, I hate to ‘butt' into your personal affairs. Bea could hardly contain herself. But you should know that your entire booty is exposed.

Josie fumbled around behind her and gasped.

I'll get it, Joze. Ginger yanked up on the ruby-red satin until it was unhitched, then smoothed it out to where it fell at mid-calf. She smiled at her friends. You all look gorgeous, she said. Thank you for being my bridesmaids. Come here a minute.

Ginger motioned for everyone to stand with her in front of the huge mirror.

With her dark hair and pale skin, Roxanne looked stunning in the three-quarter-length-sleeve wrap dress. Bea looked downright sophisticated. She was even wearing small diamond stud earrings and a touch of lip gloss! Josie looked adorable, with her pink cheeks and all those glossy curls brushing her shoulders. Ginger had asked the seamstress to adjust the cut of the dress to accommodate Josie's growing bump, and the result was perfection.

Maybe Josie was rightmaybe Ginger had never looked more beautiful than she did right then. She wore an ivory silk sleeveless dress that fell just above her ankles. The retro style of the gown was accented by elegant elbow-length gloves. Ginger's hair had been pulled back into a French twist, and she wore her mother's matching pearls and earrings.

She looked like a knocked-up Holly Golightly.

We're four of the hottest babes in all of Northern California, Bea said, giving Ginger a gentle squeeze around her waist as they stood before the mirror.

Maybe five, Ginger said.

Whoops! Of course! Bea bent at the waist and whispered into Ginger's dress. Sorry, sweet cheeks.

Josie cleared her throat.

Right, Roxie said, leaning down close to Josie's tummy. Maybe even six!

The women laughed and pulled each other tighter. Ginger noticed that tenderhearted Bea was almost ready to burst into tears.

All right, let's get me married. Ginger held out her hand to Bea, who transferred the bouquet to her grasp.

The women walked to the door, and filed down the guest-house steps. Bea held Ginger's elbow and they hustled her down the covered walkway to the main house. The women stood at the front door, peeking through the window.

Ginger gasped. The great room at Samhain Ranch had been turned into a lovely chapel, decorated with red and white roses and sprays of greenery. A fire roared in the fireplace, sending golden light through the room. Candles were lit everywhere. About forty people were seated in a half circle of chairs.

Ginger peered closer. There were her boys, so handsome and tall in their tuxedos. How proud she was of the men they were becoming! And there was her mother, wearing a dress that advertised her latest boob job, rubbing against the arm of Lucio's father. And there was Larry's latest girlfriend, sitting by herself in the last row. Ginger had met her. She liked her. She was a teacher, with two grown daughters. The woman was forty-seven.