"Tyler, you can't come in here! It's bad luck."

   Tyler smiled at his sister, kissed her cheek, then firmly set her aside and stepped past her.

   Dressed in a beautifully beaded white suit, Jane stood in the center of his mother's guest room, being attended to by her other bridesmaids, Sandy Fiedler and his cousin Sally. Both of them frowned when they saw him.

   "Too late," he said. "I've already seen her. And I can't imagine any bad luck could come from seeing my bride looking so beautiful."

   Because they found that touching, the others fell silent. Jane smiled at him. "You're trying to be poetic again," she accused him. "Okay, this time it worked."

   "Could I be alone with Jane for just a few minutes?" Tyler asked the women.

   Sarah planted her hands on her hips in exasperation. "Can't it wait? The wedding starts in fifteen minutes. If you're a minute late, Mother will have a hissy fit."

   "We won't be late," he promised. "Not if you'll all clear out now."

   Signing and rolling their eyes, Sarah, Sally and Sandy left the room. "But don't blame me," Sarah couldn't resist saying over her shoulder just before she closed the door, "if Mother comes in here to lead you out by your ear."

   "You really look beautiful," Tyler murmured, admiring the tiny white flowers scattered in Jane's short red hair.

   She smiled and touched his cheek. "Thank you. Now, tell me why you've barged in here. If you've gotten cold feet and decided to cancel the wedding, I swear I'll hang you in front of the guests by your toenails."

   He chuckled. "You know better than that."

   "Then what is it?"

   He reached into the pocket of his navy suit jacket. "I wanted you to see this. It came this morning."

   She took the folded sheet of paper curiously. "What is it?"

   "Open it."

   She did, read the dryly stated scientific facts stated upon it, then gave a little cry. "Tyler!"

   His smile was shaky. "I know."

   She held the paper to her heart, not caring that it was crumpling in her hands. "You're Amy's father. This removes the doubt."

   "I've always been her father," he answered firmly. "This only confirms what my heart has always known. But even if the results had been different, it wouldn't have changed anything. I would have loved her just as much."

   "I know. But this really is wonderful news. She's really your daughter."

   "In fifteen minutes, she'll be our daughter," he reminded her.

   She drew a deep breath. "Oh, wow. I'm about to become a stepmom."

   "There's no one I would trust more with my children," he assured her. "Or with my heart."

   She dashed at their eyes. "You really have to stop this poetic thing, Tyiee. It's hell on my mascara."

   Though he was smiling, he spoke in a warning growl, "If you dare call me that in front of anyone..."

   Her smile turned wicked. "You know I can never resist a challenge."

   He kissed her, telling her he wouldn't stop until she promised not to embarrass him in public. He was still there when his mother barged into the room to drag him out by his ear.

   "I'll see you at the altar," he called over his shoulder.

   "Trust me," she said. "I'll be there."

   He paused just long enough to send her a smile "As it happens, I do trust you. Implicitly."