Chapter 15 #2
“Are you kidding me? If you tried on another dress, I’d be pissed at you. This one was made for you.”
I nod, taking in my reflection one more time.
“Burk is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you,” she declares, offering a wink. “I can’t wait.”
I bark out a laugh and shake my head. “Okay, I choose this one. Let me get out of it, and we can find you a dress,” I say, turning my back to my sister so she can unzip me.
When we arrived, Eve insisted on finding my maid of honor dress first, as well as giving the moms time to find theirs.
She said part of the joy in this experience was watching us choose our dresses too, and she wanted to be completely present for that part.
“I’m going to step out and see if the others have found any to try on,” she says, referring to our mom, John’s Mom, Patti, and his grandma, Glenda.
I nod and wait until the door is closed behind her.
When I’m left alone, I take a deep, calming breath.
I probably shouldn’t have burdened this day with the heaviness hanging on my heart, but I knew my sister would understand.
And like any other time we’ve talked, she helped me work through what was troubling me.
The fact remains that I’m falling hard and fast for Burk, and even though he’s leaving, I’m still going to see this through.
My heart might be completely shattered by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, but the thought of not sharing these last couple of weeks with him feels almost more soul-crushing.
I know how this will end. I’m choosing to enjoy the ride until that time comes.
When my dress is on the hanger and my clothes are back on, I step out into the small dressing room area and smile. Both my mom and John’s are standing in the middle of the row of mirrors wearing beautiful dresses. Both have chosen a shade a green and look equally beautiful.
“What do you think?” Mom asks me.
“You both look stunning,” I assure her.
Glenda is sitting in a wingback chair, smiling widely. “I agree. They look exquisite.”
Mom makes a face. “You aren’t going to show me the dress?”
I give her an apologetic look and hand the dress to the sales associate. “Sorry, I didn’t think to come out and show everyone.”
“I think it’s the perfect dress,” Eve states before turning to Glenda. “Have you found a dress?”
The older woman waves her hand. “I’m just along for the ride, dear. I have plenty of dresses in my closet I can wear.”
“John insisted,” Eve replies to the older woman.
“How many times is your only grandson going to get married?” Patti asks.
“Well, he better only get married once,” my sister replies with a hint of sarcasm.
“Oh, I have no doubt about it,” Glenda vows, slowly standing from her seat and taking the few steps to where Eve stands.
She takes her hand and adds, “I’ve never seen my grandson so in love.
You’ve made him happier than I could have ever wanted, and I have no doubt in my mind and my heart that this love will last forever. ”
My sister sniffles and smiles. “Thanks, Grandma Glenda.”
“You’re welcome, dear. Now, I know my grandson insisted I get a new dress too, but really, it’s not necessary. I have so many clothes that I never wear, and I know I have something perfect already hanging in my closet. In fact, I have something in mind.”
“You do?” Eve asks, wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks.
“I do,” Glenda assures. “I’ve even already tried it on.”
“Well, if you’re sure. John said he’d be happy to buy you a new dress, since everyone else is getting something new.”
Glenda smiles lovingly at my sister and squeezes her hand.
“My grandson has a heart of gold, but I do not need him to buy me a new dress. The one I’m wearing was actually a gift from his grandfather.
He purchased it for me right before he passed away, and sadly, I never got to wear it.
I see no better occasion to bring it out of the back of the closet than our only grandson’s wedding.
So, please tell John I appreciate his offer, but I’m going to decline. ”
My sister bursts into tears and throws her arms around the older woman’s shoulders. Glenda returns the gesture, holding her future granddaughter-in-law tightly. “I can’t wait to see it.”
She grins and pats my sister’s hand. “You know what I can’t wait to see? You in the dress you’re going to marry my grandson in. We’re all situated, so now it’s your turn, dear. Let’s find you a wedding dress.”
My sister beams brighter than the North Star shining in the sky. “I can’t wait.”
“Go,” Glenda urges.
Eve takes my hand and leads me out to a section for off-the-rack bridal gowns. There are dresses of every shape and style, but she bypasses the ones I thought she’d gravitate toward and moves to one I wasn’t expecting. “I want to try this one on,” she tells the sales associate who followed us.
I gasp, my eyes wide as I watch the clerk remove the dress from the display mannequin.
“As soon as we stepped inside and I saw it, I knew,” my sister tells me, her green eyes full of unshed tears.
“Yes,” I agree, my heart beating wildly in my chest as we head toward the dressing room.
I’m prepared to stay outside and let Eve and the sales associate do their thing, but she latches on to my hand and pulls me inside. “I want your help.”
Together, the clerk and I assist my sister into the formfitting, lace dress in a soft ivory.
There’s a short train with beautiful floral lace detail and ivory pearl buttons that go from the base of the spine all the way up to the neck.
The front is even more stunning with a plunging neckline, but is covered with the lace, and sleeves that show off the intricate detail of the delicate material.
“What do you think?”
I meet her gaze, not even sure when I started to cry. “You look…so beautiful.”
“Yeah?” my sister asks, turning her attention to her reflection. “I love it,” she whispers, more to herself than to the clerk and me, but I couldn’t agree more.
“It’s your dress.”
She turns, running her hands down the dress. “Shall we go show the others?”
I nod, moving to the door and pulling it open. I find three women anxiously sitting in the chairs, waiting to see the bride-to-be. “Are you ready?” I ask, earning a resounding yes from all three.
My sister walks out and all you hear are gasps. No one says a word as she walks to the round, elevated platform and steps up on top.
“Holy shit. My grandson is going to swallow his tongue.”
We all laugh at Glenda’s comment, yet no one disagrees.
“What do you think?” She looks at our mom first, who’s openly crying.
Mom nods, wiping tears from her face as she replies, “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.”
That’s all it takes. There’s not a dry eye in the building, including the sales associate who’s standing off to the side, ready to help.
She retrieves a box of tissues from the table and hands them out before taking one for herself.
“This dress was special, and the moment you walked in and eyed it, I knew you’d be the one to wear it.
It was actually an oops when we placed our last order, but when we unwrapped it, it was just too pretty to send back.
I suspected the perfect bride for it was out there, and then you put it on. It was destined to be yours.”
And just like that, we’re all crying again.
We stand there for a while, oohing and awwing over the most stunning wedding dress on the face of the planet. John’s Grandma Glenda agrees to do a few alterations so it’s not quite so long, but for the most part, the clerk is right. This dress was made for Eve.
In less than two weeks, she’ll wear it as she pledges her eternal love and devotion to the one man she plans to spend the rest of her life with. What a beautiful fairy tale for John and Eve, and I’m so honored to be part of it.
I only wish there were a happily ever after in my own future.
Not today.
Not necessarily tomorrow.
But somewhere in the future.
I can only hope my story is as poetic and forever as my sister’s.