Mom appears with a tray of tea and sets it on the table between us.
She starts pouring cups with steady hands. "We need to talk about something happy," she announces. "Something to look forward to. Something that isn't tonight."
"Like what?" Astrid asks.
"Like my daughter's wedding."
All eyes turn to me.
I feel heat rise to my cheeks.
"We haven't really planned anything yet."
"Then let's start," Charm says. "Venue? Church? Outdoor? Here at the clubhouse?"
"I—I don't know. I haven't thought about it."
"Colors? Flowers? What season?"
"Mom—"
"You need a distraction, and so do I." Mom's voice is firm but kind. "So we're talking about the wedding. Deal with it."
Astrid laughs.
"She's right, you know. Nothing like wedding planning to take your mind off everything else."
"Fine." I settle back in my seat. "But I want something small. Nothing huge or elaborate. Just family, close friends, the club."
"That can be arranged," Mom says. "What about the dress? We should start looking at?—"
"Actually." I hesitate. "I was thinking—hoping—I could wear yours."
Mom freezes, her cup halfway to her lips. "What?"
"Your wedding dress. The one you married Dad in." I swallow hard. "I know you probably kept it. And I just thought—if it would fit me—maybe?—"
I don't get to finish because Mom bursts into tears.
Not quiet, dignified tears. Full-on sobbing.
The kind that shakes her whole body.
"Mom—I'm sorry—if you don't want me to?—"
"Don't want you to?" She sets down her cup with shaking hands. "Baby girl, I've dreamed about this since the day you were born. Watching my daughter walk down the aisle in my dress—" She can't finish. Just pulls me into a hug. "Yes. Yes, of course you can wear it. Nothing would make me happier. Nothing in this world."
Now I'm crying too.
Both of us are a mess.
The other women are watching with misty eyes.
"Gods, look at us." Mom laughs through her tears. "A bunch of emotional wrecks."
"The best kind of emotional wrecks," Fern says warmly.
"The dress might need alterations," Mom continues, pulling back to wipe her eyes. "You're taller than I was. Slimmer in the waist. But we can make it work. We'll make it perfect."
