“See? Aren’t you a vision,” Janice declared, standing up for the first time and smiling with pride. “You’ll steal Elliott’s breath from his very lungs in that.”
I stood too, taking in the soft scoop neckline. I hated to admit it, but Janice was right—the dress was beautiful, and Kelsey’s expression had changed yet again with it, so she was feeling something.
“Oh Kelsey, it’s stunning too,” Mom said, her eyes misting as she took in the sight of my sister in the gown.
“So, which one is it going to be, Kels?” I asked, giving her my full focus and trying to make up for having zoned out on her grand entrance.
“What do you think?” she questioned, turning to look at me, her slender fingers running over the Swarovski crystal belt.
“You look amazing in both,” I told her, speaking the honest truth. She turned back to the mirror, studying it with her lips pursed.
“The tulle isn’t too much?” she asked, looking from Mom to me with concern.
“Kelsey, your wedding day is basically the only time you’ll have an excuse to wear a super gaudy dress,” I pointed out with a mischievous smile.
“I really think the ball gown looks best on you,” Janice added. She’d sent me an offended look when I called the dress gaudy, but I hadn’t cared. Shrugging, I faced Kelsey again, giving her a pointed look to remind her it was her wedding.
“I love them both.” Mom stepped forward, her eyes watery as she gazed at Kelsey. She shook her head back and forth, overcome with emotion.
“Why don’t we try some veils and tiaras?” the saleswoman suggested, coming forward with a veil and a tiara in her hands. Kelsey nodded, and the saleswoman carefully put the tiara on her, arranging the veil so that it covered the back of my sister’s head and shoulders, leaving her face free.
“Oh, you look like a princess,” Mom choked out, the tears flowing freely now.
I sighed dreamily, my smile growing. I’d almost wanted Kelsey to go back to the other dress, just to spite Janice. I couldn’t imagine how unbearable she would get for being right about this, but she was—the second dresswasperfect. She looked like a fairytale character in it.
Kelsey turned to face the mirror, her eyes bright with emotion as she studied herself. “I think this is the one,” she said softly, tilting her head a little bit.
“Turn around,” I told her, and when she did, I snapped a couple of photos of her with my phone.
“What are you doing?” Janice frowned angrily as if snapping some pictures was the equivalent of doing naked summersaults all over the pristine white furniture in the bridal boutique.
“Relax, Janice. I’m taking photos so that she’ll know what to show the hairstylist and makeup artist,” I said, somehow placidly, despite the overwhelming urge I had to roll my eyes at her. She backed off—with nary an apology—and I resumed my task.
Moving closer to the stage, I snapped more pictures, relieved to put some distance between Janice and myself. I could only hold my tongue for so long, and I really didn’t want to inadvertently spoil Kelsey’s moment by telling her future mother-in-law to shut her pie hole, permanently.
“Will you be paying by cash or credit?” the saleswoman asked, her tone jovial.
“Credit,” Kelsey replied, her eyes still on her reflection. I squeezed her shoulders, jumping a little bit with excitement.
“It’s really happening, Kels. You’re getting married!” I said, animated with excitement for this stage of her life.
“I know,” she squealed back, her eyes flashing with excitement.
I smiled. “Well, I guess we should go have that celebratory champagne now!”
* * *
I walked into my apartment,dropping my purse down on the floor in front of the shelf. Sliding the deadbolt home, I let out a tired sigh and hung my head.
The day had its highs; its truly exciting moments—like Kelsey findingthe dress, and celebratory champagne followed by a quick bistro lunch.
But the day also had its unbearable, painful moments. Most of those unbearably painful moments were due to Janice, but a few had been my own personal hang-ups.
On the drive home from Toronto, I’d stared out the window, thinking about the photo of Alaric, Kelsey’s wedding, and of Erik.
I hated that I was thinking about Erik, but weddings brought up weird feelings for everyone. Or at least, that’s what movies and books led me to believe. I’d actually never been to a wedding before, so I was new to all of this turmoil, but I couldn’t deny its existence.
Kelsey and Elliott were soulmates, and this was the next chapter in their lives together. I was excited for them both, and I knew my sister had dreamed about this day for her entire life. What little girl hadn’t played wedding growing up? Dressed in their mother’s heels and pearls?
