"Knock, knock," Tessa says. "Are you decent?"
"Not exactly," I say.
"Well, I'm coming in anyway. I've seen you in a bikini. Besides, we’re basically sisters." She slides into the fitting room, holding up an absolutely gorgeous gown. It has an off-the-shoulder neckline and the bodice is covered in a delicate lace that meets the smooth satin ball-gown-style skirt at a point just below the hip. The sheer long sleeves flare out just the tiniest bit at the cuffs. It's exactly like Sleeping Beauty’s blue dress, except in a lovely warm white.
Tessa grins at me, her eyes dancing with excitement. "This is the one, isn't it? It's what Sleeping Beauty would have worn,” she whispers.
Completely abandoning sensibility, I reach for it, touching the cool satin with my fingertips and gasping.
"I knew it," she says. "Deep down, you still want the fairy-tale."
"I do not," I say indignantly. "This is just a very beautiful dress, that's all."
Raising one eyebrow, Tessa says, "You're so full of shit. Now, put this on so we can ooh and ahh over you, you can order it, and we can go have lunch."
She hangs it on the empty hook then disappears, leaving me and — let's face it — my dream dress so we can be alone together.
I pull it on, thrilled to see that it's basically my size. Just a few minor alterations and it should fit perfectly. Tucking my bra straps into the wide-open collar, I slide the curtain aside and turn so Jasmine can do up the buttons. She says nothing this time, and steps aside as I lift the front of the skirt and walk toward the mirror, my heart pounding and my head lifted high. And I know this is very silly and I should be above all of this, butmy God, this is a beautiful dress. It must look as good as I hoped because even Gran has raised a hand to her mouth to cover a gasp.
I turn and take in the first sight of myself in it, and I. Am.In love. I look myself up and down for a moment, realizing that, for the first time in my life, I actuallylooklike a princess. And Ifeellike a princess. And I actuallywantto be one. Jasmine appears behind me with a veil in her hands. "I've been waiting for the right dress to present this to you. Would you like to try it?"
I nod, feeling tears well up in my eyes. How stupid. To get emotional over an article of clothing, of all things. But somehow standing here with a stranger putting a veil on makes me miss the mum I never knew. I can't help but to wish she were here, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue and telling me how beautiful I am and how proud she is of me. It's always the biggest moments in life that you miss sharing with your mother. Well, and the little ones too, I suppose. I let out a shaky breath and glance at Gran in the mirror. She stands and hurries up the steps to me, squeezing my shoulder. "I wish she were here too." Her eyes fill with tears. "It's really not fair that you had to miss out on all that love."
I reach down and give her a tight hug, and she hugs me back, and, for once, she doesn't have a biting comment on the tip of her tongue or any advice. Only comfort.
When I finally let go, I say, "Sorry, I didn't think that was going to happen."
"Don't be. It's a great loss that you had to suffer. And we’re such a small family to begin with, it makes it even harder. It makes me wish your grandfather and I had had more than just the one child. At least then you could have maybe had an auntie to help fill the void.”
I nod. “Or if my parents could've had more children. And if…" I shrug and don't finish the sentence because there's no point in wishing for something that didn't happen, or rather, wishing something thatdidhappen, hadn’t.
Gran pats me on the hand. “But we’ll add your young man and his people to the mix and maybe some children to fill the palace halls with laughter.”
I nod and smile at the thought, trying to brush away my heartbreak.
Jasmine steps forward. “So, are we decided then?”
Turning back to the mirror again, I sigh. "There's really nothing practical or sensible about it." I chew on my lip for a moment, wishing I didn't love it so much. "I don't know, is it too…young for me?"
Protests erupt from all three of my companions, none of whom are particularly nice about it. Tessa and Nikki make their way up onto the platform, and Nikki fans out the train for me, while Tessa plucks a silk bouquet out of the holder on the wall and hands it to me. "Let yourself have this one thing," she says. “The rest of the day can be utterly eco-responsible and as dull as dishwater. But just let yourself have this."
I nod, a sense of excitement for my wedding day hitting me for the very first time.
Chapter 14
Sleepy Fiancées, Lying, and Death-Defying Bike Trips
Will
Email from Dylan Sinclair
To: Will Banks, Princess Arabella
Subject: Your Amazing News!!!
Dearest William and Princess Arabella,
I am delighted to hear that the entire royal family is planning to meet at Paradise Bay for a pre-wedding holiday! I of course will respect your need for some alone time, but we’ll need to film a few segments with everyone together.
