He kissed her hair. “You know you can’t do it.”
She blew her hair off her forehead. “Fine. I’ll wear it–then it will be fabulous no matter what.”
He kissed her again in response.
Valerie looked at the other couple in the room. She had crazy curly red hair and a pair of glasses, and he looked like a nerdy Captain America. “And you two?”
“Quik and Lux.” The man pointed to the two of them. “We’re here to ensure the universe and Christmas don’t explode.”
Valerie blinked and turned to Ethan. “Can that happen?”
He made a face. “Apparently.”
She drew in a breath. “Then I guess I’d better try on that dress.”
Auntie squealed and clapped her hands in delight. “I’m coming with you.” She ushered Stella, Charlotte, Lauren, and Valerie into the master suite and shut the door behind them. “Get her into that dress–I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the walk-in closet. Her zebra-patterned cowboy boots clicked on the wood floor.
Stella unzipped the red garment bag with a flourish. Out fell yards of embroidered tulle. The three ladies stepped closer. Valerie reached down and lifted the fabric to reveal holly leaves and berries embroidered in white.
“Wait until you see the bodice,” Stella whispered as if this were a sacred moment.
She moved the garment bag off the hangar, and they gasped in unison. The holly leaf embroidery gathered to form the bodice that stopped just below the shoulder. Upon closer inspection, the embroidery thread was one shade darker than the rest of the dress, making the leaves stand out. It was a work of art with a boho feel that was perfect for Valerie’s style.
“She sent footwear too.” Stella pulled out a pair of mesh holly embroidered rhinestone chunky heeled ankle boots.
“I’m Cinderella.” Valerie pressed her hands to her cheeks.
Stella winkled. “I always thought I’d make a good godmother. Feel free to put me down for any of your children. Or name them after me. You know–whatever.”
Valerie laughed at her half-teasing and began undressing. Lauren and Charlotte maintained a steady line of compliments over everything from her hair to her nails. Working as a group and using way more makeup and tools out of Stella’s red purse than could have ever fit in it, they had her ready in under ten minutes.
Stella reached into her purse and pulled out two bridesmaids’ dresses in forest green. They too had holly embroidery, though theirs was around the hem only. “Go in there and put these on.” She pointed to the bathroom. “Hurry.”
Lauren hopped up and down. “Thank you.” She hugged Stella and raced after Charlotte, who was staring down at the dress. “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” She stopped and turned to Stella. “Nick’s single–isn’t he?”
Stella threw her head back and laughed. “Yes–but he’s not your type.”
Charlotte put her hand on her hip. “He loves Christmas. He’s hot. And, I like a man in a Santa suit.”
Stella twisted her lips as she considered Charlotte. “Nick comes with obligations. But if you’re serious, we’ll talk later.”
Charlotte flung the dress over her shoulder as she sashayed into the bathroom to change.
Stella let out a sigh. “If only it would work. Charlotte would make an awesome Kringle.”
Valerie slipped on the second shoe and lifted her hands. She loved Charlotte, and if her qualifications for a man included him wearing a Santa suit–that seemed totally in line with her Christmas Shop that was open all year round and her general sense of holiday spirit. “I’m ready.”
“You’re almost ready.” Auntie came out carrying several sparkling things in her hands. “This is your something old.” She fastened a pearl bracelet around Valerie’s wrist. “It was your great-grandmother's and now it is yours.”
Valerie’s mouth fell open. “I don’t know what to say.” She lightly touched the pearls, which turned a glassy off-white color with age. The tone matched the holly thread perfectly.
“The dress is your something new. Obviously.” Auntie nodded to Stella, who curtseyed. “I wore this the day I married your uncle.” She placed a pearl and diamond tiara on Valerie’s head. “And I want it back, so it’s borrowed.”
Everyone twittered a laugh at her seriousness.
“And this is something blue.” She lifted a necklace with the initials M and T made from aquamarine stones. They were tiny and dangled from a thin silver chain. Auntie paused as she stared at it. “I had it made to remember your momma and daddy, but I couldn’t bring myself ever to wear it. I think it was meant to be yours.” She pressed a kiss to the letters and then secured the chain around Valerie’s neck. “They’ll be here today, sweetie.”
Valerie nodded. She should be in tears, but all she felt was peace. “I know they will. They’ve always been with me.”
