It’s tight-fitting, with a long train crisscrossing at the high neck to form a sort of halter. When she twirls, her exposed back peeks through the keyhole cutout, which we all know will be Wills’s favorite.
On their first night together years ago, she wore a backless dress, and it’s been his favorite style ever since.
“I’m marrying Wills,” she says out of nowhere. “I don’t know why, but it’s just hitting me suddenly.” Her eyes spark with a glint of excitement. “Oh, can you help me with my shoes?”
I open the box and chuckle. “Sadie, you little thief, I lent you these shoes years ago!”
She giggles. “I know. Wills loves them, so I figured I’d wear them as my ‘something borrowed.’”
“Oh, that reminds me. Hold on one sec.” I run into the walk-in closet where my overnight bag is stored and grab the small box for her.
“Happy wedding day, Sadie.” I hand her the box, and she gasps as she opens it.
“Annabelle… oh, God, they’re beautiful.” She hugs me tight, holding the diamond tear-drop earrings up to her ears.
“Your ‘something new,’” I say, staring at her through the mirror.
She’s glowing.
“They’re perfect, but this is excessive even for you, Belle. It’s too much.”
“Nonsense.” I lightly touch her earlobes, taking them in. They’re the perfect addition to the only other jewelry she has on—a small, light gold cuff with diamonds and an abstract rose, in honor of Charlie’s middle name, that Wills gifted Sadie for their first Christmas together.
“Thank you so much. Not just for the gift but for always being my biggest supporter. I’m so fortunate to have you in my life.”
“There is no thank-you needed,” I say, holding her stare. “I’m the fortunate one, because thirty years ago, I met my other half, and I promised her I would be there every step of the way: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Today is a good day—a great day—and I’m proud to stand with you as your maid of honor.” We stand there together, taking in the moment and all the years of friendship we’ve lived through.
Soul mates are not just for lovers.
Sadie fills my heart in a unique way, and I will always be grateful for meeting the shy American girl who grounds me. Even though I might have kept things from her in the past, just knowing she’ll always be there for me is enough.
“Do you think it’s bad luck that I forgot something old and blue?”
“No, you didn’t,” Eleanor, Wills’s mum, calls from the door before she and Evelyn walk in together. She holds Sadie at arm’s length, taking her all in.
“My sweet child… I have no words that adequately describe how you look or how I feel. However, I will say that you are breathtaking. My son is a lucky man.”
“Thanks, Mum,” she says, gazing at Eleanor with love in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I would have had you in the room with us, but—”
Eleanor shakes her head. “I understand, sweetie. You and Annabelle needed that moment alone.”
“I’ll give you three a minute.” I go to step out, and Evelyn grabs my hand.
“You should stay. You’re Sadie’s sister and a part of her family, so now you’re officially a part of ours too.”
I still at her words. She has no idea what that means to me.
I’d never been uncertain about my friendship with Sadie before Evelyn came along. They became instant best friends, and once she marries Wills, they’ll officially be sisters.
It had only been Sadie and me our whole lives, so I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit jealous at first. But once I got to know Evelyn over the years, my insecurities disappeared. I’d been angry with myself for even thinking that Sadie would leave me behind.
We all sit, then Evelyn pulls out a small box and passes it with a shaky hand to Sadie.
She opens it slowly, and as her eyes quickly fill with tears, mine follow without seeing what’s in the box. I can only imagine it’s something from Evelyn’s marriage with her late husband, Andrew.
Sadie lifts it, examining it closely. It’s a piece of what, at one time, was probably white lace with a sliver of blue silk in the middle.
Evelyn lets out a loud sob and looks over to her mum for help. Sadie gets up and takes Evelyn in her arms while Eleanor speaks. “Sadie, what Evelyn has gifted you is something near and dear to both of us. The outside layer was a piece from my wedding dress when I married my Thomas forty-five years ago. I gift this to you as my daughter, the same as I did Evelyn on her wedding day, for your ‘something old.’” Sadie smiles in thanks and holds it up to her heart.
