Sometimes you don’t need much. The inflection of their voice. The balance of sincerity and playfulness in their eyes. It was every fiber of his being and the way it was blended together into this human sunbeam. And it just so happens to be expertly packaged in a premium skin suit.
I derail this train of thought as I pull into the parking lot of the dress boutique. Darcy sent me the address last night along with half a dozen screenshots of gowns she wanted to try on. To make things easier, which is my job as maid of honor, I started an electronic folder and shared it with her. There are sub-folders for the dress, cake and menus, the venue, and anything else you can think of.
“Hey, Lyric!” Lou’s small voice catches my attention from a few feet away as I put my car into park.
I hop out. “Hey, Lou Lou. Are you ready to find yourself a pretty flower girl dress?”
“Yeah, but Darcy hasn’t told me what color it gets to be yet,” Lau says, rolling her eyes hard as she looks up at Darcy.
“I just have to see the colors in person first,” Darcy says. “What if I pick a color online and then it looks bad in real life?”
Lou tilts her head to the left and pushes her bottom lip out. Darcy shadows her expression back at her and the little girl cracks a smile.
“Fiiiiiine,” Lou says. “Let’s go pick a color so I can get a beautiful princess dress.”
“What about mydress?” Darcy asks, holding her hand out for Lou to grab.
“That’s important, too,” Lou says.
I walk just behind in order to admire them for a moment. They’re very cute together. And although Lou doesn’t call my friend “Mom,” it doesn’t mean she is less of one. Lou even got her a Mother’s Day card for the occasion.
For a little while, my aunt was like a mom to me. I learned that Mom is just the name we give to a bond that runs deeper than almost any other. It’s sacred and unconditional. I’ve known plenty of shitty biological moms who didn’t deserve the title.
No matter what you call her—Mom or aunt or sister, even friend—she’s there for you. And no matter what kind she is—step or adoptive or stand-in—her love is unshakable.
It’s times like this when I miss my own mother. I don’t know how Darcy feels about not having her mother here. I haven’t wanted to ask. But when I think about my own wedding, I know I will miss mine.
Milestones in life hit harder when there are people missing, when they’re not there to witness your achievement. You just have to hope you’re making them proud, wherever they may be.
Inside, we’re greeted by a cheery young girl who can’t be more than a sophomore in college. She greets Darcy, confirms her appointment details, and lets us know we have a private dressing room reserved in the back and to just tell them which gowns she’d like to try on. Apparently, they pull them and take them to the room for you. It’s all very fancy.
We’re also given two flutes of champagne and one apple juice. To tell you the truth, I would’ve preferred a juice box over the bubbly stuff too, but I’m here to give Darcy the complete and total experience.
“What about this one?” Lou says, pointing to a really elegant lace dress with modern cutouts on the sides.
“Oh, that is pretty, Lou,” Darcy says. “Do you want me to try that one on?”
Lou nods and Darcy gestures for it to be taken to the back. As her friend, I know it’s not her type, but I think it’s sweet that she wants Lou to feel heard and seen and like she’s a part of this for real.
I point out two of the dresses she sent me photos of and a third that she didn’t send me, but there’s something about it that I think would be perfect. With a couple more picks, Lou and I settle onto a small couch outside of Darcy’s room and wait.
The mirror in front of us runs floor to ceiling, so I snap a pic of us on the couch to send to the group chat. They may not be allowed to see the dress, but they can get a little peek inside the day. Plus, I know Ridge is frothing at the mouth to see Darcy, so we can tease him.
I send the photo and it’s a very short minute before the phone buzzes in my lap.
RIDGE
Did she pick one already? Is it done?
ME
God no, we’re waiting for her to come out.
RIDGE
I’ll pay you $500 to sneak a pic for me.
KILLIAN
