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“Who’s exceptional?” Lizzie asked.

“Ali,” their mother supplied.

Charlotte’s cheeks heated as her sisters tittered above her.

“Look at her cheeks!” Lilah exclaimed, pointing back and forth between them.

“What could this mean?” Lizzie asked as she and Lilah clutched at each other.

“She’s in love!” Lilah cheered.

“No!” Charlotte denied all too quickly, arms folding over her chest. “I’m not. She’s just—irresistibly precious.”

A wistful sigh left Lilah and she melted against Lizzie, who worked to keep them both standing.

“What else?” Lilah demanded, hand resting over her heart, a dreamy look softening her features.

“Her laugh makes my knees weak, and I can’t seem to stop smiling when she’s around,” Charlotte admitted, brightening at the mere memory of Ali’s dimpled smile.

“Oh god, you are whipped,” Lizzie groaned, shooing Lilah toward her.

“Dimples are a powerful thing,” Diana hummed, all seeing eyes fixed on Charlotte.

Lilah came and perched on the arm of Charlotte’s chair, throwing an arm around her shoulder.

Charlotte let out an “oof” as Lilah dropped into her lap, arms circling her neck, holding on like a koala… like she had ever since she was old enough to get both arms around Charlotte’s neck. She worked her arms out from between them and held on just as tight, hoping Lilah never grew out of the little things like this.

The remaining bridesmaid, a doctor from the hospital Lizzie worked at, Cindy Zhao, arrived and a whirlwind took place. Lizzie explained what she was looking for only to be whisked away to the dressing room. Lilah slid onto the floor in front of their mother, leaning back against her legs. Diana’s hands toyed with her blonde locks.

After a few dresses, none eliciting any sort of glow from Elizabeth, Charlotte felt a familiar impulse which drew her out of her chair and back toward the dressing room.

“Oh my god,” Lizzie murmured behind the door and Charlotte just knew.

“Beth?”

“Twinnie,” she breathed. “This is it.”

“Let me see,” Charlotte insisted, hand jumping to the door handle.

“No! What if you hate it?”

Charlotte stifled a laugh. “I won’t hate it. When have I hated anything you have loved?”

“Good point,” Lizzie muttered. “But what if this is it? What if everyone else hates it?”

“It doesn’t matter. All we care about is if you find a dress that makes you feel beautiful. Do you feel beautiful?”

“Yes,” Lizzie murmured.

“Good. Take a moment. I’ll go⁠—”

“No, don’t leave me!” Lizzie shrieked, throwing open the door and yanking Charlotte inside. Her hand covered Charlotte’s eyes.

“Just. I need you to look before I go out there. I need you to tell me it’s not in my head.”

Charlotte let out a quiet huff of amusement. She understood even as anticipation buzzed in her chest. She’d waited thirty-six years to see Lizzie in this dress.

“Okay.”