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“Thanks, Teddy.” I return his smile. “Same to you.” I struggle not to get emotional.

“Not about looking beautiful, about what you’ve become. Who you’ve become. I’m proud to stand by your side tonight.” He gives my shoulders a gentle squeeze before dropping his hands.

“Damn you, Theodore Stone! If you make this mascara run, I’ll sock you good!” I dab at my eyes and turn to grab a tissue.

After I’m certain the tears won’t fall, I throw myself at him for a hug. “Thanks. For not giving up on me, for not leaving me.” My emotions are all over the place tonight.

He releases me. “What are brothers for?”

Once I’m secure in my dress, I take one more glance in the mirror. My bodice is covered in black lace and beads, an intricate corset that hugs my body like a glove over a nude sheer panel. It gives the illusion I’m bare beneath.

Turning around, I glance over my shoulder at the plunging back that falls into a long soot skirt of lace and tulle cut into jagged pieces that cascade to the floor where black feathers peek out from the bottom like an old Hollywood movie. Beautiful chaos, elegance with edge, is what I thought when I saw the design. I ran out of time to pull my hair up, so it’s going to stay down this evening. Grabbing my clutch, I do one last mental run through to make sure I’m not forgetting anything.

Teddy stands at the door, tapping his fancy watch.

“Being annoying and rushing people,” I answer his question with a laugh, and he just shrugs. “Okay. I think I’m ready.”

“Let’s go, shall we?” He offers his arm as we step out on the walk in front of my flat.

“We shall,” I reply as we climb into the back of a black car.

“Wendy would be proud too,” he whispers, looking out the window.

“She certainly would, of us all.” I pat his arm, then look out my own window. “I miss her.”

“Me too,” he whispers, his voice barely audible.