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“Mrs. De Luca, it's such a pleasure to finally meet you,” I exclaimed, unable to contain my enthusiasm. “Thank you for helping me with everything.”
“It's my pleasure, dear,” she replied with a warm smile, her voice as soft as silk. “Let's make your dreams come true, shall we?”
Together, we ventured deeper into the boutique, where rows upon rows of stunning gowns awaited my perusal. Each one seemed more exquisite than the last, adorned with intricate lace, shimmering beadwork, and flowing trains fit for a princess. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer beauty surrounding me, my heart torn between the desire to try them all and the knowledge that only one could be chosen.
“This way, Penelope,” Mrs. De Luca said, leading me toward a secluded section where couture gowns awaited. As I approached, my eyes fell upon a breathtakingly beautiful gown that caught my breath in my throat.
“It's perfect,” I whispered, my fingers trembling as I touched the delicate fabric. The gown was a vision of ethereal beauty, with its sheer illusion neckline, intricate floral embroidery, and cascading layers of tulle seemed to float like clouds to the floor. It was as if it had been crafted specifically for me, a reflection of my deepest desires and dreams.
Mrs. De Luca smiled knowingly, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “I had a feeling you would love this one, Penelope,” she said softly. “Shall we try it on?”
With trembling hands, I nodded, allowing Mrs. De Luca to guide me toward the dressing room. A sense of awe washed over me as I slipped into the gown. It was as if I had stepped into a fairy tale, where every moment was imbued with magic and wonder.
I admired my reflection in the mirror when Mrs. De Luca's words brought me back to reality. “What do you think, Penelope?” she asked.
“It's breathtaking.” My heart swelled with emotion. “I can't imagine wearing anything else on my wedding day.”
Mrs. De Luca's smile widened, her eyes shining with pride. “I'm so glad you love it, dear,” she said warmly. "Now, let's make sure it fits you perfectly."
For the next hour, we worked together to ensure that every detail of the gown was just right, from the length of the train to the placement of the intricate lace appliqués. With each adjustment, I felt a sense of excitement building within me, knowing that soon I would be walking down the aisle toward the man I loved more than anything in this world.
Finally, as I stood before the mirror again, the gown fitting me like a second skin, peace settled over me. This was it—the gown of my dreams, the one that would mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I gazed at my reflection, I knew with absolute certainty that I was ready to become Dominic’s bride, to embark on this journey with him, hand in hand, for all eternity.
Mrs. De Luca admired the fit of the gown, her gaze shifted to me, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “Now, Penelope, have you given any thought to your bridesmaids? If you are planning on having them, we should select their gowns and schedule a fitting for them as well.”
Bridesmaids.
The thought sent a pang of uncertainty coursing through me. I hadn't even broached the topic with my closest friends, let alone asked them to stand by my side on the most important day of my life. How could I expect them to support me when I hadn't even confided in them about my impending marriage to Dominic?
“I'm not sure,” I replied hesitantly. My mind raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I longed for the companionship and support of my friends, to have them share in the joy of my wedding day. But on the other hand, I couldn’t shake the fear that they would disapprove of my decision and see my whirlwind romance with Dominic as impulsive.
Mrs. De Luca's brow furrowed in concern as she sensed my hesitation. “Is everything all right, dear?” she asked softly, her silver bob shimmering in the light of the changing room.
I swallowed hard, my throat constricting with emotion. “I haven't told my friends about the wedding,” I admitted. “I’m afraid they'll think it's too soon, that I'm making a mistake.”
Mrs. De Luca's expression softened with understanding.
“Penelope, my dear, I understand your concerns,” she said gently, reassuringly touching my shoulder. “But remember, this is your special day, a celebration of your love for Dominic. Your friends will want nothing more than to see you happy.”
Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring a sense of resolve I hadn't felt before. She was right. This was my wedding day to celebrate love and commitment, regardless of how quickly it had come about. And if my friends truly cared about me, they would stand by me no matter what.
Taking a deep breath, I met Mrs. De Luca's gaze with newfound determination.
“You're right,” I said, a sense of conviction infusing my voice. “I want my friends to be a part of this day, to stand by my side as I marry the man I love.”
A smile of approval spread across Mrs. De Luca's face, her eyes shimmering with pride. “That's wonderful to hear, Penelope,” she said warmly. “Let's select their gowns, shall we?”
Together, we perused the racks of bridesmaid dresses, each one more beautiful than the last. After much deliberation, we settled on a stunning design in a soft blush hue, its flowing silhouette perfectly complementing my own gown's elegance.
With the gowns chosen and the fitting scheduled for a later date, I felt a sense of excitement building within me once more. Despite my initial fears, I knew I had made the right decision.
I squealed and dropped my face in my hands. It was time to make the call. My friends were going to pass out.
* * *
“How was the fitting?” Dominic asked.
I pressed the phone to my ear and slid into the backseat of a Range Rover.
