When Elle heard the date, she insisted on coming down immediately.
A few days later, the two of us headed to Downtown Victoria to start the search for my wedding dress.
The bridal boutique smelled faintly of fabric starch and delicate perfume. Soft music played quietly in the background while rows of white gowns hung like clouds around the room. Each dress seemed more beautiful than the last, yet somehow none of them felt likemine.
“What do you think about this one?” I asked, stepping out of the fitting room and turning slowly so Elle could see.
The dress I wore was floral and bohemian in style, with flowing sleeves and delicate embroidery along the bodice.
Elle tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping her finger against her lip.
“Um…” she said after a moment. “It’s not you. Why don’t you try another one?”
I sighed softly and nodded before heading back into the fitting room.
My heart thudded in my chest as I continued trying on dress after dress. Each time I stepped out, Elle studied me carefully before shaking her head.
I don’t think I’m ever going to find the dress,I thought miserably.
After what felt like the hundredth attempt, I pulled on another gown.
The moment I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew it wasthe one.
The dress was fitted and elegant. It featured an off-the-shoulder neckline that framed my collarbones beautifully. The back of the gown had a delicate illusion panel with intricate lace appliqués that flowed down the fabric like tiny blossoms. The sheer lace train drifted behind me softly when I moved.
This is it.I smoothed my hands over the fabric before stepping out of the fitting room.
When Elle looked up and saw me, her jaw dropped.
For a whole ten seconds, she did not say anything at all.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
“This is the one, Jiji… this one,” she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“I think so too,” I said.
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly.
As we stood there, I could already picture the moment.
Walking down the aisle.
Walking toward Cole.
Jack was going to walk me down. I had asked him the previous week, and he had struggled to hold back his emotions when I told him how much it meant to me.
Lucas would be the ring bearer.
Emma and Cole’s niece were going to be the flower girls.
Warmth flooded my chest.
Another thought slipped into my mind.
My mother.
It would have been nice if she had been there. If we had shared the kind of relationship where she could stand beside me on my wedding day.
