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I know I should’ve trusted my sister and my fiancé.
There’s zero doubt left that I canalwaystrust the people I love.
I gave Ros a sketch from memories half a lifetime ago. Then I let her drag me to a dress shop in Raleigh to get my measurements taken, and back again for a basic fitting for a simple sheath dress.
At first, I thought the sheath was the base of the dress. But it turns out it was just a body mold to give the dressmaker what she really needed to work with while still keeping the actual design a secret.
The odd secrecy, everyone working overtime to make something to surprise me, adds a little thrill to everything.
But it’s nothing versus the sweet rush that rolls through me as I stare at my reflection while Ros zips me into the dress.
I don’t look good.
I look enchanting.
Heck, I feelenchanted.
The dress is sleeveless and strapless with a bodice scalloped in the shape of a fluted butterfly’s wing on a diagonal down to a high, empress-cut waist.
Delicate lines like the stripes of fragile wings shimmer in a soft hematite glitter against the white bodice. The rest of the dress is layered damask sheeting down to the floor in misty ripples.
Sometimes white. Sometimes a sheer, soft grey depending on how the layers merge. They always catch the light with a shine like the dust falling from a butterfly’s wings.
The scalloped hem moves against the floor like waves as I turn—no, more like a butterfly’s wings.
I smile until my face hurts.
Behind me, the dipping backline trails out into a train of the same damask.
When I step forward, it’s magic.
The lightest brush of air lifts it up.
I try not to squeal.
They’ve given me wings.
They mademethe butterfly.
My throat chokes up as I turn to hug my sister tight.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “Thank you. Thank you so much for doing this, Ros. Thank you forbeinghere.”
“I mean, I had to, didn’t I? Ethan’s not around to stuff you into a princess costume made from paper bags.” We laugh because it’s no exaggeration.
My dumb brother totally would’ve given me a grown-up version of my favorite Halloween costume as a wedding present.
God, I miss him today.
Ros’ voice thickens as she hugs me back. “Besides, you’re always there for me. It was definitely my turn. How could I let my big sister’s big day be anything but magical?”
“Oh—crap.” I let out a shaky laugh. “Don’t make me cry and ruin my eyeliner.”
“Oh, hush. You both know I’ll fix it,” a warm voice says at our backs.
We pull apart as Mom steps into the small covered pavilion tent set up for the bridal party in the large clearing on Still Lake’s shore.
My mother looks radiant today.
