Page 41 of Forever

“I’m done,” I whine loudly once we exit the last shop. “This wasn’t supposed to be difficult. Get in, try a few dresses, pick one and get out.”

“Riiiight, because of that we’ve already been in three shops and you’ve tried over twenty dressed.” Val rolls her eyes laughing.

“That’s just sad. I’ll see you once you have to find your perfect wedding dress.”

I want to slap myself as soon as the words leave my mouth. Just a while ago Val confessed to me about her uncertain relationship with her long-time boyfriend. I could feel the distance between them when they were at the engagement party. And if that’s any indication I was afraid how everything is working out when they’re alone at home.

There is sadness in her eyes, but she smiles softly. “If I find the perfect dress in first fifty to a hundred I try I’ll take it as shopping went well.”

She takes my hand and starts walking. “Come on! There is another one we can look at, before they close for the day.”

We walk in a hurry. Val fills me in on her thesis status—she can finally present it to the teaching committee yay!—and I tell her all about my thesis and book I’ve been working on.

Fifteen minutes later, we stumble into the shop, this one slightly bigger than the previous.

Val tells the woman what we’re looking for. Somewhere along trying all those dresses I got a general idea of what I’d like in my dress. Cream white dress with short sleeves to no sleeves since the wedding is in June. Preferably lace, although sparkles or diamonds can pass if there aren’t too many of them. After all, I don’t want to be a Christmas tree. I’d like the bottom part to fall or be in a slight A. Nothing too puffy or with a long tail.

Simple.

Classy.

Elegant.

Those are the first words that come to my mind when I think of my wedding dress.

Although I loved Sienna’s dress with naked back I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable in a similar dress. Same goes for deep V on the front of the dress or deep cut on the side.

While Val explains what we’re looking for I look through the dresses in the shop. The two of them join me and I show them the ones I like and would love to try.

The first one is pretty simple. Classic white dress. The top is sleeveless, and it ties behind my back like a corset. There is a fine layer of glitter on it and diamonds that are sewed on the sweetheart neckline. The bottom part is puffy and falls down my legs. There is a see-through layer that goes over the petticoat.

Val waves her head as soon as I get out of the dressing room. “Too big. This dress swallows you whole.”

“Maybe you should try it with high heels? It will give you a few extra inches.” The saleswoman suggests, but both of us shake our head no.

Maybe I seem picky, but I can’t help myself.

Do you know that feeling when you try something on and you just feel like it’s made for you? It fits you perfectly and you just know this is it? I didn’t find the dress that makes me feel like that. I didn’t find the dress that will make Will pause and look at me a second longer.

I try two more dresses. One of them has short sleeves and is covered in lacy material from head to toe. The other one is extra tight, in the color of champagne and has a tail longer than I’d like.

Our wedding is outdoors, so I don’t want it to get dirty on the grass.

I’m about ready to give up when the saleswoman comes back with one big white bag. “I found this one in the back. It fits the description you gave me. If you’d like to try …”

Sighing, I get up from my chair. I’m already in my underwear so why not try it while I’m at it?

She hangs the dress in the dressing room and carefully opens the bag and gets the dress out.

“This is …” I stare at it, not knowing what to say.

Val peeks over my shoulder and excitedly claps her hands. “Try it on! Try it on!”

I slip it on with the help of the two of them.

Once I’m completely dressed, I step out of the dressing room and go to the big three-sided mirror in the main room.

“You look stunning, Bel!” Val squeals excitedly. “Turn around so I can take a picture and send it to your Mom and Si.”

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