Page 126 of DFF: Delicate Freakin' Flower

The gown was vintage-style perfection: long, lace sleeves, a scalloped neckline that framed her collarbones beautifully, and a slim, floor-length skirt that trailed into a soft, flowing train behind her. She looked like she belonged in an old black-and-white movie, glamorous and glowing.

She turned with a grin. “Well?”

“Elegant, beautiful, and completely you.”

She beamed at me. “Of course it is, I’ll take it.” Then she motioned to the rack beside the changing room. “Now it's yourturn. I want you in something dramatic but tasteful. Corsets, long skirts, no glitter.”

I stepped into the dressing room and changed into the first one we'd chosen. When I came out in the navy dress she’d selected, I didn’t need a second opinion.

The bodice was a deep navy corset that hugged my torso snugly but comfortably, structured just enough to give me shape without turning me into a Victorian pancake. The skirt fell all the way to the floor in a gentle sweep, with just the right amount of poof to give it movement without turning it into a costume. It was romantic. Classic. And something about the color made my skin glow.

I turned in front of the mirror, watching the way the fabric shifted like water, and then looked back at Gladys.

She stared at me, eyes a little glossy. “That’s the one,” she decided, walking over and taking my face in her hands. “Absolutely the one.”

Her touch was soft and grounding as she looked at me for a long moment. “Thank you for changing my life, Gabby.”

My chest tightened as I wrapped my arms around her and held on.

“As much as I hate your son and everything he and Maddox did,” I murmured, “I’m still grateful in a way. Because if it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met Webb, and I wouldn’t have this life with you in it.”

She smiled, a mix of sadness and warmth all at once. “Isn’t it wild that out of something so ugly, something good could grow?”

We bought the dresses and walked down the block to a little café with tables under striped awnings.

Halfway through lunch, she suddenly snorted, shaking her head. “I still can’t believe we’re sitting here thanking my son for anything.”

I laughed into my drink. “It’s strange how life works that way. But, no offense, your son might be the biggest asshole of assholes.”

She cackled so hard people at the next table looked over. “I should get him a T-shirt with that printed on it and mail it to him in prison.”

I grinned. “You might not want to do that. They’ll be waiting for him to drop the soap.”

Gladys wheezed with laughter, clutching her chest. “Child, you keep going like that, I’m going to need a paramedic. I’m too old to be laughing this hard in public.”

I passed her a napkin, laughing with her until my stomach hurt. “That’s fair. Let’s save the t-shirt idea for his parole hearing.”

She wiped her eyes, still giggling. “Deal. But I’m still tempted.”

And as we sat there—two women bound by tragedy and love and laughter—I realized that despite everything, life had carved out something beautiful in the wreckage. And it was worth every second.

Chapter 40

Gabby

The lights of Vegas were so bright they felt like a second sun. Neon pulsed across glass towers, music spilled out of every doorway, and the strip buzzed like it had a heartbeat of its own. It was loud and wild and already promising a night none of us were likely to forget.

We were all here. No kids. No responsibilities. Just grown adults pretending they weren’t exhausted by life and absolutely ready to make questionable choices.

Sasha and Jackson had handed off their daughter to her doting grandpas for the weekend and already had matching cocktails in hand. Sadie and Elijah arrived that morning, looking effortlessly gorgeous and entirely child-free. Marcus and Addie had surprised everyone by flying in late afternoon, also solo, and Marcus looked suspiciously relaxed for a man who usually had his phone glued to his hand.

Wes and Jesse rolled in just after dinner, smirking like they'd just crashed the Oscars.

“I cannot believe we’re in Vegas,” Wes greeted as they strolled up, clapping Webb on the back. “For a retirement wedding celebration of all things.”

Jesse nodded, grinning. “But there’s no way we’d miss this. This is, like, history.”

I laughed. “I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be an unforgettable experience for sure.”

---