Page 86 of Yours, Now and Always
Tim’s hand goes to his chest. “I’m—no, I can’t. Not yet.”
“What?” I look down at myself, suddenly worried. “Is something wrong?”
“Amelia.” Marin’s eyes are getting glassy. “You look like a fairytale come to life.”
“You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Colin says.
“Oh my god.” The realization hits me. “I’m about to marry Gage. Like, in real life. In front of people. On purpose.”
“Yes, that’s generally how weddings work,” Colin says, amused.
“That’s wild. He’s going to be my husband. Again. But this time?—”
Marin cuts me off. “That dress is giving ‘gothic romance meets ethereal queen’ and I’mobsessed.”
Tim nods, still staring. “The ombre. Black bleeding into ivory like that? It’s dramatic and soft at the same time.”
“The lace applique,” Marin says. “Babes, this is art. This is the kind of dress people write poetry about.”
“And the tulle,” Tim sighs. “All those layers flowing like smoke and mist. It’s so romantic I might actually pass out.”
Seriously, these two are dramatic. It’s not like they haven’t seen my dress before. They were both with me when I bought it,andwhen I put it on today.
It’s so unlike anything I’ve ever worn. It’s layers upon layers of tulle that shift from deep black at the bodice down through charcoal and smoke gray before fading into soft ivory at the hem. The black lace bodice hugs my torso, with delicate floral appliqués climbing up over my shoulders. The illusion neckline makes it look like the flowers are blooming directly on my skin. The skirt is full and romantic; all that tulle creating an ombre effect that looks like twilight captured in fabric.
“Okay,” I say. “You two are a lot. You’ve seen me in this dress before.”
Marin shoves a mirror in front of me. “Babes, the serve is unmatched. You’re the literal main character. You are actually mother right now. Look at yourself and understand the moment you’re having.”
I look at myself in the mirror and immediately tear up.Again. “I love you so much,” I say to Tim and Marin. “You made me so beautiful. You saved my entire face and my life?—”
“Nope!” Tim points at me. “No crying! We just fixed that face. If you cry, I cry, and Marin dissolves into particles, and then we’re all useless.”
Colin clears his throat. “We need to get moving. Gage is gonna come searching for us soon.”
Tim looks at me, fanning his face in the way he does when he’s trying not to tear up. “My job here is done. I’ve performed miracles and fixed what your husband broke. Somebody get me champagne and a standing ovation.”
Marin passes him a tissue instead. “You get tears of appreciation. Same energy.”
Outside, the air is cooler. Autumn light slides low across the garden as we start down the path toward the larger, permanent glass greenhouse that Gage had built for our wedding. It’s only a few minutes, but it feels longer because I’m desperate to get to him.
Sarah holds my hand on one side while Luna holds my other one, and they chatter excitedly while we walk. They tell me about the games they played with Gage and his brothers this morning and then move onto the topic of the castle I’m apparently staying in for my honeymoon. Gage has been highly secretive about the destination, planning a surprise for me. It seems our daughters are the key to getting information out of my husband.
“He said there’s a dragon,” Luna tells me very seriously. “But don’t be scared. Daddy said it’s friendly.”
“It guards the castle,” Sarah adds. “You and Gage will be safe inside. The dragon won’t let anyone else in.”
“He said that?” I ask. I’m beginning to wonder if there really will be a castle. But also hoping there will be.
They both nod, solemn and smug.
“Well...after we asked him like fifty times,” Luna admits. “At first, he said there wasn’t a dragon, but then we explained why thereneededto be one.”
“And then he said yes,” Sarah says triumphantly. “So now there’s a dragon.”
“Obviously,” Luna agrees, eyes wide like this is a perfectly normal honeymoon requirement.
I bite back a laugh. “Good. Every honeymoon should have a fire-breathing guardian.”
