Dahven sighed. She had been given a few minutes to herself, and she was staring at her reflection in wonder in the full-length mirror.
My God, She thought incredulously, "This can't be me." She murmured out loud.
Delicately she ran her fingers down the smooth sides of the wedding gown. Her wedding gown.
Shiny small pearls were sewn at the bodice and down to her waist, by demand, and sparkled spectacularly in the warm sunlight spilling in from the opened window.
The silk fabric formed stunningly to her tiny figure, but fanned out at her hips and all the way down to the floor, hiding the old sneakers she was wearing at the moment.
"If only Kasha could see me now," She whispered painfully.
Then, quickly, Dahven put her face in her hands and cried mercilessly. Her shoulders shook lightly with the unstoppable sobs, but she didn't care.
No, she didn't care at all.
"Mom-my, why c-ing?" Angel asked disturbed by her sister's consistent tears.
Dahven looked up instantly, startled by the tiny voice that invaded her solitaire.
She smiled though when her tear-filled eyes were able to clear enough to focus on her. Drying her cheeks and her eyes, she held her arms open to her, "Come here, baby." Her voice thick from the tears.
Immediately Angel was scrambling towards her, and wrapped her arms around Dahven's neck, tangling her chubby pink fingers in her hair.
"Why Mom-my c-ing?" She asked again, muffled by Dahven's shoulder and hair.
She laughed lightly, "Mommy's just being silly, that's all, baby." She answered, hugging her tightly, as if she were a lifeline.
Angel only hugged back, slightly frightened by the fierce grip, but comforted by it as well.
"My, my," Mrs. Hanson said softly from the opened doorway.
Dahven looked up and noticed her in her elegant navy dress. She saw that she was gazing at her. Releasing Angel, started to fidget, "Does it look okay?" She asked hesitantly.
Mrs. Hanson smiled at her; "It's so beautiful." She told her. "And you look absolutely glowing in it."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Dahven stood up, but then gave a watery laugh. "Even with these?" She asked hiccuping as she raised her dress and stuck her foot out. Making the old sneaker visible.
She laughed loudly then, and shook her head; "I don't know what I'm ever going to do with you, Charm." She teased as she picked up a show box, and displayed the white strapped heels.
Dahven giggled childishly and shrugged her shoulders, "You're not gonna send me to my room, are ya?"
"I would if I thought it would help." She replied grinning.
"And we both know that it wouldn’t." Dahven answered as she started untying the old shoes, removing them and her socks, before sliding her feet into the heels.
Mrs. Hanson laughed, "No, it wouldn't." She commented.
"Isaac did get in safe last night, right?" She asked worriedly as she stared at herself in the mirror again, her hands mindlessly playing with the tiny pearls.
"You mean, he didn't call you?" Mrs. Hanson asked frowning slightly.
Dahven shook her head, "I just assumed he got in later than he expected."
She shook her head as well, "No, he got in on time." She said distractedly. Her brow furrowing in question.
Dahven's furrowed as well, and the corners of her mouth turned down. Why didn't he call then? She thought hurtfully.
"Come on!" Randy sad excitedly as she bounded into the small room. Her cheeks portrayed a healthy flush, as she quickly checked her cream colored dress in the mirror.
"Linz, Amanda, and Kim are swearing that if they have to stand around any longer that they're gonna sit on the ground." She said turning around to look over the back as well.
She looked up at Dahven and Mrs. Hanson, "And with Linz as the leader of the group, she'll get them to do it."
Dahven laughed at the thought of all the bridesmaids sitting on the ground in silky white dresses. Checking herself over one last time before taking a deep breath, she heard a soft knock on the door that made her turn around again.
Mr. Hanson stood there in his black tuxedo and smiled at her. "Come on, girlie." He said emotionally, "It's time to walk you down that aisle."
Grinning, the tears pricked her eyes again, and she slowly moved towards the door, Angel's hand tightly in her own. Zoë ran into the room, carrying a flower basket in each hand, for her and Angel.
They all smiled down at the matching dresses the two wore, and laughed when they lifted up a rose petal each and sniffed it before running it over each other's cheeks and giggling.
"I'm ready." Dahven said courageously as she ran her hands down her dress again. She started towards the door, and towards her new life.
