#3 The Red, White and Chicago Blue

Chapter 36 "Happy Ending"

A few months had passed, and planning was coming more and more together. All the girls went with Hannah when it was time to try on dresses. Mikayla was making faces at the ones her and Ashley were looking at.

"You wouldn't catch me dead in one of these."

"May, you're a bridesmaid. You are wearing one of these, and that's final."

"I'll show up in my uniform."

Erin was standing impatiently behind her. "She is your best friend. Now, go get fitted for your dress. If you don't, I'll burn your drivers license again."

"You already did that when I was seventeen, let's just not go back there again."

"GO." She pointed to the stylists waiting to get measurements on the girls.

Kim was sitting on one of the benches, crying. Leslie sat down next to her, and rubbed her back.

"This is supposed be a happy time."

"I know. I'm just...I'm not ready to let her go."

"Remember how much of a wreck I was when Ember and Natalia got married?"

"You threw a stiletto at Kelly's car window."

They both laughed.

"I was pretty, well...upset. I mean it was sad letting her go, but I know she has a woman that's gonna take care of her. There's a sex crimes unit here in Chicago, so Natalia's moving out here."

"What do Nick and Amanda think of that one?"

"They want what ever makes their daughter happy. And moving here, that's what will make her happy."

"Who knew any of us would come this far?"

"I can still remember the day you and I met. We were all so young."

"I never knew I'd end up marrying him. He and I hated each other."

"Trust me girl, none of us were expecting that at all. But hey, everything turned out great. You married him, and had three wonderful children. You and Adam did a good job, and I know they're always gonna be thankful for that."

"The house feels empty; now that none of them are living at home anymore."

"GAH. How am I gonna fit into this dress?! Brayden made me fat!" Tatum hollered from across the room.

Everyone bursted into laughter. She grabbed the dress and stormed over to Hannah's dressing room.

"Your brother made me fat. I'm NEVER gonna fit into this thing."

"You're not fat, you're pregnant. Big difference, trust me."

"Remind me to kill your brother later." She said, fighting with the dress to get the zipper up.

"I got it." Hannah said, trying to zip up the dress, but no luck. "You know what? Bring this to the lady over there. She's the one who does all the dress altering."

Hannah disappeared back into her dressing room, and put on another dress. As soon as she saw herself in it, tears began to fall from her eyes. "This is it. This is the one." She whispered to herself.

She wiped the tears from her eyes as she exited, making everyone look up when she entered the room. All their mouths dropped, and some of them even started crying happy tears. Kim looked at her with the biggest smile on her face.

"You look beautiful."

"This is it. This is the one."

After the shopping, Hannah, Mikayla, Ashley and all them headed back. Kim and everyone else headed to the venue to finish setting up.