Protected

Something Blue

"Time to get dressed!" I called, carrying the white garment bag over my shoulder into Riley's room.

She looked up in excitement and anticipation. She stood up and we walked over to the closet. I unzipped the bag with a flourish, and the wedding dress swept out.

It was exactly as amazing and beautiful as when we bought it. Flowy skirt, check. Flowered bodice, check. Sweetheart neckline, check. Riley's lip started trembling, and she collapsed backwards onto the bed.

"Riles? Riles? Are you okay?" I said frantically, pulling her up.

"I'm- getting-married," she gasped.

"Breathe, Riles," I soothed her, "In-" she breathed in, "Out-" she exhaled, "In.... out..... in.... out" she slowly calmed down as she inhaled and exhaled.

I dug through my purse and handed her a water bottle. She sipped it quickly.

"Good?" I asked, chewing my lip.

"Married is for forever. Forever is a long time, Maya," she said.

"I know, Riles, I know. I would be worried about that, too. If it were anyone but Farkle who is going to be waiting for you at the end of the aisle. He loves you. You love him. That's the whole point of marriage, isn't it?" I said, grabbing her hands, "We're all behind you. You're going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine."

She took one last, deep breath, and calmed down.

"You're right," she said, her smile returning, "I'm being silly."

I shrugged, "Everyone gets nervous on their wedding day," I said. She smiled at me gratefully. 

So, I got her into her wedding dress without a hitch. Her hair and makeup were still perfect afterwards. She looked like an absolute goddess.

"Ready?" I said, "One... two... three."

I spun her around to look in the mirror. She gasped.

"Maya!" she cried.

"I know!" I exclaimed.

She grabbed me in her arms and we stood, hugging, for a bit.

"The dress... the hair... the makeup. It's amazing," she said.

"I know, I know," I nodded, "You look amazing. I have something for you..."

"What is it?" she asked, spinning around. I pulled a velvety black box out of my purse.

"This is your something blue, and your something old," I said. I opened the box to reveal a silver bracelet, inlaid with sapphires all around it.

"Topanga gave it to me when we left, for this exact reason. Your wedding. This was your mothers' something blue, your grandmothers' something blue, your great-grandmothers'... and so on." I explained, "Put it on," I offered it to her.

She took it nimbly and slipped it around her wrist. I clasped it for her, and she held her arm out to admire it.

"It's beautiful, Maya. Mom told me about it, but I didn't think I would get to wear it since we moved," she said. I pulled her into a tight hug.

"You know your Mom would think farther ahead than that. I mean, come on. She's Topanga," I said. Riley sniffled and smiled.

"I have to get my dress on really quick," I said, slipping into the bathroom. 

The dress didn't take very long to put on. It didn't have so many zippers and buttons like Riley's did, since it wasn't a wedding dress. Just one zipper that Riley zipped for me. I held my arms out.

"How do I look?" I asked.

"Beautiful," she said, "I love that dress on you."

I laughed and kissed her on the cheek.

"You, just, chill out in here for a while. Calm your nerves. eat some chocolate. I'll be back over to your side of the house in time to get you downstairs for lunch," I promised.

Now, I had to help the groom get ready.