I try not to shake, but it does no good. Any girl would do the same. The day is big, the dress is heavy, and the eyes watching are uncountable. Brave as I ought to be, I tremble. I know that once the doors open, I will see Maxon waiting for me, so while all the last-second details are settled around me, I hold on to that promise and try to relax.
"Oh! This is our cue," Mom says, noting the change in the music. Silvia waves my family over. James and Kenna are ready to go. Gerad is running around, already wrinkling his suit, and May keeps trying desprately to get him to stand in one placefor two seconds back-to-back. Even if he is a bit rumpled, they all look surprisingly regal today.
As happy as I am that everyone who loves me is with me, I can't help but feel an ache that Dad isn't here. I feel him, though, whispering how much he loves me, how prowd he is, how lovely I look. I knew him so well that I feel like I can pick out the exact words he would say to me today; and I hope it stays like that always, that he'll never really be gone.
I'm so lost in my daydreams that May sneaks up on me. "You look beautiful, Ames," she says, reaching up to touch the intricate high collar of my dress.
"Mary outdid herself, didn't she?" I answer, touching parts of the dress myself. Mary is the only one of my original maids still with me. When the dust settled, we found out so many more lives were lost than we'd guessed at first. While Lucy made it through the attack and chose to retire, Anne was simply gone.
Another empty place today that ought to be filled.
"My gosh, Ames, you're shaking." May grabs my handsand tries to still them, laughing at my nerves.
"I know. I can't help it."
"Marlee," May calls. "Come help me calm America down."
My one and only bridesmaid walks over, her eyes as bright as ever; and with the two of them surrounding me, I do start to feel less tense.
"Don't worry, Ameica; I'm sure he'll show up," she teases. May laughs, and I swat at them both.
"I'm not worried he'll change his mind! I'm afraid I'll trip or mispronounce his name or something. I have a talent for messing things up," I lament.
Marlee puts her forehead on mine. "Nothing could mess up today."
"May!" Mom hisses.
"Okay, Mom's losing it. See you up there." She gives me a ghost kiss on my cheek, making sure not to leave a lipstick smudge, ang goes on her way. Th music plays, and they walk together around the corner and down the aisle that's waiting or me.
Marlee steps back. "Am I next?"
"Yes. I love this color on you, by the way."
She juts out her hip, posing in the gown. "You have great taste, Your Majesty."
I suck in a breath. "No one's called me that yet. Oh, goodness, that's going to be my name to pretty much everyone." I try to adjust to the words quickly. The coronation is part of the wedding. First the vows to Maxon, thn the ones to Illeá. Rings, then crowns.
"Don't start getting nervous again!" she insists.
"I'm trying! I mean, I knew it was coming; it's just a lot for one day."
"Ha!" she exclaims as the music shifts. "Wait until tonight."
"Marlee!"
Before I can scold her, she scampers away, winking as she goes, and I'm forced to giggle. I'm so glad to have her back in my life. I officially made her one of my attendants , and Maxon did the same for Carter. It was a clear sign to the public of what was coming with Maxon's reign, and I was happy to see how many people welcomed the change.
