𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐞

seventeen.✔

My fingers press against the chantilly lace of the a-line gown that lies on top of my mother's lavender quit. I can hear the girls still pestering Caroline about the river in Caroline's old bedroom as I stare at the dress.

"Scar?" my mom knocks on the door of her own bedroom, which seems very strange as I answer her. She appears still in her jeans and tee. She's done her makeup beautifully and her light blonde hair is curled around her face.

"I have a surprise for you," she tells me, reaching into her closet. I realize it's my veil when she steps before me. "I know you had picked one but I saw this and I couldn't resist."

The full-length veil is on a dainty headband that is a leaf design with crystals.

"Mom," I smile. "It's beautiful."

"And I have your something blue," she says, setting the veil on the bed beside my gown before going to her nightstand and handing me a little light blue heart made of satin. It is about the size of a quarter and clearly many years old. "This was my mother's. I always thought I would wear it in my bra for my wedding but you know how that went," she laughs. "Caroline didn't get to use since Tony's parents gifted her with those sapphire earrings, but I thought you might want to."

"It's perfect, Mom," I hug her. "Thank you for everything."

"I just want you to be happy, baby," she replies. "Whatever that happiness looks like."

I pull back enough to see her eyes. The same dark blue eyes my sister and I were given.

"You're so beautiful," she gushes. "Let's get you dressed, okay?"

I hold her close one more time.

"I love you, Mom," I tell her.

"I love you too," she rocks me for a minute before I know I have to let go.

I slip the little heart inside my white bra as my mom unzips the dress and helps me into it. The v-cut neckline is modest but still flattering and it mirrors in the back; a lace belt accents my waist before the generous skirt dusts the ground. After she zipped me into the gown, she bustled my train. I wore the same shoes Wraith gifted me with the organza bows on the back. Mom helped me slide the headband into place before letting the veil cascade down my back. I don't look in the mirror till I put the back on my last earring.

The image I couldn't picture just a few days ago is now before me. My hair is pushed back by the headband but hangs down my back in thick brushed-out curls. My eyes are soft but smoky, my lips are a light mauve color, my cheeks are a peachy pink, my eyelashes are full and frame my dark blue irises. Alex's delicate gold locket hangs below my collarbones.

"Wow," Livy's shocked tone pulls me away from my reflection. She's wearing her pale pink dress that is pretty similar to my own but tea length and a much higher neckline. "You look so pretty!" she smiles.

"Thank you, Squish," I wink at her.

Caroline appears behind her, wearing her ivory bridesmaid dress that is a strapless sheath style.

"Oh, Scarlett," she nearly tears up. "You look amazing."

"Stop it," I demand. "If you cry, I'll cry."

"No crying," Mom warns. "We're going to be late if we cry."

Caroline pulls herself together and pushes an unruly pin back in Livy's crown braid.

"I need a shot," I announce.

"Good plan," Caroline agrees.

"Pour me one too!" Mom calls from her bathroom where is she is getting dressed.