“No, Birdie. That one will show off part of my ass crack and dimples. Cade would blow his top.” Kresley called out from the dressing room a few steps away from the couch.
“Well, yeah. But in a good way. A fun way.” Birdie snickered.
“I loved the first one on you Kresley. I just wished it came in a different material”, Grace interjected. “You honestly look beautiful in anything you try on, but you need to make sure that it’s the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful and also the one that you know is going to make Cade cry. The big baby.”
“He is not a big baby. He just loves me. Plus, finding a dress depends on finding one that won't have to be altered and I can pick up ready to wear the day before my wedding.”
“Yes, we know. Everyone knows. Cade loves you. He tells everyone. Every day. Multiple times a day. Are we sure he doesn’t have brothers?”, Francie asked with a grin.
“If he did, he probably wouldn’t subject them to any of us. We’d scare them too bad”, Gertie stated quietly. “I’m not sure there’s a guy out there who could handle all my craziness.”
“That’s not true and you know it Gertrude. Sometimes the one we need the most is right in front of our face. We’re just too blind to see it”, Kresley called out behind the door.
“What in the world does that mean?”, Gertie asked, perplexed.
“Never mind…..oh gosh, y’all. I think I may have just found the one. Y’all ready to see me?”
All four women and Jaxson called out a yes with enthusiasm. The women held their breath as they watched Kresley walked towards them to stand in front of the mirror. There were no sounds, no words spoken. Just an inhalation of breath by all of them as one. Kresley stood before the mirror and looked at herself critically. The dress was beautiful. She felt beautiful in it. She could see the look on Cade’s face when he saw her for the first time in it. The dress was a T-length formal gown that stopped a few inches below her knees, tulle with a flirty, flowing skirt and pockets for her to fiddle with. The bodice was an off the shoulder, sweetheart neckline with elbow length lace sleeves. It was a soft ivory color and had a belt with a crystal pin at the waist. It was gorgeous and just right for a small chapel service and after party in the big barn. With a twirl and a giggle, Kresley turned around to face her sisters and Grace, anxious to know what they thought.
With a tear trailing down her cheek, Francie stated softly, “Kresley, oh my word, you are the most gorgeous creature to ever get married. That dress…sweetie that dress is you. It’s you and Cade, in tulle and lace. He won’t know what hit him when he sees you in this, sweetie.”
“I’m literally speechless. Well not now, but I was when you walked out. Kresley James, this is the one. THE ONE. I can’t wait until you walk down the aisle to your man in this. He’s going to see fireworks and heart emojis everywhere”, Birdie exclaimed, her hands clasped together over her heart.
“I can’t believe my sister is getting married. And she’ll look like a red-haired mermaid, who’s left the ocean to find her true love on land. That dress is everything, Kres. Just everything”, Gertie stated, sniffing into her tissue she held on to for dear life. “With your hair curled and swept to the side with one of mom’s pearl combs and you holding a bunch of sunflowers and cat tails, it will be gorgeous.”
“Grace, what about you and Jaxson? What do y’all think?”
Grace looked over to Jaxson sitting beside her and they whispered together for a few moments. Grace looked back at Kresley and nodded her head at Jaxson and his sign. “Tell her Jaxson.” He held up his sign with the thumbs up emoji. Grace walked over to Kresley and held her hands between her own. “You are without a doubt, the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. The dress makes you look beautiful, but more than that, Cade’s love makes you feel and look beautiful. And that is what we see when we look at you in this dress. I love you Kresley.”
“I love all of y’all, too. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Any of you. Group hug time!”
All of the women and Jaxson gathered into one large group hug, surrounding Kresley.
“Okay, so now that the dress and bridesmaid dresses are picked out and we know no alterations need to be made on any of them, can we go to dinner now? I’m starving!”’, Birdie stated, her stomach growling. The others laughed and all agreed it was time to get some food in Birdie before she expired or turned hangry.
∞∞∞
Later that night, as Cade and Kresley got ready for bed at his house, Cade tried to bribe her into telling him about her wedding dress. She stated no firmly, then laughed and screamed when he threw her on the bed, demanding she tell him or he would tickle her to death. Kresley giggled and still stated no with a deep kiss. She ended the tussle by stating, “But I promise you that you’re going to hit your knees in wonder at how beautiful I look in it.” Another deep kiss to his lips and Kresley turned away to get ready for bed. Cade just smiled lovingly as he pulled back the covers. Sometimes he honestly couldn’t believe that he had been so blessed to find this woman. And her mouthy, snarky sisters. And Grace and Jaxson. He wouldn’t get any rest and his sanity would be tested until he could play matchmaker and find them all a good man of their own. He’d start with the easiest and work down the list. Grinning at his
