After discarding dress after dress, April looked ready to cry. Aggie beckoned the saleswomen over and spoke to her in a quiet but firm voice. “Is there another one like mine, same design maybe, but a different color?”
“That isn’t really a bridal gown. It’s more for formals or bridesmaids.” The women sniffed at the suggestion. “I’m sure your bride wants something special for her big day.”
It took all of Aggie’s control to not snap the woman’s head off. “What she wants is something that will make her look incredible, and she doesn’t care what you want to call it. Do you have this dress in another color?” Aggie’s blood pressure started to climb. She could understand the woman wanting to sell April a more expensive dress but she knew her friend didn’t care where it came from or what the price was. The only stipulation was that it had to be the right dress. How hard could it be?
“Let me go and check.” The saleswoman brushed past them with her chin in the air and went to a rack where she flicked through the dresses as if the task were beneath her. Finally, she grabbed one and brought it over and held it out for April to look at. “Not identical but by the same designer.” She curled her lip. “Would madam like to try it on? I’ll put it in dressing room number one while you keep looking for something suitable.”
The dress she held was in a soft oyster cream. It had a similar neckline to the one Aggie had tried, but the skirt was an empire style that fell from under the breasts instead of being fitted at the waist.
“That looks amazing.” April clapped her hands. “Let me try it on, please. Aggie, you try yours too so we can compare.” She headed to the dressing room, a spring in her step.
Aggie changed quickly. When she did her zip up, she looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was made for her, no doubt about it. It was fitted in all the right places without being too clingy, which made her sigh in relief. And April was right. It was classic, not pretty.
“Ready?” April’s voice floated from the dressing room next door.
“Yeah, I guess.” She swallowed her apprehension.
“One, two, three.” The doors opened and Aggie stepped out and met April in front of the big mirrors. Their eyes met and twin smiles broke out. April turned and giggled before throwing herself into Aggie’s arms. They hugged and laughed like loons, partly from relief that they’d found the right dresses and partly because the saleswomen was standing nearby with a pinched look on her face.
“We look amazing.” April ran her hand over her still flat stomach, turning sideways as if to double check.
“You can’t tell.” Aggie leaned into her. “Are you going to share the news with the rest of the family soon?”
April shook her head in response. “No. We want to keep it to ourselves for a little bit longer.”
“Why let me and Liam in on it then?”
April linked her arm through Aggie’s. “Because you two are going to be running interference for us. Atticus is already dropping hints. Your dad is far too clever for his own good.”
“So why not tell him the news then?” Their father would be over the moon to hear about his first blood grandchild even though he treated April’s children like his own already. Tilly and Leo were the light of his life and thoroughly loved by everyone.
“Drew is worried he’ll panic. You know, because of what happened to your mom and how that affected everyone. I don’t want to go through a whole pregnancy with him hovering and getting upset every time I get a twinge or throw up. I figure if I can leave it until I pass the twelve-week mark, things will be a bit safer. There might be less panic from everyone.”
Her reasoning made sense, not that Aggie had any idea. She’d never felt the need to research pregnancy, apart from what her options would have been if she’d been so unlucky that fateful night. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened.
“Fair enough.” Aggie twirled in front of the mirror, trying to focus on the dress, not the past. “You’re sure about this one, right?”
“Yes.” April followed and did a twirl too, the skirts of their dresses touching as they billowed around their knees. “I think they’re perfect.”
“Cool, that was easier than I thought it would be, and how awesome is it that they almost match?” Aggie gave another spin, staring at herself in the mirror. “Can we get changed and go eat please? I’m starving.” She grinned and rubbed her rumbling belly, making no apologies for the noise. “You barely gave me time for coffee and toast this morning, so I’m craving for something substantial.”
“We had to leave early for the ferry and I’m sorry. If we’d waited for the next one, we would’ve wasted half the day. But sure thing; I’m feeling hungry myself.” She turned to the saleslady. “We’ll take them both, thanks.”
When the sale was rung up and paid for, Aggie carried the bags to the car, put them on the back seat, and then slid into the front as April started the engine.
“How about downtown? Somewhere not too far away from the ferry building? I’d like to relax until we have to leave.”
Aggie swallowed as fear crept up her throat. “Sure.”
Downtown. That was where she used to work. Where it happened. Her heart pounded and her breathing sounded loud in her ears. The sliver of fear gripped her spine and Aggie had trouble focusing on her surroundings. It was as though her body picked up on the emotional energy of the place, which rendered her speechless and immobile.
“Aggie? We’re here. Come on.” April slammed the car door, jolting Aggie from her dark thoughts.
Aggie opened the door and got out, looking around and
