Ari whistled and looked at Azurdee. “Damn, girl. You might give Heather a run for her money in the boob area.”

Heather laughed as she looked up from where she was sitting and putting on makeup. “You look beautiful, Azurdee. Here, turn around and let me help.”

Ellie giggled.

“Will you zip me up, please?” Ari asked me.

I zipped her up, and then she turned around.

“Well? You still like them?” Ari asked.

I glanced up at Heather, who was now helping Azurdee into her dress. I shook my head, looking around at each of them. They each had on black chiffon ruched dresses that were strapless and knee-length. They were all so damn beautiful and doing nothing but bickering with each other.

They all came and stood next to one another. I made my way down the line, looking at each one. Azurdee was my best friend and maid of honor. Lark was going to shit his pants when he saw her. Heather was the sweetest one of the bunch but the first to admit that she liked to play in the bedroom. Ellie had her innocence that just poured off her as she stood there with that sweet smile of hers. Ari was all spit and fire in a beautiful package but one of the kindest people I’d ever known. Amanda was the person who would drop everything in order to help out one of her friends.

I felt the tears building as I looked at each of them. They had started off being my friends, but over the last few years, they had become my sisters.

“Oh no, honey…don’t cry. You’re gonna ruin your makeup,” Heather said as she walked up and took me in her arms. She let me go as she stepped back and winked at me. “It’s your turn.”

Ellie let out an, “Eeeep,” as she quickly got my dress that was hanging up. She brought it over and laid it down on the bed.

I slowly started taking my sweatpants and T-shirt off.

“Holy hell,” Ari said.

I stood there in my white corset, lace thong panties, and garter belt that Ellie had helped put on before we had gone outside.

“And you just had a baby a few months ago. What are you doing?” Ari said with a wicked grin.

“Sex…lots and lots of sex. I actually think the sex is better now after the baby than before. God…I swear he just has to whisper my name, and it seems like I’ll orgasm,” I said with my own wicked smile as I raised my eyebrows up and down.

When Ari quickly shook her head at me, I instantly knew who was standing behind me. I spun around to see Melody.

Oh Lord…where is the closest rock for me to crawl my ass under?

I slammed my hand over my mouth and felt my cheeks turn warm. I closed my eyes and wanted to die. My future mother-in-law had just heard me talking about sex with her son—while I stood there in a thong, for Christ’s sake.

She slowly let a small smile spread across her face as she nodded her head. “Nice to know my husband taught him something right.” She walked up to me and took the white thigh-high stockings from my hand. Then, she bent down, gently taking my foot, and started sliding them on.

I quickly looked up at Ari and the rest of the girls as they all just laughed.

I smiled as I started to step into my beautiful wedding gown. As Melody and Azurdee helped me, I thought back to the day when I’d bought it.

I stared at myself in the mirror. Tears were rolling down my face as Ari, Azurdee, and Ellie all went on and on about the dress I had on. I looked over at Melody. I thought she knew how sad I was that I was doing this without my mother. Heather wasn’t able to come with us, and I was really hoping she would since she’d done this before. When Melody had asked if she could come, I’d almost wanted to scream yes.

She quickly wiped the single tear away and smiled at me. I raised my eyebrows at her in my silent way of asking what she thought. She smiled bigger and nodded her head. I smiled and looked back at myself in the mirror.

The dress had a sweetheart neckline with a slim A-line cut. The intricate lace was stunning as was the hand-beaded bodice. The removable cap sleeve bolero jacket added such a sweet and innocent look. The functional corset back just made the dress feel sexier, and the chapel-length train added just the right touch of elegance. The straps were removable, making the dress even more elegant. It would be perfect for the reception.

“You look beautiful,” Ari said with a wink.

I was surprised at how good I looked in it, considering I’d just had a baby a few weeks ago.

I looked back at Melody. “Do you think Scott will like it?”

She smiled and started crying harder. She nodded her head. “Yes. He’s going to piss his pants when he sees you walking down the aisle.”

Everyone laughed as I stepped down and hugged her. She held on to me probably a little bit longer than needed.

Before she let me go, she whispered in my ear, “You look beautiful, baby girl. Just beautiful.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Thinking about the day you bought it?” Melody asked as she looked at my reflection in the mirror.

“How did you know?” I asked.

She let out a small laugh. “I’ve stood right where you are. I also stared at myself in the mirror, praying that I wasn’t dreaming.”

I turned to face her. I was sure she could see the fear in my eyes. “Why am I so scared? It’s not like we don’t love each other…I mean, we are living together, and we have a baby. So, why am I shaking from head to toe?”

She shook her head and laughed. “I don’t know. I wish I had the answer for you, but I don’t, sweetheart. Let me ask you something. Do you love Scott?”

I sucked in a breath of air. I couldn’t believe she was even asking me this. “Of course I do—with all my heart.”

“And do you want to spend the rest of your life with him and only him?”

“Yes!” I said, not even having to think about it.

She smiled bigger. “Then, you have nothing to be scared of because I asked him the very same questions, and I do believe you both answered back in record-breaking time. He loves you so much, Jessie. And I know you love him. The moment you see each other, I promise your nerves are going to disappear, and nothing but love will replace them.”

I pulled Melody into my arms and hugged her as tight as I could. “Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done and for welcoming me into your family with open arms.”

She pulled back slightly. “Oh, Jessie, thank you. Thank you for making my son the happiest I’ve ever seen him. Thank you for my beautiful granddaughter in the other room, who already has her grandpa wrapped around his finger. Thank you for loving my son like you do. I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter if I had planned it myself.”