SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 248
248 The Final Fitting (Winona)
Abby tugs at my hand, her eyes wide with excitement. "Mommy, I can't wait to see you in your dress! It's going to be so pretty!"
I smile down at her, my heart swelling with love. "I can't wait to see you in your flower girl dress, sweetheart. You're going to be a real princess."
She giggles and skips ahead as the bridal attendant greets us, leading us to a private area with champagne for us and soda for the kids.
I've been so focused on life. So focused on keeping things okay around me. Today it's time to soak up some good vibes for myself,
I slip into the dressing room when the dress bag unzips, it takes my breath away all over again. The attendant carefully helps me step into the gown.
The fabric is cool against my skin at first, smooth but light considering the beading and lace.
As she buttons up the back, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for a moment, I don't recognize the woman staring back at me.
""You've lost a little weight."
"I promise I'll eat more cake in the next 2 weeks."
She smiles and nods.
"It's me, but not the me I'm used to seeing. This version of myself feels.... complete. Like every part of my life has been leading to this moment. My breath hitches as the reality washes over me. "You ready to see the full look?" the attendant asks softly, as if sensing the shift in my mood.
I nod, unable to speak. She helps adjust the long flowing, lace trimmed veil, setting it delicately into my hair I have up in a bun with tendrils hanging around my face.
She steps back, giving me space to take it all in.
And when I do-when I finally look at myself fully dressed as a bride-my heart clenches so tightly I almost can't breathe.
This is it. This is the dress I'm going to walk down the aisle to Jayden in. This is the moment I've dreamed of, but it feels so much bigger now. So much more important than any fairytale dream. Because it's not just about the dress or the wedding on the pictures. It's about the life we've built together, the family we've become, the future we're stepping into.
For a long time, I didn't think I'd ever get here. I didn't think I'd ever feel this kind of peace, this kind of happiness
And yet here I am, standing in front of the mirror, looking at the reflection of a woman who's been through hell and back but is still standing.
Stronger than ever.
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248 The Final Fitting
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"Are you ready to go and show the others?"
I nod and we move towards the doorway to step out into the viewing area, and I step up on a platform and face the long mirror. Then with a long exhale I turn to my entourage. "Mommy! You look like a real princess!" Abby is standing there holding Sarah's hand.
I laugh, blinking back the tears that are suddenly stinging my eyes. "Thank you, sweetheart. And you're going to be the most beautiful flower girl in the world."
Her dress is a smaller version of mine. The dressmaker has done wonders.
"Sarah, you are so beautiful. Do you like your dress?"
"I love it. Thank you."
Sarah's dress is a different shade than the other two. A gorgeous pastel lemon.
Cass walks in next, her bridesmaid dress flowing around her as she moves. She grins at me, and for the first time in a while, she looks genuinely happy. "Wow. You look... amazing. Winona,"
I smile, my voice thick with emotion. "Thanks, Cass. You look pretty amazing yourself."
Cass stands next to me, and for a moment, we just stare at each other in the mirror. Two sisters, side by side, on the brink of a huge moment in both of our lives.
It's a surreal feeling, having her here, after everything we've been through. For so long, I didn't even know she existed, and now, she's one of the most important people in my life.
"I'm really glad you're here," I say softly, not looking away from the mirror.
Cass's smile softens, and she shrugs, trying to play it off. "Well, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with
me."
I chuckle, but the emotion in my chest feels too big, too raw. I blink back more tears, knowing that if I start crying now, I won't stop.
Anne steps forward then, her dress the same shade as Cass but a different style. She is classically elegant and beautiful. When I turn to face her, the tears I've been holding back spill over.
She's been with me through everything-through all the heartache, the fear, the uncertainty. My rock, my support, and now, she's standing here, watching me get ready for the biggest moment of my life.
"I don't know what I would've done without you, Anne," I say, my voice trembling "You gav me a chance when no one else would. You believed in me."
Anne's eyes soften, and she reaches out to gently squeeze my hand. "You did all the hard work, Winona. I just gave you the space to do it."
"Thank you. For everything. For loving me."
She smiles, and for a moment, we just stand there, holding hands, as the moment settles between us.
think about my mom, how much I miss her, how much I wish she could be here to see this. But in some way, I feel like she is. I feel her presence, her love, wrapping around me like the lace of my gown. 248 The Fallitt
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"Alright, enough tears!" Anne says, breaking the tension with a laugh. "We're going to ruin our dresses with makeup before we even get to the wedding day."
I laugh, wiping my eyes. "You're right. No more crying."
Sarah and Abby run around, twirling in their dresses. This is my family. This is the life I've been working for, the life I've dreamed of.
I hope Jayden and Bobby are having a great time seeing their suits.
Now we just have to all be together on the day.
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