"How about this one?"
"No," Amy sighed for the fifth time. "Ian, I told you, I don't want a dress with so much on it!"
Only his fine upbringing and the fact that the two were standing in an upscale boutique prevented Ian yelling aloud with frustration. "Amy, we cannot go to the wedding in a T-shirt and slacks!"
Amy's frustrated look melted. "I can't believe they're really getting married."
"I can remember when it was us," Ian murmured. He twisted the simple golden band around his finger. "As I recall, we had the same argument about dress simplicity back then."
"But I wasn't pregnant then," Amy pointed out. "Maternity evening wear is a lot harder to find."
"We've been to five stores already," Ian replied. "You're the one who didn't want to get a dress custom-made, like I suggested. Besides, I really don't think Jake and Cara will care what you wear."
Amy smiled, then sighed again. "But you're shooting down all of my choices!"
"Because they're all so simple."
"I like simple," Amy said stubbornly.
"And I like you, Amy."
Amy blushed, but only a bit. She pointed to a dress. "How about this one?"
Ian examined it critically. "Hmmm. It's... simple, but elegant enough. We'll get you some jewelry and it'll be fine. A necklace, maybe, emeralds to complement your eyes-"
"I have so many necklaces already!" Amy protested as her husband took the dress off the rack. Ian put an arm around her.
"Only the best for you, love. Now, let's find something for Dan to wear, so he doesn't show up in a T-shirt and slacks."
Amy yawned. "He probably would. Does he need a necklace, too?"
"Just some cufflinks. Emeralds again, I think, to match. Come to think about it," Ian decided, "I need some too."
Amy gave her assent with a happy sigh- happy for Jake and Cara's upcoming union, happy that she'd found a dress to wear, happy that Ian thought that emeralds matched her eyes, and happy that the shopping finally seemed to be over.