I gave myself a last glance in the mirror before going downstairs, where I was supposed to meet my parents.
The dress was cream colored, with a lovely, delicate floral pattern along the sleeves and the edges of the skirt. My hair was pulled back, but I'd manage to leave a couple of strands loose around my face to frame it. I pinched my cheeks several times trying to get them to become rosy. Other than that, there was not much more I could do. I took myself in one last time and hurried down the hallway and the stairs. There, my father was waiting.
"Are you ready, dear?"
I nodded and he looked at me as a smile began to show in his face.
"You look so much like your mother, it's unbelievable," he said.
"I can only wish for that to be true," I replied. My mother was a woman of undeniable beauty, one she carried effortlessly. That was not my case at all.
"Of course it is," Dad said back. "Now, where's your mother? We'll be late if we don't leave soon."
"I'm here, dear," my mother emerged from the upper floor and down the stairs. Like always, she looked stunning, and as elegant as ever. My father looked at her with awe, the same way he always had, ever since I could remember.
Mom reached for Dad's hand to descend the stairs, and I could notice how she squeezed it a couple of times just after she looked at me.
"Theo, you look beautiful, dear," she said.
"Thank you, Mom."
"Your father and I will have to be attentive to the large number of suitors that will surely come to you tonight," she smiled.
"I'm sure that won't be necessary," I said, matter-of-factly.
Still, Mom and Dad exchanged a knowing glance while we headed towards the door.