The next two weeks went by in a frenzy. The holiday excitement was increasing as Thanksgiving was approaching Kirsten and Mathew's impending wedding was soon forgotten with the absence of the bride. Emma smiled as Mathew brought Lily and Cassidy into the store. Lily was awake, but resting comforting in his arms. Cassidy was glued to his leg and chattering about the painting she had done with Miss Dorothy. She leaned back content to watch them as Mathew let Cassidy pick out a candy. Then she looked down at the box in front of her. It was Kirsten's wedding dress she had sewn the last piece of lace on this morning. She pushed it underneath the desk and smiled as Lily started crying.

"All right, I know you're hungry," she said, rocking her and watched as Loren came out with a bottle for Lily. "Thank you, Loren."

"Loren, do you want to join us for lunch?" asked Mathew, paying for the candy.

"Naw, store's too busy. You four go ahead. I'll catch up to you in a bit."

"All right, don't work too hard," said Emma as Mathew helped her with her shawl. "Since when are you taking me to lunch?" asked Emma after they had left.

Mathew smirked. "Are you saying you don't want to come?"

"No."

"Mathew, Emma!" called Dr. Mike, hurrying over. "I have to help Henry at the clinic but would you mind bringing me back something from Grace's?"

"Pecan pie and beef stew?" offered Emma.

"Oh and a slice of corn bread would be perfect. Thank you," said Dr. Mike resting her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Hi, sweetheart," she said stroking Lily's cheek softly. "Well Cassidy I think you've grown another inch over night!"

Cassidy giggled as Mathew tickled her. "I'm going as tall as Mathew!"

Emma laughed. "We'll see. We shouldn't be long Dr. Mike."

"Take your time," she said, smiling as she walked back towards the clinic.

Mathew swung Cassidy up onto his shoulders holding onto her hands tightly as she balanced up top. Grace greeted them at the café and Katie was cutting out cookies with flour all over her face.

"Can I help too?" asked Cassidy.

"First you're going to have lunch," said Emma.

"All right, so what can I get for you munchkin?" she asked Cassidy.

"Chocolate chip cookies!"

"She'll have some stew and I'll have the same," said Emma, settling Lily into her arms with the bottle.

"And how about for you?"

"The lunch special," he said.

"Why'd I even ask," said Grace, sticking the pencil behind her ear.

Mathew helped Cassidy eat her soup and then Cassidy ran off to help cut out gingerbread men.

"She's thriving here. She's changed so much," said Emma, watching her proudly.

"Ma look!" exclaimed Cassidy running over with a disfigured gingerbread man. "I did it!" Cassidy jumped up into Emma's lap getting flour all over her.

"Wow, Cass, you did so well. Now go take him back to Miss Grace so that way she can get him ready for you to decorate!"

"All right!" She skipped back towards Grace and Katie.

Mathew laughed. "Well she got you good."

Emma wiped herself off. "That's for sure."

"You've got-," he paused gently taking out a piece of cookie dough from her hair. "There." His hand lingered on her face.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Matew!" exclaimed Kirsten, running over.

Mathew shot up.

"Kirsten," he said. She hugged him tightly and Mathew wrapped his arms around her in reciprocation.

"My Aunt did not make it, but she sent her love," she said, pulling away. "The wedding in two days. There's so much to do."

"Don't worry, Dr. Mike has everything under control and I have your dress all made," said Emma, picking Lily up.

"May I see?"

"Of course. I just need to bring Dr. Mike her lunch." She stood up. "Cassidy time to go."

Grace smiled. "Emma I'll watch her for a bit. It's been slow anyway. I'll bring her by once they're done decorating."

"Thank you, Grace."

Emma walked with Kirsten towards the store.

"Your baby she is beautiful and so quiet," said Kirsten, smiling.

Emma laughed. "Most of the time. She is an angel though. In a way she's saved my soul. She made me remember what it was to love unconditionally." Emma stroked Lily's cheek gently. "Cassidy and she taught how it felt to be loved unconditionally as well."

"Matew and I cannot wait to have lots of babies," said Kirsten. "He wants them so badly."

Emma smiled kindly. "Well I hope you both are blessed with many children." The children that Mathew and I could never have, that I'll never have. Her heart ached belying her smile as she pushed open the door and walked towards her desk. She settled Lily in the bassinet and pulled out the white box from under the desk. Emma handed the package to Kirsten."I hope you like it."

Kirsten gasped as she took off the lid and unfolded the tissue paper. The pristine white lace tumbled out over her arms. Carefully Emma helped her spread it out. Kirsten studied the high lace color with pearl like buttons up the back and a satin bodice that was twirled into rosettes diagonally down the back. The train was made up of more lace and the sleeves were puffed and cinched.

"Try it on," said Emma, leading her behind the partition.

Emma tucked Lily more carefully into the cradle, trying not to dwell upon what was happening. Kirsten emerged like a beautiful decorative doll her porcelain skin so smooth and light matched by her fair blonde hair. Then there was the dress that fit her perfectly, which Emma thanked God for because every stitch into the cloth had been like a stitch into her own heart.

"Does it feel all right?" asked Emma.

"I have never worn anything so beautiful, thank you," said Kirsten, hugging her tightly.

Emma hugged Kirsten back briefly before pulling away. "I wasn't sure if you needed a veil or not."

"No I will wear a bridal wreath it is customary in my country."

Lily started crying. "I have to change her but do you need help getting out of the dress?"

Kirsten shook her head, disappearing behind the partition again. Emma felt the tears slip from her eyes as she changed Lily's diaper and wrapped her up in a blanket again. She dabbed her eyes with the edge of the blanket before going back out to help Kirsten. She found Kirsten lying the dress back into the box and touching the lace gingerly.

"I must pay," said Kirsten. "It is too much."

"It's my wedding gift," said Emma.

"It is still too much."

Emma sighed she knew Kirsten did not even have close to the money that the materials alone had cost.

"I give you ten dollars."

"Kirsten, I was happy to do it."

"Please, I did not have a mother or sisters to make me a dress. I have no family, no friends. You should hate me yet you made me this and its beautiful. Please."

"One day you'll do something nice for me and we'll call it even. The bride does not pay for her own gift."

"I can never make something as nice as this. Please take the money," she said, holding it out.

"No, just take good care of him," said Emma as Loren walked in.

"Sorry I am interrupting?" he asked.

"No, I must get back to work. You will come tomorrow, no?"

"I'll try I have a lot of work to do," said Emma.

"Thank you for being my friend," said Kirsten hugging her again. "Good day, Mr. Bray."

Loren watched the delicate form of a girl leave and in her wake he saw the tears breaking through Emma's eyes. Emma quickly swiped them from her face and picked up a pile of clothes. He shook his head and opened the doors for customers.