The day had come. Emma woke up with such energy she thought she was going to burst. Mary Ellen's wedding day! As she sat up, she saw Mary Ellen nervously fumbling with her dress. "Mary Ellen, need any help?"
Mary Ellen glanced over at her sheepishly. "Thanks." She whispered.
Emma crossed the room silently and helped her slip it on. "Where's Aunt Olivia? Are you nervous?"
"Mama is downstairs with Grandma, they'll come up once everyone is awake, and yes, I am verry nervous." She said quietly, not at all like herself.
"What if Curt and I rushed into this?"
"That's your decision to make." Emma said softly just as Erin and Joy stirred.
Elizabeth hopped out of bed. "Can I get my dress on?" She shrieked and clamped a hand over her mouth as her bare feet collided with the freezing cold floor.
Mary Ellen nodded. "Of course." She helped Elizabeth pull on her flower girl dress, and Erin put on her bridesmaid dress.
Emma smoothed down the blue fabric of her dress. "It's so beautiful. I must remember to thank Grandma for making us these."
"And for giving me her wedding dress." Mary Ellen smiled, kissing Grandma's cheek as she walked in the door.
"Mary Ellen." Grandma said hoarsely, tears in her eyes. "You look beautiful." Emma sat on the bed and analysed her sister. Mary Ellen looked so naturally beautiful, her dark hair and features extremely attractive. Mary Ellen had decided not to wear any makeup, but to just be natural, the way Curt liked her.
Elizabeth gave her a big hug. "We love you." She said softly.
"I love you too." Mary Ellen started to cry softly, hugging her little sister. Putting a hand to her mouth she sank down on the bed. Olivia sat beside her and pulled her close, rocking her like she had when she was young.
"Ssh, Mary Ellen. It's all right." Olivia kissed her head.
Mary Ellen wiped her eyes. "We better get going then." She squared her shoulders, determined, as she stood up. "Ready?"
"Ready." Her sisters echoed.
"Corabeth and Ike, Martha Rose, Grace and Ted, Miss Mamie and Miss Emily, Aimee and G. W are downstairs." Olivia took her eldest daughter's hand as the boys met them, and the clan traipsed down stairs, excitement in the air.
But Emma hung back, spotting Ben by his bedroom door. "Aren't you coming, Ben?"
Ben nodded. "Yeah. I just can't believe she is getting married. She was the one I thought was gonna be a movie star." He shook his head as the two headed to the stairs. "My big sister." By the time they got to the kitchen, nearly everyone was packed into cars and the old truck. Olivia herded Mary Ellen, Emma and Erin into Miss Mamie's car, and started the long drive up the mountain.