Note to Reader: This story is written from my perspective since it is how it came to me. But! I want everyone to know who reads this that it can and will be you! You are welcome to copy and paste your name instead of mine, and throw yourself into a world that we will someday be a part of. Also keep in mind that I am a girl, so it is written from a woman's perspective. Thank you and enjoy!

I stared at myself in the mirror of my room, pondering the events that had happened. I was here; the true Home my heart had always desired. I had a mansion that was filled with everything I liked on earth (even things I had no idea existed but He knew I'd like), with doors that went to different places just like the Chronicles of Narnia. (I really should not have been surprised by that. For every good thing is from Him.) I now giggled, thinking, Narnia is very much like Heaven. Castles, mansions, fields, forests, talking animals, talking trees, and… that reminded me…

My gaze turned to the invitation that lay on my end table. The pure white envelope seemed to shine brighter than everything else around it, even though everything else shone with brilliant colors and light. Gold lettering that spelled my name was etched with a beautiful script. It was an invitation to His mansion, a welcome home party, for me.

I stared at it for a few more moments, swallowing. The shock had not run off just yet even though I had received it… well, time does not work here, so I guess I could say I received it well in advance.

And that brought me to my current predicament. "What am I going to WEAR?!" I asked loudly.

A knock sounded at the door of my room, and I felt His smile, though I knew there was a smirk in there somewhere. I squinted at the door and murmured, "What are You up to?"

Open it, and you'll find out, He whispered.

My hand grasped the gold (again, GOLD!) door knob, and I pulled open the door to find my mother standing before me. She was dressed in a beautiful gown, her hair done up in a gorgeous twist and earrings adorned her ears. She was young, as my youngest memories remembered her. And a huge smile split her face.

"Mom!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Her smile disappeared, and her eyebrows squinted together and her mouth pulled into a line. A face she made whenever I had said something silly. "What do you think? You're about to have the most important event in your life to date, of course I'd be here helping you get ready. Just like I did for you when you married Benjamin."

My eyes widened, thinking of the implications, and I blushed.

"Thank you, Momma," I said, smiling. "Come in."

My mother strolled into the room, and looked about, cocking her head and a smirk coming to her face. "I'm guessing you haven't started, because you don't have anything set out."

I raised an eyebrow at her smirk but shook my head. "No, I had a bunch of dresses when I first arrived, and now they're mysteriously gone!" I glared at the wall, knowing full well Holy Spirit was there, attempting to look innocent. I was quite sure He was the culprit. Always up to something.

The smirk on my mother's face turned to a smile. "That's because I have it." My eyes widened as she took out what looked like a ring box from a pocket in her dress. She opened it, and out from that tiny box, she pulled out the most beautiful gold ball gown I had ever seen. But, this gold was not yellow, it was white. I knew it was gold, for when the fabric bent, it had a yellow glint. It sparkled as it moved, and I realized diamonds were sewn throughout the fabric, so light glanced off it every which way. Pink and magenta roses decorated the neck, waist, and hem line. Real roses, not silk. The sleeves were bell sleeves. My favorite.

My hands came up to cover my mouth, and I stood in shock, gaping over the dress. Of course, He would pick something like this. He always knew. He had picked out my wedding dress on Earth, and again had my mother bring the dress He had chosen to me.

Tears of happiness started to spring out. I was going to be a mess during the party, if I was already crying now, and I wasn't even there yet!

"It's beautiful, Momma," I said, choking back the tears.

My mother smiled gently, her eyes squinting ever so slightly, and her hand came to touch my cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Emily. And remember to thank Him. I was just the one to deliver it." She lowered her hand, and took a breath. "Now, let's get you ready!"

I smiled and proceeded to undress, as my mother got the dress ready for me to step into. No extra petticoat or undergarment was needed as everything was thought of and included. I stepped into the dress, and my mother helped tie off the laces in the back. It was extremely comfortable, every seam perfect and precise, just like its Maker.

As if on cue, Holy Spirit materialized with a laugh and whirl of color and wind. I ran to His side, wrapping my arms around His waist. After squeezing Him tightly, I looked up into His bright face, and my eyes narrowed. "You took all my other dresses, didn't You? Just so You could tease me."

He shrugged, with a quirk of His lips. "Technically, I simply moved them. They're only in a different room. We couldn't have you getting the wrong dress on, before your mother came to bring the right one. And," He winked, tapping my nose, "it's more fun this way." He stepped back, sweeping His hand over my ensemble. "Do you like it?"

I twirled, as I answered. "I love it!" But then I stopped, biting my lip. "Did..." I was too shy to put my question to words.

Holy Spirit gazed at me; His eyes and smile were gentle. "If you're wondering which One of Us picked it out, yes." My cheeks flushed, my hands coming down and skimming the fabric in reverent awe.

"But, you need more than a dress to get ready! So this is where I come in!" He said, startling me, my face a large question mark.

"He's here to help as well," my mother said, answering my unspoken question. She laughed. "He told me He is going to make the magic happen."

My eyes widened, and I stared at Him, His grin getting wider by the second. He was doing the thing! For lack of a better expression, Holy Spirit was my fairy godmother! I made a face, and He laughed, knowing my thoughts.

"Remember," He said, through His laughs, "We're the original. They got it from Us." Then, He clapped His hands to emphasize His point, and I was swept into a whirlwind of color and light.

"Ta-da!" Holy Spirit said with a flourish, after the whirlwind had died down. "Come. Look!" He moved the mirror, so I could see myself. Somehow, my long hair was now curled and swept up into a low updo. Small strands of perfectly curled hair hung in front of each of my ears. Beautiful bejeweled heels adorned my feet. No toes pinched!

I gaped at myself in the mirror. Every angle of me glowed and sparkled in some way. I didn't realize He wasn't finished until He snapped His fingers, and two hanging pearls carved into roses appeared on my ears, and its match hung from my neck.

"And these are a gift from Me," He said smiling, and my eyes threatened to tear again, as my hand came up to touch the necklace. It was Papa speaking, and now I had something from each of Them.

I turned to Holy Spirit and pecked His cheek. "Thank You."

He returned the gesture. "You're welcome." He nodded to my mother, and then turned to the door. "I'll be outside when you are ready."

I looked to my mother, who was trying to keep tears from coming, but she had always failed in that respect.

Trying to make her laugh, I said with my hands clasped in front and with a small shrug, "Hey, Mom. I'm ready."

The tears came anyway, and I felt her hands shake a bit as she took my hands, "I know I said this already, but I am truly so proud of you. You are ready to meet your King. I remember my Welcome Party. You'll love it." She hugged me and kissed my cheek. "I'll see you there. Your father is waiting for me." With that, she vanished into a beam of light.

When she was gone, I let out a breath. I was ready. I picked up my skirts and headed to the front door to where I assumed Holy Spirit was waiting for me. I stepped through the double doors onto the front porch, and my eyes widened.

A beautiful gilded carriage drawn by two white horses stood before me. I would describe it being very similar to the one Cinderella took to the ball in the live-action movie, though this one actually glowed as everything else did in Heaven. Was I living a day-dream?

"What's the look of surprise for?" I heard a new voice sound out from my left, with a laugh. "You didn't think we'd walk, did you?"

My mouth opened and then closed, as I turned to the speaker, my guardian angel on earth, Valiant. My eyes blinked, and I somehow managed to gain some semblance of reason. My left hand coming up to grasp my right elbow, and not able to keep a snarky retort down, I muttered, "No, I was thinking we'd simply take the light beam."

Crossing his arms, Valiant leaned down his seven-foot frame, so he was eye-level with me. "Not for this. This is a Welcome Home Party for you. We are going all out!" He eyed me with a smile. "I know you like it; you're only embarrassed. You're not used to the attention." He offered his arm. "Come on, I'm driving."

I blushed, and taking his arm, he escorted me to the carriage. The door opened of its own volition, and I saw Holy Spirit was already inside. He reached out His hand to help me in. Grasping my skirts with one hand, I took His and let Him pull me in. Valiant closed the door behind me, and I settled into the seat across from Holy Spirit. The cushion almost swallowed me with its softness, and I leaned against the back of the seat. Suddenly, the carriage gave a small jolt, and we were moving.

My heart was beginning to pound, and I closed my eyes.

"Emily."

I opened my eyes to find Holy Spirit looking at me intently. There wasn't much to say, since He knew what I was thinking. I glanced to the side for a moment before moving as quickly as I could to sit by His side. I needed my Best Friend. My hands came up to grasp His arm, as I leaned against Him, burying my face in His shoulder. My feelings were hard to explain. I wasn't afraid. That was impossible here. No, I was…

A smile peeked out from my lips, and I felt His hand come up to squeeze mine. I was in almost disbelief. I was so thankful. My Lord was doing all of this for me. He had given me so much already, and He was continuing to do more, so much so, I almost couldn't bear it.

Turning my head slightly, I whispered, "You keep surprising me."

"I will continue to do so," He whispered into my hair. "Just you watch. Enjoy it. It's only the beginning."

We sat in silence for a while, and I listened to the sound of the clip-clop of the horses and the periodic sounds of people exclaiming with happiness and joy. As I listened, I noticed a faint hum of music. I had assumed it was the flowers until now, but it was steadily growing.

I raised my head from Holy Spirit's shoulder and looked to Him for confirmation. He smiled and nodded, and then laughed, as my eyes widened, and I rushed to look out the window. Sticking my head out, I gasped in awe.

Valiant glanced at me from the driver's seat and chuckled. "You couldn't help yourself, could you?" With a dramatic sweep of his arm, he said with a grand voice, "Welcome! To the Mansion of our Lord."

How does one describe the Mansion of the One who gave up everything, so He gained everything? Music seemed to seep from everywhere. Flowers of all kinds lined the gold street. Beyond that, I didn't have time to form words to describe all I was seeing. Smiling brightly, I whispered, "So this is what You like."

I looked for a bit longer, before ducking back into the carriage and sitting down. I clutched the cushion, staring at my knees, and breathed out. "This is actually happening." I looked back up to Holy Spirit. "You're staying with me, right?"

"I'll be with you for a little longer," He assured me.

Valiant pulled the carriage to a stop, and Holy Spirit stepped out first. Turning to me, He held out His hand once more to help me out. Taking a breath, I shyly took His hand and stepped out of the carriage. I looked up and smiled at Valiant, still in the driver's seat. "Thanks for the ride."

He gave a small salute. "I'll see you inside."

My eyes widened, suddenly realizing something. "Wait… who else is going to be here?"

Holy Spirit said nothing, but the corner of His mouth quirked up. I stared at Him, suspicious, as He took my arm and led me inside.

Chandeliers of intricate design hung from the tremendously high ceilings, and pure white marble pillars lined the halls. A wonderful smell filled my senses, and the music was even more prolific. The sounds of voices now came to my ears. Lots of voices. How many people were here?

Holy Spirit guided me further down the main hall. But, instead of taking me toward the direction of where I knew the party was taking place, He suddenly pulled me off the main hall into a large curved bay window that looked out to the gardens below. With a sudden inhale, I understood.

A Man stood looking out the window, a crown upon His head, hands clasped behind Him, and His back toward us. I froze, as Holy Spirit said, "She's ready," and He slipped away, leaving us alone.

Every other sound died away, except for my own breathing and the pounding of my heart. I had not moved since Holy Spirit left. It was like this the first time I saw Him. Would this feeling ever change? Would I ever get used to seeing Him? Would it ever dull over the passing of eternity?

The world around us seemed to slow, as Jesus turned His face to me, and I knew the answer. No, it wouldn't. Not when He, the One whom my heart loved most in all the universe, smiled at me and said, "You look beautiful."

Embarrassed, I wrung my hands and began a small tirade. "Well… You picked the dress. It's beautiful by the way. I really like it, and -."

"Emily," He interrupted gently, "you are beautiful."

I stood frozen. Tears of joy peaked, overflowed, and then… I ran. My arms wrapped around Him, burying my face in His chest, while He pulled me in, His head coming to rest on top of mine. I wasn't able to stop it now, and I let out a sob. My shoulders shook, and I clutched at His back, squeezing tightly.

"Hey." His Voice was gentle and quiet, and His hand stroked my head. "Why are you crying?" I sniffled, burying my face deeper. Here I was, all dressed up, and I was crying like a baby.

Though it came out as a mumbled mess, since I was half-buried in His clothes, I managed to say, "Why are You so good to me?"

Jesus let out a chuckle. "You know that didn't sound like words at all."

I smiled in spite of my tears, and turning my head to the side, I let out a breathy laugh. "You know what I said."

He hummed, as He continued to gently stroke my hair. After a moment, I heard Him whisper, "And you know My answer." He released His arms from around me to cup my face with His hands, forcing me to look straight into His eyes; His eyes of Love. "For it will never change." And He kissed my lips.

Stepping back, Jesus held out His hand, as a king does when he escorts his queen. "Come," He smiled, "everyone is waiting for you."

I took His hand and grasped my skirts with the other, and He guided me down the rest of the hall to the massive, large doors to where I knew a large room of some kind lay behind.

"Ready?" Jesus asked, with a quirked eyebrow.

I breathed out, and then looked up at Him and smiled. "As long as You're with me."

Jesus raised our clasped hands to His lips and kissed my knuckles, His gaze never leaving mine.

"Always."

And the doors opened.

I could go on, but that's it. :) I've been told to stop, and you have a taste. Now, go talk to Him and see what He has in store for you. A certain scene took me AN HOUR to write. I almost couldn't take it while writing!

This is REAL! This WILL happen! When life is terrible and sad, think about your eternal home. This is just a glimpse of what He has for us. Heaven is a wonderful and beautiful place. In Psalm 37:4, He said, "Delight yourself in Me, and I will give you the desires of your heart." Don't let this flawed mind of yours doubt the wonderful and good things He has in store. He'll even do it during this life; I've seen it for myself.

Any who, God bless you!

-QEtD

P.S. Just to clarify. This is NOT the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This is the Welcome Home Party that Jesus throws for every single person when he/she comes to home to Heaven. Yeah, it's a thing.