Last chapter, guuys!

Nothing is mine, you know.

If Mercedes was honest to herself, she needed to admit that the most touching moment at the wedding wasn't the happiness on their mother's face, when her oldest daughter went to the altar to marry the man of her dreams.

It wasn't her sister's enthusiasm to wear the stunning dress of Kurt Hummel (previously known as the dress of Antoine Décoste), an example of how a solid handcraft and sophisticated wiz were able to create something as seemingly simple as well as timeless beauty.

It wasn't Sam who took his job touchingly serious while he led her sister down the short hallway.

It was Sergio.

The man, whom Mercedes had distrusted for so long, who looked at his future wife with so much affection and love. When Coralee came to him, he smiled from ear to ear, aglow with happiness. He didn't even wonder who that guy was that walked down the altar with his bride, and Mercedes assumed he didn't even notice, as the only thing he could see was Coralee.

The room wasn't crowded at all, only a dozen of guests witnessed the wedding. In the first row, Sergio's mom grabbed Phyllis's hand, handkerchiefs were used more than once, even Sergio's dad shed a tear, and the grandmother opened her eyes and stopped praying.

That's how it is supposed to be, Mercedes thought. The real deal.

The ceremony was short but moving. Sergio must have informed the priest about the guests, because he was talking Italian and English- which was a nice gesture, even though the only ones who didn't speak Italian in that room – as far as Mercedes knew – were Kurt and Sam. When Coralee and Sergio have been declared wife and husband, people started crying. The now wed couple beamed with joy, and when Sergio turned around to shake Sam's hand, Mercedes couldn't suppress a grin.

When the ceremony was over, it was time to gather outside for the photos. Coralee and Sergio, beyond happy to be married now, went down the hallway, and Mercedes shyly waited for Sam to come over.

But he didn't. Instead, he leaned down and asked her mother how she was and whether he could accompany her to the garden. Mercedes was so touched she was rendered speechless.

"Excuse me", Kurt said loudly and took Phyllis's arm "But that lady is already taken."

So Sam stepped aside gallantly when Kurt helped Phyllis get up and led her to the garden, arms linked.

"Mercedes?" Sam was suddenly standing next to her and looked at her in a way that let her heart skip a beat.

"Off we go." Smiling, she linked arms with him.

…

Outside, the sun was shining, and the nice garden was the perfect place to take a seat and watch how the married couple got photographed.

Mercedes and Sam took a seat under an apple tree, suddenly sheepish.

"Nice wedding", Sam muttered.

"Thanks you filled in", she said. "It's so good seeing you."

"Likewise."

"Aren't you supposed to be with your friends at the Filmfestival? And with Jasmine?"

He nodded. "Probably."

"And why aren't you?" Mercedes threw him a questioning glance.

"Okay, I made it to the premiere of the movie yesterday, and it received critical acclaim."

"But that's great!"

"Yes, that's actually good news. The resonance was excellent, and I already have a couple of appointments with prospective clients to talk about my next projects. After they have seen the documentary with Jasmine, they are keen on letting me produce them my way. And financing everything is no problem anymore, either."

"That's awesome! You are awesome!" Mercedes pulled him in a hug. "Congrats!" She pulled away from him and looked at him again. "Shouldn't you celebrate with your team, or however you call them?"

"I will celebrate here today, thanks", he said and looked at her. "Tonight, there is going to be a presentation, sort of, but Jasmine and all the others will go. They will send me the photos, though."

Mercedes just couldn't believe he passed on that, just to be with her. "Are you sure?"

He nodded.

But she was aware that she would pass on so many things too, just to see him. Since he had come to her life again, there was one more question that needed to be answered.

"Sam?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you come back? When you left, you must have thought I was unfaithful…someone who…"

He pulled her in his arms and smiled at her. "I talked to your mom."

"Really?"

He nodded.

"I called her from Venice to make sure she was fine. That was kind of cocky, since I only know her for two days, but I was worried."

Mercedes kissed him shyly. "That was so cute of you."

"Anyway, she told me you weren't engaged and that you broke up." He turned away before he looked at her again "I should have said 'Sorry to hear that', but in reality, I wasn't sorry. Not in the slightest."

Mercedes avoided his glance. "Three years, Sam. That's how long we have been together, and even though the spark between me and Anthony has been long gone, I found it weird that I…"

He smiled at her. "You need to jump in at the deep end and end that sentence."

However, she was still unable to look at him when she said: "…fell for you that fast."

He scooted closer to her. "You want to console yourself because of your failed relationship?", he asked teasingly.

"No!", she shouted. "Not at all!"

"Good. Because…I fell for you as well."

They scooted even closer to each other and kissed another time.

"Hey!", Coralee shouted from the other side of the garden. "Are the two of you coming, or what? Or do you want me to sneak over to you and photograph you while you are kissing?"

"We are coming!", Mercedes shouted and took Sam's hand. "Come on."

"Are you sure?", Sam asked her, but followed her anyway. "Those are family photos. Why don't I just take the photos for you guys?"

"How could we pass on the man that led my sister to the altar?" Mercedes smirked at him.

Smiling widely, they all gathered on the lawn with the hotel owner taking the photos. Mercedes turned to Sam, asking herself whether it was right to be that happy while her mom was sick.

Phyllis seemed to know what she was thinking about. She went over to her and laid her arms around both her daughters.

"From now on, everything will be okay", she promised quietly. "I just know it."

Mercedes gulped; she didn't want to ruin the photos with her red swollen eyes from all the crying. She looked at Coralee who seemed to have the same problem. So the sisters instinctively hugged each other and allowed themselves to let the tears fall, tears of happiness mixed with sadness.

"We are all together." Phyllis smiled watery. "That's all that matters. And today is a wonderful day."

The others withdrew so that the three Jones-women could enjoy their intimate moment. It took them a while until they composed themselves and went back to the party.

"Sorry", their mother said while they went back to the mansion, hands intertwined.

"Don't say that, mom", Coralee berated her and cleared her nose. "After all the crying, I feel so much better."

"Me too", Mercedes agreed. "Cleared my head."

They sat down at their assigned seats in the dining room. Since they were no big group, there was a big table for the entire family Sergio had set lovely. Everyone cheered when Coralee sat down next to her now husband. Mercedes gratefully noticed that there was a free place next to Sam, so she sat down next to Sam and her mother. While Signor Dario, the hotel's owner, served them champagne, she put the napkin onto her lap.

After they had eaten their delicious early dinner, Sergio got up and his mother Alessia told them to be silent. Immediately, people followed orders.

"Today, there will be no speeches", Sergio said calmly. "My wife…"

"Hooray!", Kurt cheered, and the others followed suit and clapped.

"Thanks. My wife is so beautiful." With tears in his eyes, he looked down to Coralee. "I am the happiest man in the world. Coralee?"

She looked up to him, beaming with pride and love. "I just want to say one thing. I promised to…"

Her emotional words were cut off from someone talking outside. Worried, Mercedes looked over to the door. A male voice that was kind of familiar to her, was arguing with Signor Dario.

"I need to talk to him! Please, Signor, let me in!"

Those words with a Russian flair let Kurt slowly get up. And then, the doors flew open. Blaine came storming in and looked around. Kurt beamed, and Mercedes was happy for him.

"Blaine, mon cher", Kurt said calmly and somehow managed to retain his composure. "You are late."

Sergio's family exchanged confused glances.

"Who is that?", Phyllis whispered.

"Shhtt, just wait an instant", Mercedes hissed and winked at her.

For a while, it was dead silent, until Kurt came rushing over to Blaine and pulled him in a tight hug. Mercedes cheered and pumped her fist in the air, while the others stared at them in bewilderment. Worried, she sat down again. Maybe, Sergio's family wasn't that understanding towards that uninvited stranger.

"Guys?", Mercedes shouted.

The both of them pulled away and looked at her.

"Haven't you forgotten where you are?"

Kurt looked down sheepishly. "Pardon", he stammered contritely. "I forgot…"

"Blaine, that's your name, right?" Alessia had stood up. Despite her petite body, she radiated authority.

"Yes, Signora", Blaine answered. "I'm sorry."

"Blaine, obviously, you still don't have a glass of champagne. Let's change that!"

Only Sergio's grandmother was still busy with her flower bouquet when they all scooted closer to each other so that Blaine could sit with them as well, and when they all introduced themselves to the new guest.

Sam squeezed Mercedes' hand. "And I thought the two of you were partners."

"You won't believe it, but we kind of are.", Mercedes answered excitedly.

"You are what?" Sam blinked at her confusedly.

"Okay, not like that, but Kurt offered me to move to Paris and work for him."

"Wow!" Sam ruffled his hair and seemed to process that piece of information. "And will you do it?"

"Yes", Mercedes said. "That's a dream come true."

He exhaled and shook his head. "And I thought I needed to move to New York. Seems as if Paris will be my new domicile, but as a filmmaker, I am flexible."

"Is it okay for you?"

He smiled. "Oui."

"You speak French?" Mercedes was impressed.

"Oui."

"Is there any other French word you know other than oui?"

"Non", he answered. "But I will learn them."

Smiling, she leaned over and kissed him. "Parfait."

Coralee and Sergio had gotten up and were standing at the door with linked arms.

"What's going on?", Mercedes asked and looked around. The others seemed to be just as surprised.

"Dear family", Sergio said "Today was the happiest day of our lives. But now, we will get out while the going's good, as the Americans like to put it."

They all exchanged surprised glances.

"What?", Mercedes exclaimed. "It's not even six pm!" Nevertheless, she got up to hug them. "Why so early?", she whispered. "What about the first dance?"

"Mom is tired", Coralee whispered back. "I don't want her to think she needs to celebrate with us. And you know mom. She would do it."

Mercedes looked over to her mother, who seemed to be absorbed in a conversation with Sergio's grandma.

"You are right. I didn't think about it that way. Don't worry, I will make sure she will go to her room soon and get some sleep."

In Mercedes' opinion, Coralee's welfare was unlike the manic bridezilla behavior in the past days. But only now, she started to understand under what enormous pressure her big sister must have been. Pressure she couldn't handle so well.

Coralee caressed Sergio's arm. "I have the rest of my life to dance with that man."

The entire family accompanied the bridal couple to the entrance of the hotel. Weakened Phyllis was spoilt for choice, since Kurt, Blaine, and Gastón, Sergio's dad, all acted like gentlemen, offered to link arms with her and accompany her as if she was the Queen in person.

After countless kisses, hugs, and tears, they watched Sergio open the door of the glittering limousine for Coralee.

When Phyllis leaned down to kiss her daughter goodbye, Coralee wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. And then, their chauffeur drove off and brought them to an "unknown place". However, Coralee had told Mercedes in secret that they would only drive to another hotel close to them and check on Phyllis first thing in the morning.

"A perfect day", Kurt sighed when Blaine and he joined her and Sam, waving at the wed couple.

"A perfect dress", Mercedes added.

Kurt rubbed his neck sheepishly. "You're too kind."

They stepped aside so that Gastón could help Phyllis enter the house again. Alessia brought up the rear and waited for Sergio's grandmother, who held the flower bouquet as if her life depended on it.

"I just want to go to bed." Mercedes' mom smiled tiredly.

"Shall I come with you and run a bath for you?", Mercedes asked.

Her mother caressed her cheek. "No thanks, baby. I am sure you will be busy with other things" She looked at her daughter with a knowing smile.

"I will…go look at the landscape", Sam said and walked further away to give them some privacy.

Mercedes bit her lower lip and nodded. "Will you be alright until tomorrow morning?"

"Of course, she will", Kurt, who had heard that, said. "Blaine and I will be here. And whenever your mother needs anything, she just needs to call us."

Hereupon, Mercedes and Phyllis hugged the two guys. When Kurt offered Phyllis his arm, Mercedes wiped away a tear. She went over to Sam, who was looking at the city lights of Verona far away from them.

"Are you okay?", he asked, laid his arm around Mercedes, and pulled her closer.

Mercedes nodded.

"And now? Shall I say goodbye so that you can take care of your mom? Or shall I drive to the city and buy something for her?"

"I want you to drive to Venice with me", Mercedes said and looked over to the flowers.

"Excuse me?"

Mercedes looked up to him and smiled. "I want to get to know Jasmine and the rest of the team. I want to enter your world, just like you entered mine."

"Are…are you sure?" Sam looked at her with incredulous joy.

"Of course. I have never been surer. But I kind of doubt I will act as confidently in your world like you did in mine."

"Let's see about that." Sam smiled. "We can be in Venice in two hours, and if we drive back early in the morning, you will be here in time to have breakfast with your mom. How does it sound?"

"Perfect!" Mercedes grinned. "What can possibly go wrong?"

"Exactly!", Sam agreed, pulled her closer, and kissed her. "We will drive to Venice directly. No detours, okay?"

When Sam kissed her this time, slowly and reluctantly, Mercedes felt like on cloud nine. Yes, life didn't always go according to plan, neither did her trip to Venice, or her sister's wedding. But sometimes, the most unexpected things were way better.

Aand, that's it!

Now, the counterparts from the book All Dressed Up:

Molly - Mercedes
Simon - Sam
Caitlin - Coralee
Pascal - Kurt
Francesco - Sergio
Vanessa - Phyllis
Sascha - Blaine
Reggie - Anthony

All the others have either been extras from me or remained unchanged from the original. Kurt being (partly) from Yorkshire was a reference to Molly, who was British in the original (So was Simon, lol). I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I did, and thanks again for keeping reading and reviewing this story for now one (!) year since I uploaded the first chapter, I hope I will see you in my other stories as well.
Bye for now :)
XO,
Your Princess