Kirsten smoothed her dress with her hands and smiled. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt like a princess. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies, she wasn't nervous, just excited.
"Kiki, you look so gorgeous!" Hailey squealed as she pranced around the room.
"Hailey, settle down!" Linda Nichol warned gently.
"Mom, I can't help it!"
Linda shook her head, "This is exactly why 13 year old girls shouldn't be bridesmaids!"
Hailey shrugged, "Maybe…but its too late now!" With that comment Hailey continued to jump around excitedly.
Kirsten smiled at her sister, despite the fact that she had called her Kiki, a name hastily reserved only for her father. At the thought of her father Kirsten's smile faded slightly. Kirsten's mom seemed to read her mind; she squeezed Kirsten's hand, "He wanted to come sweetheart. He truly did. There was a typhoon!"
Kirsten swallowed, "I know Mom." But she couldn't help think that if she was marrying Jimmy today, her dad would be here watching proudly. Kirsten shook her head and turned her thoughts back to Sandy; her fiancé, her husband in less than one hour.
Linda settled behind her daughter and began to put little white flowers into her hair. "So, how are you feeling?"
Kirsten sighed contently, "Perfect."
Linda smiled reminiscing about her own wedding day.
"I just can't believe it. I mean, I'm so lucky. He's so kind, and so good. I just keep thinking that he'll find some perfect do-gooder Jewish girl, and realize he's supposed to be with her."
"Oh hush." Linda kissed Kirsten's head, "You two are perfect together."
Kirsten smiled. "Yeah, I'm just really lucky."
Linda smiled at her daughter, "You're both lucky." She put the final flower in Kirsten's hair gently. "There we go, all done!" She stood back, and Kirsten turned a full circle. "Kirsten, you look breath taking."
Hailey looked sister up and down, "I can't believe you're actually getting married! By the time I start dating, you'll have forgotten how! Who's gonna give me advice!"
"Geez Hal, thanks a lot!" Kirsten said hugging her sister.
"Really though Kirsten, you look amazing. You and Sandy are going to be so happy." With that, Hailey started jumping up and down again excitedly, but this time Kirsten joined her. They twirled and jumped and giggled excitedly, laughing the whole time.
"Honestly girls! You're going to ruin your hair!" Linda scolded with a smile on her face. "Come on, we've got to go to the aisle. Remember Hailey, don't rush."
Hailey rolled her eyes, "I know Mom. I was just joking at the rehearsal."
"Hailey Nichol, you will be the death of me yet." Linda looped her arm with Kirsten, "You ok?"
Kirsten nodded and smiled. "Let's go get married!"