"What do you think?" The woman in the shop fiddled with her veil for a moment, raising her eyebrows in question. Maria took a deep breath as she opened her eyes, seeing herself in her completed wedding dress for the first time. She smiled at her reflection as Hede gasped in delight behind her. She had brought Hede and the three eldest girls with her after school for her final fitting, hoping they would give their honest opinions. The little girls had their final fittings for their flower girl dresses the week before, also with stunning results.

"It's perfect. You did an amazing job." She turned to the shop owner, who seemed surprised by the compliment.

"Well, thank you, dear. But you really are the one making it beautiful." She smiled, Liesl stepping forward and touching a bit of the train.

"It's gorgeous, Fraulein Maria. You are going to be the most beautiful bride." She laughed, not sure she believed Liesl's romanticism, but she did feel quite lovely.

"Thank you." She smiled, turning to face the group. "I can't believe it so close now. It's felt like we've been planning a wedding for ages."

"That's because of who you were planning it with." Hede's words cause the girls to giggle, all knowing just how difficult their grandmother had continued to make all plans since her arrival. "So you're pleased with the dress?"

"I am, yes."

"Good. Let's take it home." She smiled and turned to look at herself once more. She was mostly pleased with how well it fit, thankful for the fact that her stomach had not done more than harden a bit so far. She couldn't believe her wedding day was so near; she could hardly contain her excitement.

After delicately laying her wedding dress in the trunk of the car, the only place she could think of in the car where there was hope it wouldn't wrinkle, they all went to the store where her drapes for the bedroom had finally come in. It was a quick trip, thankfully, as the drapes were perfect. She and Georg had finished the painting of his bedroom the day before, and she was excited to finally have another piece of the puzzle completed. She hadn't quite decided on all of the artwork she wanted yet, but there was time for that later.

As they left the shop, she ran directly into someone passing by, both of them gasping in surprise. The woman dropped her basket, and Maria hurried to bend down and help her. She felt terrible, so caught up in her own head that she hadn't been paying attention.

"I am so sorry." She looked to meet the woman's eyes, and then a large smile overtook her features. "Sister Margaretta! How are you?"

"Oh, Maria, I'm quite well. How are you, dear?" They stood quickly and shared a hug. Maria loved her dearly, as she had truly been her only friend at the Abbey. Somehow she believed in her, even when nobody else wanted to give her a chance.

"Wonderful. We're in town picking up my wedding dress. You are coming?"

"I wouldn't miss it!" They smiled, and Maria reached down to grab the basket and a few wayward fruits before handing it to her friend.

"I'm glad you'll be there. I do apologize for not visiting like I should."

"You've been quite busy, I'm sure. Think nothing of it." They shared a smile, Maria shaking her head after a moment.

"I've forgotten my manners,. Sister Margaretta, this is Liesl, Louisa, and Brigitta, and this is Hede, my future sister-in-law."

"How do you do?" The nun smiled, greeting the rest of them. Hede's eyes were wide, and she looked quite taken aback.

"Hede?" Maria's words shook her out of her state, and she smiled a bit sheepishly.

"I do apologize. I don't believe I've ever spoken to a nun before." Maria and Sister Margaretta laughed delightedly, but Hede was still quite obviously nervous. Maria had never once seen her speechless, and it made her laugh even harder. She couldn't wait to tell Georg.

"I have missed you. The Abbey has certainly not been the same without you."

"Oh goodness, I'm sure it hasn't. There's a lot less unnecessary mucking about, I'm certain." She laughed, and sister Margaretta shook her head, smiling.

"There's a lot less laughter too. You really were the sunshine on a lot of days." Maria smiled, hearing the bells at the Abbey in the distance and knowing her friend would need to go.

"I am so happy to see you. Tell everyone I say hello?"

"Of course. We're all looking forward to the wedding." She leaned forward and they kissed cheeks, smiling as she began to rush off. "It was lovely meeting all of you!"

Maria felt delighted after seeing Sister Margaretta. Her friend always had such a way of brightening her mood, as if she needed any help in that area. She felt so full of joy that she wondered if she would burst through the clouds. As they walked toward the car, she felt almost giddy for the first time in quite a while.

"Aunt Hede, I didn't know you were afraid of nuns." Louisa's words made them laugh as Maria drove them out of town.

"Oh, stop it! She simply took me by surprise. Nuns are quite intimidating." Maria laughed, understanding how she may think that, but feeling the complete opposite after having lived as a postulant for two years.

"If you thought that about Sister Margaretta, I can't wait to introduce you to Reverend Mother."

"You are not as cute as you think you are, Maria." The girls laughed, and Maria gave her an innocent smile as they turned onto the road toward Aigen.

Everything felt so unbelievably perfect, and she was filled with more excitement than she could describe at beginning the next chapter of her life.