Author's note: Dress shopping! Are you excited?! A lot of the conversation I got on here came from Say Yes to the Dress. I adore that show! I hope you agree with the final decision. And many thanks to spazzingpurplecyborg on Tumblr for pointing it out in the first place.

Happy reading!

Chapter Eleven

I was surprised to see Zoe get out of the back seat of Mom's car at the dress shop. She didn't look too happy, but she hugged me anyway. She glared over my shoulder at Adrian. Jill walked over with a kind smile.

I said, "This is Jill, Adrian's, um—"

"Best maid. Isn't that what we decided the title was?" My fiancé finished for me.

"It's still a work in progress." Jill contributed. "Best maid kind of sounds weird to me, but so does best woman." She shrugged. "We'll figure it out eventually. I'm this guy's best friend." She pointed to Adrian. "Among other things."

Introductions were made all around and then we walked into the shop for my appointment. It had been made clear when I made the appointment that I wasn't sure if I was going to buy a dress. I didn't want to tie myself down to actually picking a dress just yet unless I fell in love with it.

A woman walked out and introduced herself. "I'm Olivia and I'll be helping you look at dresses today. Who is my bride?" She had a giant personality. You could tell she loved her job.

I waved slightly, suddenly nervous. "Me. I'm Sydney."

"Who else do you have with you?" She asked perkily.

I could see Adrian was annoyed with her overly peppy attitude. I squeezed his hand as I introduced everyone to her.

Then she asked what I was looking for.

"I know what I want to see." Adrian said when I hesitated. "Something that shows off her figure. Something sexy."

"I don't know about sexy." I argued.

"Sophisticated, but sexy." He sent a smoldering smile to Olivia. "Mermaid or trumpet shape, I think."

"I'd like to see you in a ball gown." Jill said.

"You know I don't like those." I said.

"I'd still like to see it. Just to get a feel. You never know."

"Do you have any preferences, Sydney?" Olivia asked me.

I smiled and said shyly. "Simple. Straps or cap sleeves preferably. I don't know specifics except that I don't want a ball gown, but I'll try one for Jill."

She nodded. I could see the gears turning in her head as she envisioned the inventory in her mind. "What's your budget?"

"Unlimited." Adrian said before I could say anything.

"I actually would like to cap it at two thousand." I patted Adrian's hand.

"But if she happens to find something she loves for more, she can have it." He smiled and kissed my hand.

I returned his smile.

Olivia clapped her hands. "Okay, everyone follow me and we'll get started."

Adrian leaned into me and said, "If you find anything today you think you can't live without, don't second-guess it."

I nodded. "Do you want to see my final choice?"

"No. If you put one on and you know it's the one, don't come out with me still there." He kissed my temple.

Olivia talked us through looking for the dresses on the racks. Jill found a ball gown first off.

"Try it." She begged. "I just want us all to see. If you don't like it, fine. But if you don't try it, you'll never know."

I sighed and nodded. She hung it on a waiting rack that had been moved into the space.

"What do you think about lace, Sydney?" Mom asked, showing me a dress with lace detailing on the skirt.

"That's pretty." I touched the fabric. "I'll try it."

Olivia had loaded the cart with three dresses in the styles Adrian had requested.

I walked over to a set of dresses that were all lace. I was drawn to them after seeing the small detailing on the one my mom had chosen. I pulled one out away from the others. A sheath dress, it had wide straps and came down into a shallow V. It was calling to me.

"I think that one would look great on you." Zoe said over my shoulder.

"I agree." Carly said beside her.

"Me too." I chewed my lip and looked over to where Adrian and Jill were conferring over yet another mermaid gown. "Here," I took it down and passed it to Carly, "don't let Adrian see."

Carly very calmly took the dress and walked over to the rack. She motioned Mom and Olivia to her and pointed out the dress without bringing a lot of attention to it as she spoke with them. Both women smiled and nodded as she spoke.

"Sydney, may I ask you something?" Zoe asked timidly as she looked at some more dresses.

"Of course."

She looked straight at me. "He treats you well?"

"Very well."

"Has he ever…?" she averted her eyes, "had a drink?" She pointed to her neck.

"No. Never. I wouldn't allow it and he's never asked."

"Dad called you a blood whore." She said in a hoarse whisper.

"I'm not. I swear to you I'm not." I put an arm around her shoulders. "He's a gentleman. A rascal, but a gentleman." I gave her a squeeze. "Will you please give him a chance?"

"I'll do my best." She assured me.

A few minutes later, I was donning my first dress: the ball gown Jill chose.

"I don't like this." I sighed. "But I need Jill to see."

I stepped out in front of everyone.

"Oh, honey, no." Adrian said when he saw me. "Sorry, Jill, but that's all wrong."

I nodded. "I agree."

Jill sighed. "You were right. Go change." She waved toward the dressing room.

The next was one of Adrian's mermaid dresses. I was barely able to walk in it and pointed that out when I showed it to everyone.

"Hm." Adrian said appreciatively. "Perfect."

"I can't walk, Adrian." I protested.

"You can figure that one out. Look at yourself. Those curves, my god. You always keep them hidden." He looked to all the others. "Don't you agree?"

"You look pretty hot." Jill agreed.

Leah and Eddie nodded.

"It's nice." Mom said. "But do you like it?"

"I guess I could get used to it." I said uncertainly.

"But do you like it?" She asked again.

I looked at Adrian in the mirror. "I don't hate it."

"What do you like about it?" Olivia asked.

"I like the way it fits at the bodice. I don't like that it's strapless. But I feel confined in this skirt. I can't move. How am I going to dance?"

Adrian sighed. "Okay."

I turned. "I'm the one who as to wear it."

"I know. I just want you to see yourself in this dress the way I see you in it."

I smiled. "I do. And I appreciate it." I leaned down and kissed him. And then I shuffled out of the room.

"Do you want to try this one?" Olivia asked, indicating the lace dress my sisters and I had decided on.

"I really like that one. I don't want Adrian to see it."

She nodded. "Your sister explained that. We could try the others and put this one on last."

"Yeah, let's do that."

I tried on the others. There was a fit and flair which was better than the mermaid dresses (all of which I tried for Adrian's benefit), but not much better. One had a corset top and a tulle skirt. It was pretty, but not what I wanted. I felt like I was drowning in dresses by the end.

"There's one more dress." I said after we all turned the last one down. I looked at Adrian. "Take a hike."

He smiled. "You think it's it?"

"I do." I smiled over his shoulder. "Take Eddie with you. He's had enough."

The guardian looked relieved.

He sighed and stood. He gave an exaggerated bow. "Ladies." He and Eddie left and I stepped back into the dressing room.

"Now, this is actually a mermaid, but it's not as drastic as the ones your fiancé wanted you in. It hugs the torso and the hips and flairs out mid-thigh. It has the cap sleeves you wanted, as I'm sure you saw. And is perfectly within your budget."

"How much?"

"Two thousand before alterations."

"Oh, yes, that's perfect." When she finished zipping me in and clamping it in back to fit better, I stood staring at myself. I ran my hands over the fabric. "I look exactly how he wants me to." I could feel the sting in my throat of the tears. I took a deep breath and waved at my face. "I need to go out there before I break down."

I met my mother's eyes as I walked out. And the tears started flowing.

"That's the dress." She said.

"It is." I sniffed. I stood on the podium. "Look at me."

Zoe said, "He's going to faint."

"He is." Jill agreed. "That's beautiful. You're beautiful."

Leah nodded and agreed with the others.

"Carly, you're not saying anything."

"Because I'm speechless." She wiped at her eyes.

Olivia came over with a box of tissues and we passed it around. Even Leah shed a few tears.

"So this is it?" the consultant asked.

"This is it." I said. "Go get Adrian's credit card."

We all laughed through our tears. I was brought to the dressing room once more and all the paperwork done. I was measured and the dress style was recorded.

"And when is your wedding again? Sixteen months?"

"Yes. So plenty of time to get this right."

"Exactly. We get so many brides in here who only have a few months. And then our alterations department is swamped."

"I hate the idea of rushing things. And this is the only time Jill will be here for a while. She lives in Pennsylvania."

"Is that where your fiancé's from?"

"Yes. He just moved here to be closer to me. I work at an auto shop with my mom and Adrian is an artist, so he had more flexibility to move."

"That's sweet." She said, finishing up the last of the paperwork. "Let's get you all figured out up front."

Adrian pulled me close as he leaned casually against the counter. "Jill and Zoe said I'm going to faint." He said, one side of his mouth tilting up.

"I think you might." I pushed myself up on my toes and brushed a kiss across his lips.

"You're only required to put down a deposit on fifty percent of the cost."

"And what is that?"

She figured the cost and told him the deposit amount.

"Put it all on here." Adrian handed over his credit card. "I was planning for a deposit of at least two thousand."

"Sorry I don't have expensive tastes." I rubbed his back and nuzzled his neck. "I wear coveralls all day and come home covered in grease and motor oil with gunk under my nails. I don't need anything fancy, you know that."

"I do. I just want to make sure you get what you think you deserve." He removed his arm so he could sign the paperwork. "Does this say what type of dress this is?"

"Just the designer and dress number." Olivia said.

"Please don't try to find it. You need to be surprised. You promised."

"And I don't want to know until you're walking down that aisle one year from October eighth." He kissed my cheek.

"You two are so precious." Olivia said as she passed back Adrian's card and receipt.

"Thanks." Adrian said sheepishly and wrapped his arm around my waist, resting a hand on my hip.

"When will the dress be in?"

"It should be here in about six months. That would be December. Sometimes they arrive sooner. We'll call when we get it in so we can schedule your first fitting." She passed over a card from the stack on the desk. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call."

We thanked her and then walked out hand-in-hand. The others were mingling outside. Jill leaned against the building in the shade.

"You okay?" Adrian asked.

She shook her head.

"We haven't visited the feeder for a while." He mumbled.

"Then you should go." I said. "You could hire your own, you know."

He shook his head. "I won't do that to you. I'll just go out when I need it."

"As long as you're sure."

"I am." He kissed my forehead.

My mom came over. "So what are you all gabbing about?"

"Jill needs to get out of the sun. Get some sustenance." I explained.

She nodded. "We should get going then."

"We'd love to have you over while Jill is still in town." Adrian told her.

"And I would enjoy that." She looked at me proudly and then pulled me into a hug. "You're going to be the most stunning bride. I can't wait to see it again." She pushed some hair behind my ear. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I hugged her once more and then bid farewell to my sisters.

When we got in my car, Adrian said, "Just bring us back to my house and we'll go get replenished."

"No, I'll come with you. It's fine. I'll sit in the car."

"As long as you're sure?"

"I am. I know where the feeder house is. I visited a lot when I was younger and learning the ropes." I rested my hand in the middle of the seat and turned my palm up. I waved my fingers and smiled at him, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

He slipped his hand into mine, twining our fingers. He brought it to his lips. "I love you." He said softly.

"And I love you." I squeezed his hand.

"Eddie, please stop touching me." Jill said from the back seat.

"I really can't help it. It's kind of cramped back here." He said plaintively.

"Put your knees together and it wouldn't be so cramped." She shot back.

"All right, that's it." I pulled over and turned around. "You guys used to be friends. What changed?"

Neither said anything.

"This isn't good for your relationship. Eddie, Lissa trusts you with her sister's life. You are a guardian. You have a great responsibility. You can't keep this up and keep her safe at the same time."

"Thank you." Jill said.

"And you, Jill, need to stop blaming Eddie. It's not all his fault. The situation isn't that great, but I very much doubt you jumping down his throat every time he breathes is going to fix anything."

Both were silent.

"Now, we're going to the feeder. We've still got a little more time in the car. You can either take that time to make up or you can sit there angrily for the rest of the time." I turned back around and drove once more, both hands gripped to the steering wheel.

There was deafening silence in the back seat.

Post story author's note: If you follow me on Tumblr, you've seen the dress. If not, or if you just want a refresher, you can find it at liancarlo. dot com (slash)style-5802 (removing all the spaces, of course. I wanted to make sure it would show). If this doesn't work, go over to my tumblr and it's are linked there. (booksrockmyface)