AN: I know some things are best left to the imagination but if anyone does want to see the picture of the dress I'm trying (and failing xD) to describe, I've added a photo of it to my goodreads account. For anyone who doesn't know it, and may want it, search for Vikki Strachan from Newcastle :)
Dresses
Rory stood in the changing room, fastening herself into her dress, allowing herself to think about the incident from the week before. Stephen had been keeping a close eye on her after what had happened at Lancaster Gate. Dr Marigold had told her that she was fine and just needed to rest so Stephen had taken her home and nursed her for the remainder of the day. But Rory could not get that man out of her head and she had woken in a cold sweat several times the past week. Stephen was always there to comfort her but she couldn't stop wondering how that ghost had gotten onto the platform. The Oswulf stone was safely in place and should've been holding the dead energy back. Why had it let that one through after it had dispelled him in the sewer? She shook her head with a sigh, determined not to worry about it. She closed her eyes and brought herself back to today.
Jazza had met Rory, Boo and Freddie at the flat and together they had come out to buy their dresses for the wedding. Their dresses were already sorted but Rory still had to chose between the five that she liked. They had all stopped in a cafe for a coffee and were chatting away while Rory took a final look at the photos of the dresses. She smiled as Freddie talked about her girlfriend and Boo talked about Callum. Jazza had said that there was someone she liked but she wasn't sure that anything would happen. She would have to wait and see. Then they had made their way to the dress shop and Rory decided to take the five dresses she liked to the changing room and told the others she would emerge only when she had decided and was wearing dress she settled on.
Rory took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She stared at her reflection in awe. This was the one she thought she liked best and had decided to try it last. She was right. This was the dress. The bodice and the skirt were white but the skirt split open down the side to reveal the layer underneath; a layer of red satin embroidered with white roses. The bodice was pinched at the waist which made the skirt flare and was topped with what reminded her of Belles dress from Beauty and the Beast - wide straps that went around the arms rather than over the shoulders. One of these ran down into a point under the bust. These too were red satin with white roses. A line of red roses ran down the side of the bodice to the top of the split in the skirt. The dress was floor length and flared out around her feet a little so she could walk without stepping on it. The back of the dress flowed out behind her. The gold heart she wore around her neck fell against her heart, giving the red of the straps a gold touch. She smiled widely and felt tears prick her eyes as she left the changing room.
Freddie, Boo and Jazza stood in the front of the shop looking at their bridesmaids dresses. They were simple, strapless, floor length gowns that flared out slightly at the waist. Jazza's dress also had a white sash around the waist since she was the a Maid of Honour. They were talking excitedly about which dress Rory would choose. Boo turned around to look into the back of the shop and her mouth fell open. She nudged Freddie and Jazza and they both turned around. Rory floated out into the front of the shop smiling brightly. "So, what do you think?"
Jazza squealed while Freddie nodded excitedly. "Oh, Rory. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. You look like a goddess."
"What? I don't normally?" She pouted comically and they laughed.
Boo giggled. "You've made me want to marry you." She walked up to Rory and took her hands, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Just wait until Stephen sees you."
Rory grinned. "Do you like your dresses?"
The three of them replied that they did at the same time and Rory held out her arms. Boo, Freddie and Jazza went to her for a group hug. Rory sighed happily. "This is really happening, isn't it?"
Boo laughed. "Yeah it is. Stephens terrified by the way."
Rory furrowed her eyebrows. "Of what?"
"Of next month. He's meeting your parents, remember?"
"Oh yeah. That's gonna be interesting."