The start of May found me fussing over my walking suit in the mirror. I had debated on several different ones, finally settling on a powder blue coat and skirt with a pinstripe of ivory tracing its way through. I had my forget-me-not hat pinned to my hair and a cameo pinning the lacy froth of a neckpiece that I was wearing. My ivory leather gloves were tight over my hands, although perhaps that was because I was sweating in them. I pulled them off, dried my hands, and tugged them back on. Rigel, freshly washed and brushed, watched me as I picked up the leash for him.

That great ponderous tail began to wag, and he gave a slight whine as I hooked it to his collar. I patted his head, "You're to be on your best behavior." For a moment the only sounds I could hear were the click of his claws and the click of my walking boots as we made our way downstairs. Will, in his best black suit and bowler, was waiting in the parlor. I noted the tie stick he wore, the one Mother had got him for Christmas.

He chuckled as he stood, taking the leash. "At least his hair won't show on me, you're sure your mother is alright if we bring him?"

"Of course, and besides Charles would be quite upset if he wasn't there." I smiled, reaching over to adjust the still folds of his collar. "I've already warning him to be on his best behavior, do I have to do the same for you?"

"You might have to tell that to Charles." He chuckled, "But I've learned not to misbehave in front of my father, thank you very much." The three of us made our way into the carriage, setting off for the docks. Mother was going to meet us with the car from her house, she would be taking Will's parents with her while we would be bringing Charles and Sylvie back to room with us. I would be glad for their company, but I knew Charles would likely have Will tearing his hair out after a few days.

I was counting on Sylvie to help me with that.

"And there she is." Will muttered as the carriage slowed to a stop at the docks, the visage of the Olympic rearing up before us. "Like a damn ghost." We stayed far back from the crowd that was swarming farther up towards her, and I couldn't help but let my eyes wander her lines. She, and her belated sister, really were graceful ships. It was hard to think that something so large could look like a grand lady gliding across a ballroom, but that was really all that sprung to mind as I saw her pulled in and moored. Will glanced over, "How exactly did this get arranged, again?"

"The clerk Mr. Welton sent just picked the ship that was just focused on the date we sent him for everyone to arrive. And by the time we got word it was too late to change the tickets." I sighed, shaking my head. "I hope it didn't bother everyone too much."

"So long as I don't have to set foot on her, I think it will have been fine." Will stood a little taller as the gangplanks were drawn up alongside the ship, her cranes lowering massive piles of luggage to the ground even as the first passengers began to disembark. I tried to keep an eye out for everyone, enough that I jumped slightly when Mother seemingly appeared beside me. "Goodness!"

"Do you see my new in-laws yet?" Mother craned her head, the large hat she wore straining to stay on her head. The wind was playing with the silk flowers and feathers enough to make it almost take flight. "Or your guests?"

"Of course he's off first," Will grumbled, and I could see a familiar pair headed towards us. It was unusual for me to see Charles out of uniform, but he quickly spotted us and was waving his cap as they started over. Will did manage a smile as he embraced him, "Charles, it's good to see you."

"Same for you Will," He replied as he patted his back, although his voice dropped down to where I could barely hear him. "Your girl looks far too nervous Will, didn't you tend to her before you left the house?"

Will gripped him a bit tighter, "You do know her mother is right there?"

"Indeed she is!" Charles turned, actually bowing to Mother. "Mrs. Dalian, so lovely to see you again." He held out his hand, bringing Sylvie forward. "My wife, Sylvia. Sylvia, this is Ruth Dalian, Anastasia's mother."

Sylvie nodded, "It's a pleasure, ma'am."

"Likewise." Mother smiled, "I'm sure you both remember my daughter, Anastasia."

"I hope I would!" Charles turned, pulling me in for a hug. "Why else would I be here if not for her?"

"Perhaps for Will?" I chuckled as he released me and I turned to Sylvie. "After all, you are his best man."

"And I hardly would be if he wasn't marrying you." Charles rolled his eyes as I finished hugging Sylvie. "Now, where should I have our luggage taken?" It was only the work of a few minutes to point out our carriage and for him to direct a porter to begin having their bags taken over. It at least distracted him from teasing Will, who was closely examining the people coming towards us.

"Ma, Da." He suddenly started off, the Scots thick in his voice. I watched as he approached a pair, and I recognized Samuel as he embraced his son. The way he leaned down to hug Jeanie was far more gentle, not the least owing to the cane that she had in one hand. She was much slower as they made their way over, leaning heavily on Samuel as she did. Will drew himself up as they reached us, "Ma, Da, this is Ruth Dalian. Ma'am, my parents, Samuel and Jeanie."

"Charmed." Mother reached out, taking Jeanie's hand between both of hers. "It is so wonderful to meet the people responsible for the man who has made my daughter so happy."

"Ach, ye don't mean that." Samuel chuckled, "'Tis just some flattery."

"I hardly engage in flattery." Mother shook her head. "So you had best just believe me. Shall we head off?" It took awhile for the bags and trunks to be delivered and properly stored on the car and the carriage.

It was during this time that Charles knelt down and began to scratch at Rigel. "I knew it was a good idea to bring you to her." Rigel leaned into his hand, tongue lolling and a good deal of spit making its way out. Instead of being repulsed, Charles laughed. "That's a boy, by God you got big."

"Of course he did." Will grumbled, but he was smiling. "You knew that when you got him."

"It sounds as if you've had some issues with him."

Will flushed a bit, "Well, I was sitting up with Ana one night when a storm blew through and he almost forced me off the bed." That led to a round of laughter from everyone, and Will quickly spun a yarn about that night. In his version he had been sitting on the edge of the bed while Louise brushed out my hair, reading to me. Rigel had rudely interrupted him, burying himself against his side. In reality, Will had been asleep with his arm around my waist when Rigel had practically landed on him. I had heard him whining as thunder had boomed across the sky, and he had begun pawing when lightning began to flash, coming through the drawn curtains. Will had loudly cursed at the poor dog, trying to shove him away before Rigel had inserted himself between us and settled down, shivering. The rest of the night had been spent with the massive bulk of Rigel pressed tight against us, and a good deal of hair on the sheets.

I had gotten an earful from Peggy after that.

"You'll be over for dinner then?" Mother asked after the car had been properly loaded, Samuel and Jeanie sitting inside. I assured her that we would, then set about herding Charles and Sylvie into the carriage. For all that he teased Will about me, he could hardly be separated from Sylvie for a minute it seemed. I couldn't help but shake my head at the two of them as the carriage rattled through the city, pulling up the house with a floor of footmen waiting to unload everything.

"Welcome back, Mr. Lightoller." Peggy was waiting at the door, a maid by her side to take coats and hats. "I trust you'll have a much more pleasant visit than the last time you stayed here."

Charles laughed at that, "Well, I'll be making sure Will's time isn't too pleasant, that's for sure!" Will groaned, and I leaned down to unhook Rigel's leash so he could follow all of us into the parlor. Sylvie had settled into a chair, and I snorted when Charles got onto the floor, beginning to push on Rigel. "Come on then, show me how you took down that man!"

"I don't think you'll want to see that." I smiled as Rigel began to growl, although it was rather playful. It only took a little more prodding for Rigel to begin wrestling with Charles on the floor, burying him under a mountain of black hair at one point. "I don't know if that's really the best idea, he's quite large."

Sylvie dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "Charles wrestled with the boys plenty back home, and they did not fight clean."

"Neither is he!" Charles commented as he pulled himself away, catching Rigel's tail in his face. He spat out some hairs before he could speak again. "But he's grown into a good dog, now you'll just need to breed him so I can bring a puppy home for the boys."

"Perhaps they'll want to keep some for themselves, dear." Sylvie patted his hand as he joined her in a chair. "For their own children."

"Hopefully they get on it fast, then." He chuckled, and I could see Will's face go slightly red. "Freddie and Richard would be glad to have some American children to visit."

Sylvie held up her hand and whispered loudly, "That's why we told them they had to stay with a friend, there weren't any children here for them to play with."

"They'll be able to come over someday," I smiled, although I felt rather uncomfortable. "I'm sure it will happen after the wedding."

Truth be told, I hadn't thought about it that much, but that was the point of marriage. Not only to be Will's wife, but to be a mother to our children. I had watched countless other society girls become proud young mothers barely a year after they became wives, ball gowns traded for modest dresses and perambulators. Will and Charles had begun discussing something, and as I looked at Will I felt myself twist even further. I knew he wanted to be a father, despite him saying that he would have rather seen me happy, like Ada had been. I wanted that for him, but I just wasn't sure about becoming a mother so quickly, I wanted time to be a wife, to simply be Mrs. Anastasia Murdoch.

That curl of uncertainty was still in my stomach as we set out to join Mother and Will's parents for dinner. She had spared no expense, having the table set with her finest china and a massive bowl of flowers taking up the vast majority of the table, the spot that wasn't groaning under the weight of food that is. Jeanie and Samuel were full of nothing but praise, Jeanie especially so. "Ah, Mrs. Dalian, this is truly a fine meal."

"Thank you Jeanie," Mother smiled over at her, sipping her wine. "I wanted to impress you, if I'm being honest."

"Well, ye certainly have." Samuel chuckled, taking up yet another lamb chop for his plate. "Can't say I've eaten this fine in a long time."

"Oh, no thank you." I cocked my head to the side as I heard Sylvie dismiss a footman. He had been offering her a glass of wine, but withdrew. She seemed to have attracted a good deal of attention, Jeanie and Mother both looking closely at her.

Mother spoke first. "How far along are you?"

Sylvie blushed, "Five months, or thereabouts."

"Awfully skinny for five months," Jeanie pursed her lips. "Has the babe been putting you off your food?"

Charles rolled his eyes, catching Sylvie's hand and kissing it. "Ignore them, love. You look radiant." The way she smiled at him, her other hand brushing against her stomach, made me bite the inside of my cheek. I wanted that, I wanted Will to look at me with all the love I could see in Charles's eyes.

I glanced aside to him, seeing his blue eyes slide over to meet mine. His brow furrowed, "Ana?"

I shook my head, looking over to Sylvie. "Congratulations, are you hoping for another boy?"

"I already have too many of those!" She laughed, "I'd like a little girl, I haven't had one before."

"She'll be little." Jeanie muttered, and for the rest of the dinner we were treated to a diatribe about how Sylvie should go about being pregnant while she's here. Rest, but still have some exercise, staying away from alcohol, and enough food that she would hardly be able to move after. Everything she said seemed to stick in my mind, enough that I was still thinking about it when Will slid into bed next to me.

"I hope you didn't mind Mother tonight." He turned toward me, bringing his hand up to brush my cheek. "Having had seven children though, she does know what she's talking about."

I smiled as I lied. "Oh, not at all. I just think Sylvie may have been a little embarrassed by all the fuss."

"She's married to Charles, she enjoys a bit of fuss now and then." He chuckled, turning onto his back. It took a couple of days for the uncertainty in me to settle, and for everyone else to settle in as well. Charles and Sylvie seemed glad to not have to worry about anything, their clothes arriving pressed every morning and a table always set. Mother arranged everything for Jeanie and Samuel, including a visit from a doctor to try and assist Jeanie with her pains. According to Mother he had recommended that they move to a warmer climate for her health, and she had laughed him out of the room. Mother remembered what she said word for word, 'I was born in that land, and I'll be dyin' in that land.'

The day of the portrait arrived, Will and I being almost immediately separated as soon as we set foot in the Fifth Avenue house. Charles, Oscar and Samuel hauled Will away, not even letting him leave me with a kiss. Mother, Sylvie, Liz, Jeanie and, of all people, Morgan were much gentler as they lead me off to a sitting room that had been transformed into an impromptu changing room. Cindy was already waiting with the various boxes the gown was split between. She was the one to follow me behind the screen that had been brought down, helping me out of my dress and underthings. The chemise she had brought was so fine I barely felt it as she slipped it over my head, the stockings and drawers equaling the lightness of it. There was no color besides white to them though, not the little spots of blue and pink ribbon that I usually added to my underthings. Everything was white or ivory, pure and virginal.

I did have to suck in a bit for the corset, although it was only a moment to get used to it. For the rest of the dressing, I came out from behind the screen. I had been expecting to see the ladies sitting there, what I was not expecting was the length of white silk in Morgan's hand. I raised a brow at her as Cindy knelt to slip my feet into the white brocaded heels she had brought. "What's that for?"

"I had thought to surprise you." Morgan stood, coming over as I mounted the small wooden box that had been set up in front of a trio of mirrors. "I think it would be rather fun for you to only see the dress once you're completely in it."

"I've already seen it." I laughed, noting how Mother and Jeanie grinned at each other.

Morgan shrugged, "So? The effect will be so much more if you see if fully instead of in pieces." The length of silk dangled from her fingers. "May I?"

"Sure," I lowered my head, feeling her slip it under my pinned up hair and tie it loosely around my eyes. "If it will make you happy."

"Oh, I will be ecstatic." She drawled, "Although, you will need to stand very still while you're dressed." I snorted, as if every fitting I had ever attended had me dancing a jig while my hem was being pinned. It was rather odd to not be able to see while having someone dress me, and I found myself listening intently to the comments from the ladies as they helped.

Jeanie clucked as the crinoline was buttoned around my hips. "It's rather large, ain't it?"

"My daughter is going to have the finest dress of the season." Mother replied, and I heard her behind me as she helped button on not one, but two petticoats. "Far finer than whatever Her Highness will be wearing."

The silk petticoat, with its stiff ruffles along the hem, was lowered over my head next. Morgan laughed as she adjusted the hem of it, helping it lay smooth over everything underneath. "You should just be glad her dress isn't being encrusted with diamond, Mrs. Murdoch." I could tell she was button on the massive train of lace ruffles to protect the silk of the train from the floor next.

"But even the fabric of this." Jeanie sounded uncertain as the top skirt was slipped over. "It's far more than I could hae even dreamed of when I married Samuel."

Mother's voice was quiet as she guided my arms through the sleeves of the bodice. "My husband, my late husband, he always wanted Ana to have the best. The best clothes, the best furniture, the best food and drink. He cannot see this, but I hope what I've done would have been what he would have wanted."

"Well, she's already marrying the best man." Sylvie, from the sound of her still on the settee, spoke calmly. "And I mean William, not my Charles. Really Mrs. Dalian, it is lovely."

Cindy kept her quiet through most of it, although she did speak up now. "Indeed, Paul is most proud of this. I don't think I've ever seen him so excited for a wedding." She moved to the front, and I heard the slight clatter of pearls as she began to pin brooches to the bodice. The feel of the pearls draped between all of them settled onto me, especially on the brooches between the split front of the skirt. "I hope you have something to match all of these."

Liz, speaking from somewhere behind me, voiced her thoughts. "I thought she was going to wear her sapphires."

"Hush." Mother, walking over from the sound of it, drew her away. I had barely anytime to focus on that as another length of fabric was wrapped around my shoulders and I was strictly warned to not open my eyes as the blindfold was removed and cosmetics applied to my face. It was rather difficult not to when I had to barely open my eyes for the mascara, but Morgan was standing so close to me that I couldn't see beyond her.

"Here we are." Mother, coming back in, said as she stepped around behind me. I held still, eyes shut, as she passed a necklace around my throat. I had been expecting the cold silver of my sapphires, but instead felt the smoothness of yet more pearls. Perhaps she had sent decided it was time for me to wear my pearls again, and I smiled slightly as she slipped a pair of earrings through my ears.

Morgan and Liz set to clucking over my hair, pulling pins and gently curling it into the golden net that had been brought. Jeanie was in front of me, clasping pearl bracelets around my wrists and drawing a pair of soft kid gloves over my hands. I felt the waistband of the skirt be lifted slightly as Cindy buttoned on the train, and after my hair had been sorted, her and Mother pinned the veil to it.

Liz gripped one of my hands, guiding me to hold onto a bouquet that she wrapped my fingers around. "You look beautiful."

"Aye," Jeanie sounded almost weepy, "She's an angel, is what she is."

"You can open your eyes now, my dear." Mother was quiet, but I slowly opened my eyes. The brightness of the room seemed to make me glow, reflected over and over in the mirrors in front of me. I tried to take in everything, but it was all so much. The luster of the fabric, the gleam of the gold, the way the bodice clung to me for dear life. What my gaze lingered on though, were the pearls clasped around my throat.

I reached up, my fingers weak as I touched the triple strand that rested just above the hollow of my throat, pearls for every year of their marriage and every half anniversary. "Mother, your pearls." I dropped my hand, unable to even think about the last time I had seen them.

"For you to borrow." She sniffed, blinking her eyes quickly as she stepped up to adjust one of the pearl swags on the skirt. "Yours are lovely but would not suit the dress, nor the magnitude of the occasion."

"Well, she has something borrowed then." Morgan smiled, looking up. "And something new, but wherever will we get something old and something blue?"

"She has blue." Liz lifted a garland of forget-me-nots from my bouquet. "We're only down to one thing."

"And ye'll not be calling my Willie old, now." Jeanie laughed, "He's a fine young man." I tried to let them distract me as they bandied about ideas for the something old, besides Will, to keep me from thinking about what was dogging me. I was beautiful in this dress, and I'd be getting married in less than a month. It would be without Father though, he'd never see me in this dress. He wouldn't walk me down the aisle, as for as much as I loved Abraham, he wasn't Father.

Cindy was the first one to notice my sniffing, and quickly had a handkerchief for me. "Blot, do not wipe your face for the love of God." I nodded, dabbing at my eyes as I fought against the tears in them. That set off a round of cooing from the ladies, and Mother had to be given an handkerchief as well. But eventually things settled and I drew myself up as we began to prepare to go to the reception room where the photographer was waiting. Two maids were enlisted, one to carry the train and one to carry the veil. They set both down once we reached the doors though, and Cindy fussed for a moment as she ensured they would lay right when I walked.

"Open, please." Mother called out, and the doors in front of me were slowly drawn apart. I could hear some gasps from inside as I came into view, and I could see Oscar and Ezekiel smiling at me. Charles and Samuel had Will by the shoulders though, keeping him turned away even as they looked over their shoulders to see me. I walked slowly, doing my best to glide across the polished wooden floor. I clutched my bouquet, my heart hammering.

I wanted Will to turn around, for him to see me. I could already see him well enough, his uniform fitting well and freshly brushed. The gold lace on his cuffs gleamed as did the straight sword at his side. I could even see the bicorne hat in his hands, clean white gloves clasped around it. I was about to begin twisting my hands around the flowers when Jeanie spoke up. "Ach, let him look. Otherwise she'll faint."

Will's shoulders were released, and he quickly swung around. I kept a smile on my face, watching him look me up and down. I could see his lip begin to quiver, but no words came out. His breathing was loud, and fast, enough that I was growing rather concerned as the silence began to stretch. Charles looked aside at him. "I know it's been some time since your last wedding Will, but the bride generally likes to be told that she looks beautiful."

Will started working his mouth but nothing came out, and Sylvie prompted from behind me. "Perhaps you could compliment the embroidery?"

"Indeed, it is quite elaborate." Oscar smiled, "Such wonderful work with the pearls, Mr. Hunt should be commended."

But still, nothing from Will. He simply stared, one hand tight around the hilt of his sword. It took a minute for him to begin to walk, his polished Oxfords somewhat loud on the floor as he came over. I looked up, holding his eye and hoping he would say something. Instead he leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine. "I love you, now and forever." His voice was quiet. "And I must be dead, for someone as beautiful as you could not be real."

"You're quite alive." I whispered to him, feeling his breath on my cheek. "As am I."

"Sometimes it doesn't feel like it." He brought his hand up to trace my shoulder. "Like I'm living in a dream."

"I'd hate to interrupt this charming moment," Ezekiel snorted, "But the photographer might like to be home for dinner." That led to a few good natured insults being thrown his way, but it did lead to Will and I being positioned just right for the portrait. The train and the veil were curled on the floor, and the tedious business began. I must have posed in a dozen different ways; standing, sitting, with Will to my right and then my left. And it wasn't just the photographer scrutinizing us, Mother had it in her head to get an actual portrait painted and so the painter she had hired was constantly sketching us in every configuration. Eventually though, everyone was satisfied, and all that remained was getting out of the gown.

I felt so much smaller once I was back in my old dress, so much less. But the way Will looked at me when I came downstairs, the way his hand stayed in mine as we rode back home, I had never felt so treasured, so cherished. If I had to describe it, it would be like a man in the desert seeing water, as if I was everything so him, something so vital that he could not go on without it. Even Charles's ribbing about his initial reaction ("I thought he was going to fall over in a faint!" "I was worried he'd call for a preacher so he could start the honeymoon early!") over dinner couldn't dampen it, not when I knew Will was going to hold me in his arms all night.