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“That’s good. So do I.”
“And this is a lot more fun than the last time we drove to Morgantown. Looking at wedding dresses, maybe finding your dresses, too. Did I tell you my colors?”
Sloan looked over. “I think you’re about to.”
“Plum and copper. I want rich colors, nothing pastel. You can pick either for your dress, Sloan. So can Leah as my attendant and Hailey for flower girl. I’m not going for everyone has to have the same style either. But I want those strong colors, beautiful flowers, and simple elegance. Not fussy, not over-the-top. And I know just the style of dress I want. Simple, sleek. No train, no veil. Forget the lace, forget the tulle. A beautiful ankle-length column and great shoes.”
“Then this should be easy.”
“And if I don’t find it here, we’ll look somewhere else.”
“You’ll know it when you see it,” Elsie predicted as Sloan navigated Morgantown.
They had champagne while the bridal expert selected a few dresses meeting Drea’s criteria.
“How lucky I am,” Elsie mused, “to have daughters who want to include me in this important moment. Not obliged to include me, but want to.”
“How lucky are we to have a mom who gave us love every single day. Even when we pissed her off.”
Drea came out in the sleek and simple, and strapless.
“What do you think?”
“I think my daughter’s going to be a beautiful bride.”
She modeled it, turned this way, that way in the triple mirror.
“It’s so elegant. Simply elegant,” Drea said. “A definite maybe. I’m going to try on the one with three-quarter sleeves.”
When Drea went back in, Elsie looked at Sloan.
Sloan said, “No. Beautiful, and she’d be beautiful in anything. But… too severe for her, I think. Still, it’s her wedding.”
“And we’re here to love whatever she picks,” Elsie added.
She tried on and modeled two more, and when she went back in for the next, Elsie rose. “Come with me.”
She led Sloan back to a row of dresses. “This caught me when they were picking out the others.”
“It’s not the sleek and simple. It’s a princess dress. Lace and tulle.”
“I know. Maybe it’s just a mom thing, wanting her baby to be a princess on her wedding day. But I don’t think so, because every dress she’s put on would suit you, would be gorgeous on you when you have yours.”
“If you ask her, she’ll try it on for you.”
“That’s why I’m going to ask. And whatever she picks we love it.”
“Already with you there.”
The attendant came out.
“She really doesn’t love the last one, so I’ll find a few more.”
Elsie pointed to the dress. “Would you mind taking that in to her? I know it’s not the style she’s looking for, but ask her to indulge her mother and try it. Just for fun?”
The attendant looked at the dress, then at Elsie. Smiled. “I’ll be happy to do that.”
So they had another glass of champagne and waited.