Becoming the Whiskey Princess by Toni Aleo Page B

Fiona.
    “Yeah,” I say, and she pushes the door open before glancing at me. I can see the panic on her face, but she tucks it back in as she comes up behind me, undoing the dress.
    “Let’s get this frilly shite off ya, yeah?”
    I nod, my lip wobbling as she unbuttons the back and helps me out of it. Reaching for my robe, I cover my body before sitting on the bench and covering my face with my hands as I cry. I feel her near me before she wraps her arms around me and hugs me close to her, her lips pressing into my temple.
    “You miss your mom?”
    I nod as the tears start to come faster. Sucking in a deep breath, I hold on to her tightly, needing her strength. “I didn’t think this was going to be this hard,” I cry as my heart feels as if it is being ripped from my chest and stomped on.
    “Amberlyn, it’s all so new, and so much is changing. Of course, this is going to be hard. You’re always so positive, but sometimes, ya need to accept that this is going to suck.”
    I nod, my eyes starting to hurt from rubbing them so hard. I want to wipe away the pain, but no matter how hard I wipe, it is still there, slowly ripping me apart. She’s right; I try to be so positive about everything, but today…today sucks.
    “I’m supposed to be happy though. I’m finding my dress for the day that will start the rest of my life.”
    “Yeah, but you are allowing them to pick it out. We came in, had tea, and then came up to the dresses they think are up to ‘O’Callaghan standards,’” she says, making air quotes. “You aren’t an O’Callaghan yet. You are becoming one, so shouldn’t your dress be you?”
    “Do you think that’s why I want to run and hide in a hole?”
    She smiles. “That may be one of the reasons, but I think the main one is your ma, for sure. I know she’d want to be here, and I promise she is, in yer heart.”
    I nod. “Yeah, you’re right.”
    She kisses my cheek as I slowly wipe my tears from my face. Holding my gaze and with a bright smile, she says, “Why don’t we go look and see what we find?”
    Looking around the room, I still have three more O’Callaghan dresses, but I have no inclination to put them on. Looking back at Fiona, I nod my head, “Yeah, let’s go look.”
    “Thatta girl. Come on,” she says, pulling me up and out the door.
    When I come out without a dress on, I can see the confusion on Mrs. O’Callaghan’s face. I ignore it as I say, “I’m gonna look around and see if something catches my eye.”
    “None of the dresses that were brought out for you are good?” she asks me, and I shake my head.
    “They’re not me,” I answer as Fiona’s arm links with mine; I know it’s for support.
    “Sure aren’t. I see you in something softer,” Lena says, standing up and throwing her phone down. “Can I come help?”
    I nod. “Sure.”
    I can tell that Michele doesn’t want me to look, that she wants me to choose one of the dresses that are in the room, probably because they cost as much as a car, but she takes me to where the dresses all hang. Looking around the room, we look at each dress. I find two that are all right, but Lena is convinced they will look better on me than the hanger. I’m not sure, but I agree to try them on. We are about to head back to the dressing room when a soft blue catches my eyes. It’s the same color as Declan’s eyes, and instantly, I’m drawn to it.
    Taking it by the hanger, I bring the dress out and I’m in awe. It’s a full tulle skirt, the back in layers with a big embellished gathering of tulle flowers. The strapless top has beautiful swirls of crystals and the back is buttoned with little blue buttons. I’ve never seen such a gorgeous blue, except when I look into Declan’s eyes, and I can’t help but need this dress.
    “Is that a wedding dress?” Lena asks.
    “Has to be, yeah?” Fiona asks looking back at Michele.
    She nods. “Yes, it’s very rare. The only one we got, but Mrs. O’Callaghan didn’t like