Alex had gone back to school, so Evie had been moping around her house which suddenly seemed very big and very empty without him there. She didn't know why it was suddenly so much harder that he was gone, but she wished she hadn't let him leave. He'd tried to stay, not wanting to leave her alone for so much of her pregnancy, or just at all really, but she insisted he go back to school. Perhaps it was just all the excitement that had happened in his last week or so in Moonlight Falls, or that she had just gotten used to him being there. Or maybe it was just her pregnancy making her more emotional. Or a mix of everything, but whatever it was she was slightly miserable.
Luckily she had her family to cheer her up, Mae even dragged her out shopping for wedding dresses. The were shopping with Mae in mind, though she was trying to convince Evie to pick out her own dresses to. Evie didn't really see the point, she was going to be too big soon to fit in anything she picked out, and may never fit in it again. She wasn't even getting married for probably at least a year, so she could have and focus on raising the baby for a bit first, so she had lots of time to find something anyway.
It didn't take her long to change her tune after getting to the bridal boutique though. Since they were practically identical twins and wore the same size Mae convinced Evie to try on dresses for her so they could see a couple at the same time.
"Okay, I do really like this dress..." Evie said dreamily, twirling around in front of the mirror in the first dress she tried on "I like how the bottom flows."
"Yeah, I see that sparkle in your eye. I knew you'd be much more enthusiastic when you actually got in a dress. It is really nice. I might want it if you don't."
"Well, if you want it you can have it. I mean, I like it, but I have much more time to decide on a dress... and I still don't know about buying one until after I've had the baby anyway."
"Nonsense. If you like it buy it, I'm sure you'll still rock it. Besides it's not like I'm decided on it. Like I really like this one too." Mae said twisting her head to check out the back of the dress in a side mirror," I like the back. Dunno about all the lace though."
"It is really pretty, maybe they have something like it without the lace?"
"Maybe. Let's look. Keep yours aside though... I'm not giving up convincing you to buy it yet."
They didn't find anything like that, but they found a couple other dresses they really liked and tried them on too.
"Are you going cry?" Mae asked Evie who was intently focused on checking herself out in the mirror.
"Maybe..." Her eyes already tearing up a bit, she probably would.
"It is a really beautiful dress, I think it's perfect for you."
"Yeah..." Evie frowned. It was. But would it be in another year?
"No. None of that. You're getting it. End of discussion."
"But..."
"You're on the verge of tears over it."
"Yeah, well... I usually am right now, good or bad, so I don't know what that's worth."
"But still, you're obviously in love with it. You're getting it. Just get it like a size or two up just in case you don't get back to your normal size and you can get it taken in if you do, but you'll look amazing in it no matter what. If you don't get it, I am, and I will keep it for when you're crying about what a stupid decision it was to let it go."
"Fine. I'll get it."
"Good. But you still gotta try on more dress for me, because this one is not it. I can't believe you found yours when you were the one who didn't even want to do this though."
"We find things when we least expect to, I guess. Kind of like how I found Alex, it's kind of fitting."
"In that case I should pick the one I hate the most, and maybe it'll surprise me later on and be wonderful after all" Mae laughed.
Evie laughed too, Mae and Julianne really hadn't gotten along before so their relationship had come as a big surprise to Evie, but she knew how much Mae had grown to love Julianne.
The girls were back standing in front of the mirrors in 2 more dresses a few minutes later, Mae frowned checking them out, "Okay, neither of these are it either. Seriously I hate you right now. How was it so much easier for you? Not fair."
"Maybe you should try on that first one again, you liked it a lot. Maybe the lace can grow on you, or we can ask them about finding a version with out."
"Maybe. I don't know, I want to just know, to tear up over it, like you did."
"Mom's dress!" Evie shouted after thinking for a minute, "You should try hers, I think it might be what you're looking for. And I'm sure she'd love for you to wear it."
"Oh my god! You're a genius!" Mae screamed throwing her arms around Evie's shoulders "Why didn't I think of that? We have to go ask her."
"Mom!" Mae called out barely even getting the door open first. "Mom!"
"What?" Her mother asked poking her head out of the living room into the hallway.
"I think I want to wear your wedding dress, can I try it on?"
"Oh. Well of course, I'll go get it. Follow me."
Evie and Mae followed her up to her bedroom where Mae anxiously waited for her to dig the dress out of the closet so she could go try it on. While she was getting changed into it Evie showed her mom pictures from her phone that she'd taken of her dress.
Her mom looked to be on the verge of tears herself as she hugged Evie, "Oh you're going to be a gorgeous bride. I just can't believe you're getting married and having a baby... growing up too fast, but I'm so happy for you."
Mae came back into the bedroom a couple minutes later, her mom definitely tearing up then "Oh I can't believe you're getting married too, and so soon. You look gorgeous though."
Evie nodded, "It's perfect for you."
"It is, isn't it? This is it. Thanks for letting me wear it, mom."
Soon all 3 of them were crying and exchanging a hug all together.