Page 262 of Micah

For a second...

I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me.

The gown is soft cream instead of bright white. Off-the-shoulder lace hugs my curves without asking me to hide them.

Without asking me to be smaller.

Or different.

Or less.

My red hair falls in one long, loose braid over my shoulder, soft curls escaping to frame my face.

Tiny white daisies are woven throughout the braid. Their sweet scent follows me every time I move.

In my hands rests a bouquet of white daisies and deep red roses.

Simple.

Wild.

Beautiful.

Just the way I wanted.

Behind me, Bit and Esme straighten their butter-yellow dresses.

Red roses are tucked into their hair.

Bit absently rubs her baby bump.

Esme catches me looking and grins.

“What?”

“I was just thinking...”

I blink back sudden tears.

“I really got lucky.”

“No.”

Esme wraps one arm around my shoulders.

“We all did.”

Outside, music begins.

Soft.

Gentle.

Someone opens the cabin door.

“It's time.”

The words make my heart pound.