Ariel stirred at the sound of soft voices and the faint rustle of wrappers, the scent hitting her nose a moment later. Warm tortillas, scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and something smoky that made her belly tighten with hunger even before her eyes opened.

  She blinked, groggy, the unfamiliar ceiling reminding her she wasn’t in her own apartment. Marissa’s couch was plush under her, a pastel throw blanket tangled around her legs. She rubbed at her eyes, yawning as the smell of breakfast tacos grew stronger.

  “Morning, sleepyhead.”

  Ariel rolled onto her side to see Lila perched cross-legged on the carpet, a foil-wrapped taco halfway unwrapped in her hands. Her pink-dyed hair was pulled back in a scrunchie, and her glasses had slid down her nose. She pushed them up quickly, smiling at Ariel with shy warmth.

  “Mm,” Ariel groaned, stretching her arms over her head. “That smells… ridiculously good.”

  “It should,” Marissa said from the kitchen. She appeared a moment later with a takeout bag nearly as big as her torso, her curls pulled back with a scarf. “We drove halfway across town to get the good ones.” She set the bag on the coffee table with a flourish. “Egg, potato, chorizo, bacon, bean, you name it. This bag is blessed.”

  Ariel laughed, sitting up and letting the blanket fall around her waist. “You two didn’t have to do that.”

  “Of course we did,” Marissa said, already unwrapping another taco. “It’s your wedding day, Ariel. No way were we letting you start it with some sad granola bar.”

  Ariel’s cheeks warmed, the words sinking in as she reached for a taco of her own. Her wedding day. It hit differently now, the phrase anchoring itself deep in her chest. She unwrapped the foil carefully, steam rising into her face. “God, this looks amazing.”

  Lila leaned forward, watching her with a little sparkle in her dark eyes. “First bite?” she asked.

  Ariel took it—and let out a quiet moan as the flavors hit her tongue. “Oh my God.”

  Marissa and Lila burst out laughing.

  “See?” Marissa said, grinning. “Worth the drive.”

  Ariel chewed happily, the taco already dripping onto the foil. “You’re spoiling me.”

  “You deserve to be spoiled today,” Lila said softly, tucking her legs closer under her. “It’s… a big day.”

  “It’s the day,” Marissa corrected, nudging Lila with her elbow before glancing at Ariel again. “You nervous?”

  Ariel swallowed, considering. “Not really nervous. Just… full. Of everything. Excitement, joy, tacos.” She smiled down at her breakfast. “Mostly joy, though.”

  Lila grinned, her cheeks pink. “Holly’s going to cry when she sees you.”

  “Good,” Ariel said, her eyes twinkling. “I owe her one after that phoenix stunt.”

  They all chuckled, the sound easy and bright, the apartment filled with the scent of eggs and chorizo, foil crinkling as they each unwrapped another taco. Ariel felt the quiet truth settle into her bones. Today was the start of something new. And she was ready.

  The tacos were reduced to crumpled foil wrappers, and the coffee Marissa had brewed was cooling on the table when she clapped her hands together with the kind of brisk energy only Marissa could summon.

  “All right,” she declared, eyes bright. “Time to turn our bride into the goddess she already is.”

  Ariel groaned softly, leaning back against the couch cushions. “I’m already stuffed. You’re going to make me sit still while you fuss with me?”

  “Yes,” Marissa said firmly, grabbing a brush and gesturing toward the chair she had dragged into the patch of sunlight near the window. “Sit.”

  Lila giggled, already rummaging through a small pastel makeup bag she’d set on the counter. “You’ll like it, Ariel. We promise.”

  Ariel sighed with exaggerated drama but hauled herself up, waddling over in her leggings and oversized sweater to sink into the chair. The morning light fell across her hair, and Marissa immediately went to work, sectioning the thick red waves with practiced fingers.

  “You’ve got the prettiest hair,” Marissa murmured, tugging gently as she brushed. “Thick, soft, takes curls beautifully. Holly’s going to melt the second she sees this.”

  “She’s already seen my hair a thousand times,” Ariel said, though her cheeks warmed.

  “Not like this,” Marissa countered. She began twisting strands back, weaving them together, her fingers deft and sure. From a small box, she lifted delicate lace flowers, each one tiny and white, and threaded them into the braids so they nestled like blossoms in a crown.

  Ariel caught sight of herself in the mirror across the room and blinked. Her red hair, threaded with soft lace blooms, glowed against the sunlight. She swallowed, suddenly too full of words to speak.

  Marissa caught her expression and smiled gently. “Told you.”

  Behind them, Lila had laid everything out neatly, brushes and palettes in careful order. She adjusted her glasses, clearly both excited and nervous, her cheeks pink. “My turn,” she said when Marissa stepped back.

  Ariel turned in her chair, studying Lila’s earnest face. “Don’t make me look like I’m going clubbing,” she teased.

  Lila gasped, hand to her chest. “As if I would! No, no… it’s going to be soft. Natural. Just enough to make Holly forget how to breathe.”

  That earned another laugh from Ariel, who let herself relax as Lila moved in with careful precision. A light foundation smoothed across her cheeks, just enough to even her freckles without hiding them. A warm rose blush followed, brushing life into her skin.

  “Close your eyes,” Lila murmured. Ariel obeyed, and she felt the feather-light sweep of a brush across her lids, a soft shimmer of copper that caught the light without overwhelming her features.

  “Okay, now look up for me,” Lila said gently, and Ariel did, her green eyes locking with Lila’s dark ones for a brief, steady moment. Lila’s hand didn’t waver as she traced a line of soft brown close to Ariel’s lashes, subtle enough to enhance without dominating.

  “Your eyes are… they’re already so big,” Lila murmured, almost to herself. “This just frames them.”

  Ariel’s lips quirked. “You’re blushing more than I am.”

  Lila’s cheeks flared pink, but she smiled. “Quiet, you.” She finished with a coat of mascara, then leaned back. “All right. Lips.”

  She chose a soft berry tint, brushing it on with care. Just enough color to draw the eye, not enough to overshadow the rest. Ariel rubbed her lips together and glanced at the mirror again.

  Her breath caught.

  Her freckles glowed softly against her smooth complexion, her eyes shone green and wide under copper lids, her lips a perfect rose. Combined with Marissa’s crown of lace flowers, the effect wasn’t loud or gaudy. It was her.

  “Wow,” Ariel whispered.

  Marissa clapped her hands once, beaming. “Told you.”

  Lila ducked her head, flustered but glowing. “You’re beautiful.”

  Ariel turned toward them, her throat tight, eyes prickling. “You two… thank you.”

  “Don’t thank us yet,” Marissa said with a grin. “Wait until you see Holly’s face.”

  That thought made Ariel laugh, a nervous, bubbling sound that filled the apartment as sunlight streamed across her hair and lace flowers, and the morning moved inevitably closer to vows.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  The garment bag hung from the closet door, quiet and unassuming, yet it seemed to radiate a weight all its own. Ariel rose slowly, her palms slightly clammy, her belly full of nervous flutters. She ran her fingers over the zipper, hesitating for only a heartbeat before tugging it down. The satin gleamed as she drew the dress free, the alterations stitched in just the right places—she’d tried it on last night at the boutique, and it had fit like it had always been made just for her.

  She peeled off her sweater and leggings, folding them over the back of a chair. The cool air brushed her skin as she lifted the dress carefully, stepping into it with a grace that matched her mood. The fabric slid up over her hips, over the swell of her belly, smoothing against her curves in a way that felt forgiving and celebratory at the same time.

  Marissa was at her back in an instant, steady hands drawing the zipper upward, the soft ziiip closing her in. She tugged the fabric into place, smoothing it down, adjusting the shoulders, fussing with the lace flowers in Ariel’s hair until everything sat just right. Then she stepped back.

  Ariel turned toward the mirror.

  Her breath hitched. She looked stunning. So much so that it hurt. The satin hugged her in all the right places, the lace flowers threaded into her red hair glowing against the crown of braids. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright under Lila’s careful makeup. She saw herself, fully, and tears immediately gathered in her eyes.

  She tried to laugh them off, but her voice cracked as she whispered, “God…”

  “Don’t cry yet!” Lila squeaked, rushing over with a napkin. She dabbed carefully at Ariel’s cheeks, fretting. “I can fix the makeup later if I have to, but please, not yet!”

  Ariel chuckled wetly, the sound wobbling as another tear slipped free. “Sorry. I can’t help it.”

  She turned back toward her reflection, her smile trembling but radiant. “Look at me… I’m… bigger than I was when I met Holly. And…” she pressed a hand to her chest, voice quivering“...so much happier.”

  Marissa and Lila exchanged a glance, both of their eyes glossy.

  Ariel let out a shaky breath. “I didn’t let myself believe this day would come. Not really. Like if I believed in it too much, I’d wake up still alone. Still hurting.” She paused, her tears spilling freely now, but her smile widened until it was unstoppable. “But I’m here. And I am, without a doubt, the luckiest girl in the world. Because of Holly. Because of you two. Because of this family I’ve found, and this job, and… just everything.”

  She turned abruptly, reaching out and pulling both Marissa and Lila into a huge, enveloping hug. The three of them clung together in the center of the sunlit room, laughing and crying all at once.

  “Thank you,” Ariel whispered fiercely. “Thank you for being amazing. For making me feel like I deserve this.”

  “You do,” Marissa murmured against her shoulder. “You deserve all of it, Ariel.”

  “More than all of it,” Lila added, her voice muffled but certain.

  They stayed like that for a long moment, the air thick with warmth and the faint scent of lace and perfume.

  Finally, Marissa pulled back, brushing at her cheeks before glancing at her phone. Her eyes widened. “Oh, wow. Okay. Time check, ladies! We should get moving. Kerry Park isn’t going to wait for us.”

  Ariel laughed through her tears, giving one last squeeze before letting them go. She turned back to the mirror, smoothing her hands over her dress, her heart thundering with joy and anticipation.

  The cab rolled to a smooth stop at the curb, its brakes hissing faintly. Ariel sat still for a moment, hands folded tight in her lap, the weight of her dress pooled around her legs like a satin tide. Her pulse thudded in her ears. Marissa reached over, touched her hand gently, then slipped out of the cab first. She swung the door open wide and crouched a little, offering Ariel her hand with a smile.

  “Ready, bride?” she asked softly.

  Ariel’s lips curved, nervous but sure. “As I’ll ever be.”

  She placed her hand in Marissa’s, shifting carefully as she stepped out. The cool air rushed against her flushed skin, and the satin brushed lightly across the pavement as her feet found steady ground. Lila was already there, quick as ever, fussing over the hem of the dress, tugging gently until it fell just right. She gave a firm nod of approval.

  “Perfect,” she whispered, cheeks pink with excitement.

  Together, the three of them made their way up the walkway toward the ceremony area. Kerry Park spread out before them, the Sound glinting silver beyond the railings, the skyline a familiar, steady backdrop. The chairs were neatly lined, the arch set with flowers, everything prepared. Guests murmured softly in the distance, a low hum of anticipation, but all of it seemed to fade against the thunder in Ariel’s chest.

  Lila darted ahead, her pastel dress fluttering as she skipped down the aisle. She poked her head around the corner, checking quickly before returning with a reassuring smile. “She’s out of sight. Promise.” Then she gave Ariel’s hand a quick squeeze and slipped away to her own seat.

  Marissa stayed close, guiding Ariel to a chair tucked behind a simple room divider at the aisle’s end—the veil of secrecy before the reveal. Ariel sank into it gratefully, her dress spilling around her, her hands clasped together.

  Marissa knelt beside her, pressing a cold bottle of water into her hands. “Here. Sip. Deep breaths.”

  Ariel laughed quietly, twisting the cap open. “You’d think I was about to go on stage.”

  “You kind of are,” Marissa teased, her warm hazel eyes crinkling as she smiled. “Only, instead of an audience, you’ve got family and friends. And instead of a keynote, you’re saying ‘I do.’”

  Ariel rolled her eyes playfully but took a sip of water, grateful for the coolness against her nerves. “Thanks for keeping me from spiraling.”

  Marissa sat back on her heels, hands folded neatly in her lap. “That’s what I’m here for. Keep talking if you need to. It helps.”

  And they did. Little things, ordinary things. Marissa told her about how Lila had nearly tripped on the sidewalk in her excitement earlier, about how the flowers looked even better in person than they had in the photos, about how someone had brought extra snacks for after the ceremony. Ariel listened, her lips curling into quiet smiles, her fingers loosening slightly from their tight knot.

  For a few precious minutes, the world felt suspended—just her and Marissa in the quiet pocket behind the divider, the hum of conversation muted on the other side. Ariel could almost forget the rows of chairs and the arch waiting just beyond.

  “Hey, kid.”

  The voice came from a few feet behind her.

  Ariel turned at the sound of the voice, her heart lurching.

  Standing just a few feet away was Jim Barker, sharp in a tuxedo, his gray hair brushed neatly, his kind smile softened by eyes that were already a little glossy.

  “Jim?” Ariel breathed, her voice cracking. She whipped her gaze to Marissa, who only smiled knowingly, gave Ariel a little wink, and quietly slipped away, leaving them alone.

  Ariel stood slowly, her satin skirts shifting around her legs. “Wha—what are you doing here?” she stammered, “We never got your RSVP. I thought you were busy.”

  Jim stepped closer, his smile deepening, gentle but steady. “Oh I was going to send it. That girl of yours ran interference,” he explained. His voice was rich with warmth, threaded with something heavier beneath. “She reached out to me a month ago and told me you wouldn’t have anyone to walk you down the aisle. Well… She didn’t need to say another word after that. I knew what I had to do.”

  Ariel’s throat tightened. Her hands trembled against the fabric of her dress, tears already pricking at her eyes.

  Jim went on, his tone soft but full. “Ariel, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Do you know that? Everything you’ve done in such a short time. It’s nothing short of astounding. I’ve been following it all online. The interviews, the stories, the campaign. I see what the world sees in you.” His lips curved as he chuckled. “I knew you were going to be something special, kid. But even I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.”

  Ariel gave a breathy laugh through her tears, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow bursts.

  “I’ve watched you,” Jim said, his eyes shining. “Watched you go from that nervous junior dev who barely wanted to speak in meetings… to the Red Phoenix. It’s like watching one of my own daughters grow into something magnificent. A force to be reckoned with.”

  By now Ariel’s cheeks were wet, tears spilling freely. She pressed her trembling fingers to her lips, unable to contain the sob that tried to break loose.

  Jim extended his hand toward her, steady and sure. “So, I’d be honored to walk you down that aisle today. If you’ll let me.”

  Ariel stared at his hand, her breath hitching, then lifted her gaze back to his face. The dam broke. She surged forward, wrapping her arms tight around him, burying her face against his chest as her tears came harder. Jim chuckled softly, hugging her tight, his chin resting briefly against her hair.

  “Thank you,” Ariel whispered into his shirt, her voice muffled and trembling.

  They stood there like that for a long moment, the noise of the park and the guests far away. Ariel has never been able to figure out quite who Jim was to her. Her own father had treated her like an “other” her entire life. But then there’s Jim. Supportive, caring, loving…willing to drop what he was doing in God knows where just to show up for her. He had believed in her when she couldn't believe in herself. And in that moment, she looked at him and finally realized: He’s the father she never had.

  They stayed like that for breath or two in an understanding silence.

  Then a hurried voice broke in. “Marissa said there was a makeup emergency over here!”

  Lila came rushing around the divider, clutching her pastel makeup bag, her eyes wide. She stopped short at the sight of Jim, then flicked her gaze to Ariel, her carefully done face streaked with tears, her lashes damp.

  “Oh no, oh no, sit, sit!” Lila fussed, guiding Ariel back into the chair. She opened the bag with shaking hands, pulling tissues and brushes in rapid succession.

  Ariel sat obediently, still sniffling, her chest aching, her heart overflowing. She thought about everything Jim had said, about how he saw her, how Holly had thought to bring him here, about the way her life had expanded into something so much larger, brighter, warmer than she’d ever dared to dream. She thought about the girl she used to be—the quiet one, afraid of her own shadow—and how she’d become this woman in a satin dress with flowers in her hair, ready to marry the love of her life.

  Lila dabbed her cheeks dry with gentle, careful hands. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “I can fix this. Don’t you worry.”

  Ariel laughed weakly, letting Lila brush, blend, and smooth her face back to its glowing balance. I’m so lucky, Ariel thought. So impossibly lucky.

  When Lila finally leaned back, satisfied, Ariel felt composed again, though the tears still clung at the edges of her lashes.

  Almost on cue, Maddy appeared, bouncing on her toes, her bow-tied pigtails swaying. “They’re ready for us,” she said brightly, her voice hushed but full of excitement.

  Ariel drew in a long breath, stood, and smoothed her hands over her dress, straightening it with care. Then she turned to Jim. He stood with his right arm hooked, offering it to her without a word, his smile gentle and steady.

  Ariel’s lips trembled into a smile as she rested her hand in the bend of his elbow.

  Together, they began to step out from behind the divider.