It was so exciting, and Elli couldn’t have been happier.

Elli threw her bags into the back of the truck and turned on her GPS with the address to the dress shop Grace had given her. After getting it all set up, she was on her way. When she arrived at Ann Frances, she wished Grace would have just said the name of the place; it was the same store Jodi had gotten all her bridal wear from, so Elli knew this place well.

After locking up the truck, Elli went inside. Just as the door shut behind her, Ryan wrapped his arms around Elli’s legs.

“Ms. Elli!” he gushed, smiling up at her with his big, bright blue eyes.

“Hello, darlin! How are you?”

“I would be better if I didn’t have to come here. Daddy had a meeting and couldn’t keep us, so mommy dragged us here. I hate this place.”

Grace came into the lobby with Amelia on her hip, a great big smile on her face.

“Ryan Justice, you do not hate anything, now stop talking Ms. Elli’s ear off, she has a plane to catch. Come on back, Elli,” she said, as Ryan stomped over to a chair and sat. Elli gave him a smile that he had returned, before following Grace back to the dressing lobby.

Grace pointed to a dressing room as she said, “The dress is in there. Go ahead and throw it on. Rita will come in as soon as you’re ready.”

“Cool, but I had a question. Why didn’t the girl have the dress sent to the friend? Have her alter it in her town.”

“Who knows?” Grace said with a wave of the hand, dismissing the thought. Elli shook her head at the inconsideration of people and headed into the dressing room after laying her purse down.

When Elli’s eyes fell on the dress, her mouth fell open as she took in a quick breath. It was a masterpiece, something straight out of the old days.

The dress was an ivory fine satin material; the bodice was covered in a sheer layer of lace that did a ‘V’ dip in the front. It had a relatively full skirt, with more sheer lace, and a belt covered the seam between the top and the skirt. The belt had a beautiful intricate embroidered swirly pattern with crystals on it.

It was beautiful.

Elli hurriedly threw her clothes off, taking care as she put the dress on. When she looked in the mirror, she felt like Elizabeth Bennet, dressed for the Netherfield Ball where she would dance with Mr. Darcy for the first time. The dress fit her like a glove: the bodice was tight, showing off her breast, the belt sparkled in the lights of the dressing room, as the skirt whooshed every time Elli moved.

She wanted this dress.

She threw the door open, and Grace slowly stood, a dazzling grin going over her mouth.

“It’s a perfect fit,” she muttered as Elli walked up onto the stage where Rita would alter her, even though she felt there was no need for it.

“It really is! Where did she get it? I have to have it. I have no clue where I would wear it but I would all the time.”

Grace laughed as she followed Elli up the stairs, circling her as she looked the dress over.

“It really is a perfect fit. I did good.”

“You did, but really, I need this dress. Have you ever seen Pride and Prejudice? Elizabeth Bennet wore a dress like this and it’s my favorite moment in the movie. I need this dress,” Elli said, then stopped herself because she was sounding like a crazy person.

“Is that right?” Grace said with a satisfied grin on her face.

“Yes, I love it.”

“Good.” Grace turned right as Rita started into the lobby, “Rita, it’s a perfect fit!”

“Really? Oh look, it is! You are just beautiful in it!”

Elli beamed at both women, but then her smile fell when Grace told her to take it off. She did as she was asked, even though the whole time she was taking it off, she was trying to figure out a way to get it out of there without anyone noticing. After hanging it back on the wall, since her plot to run with it wasn’t going to work, she admired it for another moment. It was such a beautiful dress. With a sigh Elli walked out to Grace who was holding Amelia on her hip and had Ryan’s hand in hers.

“Thanks so much for coming by, Elli. It means a lot,” Grace said as they headed to the front of the store.

“No problem,” she said with a grin as she admired one of the amazing wedding dresses that was on a model in the middle of the lobby.

“Gosh, that’s pretty,” Elli said, going to it and running her fingers down the satin skirt. It was a total princess style dress, a little too puffy for Elli, but it sure was pretty.

Grace giggled.

“Already getting some ideas for you and Shea’s wedding?” she asked with a wink.

“As if!” Elli giggled, “Like Shea would marry me!”

Grace’s head tilted to the side, “Why wouldn’t he?”

Elli felt like she was on the spot; her cheeks turned deep red and she started digging the toe of her boot into the hardwood floor of the store. “I don’t know, it seems unrealistic to me, I guess,” she finally said after a moment.

“I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all,” Grace said with a bemused smile as she walked past Elli, “by the way, I look good in purple. See ya!”

Elli couldn’t stop the slow grin that went over her face, even if she tried.

Not that she wanted to.

Elli fell back into the comfy plush chairs of Bryan’s private jet. Bryan had bought it two years ago and the darn thing still had the new smell to it. It was spectacular. The inside was completely done in team colors, and even the toilet was purple. Elli always wondered if she should be worried about her uncle and his obsession with purple, but who was she to tell a 65 year old man what color to paint his plane? Plus, Elli loved riding in it. It made her feel like a princess.