Gemma

"Oh my God," Morgane gasps as I step out of the changeroom. "Jake is going to love that dress."

I ruffle the skirt of the sparkly ballgown-style wedding dress with glitter tulle. The dress I'm wearing is a spaghetti strap dress with a deep V-neckline, showing off my sun-kissed skin and emphasizing my shoulders and neck. The bodice is layered with flourishing lace and shimmering sequins. The bodice transitions into a full ballgown skirt of shimmering tulle. Finally, the open back with triangular strap details adds a modern twist to the contemporary boho-inspired dress. It was a dress I found on Pinterest, and although Morgane may have had a point in calling me crazy for taking the risk and buying it without trying it on first, I still did it. And I don't regret it. This style is everything I've ever wanted in a wedding dress. 

"Do you really think so?" I ask, my cheeks heating up a little. I'm nervous about tonight. I know it's against traditional wedding rules, but I want to show Jake the dress before the big day. I've gotten into several mild arguments with Hanna and Penelope about my wishes; they think it's going to take away the genuine surprise that Jake's supposed to experience. I, however, disagree. While Jake is going to see my dress, he's not going to know what my makeup palette will look like nor will he see my makeup. Tonight, I'm not going to be the full picture I'm going to be on the day of our wedding.

"Maybe not as much as you do," Hanna jokes, adjusting the straps on my back. This is the second time I've tried my dress on and each time we've had issues with the triangular straps at the back. "But I doubt my brother is going to be able to get the image of you in this dress out of his head for a long time. I mean, come on, he can hardly handle you in a bathing suit – he was basically drooling at the beach the other day."

"Yeah," Penelope laughs. She's toying with the small veil that has the same lace pattern as the skirt of my dress. It's a very non-traditional veil, which I like. Mainly because I want to be able to display the killer hairstyle that Penelope has planned for me. It's a romantic updo; a messy bun with a bold Dutch side-braid. She's already demonstrated her skills and I'm convinced she needs to quit being an investor and immediately become a hairdresser. "Cassian wouldn't stop teasing him about it. While I think it was entirely unfair of Cassian to be teasing him, he's actually kind of funny."

Morgane and I exchange a glance across the room, the corner of Morgane's mouth pulling to the side. It isn't hard to tell that Penelope has a crush on Cassian. Whether it started during the business trip or not still remains a mystery. Either way, Penelope can't stop hinting about Cassian whenever she gets the chance. Whether it be commenting on his humour or his bad habit of smoking (which he thinks is a secret even though it's obvious we all know) when he's nervous or stressed. And while I think Penelope's calm and free-spirited personality would be a great match for Cassian's outgoing, witty personality, I don't think Cassian is quite yet ready to find someone and settle down. He's still enjoying what he deems his 'glory days,' despite not playing any sports or partaking in rampant parties. He could definitely come up with a better term, but I'm glad he thinks higher of the present than he does of high school when he was on the football team and loved by everyone on campus.

"Uncle Cass is definitely something," Hanna laughs. "Though, I do wish he would stop smoking. Even if he doesn't do it constantly, it's still terrible for his lungs."

"Changing Cassian's mind is like trying to tell the sun not to rise," I snort, smoothing my hand down the front of my dress. I'm trying to stay involved in this conversation without daydreaming about Jake's reaction when he arrives back at the place we're renting from his appointment with his tailored suit, but it's becoming more and more difficult by the second. We're down to a week now. A week before Jake and I tie the knot and then head off to Europe for our honeymoon. We haven't quite decided where we're going yet, but we know we're starting off in Germany. Where we go from there, well, who knows? We're just going to see where the wind takes us.

"I promised myself I wouldn't cry when I saw my only daughter in her wedding dress, but my god, Gemma. You look absolutely stunning."

As the girls turn around to greet my mom, I look up from the lace pattern of my dress and meet her gaze in the mirror in front of me. She's wearing a summery dress, black with a pattern of white-and-yellow daisies, and her hair has been tied up into a high ponytail. "Mom," I smile. "You made it."

Her smile is filled with genuine happiness, but also a pinch of sadness, and the best I can do to relate to that sadness is remember the day when Hanna left Jake and I for Toronto. It's hard to see someone you love grow up, but at the same time it's also an exciting moment; they're about to take a big step in their lives, one that's going to change everything. "Of course I did," she replies, walking over and giving me a hug. She looks up at me and cups my face, her familiar seafoam-green eyes searching mine. My mom is definitely on the verge of tears – Jocelyn Alder has always been an emotional woman – so I have to give her props for when she clears her throat and steps back without a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I wouldn't miss this for the world," she continues, flashing a beaming smile at the ladies. "Can you believe my daughter is getting married?"

Morgane tosses her hair over her shoulder as he laughs. "I can believe it...I just can't believe she's marrying Jake after everything that happened."

"Correction," I reply, holding up a finger and trying not to cringe when I see just how disgusting my nails are. Thank god Morgane scheduled a manicure and pedicure the day before the wedding. "You can't believe he's marrying me after everything I did to him."

My best friend gives me a shrug. "I mean...he did deserve a little bit." She holds her thumb and pointer finger a couple of centimetres apart. "But the laxatives were a bit over the top."

"I have to second that," Penelope replies, clutching her stomach. While Nolan found my confession ridiculously funny, Penelope was a little pissed off at first. She eventually started to laugh, though. Since then, we've become good friends. "I never, in a million years, thought an outhouse would be my best friend that night."

"You and Cassian both," Hanna says, winking at me.

I bite my lip, holding back the laugher as Penelope's face reddens again. Turning back to the mirror, I shake my head. While Cassian is a good guy with equally as good intentions, he can be excruciatingly oblivious to his surroundings. And I feel bad for Penelope – especially when considering she's staying behind with Cassian to help decide where Elemental Coffee opens up their next location in the Okanagan. If anyone knows which locations will make the best revenue and gain the most attention, it's Penelope. Ever since Olive moved to Edmonton for a better, more sophisticated job, the investment company has been taken to new heights with Penelope taking over her role. Business aside, I hope that, however long it takes for Cassian and Penelope to seal the deal, it's not too hard for Penelope to deal with Cassian's obliviousness.

"It, um, wasn't just Cassian and I," Penelope protests, trying to redeem her embarrassment. "Jake and half of the camp were in the same boat."

Although my mom knows the entire story, she doesn't look very amused at the moment. Probably because of the reference to the outhouse – she's always had a weak stomach – but also because me and my wedding dress aren't in the spotlight anymore. Ever since Mom found out Jake and I were getting married she's been telling everyone about me. Seriously. I went out for coffee with her yesterday morning when she arrived and she would not stop bragging to the poor barista that her own daughter was getting married. "Okay, ladies," Mom says, her voice stern and direct. "Enough about camping and outhouses. We need to go over the final details for my daughter's big day." She smiles at me as she adjusts the strap of my dress. "Have you and Jake decided on a cake flavour yet? You two need to have that order sent in before the end of the day."

Before I can respond and tell her that Jake and I have, in fact, agreed on a cake flavour, she starts going off on another tangent about the seating arrangements at dinner. Morgane and Hanna instantly immerse themselves in the conversation, taking a seat on the lush, white couches that surround a small coffee table covered in wedding magazines, dainty finger sandwiches, and an assortment of macarons. I stare after them, wondering how they're able to put up with my mom. I love her to death – I honestly do – but she's starting to give me a headache. I appreciate her input and all the help she's provided me for this wedding, but in the end, it's my choice and Jake's choice about what the final product looks like.

"Your mom is a bit of a bridezilla," Penelope mutters as she folds the veil up. She places it back in the cream-coloured box and closes the lid.

I turn to her, biting down on my lip once again to prevent myself from laughing. "I can't argue with you on that one, Penelope," I reply.

She flashes me a small smile, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. "Well, at least her heart is in the right place; she wants this day to be perfect for you and Jake."

Once again, I have to agree with Penelope. I'm thankful that both my parents and Reid approve of Jake – even after what happened in high school. If any of them had disapproved of Jake, things would have been a lot harder.

"Should we go join them?" Penelope asks.

I glance down at my dress. The sooner we review the final details of the wedding, the sooner I can get back to the basement suite and show Jake my dress. "Let me get changed first, and then I'll join you, ladies, okay?"

Penelope reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze before sauntering over to the couches and sitting down beside my mom. I don't know what topic they're on now, which doesn't bother me because at the moment it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that I not only get to share this experience with Jake but also with everyone I care about.

*  *  *

When I arrive back at the basement suite, wedding dress wrapped in plastic and hanging over my arm, I make a beeline for the bedroom so I can get changed. Jake is going to be back any minute from his appointment with the tailor. And even though I begged and pleaded Cassian to keep him busy for as long as possible, there's only so much time the two of them can spend together before they begin to butt heads.

Quick as I can, I strip out of my shorts and tank top and pull on the dress. It still looks as dazzling as it did at the bridal boutique, and I can't stop myself from admiring the flawless lace pattern and delicate, modern boho style that comes with it. Straightening my posture, I run my hands down the bodice and try to picture what I'm going to look like on my wedding day. Despite knowing what my makeup palette, bouquet, hairstyle, and shoes are going to look like, I still can't seem to let my creativity flow. If I'm being honest, I think the inability to do so is coming from the small knot of anxiety in my stomach about Jake seeing my dress. I hope he likes it as much as I do.

Taking a deep breath, I smooth out my dress in front of the full-length mirror and turn back to the bed, picking up the matching tie I had made for Jake. It's the same colour as my dress and also has the same lace pattern on the underside. The lace pattern isn't visible to anyone else, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the symbolism it holds and the connection between the two of us that it represents. I flip the tie over and run my fingers over the lace pattern, smiling to myself. As much as I want time to drag on and on, I'd also like the wedding day to come so we can finally be Mr. and Mrs. Swift.

"Gemma? Are you home?"

The knot of anxiety in my stomach tightens at the deep tone of Jake's voice. I quickly turn back to the mirror and smooth my hands down the bodice of my dress. Either way, Jake is going to walk into the bedroom at one point or another and see this dress on me. Taking a deep breath, I call out, "I'm in the bedroom!"

As the footsteps get louder and louder, I work up the courage to turn away from the mirror and face him, tapping my bare foot against the hardwood as I wait.

"Gem," Jake says as he comes around the corner. His gaze is cast downwards at the watch on his wrist as he tries to undo it. "I think we should go out for dinner tonight. I know we agreed that we would save up our money, what with the cost of the wedding and our honeymoon, but I found this really good vegan place I think you'd love. Besides, we didn't get to see each other at all today and – "

There are many moments with Jake that I can remember vividly: the night of the Spring Dance, the day at the restaurant when he hired me, the night we had that difficult conversation – and that's just naming a few. This one, though, I think will go down in history. I watch the way his soft lips part in the most innocent, awe-struck way. The way his blue eyes widen and become glassy as he presses his fist against his mouth.

I glance down at my feet, a bashful smile on my face. This is exactly why I wanted to show Jake my dress before the wedding. Not only to give him the tie but also to make this moment more intimate between the two of us. "Do you, um, like it?" I ask.

"Gem..." he trails off, his voice cracking slightly.

With another deep breath, I flick my gaze up to his, my hands once again smoothing the bodice of my dress. "I wanted to show you before the wedding. I know it goes against traditional wedding procedures, but you're the person I wanted to see my dress the most and I think it's unfair to make you wait until our big day."

The corner of his mouth pulls to one side and he rubs his neck. "Gem...I...I have no words. That dress looks amazing on you." With a big smile on his face, he saunters over and wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me off of the hardwood and spinning me around. When he's finished, he puts me down and takes a step back, his fingers intertwined with mine. "It's absolutely perfect," he continues. Just like I've been doing for the past fifteen minutes, Jake runs his hands down the bodice of my dress. "I love this material and design. It's elegant but also bold. Gem...it screams you."

"You really think so?" I ask, my cheeks flushing a light pink.

Jake closes the space between us and leans down, pressing his forehead against mine. "Honestly," he whispers. I draw my bottom lip between my teeth, overwhelmed by the scent of his cologne. "And I'm so happy you let me see it before the wedding."

Before I turn to the bed, I give him a quick kiss on the lips. "Well," I say. I pick up the tie and turn my back to him before he can catch a glimpse of what's in my hands. "That's not all I have to give you."

The springs of the mattress creak as Jake sits down on the foot of the bed. "Seeing your dress was a gift?" he chuckles.

"Of course it was," I reply, turning to face him. I hold out the tie. "And so is this."

With curious eyes and his lips slightly parted, Jake hesitantly takes the tie from me. I watch carefully as he inspects the satiny fabric between his fingers. He's flattered that I've given him a tie, that much I can tell. But when he flips the tie over and runs his fingers along with the lace pattern, I can tell he's more than flattered.

Smiling, Jake glances up at me. "You never cease to amaze me, Gem. Thank you so much. This is going to go great with my suit. You have no idea how much this means to me."

I lean down and kiss him on the lips, savouring the faint taste of bubble gum. Jake may be a mature man but he still has the heart of a kid when it comes to certain things. Such as gum. I don't know how many packs of bubble gum I stuffed his stocking with this past Christmas. "Let's just hope Cassian doesn't have a fit when he realizes his tie doesn't match his best friend's," I laugh, turning back to the mirror and beginning to undo my dress. As much as I enjoy standing here with Jake's attention focused entirely on me, I want to preserve it until the wedding and get it back in the plastic bag. "Will you help me undo the back, please?"

Jake stands up and walks over to me, getting straight to work. Every time his skin brushes mine, shivers go down my spine. "Why do you have to bring him up all the time?" he mutters. After he's untied the small triangular pattern at my back, he gets to work on the zipper, pulling it down painfully slow. He takes time to caress the length of my spine with his thumb. "Do you do it just to torture me?"

"No," I laugh, turning to face Jake as my dress pools at my ankles. Wearing nothing but my strapless bra and lacy thong, I lean over and gather my dress in my arms, slightly ashamed of myself for letting it fall to the ground. Good thing I vacuumed this morning or else dust would have gotten on it. "I do it because I know how much you two love each other. As brothers, obviously. I'm also preparing you for when you show up to the wedding and your tie is not matching Cassian's. He's going to have a fit."

Suppressing an eye roll, Jake grips my hips and pulls me flush against his body, sliding one hand up to brush my hair away from my face. "Let him have a fit," he murmurs. "I will be wearing this tie."

"Good," I smile. "Now, let me put the dress away before it gets wrinkled, and then we'll get ready and go to that restaurant you found."

For several seconds, I watch Jake fight an inner battle with himself. I can tell he wants to do a lot more than run his hands up and down my body, but he resists, stepping back and taking a deep breath. He flexes his hands at his sides and then stoops down to retrieve the tie from the foot of the bed. "Dinner sounds perfect. Get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Okay," I smile, holding my dress close to my heart.