The group entered the Manhattan store, and their eyes scanned the scene in front of them. They had seen the beautiful dresses displayed in the front window but moving through the glass doors with gold lettering stating Marcon, they were left in awe.

Along the walls there were racks of wedding dresses. The room was separated into parts with couches and mirrors for viewing the dress at all angles.

“Hello, everyone,” a male voice said as he approached the group. “Welcome to Marcon. I’m Damian.”

The group smiled and responded with “hellos.”

“So, who is the bride?” Damian asked, his eyes moving from one woman to the next to see who the special lady was. He was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white shirt that made his blue eyes shimmer. His thick black hair was styled with a side part in a soft wave.

“I’m Trixie. I’m getting married next summer, and we are trying to find a dress that will work,” Trixie answered.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Damian said. “We should have no problem finding you the perfect dress to wear for your wedding. Who did you bring with you today?”

“My friends Di and Jenn, my sister-in-law Honey, my mother-in-law Madeleine and my mothers Helen and Penelope,” Trixie answered.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” Damian said as he looked at each woman in turn as they were introduced, then focused back on Trixie. “So, your wedding is next year?”

“In June,” Trixie said. “It will be a church ceremony in Europe.”

Trixie knew she was being vague about the location, but she wanted to protect her identity for a bit longer until she was crowned queen.

“Okay,” Damian said. “A summer European church wedding sounds like an amazing location. Is there a specific style you have in mind?”

“I really don’t,” Trixie said. “Honestly, I’m not very up to date on the styles of dresses. As you can see, I prefer jeans and T-shirts as I like to be comfortable. I would like the dress to be comfortable and easy to move in. I’m notoriously clumsy and want something that limits the likelihood of me falling.”

“All right,” Damian said. “Since you don’t have a specific style in mind, I think what we will do is have all of you take a look at the dresses we have and see if you can find one that might be a good look for the bride. We will have her try all of them on and see what she likes and doesn’t like to hopefully find the right one. There may be parts of the dresses she tries on that she likes that we can then focus on those attributes until we get to the right one.”

“This is going to be so much fun,” Di said excitedly turning to the dresses to the left.

“Once you find something that you think would be perfect, we can set it into a dressing room,” Damian said. “When you all have picked one, we will start with the viewing.”

They all smiled.

As the women began to spread out, Penelope moved over to Trixie and placed a hand on her arm. “Are you sure this is necessary?”

“This is what brides do,” Trixie said. “They go to a bridal shoppe and look through the dresses and try them on.”

“But to get a dress off the rack?” Penelope asked softly. “You have a title and its’ tradition to wear a dress from previous royals.”

“I do understand that, but I would like a dress that is more me,” Trixie said. “I’ve seen the photos of other royals around the world, and they have been wearing dresses of their own choosing and incorporating items from the royal line. There is nothing wrong with this.” She turned to Penelope and took both of her hands in her own. “Please, for me, keep an open mind. There are a lot of choices. We may find something, we may not. We may find different parts of the dresses that could be combined to make my dress. We won’t know until we give it a try.”

Penelope sighed. “All right.”

Trixie made her way over to the line of dresses and she slowly moved each clear plastic garment bag aside as she looked at them as Penelope went to another wall. She was going to take her time. The ones she was looking at had a lot of lace with high necklines. Just looking at them made her skin itch. She moved on quickly from those.

She moved to the next set of dresses and skimmed through them, hoping something caught her eye. Most of these dresses had big, fluffy skirts with several layers of fabric making it seem like a trip hazard.

Hearing the others talking about the attributes of the dresses turned into a white noise as she focused on what she was seeing and not being influenced by the comments from her group.

Dresses with big, puffy sleeves were also eliminated. There were a lot that had plunging necklines that would go to her belly button. Trixie quickly rejected those. Even if she was that confident in her body, she didn’t feel that was an appropriate style for any wedding, let alone for a royal.

Taking a few more steps to the next set of dresses, she noted these were simpler. These were A-line dresses with a sweetheart neckline. The straps extended over the shoulders. She took her time with each dress feeling like this style could be a contender.

“How is everyone doing?” Damian asked as he returned to the group. “Did everyone find something?”

“I think so,” Honey said as they all moved toward Trixie, each with a dress in their hands.

“All right,” Damian said. “I will take the dresses and have the bride come along so we can begin the fashion show.” He looked at the ladies. “If you want to go have a seat by the mirrors, we will be out shortly.”

Trixie followed Damian and they stepped into the changing room. Damian hung the dresses on the hook on the wall.

He turned to look at Trixie. “One of the assistants, Mallory, will help you with the dress and then we will go show everyone.”

“All right,” Trixie said. “Thank you.”

Mallory was a red-headed ball of energy that was excited to see Trixie in each dress that had been selected, positive “the one” was there.

The first dress Trixie tried on was not something she could wrap her mind around.

It was an off the shoulder ball gown with lace sleeves. The lace came across her chest providing some coverage of her bosom. The bodice was skin-tight satin. The skirt was satin as well, covered with lots of tulle.

Trixie thought it was a beautiful dress, but it wasn’t giving her that “wow” feeling. Schooling her features, she lifted up all the tulle to keep it out of her way as she walked to show the others.

From the corner of her eye, she could see the other visitors in the bridal shoppe turning to look as she walked along.

Her family was seated on several couches with a raised platform that faced three full-length mirrors. She stepped onto the platform and released her hold on the tulle, allowing it to float into place as she smoothed it out.

Trixie took in her reflection, blocking out her family so she could give it a true chance. To her, the dress was very elegant, but she felt like she was trying to be one of the rich and famous.

“What are you thinking?” Damian asked after a minute of her taking in her image.

“It’s beautiful,” Trixie said, turning slightly for a glimpse of the back which stretched out in a short train.

“But?” Di prompted.

“I’m just not feeling it,” Trixie admitted.

“Why don’t you turn around so the others can see the front,” Damian suggested.

Trixie lifted the tulle again and turned around. She looked and saw they were taking in all the details.

“I have to agree,” Honey said. “It is a beautiful dress, but it just doesn’t suit you.”

“I agree,” Madeleine said. “I’m wondering if the issue is that the sleeves are off the shoulder.”

“That could be it,” Honey said.

“I think we need to try something else,” Trixie said, looking at Damian and Mallory.

“Let’s go get the next choice,” Damian said.

In no time at all, Trixie was in the second selection and was still underwhelmed.

Returning to the others, she took in the semi-sweetheart corset covered with lace that extended up over her shoulders, leaving her arms bare. The skirt was covered in the same lace, cascading into the train.

“Wow,” Jenn said.

Trixie turned to face them.

“I think the neckline and over the shoulder straps are better on this one,” Madeleine said.

“I think this is a step in the right direction,” Trixie said. “The last one may have worried me some about falling out of it, regardless of how secure the buttons and ties were. We all know I can trip over my own feet, and we don’t want to give the guests a free show.”

Everyone nodded.

“Let’s go try another one,” Damian said.

Coming back with the third dress, this one felt a bit better, but she was still waiting for that “wow” moment.

Looking in the three mirrors, she felt the delicate bodice was a good fit with the embroidered lace over the scooped neckline. There were layers of organza and tulle that made up the ball gown shirt that stretched out into a cathedral train.

“That is a beautiful dress,” Helen said.

“I think we are getting closer to finding the perfect dress,” Jenn said. “In this, I see grace and beauty.”

Trixie smiled. “Thank you, Jenn.”

“But it’s not the one, is it?” Honey asked.

“No, but we are finding bits and pieces I like with each one and I know we will find it once we have it all together,” Trixie said.

Trixie liked her fourth dress. Even though it had a large, pleated skirt, it seemed right as there was no lace. It had a square neckline with over the shoulder straps. The skirt had a sweep train. There were ribbons that cinched it closed along her back with an optional bolero jacket.

Standing in front of the mirrors, she saw the smile on her own face and felt comfortable in the dress. If nothing else caught her eye and gave her that heart-stopping look, she could settle with this for her wedding.

“Let’s turn you around,” Damian said.

“This is another beautiful dress,” Madeleine said. “Having seen you in the others that had a lot of lace, I think limiting the embellishments is more your style.”

“I have to agree,” Helen said.

“This also has a jacket that gives this a bit more sophisticated look,” Damian said and assisted Trixie in sliding it on.

“I could see you wearing the jacket for the wedding and removing it for the reception,” Honey said.

“How do you feel?” Di asked.

“I like it,” Trixie said. “With and without the jacket. And the train isn’t so long that I’m afraid I will fall.”

“But is it the one?” Honey asked.

“It’s a contender,” Trixie said. “But there are still three more dresses that were picked for me to try on.”

“Then let’s give them a go,” Damian said.

Back in the changing room, Trixie slipped out of the dress and looked at what was next and just stared at what was on the hanger. She wished this had been the first dress she had tried on because there was so much that she didn’t like.

Being the trooper that she was, she would wear the dress and show the others as she didn’t want to skip it and insult anyone by not trying on their selection.

When she stepped up on the platform, she focused on her family’s faces to see what their reaction would be. Honey, Di, and Jenn were stunned. Madeleine wore a look of confusion at how this dress had been selected for the bride to be. Helen’s eyes twitched before her face settled into a polite smile. As for Penelope, she was tipping her head from side to side, taking in all the details.

Trixie focused on her reflection and wondered how anyone could wear a dress that was completely covered in lace. The high neckline and the full-length sleeves were all lace. For Trixie, it felt like she was being choked.

“What is your opinion of this dress?” Penelope finally asked as Trixie turned around to face her family.

“I think it’s a little too much for me,” Trixie said. “If I was as tall as Jim and had a long neck, this could work. But I think all the lace is swallowing me up.”

“I can see that,” Honey agreed.

“We have two more dresses to try,” Trixie said.

“Let’s see them,” Jenn said.

“One of them is bound to be the dress,” Honey said.

Heading back once more, Trixie wondered if she would find the dress. She had seen so many options of what she would like for her dress but hadn’t seen all of them together. And would all of them work if they were together.

The dress she put on was the one she had selected. In her mind it was simple. There wasn’t a piece of lace on it, and she was happy about it.

The square neck felt comfortable, but the entire back was open to just above her waist. There were hidden pockets in the satin skirt where she could hide tissues if needed.

“That dress is beautiful,” Helen said as Trixie stepped in front of the mirror.

“It is, but seems very simple,” Penelope said. “You are the bride, and your dress should stand out.”

“I think there is something missing about this dress to make it the perfect wedding dress for you,” Madeleine said. “The simplicity of the dress would work for the bridesmaids.”

Trixie saw Penelope’s head turn at the mention of bridesmaids.

“But the cut does look good on you,” Honey said.

“Well, we got one more to go,” Trixie said lifting the skirt. “I’ll be back.”

Staring at her reflection in the changing room, Trixie was in awe. The dress she was wearing was absolutely gorgeous to look at and was comfortable to wear.

This ball gown had a crocheted cotton lace bodice with soft cap sleeves. The skirt was made of Swiss dot sparkle tulle with a chapel train. The bodice was tied with a bow in the middle of her back.

“Are you ready?” Mallory asked, getting Trixie’s attention.

Trixie looked at her and then back at her reflection, surprised there were tears in her eyes.

“Here,” Mallory said handing her a couple tissues.

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” Trixie said as she dabbed at her eyes with trembling hands.

“If you are having this reaction to this dress, how do you think the others will respond?” Mallory asked.

“Hopefully the same way,” Trixie said.

“Are you ready to go show them?”

Trixie took a breath and nodded her head. “I’m ready.”

Stepping out of the room, Damian offered her his arm with a bright smile on his face. Moving along, the other people, shoppers and staff, stopped whatever they were doing to watch her pass by.

“Oh, my goodness,” Helen gasped as Trixie came into view and stepped up on the platform.

Trixie once again focused on her reflection as her hands slowly ran down the tulle of her skirt. She took in the crocheted pattern on the bodice. This was her dress.

Finally looking away from herself, she looked at her family. Honey, Di, and Jenn were smiling brightly as they took in the dress. Helen and Madeleine had a hand to their lips as tears filled their eyes. Penelope had a smile that Trixie recognized as her public smile, her true feelings unreadable.

Trixie turned to face the others, allowing them to get the straight on view of the dress.

“What do you think, ladies?” Damian asked.

“That’s beautiful,” Honey said.

“It really is,” Jenn said. “I thought a dress without lace was better, but I think it was the type of lace that wasn’t working.”

“How does it feel to you, Trixie?” Helen asked.

“It feels like it was made just for me,” Trixie said, looking down at the tulle, then back at them. “It’s soft and easy to move in. I don’t feel like I’m being choked with the lace.”

“Were you considering wearing a veil?” Madeleine asked.

“I was,” Trixie said. “I figured a small tiara on my head as well.”

“Let me go grab one,” Mallory said and hurried away.

“Were you going to leave your hair down or have it up?” Damian asked.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Trixie said.

“Maybe try it in a ponytail so your curls hang at the back of your head,” Di suggested. “It could give you an idea of how it would look up and then we can let your curls loose to see how it would look that way.”

“That’s a good idea,” Helen said.

“I have a hair tie,” Di said as she started digging through her purse.

She found it and moved up behind Trixie, quickly securing her hair so her curls cascaded down her back. Di moved to Trixie’s front and loosened the curl Jim loved to play with, so it was visible.

Mallory returned with a small tiara and a long veil.

Damian stood in front of Trixie to set the tiara in place. Once he was satisfied, he then set the veil over Trixie’s head, folding it back so her face was free.

She looked down as she carefully turned around and waited as Damian and Mallory adjusted the veil, so it hung perfectly behind her. She took a breath and slowly lifted her head and her eyes filled with tears. She looked beautiful.

Her hand shook as she reached up to brush the tears back that were threatening to fall.

“Trixie?” Helen asked.

She slowly turned around once again and met each person’s gaze as she moved, seeing them smile and nod their heads in approval.

Looking at Madeleine, she swallowed and asked, “Do you think Jim would like it?”

“I think Jim will love it because you are beautiful in everything you wear,” Madeleine said. “As always, he won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”

Trixie’s smile got bigger.

“So, you have tried on various dresses today,” Damian said. “Have you found your wedding dress?”

Trixie looked down at her dress and then at her family. She looks in the mirror again.

Her smile great wide as she looked at Damian and Mallory. “This is my wedding dress.”

Cheers erupted as Honey, Di and Jenn hurried to her side and gave her a hug.

Helen came forward and kissed her cheek. “You made a beautiful choice.”

“Thank you,” Trixie said.

“Absolutely exquisite,” Madeleine said. “Like you said, this dress was made for you.”

Trixie leaned forward and kissed Madeleine’s cheek. “Thank you for being here.”

“Anything for you, darling,” Madeleine said blinking back tears.

Trixie turned to Penelope and saw she was still using her public smile. Their eyes met. Penelope nodded but didn’t say anything about the dress.

“All right, ladies,” Damian said. “We’re going to make notes of any alterations that must be made. We will make sure this dress is ready for the wedding.”

“Thank you so much,” Trixie said.

“It is our pleasure,” Damian said.

He offered Trixie his hand and helped her off the platform, escorting her back to the changing room.

Trixie stood in front of the mirror as Mallory and Damian examined the dress and made a few notes where it needed to be brought in slightly at the back.

“We will make sure these adjustments are done as soon as possible,” Damian said.

“I really appreciate your assistance today in helping me find my wedding dress,” Trixie said. “I was overwhelmed when we arrived seeing all those choices, fearful that I wouldn’t find something.”

“Each member of your family picked beautiful dresses and it seemed they all picked a feature you liked that all came together at the end,” Mallory said.

Trixie nodded.

“We have almost all the information we need,” Damian said. "We just have one more question for you.”

“Okay,” Trixie said.

“As you know when accessing your bank account, you sometimes need to answer a security question,” Damian said. “We also ask for one and the answer to protect the bride’s dress. This way we know for certain we are only taking instructions from the bride.”

“Really?” Trixie asked surprised.

“Unfortunately, there are people out there that would sabotage the dress to ruin the bride’s dress because they are so vengeful,” Mallory said.

“I wish people would mind their own business,” Trixie said.

“Do you have a question and answer we can use?” Damian asked.

“What was my first piece of jewelry? Emerald ring,” Trixie said.

“Thank you,” Damian said. “Mallory will help you out of the dress and call you when it’s ready.”

“Thank you for your help today, Damian,” Trixie said.

Damian nodded and left the room.

Trixie looked at her reflection one more time, wanting the image seared in her mind to hold her until her wedding day.

She took the dress off and thanked Mallory for her assistance that day once she had her street clothes on.

“You are most welcome,” Mallory said. “And congratulations.”

Trixie left the room and made her way toward the others. She smiled at all of them. “Thank you for being here today. You all helped in finding me the perfect dress.”

“Thank you for inviting us,” Madeleine said. “This was so much fun.”

“I agree.”

“Let’s go next door and have an early dinner,” Honey suggested.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Di said.

They all got up and headed out of the shop talking about all the different features they had found on the dresses they had looked through.