Another snippet has finally arrived. Actually, I've been trying so hard to figure out what to write for all of my stories that are in progress, especially 'A Matter of Time' but I'm completely stuck with writer's block so I've decided to look for an editor who can help me figure out my ideas and help me become a better writer. If you are interested in this position, please pm me or leave it in a review. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, not my best work, but an update is an update!

P.S. A shout out to piggythelaw for helping me envision a full-blown wedding and the wedding dress!

Rochester, Bridal Shop

August 31ST 1:49 p.m.

Alexis' Pov

"Okay, you can turn around now," came the consultant's voice from behind me, followed by the final tug of the velvet ribbon to finish off tying the corset.

This was the first dress that she suggested I try on, since she had taken around fifteen minutes running around the salon trying to pick out dresses that made everyone happy. If only my entourage wasn't so opinionated, but that's just regular family and friend's right?

Turning around, I let out a short gasp. This was the first dress that I've ever worn since I turned fourteen, let alone this being my first wedding dress and full gown.

"You ready to show them?" the consultant asked. She stood behind me, clipping the dress a little more so that it completely fit my figure. She let out a small smile. "My, my, darling, you've been blessed by Aphrodite herself."

I blushed darkly. "Thank you."

I picked up the skirt at the front of the dress, while my trusty consultant helped fix the small train behind me. Walking out from the dressing room to show everyone was so nerve-racking that I couldn't stop smiling giddily. I wonder how it felt when girls had to go pick out their prom dresses? Would it be the same feeling that I have now?

The gasps from everyone's mouths threw the idea out of my focus and on to the gown I was wearing again. I walked in front of the full-length mirrors along the walls of the shop and stood there, taking a deep breath. Was shopping ever supposed to be so nerve-wracking?

"Dilan, I—I don't even know what to say," came dad's voice.

The consultant looked at me to say something, but I, like my dad, didn't know what to say either. She cleared her throat and smiled at my entourage. "So, what does everyone think?"

"Turn around for a second," Barbara asked.

I did as she said, and I paled when everyone started to look me up and down. I felt like I was being exposed and studied for like an open book.

It was silent for a few seconds, but I felt so relieved when M'gann let out this huge squeal and clasped her hands together. She was practically ready to fly off her seat.

"I'm with M'gann," said Barbara. She smiled. "I just don't want to show my excitement the same way."

"My little girl-now a princess," said dad, almost getting all sentimental. He glanced at Karie who could only scoff at his emotional self-control. "Karie, promise me that you'll be a princess on your wedding day?"

Everyone smiled at Karie, whether it was a sympathetic one or one that was just admiring our dad's affection for us; we just couldn't help ourselves.

With a sigh, Karie answered in a low voice, "No matter what I where, you'd still call me a princess."

There were some short laughs before we focused back on me and the dress.

"I didn't want to be the one to ruin this moment, but the corset is bugging me," came a comment from mom surprisingly.

"I second that," Artemis added. "It just doesn't suit you."

"And I'll be the third," Karie said. "It makes your waist look great and all, but it seems a bit old-fashioned."

"And the bride's comments?" My consultant asked.

"I'd rather not have anyone looking at my back," I said, looking over my shoulder. "I have a lot of scars to hide."

"I see, well, should we move on to dress number two?" She asked.

"Yes, please," I replied, following her back into the dressing room.

Rochester, Bridal Shop

August 31ST 2:14 p.m.

Alexis' Pov

After four more dresses, I was close to giving up. My consultant was still peppy and up for the challenge. I started to wonder how many times she's had to deal with indecisive brides.

"Well, now that we've seen what everyone else wants, does the bride finally know what she wants?" She asked, gently putting a hand on my scarred shoulder.

I tensed just a little, but I finally knew what I wanted. I whispered into her ear exactly what I was looking for, and she was off. She came back as quickly as she was left, but with only a single dress this time.

"You're entourage told me to get you to try this one on," she explained, lifting up the dress for me to see. "They picked it out themselves. Frankly, I was going to choose something almost the opposite of it, but they were really persistent."

I nodded as she vented about how she was forced to show me this dress, when she would've definitely picked a better one. I could only smile the whole time though. This was definitely the dress, but I had a feeling that Karie and mom had especially picked it out. Family knows best, right? Then again, mom probably went through my mind without me knowing, after all, she is the only one in our family who can do that without having her eyes turn animalistic.

The sound of the zipper meant that I was allowed to turn around and look, I would know now after trying on five other dresses before this sixth one. My smile grew until I looked like a high school girl who got to skip a day of school to go shopping. Well, that's what I've seen in movies.

As for the dress, it was everything more than I had asked for. A white strapless dress with a hint of a sweetheart neckline, and a fitted bodice. The bodice had beautiful, unique silver designs trailing all over it, front and back. The best part; they weren't flowers or anything of that sort. They were just designs that gave the dress a formal elegance. Around just above my knees was where the slightly ruffled skirt bottom started, leading behind me a small train of the same ruffles.

"So, what do you think of this dress?"

I ran my hands over a few of the silver designs and softly ruffled the ruffled skirt. I stood back up straight and touched the smooth songbird resting against my scarred skin. "I feel like a bride."

The consultant let out a resistant but joyful smile and grabbed the train of my skirt. "Shall we go show everyone?"

I knew that when I had first came to the bridal shop, I had said that my dress all depended on my songbird necklace, but standing here in my dress and really seeing what I had in mind, I finally understood where everything was falling into place. I was beaming as I answered her. "We shall."

The end! I've had this 3/4 finished for months and finally decided to finish it. There was more to this chapter initially, but it didn't really do anything for the idea I wanted this snippet to show.

Review, follow and fav!