Across the cabin hangs the short, lace dress that I rush ordered from ModCloth. It's cute, but I'm sure it will look cheap next to whatever gorgeous designer suit Fin is wearing.

My eyes go back to trail along the rack full of dresses that Jane picked out. "We've only got an hour and forty-five minutes left to get upstairs, there's no way I can try these all on."

However, I easily see that about fifty percent of them can be eliminated immediately. They are way more Jane's taste than mine. In other words, they're too flashy or puffy.

Rifling rapidly through the rest of the dresses, I decide quickly. "No... No... Yes... Maybe... No... Hell No..." And so on.

Jane's face grimaces and her lips pucker as I reject some of her favorite ones.

I chuckle. "Cheer up! You have the cabin key. Come back in here later to play dress up with this stuff yourself."

She picks up a birdcage veil that rests in a hat box which came alongside the dresses, and plops it on her head. "I'm going to do exactly that. You'll be having your fun in the master cabin with Fin, and I'll be having mine right here with Amsale and Maggie Sotero."

We pull out the four least complicated looking options. They require zero bustling, and are devoid of any strange lacings, or millions of buttons along the back.

"Since I don't have a seamstress here to adjust anything, I don't want to have the bottom be too long or too short." I look at the hemlines and eliminate two more options.

Jane nods, takes them from me, and crams them back with the other dresses.

That leaves a tea-length, sweetly vintage-inspired style in crisp crepe, and a more modern looking, high-low silk dupioni number. "I'll try the strapless silk one first."

She looks at the tag and then holds open the first dress for me. "Anne Barge. Ryland Style."

I drop my robe and stand there in my longline strapless corset bra and a cute pair of blue-green lace panties.

Jane wolf-whistles. "Is that the bra you bought to wear with the bridesmaids dress for your cousin's wedding last year?"

I step into the wedding gown and grip the front in place. "Yep. It isn't the sexiest thing on the planet, but it cost me small fortune so I'm happy to be wearing it again. Plus, it's fairly comfortable as far as strapless bras go. I don't have to tug it back into place every two seconds."

Jane goes around to my back to zip me up. "Well I think Fin will appreciate the look. It makes for a fine presentation of your tatas. I like the touch of the Something Blue you did with your bottoms."

The top is a little tight, but I can still breathe. I lean forward to shift my breasts up a bit. "I'm trying to observe at least some of the traditions."

While I'm bent over, I scoop the robe off the ground and fish the pearls from the pocket. "Something Old..."

I stand back up and turn toward the mirrored closet door to put the earrings in. My breath catches in my throat when I see my reflection. "Whoa! I really look like a bride."

Jane's eyes fill to the brim and she grabs my hand with a squeeze. "This dress is magnificent on you. Don't even bother trying on the other one. This is your Something New."

I nod and twist the claddagh around on my thumb. "Something Borrowed. Once I get my wedding band, I'll give Fin back his Grandfather's ring. So this works."

Jane starts fluttering around the room. "Okay now let's decide on finishing touches. You already have these strappy, beaded stiletto sandals." She grabs the box from my suitcase and tosses it to me.

I catch it as she moves towards the various bridal accessories she gathered during her shopping spree today.

Fin must have given her money for this stuff. I'll have to ask him about it later on.

Her hands are on her hips while she evaluates the trinkets for a moment. "I think this art deco beaded ribbon belt goes well with your shoes and gives just the right amount of bling."

She walks over to me and loops her arms around my waist as she ties the ribbon behind my back. Then she stands up straight, squints her eyes at me and reaches out to fluff and scrunch my hair a bit. "Let's leave your hair down in the loose waves we've got going already. We're on a ship, that's practically like a beach wedding, so this more natural look works. Besides, we don't really have enough time to do anything else anyway."

"Gee thanks, that's very reassuring." I roll my eyes.

"Trust me! If you looked like a sea hag I'd say to hell with making the sunset, we're going to fix your hair instead! But you really do look pretty like this. I promise." She crosses her heart and then she laughs. "Plus, I know Fin has seen you looking way worse."

"Hey! Some best friend you are..."

She smiles. "At least you know he really loves you since he came back after seeing that hideous floral mini skirt on you."

"Okay. So you're right about that mini. I should burn it."

"Let's not get extreme. Maybe just donate it to Goodwill. Now back to the matter at hand." She holds up two different necklaces, then looks at me briefly before putting them back down. "Hmmm... I know it's a sweetheart neckline, but I think you shouldn't wear anything on your neck. Since your hair will be down, we don't want you looking too fussy. Over-the-top is my thing, not yours."

I walk over and grab her in a tight hug. "You're not over-the-top, you're just right Jane. Seriously, you're really amazing at this stuff. My makeup is gorgeous. And you found me my dream wedding look in less than a day! Your salon is so lucky to have you, and so am I."

"Just remember that when you walk your first red carpet with Fin, I get to style you!"

"That's a deal!" I sniffle.

She pulls from our embrace. "Don't you dare cry and mess up my hard work! Waterproof makeup only works so well."

"I'll try my best not to cry, but no promises. I nearly lost it when Paul was here before. I still have to open that gift from Fin and who knows what that will do to me." I gesture towards the bed.

We walk over to the box. Jane pokes it. "It's too big to be jewelry." She shrugs.

I grab the edge of the ribbon and pull the bow slowly apart. Then I gently turn the box sideways, find the edge of the paper and undo the tape.

"Oh Jesus Christ Millie, you must be a nightmare to open presents with on Christmas morning. Rip the damn thing already!"

"As an only child I got to take my sweet time." I laugh and shred the paper in two. "Better?"

"Much! Now what's in there?"

I lift the top of the box to discover a letter-pressed notecard with Fin's monogram, and two items nestled snuggly inside the tissue paper. When I lift the first item I start to giggle immediately.

"Ooooh fancy sunglasses. But what's so funny?"

Jane holds her palm out and I place them into her hand. My cheeks are on fire.

"They're a pair of vintage Francois Pinton Spas, like the ones that McCall lost earlier this week."

"Ah the kind that brought you and Fin together." Jane wiggles her eyebrows and then puts on the glasses.

The next item is wrapped in tissue, but I can tell it's a book. I unwrap it gently so I don't accidentally rip the dust jacket. Then I flip open the cover. "Samuel Beckett's Poems in English. UK First Edition."

My fingers glide across the paper, which feels a bit rough. It's a nice heavy weight bond and it has that lovely old book smell. I lean down and inhale deeply, then close the book and press it to my heart. "I bet this was Fin's."

I smile, place the book down in the box again, and pull out the card. "Millie - Whenever you wear these sunglasses, I will think of the day that a lost pair just like them helped us find what we were really looking for in life. And as for the book - It was my first splurge purchase after I booked my first paying acting job. Now I'm giving it to you, to symbolize that what is mine is yours forevermore! - With all my love, Fin"

Jane pulls off the sunglasses and peers over my shoulder to peek at the book. "Aw you're both such nerds in love."

I sigh. "He's so romantic. I don't have any gift for him, other than the ring... Let alone something as nice as this."

"Sure you do. You have your vows." Jane hands me back the glasses. "You got a good start before when I was doing your makeup. There's twenty minutes left to finish them up and make them really great. I'm going to go pack up all my beauty gear." She heads back into the bathroom.

I take out my phone, a felt tip pen, and the bonded linen stationary that I brought with me. "Time to edit and transcribe."