"What do you think of this one?" Brooklyn asked stepping out in a lavender colour dress. It was simple enough – floor length, snug around the waist and had a collar cut straight across with just a little off the shoulders.

"Oh I adore it" Rebecca cheer as she clapped her hands delicately together. "It is very simple and understated. It is fit for a Haywood," she said. The wheels inside her head started to turn. "It'll be great with different accents. We can do a touch of red and silver. Take a step away from the classic gold".

"Just imagine the lavender table cloth you can have, with small lilac and little red flowers within them" Rebecca continued "I think that'll look very classic and fresh".

"I don't like it" Ava said as she walked into the bridal boutique. She hadn't been invited but seemed she had found out about the date and decided to crash it. "Purple has never been Madison's colour. It washed her out far too much".

"Well Madison wont be wearing it" Rebecca answered back seeming insulted by the comment going against her.

"I know she won't be wearing it but it'll be in photos with her and it won't compliment her" Ava insisted.

Madison sighed a little and looked to Brooklyn for help. She was her maid of honour after all. Maybe she would have something to bring the conversation back around. "Well this is the first dress after all" Brooklyn said, "Isabelle and Kennedy are each trying on a different dress".

The two mothers glared at each other but finally backed down. They both settled on seeing more options. Ava came over and settled on the other side of Madison.

Isabelle came out next wearing a deep royal blue. She spun around once and then posed by the mirrors.

"Oh now that is a dress" Ava said "eye catching, a hard firm color and really makes her pop".

"I hate it" Rebecca gasped in disgust and made a face at it. "That dress is far to harsh. It simply does not go. The colour will never be able to blend well with anything other then equally dark tones".

"And what is wrong with using dark tones?" Ava asked crossing her arms over her chest as a challenge.

"Everything" Rebecca said "they are much too bold for a classy Haywood wedding. We need to stay at least a little close to the image that we have built. We need to stay warmer and classier. Its what the guests will expect from a Haywood celebration".

"Well not everyone is a Haywood" Ava snapped at the other woman.

"I am well aware but at least all but one of us acts like it".

Ava looked as though she was ready to jump across Madison's lap and smack Rebecca across her face.

"Okay next dress!" Madison called out for Kennedy to make her appearance.

Kennedy stepped out in a green dress that fell as a high low style. It joined in tightly at the waist and has off the shoulder sleeves.

"I love the high low style," Ava said.

At the same time Rebecca said, "The style is horrible".

Madison sighed a little and hung her head low. Here we go again.

"Of course you think it's a good choice" Rebecca mumbled and rolled her eyes. Madison had never seen Rebecca come across without proper decorum. She always had perfect posture and never mumbled under her breath.

"Why must you be so disagreeable" Ava snickered to her "do you always walk around like you have a stick up your-"?

"Mother!" Madison gasped and glared at her. She flashed a look towards her twin girls that we sitting on the ground starting to look bored.

"... Butt" Ava finished.

"Alright" Margaret stood from her lone seat in the corner. She had after all accompanied her and Brandon home from the north. She had remained quiet and observed the scene without becoming involved – until now. "May I make a suggestion? Perhaps the three of us should select a dress we each desire – which I do suspect will all be extremely different".

It seemed for the first time that afternoon the two mothers were able to come to an agreement. All three of the older ladies stood and walked over to the racks of clothing that awaited them for the picking.

Brooklyn walked out first wearing the dress that Rebecca had selected for her. It was a lovely dress – no denying that. But it seemed a little too old of a style for Madison to support. The rose gold colour she had chosen was a sweet choice but that was about it. It was floor length with a straight across neckline; the sleeves were long and bunched together around the wrists causing the shoulder fabric to puff a little.

"I like it" Madison said softly looking at Rebecca. She didn't want to offend her. But she also needed to be honest about how she felt. "But I don't think the style is the right choice for the wedding. I do enjoy the colour but I fear it might be just a touch too girly for the wedding. It might be a better choice for Emma and Ella" she then stood and headed over to the racks. She was right. The rose gold would go better with the little girls. She pushed her way through the racks until she located a style she was looking for.

From the rack she pulled out a silk gown that was joined at the waist by three flowers – two rose ones with champagne shaded one in the centre. The skirt had a taffeta over top making the dress puff out slightly. The top part was made of silk and had a tinge of shimmer to it. Making the dress sparkle under the light.

She carried two over and showed the twins. "What do you girls think of these?" she asked kindly.

"Oh mommy it's so pretty!" they cheered.

Madison smiled "alright. You can try them on after we see the next two dresses? This might not be the dress but at least we can get an idea okay girls?"

They both nodded but seemed a little down that it might not get to be the dress they can wear.

"Ready?" Isabelle called. Her voice cracked a little as if she was nervous about what the outcome was about to be.

Madison raised a curious eyebrow at Ava. What kind of dress would she select that made Isabelle nervous about coming out? "Yeah all set," she said.

Isabelle sounded like she took a deep before she stepped out to be viewed.

"Oh my god!" Rebecca gasped. She looked as though she might have a heart attack by the way she was grabbing her arm. This was unbelievable. It looked like Isabelle was going to a club instead of a wedding.

The entire dress was a sparkly gold that Madison was convinced she would see her reflection in. it was low cut showing far more cleavage then Madison would ever be comfortable with and with the thin straps it looked like it could fall at any time. Although the dress was floor length there was a large slit in the side right to her thigh.

"It's umm, its an original" Madison said completely stunned. She wasn't expecting it to flash like that. She tried hard to find something she liked about the dress. But she couldn't. She hated it.

"Isn't it perfect?" Ava said with a large beaming smile.

"No!" Rebecca snapped.

"You don't like anything" Ava grumbled "tell me Maddie what do you think?"

"I certainly think it's different and would be one of a kind" Madison said "but I just don't think it's the kind for my wedding. Don't get me wrong it's nice but I want to keep my wedding a little... cleaner".

Ava crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her daughter "why do I even try with you? You'll never appreciate my opinion".

"Okay we have one final dress" Margaret said defusing the tension again that filled the room. "Come on out Kennedy" she called.

Kennedy stepped out in what might have been the most elegant and beautiful dress that Madison had ever seen. It had the simple side of things that Madison had wanted but also looked very classic and almost vintage. It was a champagne colour that would blend well with the rose gold for the girls and even looked like it could please Ava's want for the gold. Is was a classic style with a soft and lose skirt that looked as though it had small pleats in it. It was joined at the waist where a small bow was tie and twisted to the rest on the left hip. The top was skintight and showed the little bit of cleavage like Ava wanted. But across the chest were embroidery flowers and vines. It was very delicate and made the dress look very elegant. The strap was thicker and just covered the shoulders but didn't offer much of a sleeve. Instead looped around the elbows was a matching shawl.

"Oh my gosh" Madison gasped, "it's perfect".

"Oh now dear don't you want something that stands out a little more" Ava tried to insist.

Both Madison and Rebecca opened their mouths to object but it was Margaret that beat them to it. And she had the best answer of them all. "I do believe each dress is beautiful in it's own way. But I fear with the gold the bridesmaids might take attention away from the bride. And I think we can all agree that all eyes should be on Madison".

Madison sighed in relief thinking that was the end. But instead Maggie continued. She stood and walked over to the jewelry. "Besides I think we can very well compliment the dress with all the colors you enjoy" she reached forward and grabbed what looked like a wrap around halo with elegant vines and golden flowers twisted into it. It was simple and understated. She walked forward and placed it gently on Kennedy's head. "And Maddie dear can have a large version of it. More have a tiara or crown instead of a headband," she said. "And I suspect you can even get the gold crowns with flowers added. You just need to think outside the box".

"The flowers might be nice for Emma and Ella. To have in their crowns," Rebecca suggested, "it'll certainly make them stand out as flower girls"

"I agree" Maggie said smiling "and the bridesmaid dresses will match the flower that is in the girls dresses" she added "and with simple gold jewelry you have a great outfit".

"What about the flowers?" Ava mumbled, "I think you need to go big with those".

"I agree with going slightly larger for Madison" Margaret said, "I think you should focus on the champagne, rose, gold and white colors. So what I would suggest is sticking with champagne and rose flowers with little gold sparkles within it and white babies breathe to really fill it out. I might even add a little green pine. Not only because it is Christmas time but also because it'll make your fair colours pop. And of course a gold ribbon around it. Madison's yours will be with the same colours but of course it'll have more to it. More flowers and I think have the babies breathe falling over the edge to cover your hands even. But only to the one side of course."

Madison was stunned. Margaret was able to plan the entire wedding. She was sitting so quietly at first but now she was able to nearly draw what Madison wanted right from her thoughts.

"But anyways" Maggie said "before we get to that I think we should check out some dresses for Madison".

Both Rebecca and Ava jumped at the chance to discuss the ideas they had for Madison.

"I think you should go with a fish tail kind of dress" Ava said "very tight going down with a long train behind you. You need to show off those curves you have. Ad has the chest push upwards. You need to show off what you got for your husband".

Madison hesitated. Maybe ten years ago she might have gone with something like that but it sounded like too much to her now. "I don't think so. The tight fishtail will be too tight. I don't want to show the baby bump off too much. We haven't announced it yet and I don't want the attention to be only on my belly. Or worse yet someone might think I am just getting fat".

"I agree" Rebecca added already looking superior. "I think instead she should go more of a princess style. Several layers around the skirt to really have it puff out with a high waist with maybe just a little lace. The neckline can be tall almost like a turtle neck and their needs to be puffed sleeves".

"I'm not really sure that is the style for me either" Madison hesitated again. "I mean it sounds nice and all. But I think it's a little too big for me. I like simple better. Just a nice, elegant and delicate style".

"We can sit here guessing all day" Maggie said "but I think it'll be best for Madison to go look at some gowns on her own and decide. Without our influence".

Both Rebecca and Ava looked like they were going to say otherwise but shut their mouths.

Madison stood and silently walked along the row of dresses. Her hands touched nearly every one. She saw several simple ones with just white and basic silk. There were ones with a princess neckline or a sleeveless gown. Some were made of a heavier fabric and others were a soft silk. She moved across the rack and nearly sighed. Everything was either too much or too little. Nothing seemed to be what she wanted. Some were too tight that would show her belly and others would be too loose.

Maybe it wasn't the dress. Maybe it was she. She was expected to act like this was her second marriage. But in reality it was actually her first. She had never gotten the wedding of her dreams and it has been so many years she wasn't sure what she dreamed of having now.

After twenty minutes of searching on her own she was nearly ready to give up. Maybe the dress for her just wasn't there today.

But then she spotted it. It was tucked away in the back of the last season items. But she wasn't one to care about those kinds of things. She eagerly grabbed hold of it and yanked it out. She slipped into the changing room in the back and decided to try it on.

It was like nothing she had ever worn before. It was almost a cream colour and was truly a dream come true. The fabric was primarily a silk but along the skirt she had a taffeta like her daughters dress was. There was a slight train running behind her gown – not too long to trip over but just long enough to be noticed. The beautiful part was the lace top. It was an elaborate design of swirls and flowers. They were all interconnected that lead from piece to piece. It covered straight across her entire dress in a straight cut – like Rebecca likes – and went along down her stomach until her joined as several ending points just below her butt. Her sleeves were three quartered but she decided to request from the seamstress that they get converted into long sleeves that danged down to flow. She thought that might match the train a little better. It'll always give the dress her own personal touch.

When she got changed and went to meet the others they all looked at her confused.

"You couldn't find anything you liked?" Brooklyn asked when she returned empty handed.

"Actually I found the perfect dress" Madison said "but I want some alterations made".

"We would have loved to see it" Rebecca said.

"I know" Madison smiled "but I didn't want the chance of somebody not liking it. So I think it would be best if I leave it to surprise you all once the wedding comes". And with that she let the subject of the dresses change "now what is next?"

"We have a meeting with the caterer and the baker" Rebecca said checking her day planner.

Madison sighed deep in her throat. It was like a repeat of the dresses. The two mothers were at each other's throats. And there was very little she could do about it.

"We should focus on the classic Christmas dinner" Rebecca insisted. "Stick with the turkey" she insisted.

"Well not every family has turkey dinner" Ava insisted, "Some of us have ham".

"Well then turkey will be a nice treat for everyone" mother Haywood answered.

"A dead bird" Ava scoffed "I am sure everyone will want that".

"Better than a chopped pig" Rebecca snapped.

"Ham at least goes with mashed potatoes and corn" answered Ava.

It looked like a tennis match going back and forth between the two.

"Well it isn't going to be mashed potatoes" Rebecca said, "It'll be steamed carrots, beans and turnip with cranberry sauce".

"Carrots? Who comes to a wedding for rabbit food?" Ava said.

It had now gotten to the point where the wait staff was starting to look uncomfortable. Brooklyn was ever the mother and trying to make them relax and Isabelle was handling it the way Madison wished she could .she grabbed a glass with some wine and downed it like a shot.

"Okay!" Madison finally had enough of the back and forth regarding the food. She banged her hand on the table. She had dealt with this with dresses and she didn't want to do this again. "The guests are going to get both ham and turkey. It'll come with mashed potatoes and carrots with a side of cranberry sauce. The starter will be a creamy squash soup and for dessert they get all American apple pie and ice cream".

"Now dear I'm not so sure that is the right choice," Rebecca said.

"Finally we agree on something," Ava added.

"No" Madison said, "This is what I want and that's final". She turned to the wait staff and smiled "thank you all so much. Can you pass on what I said to the chef please?"

"And bring out the cake now please" Rebecca added.

Soon a dozen different miniature cakes were brought out and served between them all.

"Blah mommy this one is gross" Emma said spiting out the lemon and cream cheese flavored cake.

"I don't like this one" Ella said pointing to the carrot one.

Madison smiled a little "I don't like it either honey".

"I think you should get the spice cake," Rebecca said as she took a little bite of each cake.

"The pecan one is lovely" Ava said "that is the one you should use honey" she told her daughter.

And here we go.

"Certainly not" Rebecca said "who has ever heard of a wedding cake with a nut in it. Besides think about those with nut allergies".

"You really think the children want a spice cake?" Ava asked, "Who actually has cake like that at a wedding? What are we? Ninety?"

"I had it for my cake" Rebecca came to her defense.

"Great and that was what? Fifty years ago?" Ava asked, "times have changed and I think you should change with it".

"Well the nerve of you" Rebecca said "maybe if you had a little more class or simply some more manners you might appreciate this a little more'.

"You don't think I have class?" she asked.

Rebecca laughed a little "oh I know you don't. Just look at you. You came today in jeans and a shirt.  I certainly hope you'll do better when it's your daughter's actual wedding day. It would be such a shame to cut you out of the photos".

"Cut... cut me out" Ava was stunned "now that is straight up rude" she stood and threw her napkin down on the floor. "I will not sit around here and be insult but a stuck up pig with her nose in the air'.

"Pig!" Rebecca gasped and stood as well "you don't just lack class. But you are full fledged trailer trash"

"And damn proud of it" Ava said with a smirk "I would have worn my nice jeans if I had known I was in the presence of the queen of England". When you met Ava one on one she always gave off the image she was better than everyone. But when she was threatened – when someone maybe was better than her – then she came to defense. And she knew how to fight like anyone born and raised in Scarborough knew how.

"Now if you'll excuse me I think it's best if I leave" Ava gave a large dramatic bow "your highness". She then turned on her heels and marched out slamming the door behind her.

"Since that is finally over" Rebecca sighed and took a seat "we can finally talk civilized. About the spice cake".

"I won't be going with that" Madison said sternly "my mother was right about one thing. There will be several children there and neither of those cakes they will enjoy". She ran her hand through her hair "I will have a three tear cake with each layer being a different flavor. One will be chocolate, the second vanilla and the third is red velvet".

"Three flavors?" Rebecca was stunned. This sounded so taboo. Almost impossible. How could anyone have three different cakes?

"I think that'll be for the best. Chocolate and vanilla are classic favorites and red velvet will make it a little different. And of course best of all the children will love it".

Rebecca looked like she was going to argue but she sighed a little "alright it is your day after all".

"Yes it is" Madison said. And she needed to start thinking of it that way. This might have been a fake wedding but it was going to be the only wedding that Madison ever had. So this was her one and only chance. What was so wrong with her wanting to make it special? The dress was how she wanted, the food was good and she had both hers and Brandon's favorite flavor of cake.

Little by little it started to look like a better wedding. One that Madison would be pleased to talk about for many years.