"I'm so excited to see my dress!" Josie squeals in excitement.

"Love, I know we are all excited, but please keep your eyes on the road!" Tessa screeches.

"So, how is this going to work?" Ana asks, while sitting next to Aimee in the car. "Are you both going to see each other with your outfits?"

"No, we're going to be kept in separate rooms. Aimee, can you be with me? You know my taste in these things is shit." Tessa asks while glancing at Aimee, who is distracted typing on her phone.

Aimee peels her eyes from the screen. "I think you're better off with Ana, to be honest. Josie thinks my taste is pretty bad, too."

Aimee fondly recalls how, unlike any other girls they have known, she and Tessa didn't swap clothes with one another, stood in front of a mirror asking the other how they looked, or spent hours in a retail store browsing for outfits. This was very much part of who they were and part of what forged their friendship. How alike they were in the smallest of things.

"Yes, you're better off with the preggo model." Josie smirks while manoeuvring the car into the parking space. "Let Aimee stare in awe at my amazing dress."

The park is just outside an atelier that has Bella's name across it. As soon as Aimee leaves the car and stands in front of her birthmother's atelier, she is almost knocked over by Isabella that runs to her and leaps in a tight embrace. Aimee takes in the sisterly embrace and then stares at the gorgeous sixteen-year-old that resembles more like her mother each passing day.

"You're here!" Izzie glues herself to her big sis.

"Hey, sweetie." Aimee grazes Izzie's long hair. "Let me look at my gorgeous baby sister."

"Hi, Aimee," Eva's voice resonates and Aimee removes her eyes to face her mother.

Although they spoke briefly on the phone, this is the first time that Aimee is facing Eva, knowing that she's her kin.

"Hey, Eva," she responds cooly.

"Did you have a pleasant flight?" She shoots a timid smile with uncertainty veiled in the timbre of her voice.

Things with Callum progressed easily. He had questions, but mostly he was just content with satisfying his curiosity. But Aimee is a more difficult shell to break.

The first time they spoke over the phone, Eva offered to travel to London so they could speak face to face. Aimee refused her offer and told Eva that she accepted the fact she was her birth mother for Izzie's sake. Her tone was as cold as her eyes staring at her right now.

The only other time they spoke on the phone was over Christmas, when Isabella insisted that Charlie and Eva wished happy holidays to Aimee and Paulo. Aimee delivered a cold greeting and hastily finished the call, disallowing Eva from the opportunity to ask anything to her. Aimee has made it clear of her feelings for Eva.

"It was a short one," she responds and looks down, avoiding prolonging the conversation further.

"How long are you staying?" Isabella interrupts, blissfully ignorant of the tension between her mother and sister.

"Two weeks, Is."

"We're going to spend some time together, right?" She grabs hold of her hand.

Aimee takes a strand of Is's brown hair and places it gently behind her ear. "Nothing else would make me happier than to hang out with you. I can't wait to hear all about what's happening in your life."

Isabella squeals happily.

Josie and Tessa approach the trio after locking the car, followed closely by Ana.

"Eva, what about Aimee's dress?" Josie asks.

"I just need to get her measurements so we get it fitted properly. It shouldn't need much altering. You look exactly the same as two years ago." Eva says with a warm smile.

"A dress? I would have worn something from my suitcase." Aimee glances at Josie.

"At my wedding?" Josie exclaims theatrically.

"Point taken..." Aimee looks at Eva. "Thanks for stitching a dress for me," she mutters, avoiding long stares that may invite her to pursue a further conversation with her.

"It was my pleasure." Eva takes her eyes from her older daughter and looks at the brides. "Tessa, you will be in the room on the right, and Josie, you'll be on the left. I've organised some champagne and nibbles in each room and I'll bring the dresses shortly."

Aimee and Josie enter the room with Isabella. Josie runs towards the champagne and pours three glasses.

"She's only sixteen," Aimee warns.

"It's only a little..." Josie says with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Isabella wavers and looks at Aimee for reassurance.

"Have a sip. I won't tell if you won't." Aimee gives her a wink.

Isabella smiles and takes the glass in her hands.

"To the most gorgeous, amazing cousin anyone could ever ask for, and to your happiness." Aimee raises the glass after her toast and they all drink.

"You better prepare a kick-ass speech on my day," Josie chortles.

"You are so demanding!" Aimee smiles. She sits down on a sofa and goes back to her phone and types another text message.

Josie sits down next to her, swaying the champagne glass in her hand and staring at Aimee's quick texting. "So, when is Michael arriving?" Josie says with innuendo in her voice.

"Who's Michael?" Izzie asks while sitting next to her sister.

Aimee rolls her eyes at Josie's comment. "My manager. And, before you continue your insinuations, Miss Adams... Michael is gay and dating my dad."

Josie opens her mouth. "Oh, my god! Are you serious?" she squeals. "Wait, does Callum know?"

Aimee shakes her head. "See, we have secrets of our own. Pai doesn't want to say anything, but I think it's wonderful. That's why I insisted both of them need to come to the wedding and get it out in the open."

"How did it happen?" Josie enquires.

"When Michael approached me at the audition in London, he told me to bring my family to discuss further. I took my dad and you should have seen how they were staring at each other. Sparks flying everywhere. But, neither of them made any move until recently. After one of my concerts, we went out to a club to celebrate and let's just say I caught Michael doing the walk of shame outside pai's house the morning after."

The girls giggle.

"They've been keeping under wraps because dad doesn't know how Callum will react. And, I think he thought he was cheating on dad. They were together for such a long time. It is hard on him."

"I'm glad uncle has found someone to share his life with. With Callum here and you travelling everywhere..."

Aimee nods at Josie's words.

"Here we go." Eva enters the room holding a dress. She hangs the dress and unzips the case, holding it. She unfolds a two-piece ivory with a scoop-neck bodice embellished with embroidered lace, beading, and sequins. The bottom is a simple floor-length chiffon skirt.

"Wow, it's beautiful," Isabella says.

Eva places the dress inside the changing room. "Go on."

Josie walks inside and closes the curtains to change into the dress.

"Izzie, is that champagne in your hand?" Eva frowns.

"That's my fault. We were toasting to Josie, and I gave her a little. I'm sorry." Aimee offers an apologetic explanation.

"Well, I guess a little doesn't harm anyone," Eva responds.

"What time is Michael arriving tomorrow?" Josie asks from inside the changing room.

"I actually don't know, but I'll text him later." Aimee takes a sip of champagne and glances in Eva's direction. "I actually need to thank Charlie for arranging for Michael to meet me at the audition."

"Michael?" Eva asks.

"Evans. They were friends at university. That's what Michael told me."

"I don't remember a Michael Evans, but I'll ask him. You're telling me Charlie set up for you to meet with him?" Eva scrutinises Aimee's words. She knows all of Charlie's friends. Especially the ones he met at university.

Aimee raises her eyebrows. "Yes, back in London. He was at my audition."

The curtain opens and reveals Josie wearing her dress. "So... what do you think?"

"Beautiful." Aimee says. "That dress is you, in a nutshell."

Josie goes towards the mirror and twirls in contentment.

"Come for dinner tomorrow!" Isabella exclaims suddenly.

Aimee wavers, "My friend arrives tomorrow..."

"Bring him. I'm sure Charlie would love to reconnect with his university friend," Eva says.

Josie's face falters. "Charlie's friend? Who is Charlie's friend?"

"Michael. He told me all about his time at university with Forsyth." Aimee giggles to herself. "I love how he uses his surname as his first name. It's hilarious."

Eva raises an eyebrow, even more curious about this Michael. No one calls Charlie by his surname.

"Well, do come for dinner tomorrow, then with Michael. I'm very interested in meeting him."

Josie's cheeks flush. "You guys can't go tomorrow for dinner."

"Why not?" Aimee enquires.

"Because... we have to plan some stuff for the wedding and I really need your help. There's so much to do and Tessa is really useless in these things." Josie offers the poor excuse, hoping that Aimee bites.

"Okay, okay... breathe." Aimee teases her cousin. "Maybe another day? We are pretty much on the Bridezilla countdown here."

Josie puts her tongue out to her cousin but secretly is relieved she has averted the catastrophe that almost ensued.

"Of course." Eva offers a gracious smile.

"Are we still hanging out, though?" Izzie asks.

"Of course." Aimee hugs her.

Josie goes back inside the changing room to change into her regular clothes.

"Are you ready to try your dress?" Eva asks.

"Oh yeah, I guess I am."

Eva unveils a v-neck side slit gold long dress.

"Oh, wow. This is beautiful." Aimee touches the fabric lightly.

"Mom designed it just for you," Isabella says cheerfully.

"Try it on." Eva encourages her.

Aimee walks into the changing room and feels the silky material against her palm.

"Aimee, I'm just stepping outside with Izzie to get some more chocolates," Josie shouts.

Aimee giggles at her cousin's insatiable appetite and changes into the dress. She stares at how the dress fits her body and accentuates her bosom.

"Have you changed?" Eva asks, and Aimee walks outside. "Oh, wow. You look simply gorgeous. I don't think it needs any alterations. It fits you perfectly."

Aimee looks at her reflection in the mirror. "This is such a beautiful dress. Thank you."

"It's the least I could do... for you."

Aimee gulps and stares at her mother's eyes. She notices for the first time the high cheekbones that define both their faces as if their resemblance to one another is now coming to the surface of her brain.

"I would like to have lunch with you while you're here. Just the two of us and talk about things."

Aimee's heart stops. "What's there to talk?" She faces the mirror and her own image but steals glances at her progenitor.

Eva walks one step towards her. "Aimee... there's plenty to talk about."

"Did he know I was your daughter?" Aimee asks with her eyes fixed on Eva's through the mirror.

"Who?" Eva frowns at the question.

"Did Liam know I was your daughter?"

Eva shakes her head. "No, of course not. Why are you asking about him? Did he try to contact you?"

"Did Devon Stidolph knew he has a granddaughter that played the piano?" Aimee's eyes tear up.

Eva raises her arm to reach Aimee's arm apologetically, "Aimee..."

"Holy hell, you look amazing." Josie interrupts the moment.

Aimee stares at Eva and rebuts her touch. "Thanks, Josie." Aimee smiles at her cousin before passing by Eva and ducking back to the changing room to avoid any further conversation.