"The next step"

Madz was serious about the marriage. I didn't expect him to want to marry me so fast. But last night after everyone left he said he didn't want to wait long to call me his wife.

Georgia is coming over later today after work to help plan for the wedding. I already know I'm making my own cake. It's wild but Axel is still learning.

Know was with us today but he got a call from his sister saying her car broke down. So it's just Axel and I till she gets here. We're cleaning up after a long work day when Axel walks in with Georgia.

"Hi sweetie. Are you ready to get some planning done?" I've never planned a wedding before. So I'm a little nervous. I still nod my head anyways.

"So Nova, this is the biggest step. What day do you want to get married on? I know Madz isn't a patient man." She's right about that one. I've been thinking about that since last night.

"I know this sounds crazy." Georgia shakes her head. "Okay, I'm thinking January 1st of 2025? Then we can just have a big new years party at the same time."

"Nova, that sounds wonderful. Madz will love it. New years is one of his favorite holidays. You two were meant to be." There are still things I don't know about that man and that was one of them.

"Okay so we have a date picked. I know the perfect spot for it if you are okay with it." Nodding my head because I trust her. "I'm thinking the barn. It's beautiful and they rent it out. Let me see if it's free that day."

She pulls out her phone and gets to texting whoever owns the barn. After a few seconds she gets a reply and a wide smile comes to her face. "It's free! Someone canceled at the last minute."

Well that works out for us then. I guess next we need to pick out a dress. "Are there any dress shops around or do we need to go to town for that?"

"That was next on my list. I already talked to Madz and he knows we're heading out today to go look for stuff. I didn't tell him what exactly." Got it. We've got a date, the cake and the dress to be picked out today.

I feel a little rushed but I know in the end this will be a happy moment. For not only me but Madz and his family. "Okay, when are we going?"

Axel takes the time to step into my office. "Now, I've got the truck all warmed up. Madz left me his truck and credit card." I go to speak but Axel stops me. "He already said everything is on him or it's my ass that's in trouble."

I don't want Axel in trouble so I just keep my mouth shut. I get up to grab my jacket and boots. "Georgia, is it okay we go pick up Eleanor? This is a special moment and I want her included."

"She would love that Nova. Thank you for thinking of her." We all head out to the truck. We stopped by to pick up Eleanor from a friend's house. She comes bolting out the door.

"Well hey guys why are you here?" Eleanor says as we all laugh. "Why are you guys always laughing at me. She gives us all a pout face.

"Well, Nova is going to pick out her wedding dress and she wants you to come help." Eleanor whips her head to me and she squeaks. So loud Axel covers his ears.

"Oh really? I get to help pick your princess dress." She comes jumping into the truck before anyone could help. "Thank you Nova!"

"I can't wait to see what we pick Eleanor." She settles into her car seat and Georgia buckles her in. Axel places the car into drive and into town we go.

It takes us a little longer than normal to get into town since its snowing but it's not that busy. Axel drops us off in front of the shop and goes to park the truck.

"I'll hang out at the coffee shop guys. Just text me when you are all done. Then I'll come pick you up." We wave off Axel and walk inside. The door jingles and a beautiful lady walks out.

"Hey ladies. What can I do for you all?" The shopkeeper asks. Georgia steps up in front of me and Eleanor.

"This is Nova and Eleanor. I'm Georgia. We're here looking for a wedding dress for Nova. She's getting married in January. I know this is last minute but we thought you might have something." The shop keeper claps her hands together.

"Oh goody. I'm sure we can find something you love. I have a lot in stock today. Let's get started shall we." She opens up a set of curtains and walks us through a room full of mirrors.

"Why don't you two have a seat and I'll take Nova to look at the dresses we have on hand." Georgia and Eleanor take a seat on the plush couch and both smile.

Giving me a thumbs up I walk away from them. "We have so many different styles in stock right now. Do you have any idea of what you want?" The woman asks.

"No, not really. I do know I want something....different. Nothing extreme but beautiful." She nods like she understands me.

"I think I have a few ideas." We walk through some more curtains when we get to a room full of dresses. I see all different styles but none that scream out to me.

The sales person shows me a few styles but they're all a no for me. We've been going through a few dresses when one catches my eye. "Oh, that's more of a formal type of dress."

I pull it out anyway and look at it. The details are beautiful. It has white lace that shows off sets of flowers. It has long sleeves and it would reach a little over my knees.

It's beautiful. Different from all the rest and it seems more like me. "Id like to try this one on please." The sales lady looks at me and smiles.

"You got it. Right this way." She takes me to a dressing room. "Would you like any help?" I look over the dress and shake my head. I think I can handle this one until I get to the back.

"I think I might need help with the back after I get it on." She steps out of the room and allows me to change. Taking off my shoes and clothes I step into the dress.

Pulling it up and being ever so careful with it. Sliding my arms into the sleeves. It's so smooth and I can see the details better now that I have it on my skin.

I give myself a look in the mirror and I freeze. This is the one. How lucky would I get to find the one on my first try. "I'm ready for the back to be buttoned up."

The sales person comes back in and helps me button up each one. The fit formed my body perfectly. "Wow, this actually fits you perfectly. I don't think we would need to adjust anything."

I turn and look at the back of the dress in the mirror and it's wonderful. The buttons are white but they blend into the fabric so well. "I love it. I'd like to go show the girls."

We step out and I'm behind a curtain. The sales person walks away and asks Eleanor and Georgia if they are ready to see me. I can hear them both excitedly say yes.

The curtain opens and Eleanor is the first to speak. "Oh my Nova. You look like a princess! It's so pretty." She's the sweetest. I look over at Georgia and her smile is like a summer's day.

"Sweetheart, this is the one. I know it's not my wedding but this screams you in more than one way." She's not wrong. I swish the dress and Eleanor giggles.

"Well that was easy. Now we just need to find Eleanor a dress and you Georgia." Eleanor jumps off the couch and walks up to the sales person.

"Do you have any kid dresses?" She lays out her hand and Eleanor takes it.

"We sure do. I'll show you." Eleanor takes her time but eventually settles on a flower girl dress that meets the floor. It's a white A-line tulle dress and it's beautiful on her.

Eleanor runs over to me and she glances up at me. "Now were both princesses. I think Uncle Madz is going to love this." Agreeing with her we settle on finding Georgia a dress.

"Oh I've got something at home to wear." I shake my head.

"Nope, we are all here for a new dress you find something you like." Georgia and Eleanor go looking as I take off my dress and put my street clothes back on.

The sales person takes my dress up front. Georgia has found something simple and sweet. Eleanor changes and Georgia checks to see if the dress fits. It does.

The sales woman takes the other two dresses up front and waves us over to check us out. Georgia whips out Madz card and I don't even get to check the price before she swipes it.

The charge goes through and we settle the dresses in bags to keep them clean and safe. "Thank you for shopping with us. I hope you have such a wonderful wedding."

We all thank her and step out of the shop. Georgia must have texted Axel because he is outside in a parking spot. "Hey ladies. Find everything okay?"

"Yes Axel we did thank you for waiting." I head over and give him a hug. "We're ready to head back home." He nods his head and takes our dresses, carefully hanging them up in the back.

We all settle back into the truck and head home. Today was simple and easy. I hope it stays that way. Wedding planning is tough but I lucked out with all the help I was getting.

The sun is setting and the girls chat in the back. I'm watching all the shops pass by and thinking how I can't wait to be Madz wife. He will always be the one for me.