Independence by Shelly Crane Page A

burst into tears. "Because Jen's going to wear it."
    Jen smiled in that way that says someone is being silly. "We can both wear it. You can wear it for your dedication and then I'll wear it to mine. It's no big deal. We can have it altered if we need to."
    "No, I mean I want you to wear this to my dedication." She frowned in confusion. "Because I want you and Bish, and Dad and Fiona , and Kyle and Lynne to get married with us." They all sat there very still. "I know that's not tradition."
    "It's never been done," Gran said. "Especially since Fiona is part of another clan."
    "I know," I said and took a deep breath as I spoke softly , "but all these rules and regulations and traditions…I me an, no offense, but that' s what got your kind in so much trouble in the first place, right? "
    She sighed. " It's just hard to change things when you've done them a certain way for so long. And I'm human like you, and it's hard for me, so I can only imagine how hard this will be for Peter and the council."
    "The council isn't present at a wedding though, are they?"
"No, but it has to be recorded through them." She pinched her chin and smiled. "Oh, well. The old coots can deal with it, I guess. Especially since it's coming from you."
    I bit my lip. "I'm not trying to cause problems," I assured her. "I just think we should make our own traditions now." I looked at the infinity symbol on my wrist. "This has to mean something. Us going to London and breaking the hold of the council has to mean something. Caleb finding me, me being human, and everything that has happened since that didn't make any sense…it all has to mean something."
    "It does, honey," Rachel insisted and gave me a half hug. "It means that you're right where you're supposed to be. I think it's a wonderful idea. A great way to show the council and the whole race that when you say you're going to change things that you mean business."
    "I hope so," I said softly. "So, Jen is wearing the dress. It's only right."
    I held it out to her and she smiled as she touched it. "Oh, gosh. You showed me this dress when I was a kid, Gran. I dreamed about wearing this dress." Her lip trembled.
    I never thought I'd get the chance to wear it.
    Rachel pu t her other arm around Jen . "No more dreaming now, baby."
    Jen put her arm around her mom's waist like a child would and tried to keep her tears in check. The room held a vibe that had a bittersweet happiness to it. It soaked the air with it making me want to cry with them. Jen was finally getting what was always promised her as a little girl. What she knew was going to be hers was taken and withheld. And then Maria happened and she took that little blessing with stride knowing she'd never have the chance to have a child otherwise. And now here she was, on the cusp of everything she ever wanted , and it was hitting her all at o nce… with this dress.
    She smiled and didn't try to wipe the tear as it fell. Her fi ngers reverently fingered a nonexistent pattern on the fabric and she wondered what Bish's face would look like as he watched her come to him while wearing it . She hoped it made her look beautiful enough to make up for all the drama and trouble she was bringing into his life with this family and her kind.
    "Bish is happier than I've ever seen him," I told her. "Jen, he's head over feet in love with you and everything that's attached to you. He has been ever since he first saw you. Don't worry about him. Bish isn't in the habit of letting inconsequential things bother him."
    "I guess," she said noncommittally and sniffed. "I just know how hard it's been for you to come into this life."
    "Well, I'm here to help him. And my situation was a little different," I said wryly and remembered the fuss everyone made over me for being the first human in a very long time , along with the first imprint.
    She laughed at my scowl. "Yeah…I guess it wa s a little different."
    "Just a little," I played along. I put the dress all the way into her arms