Your wedding dress isnt going to the bride, Kate shouts, her voice cracking into a scream.
No, Margaret Whitaker! I wont give that dress away! Its mine! she snaps.
Kate, we agreed Margaret sighs helplessly, waving her hands. Emily is dreaming of it!
Nothing of the sort! There was never any agreement! Its a family heirloom and Ive kept it for my own daughter! Kate paces the room, snatching objects and thudding them back into place.
Victoria sits quietly in the corner, watching the drama unfold. Her fathers older sister and her grandmother are at it again. Kate is usually hottempered and stubborn, but today she seems almost unrecognisable. Normally, Aunt Margaret keeps a lid on herself, especially for Victoria, but now the dress has sparked a fullblown storm.
Kate, please stop, Simon, Victorias father, places a hand on his sisters shoulder, but she jerks it away.
Dont lecture me! Youve always been Mums boy! Kate retorts. And this dress belonged to my motherinlaw, Michaels mother! Im the only one who decides who gets it!
But Michaels mother wanted every bride in the family to wear it, Margaret whispers. She told me that herself before she died.
She meant real brides! Kate emphasizes the word sharply. Not someone like your Emily! Shes tried to marry three times and never succeeded. Maybe its a sign?
A heavy silence drapes over the room. Margarets face turns pale, Simon frowns, and Victoria sinks deeper into the armchair, hoping to become invisible. She breathes barely enough to avoid drawing attention. At fifteen, Victoria already knows that family quarrels are lands best left untouched, especially when a greatgrandmothers wedding dress is at stake.
How can you say that? Margarets voice trembles. Emily is your niece!
And what of it? Shes a niece, not a daughter! Kate flings her arms. I have a daughter, you know. Im protecting the dress for her!
Your Lucy is only twelve! Simon interjects. And Emilys wedding is next month!
Then let her buy another dress! There are hundreds of them in every bridal salon!
Victoria knows the heirloom dress really is special. It is an old, handstitched gown with delicate lace and tiny pearl embellishments along the bodice, kept in a padded case in Kates house. She has only seen it once, when the whole family dug through old photo albums. In the pictures, greatgrandmother Eleanor looks like a storybook princesstall, slender, her shoulders highlighted by the dresss graceful cut.
You know it isnt just a dress, Margaret says softly. Eleanor Whitaker wanted it to bring happiness to every bride in our line. She wore it herself in 45 when James returned from the war.
I know all that! Kate snaps. Thats why Im keeping it for Lucy! Emily will be on her third marriage soon, and the dress might not survive. The fabric is thinning.
Emily will treat it with care, Margaret pleads, looking at Kate. Shell even find a tailor to adjust it without damage.
No! Thats final!
Kate strides toward the door, but Simon blocks her path.
Wait, he says calmly but firmly. Lets discuss this without shouting. Sit down, please.
Theres nothing for me to discuss with you! Kate tries to sidestep him, but he stays put.
Kate, you know Mums wishes. Eleanor wanted the dress to pass from bride to bride. That was her will.
My will is to keep it for my daughter! Kate crosses her arms. I dont understand why you all lunged at me. The dress is in my care, so I decide who gets it!
Victoria rises slowly and slips toward the exit. The endless adult fights always wear her out. Before she can take three steps, Aunt Kate calls out, Victoria! Tell me, girl, would you like to wear this dress when you get married?
All eyes turn to her. Victoria freezes, unsure how to answer. She never wanted to be dragged into the conflict.
I I dont know, Aunt Kate, she replies cautiously. I havent even thought about marriage yet.
See! Even Victoria doesnt want the dress! Why force Emily to wear it? Kate declares triumphantly.
Kate, stop pulling the child into this, Simon says wearily. Victoria, go back to your room, please.
Grateful for her fathers intervention, Victoria darts out, heading toward her bedroom. On the way she hears voices rising again. She shuts the door, collapses onto the bed, and cushions her ears with a pillow, yet the echo of the argument still reaches her.
Days pass and a tense lull settles over the house. Aunt Kate stops visiting, Margarets eyes stay rimmed with red, and Simon spends most of his time at work. Victoria tries to ignore the oppressive atmosphere, but it clings to her.
On Saturday morning, while Victoria eats breakfast in the kitchen, the phone rings. Margaret answers, and Victoria recognises the changed tone its Emily on the line.
Yes, Emily No, love, not yet I understand Perhaps we should look for another dress? I know, dear, I know
After the call, Margaret slumps into the chair opposite her granddaughter.
Grandma, are you alright? Victoria asks gently.
Yes, dear, Margaret forces a smile that quickly turns sorrowful. Emily is upset about the dress.
Why is it so important to her?
Margaret sighs, staring out the window before answering.
You see, Victoria, your greatgrandmother Eleanor was an extraordinary woman. She survived war, famine, the loss of loved ones, yet she held a fierce love that seemed to envelop everyone around her. That dress absorbed her spirit. She first wore it when she married your greatgrandfather James after the war. Then your grandmother Clara, my elder sister, wore it. Then your mother did, and every bride was happy.
What about Aunt Kate? Victoria asks.
Shes special too, Margaret begins, then pauses, choosing her words. Kate has always kept everything inside, never trusting anyone. After Michael died, she shut herself off. This dress is the only thing she feels she can cling to.
Victoria nods, though she doesnt fully grasp why a piece of cloth holds such power.
What about Emily? Why did Kate call her not a real bride?
Margaret sighs. Emilys life has been tough. Shes been engaged twice, both times the wedding fell through at the last minute. Now shes with David, and they truly love each other. Shes dreamed of wearing the dress, believing it will bring her luck.
Why not make a new dress in the same style? Victoria suggests. Maybe that would be lucky too?
Ah, Victoria, Margaret strokes Victorias hair affectionately. If it were that simple, wed all be happy. Its not the fabric; its the tradition, the connection to our ancestors. Its a thread linking every woman in our family.
At that moment, Simon walks into the kitchen, looking tired but determined.
Dad, I just spoke with Kate on the phone, he says. Shes adamant she wont give the dress up, period.
Oh, Simon, Margaret sighs. What do we do? Emilys wedding is less than a month away
I think we should respect Kates decision, Simon replies. After all, the dress is legally hers now.
But its unfair! Margaret exclaims. Eleanor wanted every bride to have it.
Mom, I understand, Simon interrupts gently. But we cant force Kate. It would only break the family further.
Victoria listens silently, swirling her tea spoon. Suddenly, an idea sparks.
Dad, Grandma, Victoria begins tentatively, what if I talk to Aunt Kate? Maybe shell listen to me.
Simon and Margaret exchange a glance.
No, Victoria, thats adult business, Simon shakes his head. You shouldnt get involved.
But Im part of the family too, Victoria insists. Aunt Kate has always been kind to me. Maybe I can persuade her.
Margaret murmurs, Im not sure Kate does love you, but this is delicate.
Please, Victoria pleads. Ill just try. If it fails, it fails.
After much coaxing, Simon agrees to drive Victoria to Kates house on Sunday. The whole journey, Victoria rehearses what to say. Her plan is vague, but she hopes her intuition will guide her.
Aunt Kate lives in an old cottage on the outskirts of town, the same house once owned by Eleanor Whitaker, where the dress was originally kept. After Michaels death, Kate stayed there with her daughter Lucy.
Are you sure you want to go alone? Simon asks as they pull up at the gate.
Yes, Dad, Victoria replies. Itll be better if you think Im not being pushed.
Alright, Simon sighs. Ill wait here. Call if anything happens.
Victoria steps out, heart pounding, hands shaking slightly, but determination steadies her. She knocks, and Kates voice calls out, surprised.
Victoria? What are you doing here?
Hello, Aunt Kate, Victoria smiles. May I come in?
Come in, but Im guessing youre here about the dress, arent you? I wont change my mind.
I just want to talk, Victoria says, moving toward the kitchen. And maybe see Lucy, if shes around.
No, shes at a friends, Kate replies, softening a little. Come, Ive just baked a cake.
The kitchen smells of vanilla and cooked apples. Kate sets a teapot down and pours tea.
So, just a chat? Kate asks, cutting the cake. About what?
About greatgrandmother Eleanor, Victoria begins. You lived in her house; you must know a lot about her.
Kates eyes brighten. Yes, I do. When I met Michaels mother, she took me in like her own child. She taught me how to bake, knit, run a household She told stories of the war, of waiting for James, believing he would return even when everyone else gave up.
Did she ever speak about the dress? Victoria asks.
Kate nods. She made it herself from bits of fabric she collected, even a piece sent from a friend in Leningrad after the siege. She stitched love and hope into every stitch, hoping James would come home, that theyd have a family, grandchildren And it worked.
So the dress was meant for every bride? Victoria probes.
Yes, Kate whispers. She believed the dress carried the love of every woman who wore it, growing stronger with each generation.
Then why keep it from Emily? Victoria asks gently.
Kates face hardens. Im protecting it for Lucy! she snaps. Her wedding is years away, and the dress will just sit and decay.
It wont decay if you look after it, Victoria counters. But Emilys wedding is next month. She could wear it, and after the ceremony it could come back to you, and later to Lucy.
Kate looks away, then back at the tea. Emily is already thirty, and this would be her third attempt at marriage. Something feels off.
What could be off? Victoria asks, genuinely curious. Is it wrong for someone to keep believing in love?
Kate opens her mouth to argue, but Victoria continues, Maybe Emily needs the dress precisely because she needs that extra confidence. If the dress truly brings happiness, wouldnt one more bride only add more joy?
It could tear, or get stained, Kate whispers. Its a relic, not something you just wash.
But Eleanor didnt stitch it to sit in a cupboard, Victoria says. She wanted it to live, to bring happiness, to link hearts.
A long silence stretches. Finally, Kate rises, walks to a large box in the corner, and places it on the table. She opens it slowly. Inside, wrapped in layers of tissue, lies the creamcoloured gown: high collar, long sleeves, tiny pearls lining the bodice, lace edging the cuffs, and a row of minuscule buttons down the back.
What a beauty, Victoria breathes.
Yes, Kate says, pride in her voice. Eleanor was a true craftswoman. I wore it at my own wedding, and your mother did too. Youve seen your parents wedding photos, havent you?
I have, but I never noticed the dress, Victoria admits. So it really did pass from bride to bride?
Yes, Kate confirms, running a fingertip over the lace. After your mother, it returned to me, and I kept it for Lucy.
What would Eleanor think if she saw this family fighting over her dress? Victoria asks softly.
Kate shivers. Shed be upset, she says barely. She always said family is what matters most, that no object should tear relatives apart.
Victoria reaches out, squeezes Kates hand. I think the dress should go to Emily, then back to you, and later to Lucy. The tradition can continue.
Kate stares at the gown, then sighs heavily. When I wore it, it fit as if it were made for me, and for your mother as well. Maybe thats the magic.
Maybe thats exactly it, Victoria smiles.
Kate closes the box, resolves herself. Alright, Ill give the dress to Emilyfor the wedding. She must return it to me afterward.
Im sure shell agree, Victoria says, relieved.
And Ill help her try it on and adjust it myself, no outside tailors.
Thank you, Aunt Kate, Victoria hugs her.
An hour later, Simon watches his daughter emerge from the cottage, a box in her hands, eyes wide.
Kate? You
Yes, Im giving the dress to Emily, just for the ceremony, and Ill help her fit it, Kate declares.
Thank you, Simon embraces her.
Emilys wedding to David takes place at the end of April, a sunny, warm day. She looks stunning in Eleanors heirloom dress, and Kate assists with every button and fold.
Kate, I dont know how to thank you, Emily says, gazing at herself in the mirror. This dress feels like a piece of history.
It is, Kate replies. Its part of our familys story now, and youre part of it too.
Victoria watches, unable to look away. The gown seems made for Emily, highlighting her delicate frame, giving her a radiant glow. David looks at his bride as if hes witnessing a miracle.
After the ceremony, as promised, Emily returns the dress to Kate. Now Kate stores it not merely as a relic, but as a symbol of the bond between generations. She occasionally brings it out for Lucy, showing her the stories of every woman who has worn it.
Will I wear it when I get married? Lucy asks.
Of course, if you wish. Perhaps someone else will wear it before then.
Each time Kate looks at the dress, she recalls Victorias words: true value lies not in keeping objects, but in keeping connections alive. She silently thanks her niece for the lesson.
Victoria, glancing at photos of Emily in the greatgrandmothers gown, sometimes wonders if shell ever wear it herself. She smiles at the thought.
In the end, a wedding dress that didnt reach one bride brought happiness to another, and may yet bless many more.
