Yes to the dress?

Sophie didn' t want to wear her mum' s gown at her wedding, but she had other plans for it¼

Greg brushed the white satin against his face, each of his senses alive. He could smell his blushing bride in the sweetest of perfumes, more than just a hint of Jasmine.

He could see her walk towards him down the aisle that seemed to stretch for miles, smiling every step of the way. He could feel her in his arms as they left the church together, inseparable from that day onward.

That special dress brought everything flashing back the confetti, the cake, the night spent on the dance floor waltzing with his blushing bride.

Dad!' Sophie interrupted the wedding march in his head. What are you doing?'

He turned to face his daughter, embarrassed that he' d been caught.

I, er¼' He struggled for a plausible explanation but nothing came, instead his cheeks just reddened, clashing against the white satin.

I told you,' Sophie sounded apologetic. I know it' s beautiful, but I' m not wearing Mum' s dress on my wedding day. I' m making my own.'

Greg gave a sigh, but not one of those disappointed heaves of air that might leave his daughter feeling guilty. It was a happy sigh, one that came with half a smile.

I know, darling,' he said, grinning at her. I was just strolling down memory lane. You wear whatever you want on your big day. It' s what she would have wanted¼ and she' d be thrilled all those lessons on her old sewing machine didn' t go to waste.'

Their eyes locked on the gown in front of them. It had only existed for Sophie in black and white photographs until Greg recovered it from the attic and she marvelled at its timeless beauty.

Her mother had been a wonderful dressmaker too.

She' d intricately sewn little pearls along the bust and down every inch of train. It must have taken her months to get just right. Nowadays you' d spend a fortune finding something half as breathtaking.

I want you to have this.' Greg offered the dress with the sincerest of smiles. Even if you aren' t going to wear it on your big day, you should look after it. Maybe you' ll have a daughter.'

Sophie didn' t know how to respond. The water pooling in her eyes said that she wanted to cry, but the smile across her face was grateful for the gesture and kept the tears at bay.

Thanks, Dad.' She hugged

SheÕ ll be thrilled all those lessons on her old sewing machine didnÕ t go to wasteÕ

her father tightly. But she' ll be making her own wedding dress too, I' m sure¼ after all, it is family tradition by now.'

I just wish your mother was here, she would' ve been so proud you know how much she loved a wedding. She' d have loved to be a part of yours. We' d never get her off the dance floor!'

The two spent a few silent moments together, both quietly reminiscing about how different life had become now that Helen was gone. She' d always been so full of high spirits and laughter.

In fact, she' d have been the perfect wedding guest, showing off her Macarena to anyone who looked her way.

Thanks again, Dad.' She hugged the precious old white wedding dress like a newborn baby in her arms. This really means the world to me.'

Greg spent the morning of the wedding pacing up and down the carpet of the living room until it threatened to become threadbare.

He was a nervous wreck, crossing his fingers that everything would go smoothly. The cars had been dispatched and the flowers delivered. The hotel reception was paid for months ago and the band were eager to play. All that was left to worry about was the speech.

If only Helen were here, he thought. She' d soon say the right thing and calm him down. She' d have forced him to write the darn thing months ago too. She was the wisest woman in the world, that' s why.

He walked his daughter down the aisle with a pride only a father knows. His beautiful angel glowed as she walked towards her husband, and when it came to parting ways, Greg held on slightly longer than he' d planned to. One last squeeze before he let her go.

He watched with wet eyes as vows were made and rings exchanged. He applauded when the groom kissed the bride and when they walked outside, their hands locked together.

It had been a truly beautiful day. But only one thing was missing his dear, departed wife. She would' ve loved what he thought of as fuss and bother. More than that

she' d have relished it.

The wedding reception was just as wonderful. The food was simply delicious and the wine really hit the spot.

Every guest was smiling, all dressed up to the nines and gossiping with whoever sat beside them, but Greg had no time for that. He was too busy sitting at the top table, twisting his fingers into knots and fretting about the speech he' d been persuaded to give.

Not one for public speaking, he' d only agreed when Sophie threatened him with those big, brown, begging eyes.

He hadn' t written anything down, convinced the right words would come in the moment, but so many thoughts and ideas whirled around in his head that he couldn' t make head nor tail of any of them.

He began to panic that he' d embarrass the girl by standing up and stuttering, or worse, telling one of his jokes that no one laughed at.

He put his clammy hands on the table cloth to wipe away the sweat. The last thing he needed to do was spill a glass of wine over this beautiful table cloth that Sophie had probably made herself in her quest for sheer perfection. He looked at it as he touched the material, and that' s when he saw it.

There were pearls. Dozens of them. The top table had been covered in them and each one sparkled in the sunlight, catching every eye that passed.

What do you think?' Sophie appeared out of nowhere.

Your mum' s dress?' Greg asked, his eyes widening as he continued stroking the table cloth.

She nodded her head and ran her fingers over the pearls herself. I hope you don' t mind¼ I thought it would be a nice way of having her here too and this way she gets the best seat in the house.'

Mind?' He almost snorted. I love it¼ in fact, I think it' s just what I needed.'

And then Greg stood up, and cleared his throat, tapping a fork against his wine glass to get everyone' s attention.

He didn' t know what he was about to say, but he knew that Helen was there with him after all, and she would keep him right.

ÔI thought it would be a nice way of having her here too and this way she gets the best seat