A/N: This is unabashed fluff, something nice and light for Thanksgiving so you'll still have room for all that turkey. Enjoy!

Please keep those comments coming, they make my day.

And thanks to Leiasky for always reading my stuff ... even when I know she's swamped.

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Best Intentions, ch. 12

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Two hours later Kaylee was more than ready. Inara, the expert artist that she was, had used all the tools at her disposal to simply enhance Kaylee’s natural beauty. Her cheeks glowed with a rosy hue, her eyes bright and wide were surrounded by shadow and liner, her lips were full; her honey brown hair Inara had left long, opting to curl it in soft waves that fell to her shoulders and suited Kaylee. Nothing on her mei mei should ever be pinned back or restrained; she was a free spirit and Inara wanted to honor that, as she knew it was one of the chief reasons Simon had fallen for her so completely.

Kaylee stood in front of the floor length mirror in the master bedroom, smoothing her hands down the front of the green silk sheath she had donned. The fabric was shiny and rich, a slit running up one side to her mid-thigh – luckily not the side of her broken leg which was still a bit thin and pale compared to her other. Turning slightly, Kaylee admired the back of the dress, a deep scoop exposing her back, while the front of the dress sat right on her collarbone.

With a tentative smile, the young woman finally turned to her friends, both women sitting on the edge, admiring Kaylee as she admired herself. She was absolutely radiant. “Well?” Kaylee asked, her grin widening as River jumped off the bed and hugged her tight.

“Love you,” she whispered into the girl’s hair, knowing what was to transpire that evening and more than excited by the prospect of having an actual sister.

“I love you too, sweetie,” Kaylee said, a bit surprised by the girl’s reaction, but hugging her all the same.

“You look stunning, Kaylee,” Inara said, stepping forward and brushing some of the hair fro