Alice was stressed ! Stressed being an understatement.
She'd been on our own in the hospital today, Danny had been out on call, and it seemed every animal in the province had been in to see her.
It was now 9 o'clock at night, Alice was in the study, Danny still wasn't back so she decided to make some kind of attempt at some of the wedding plans. They both wanted to be married as soon as possible but hadn't got round to planning a thing.
The guest list was small. They'd at least agreed they wanted something quiet with only close friends and family.
The food was of course being provided by Nomsa, she wouldn't have had it any other way and that was really as far as she'd got. She hadn't even thought about a dress!
Alice continued flicking through the wedding magazine she'd picked up in the township the day before. She'd been passing through the market when it had caught her eye. The huge white dress and cake on the front made her stomach go all funny like a thousand butterflies going crazy. Of course they had decided to hold the wedding at Leopard's Den which was hardly the scene for fluffy, princess gowns. However Alice couldn't help but daydream of having a fairytale wedding the big dress, the fancy cars, the beautiful church. A knock at the door interupted her musings and Caroline entered holding 2 cups of tea.

"thought you might need one" she laughed placing the mug down in front of Alice.

"haha, thanks" replied Alice.

"so how are the wedding plans coming along?" inquired Caroline spotting Alice's magazine.

"They're not, we're just far too busy ! I haven't even got a clue to what kind of dress I want"

"Well then why don't you, me and Nomsa go into town tomorrow and see if we can find you something?"

Alice was shocked. "really?"

"Absolutely! Charlotte and Liv have school and Danny can handle the hospital so why not?" Caroline grinned "It'll be a proper girl's day out"

"Caroline that'd be great!" said Alice beaming.

"That's sorted then" The front door opened and shut. "That'll be Danny, well goodnight Alice" Caroline went off to bed.

"Goodnight Caroline" said Alice after her just as Danny walked into the room.

Before he could even say hello she threw her arms round his neck and pressed her lips to hers. Danny responded a smile on his lips. They'd really missed each other. Danny closed his eyes as they both fell into a tight hug.

"How are you?"

"Tired, I missed you today"

"I missed you too" Danny kissed her hair affectionately. "and me too i'm shattered"

"Well then Mr Trevanion, bed !"

Danny and Alice were curled up in bed together. Her back to his chest, his arms encircling her holding her close.

"I'm going shopping tomorrow will you manage without me"

"I'll be fine" Danny whispered back giving her a gentle squeeze.

"I shouldn't be gone too long I probably wont even get a dress but i'll have the radio so call me if anything major comes in, oh and I'll maybe ask Dup, Charlotte will need picked up from-"

"Alice, I'm sure we can survive one day" Alice laughed.

"A dress?" he whispered.

"Well Danny i'm not getting married in khakis! Yes a dress and maybe we can meet so we can go and get you a suit" Danny groaned, Alice grinned. "I love you Danny"

Danny rolled his eyes. She had him wrapped right round her finger and by god did he know it but it just made him love her more. "I love you too Alice"

They both closed their eyes dreaming of nothing but each other.

[x]

"What about this one?"

"hmmm no" Alice shook her head at the long, bright pink dress Caroline held up. "not very me"

The women had been out all morning trekking round various dress shops. Alice was feeling deflated she just couldn't find anything. There had been plenty she'd liked and even tried on but she still hadn't seen the one. What "the one" was, she didn't know but she was sure she would when she saw it.
She continued rummaging along the lines of dresses pulling out one every so often. They were either to plain or far too fancy, the wrong colour, too short, too long...

"Alice?" she turned her jaw dropped when she saw the dress Nomsa held up. That was the one.

It was pale blue and strapless. The top was covered in subtle diamontes that faded gradually down the dress which reached just to the knee. Beside Nomsa Caroline held a pair of shoes that matched perfectly and that weren't too high much to Alice's relief. Seeing Alice's expression they thrust the things into her arms and all but forced her into the dressing room.

5 minutes later Alice reappeared.

"This is it"

Caroline and Nomsa just nodded speechless, Alice looked absolutely stunning. "It's a wee bit big though"

"Thats no problem," said the store assistant "We can have it altered in enough time for you to try it again to make sure it's ok and you can pay for it then too"

Alice nodded and smiled looking back in the mirror. It may not be a Cinderella princess dress but to her it was perfect.

"You look great Alice"

"Thanks Caroline and you Nomsa I really appreciate you both coming with me" Alice's phone rang. Danny.

"Hello"

"Hey it's me, thats the last appointment just away so i'll be heading soon ok?"

"That's fine I'll see you soon yeah?"

"yeah see you soon I love you" It still made her knees weak when he said that.

"I love you too"

She hung up and took one final glance in the mirror before getting changed.

[x]

"No!"

"Danny you'll take what i give you and you'll like it now go try it all on!" Danny was a complete nightmare to shop with, Alice had spent most of the afternoon literally dragging him round the shops.
She flopped into the chair outside Danny's cubicle. The music playing was rubbish Alice noted and up a bit loud. Alice rolled her eyes as she heard Danny's continued grumbling. Caroline and Nomsa had taken her jeep home when Danny had arrived. God knew what time they'd be home at this rate.

"Alice?"

"you ready?"

"yeah, now don't laugh" Alice rolled her eyes again.

"Let me see" Danny stepped out. Alice melted.

"It's not very me" Danny fidgeted with his shirt collar. "what do you think?"

"I think we're going have to call off the wedding"

Danny looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"There is no way I can stand next to you when you look that gorgeous" Alice laughed as Danny took his turn to roll his eyes as she walked over to him and started straightening his tie.

He wore a pale grey suit with a grey waistcoat underneath. Alice had picked a tie out for him knowing it would match her dress. He looked amazing.

"You brush up not too bad Mr Trevanion"

"Glad you approve Miss Collins" Danny grinned and pulled her in for a kiss. "Are you sure its okay?"

"Danny you look heart breakingly handsome, honestly" she added as he shook his head. "Now go get changed, i'm starving"

She pushed him into the changing room but he caught her wrist and pulled her in beside him. "No way Danny" Danny raised one eyebrow smirking before kissing her he eventually pulled away they were both breathing hard. "your unbelievable" Alice said looking down at her now crumpled top and attempting to compose herself. Danny laughed at her and picked up the tie Alice had managed to pull off. She raised her eyebrows. Two could play at this game.

Alice pulled the collar of his jacket towards her and once again pressed his lips to hers. Danny's mind went completely blank as Alice's breath washed over him. He shrugged out of the jacket as Alice continued kissing him. He was so caught up in the moment he'd forgotte where he was. As Alice pulled away for breath he tried to lean in again but Alice just winked before turning and walking out the cubicle. "Get you outside." And with that she left leaving a hot and frazzled Danny behind.