Thank you to those who reviewed. Hopefully more to come. :D Again, the support is absolutely appreciated.

Chapter Two

The Fashion Fiasco

It was difficult to keep track of all of that which was on a bride's plate. The wedding came in three major parts: the venue, dress and food. But it was the smallest things within those categories that made the biggest difference. And to think she would have had her own, had things been easy for her to secure a place. Camille would have snagged a rich man if she could, and that meant offing him if she wanted to. Or even tolerated him as he tolerated her, just let him die on his own - and that was only if he was some wealthy old fool like her father.

But that posed a major problem: there was nobody in the upper class who didn't know who she was, even if she was lower than much of the lot that Kim Possible put away years ago.

She got hold of where Possible had her invitations, and the best insult she could think of was slipping in where they were being manufactured, posing as an employee, and putting the crystals on with a glue that would dry but eventually fall off upon being opened. Brides in the planning process would stress after all the hard work, expecting everything to be perfect.

On the big day would come the worst of it that the tart would never see coming.

At work, she was seen as a freak who only looked like them but really wasn't. She might have a great eye for fashion, but she was also watched with extreme care that it was almost difficult to slip away from them to carry on her plans. This had to be done on her few breaks.

Although she had to admit, she liked her life, uncaring of what people thought about her and only thought of what she wanted. She didn't need or want any friends; anyone she worked with, they had to agree with her and then they were suitable for her. Anyone in the end would take the fall for her - although she did, once, find herself fond of the Fashionistas, but only because they paid her and shared her interests. Though it didn't ever seem to be enough.

She closed and locked the door of her apartment after yet another long day. She glanced at herself in the mirror that she'd purchased in a garage sale for only ten cents, at the "cold shoulder" black dress with three-quarter-length sleeves and mid-calf skirt as well as the sleek black stilettos. This was the only best thing she had by her hard-earned money, though because she was born better than this, she still felt like a part of her life was missing. And the jewelry she got looked like it was designer brand, but was actually under twenty bucks altogether for each piece. The hoops in her ears were gold, as was the oval chain-fringe necklace that reached the middle of her bust, and the cuff around her left wrist which doubled as a watch. Around her left forefinger was a ring with a rose-cut diamond and rose quartz stones on either side. Camille missed her old ways, having all the best jewels in the world; today, she had to take everything slow, even miss out on the best deals she would see on television in this mid-level apartment.

Even her perfume was cheap in price, simply because it was nothing like the designers, either. Tuberose, gardenia, oak moss, amber and sandalwood were in this. However, she found she did like this one since it was close to what she used to spray on herself. If she had any money to save, she could open up a cosmetics firm in the future. She was still young enough for that.

She was feeding the fish in the tank and was settling down with her chicken TV dinner when the latest specials on the jewelry show which she used to get so much from before Daddy cut her off came on. Included the latest in engagement rings that took her breath away but also made her so angry.

The first to come in the two-hour special was a dazzling cathedral arch, crowned with a big brilliance over smaller ones in a pavé setting. It was something you would never forget even if you tried.

Next to follow was an eye-catching display consisting of a beautiful blue sapphire emerald-shaped, placed on two-toned milgrain and finished with a halo of sparkling white. It made her think of all the good old days in paradise like Greece and Rome, on their beaches and sipping good drinks. If she'd gotten married, a wondrous cruise or even a two-week vacation in the tropics would have been in order.

Oh, the diamond and ruby masterpiece to follow was something her dear mommy prized simply because it was her birthstone. It was a pinwheel galaxy form, with the brilliant round surrounded by rubies in the form of vines and leaves.

"Oh, now this one is sure to be a rich wife's dream, or even royalty!" Camille declared as she opened her second can of Coke. She was sure her eyes were sparkling like the thing on the screen - the cushion-cut diamond was sided with trillion-accents...just like the bitch's ring. Beside those trillions were each a baguette, making the thing resemble a new version of Elizabeth Taylor's diamond ring. Except hers had been a lavish asscher-cut sided with baguettes. That thing almost had been hers had a certain auburn head hadn't blazed her way to glory as she always did.

Black diamonds were rare and unexpected, for someone who loved the surprise. This one to come was even perfect for a bride with a Gothic wedding theme, or simply wanted the shock of a lifetime from her man. Black as the soul. The dark gem was in an axis of woven silver, like a black fruit amidst vines.

The last to appear on the program was glamorous with the emerald surrounded by a halo of white fire in round and baguette shapes. It was like a burst of fire from the earth.

If you wanted to know if there was anything of Camille Leon's old life that had a small hint of fancy jewelry - bridal even - it was the set that wrapped around her right ring finger. The duo was brushed and nature-inspired, the bands set with diamonds in the right places of leaves, and the brilliant white popped out more than the rest. It was wishful thinking and a fool's hope, but a means to keep her sanity in check. She would rather have dreams than nothing at all. The wench should have understood her, but she got everything because she was so perfect, did she?

At least she was getting a taste of disaster, knowing the extent of her pain.

Camille turned off the program, exhausted and letting her mind go wild with more ideas besides the invitations which had been ruined. The bride's dress was down. Now onward to the next important step...

~o~

The bridesmaids were having their fittings today, which was Sunday and on the next day after the issue with the invitations. The crystals were glued into their proper places and eventually sent out.

The color, of course, had to be green since the wedding colors were green and white, with a few nature touches, and a small amount of sparkle since no big day should be without it. But it couldn't just be all about the appearance; it was about your love and celebrating it with family and friends. Plus, green was a refreshing color that represented renewal, prosperity, fertility and the earth.

Monique was her maid of honor, and included were all the girls from the squad in high school: Tara, Marcella, Liz, Jessica, and Crystal. Except Bonnie and Hope, both of them being mostly best friends since high school, although they were invited - as long as Rockwaller behaved. Kim hadn't spoken to her as often as they used to, but she wouldn't be surprised if something about her didn't change.

What the girls all had was a high-necked tank being made of graphic floral lace, and the skirt eucalyptus-colored tulle. "Wow, you all look beautiful!" Of the girls to be there, Monique was definitely here, though she hadn't come out yet. But Tara and the others were definitely rocking it...and then the consultant, Laura, had come out of the dressing room with a grim face. Behind her, Monique was fighting to not let loose any screams she was keeping in.

Kim suddenly panicked.

"Monique's dress is missing."

First the invitations, now the maid of honor's dress was missing. Today was the final day of the fitting for her girls, and THIS happens. Could it get any worse? She really didn't want to tear her hair out before the big day; she had hair and makeup trial in a few days, right after her last fitting, and this just had to double.

"Oh, God, not again," Kim moaned, then jerked her head in the direction of the one who tried to reassure her. It was Jessica.

"Kim, don't panic -"

"Don't panic!" Monique shouted, making everyone jump. "My dress is missing, and the maid of honor doesn't need that." She glanced at Kim then. "But not better than the bride," she added quickly.

But the bride herself had to lower her gaze, down to the green amethyst on her finger, swallowing and trying not to stress. That dress her friend did pay for herself, as all the girls did, but they didn't deserve this kind of treatment. For all they knew, it was just misplaced somewhere and just needed to be found.

But if they couldn't find Monique's dress, what the hell were they going to do?

~o~

What better than to hide the maid of honor's dress from the rest of the selection? The blame would be shifted to consultant Laura whom she posed as, and then when time would come for the bride's gown, the final charm was the second rather than the third. And from what she dug up, Laura had a history of making the smallest mistakes, yet people always forgave her. It made Camille snort with disgust.

She was glad she chose this idiot to pose as, right at the beginning when Kimberly picked her wedding dress. Someone would take the fall for her and not point anything at her.

Or so she hoped this time.

~o~

Thank God Monique's dress was found. Somehow it ended up in the wrong part of the line coming in. Laura explained it was lost on the way over here, which didn't usually happen in this boutique.

Dilemma settled and the girls having their dresses, now Kim could focus on the other which was most important to her. It was good that she worked at home, which meant she could leave anytime. But her dad and Nana were the only ones to come with her today. Tomorrow, she would decide what her hair and makeup would be, but nothing too dark or light. Red hair, green eyes and fair skin - something natural was in question.

But right now, the dress of her dreams.

Her mom had picked her own out, which was glamorous with silver sequins and a draping cowl neck, and Nana was going to be in a modest, long-sleeved lace dress of mossy green. They deserved to look their best on this day as much as she did, but that did NOT mean they would outshine her. She still loved these women very much.

However, as soon as Kim's eyes rested on the dress in the bag, it only looked like the one she specifically fell in love with and paid for...until she got a better look as soon as it was opened. Her jaw dropped in utter horror. Her heart stopped in its tracks. "Oh, no...no, no, this can't be," she moaned, reaching up and grasping either side of her hair, painfully dragging from the roots.

This was NOT her dress.

"Kimmy cub, what is it?" James called from the other side of the curtain when he heard her moans. She held back a growl of annoyance, but Laura, who had been with her all this time, tried to reassure her.

"Don't worry, you can just try this on until we can get it sorted out. There must have been a mix-up with another dress," the woman said, lightly smiling, but it did very little good. "Or you can just wait out until we find yours..."

She voted for waiting, and in the meantime, her dad and grandmother got to take a look with her at this simplified version of the one she chose. The silhouette was the same, but the train was smaller and devoid of tulle. The straps were made of illusion lace, but the motifs only continued about the neckline and the edge of the train. Other than that, it was sleek in comparison.

But James didn't look too bothered by the looks of it. She scoffed; no offense to him, but what did men know about women's fashion? And Nana really did try to cheer her up. "Honey, I can make you happy by giving you a gift to wear on your special day which will start the rest of your life with Ronald." With that, she went back to the row of chairs she and James had sat at, picking up the ivory box and bringing it over, opening it, and Kim's breath was knocked out of her lungs.

"N-Nana - these are YOURS!"

The earrings each featured two pearls surrounded by round and oval Swarovski crystals in an Art Deco placement. The necklace was a classic pearl strand hung with rich crystals in emerald and square cuts as well as small rounds. Last of all, the bracelet was a multistring of moonlit pearls clasped with more crystals. All of this for a bride who loved tradition in the modern era.

The fact they were an heirloom meant the world, and moreso when she said Anne had also worn them. Overjoyed, Kim took her father and grandmother into one-armed hugs each. "Thank you, Nana. I love you both so much."

James laughed in a strangled voice, sputtering that she was going to break his neck before he could walk her down the aisle. Though Nana didn't seem too bothered.

But when Laura came back with a sad look on her face - and was that fear in her eyes? - she had the worst news of Kim's life. Something NO bride deserved to hear, much less experience.

If anyone is wondering what the different dresses look like, I recommend visiting Maggie Sottero's website. The first dress (the one Kim chose and PAID for) is named Bernadine, and the other which replaced hers is called Veronica.

Oh, God, what could that bad news be for poor Kimberly? :S

Elizabeth Taylor really had the finest jewelry when she was still alive, many given to her by her fifth husband (on-off) Richard Burton, and the ring mentioned included. It's also known as the Krupp Diamond. :3

It's becoming a bit easier to write Camille Leon as a character, though I'm still new and not all the way in love with her as I am with Drakken, Shego and even Monkey Fist. It's understandable about her shopping habits even though we don't completely know her. It's clear her father disinherited her, she went to extreme measures, but Blue Kitsune and I discussed possibilities based on these words of hers:

"Given that she grew up getting whatever she wants, entitled her to have things that even likely she doesn't want, still demands of given how she obsesses with getting away with crime but also trying to rebuild the empire she once had in life, it's a possibility her home life wasn't exactly easy. I mean, suppose she had an absent mother who either died or left when she was young, while the father tried to make his 'princess' happy. He was spoiling her without giving her full discipline. Maybe that's what happened with Camille, or it's a theory based on how it is for most celebrities."

Anyhoo, review, and happy Easter as well as April Fool's, everyone! :D