Here is number two! This fic isn't quite finished yet. Probably one or two more chapters, but with a little twist. Thank you all for your fantastic reviews!
Champagne, Anyone?
"Turn here. Turn here. Slow down!" Traci shrieked. "You were supposed to turn there." She raised an eyebrow at Andy as they drove past Steeles.
"Don't hate, appreciate." She said with mock seriousness.
"Oh that was cute." Gail laughed.
"Whatever! I'll just turn around. I hope they have food in there, I'm getting hungry." Andy said quietly, preoccupied with the road.
"You're gonna make such a good pregnant chick." Gail ran her hand through her hair, wincing as she felt another kick against her stomach.
"What kind of dresses do you wear for destination weddings?" Andy mused aloud. "Something long and Grecian, right?"
"I think so, something like that. Something pretty minimal that compliments the setting." Traci nodded. "Where are you thinking, anyways?"
"Please, please say the Caribbean. Mama needs to relax." Gail said, head back and eyes closed.
"We were thinking Riviera Maya. There's this gorgeous resort that Sam's been to before, he says I'd love it. The Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita. Or something like that." Andy laughed. "I've still got to like, look around, but it sounds pretty promising."
"That would be wonderful." Gail sighed. "You two are so lucky, that Sam's like loaded. Even if he wasn't, he'd still take you there." She laughed.
"How many people are coming?" Traci asked, looking for a parking spot.
"I'm not sure, but I want it to be small. You," she pointed at Traci, "you," then to Gail, "Chris, Dov, Megan, Jerry, Frank, Noelle, probably Oliver and his family, my Dad, maybe Sam's parents, if he lets me invite them. I don't know." She sighed. "Maybe some of Sam's UC buddies, if they can get away. If any of us can get away."
"Well, we're four on four off. So it would have to be a short trip, but we could do it." Traci smiled. "Wait, Sam's parents, if he lets you?"
"Yeah, yeah. That's the one thing he's kind of touchy about. His Mom. He doesn't even talk about his Dad." She furrowed her brow. "Don't know why, it's just the way it is."
"Have you met them before?" Gail asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I talked to his Mom on the phone before, for like five minutes. I don't think they're very close, she didn't know that we were together." Andy said, confused.
"That's strange. But hey, so is Sam." The blonde woman shrugged as Andy parked the truck and the three hopped out, before walking the block in between them and the Bridal Suite. As soon as Traci opened the door for her friends, she felt Andy tense up against her.
"What?" She asked worriedly.
"Nothing, just… reality." She smiled. "Time for dresses!" She shook off her anxiety and skipped into the room.
"Good morning, ladies!" A stunning red head called from behind the counter. "Do you have an appointment?"
"Technically, no. But I called in earlier, I think I actually talked to you." Andy began, but the woman finished for her.
"Oh, Andy! Yes, of course. Come right in, let's get you some drinks and we can get started." She led the three women to a small nook with sofa, and two chairs. "Please, take a seat. Are you two good with champagne?" Andy and Traci nodded gratefully. "And what can I get for you, mommy-to-be?" Gail grinned.
"How about, some ginger ale, or something. Surprise me." She smiled.
"Sounds great, I'll be right back." The woman smiled at them and hurried off, her high heels clicking all the way down the hall.
"She was very cheery. I like it." Traci decided as soon as she was out of ear shot.
"Did you see anything you liked, coming in here?" Gail asked Andy, who nodded frantically.
"Oh my lord, Gail. I want everything in here!" She pursed her lips. "Decisions, decisions." Less than a minute later, the woman reappeared with a tray of glasses in one hand, and a bottle of champagne in the other.
"I apologize, I forgot to introduce myself earlier." She smiled sheepishly as she handed out drinks and then took a seat in the empty chair. "My name is Melody, and I will be assisting you in this insane, stressful, dress finding process." She smiled. "So, we have Andy," she reached out and shook her hand.
"Traci," Traci filled in as she shook Melody's hand.
"And fatty." Gail smiled politely, while Andy lost her mind laughing.
"You need to stop calling yourself fatty, you're going to make the baby feel bad about herself." She said through gasps for air. "Her name is Gail."
"Well, Gail. If you don't mind me asking, how far along are you?" Melody was all smiles.
"Six months." Gail said, folding her hands over her belly. "Six very active months." Another kick.
"You're so lucky, I bet your husband is just ecstatic!" Melody grinned. "You're positively glowing!" 'Fiancé!' Gail sighed inwardly.
"Oh, psh-aw." Gail waved her hand. "I do what I can." Giggles erupted throughout the group, before Melody turned to Andy.
"So, gorgeous. What are you looking for in a wedding dress?" She folded her hands in her lap, only complimenting her impeccable posture.
"Well, we're having a destination wedding in Riviera Maya. So, I want something that has that, earthy, beachy, effortless feel. Nothing too expensive, under five grand." Andy explained. "Definitely white, maybe some embroidery or embellishment, but no lace. None at all. Ever." She nodded her head, making herself very clear.
"Alright, that sounds good. I think I know just the dress for you. If you ladies will just come with me, I can set you up in a room so we can do viewings." Melody stood and led the three women through the lobby and down another hallway, around the corner and into a small sitting area.
"I'll be right back." Melody smiled.
"That other dress that I almost got, it was the first one I tried on. What if this one fits me perfectly? Should I try on others, just in case? Jesus, what about a veil, or like those sparkly little clips?" Andy stuttered once Melody turned the corner.
"Relax, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Traci waved a hand dismissively.
Melody returned a few minutes later with two dresses draped over her shoulders, still in their plastic bags.
"Alright, I have two for you here. We can always try on more, but I have a good feeling about these." Melody grinned, and opened the door to the girls' left. "After you."
Andy smiled sheepishly and shuffled into the room, silently hoping that this process wouldn't be as terrifying as it seems. The door closed behind them, leaving Traci and Gail in a fit of sheer anticipation.
"So, what's the lucky man's name?" Melody asked as Andy slipped into a satin robe and waited for her to hang the dresses.
"Sam Swarek." She grinned.
"Swarek, huh? I think that fits quite nicely with Andy." Melody giggled as she hung up the second dress.
"Andy Swarek." Andy laughed. "Yeah, it does have a certain ring to it, doesn't it?" Melody stepped back next to her to look at the dresses.
"Which one do you want to try on first?" She crossed her arms and cocked one hip.
"Oh, God, I don't know. They're so beautiful." Andy said, in awe. "Let's do this one first." Andy decided, pointing to the crisp, structured dress on the right.
"Sounds good." Melody stepped forward and began unlacing the dress. Andy stepped into it, and Melody pulled it up over her body before lacing it up again. Andy stood on the pedestal, hands over her eyes.
"I'm not looking until it's completely done up." She laughed.
"I totally get it, girl." Melody smiled. She finished tying the back and then reached around to Andy's front, to straighten out the delicate neckline. "Open your eyes." Andy slowly dropped her hands to her side and her eyes lit up.
"Oh my Lord, I love this." She gasped. "Do you like it?"
"It looks amazing!" Melody smiled. "Wanna go show your friends?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Andy practically skipped out of the room, and onto the pedestal in the hall.
"Andy! What the hell, you look amazing!" Traci beamed.
"Oh my God, how is this even fair." Gail shook her head. "That dress was made for you!" Andy smiled at the dress in the mirror.
"I like it." She whispered, grinning. "A lot." She swayed a little, making the long lines of the dress sway with her. It clung to her body from the seam of the sweetheart neckline down to her slim hips, before continuing the long silhouette down to the floor, gathering around her feet with a two foot train; delicate stones placed around the neck and down the center of her body, bits of ruching highlighting her curves.
"I have to take a picture." Traci jumped up and ran in front of Andy, snapping a photo with her cell phone.
"Are you even gonna bother with the other one?" Gail asked, her eyes not leaving the dress.
"I think you should." Melody chimed in. "Don't get me wrong, this looks amazing on you. But the fact is, everything in this salon will fit you perfectly. You are basically the mannequin that we order." She smiled. "Why don't we give the other one a try, and just see how it fits?"
"That's probably a good idea." Andy laughed, taking one last look before stepping down and walking back into the room with Melody on her tail.
"I hate her. She is so gorgeous." Gail pouted.
"You looked like that, and then you decided to start growing children inside your belly." Traci smiled. "You'll get your figure back, lady. Right now, why don't you just put your new and enlarged boobs to good use?" The two laughed and chatted away, as Traci sent the photo of Andy to Dov, Chris, Jerry and Megan.
A few minutes later, the door opened, revealing a teary eyed Andy.
"Oh, she's crying, this is the one." Gail called out, trying to jump to her feet.
"This makes me really happy." Andy smiled demurely as she stepped up onto the pedestal again, twisting and turning, making the beautiful gown move with her. Another sweetheart neckline with light embellishment, but this time with a fitted waist and gathers down the center.
"Like, I really love this one." Melody sighed and smiled inwardly as she watched another happy bride cry tears of joy.
"Picture!" Traci snapped another photo and sent it out.
"Andy, that is absolutely stunning." Gail said in awe. "It's perfect. It screams sunset beach wedding."
"Oh my God, it's so beautiful." She gazed down at the dress.
"I hate to break it to you, honey, but you make the dress what it is. It's perfect for you." Melody said quietly. "Let me grab you a veil." She walked down the hallway.
Out of nowhere, Traci burst out laughing.
"What?" Andy raised an eyebrow, turning to face her friend.
"Dov likes this one the best too. Read." She handed her the cell phone.
Text Message
Wow! Little Andy, a bride. Both dresses look great,
But I like the second one best. Don't tell Sam, but I'd
Totally hit that. Megan likes it too.
Dov Epstein
"What a nutcase!" Andy laughed, passing the phone to Gail so she could read it.
"Oh, Trace, you got another message." Gail passed the vibrating phone back to Traci, who just nodded as she read the message.
"Chris says he knew you were beautiful, but this is just ridiculous. He likes the second one, too. And then he asked about Gail." Traci put her hand over her heart. "Aw, how sweet."
"He's such a school boy. He's gonna make such a great Dad." Gail swooned. "He's already spoiled Abby. So sweet."
"Is he finished the nursery yet?" Andy asked.
"He finished a few weeks ago. It's so perfect. He wanted to renovate our kitchen, but I put my foot down." She laughed.
"Okay, you really caught a good one, Gail." Melody laughed, as she reappeared and clipped the veil into Andy's hair. "He willingly put together a nursery, and then volunteered to do the kitchen? He must love you! My husband won't take out the garbage unless I threaten to cut off a rather… important appendage." Everyone laughed, hard.
"Oh, Andy, Jerry likes the second one as well. It looks unanimous." She raised her eyebrows. "Is this it?"
"I'm getting MARRIED!" Andy shrieked. "In THIS DRESS!" Gleeful screams erupted throughout the hallway. "This is phenomenal." She smiled at herself in the mirror, finally proud of the person looking back at her. "My flowers are going to go so well with it."
"You went with the white roses, and light blue calla lilies, right?" Traci held up her finger. Andy nodded, and she clapped a little. "It's going to look amazing."
"I want to get married!" Gail sighed. "Oh my God, I am getting married, Holy SHIT." Everyone let their inhibitions fly right out the window. This, was a time for celebration.
"Melody, my love, it seems pretty quiet around here today." Andy raised an eyebrow.
"There was a trunk show on the other side of town." Melody explained.
"Well, in that case, why don't I get out of this dress, give you some money and then crack another bottle of champagne?" A mischievous light glinted in her eyes.
"Honey, that is the best suggestion I have heard all day." She retrieved another bottle from the fridge around the corner, and popped the top.
"To weddings, and wonderful husbands, and life. And babies." Andy made sure to include Gail in her toast. "To us."
The inspiration for Andy's wedding dress: www[dot]thebridalsuite[dot]ca/collection/bridal_gowns/Destination_Wedding/cassidy_sara_d162[dot]html
