Chapter 10
I tapped my fingers on the table in the bridal shop, bored out of my mind listening to Ivy and Ceri making wedding plans. Ceri decided she wanted to get married within the week, and planning a wedding in that little time has been hell on everyone. Thankfully money was no problem. Trent was using his political influence to try to get the finest caterers and the flowers that Ceri wants. Quen was being a yes man for once in his life, agreeing to all of Ceri's wishes. Even Ray and Lucy were on their best behavior. Today they were taken by their daddies, so Ceri can buy her wedding gown in peace.
Quen and Trent tried to convince her to get a professional wedding planner, but she insisted Ivy be the one to help her. Ivy protested at first, finding party planning out of her league. But when she realized that she got to be controlling and could plan everything to the bows on the bouquets, she started having a ball. I think secretly Ivy was enjoying being a girly girl, since she doesn't get to do that often.
Today was definitely a girly day, as Ceri had tried on at least fifty wedding dresses. Ceri didn't like any of them. She didn't like the princess dresses, nor did she like the mermaid dresses. She didn't like the ones in chiffon, or the ones in satin. It was hard to find something that a women from the dark ages. Apparently she would have worn blue before she was taken by Al.
Ivy came out and sat beside me, "Wow this is exhausting!" She said. "Remind me never to get married."
"Reminder noted. Remind me never to get married." I added, grinning.
Ivy smiled, the tips of her fangs showing. "I don't know, I'm sure Pierce would love to have you barefoot and pregnant." She chuckled while I glared at her.
"Pierce has been out of the picture since he was taken by Al." I stated sourly.
"Well, I don't really know what Trent would prefer." Ivy teased. I blushed and turned away. I let my mind wander to our recent trip and how Trent and I had come to a consensus about our "not relationship". Last week, we got back from Arizona, and this week we haven't talked at all, busy running around with the bride and groom to be. Today, they picked Ivy, Jenks, and I up from the church and dropped us off at the Bridal shop. They went to a place to order custom made tuxes. (Rich people; what was wrong with renting tuxes?) They even invited Jenks along, who was really excited to go with them. Either he was happy to be included among the men, or he was happy to avoid girl talk and tulle.
Trent and I said hi to each other and waved goodbye, but otherwise didn't interact much in the 15 minute car ride. I didn't know how to interact with him again. It seemed every time we made progress, awkwardness held us back again. I sat next to him in the limo, sneaking glances at him like a school aged girl.
We did have a short moment when Ceri and Trent were arguing over how much security to have at the wedding. She didn't want her guests to feel as if they were in a police state, and Trent worried that Al would show up and take the kids in the chaos. Exasperated and exhausted, Trent gave up listening to Ceri. I took his hand and squeezed it, whispering in his ear, "Don't worry. I will be there; you think I will allow anything happen?"
He had given me a slight smirk and whispered back, "Are you trying to scare me more?"
I had pulled my hand away and grumbled something inappropriate. He chuckled at my response to his needling. "I'm not truly concerned. You think Quen would permit any Kalamack event go on without huge doses of security?"
"Rachel!" Ivy said, and I jumped. "Why do you have this glazed over look and smiling?"
"Sorry, thinking of..." I scrambled, trying to think of something to say. "I was thinking of the different security curses I wanted to create."
"Liar." Ceri said, walking into the room. "She was thinking of Trent." I wanted to respond with my disagreement, but I was stopped by Ceri in what was destined to be her wedding gown. She wore a long lace dress, with gold interwoven through the cream color, making her glow. The dress was long with a court train, and short flutter sleeves. Even though she was petite, the dress lengthened her, making her look regal. The dress was fit for a queen, and an elf princess was not far from them.
"Wow, that is perfect." Ivy said, awed. I could see the wheels spinning in her head on how the choice of dress alters the decor plans.
"Seriously Ceri, this is the dress." I affirmed, coming up to stand beside her.
"This is the dress of a life time, is it not?" She turned around, staring dreamily at the back lace work. She beamed. "My goodness. One thousand years ago, I loathed getting married so bad I ran off with a demon. And now I'm looking forward to it!" She beamed, her everyday happiness shining like a beacon for all to follow her path.
"Well, no deserves this more than you and Quen." I said, smiling wistfully. Ceri's life was a drama free zone of happiness. And as I was happy for her, I secretly hoped the same for me someday. I love my life now, but someday I would like to be married with children. Although, children certainly wasn't an option for me anymore. Having demon children for Al and Newt to play with put a damper on those dreams. I frowned at my thoughts and pushed them away.
"Oh I don't know," Ceri said, spinning around once more to check herself out. "I can think of two lovely young ladies who deserve just as much joy." She got off the pedestal and walked back into the dressing rooms. Ivy and I followed her, standing outside her room.
"Joy," Ivy snorted. "Who would want joy with me? Glenn ran away. Skimmer got herself in prison. And..." She peered at me from the corner of her eyes.
I cleared my throat and replied, "And I didn't like girls enough. But you're wrong Ivy. Not only do you deserve happiness, but what about Nina?"
"What about her?" Ivy said, clearly trying to shrug off that relationship as casual.
"You two sure have been spending a lot of time together," I pointed out to her. "And I don't think there is just blood sharing involved."
"Hmmm." Was all Ivy said.
Coming out of the dressing room in her regular clothes, Ceri asked, "And what about you Rachel?"
Not having a real answer, I said, sullenly, "I'm working on it."
"I don't think you and Trent avoiding each other actually constitutes 'working it on it'." Ivy said, using air quotes to make her point.
"We are not avoiding each other. We had a conversation about us before we left Arizona. We have been busy with the wedding and had no time to discuss what could happen." I wasn't avoiding him. I don't think he was avoiding me, either. Maybe he was waiting for me to make a move? I looked at Ceri, wondering if she had information, but she just shrugged.
"Discuss? Now you sound like me." Ivy scoffed.
The sales lady came in with a whole bunch of colorful dresses in her hands and declared, "Well, here are all the size 8 tall bridesmaid dresses we have in stock!"
My head snapped towards Ceri who grinned. "Oh did I forget to ask you?"
"Ask me what?" I said dryly, even though I couldn't stop the creeping smile from my face.
"Rachel, would you do me the honor of being my maid of honor?" Ceri asked, excitedly.
I considered teasing her, but went with the honest answer instead. "As long as the two dress options from Trent and Ellasbeth's wedding aren't there, I would be honored." Ceri leaned over and gave me a big hug. Ivy smiled behind her, and I sighed. "You do know I can't wear pink, right? I am a redhead." I pointed at the ugly pink dress. The sales lady gave me a sheepish smile and pulled it away, along with the other pink dresses.
"You and Trent rarely hang out outside of 'work' reasons or 'me and the girls' reasons." Ceri intoned, putting a charcoal grey gown in the room and gestured for me to try it on. I went into the dressing room and thought about what she just said. It was true. We always had an excuse when we called each other. When we saw each other, there was always a case involved, or I was visiting Ceri. What would we talk about otherwise? Trent would talk about some multi-billion dollar corporation he had to buy, and I would talk about how I can make exciting runs whenever I want because I don't have a family. We didn't have much in common.
Not liking the grey dress on me, I stuck my hand out of the door and got handed another dress. Putting on the gold and purple cocktail dress, I repeated my thoughts to my friends. I heard Ivy tease from outside, "Right, nothing in common. Because you guys can't talk about camp memories."
"Or your families." Ceri said mockingly.
"Or your taste in music."
"Love for pixies."
"Horses."
I opened the room door in a huff. "Okay I get it. We have some things in common."
I gave a twirl and Ceri shook her head. "No, I don't like that shade of purple. Try this navy blue one on."
I slipped into the dress, knowing I would not like it. When I stepped out I said, "Trent and I have hated each other for far too long to go on a normal date like regular people."
"You're not regular people." Ivy explained. She crinkled her nose and shook her head as Ceri handed me another dress.
"My point exactly. We are not normal. How are we supposed to date like normal people? It is much when circumstances force us to date. Like my soul needed rescuing by a kiss," I pouted while I put my dress on. I felt like a teenage girl who just blushed at the thought of her crush. But what was I supposed to do? This whole situation was awkward.
"I'm sure you two can find something more ordinary and less life threatening if you just tried." Ceri said, laughing softly.
"Nothing is ordinary about us, and there is always something life threatening between us." I joked. Loving the floor length brown dress, I came out.
Ivy slowly perused me from head to toe and back up. "I like it. The dark brown really makes your green eyes stand out." She said.
The dress had a satin sweetheart bodice that was strapless. Chiffon was draped over the dress and created a one shoulder look over my left shoulder. It was a dark espresso brown color. Ceri nodded, "Yes this is the dress. Let me tell the men to choose brown vests and ties." Ceri turned to go, but stopped, turning back towards me. "You know, Trent is the best man. Maybe the wedding should be your first date." Ceri winked and headed out. I groaned, and Ivy laughed. A wedding as a first date had the makings of a hopeless romantic comedy. But knowing our luck, it may lead to another Die Hard sequel.