Within three weeks, I had built up enough muscle to slowly get around, but no one would allow me to go to work, even without doctor's orders. Chuck would stay as late as possible before going to work and would get home as soon as possible. He would still walk around with me and help me with everything, even watch me get dressed and undressed to make sure nothing would happen to me. I really didn't want him to, and we would argue everytime he wanted to, and he would win. Ellie would always help his argument, and I had never gone against doctor's orders.

"Feeling better, sweetie?" Chuck said one morning, having waited for me to wake up.

"Much better. I think you should go into work now." I closed my eyes again as he pulled me closer.

"I just want to talk with you for a little while."

"Is that all we're going to do?"

"Yes."

"As long as it's not about the wedding and it's not very long and it has a point." I stretched, forcing my pelvis into his for a few seconds, but neither of us cared.

"Can't I just whisper sweet nothings in your ear?" he whispered into my ear and kissed it.

"You have to get to work." I put my hand on his stomach and tried to push him away. "You did that last night and you can do that tonight to help me fall asleep."

"I had something else in mind." He looked at me expectantly, and my heart melted for a few seconds.

"I'm not strong enough for it." He scooped me onto him and kissed me hard. I returned it but pulled away when his hands began to rise. "Chuck, I'm just not sure if I'm ready yet. But I will give it to you."

"Promise?"

"How about our wedding night? That way it's even more special, and we'll have a week to do it. And we can do it as many times as you want."

"But that's too long?" I gave him a look of impatience and he ceded, "Promise?"

"I promise. But you better get to work before you get fired."

"I'm too valuable to them, so they won't get rid of me."

"Get going."

"Talk with me while I shave?"

I rolled my eyes and found him looking at me expectantly. "Fine. But it's going to cost you later tonight. Especially because Ellie has the day off and we are going to take care of some wedding stuff for me." He got me off of him and got up before helping me up, and I gave him a dirty look that he ignored. I went and sat on the edge of the bath while Chuck shaved and talked. I didn't really care about what he was saying, even though I listened intently.

Breakfast was next on his schedule, and he made both while I sat down and waited. When he did sit down, I put my leg over his and continued with my meal.

"Worried?"

"I don't really want to be the center of attention."

"You've always been out of the limelight," he answered after finishing a bite. "But you should get used to it if you want to get married."

"I know I should, but it's just a weird feeling for me. I'm really sorry to put you in this position. I don't want you to think I'm getting cold feet ever. I don't care how many weddings we have, this one is the one as ourselves, and we are going to make this one the most memorable one. And I won't ever leave you. I promise you."

"You've kept every promise at this point, so I know you won't break that one." He finished off his bowl and moved my leg off of his and took both finished bowls to the sink, rinsed them out, and put them in the dishwasher. "I love the fact that you have your appetite back." He came back over to me and kissed me. "I've got to go to work."

"I'm glad you finally realize that."

He kissed me again. "You better be home when I get back. If not, I'll kick your butt with my new abilities."

"Will do, Chuck." I kissed him before he left. He waved from the window and I laughed before noticing that Ellie was up and in a sleepy state.

"Did Chuck just leave?" she asked as she yawned and poured some coffee.

"Yep. When's our appointment for the dresses?"

"Nine, so we need to leave in about twenty minutes. I won't do my makeup today because we also have a hair appointment after that to see what you want to do with your hair. Well, and the bridesmaids."

"You're going to be my only bridesmaid. I don't really have any girlfriends that I want there. But you are like my sister, so I definitely want you to be up there."

"I'm so touched," Ellie said in her usual way, but she came out of it into her neurotic self. "But have you picked out what color scheme you want? We only have three months, and the color scheme decides what colors you want for the flowers and the seats and the cake and for the dresses for the bridesmaids…"

"Ellie, I want you to pick out a dress for you to wear and we'll add that to white for the color scheme, okay?"

"You're not going to put me in an ugly dress?"

"According to Chuck, you can't ever amount to my beauty, but you didn't hear that from me! But I really don't want to make someone look bad just because they are a bridesmaid. Honestly, Ellie, I want you to look good up there next to me, okay?"

"It's your wedding. You can do whatever you want." She took a sip of coffee, but then left it on the counter to get dressed. I stood up and got out two travel mugs. I poured the rest of my coffee into one and Ellie's into the other and topped both mugs off. I set them on the table and gathered my purse and keys together. I held both mugs in my hand and waited for Ellie to come. She came with her purse slung over her shoulder and looked for her mug.

"I have your coffee, Ellie," I said, holding it out. She gratefully took it and checked her watch.

"It's a little early, but I suppose we could go. We'll need to take your car."

"It's fine." I started to walk out, but Ellie wouldn't budge. "I can drive!"

"Doctor's orders," Ellie said, stretching out her hand.

"What are we, twelve?" I answered, handing over the keys.

"No. We're just being sisterly and professional. I care about you, so I'm making you rest as much as possible. Are those salts still working for you?"

"Yep. Could you have Awesome bring some home again? We're nearly out."

"We're?"

"Chuck still helps me bathe, against my wishes." I felt my cheeks grow hot, but I hid it as I slid into the car, and they had clearly disappeared when Ellie finally looked at me.

"Do you like that one, Sarah?" Ellie asked, moving her body to get different angles on the dress on me.

I didn't answer right away. I kept looking at myself in the mirror. I was more beautiful at that moment to me than I ever thought possible or I deserved. It was strapless and fit my figure perfectly. At the hips, the skirt flared out and met the floor without a single blemish. It was a sheer strip of satin on the bodice and the skirt, but the skirt was over-laid with a layer of sheer chiffon and a 2-inch ribbon at the hem. The matching shoes were merely pumps with matching satin over it, but there was a cream bow over it that was hardly noticeable and cute when noticed. "I think it's the one, Ellie," I answered, standing stock still in front of the mirror now.

"I think so, too," Ellie answered, eyes aglow.

"Does it need to be altered anywhere?" asked the sweet seamstress who had offered us tea upon entering. Ellie wouldn't let me have any for some reason.

"It's perfect the way it is," I answered, admiring myself even more in the mirror.

"Well, take your time looking at yourself and making sure. I'll take your friend here and find her a bridesmaid dress," the old lady said, tottering away and leading Ellie to more colorful dresses.

"I'm sure I want this dress," I said quietly after they had left. The odd thing was that I had never been into dresses, and I never wanted to take this one off. It wanted me with all of its heart.

I snapped out of it and changed. I took the dress with me to see Ellie looking through racks of dresses. She already had five picked out on her arm that were of pastel colors and looking very nice. I took them from her and she took them back after noticing that I had my wedding dress in my arms. I took them back when the nice lady took my wedding dress and took it to the back to reserve it.

After getting a few more, Ellie decided that she would then go try them on. The first one she took out was a yellow one that we both agreed would blind anyone no matter what. She then tried on a pink one that was atrociously bubble gum colored and immediately took it off after getting a no from both of us. The next one she tried on went into the yes pile: It was navy blue and had two bold straps on her shoulders. It made her eyes look nice, but it was only knee-length. The next one was an olive green that I didn't like, and she liked it okay, but it just wasn't the one she truly wanted. The next one was a lavender: it was a halter top that went down all the way to the floor, but it was a bit baggy in the bust (the old lady came by and assured that she could alter it to fit nicely). We put it in the yes pile. The next one was a pale blue strapless that had a sheer sash that went around her waist. We both didn't like the fact that it didn't flair out at the bottom, though. The last one was also pale blue with a sash of the same kind. It had two shoulder straps that fit nicely with her figure. It also had a flowing skirt with a slight train. Ellie loved it, and I agreed to it only because I knew that she truly wanted it. It didn't look that bad either.

We put the other dresses back and purchased the two dresses before leaving to go have some fun before our flower appointment at two.