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Chapter Fourteen: Bridesmaid Dresses

"OK, I don't really care what style you guys wear," Jess said, attacking the stacks of dresses, "but I want them slightly less formal, maybe with something cute like a ribbon or ruffle, and Emily, you pick the length that is most comfortable for you."

"I appreciate your concern, Jess," said Emily. "I did wonder if perhaps you would wish us to wear something..."

"Scandalous?"

"Abby! I would not!"

Abby laughed. "I know. Sorry."

Jess smiled. "It's OK. Bridesmaid shopping is horribly stereotyped, as if all brides have to make their friends look bad. I do not." She smirked. "Even with you all looking gorgeous, I'll still look the best." She giggled.

Abby and Emily laughed. "Of course you shall," said the Victorian.

"The bride absolutely should," said Abby.

"That's what I think," said Jess, winking. "Now, let's find you guys some dresses."

They all browsed. Jess had just begun when one particular look caught her attention, for all the wrong reasons. With a terrible grimace, she pulled out a long, pea green dress with a huge, pumpkin orange flower in the center of the chest. "Oookay, maybe some dresses are designed to make the bridesmaids look awful."

Jess' sister walked in the bridal store at that moment. She saw the dress Jess held. "You have got to be kidding! I'm not wearing that!"

Jess rolled her eyes. "Of course not, Missy."

"You're holding it!"

"Because it's so hideous I can't believe ti!" cried Jess, putting it back. "You're making me nervous."

"I just got here."

"Yeah, you're late."

Missy rolled her eyes. "One of us isn't even here at all because you can't make a decision on the last bridesmaid!"

"Missy, shut up!"

"Parkers, please!" cried Emily. "Let us all be calm and rational."

"I agree," said Abby.

Jess glared at her sister. "She started it," she mumbled.

"What color are we looking for?" asked Melissa.

"Oh, well, I was kind of hoping you each wore a different color."

"Jess, that's crazy!" cried Missy. "It will look awful!"

"No, it won't! It will look like a rainbow!"

Abby and Emily traded concerned looks. "I, um...I think I agree with Missy," said Abby.

Missy smirked and looked smugly at Jess.

"Traitor. What do you think, Em?"

Emily bit her lip. "I...believe that several different colors and styles will be confusing."

Jess frowned.

"She means it's dumb."

"I did not say that Melissa."

"Jess, remember we want the focus on you, not on the different bridesmaids," Abby said tactfully.

"You're all overreacting," said Jess.

"Well, let's just see," said Missy. "Let's all pick our own dresses in different colors."

"Good, you'll all see how wonderfully like a rainbow you look," Jess said.

Emily picked a long, soft sky blue, form-fitting gown with a long sash cascading down the leg. Abby wore a mid-length apple red dress with a cowl neck. Missy came out in a sunshine yellow short dress that ended above the knee.

"We look like we're going to a clown college."

"Missy! You do not!" cried her sister.

Abby giggled. "We don't look bad."

"See?"

Abby frowned a bit. "I'm sorry, Jess. I don't think that we look wonderful either, at least not together," she said softly.

Jess sighed.

"We are considerably disjointed and mismatched," advised Emily.

Jess sighed. "Yeah, I guess. I really want the rainbow though."

Abby nodded. "We could try the same dress in different colors."

"Good, go with that," said Jess.

"My pick!" cried Missy.

They came out in a halter top dress, with a short, flaring skirt that barely hit mid-thigh. Missy wore a soft rose pink, Emily had chosen a deep purple, and Abby came out in a turquoise blue.

"It's too short," said Jess.

"You are so one to talk," said Missy with attitude.

Emily was pulling at the length uncomfortably.

"It's a wedding not a night at the club" said Jess. She smirked. "Or a fancy tennis match."

Abby giggled. "Come on, let's try another."

"Let's try one dress, multi-colors," said Jess.

So next they came out all wearing the same dress again. This time the dress was considerably longer, ending at the knee. It was a straight sheath dress, with short, tight sleeves and a square neck. The top part was soft yellow with splashes of pink and sage green. It went right into the skirt with no belt, no cinching, creating one long formless line. The skirt repeated the green, ending with rows of ruffles alternating in pink and yellow.

"Yuck," said Jess.

Missy sighed with relief. "Really. I feel like I'm a waitress at a totally stuffy restaurant."

Abby snickered. "Tell us how you really feel, Melissa."

Jess giggled.

"I will. I hate it!"

"I am not fond of it either," said Emily.

"Darn," said Jess, collapsing in defeat in a chair.

"We'll find something," Abby said, patting her shoulder. "Don't worry."

Jess gave a weak smile.

They went back to the racks. Finally a saleslady came up to Jess. "Hi, I'm Carlotta," she said. She was tall, with dark skin and dark, straight hair. "I see you are struggling a bit."

"A bit," said Jess.

"Tell me what you're looking for."

Jess sighed. "Something nice, but not formal, but not super casual. Something not too long but not too short. I want the girls comfortable but stylish. I also want it to fit my rainbow theme."

Missy sighed. "We've tried all of us in different dresses, styles, and colors."

"I wouldn't advise that," said Carlotta. "It makes the bridal party look a bit chaotic and unfocused."

Missy smirked. "Really? Imagine."

Jess scowled. "But the same dresses in different colors aren't working either."

"We also tried multi-color dresses," said Abby.

"I really don't want the same dress, style and color," said Jess. She sighed. She was totally deflated. "We won't find anything."

"Sure we will," said Carlotta. "Why don't we go a different direction," she said.

She disappeared for a moment and came back holding a sophisticated cocktail dress. It had a shiny cream-colored fabric beneath a slightly darker sheer lace that was detailed with a lovely rose pattern. The dress had thick straps that led to a slightly dipping neckline. Finally a delicate, thin ruffle of the shiny under material lined the straps, the neckline, and the hem.

"It's very nice," said Jess.

"I like it," said Abby. "Very classy."

"I would wear it," said Emily.

"Hmm, it's almost vintage," said Melissa. "Elegant and...sweet. I kind of like it too."

They all stared at Jess.

"I like it," she said, "but...it's a little plain and...well, I'm sorry, but there is no color at all! I'm rainbow bride!"

Missy burst out laughing.

The consultant smirked. "I have a plan," she said. "Trust me."

Jess sighed. "Why not?"

"Good, why don't you have a seat in front of the mirrors again and I'll get the ladies ready."

Jess nodded.

Emily came out first wearing the dress. It did not look the same. Around her waist was a thick sky blue belt with a large 3D painted red rose with light pink highlights, covered in tiny sparkly red beads.

"Ooh!" cried Jess. "Wow!"

Carlotta chuckled. "Missy?"

Jess' sister came out, wearing the exact same cream dress, but around her waist the thick belt was in springtime green. It's flower, also painted and beaded, was a bright yellow sunflower.

"Yay!" Jess cheered.

Finally, Abby came out again wearing the dress. Her belt was sunshine yellow, sporting an Iris shaded in lavender and a royal, deeper purple. Again it was three dimensional and sparkly.

"It's a rainbow! I love them!" cried Jess. She jumped up and ran toward them, itching to touch the flowers. "What do you guys think?"

Missy shook her head, chuckling. "The belts are OK, a little too 'garden party' for my tastes, but it's your wedding."

"I think they are perfect. They remind me of Jess," said Emily, smiling.

Melissa smirked. "Yeah, they're over the top and if you squint you may go blind."

Jess playfully swatted her.

"I do like them. Just to make sure, Jess, are you OK with the color of the dress?" asked Abby. "It is plain ole cream."

"Yeah, but with the belts are pretty bright."

"The flower really draws your eye," said the consultant.

Jess nodded. "We can also add more color too with jewelry or add bows or flowers in your hair. Obviously you'll be wearing bright color-coordinated shoes."

Missy chuckled. "Obviously. Looks like a pair of flashy yellow pumps are in my future."

Jess giggled. "Yep."

"Sounds good, Jess," said Abby.

"Yeah, and since my dress is light blush and white, you guys won't clash with me," said the bride. "Plus the rose accents in mine and the flowers on your belts tie all the dresses together in a floral motif."

"You however shall be the beautiful focus," said Emily.

Jess smiled. "Yes, I think it all will work."

"They even have another belt available for your phantom bridesmaid," said Melissa.

Jess giggled as the consultant held up a fourth belt, this one was a light lavender holding a peach carnation with orange contrast and yellow beads. "Perfect!" She jumped up, clapping and giggling. Then she hugged Carlotta. "Thank you!"

"My pleasure. We can take the measurements and put the orders in today," she said. She then smiled. "You should have the fourth order in as soon as possible though."

"Right," said Jess.

"Yeah, good luck with that," said her sister.

Jess ran to Abby and Emily and hugged them. "I'm so happy!

"We are pleased," said Emily.

"Are you?" asked Jess.

"Yep, I'm great," said Abby.

"Missy?" Jess asked, looking a bit concerned at her younger sister.

Melissa chuckled. "It's fine. At least I can take the belt off ," she said with a smirk.

Jess giggled. "Come here, you. Thank you for wearing the 'garden party' for me!"

Her sister hugged her back. "Only for you, Jessie."

End of Chapter Fourteen