Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the Mighty Ducks Characters, any original characters and the story belong to me. Not making any money from this.
Chapter Forty-Nine... Bridesmaids Dresses and a Hockey Game.
Julie was stood in the bridal shop once again, it wasn't her fitting this time, however. Connie and Frida were currently having their measurements taken and Julie was looking through the dresses, she had a few ideas of what would look good on them. Julie's mind was working overtime as she looked through the dresses, there was a very beautiful burgundy dress that she thought would be perfect. Once Connie and Frida had finished getting their measurements taken she called them over. 'Connie, Frida, come and look at this.' They quickly joined Julie and she showed them the dress that she had hold of.
Connie was amazed at how beautiful the dress was, the dress that she had in mind was nothing compared to this one. It was a deep red colour, the bodice and skirt were embroidered with leaves and flowers. 'I love it, it's incredible. Frida, what do you think?'
'I love it too.'
'I'm glad you approve. I also picked out a few more things for you both.' Julie held out a garnet necklace, earrings, and bracelet. She let them look at the jewellery and then followed it with a tiara. 'I think these would go so well with your dresses, you're going to look amazing on the day, both of you. It's up to you, do you like them?'
'Yes, very much.' Connie was so happy that she wouldn't look awful on the day, Olaf was going to be there and she wanted to look nice, she would never admit that to Julie as she'd never hear the end of it and Connie wanted to see him in person before she said anything.
Frida wondered what Gunnar would think of her dress, he would probably be horrified, it didn't really show anything other than her shoulders but it would probably be enough for her brother. She was really excited about the wedding and would be wearing that amazing dress, would she be able to keep it and the jewellery afterwards, it all looked very expensive. Frida didn't dare ask Julie if she could, she thought that it would be a bit much to ask if she could keep it all. Julie had been nice to her so far and if she offered her the jewellery then she would take it but Frida wouldn't assume that she was just allowed to keep it.
Julie settled the bill with the bridal shop, the money had been partly from her mum and Gunnar's mum, they really had taken to each other and liked each other. Julie scheduled the final fitting for the bridesmaid dresses for the same day as hers, it would make it easier for organising delivery to Osborn Castle. They had decided that it would be easier for all the dresses to go straight there and then everyone would get ready at the castle. She would be using the master bedroom and Gunnar would be dressing in the library. Scooter was organising the delivery of Gunnar's suit to the castle so at least she didn't have to worry about that, Scooter was quite capable of making sure that part went smoothly.
On the way to the shop Connie had posted the invites that were going through the post, Julie had told Connie to add her parents to the guest list too. They were on the way to a shoe shop to pick out a set of shoes for each of them. 'I think we need to pick something with a low heel, we'll be walking on grass and the last thing we want is to end up stuck. With you as the bride Catwoman and Frida and I as bridesmaids we'll be doing a lot of dancing.'
'Exactly, you and Frida need a burgundy pair and I need a white pair. I think we should ask for them to be delivered to the castle as I don't want Gunnar seeing them, he's far too curious for his own good and will go looking for them if they are in the apartment.'
'He always used to go looking for his presents when we were children.'
'I can imagine, I'll have to hide anything I buy him really well, thanks Frida.' Connie laughed and opened the door to the shop, once Julie had her shoes then her wedding outfit would be complete.
Julie had picked her shoes quickly, she wasn't into very high heels and wanted to be comfortable. The pair she had chosen were made of white satin and had little roses going around the strap and across the front, the best part was the heel wasn't too high. Frida and Connie were having a ball looking through all the shoes. 'Catwoman, we need a deciding vote, we like this one, what do you think?' Connie held out the burgundy shoe she was holding, it was made of red satin and the front was decorated with a bow. 'They're lovely and will definitely go with the dress. I'll take care of the ordering now that we know what we want.' Julie put in the order for the sizes that they wanted and the shop was quite happy to deliver to the castle the day before the wedding to coincide with the delivery of the dresses.
Gunnar was currently on the phone to Olaf, he wanted to ask him if he would be his best man. He had found out some very interesting information too. 'Hello Olaf, don't worry my mother has your invite and you'll get it when she gets back.'
'I knew you wouldn't leave me out.'
'Of course not, in fact I want you to be my best man.'
'Okay, I'll do it.'
'Who else would I ask anyway, you deserve it, you've helped Julie and I a lot.' Gunnar gave Olaf all the details of the wedding and asked him to find a suit to wear for the day. 'Connie will be there, she's a bridesmaid, Julie is with her picking a dress today.'
'Do you know what it looks like?'
'No not yet, Julie asked Frida to be a bridesmaid as well.'
'You sound worried that she'll end being swept off her feet by a dashing man.'
'She's sixteen and my younger sister, it's my responsibility as her brother to make sure she's looked after.'
'She's a sensible girl Gunnar, give her some space.'
'Right, maybe I will. What about Connie?
'What about her?'
'She might meet a handsome man, what will you do then?'
'What are you talking about?'
'I know you've been talking to Connie, she suddenly disappears off and talks on the phone to someone and she comes back looking very happy. So come on, what's going on?'
'Nothing, we've just been talking, that's all.'
'Do you like talking to Connie?'
'Yes, I do.'
'As my best man you'll have to dance with Connie, she's head bridesmaid and it's tradition.'
'Your subtle effort of pushing me to Connie is not so subtle.'
'I know you like her Olaf and she likes you, where's the problem?'
'Yes, I like her, happy now?'
'Very, what are you going to do about it?'
'That is for me to know.'
'No clues?'
'No, I have to go, I believe I have a suit to buy.'
'I can take a hint, we'll discuss you getting here for the wedding later in time. Goodbye Olaf.'
'Goodbye Gunnar.' Gunnar put the phone down, things were moving with Olaf and Connie, it would be good for Olaf if he and Connie got together.
Julie had made a quick detour on the way back to the apartment and she had bought some rose hairpins in burgundy and white, she had also given them to Connie to hide. If she put anything that she bought in the room she shared with Gunnar then he might find them and she didn't want to risk it. If everything was a surprise then it would be better, she really didn't want him seeing anything until the day. Julie had made a quick call to her mum and she found out that her father would be coming tonight, she didn't know why he was coming as he really didn't like hockey.
Connie had hidden the hairpins that Julie had bought, her room was probably the only place that Gunnar wouldn't look for anything. Scooter had come over not long after they had come back from shopping and Frida had immediately told him all about their day. Once everyone had something to eat they had all made their way to the hockey stadium for the game and joined the rest of the team to get ready. Julie made her way to the front of the room, she was going to tell them about the wedding. 'I know I've been away for a while, circumstances meant that a few of us couldn't play for some time. James has kept me up to date with everything that you've been doing and I'm very pleased with your progress. I have some news of my own, in November I'm getting married to Gunnar. You've all been very supportive of our relationship, there's an invite for you all on the table and we'd love to see you all there. As for tonight, do your best and have fun.' Connie looked around the team, nobody looked unhappy that Julie was marrying the captain of the team, in fact the general mood was that they were happy for them both.
Julie allowed herself a sigh of relief, they all seemed to be okay with the wedding news, it was by far the best reaction that she had received so far. Julie had checked on the VIP seating, everyone was in and seated comfortably. Julie had checked carefully to make sure that Gunnar's family and her own were given anything they wanted, being a member of staff sometimes had its advantages. Julie saw Gunnar glance over at Frida as he took his position in the centre, he would work hard to make her proud of him even though he didn't need to, Gunnar would always be Frida's hero. Frida was wearing the hockey jersey that Julie had bought for her, she was full of excitement for the match that was to come. Julie wished Scooter good luck, he was the starting goalie for the match and she took her place on the bench with the other players.
Gunnar felt his heart thumping in his chest, he wouldn't mess this match up, his family were watching and he wanted to do well for them. He met with the opposing centre player and listened for the whistle, at least in this match he wasn't fighting for his life. Gunnar shook his head and started to concentrate, he forced the other centre player backwards and took control of the puck, he would score tonight and he would make Julie and everyone proud of him.
Julie watched the team intently, in her absence they had really pulled their skills together, James had been a good influence on their playing. Julie had chosen to sit the first period out so she could watch their playing, she wanted to see how they had improved and changed in the time she had been away. The changes between players were very fast, she felt her heart speed up as Connie and the other forward passed between themselves with a sleek accuracy, the New York Islanders goalie didn't stand a chance as Connie flicked it inside the net. Julie hugged James, she had a good feeling about this match.
Frida cheered as Connie scored, she was so happy to be at the match and watching the teams play, she had almost forgotten how good it felt. Frida held her breath as Gunnar skated towards the net, he was playing with the goalie and sure enough he shot it quickly into the back of the net. Frida hugged her mum and dad, it was good to see her brother on top form again. She could pick out the people on the ice that had become her friends, Scooter or Julie in the goal and Connie out on the right. Frida cheered them all on through each of the periods and right at the end when she was sure they had won, it gave her such a happy feeling, she would be back to as many matches as she could get to.
Julie was feeling good, they had won the match and Gunnar had scored for Frida, it was as if he felt the need to prove himself to people and would always strive to be a better person. Julie thought it was lovely that Gunnar would always go out of his way to do things that made people happy, it was as if he knew what a person needed and would then go to whatever lengths it took to get it for them. Julie was thinking that it was quite possible that she loved him more than she had before, his devotion to the people he cared about and their happiness made her smile, she was lucky that she had found someone like Gunnar to spend her life with. She had also noticed that every invite she had put on the table had been taken by the team, she just hoped she would get them all back with a favourable reply.
