Chapter 26: Wedding Dress Blues

A few days later, Lizzie's in the middle of creating posters for her programs for next month when her cell phone rings. She takes a quick look at the caller ID. Seeing Jane's name, she hurriedly answers.

"Hi, Jane. Everything ok?"

"Of course, why would you ask?"

"Because it's the middle of the day and I'm at work."

"Oh, right. I just wanted to make sure you would be at home tonight."

"I don't have any plans."

"Good, we have some wedding stuff to figure out."

Lizzie holds in a sigh, "No problem. I'll be home at my usual time."

As the sisters say goodbye, Lizzie shakes her head. There's so much to do at work, especially getting ready for her big author event and now the wedding stress is piling up. She takes a deep breath and then another.

Lizzie looks down at her weekly to-do list. She smiles as she starts crossing items off that she's already accomplished. There. That makes her feel a tiny bit better.

She goes back to her computer screen and tinkers with the graphic design. She tweaks the colors and the font. Finally satisfied, she prints off her posters and then schedules them for the library's social media pages. She checks the interest in Eoin Colfer's event. There's lots of interest, but not enough people claiming they will attend.

Lizzie knows that the numbers could go either way, but she wants to make a big splash with this event. Having this event go well could help bring more authors to this area. She adds the event to a few more pages.

She spends the rest of the afternoon in the teen room helping teens find books, answering questions, and giving them computer time. Being so busy helps make the time fly by and before she knows it, the library is closing. Lizzie gathers up her things, thinking how nice it would be to spend the evening relaxing. But it's not to be.

As she steps out of the library and into the park, she can't help but collapse on her usual bench. Lizzie lets the day wash over her as she takes a few deep breaths. She watches the children and the dogs play. After a few moments, the tension eases from her shoulders and she's ready to start the short walk home.

"There you are!" Jane says as she enters their apartment. "I thought you said you were going to be home at the usual time."

"Hello, Jane. It's nice to see you too, how was your day?"

Jane blinks, "Sorry, How was your day?"

"Busy. I'm five minutes late because I cleared my head in the park." Lizzie places her work bag on the bench near the door. "I'll be right back."

Jane opens and closes her mouth. She lets her sister go.

A few moments later, Lizzie's back dressed in yoga pants and a t-shirt. She opens a Diet Coke and tucks her bare feet underneath her. "So, what are we working on tonight, sister dear?"

"Well first we need to coordinate a time to go dress shopping."

"That sounds like fun." Lizzie jumps up and grabs her calendar out of her bag. "When did you have in mind?"

"Sooner rather than later. I've created a list of stores nearby, but we also need to figure out your dress style."

"Should they be similar?"

"Maybe" Jane says.

"So when do you want to go shopping?"

"I was hoping this weekend. Do you have any plans?"

"Nothing concrete. Georgiana and I are going to take a look at redecorating her room. And Steve and Jessica want to hang out, but we haven't set up a time yet."

"Good, can you leave Saturday afternoon open?"

"Done. I'm even penciling you in. Also please don't make me wear a hideous color."

"Would I do that to you?"

"Never!" Lizzie smiles at her sister. "Speaking of sisters, have you heard from Kitty?"

"No."

"Hmmm. I should call her. Is she going dress shopping with us?"

"Well," Jane waffles, "She is a bridesmaid, but I thought it would be fun if it was just the two of us for the first session."

That raises Lizzie's eyebrows. "The first session?"

"I might not find the dress at first. I have a list of shops narrowed down to ten. I'll see how many we can book appointments for Saturday tomorrow." Jane looks down at her list. "We still need to talk about…"

"Wait, I'm sorry. Let's back up. Did you just say ten? You've narrowed down the list to ten shops?"

"Yes."

"You don't think that's a little much?"

"Lizzie," Jane's tone matches the serious look on her face. "I'm only getting married once. I want my dress to be perfect."

"Of course you do. And I want your dress to be perfect. I just didn't realize it would take ten shops to find it." Lizzie says with a smile.

Jane doesn't smile back. "Maybe it won't, but what if I never find the perfect dress?" She wails.

Lizzie untucks herself and sits next to her sister on the couch. She puts and arm around her and hugs her close. "You will. You've been dreaming about this moment forever. Now, let's see some pictures of your dream dress."

Jane pulls out the book and they flip to the dress section. Lizzie grimaces and thinks the dresses from the late 1990s were terrible, but she knows better to say that aloud. "Well, Kate Middleton did bring the lace sleeve look back in style. Is that something you still like?"

Jane bites her lip, "I'm not sure. I want something elegant and classic. I'm always liked the dresses that are fitted at the top and then flair. I do like lace, but I'm not sure I want sleeves. I also love the look of buttons up the back."

Lizzie flips through the book, "I think these might be a good starting point, but they're a little outdated."

Jane laughs, "A bit," she admits.

"You say you've narrowed down the dress shops – can you tell me why you've selected those?"

"I did look a little looking online. There are so many dresses, it's overwhelming. So I picked through proximity and reputation. I know there are things that I don't want. I don't want a mermaid style. I don't think I want a train. I might wear a veil. Do you think a tiara is too much?"

"Not at all." Lizzie pauses, "I didn't realize how overwhelming this all is. How about this, let's make two appointments for Saturday afternoon." She holds up her hand as Jane begins to protest, "And we'll answer some other questions. Not knowing what you don't want it just as important as knowing what you do want. This way, we'll take our time, look at all the dresses. Even the ones you don't want. Who knows, the perfect dress might be something you haven't imagined yet."

"That could be. So you think two shops?"

"I think you need to give yourself time. Make a few appointments and let's see what happens. At the very least, you'll have a sense of what type of dress you want to wear."

"I guess."

"Good." Lizzie gives her sister another hug. "Can we eat now? I'm starving!"

Jane shakes her head, "You're always thinking about your stomach."

The two of them head into the kitchen. Lizzie opens the fridge and pulls out leftover meatballs from the previous night. "How do meatball wraps sound?"

"Perfect."

The two sisters work together in a well-oiled machine getting out plates and wraps along with tomato sauce and cheese. Lizzie gets to work slicing up the meatballs while Jane starts prepping the wraps.

After the wraps are ready, the sisters move to the other side of the counter to eat. It doesn't take them long to finish.

"Are there more wedding plans for tonight?"

"No, I think we should call Kitty. We need to show her we love her and support her. We've been neglecting her."

"You're right."