Miranda couldn't breathe. The higher the zipper on the dress went the more she felt like she was suffocating. She needed this dress to zip. Today was her wedding "wedding" day. Today she was going to marry the man of her dreams "again". If she could just get this dress zipped, she was marching her ass down that aisle.
"Damn Miranda, you sure this is your dress? Because I have to be honest with you I don't think this zipper is going to make it over your ass without busting," exclaimed Callie while wrestling with the zipper.
Miranda could feel the beads of sweat starting to run down her back from the exertion of trying to suck in her body and force it into the dress. She blew out a breath, "Find a way to make it fit, I need this dress to fit. It is supposed to fit.
Miranda knew she should have tried on the dress again closer to the wedding but she thought it would be fine. She knew she had gained a few extra pounds by the way she had to lie down on the bed and suck it in just to get her jeans to zip recently, but they did still fit, so this damn dress should fit too.
It was a gorgeous dress. She decided since it was her second wedding that she would go with a cream colored gown with raw silk instead of white. I mean she was a virgin the first time she wore white at her wedding. Now she had already been married and divorced and remarried again.
"I can't fit into my dress, I am hungry, and it's a thousand degrees in here." Miranda huffed.
"Miranda are you pregnant." Callie whispered
"No I'm not pregnant." Miranda whispered "shh before one of them hear you."
Of course her Mother and Aunt would have to choose this moment to walk back in. Her mother looked at the scene unfolding before her and gasped. "Oh my god, your dress doesn't fit! I told you to try it on again last month, I warned you this was going to happen.
"Mama, I am a surgeon. I don't have time to play dress up once a month."
Her Aunt Valerie was looking over at her while her Mother started fixing the veil and crossing herself. When Valerie reached Miranda's abdomen she gasped, "Oh my god! You're pregnant, right? That is why you can't get the dress to fit? Look at her stomach, you see that distinctive bulge? Yup, definitely pregnant, you don't get that distinctive bump from birthday cake, and sweets. That is definitely a baby bump. Well that settles it, now he has to marry you even if you can't get into that dress."
"We are already married. So there's no he has to marry me." Miranda felt her eye starting to twitch. "I am not pregnant!"
At least she didn't think she was. She started doing math in her head to try and figure out when she had her last period and when it was due again. Shit! She couldn't think in this suffocating ass dress and with her family and friends standing around nodding to confirm to each other that this is why her dress didn't fit. In a moment of clarity she realized that she should be covered since she was on the pill (which she almost always remembered to take) and just to be positive they always used condoms as an added precaution. So there that settles it, she used protection every time so there was no…oh no! She used protection every time except one time. Crap! Why did this stuff always happen to her? Most likely though she had just gained a little weight, right? She couldn't walk down that aisle though until she knew.
"She just got real pale like she just realized she is pregnant."
"I am going to be a Grandma again!"
Miranda hopped up walking over to her clothes sliding the dress off her body quickly changing into sweat pants and a shirt.
"You three lets go." Callie, Arizona, and Meredith scrambled to fine their purses.
"Meredith you are driving." Miranda said walking towards the door.
"Okay I just have to find my flats." Meredith said holding up her yellow bridesmaid dress to walk.
"Where are you going ." Elena said as the four moved towards the door.
"Walgreens ,Rite aid which ever is near and a bridal shop." Miranda called out shutting the door behind her.
They made it to the drug store within a couple of minutes and then stood there, staring in wonder at all of her options. How does one go about picking out a pregnancy test? She figured she better get a couple just to be safe. I mean she wanted to be sure. She did this years ago. There were so many new brands. Get that brand Meredith and Callie Called out. "These two boxes." Miranda said picking them up.
"You don't need two boxes." Arizona laughed.
Miranda rolled her eyes and made her way to the checkout line ignoring the people who continued to stare at her oddly because her hair was still pinned up and was in line with three bridesmaids behind her while holding two boxes of pregnancy tests. "Oh well," she thought, she had bigger things to worry about. When it was her turn she handed the cashier her two pregnancy test and waited for her total.
"That'll be $31.30," said the cashier while giving her the I hate my job stare.
"Damn, since when were little sticks you pee on so expensive?"
Miranda paid for her test and walked out the store with her friends hot on her trail.
"When are you taking them?" Callie smiled
"After I find another wedding dress and we get back to the venue."
"There are two wedding dress shops near us and we have 2 hours to find one because we need to be back and getting your makeup done and ready for pictures. Arizona chimed in.
They walled into La Belle Elaine's Bridal.
The sales associates looked up at them confused as to why they already had bridesmaid dresses on and why Miranda still had rollers in her hair.
"Hi I'm Emily, How can I assist you." A younger women walked up introducing herself.
"Hi Emily, We need a wedding dress today for my dear best friend and we only have 2 hours to find one." Callie said smiling.
"Okay ma'am you can follow me."
"What style are you looking for."
"I'm looking for something similar to the one I had, so mermaid style , sweetheart neckline. Cream colored if you have it."
"Okay I have a lot but some can be pricey."
"Money doesn't matter. I'm getting married today."
"Can I ask what happened to your previous one."
"She's pregnant." Callie, Meredith, and Arizona said simultaneously.
"Might be." Miranda said firmly
Miranda comes out in the first one, looking completely confused. Then Callie looked at the dress. And questioned what she was thinking. The dress has a feathered train (which is absolutely not acceptable) and an outrageous beading along the neck. They both look at each other, wide-eyed, and mouth the word "no" at the same time. With that, she takes a different dress and turns back in the fitting room.
After a few minutes, Miranda returned again in a dress much better than the last. It has a sweetheart neckline, a basic lace corset, and an elegant flowing skirt. She looked pretty in it, but it didn't make her shine. Everyone looked up at her expectantly, waiting for a response.
"Well," she starts slowly, "I like it."
"Just like it? Bailey, you should love the dress. Meredith said.
"I agree with you, I like it, but I just don't know if I like it on you. It doesn't highlight your beauty." Callie said honestly.
After a moment she starts, "No. I don't love it. It just doesn't feel right." Miranda was really disappointed with the fact it didn't work.
"One more?" Everyone asked, desperate to find her something.
"One more." She confirmed
Miranda walked down the dress filled corridors, searching for the perfect dress. She groaned thinking about it "I already had the perfect dress. You can't find two perfect dresses." But she was sure that it couldn't be too hard. After a couple minutes, she found herself looking at so many dresses, she just grab the three that she considered trying on. When she reached Callie , a look of hope overcame her.
"I like that one in your hand." Miranda said pointing to dress in Callie's hand.
Miranda emerged five minutes later, fully dressed and a dopey sort of grin on her face. The dress fit perfectly. It didn't even need to be hemmed. It was tightly fitted around the middle, but not uncomfortably so. It was a Trumpet Mermaid Tulle Spaghetti Straps Sleeveless Sweep/Brush Train Applique. It was absolutely breathtaking. There was an elegant embroidery made with lace in the fabric.
Oh, Miranda …" Callie breathed, beaming at her friend.
"That's it." Arizona said nodding, looking over to Miranda to gauge her reaction.
This is it. This is…This is it." Miranda repeated, beaming despite the tears on her face.
"Your definitely pregnant, Bailey's crying." Meredith retorted.
"This is it." Callie said. Miranda glanced over her shoulder at one of the mirrors and watched as her reflection nodded. "This is it…"
"Emily this is the one." Miranda said smiling
Okay if you will undress I will get this rung up for you.
"we did good on time. Its only been an hour and 30 minutes." Arizona said checking her phone.
The four women made it back to the venue and rushed inside.
"You found another?" Elena said
"Yes mama. I love this one more than the other one."
Miranda got her makeup done and her hair taken down.
She walked into the restroom. Taking a box of pregnancy test with her. She need to do it now because alcohol was going go be served at the reception.
Miranda stared at the tiny pink plus in the window of the white plastic strip she held. She shook it like it was an Etch-A-Sketch and she could make the vertical line disappear.
She placed the pregnancy test on the edge of the sink, sitting down on the closed toilet seat and ran one hand through her hair. "This is a little earlier than expected. We didn't stick to the plan." Why did I let him touch me. You know why you let him touch you, he's freaking irresistible." Miranda wrestled through her head talking to herself. She got up slowly walking out closing the door behind her.
"Well." everyone said. When she walked out of the restroom.
"I'm pregnant." Miranda announced and squeals went off around the room.
The time of their wedding was deliberately set so that the beautiful amber and pink of the sky would flow in through the clear top tent. The beauty of the sunset would lead into a velvet evening.
Over 150 guests were seated under the clear top tent that was bathed in the lights. They had so many lights Miranda liked the idea of the lights representing a love like theirs lights the whole sky.
Her family , friends and coworkers all sat in anticipation of what was likely to be the most beautiful wedding.
There was a few taps on the door of the women's dressing area.
"Yes?" Elena asked tentatively.
"It's time," William said walking in.
"You ladies look astonishing," William said to Miranda's bridal party moving forward in order to see Miranda, who rose from her seat. Elena stood up next to her. "Miranda. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful bride. And I mean that."
Everyone nodded in agreement because she really was the most beautiful bride.
"Daddy you said that the last time." Miranda said laughing.
"I meant it then and I mean it now."
"Thank you," Miranda said to William, her eyes bright, her dimples showing, and her full lips curved in a smile that was huge.
After every one left and William turned to Miranda "I love you, baby girl" he said smiling Miranda whispered it back smiling in return. The two embraced in a tender hug, which lasted for at least a minute. Afterwards, they took their places, and waited until they heard the music from inside the venue began to play.
The wedding was over and it was time for the reception.
"Ladies and gentlemen." The DJ said through the microphone. "It is an honor to announce the bride and groom Benjamin and Miranda Warren!"
Miranda wrapped her fingers around Ben's hand and he responded by entwining his fingers with hers. Then with one great breath they pushed through the double doors and were swarmed by a mass of party guest. Everyone was clapping and letting them through until they reached the dance floor in the middle of the –now cleared out- room. Guest surrounded the large square wooden floor and slowly everyone quieted down as the orchestra began the slow melody of the song Forever by Jason Nelson.
"Miranda?" Ben asked softly in her ear. "May I have this dance?"
She smiled up at him. "Of course you may."
Placing both hands on her waist he pulled her into him. She let her arms rest around his neck and they moved slowly to the music. Small flashes were going off but they didn't care how many went off, it seem that time stopped.
"My sweet, beautiful, intelligent, wife." Ben said leaning his forehead against Miranda's. "You don't know how happy I am right now."
"Well I have some news." Miranda said looking up into his eyes.
"What?" Ben smiled.
"I'm pregnant." Miranda rushed out.
"What." Ben said shocked.
" pregnant. P-R-E-G-O."
In that moment Ben picked Miranda up spinning her around in the middle of the dance kissing her face and lips. Cluing in everyone who was in the dressing room with her that she told him.
"Were having a baby!" he whispered. Miranda nodded wildly.
"I love you." He grinned.
"I love you too." Miranda leaned in for a kiss.