THE BRIDAL SHOWER
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Saturday January 11: The Roberts Home
"Mac, Do we have everything out on the table?" Harriet called from the kitchen.
"Everything but the cake." Mac replied.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Mac went to open it. Bobbie had finally arrived with the cake. She was breathless. "I can't tell you how awful the traffic was out there. Those people drive like maniacs. There ought to be a law…." She trailed off. The three women looked at each other and burst out laughing. The doorbell rang and this time Harriet went to open it. There were two women on the porch she didn't recognize. "May I help you?" Harriet asked politely.
"Are you Harriet?", the one with the brown hair and exotic good looks asked.
"Yes, and you are?"
"I'm Anna and this is Alyx. We're Simone's friends."
"Oh yes, of course. I'm sorry. Please come in." Harriet offered.
Harriet took their coats and made introductions. She looked at her watch, "Now all we need is the guest of honor. Mac, are you sure she doesn't know what's going on?" Harriet asked nervously.
"She has no idea" Mac replied. "Her head is in the clouds so she really thinks she's coming over just for a girl's lunch."
Alyx offered, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Harriet smiled, "No thanks. I think everything is ready. The lasagna is being kept warm in the oven. The salad is made. The champagne and sparkling cider are chilling and the cake is in the fridge."
The girls went to the living room to chat and wait for Simone to arrive. Bobbie asked, "How do you both know Simone?"
Alyx began, "I've known Simone since we were freshmen in high school."
Anna told them, "She and I met at the party of a mutual friend. We clicked and went out to lunch."
Bobbie continued her line of questioning, "Anna, I'm sure I've seen you before. Haven't you been dating Clayton Webb?"
Anna smiled the smile of a woman in love, "Yes, we've been together for a few months now."
"And you Alyx? Are you seeing anyone?" Bobbie prodded.
"No, I just moved here and haven't met many people yet. Simone promised to introduce me to some of her friends."
Bobbie thought for a minute. Who did she know that was single? Ever since she and Sturgis had gotten engaged, she wanted everyone to be as happy as they were. Before she could suggest anyone in particular, the doorbell rang. Harriet looked out the window and spotted Simone's car. She opened the door and the girls chorused, "Surprise!" Simone walked into a living room decorated for a bridal shower.
She sputtered, "How, when?" The girls walked over and hugged her.
Harriet told her, "It wasn't easy. You kept catching us planning."
Simone grinned, "I guess I've been a bit oblivious lately. What smells so amazing?"
Mac said, "It's lasagna. We also have a huge garden salad, a plate of fruit and vegetables and cake. "
"Don't forget this" Bobbie called out as she walked in with the bottles of champagne and cider. She poured a glass for everyone and made a toast. "To Simone and Victor. May you have a long, happy marriage blessed with love, children and lots of passion!" Simone blushed thinking of just how passionate Victor could be.
They raised their glasses and Mac said, "I'm starving. Let's eat!"
The girls ate and laughed their way through lunch. Harriet said, "Let's open presents before we cut the cake." The girls picked up their drinks and headed for the living room. Simone sat next to Mac on the couch and Bobbie handed her the first present. She opened the card and found that it was from Mac. Simone opened the box and pulled the tissue paper back gently. Inside was a slip of lace that was just barely going to cover the necessities. Simone turned about four shades of red and it sent the girls into a fit of giggles. Next came a box from Bobbie. It was a pair of dice. The dice gave things to do and in which varying stages of undress to do them in for the honeymoon. They rolled the dice once to see what came up. The girls crowded around the table to look and howled with laughter when they read the dice. Harriet took control, "Ok, ladies", she said primly "Let her open the rest of them." The next present was from Harriet. Like Mac, she had found something lacy. This one was long and the most incredible shade of purple. Harriet innocently asked, "Didn't you say that Gunny liked seeing you in purple?" The next gift was from Anna. It was a white peignoir and matching robe. "Anna, this is beautiful, thank you" Simone said warmly. The final gift was from Alyx. Simone opened the bag and found more beautiful lacy pieces for her honeymoon.
Simone looked at her friends and said, "Thank you for this. It was hard for me to leave my friends in Arizona" She squeezed Alyx's hand. "I am so happy to have made friends with such a group of amazing women." Simone lifted her champagne flute and said, "Here's to you. You are the best!" Harriet, already weepy and hormonal from being pregnant, said through her misty eyes, "Let's have cake." Everyone except Alyx and Simone went into the kitchen. Simone looked at Alyx and said, "I'm glad we have this moment alone. You are my best friend and I would be thrilled if you would be my maid of honor."
Alyx hugged her friend and said, "I would love to be your maid of honor. It will be my privilege."
The girls brought out plates and the girls feasted on red velvet cake. They lost track of time because the doorbell rang in the middle of a discussion. Simone said, "You all sit. I'll get it."
She opened the door and said, "Hi honey. Jason, I didn't know you were coming too."
She led them into the living room there was a spark in the air. Jason locked eyes with Alyx and was momentarily robbed of the power of breathing. Simone and Bobbie saw the look that passed between them. Simone quickly jumped in, "Alyx, this is Jason. It's actually great that he's here to meet you. He's the best man in the wedding so you two will be walking together." Gunny called Tiner's attention away and Alyx looked at Simone mouthing, "He's so cute."
Gunny cleared his throat, "Sorry to break up your party ladies but I need to steal Simone away. We have to go pick out rings. Alyx, why don't you come with us and we'll drop you off." Gunny hadn't missed the look between Tiner and Alyx either.
Alyx tried to keep her voice level, "That would be great, thanks." Simone gathered her presents into one of the bigger bags and headed out the door with Gunny. He tried to peek in the bag but she swatted his hand and said, "You'll see these things on the honeymoon."
Gunny turned back and said, "Thank you ladies" and grinned that devastating grin of his. Tiner held the door for Alyx saying, "After you."
"Thank you" Alyx said shyly.
Harriet closed the door behind them and Bobbie said, "I think this may be the start of another beautiful relationship."
