Part 2

Meg's eyes opened slowly when the alarm went off. Pushing back the blanket, she sat up in bed. Her eyes fell of the plastic bag handing on the closet door. She climbed out of bed and walked over to the closet. Unzipping the bag, she pulled out the white dress and walked over to the mirror.

Holding the dress in front of her, she studied her reflection. She couldn't believe it. The day was finally here, she and Michael were getting married this afternoon. She turned away from the mirror when there was a knock on the door.

"Meg?"

"Its open."

The door opened and Roxanne stepped inside. She looked at the dress Meg was holding.

"Meg that dress is amazing." She said, "You're going to look so beautiful."

"Thanks Rox." She said walked over to the bed and laying the dress down.

Slowly she turned to Roxanne

"I can't believe today's the day." She said, "I'm getting married in 4 hours"

As soon as the words left her mouth, her face paled. Roxanne rushed over to her side.

"Meg what's wrong?"

"I…I'm getting…married." She whispered, "In…in 4 hours."

"I know."

"There's so much to do. What if I'm late, what if the flowers are late, what about the church, what if someone gets lost or if Michael doesn't show up."

Roxanne turned Meg so she was facing her.

"Meg calm down. Everything is going to be fine. Nothing bad is going to happen. We have everything set up."

"But…"

"Nothing is going to happen." Roxanne said, "Now why don't you go take a shower and get dressed. I'll make up something for breakfast."

"Rox, I don't think I can eat anything."

"You have to eat something." Roxanne said, "Then we can leave for the salon."

Meg started to open her mouth again but before she could say anything, Roxanne said

"I talked to you mom this morning. She, Patty and Beth are going to meet us there."

"Thanks Rox."

"What are best friends for."

Roxanne walked out of the room, leaving Meg in the bedroom.

******

20 minutes later, Meg walked into the kitchen, fully dressed with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Roxanne was talking on the phone, so she made her way over to the table. As she sat down, she saw a plate with some fruit and toast waiting for her.

She picked up the toast and began to eat. A few minutes later, Roxanne walked over and pulled out a chair across from Meg. She picked up a cup of coffee and took a sip. Meg looked at her.

"Aren't you eating?"

"I already did." She said, "Your mom, Patty and Beth are going to meet us at the salon."

"All right."

She finished the toast and began picking at the melon. After a few moments, she said

"Rox, I can't. I'm too nervous."

"All right. At least you have something in your stomach." Roxanne said, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"I'll get my keys."

"Okay."

Roxanne walked out, leaving Meg in the kitchen. Slowly Meg pushed her plate away. She stood up and walked over to the doorway. She stepped out just as Roxanne appeared.

"Ready?"

Meg nodded.

"Then let's go."

They walked out of the apartment and down the hall towards the exit leading to the lot. As they stepped outside, Roxanne said

"At least it's a nice day."

Meg looked up at the blue, cloudless sky and smiled. They made their way to Roxanne's car.

******

Roxanne pulled the car in front of the beauty salon and parked the car. They climbed out and made their way towards the door. When they stepped inside, they saw Helen, Patty and Beth sitting in the chairs waiting. Helen stood up as they stepped inside and walked over to them.

"We're all checked in. They were just waiting for you two before we went back." she said, "I'll let them know we're all here."

"Thank mom."

Helen walked over to the desk. She said something to the woman, then nodded. Turning to them, she said

"They're ready for us."

Patty and Beth stood up. The four of them walked over to where Helen was waiting. Then the five of them made their way into the back.

Soon Meg was seated in a chair with a woman her mom knew named Fran standing behind her.

"So today's the big day?"

"Yes."

Fran ran a brush through Meg's hair. They had already talked about how Meg was going to wear her hair, so all she had to do was sit back and relax. Fran began to separate Meg's hair into sections, then began to weave it into a french braid, while entwining pieces of white ribbon through the braid.

When she finished, she secured Meg's hair with some bobby pins. She tied a white ribbon that matched the ribbons entwined in the braid at the bottom of the braid.

"You're all done." She said

Meg slipped out of the chair and went to find Roxanne. As she rounded the corner, she found Roxanne witting on one of the chairs. The woman standing behind her was just finishing curling Roxanne's hair. Roxanne spun around in the chair.

"What do you think?"

"You look great Rox."

"So do you."

"Let's find my Mom."

They slowly made their was towards another part of the shop. Helen and Beth were sitting side by side. As Roxanne and Meg walked over, Helen said

"Meg…you look beautiful."

"Thanks mom."

"You really look nice Meg." Beth said

"Thanks Beth."

"Mom is it all right if Roxanne and I leave. We have some last minute things to do before going to the church."

"All right."

"Thanks."

They made their way through the shop and towards the exit. As they walked outside, Roxanne said

"What do we have to do?"

"I want to stop by the church."

"Meg we went over this already."

"Please Rox."

"All right."

They climbed into Roxanne's car, careful not to mess up their hair. As they drove through town, Meg stared out the window. She kept thinking about Michael, wondering what he was going right now.

Roxanne pulled into the parking lot for the church and parked the car. They climbed out of the car and made their towards the church. As they stepped inside, Meg looked around. Roxanne glanced around the church then turned to Meg.

"See I told you everything was fine."

"I know Rox. I just want everything to be perfect."

"So do you want to go back to the apartment. We should start getting ready."

Meg glanced at her watch and sat that they had about 2 1/2 hours until the ceremony.

"All right."

They made their way out of the church and got back in the car. As Roxanne drove back to the apartment, she kept up a stead stream of conversation. She pulled into the parking lot and parked her car. They climbed out of the car and made their way towards the apartment. As they stepped inside, they saw a bouquet of white roses sitting in front of the door. Roxanne picked them up and saw Meg's name on the envelope.

She handed Meg the roses and unlocked the door. As they stepped inside, Meg opened the envelope and pulled out a card. As she read it, Roxanne noticed a blush creep up on her cheeks. She knew that Michael had left the roses for Meg but she wasn't going to ask what was written on the card.

"Want me to put those in some water?"

"All right."

Meg handed Roxanne the flowers and slipped the card in her pocket.

"Why don't you get your things ready in the bedroom. I'll be there in a few minutes to help you start getting ready."

"All right."

Meg headed for the bedroom while Roxanne headed for the kitchen. Meg walked into the bedroom, stopping to look at her dress again. Then she headed for the dresser. She opened the drawer and pulled out a bag. Carrying it over to the closet, she grabbed her robe and walked out of the bedroom.

Meg walked back into the bedroom about 15 minutes later, wearing her robe. She set her clothes on the bed and walked over to the bed and picked up her dress. Carefully she undid the zipper on the dress and stepped into it. She pulled the dress up slowly and loosened her robe. Letting the robe slide to the floor, she slipped her arms through the arm holes and pulled the dress the rest of the way up.

"Meg?"

"Come in Rox."

The door opened and Roxanne stepped inside.

"Need some help."

"Please."

Roxanne walked over to her and carefully pulled the zipper up. Meg turned around, facing her friend.

"Meg you look… amazing."

"Thanks Rox." She said, then noticed Roxanne needed assistance, "Want me to zip you up."

"Please."

Roxanne turned around and Meg zipped up the dress. Roxanne turned around and Meg looked at her best friend. Meg smiled at her friend.

"Rox, the dress is perfect." She said, "I can't believe how great you look."

"Me…" Roxanne said, "Meg no one will be looking at me as soon as you step through that door."

Meg started to open her mouth when the phone rang. Roxanne walked out of the room and headed towards the kitchen. Meg walked over to the bed and picked up her vail. Walking over to the mirror, she gently placed it on her head, carefully securing the combs on either side into her hair. Roxanne walked into the room and couple minutes later and said

"That was your mom. They are getting ready to leave for the church."

Meg looked at the clock. She was amazed to see that the ceremony was less than an hour away. It seemed like she had only gotten home a few minutes earlier. Looking at Roxanne, she said

"Are you ready?"

"Yes. Are you?"

"I don't think I've ever been more ready in my life."

"Then Ms Pryor…let's get you to the church."