A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS A LITTLE SILLY, BUT IT IS NEEDED TO EXPLAIN A SECONDARY STORYLINE. IT SEEMS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE M.E.'S IS SMITTEN WITH A SWEET LITTLE FARM GIRL FROM WISCONSIN (wink, wink). PLEASE R&R, YOUR COMMENTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. UNFORTUNATLY, THE CHARACTERS DON'T BELONG TO ME.
CHAPTER 3: PLAYING DRESSUP
The weather was overcast that Tuesday morning. Woody and Jordan were meeting with Paul at St. Inez before they had to go to work that afternoon. Lily had an appointment with the florist to confirm the flower arrangements, bouquets, and centerpieces for Saturday. Nigel had an appointment with his friend Bruce, the photographer and Bruce's assistant Dave, the videographer. Nigel had planned to make a special video collage with pictures of Woody and Jordan, set to music for the wedding, and he needed a new piece of equipment. Because the photography store was right down the street from the bridal shop, Nigel offered to take Dolly for her dress fitting, Woody, Jordan and Lily would meet them there when they were done with their errands.
After the meeting with Bruce, Nigel and Dolly decided to walk to the bridal shop, five store fronts down. Dolly was very quiet until they passed a little fashion boutique, a leather hand bag had caught her eye. "Ooh.", she said to herself. It was just starting to rain. Nigel saw the look on her face, "Fancy a look inside, Luv? I know the owner.", he commented with a smile. "Well it's either that or stand under this awning until the rain stops.", Dolly sweetly replied, opening the door.
As they entered, an older lady from behind the counter called out, "Nigel darling, how are you?",she asked, kissing him on both cheeks. "Fine, just fine Mimi, dear.", Nigel responded, blushing a little. "Does this pretty little thing belong to you.", Mimi asked, extending her hand to Dolly. " No, I'm Dolly Hoyt, Nigel here is my escort for my cousins wedding on Saturday. We were on our way to get my dress.", Dolly explained. "Well then you're in luck, I have hundreds of dresses.", Mimi pointed out, waiving her hand at the racks. "Oh no Ma'am, my cousins fiancee already picked out a dress at the bridal boutique down the street. We were just waiting for them when I saw this handbag…..", Dolly rambled. "Well then, you'll have time to try some on.", Mimi cut in, showing Dolly to the fitting room.
Woody and Jordan found a parking spot right in front of the little boutique, just as Lily pulled up, two cars in front of them. "I'll see if they're still in here", Lily called as she made her way to the bridal salon. Just then Woody caught a glimpse of someone in the store window. "Hey Jordan, is that Nigel?", Woody asked. "Yeah, I think so.", she said, squinting. "What the hell is he doing in there? And where's Dolly?", his voice raising. Lily ran back to the car and opened the passenger side door, "They're not here.", she exclaimed. "No, they're in there.", Jordan pointed. "Madam Mimi's?", Lily asked inquisitivly, her mouth falling open. "Let's go.", Woody ordered hastily, grabbing his crutches. "Wait Woody.", Lily demanded, helping him up. "Be careful Woody, the ground is wet.", Jordan added coming around to the passenger side.
"Hey guys, I think we found the perfect dress.", Nigel said smiling at his friends as they walked in. "Alright Luv, come out now.", Nigel added. "Um Nigel, I really don't think this is what Jordan had in mind.", Dolly whispered from the dressing room. "She's here now, ask her yourself.", Nigel replied. "Okay, here goes. Well what do you think?", she asked holding her arms out. "Whoa.", Jordan exclaimed. "Nigel.", Lily scolded. "No.. no, no, no.", Woody yelled. "What, you don't like it Woodrow?", Nigel asked, admiring the hot pink, strapless, leather mini-dress Dolly was wearing. "Please, someone cover her up.", Woody said looking away. Nigel put a black feather boa around Dolly's shoulders, "Doesn't she look smashing?", he asked. "Yeah great Nige, if she were a hooker.", Woody growled under his breath. "Dolly, we should get going to the bridal salon.", Lily stated, pushing Dolly back into the dressing room. "Thanks for all of your help Nige, but Dolly already has a dress on hold.", Jordan said trying hard not to laugh at Dolly's 'costume' or Woody's flushed face.
Nigel and Lily walked ahead of the others. Dolly made her way, slowly, next to her cousin "Sorry Woody, I saw a handbag in the window, then it started to we rain, so we went in and….", Dolly went on. "It's okay Dolly, I'm not mad at you.", Woody smiled. "Then your not mad at Nigel either?", she questioned. "No, I'm not mad at Nigel.", Woody shook his head. "Good. You know, I kinda felt pretty in that dress. I've never worn anything like it.", she stated happily. "You looked very nice in that dress, Dolly.", Jordan agreed. "It was too short.", Woody mumbled. Dolly gave him the famous Hoyt grimace. Then kissed him on the cheek," I love you,Woody.", she called out as she caught up with Nigel and Lily. Woody stoped and turned to Jordan, she put her arm around his waist, "Everything will be perfect, don't worry.", she tried to reassure him with a soft squeeze. "We should have eloped, you know.", hesaid with a chuckle. "Well, you're the one who wanted a traditional wedding.", she stated with a laugh as she held the door open to bridal salon.