Bride and Prejudice: Girls Day Out
by tarskeewee08
Evangeline opened her eyes certain she heard knocking. She was in the bed by herself and before she could register where her man was she heard it again…
KNOCKKNOCK
"Come in" she said
groggily
The door pushed open with Layla and Ming peeking inside.
Evangeline held her sheet close to her chest to cover her nakedness
"What's going on?"
"Girl it's after 10 in the morning what are you waiting on? Get up!" Ming said closing the door
Layla came to the bed and plopped down "Are you naked
under there?" she asked pulling at the sheet laughing.
"Stop
it!" Evangeline snapped pulling her sheet
Ming laughed "Why
are you sleeping so late? Pregnant?"
Evangeline cut her eyes
"No! I'll have you two know I had a long night? Where is
John?"
"Gone to play Polo with the guys." Ming said
smiling
"In the snow?" Evangeline said frowning.
"They
have an enclosed arena at the country club…or some exclusive place.
That's what I heard his father say" Layla said falling back on
the bed. "This mattress is more comfortable than mine!" she
whined
"Will you two get out and I will get dressed."
Ming went over to the chair and got her robe bringing it back to
bed. "You take to long on your own. We aren't leaving until you
are with us. So get up!"
Evangeline took her robe and
slipped it on. "Fine!"
Layla laughed as they watched
Evangeline storm into the bathroom. Ming sat down on the bed swinging
her feet. "So where should we go first?"
"Some where for a
traditional Irish breakfast."
"We can go to 'Chapter One'
it's under the basement of the Dublin's Writers Museum. They have
the best sausage, black pudding and potatoes."
"Sounds a
little haughty to me" Layla said sucking her teeth
"Its private and the dining areas are exclusive. I think we should eat there first before hitting Grafton Street" Ming said nonchalantly.
"Fine, I'm going to go and get Marcie and the baby. Make sure Van hurries up!" Layla said rising off the bed and racing out of the room.
Evangeline appeared from out of the bathroom in her robe heading to the closet. Ming watched her pick out her clothes and smiled at her friend. She couldn't believe it had been 14 years before they were reunited. "Its cold out that brown one looks nice" Ming said
Evangeline smiled and pulled
out the chocolate pant suit getting a ice blue blouse to wear
underneath. "I think you're right"
"So things are good
with you and our prince?"
Evangeline nodded taking a seat
and lotioning her legs. "He is so wonderful Ming, I think I love
him more each day"
"You know it's all you and your influence
Van."
"No, its John….he's such a romantic. Guess where he
wants to get married?"
Ming looked at her curious "Where?"
"The
Fitzgerald Castle in Cambridge"
"Van, that's a marvelous
idea!"
Evangeline grinned "I think so too…."
"What
about his mother?"
Evangeline's smile faded "She's still refusing to recognize us as a couple and I think John has come to terms with her possibly not being in our lives."
"Well that's a good thing in my opinion! Personally I can't stand the bitch and I saw the days of Caitlyn and Carla, trust me the John with you is a whole lot better"
Evangeline frowned "Was he that
bad?"
Ming cut her eyes away. "I didn't give a flip about
Carla or the others but yeah he was pretty cold to sweet Katie"
Evangeline sighed "I wish he didn't have that history with
her. It keeps him haunted even now Ming."
Ming nodded "I know,
but like I said I have never seen him this happy since we were all in
school. He really is renewed in your love for him. Just don't let
that evil bitch come between you two."
Evangeline rose and started putting on her clothes "That won't be a problem. Eve McBain is no threat to me and John."
Riding in the limo Layla kept looking back at the van that seemed to trail them since the left the Palace.
"Why do you keep looking back
out the window Layla?" Marcie asked confused and handing Chelsea
her pacifier.
"I don't know but that van has been behind us
for the past 15 minutes"
Ming looked back at the plain unmarked
van. "Let the games begin!"
"Guys you promised. If
there is any press ignore them. We won't give them the satisfaction
agreed?" Evangeline asked looking at her two trouble
makers.
"Agreed" they said innocently.
The car stopped at the Writers Museum and the driver opened the door. Evangeline stood on the sidewalk in the chilly morning air looking at the old three story buildings that housed galleries and some apartment homes. The driver was helping Marcie get the baby as Layla and Ming came up on the side of her looking at the building.
"This place is
lovely" Evangeline said smiling
"Wait until you taste the
food" Ming said grinning
Before anyone else could respond two paparazzi leaped out of the white van and raced toward them. Layla spotted them coming first "What the hell?"
The ladies turned as the men started flashing their cameras in their faces. Marcie holding the baby gasped surprised as one of the photographers pushed her to get closer into Evangeline's face.
Ming shoved the guy "Have you lost your bloody mind!" she yelled.
Evangeline completely shocked put her hand to her forehead pushing her hair from her face watching them dumbfounded. Layla turned on the cameramen. "Back off!" she snapped.
"Who
the blimey hell are you!" One photographer said frowning at her.
"Come on everybody!" Evangeline said grabbing Marcie's arm
and pulling her down the stairs into the museum.
Layla stepped up
in the photographers face "I'm your worst nightmare asshole if
you don't back off!"
Ming grabbed her arm and pulled her
away. Layla looked back angrily and the photographer snapped her
picture grinning.
Once inside the restaurant Layla saw the
angry look on Evangeline's face as she paced running her hand
through her hair. Ming spoke first "Van, they pushed Marcie and the
baby!"
"Enough guys, no more of the sidewalk arguments or we
call it off and go back to the Palace!"
Marcie smiled at Ming
"Thank you Ming"
"No problem sweetie.." Ming said touching
Chelsea's cheek.
"Let's go eat!" Layla said brushing off
Evangeline's warning.
They went into the dining area and many turned and stared at them. Evangeline knew immediately that she was recognized and tried to smile in the frowning faces. Layla however shot back just as many nasty look at the patrons that shot them at her. Finally arriving in the private dinning area they were seated and Evangeline sighed realizing that Layla was right.
"This
is beginning to piss me off!" Layla mumbled
Evangeline looked up
at her from her menu but decided to let the comment slide
Ming
looked over her shoulder out of the dinning door to see people
staring. A woman got up from her table and headed toward them. "What
the hell does she want?"
Everyone looked up as the woman stepped in. She smiled sweetly and looked at Evangeline. "Excuse me Ms. Williamson but can I take your picture?"
Evangeline
blinked in surprise "What?"
Marcie laughed "You're a
celebrity Evangeline, she wants your picture. Don't take it though
it's worth money." She warned.
"That's right Van, it'll
be in the London Inquisitor before the week is out!"
"Nonsense!"
Evangeline said "Sure you can take my picture."
The lady gave
her camera to Layla who looked at her like she was crazy refusing to
take it. Marcie sighed passing Chelsea to Ming then reaching and
taking the camera. Evangeline moved over in her seat as the woman
leaned over her shoulder and Marcie snapped her picture.
"Merci,
and I'm so excited about you becoming our princess." The woman
said kissing her on the cheek. It was evident that she must a French
tourist and that's why she wanted the picture.
"Oh that's
so sweet" Evangeline said smiling "Thank you, enjoy your
breakfast"
Evangeline looked up to see Ming and Layla
glaring after the woman. "What is wrong with you two now!"
"Van,
sweetie you can't just take pictures with people on the street."
Ming said
"Of course I can, wasn't it you that said I am to be
just me!"
"Well the real you wouldn't be asked to take
pictures with strangers" Layla said disapprovingly.
Marcie balanced the baby on her lap and shook her head sadly "Evangeline they are right, the British press is brutal. Your wedding will be International news. Do you know that a picture of Brad and Angelina together gets a photographer 2 million now?"
Evangeline laughed "That is just plain ridiculous and I'm not Brad or Angelina."
"Doesn't matter sis, no more pictures. Get yourself a PR person and let them school you on the tricks of the trade around here. Don't let these people take advantage of your kindness"
"Okay enough of this….let's order"
Evangeline said tired of the argument.
The girls ordered and
enjoyed their breakfast talking about the different ways to decorate
the castle. Evangeline said she didn't want a traditional
Cinderella gown but they all insisted that she should wear one. It
was a marriage in a castle for god sake. Finally relenting she agreed
to consider it if she didn't find something more appealing in the
shopping district today.
Ming spoke of her wedding to Sam. Evangeline knew that Sam was from Dublin with Mike and John but she had no idea that they got married here in Dublin. Ming said that the damn gown almost swallowed her whole and she looked ridiculous. She tried to tell her mother in law that a 5 foot Asian woman in a ballooned out ball gown looked ridiculous but they all insisted.
Evangeline felt a pang of guilt for not being at the wedding, and was surprised to here that Caitlyn was a bridesmaid. Ming tried to downplay it but Evangeline was beginning to understand that Ming and Caitlyn were pretty close. Somehow she just didn't like it.
Finishing their meal they paid the tab and called the driver. As they exited the restaurant many people spoke politely and some of the glares just turned into friendly stares. Evangeline felt a wave of relief. She didn't want to set Ming and her sister off again and she really wanted to be accepted in Dublin. She wanted to make John proud of her.
Going to the car the paparazzi took her picture at a respectful distance and all of them tried to ignore it. Evangeline thought it best to call it a day but the girls insisted on going to Grafton Street to look at gowns.
"I just don't
think it's a good idea guys. We will be out in the open and you see
what happened at breakfast"
"I agree with Van." Marcie said
quickly
Ming shook her head "You two have every right to be
out and enjoying the city what is wrong with you guys?"
Marcie
looked away "Our husbands have reputations that we must protect
Ming."
"Oh bullshit!" Ming snapped "This isn't the dark
ages, shopping with regular folks is not going to harm either of
their reputations!"
"Ming stop it Marcie is right…We
have to consider all things"
John was doing great things with
the foundation. He hasn't once said anything to her about
appearances but she wanted to keep the McBain reputation in tact. She
didn't know how it will be received her strolling the shopping
district of Dublin.
"If it gets out of hand we leave…okay?"
Evangeline asked everyone to stop the pouting and frowns of her
sister and best friend.
Layla smiled "Deal"
Ming nodded
"Okay"
Marcie laughed "Whatever guys…"
The car pulled up to the opening of the shopping area and they all piled out. Marcie got the baby stroller and Evangeline saw that the van was nowhere in sight. She sighed. They all walked inside and most people paid them little mind. A few offered her congratulations and they all began to relax.
Finding a bridal boutique Layla got all
excited "Oooh! Here we go Van!"
Ming grabbed her arm and
pulled her inside. The owner of the boutique came over wide eyed. "My
god! Welcome….it is you?"
Evangeline blushed and Ming let her
go putting her hand on her hip "Of course it is and she would like
to give you the honor of helping her select a dress."
The woman couldn't hide her excitement. She cleared the boutique of all her customers and had her assistant go in the back to get some gowns. Marcie went and sat on the purple velvet bench and Ming took Chelsea out of the stroller placing her on her hip. Evangeline and Layla checked the racks and found the perfect dresses for her to try on.
The girls waited patiently while Evangeline tried on the first two coming out the back modeling them both. She was gorgeous of course but the dresses as Layla put it "Didn't have pazazz!"
Evangeline laughed and tried on an off shoulder halter Cinderella gown with beading around the bust. The dress was classic but the sparkle from the light made them all drool over its elegance!
"I love it Van!" Ming exclaimed as Chelsea grinned and
clapped her hands.
Layla laughed "Well if Chelsea likes it then
it must be a winner."
"It's so beautiful Evangeline"
Marcie said rising from the bench and going over to inspect it
closely.
The owner of the boutique said she designed it herself and every bead and jewel was sewn in by hand. Layla looked at her sister "You are going to make me cry."
Before she could say anything the door flung open and three photographers stormed in flashing their bright bulbs. The owner screamed and Evangeline looked at them shocked.
Ming gave the baby to Marcie and she and Layla charged them "Get the hell out!" Ming shouted as the owner ran behind the counter to call the police. Evangeline turned to go to the dressing room and the big burly photographer pushed Ming down racing toward her and blocking her way.
Layla freaked and attacked the man hitting him across the head hard with her Louis Vutton bag. The photographer dropped his camera cracking the bulb and he turned on Layla shoving her. Ming got up from the ground and jumped on his back pounding on his face, as the other two photographers snapped pictures.
Layla kicked the man in the nuts causing him to bend over with Ming still attacking him while riding on his back. Layla then went after the other two camera men.
Evangeline still in the wedding gown saw everything spiraling out of control and panicked "Layla! Stop…..guys please calm down!" she said tears coming to her eyes. Chelsea burst into tears and Marcie backed into a corner trying to calm her baby.
Layla snatched the camera from one of the camera men and they tussled over it as the other photographer snapped pictures of the fight. Ming was on top of the fallen guy that pushed her pounding away at him as he held his nuts screaming.
Evangeline not knowing what to do to calm them all down ran to her sister and grabbed her arm trying to make her stop causing all three of them to fall to the ground breaking this camera as well. The door opened and three officers came rushing in.
"Alright break it up!" The police yelled grabbing Evangeline and Layla off the ground. The other officer pulled Ming off the screaming man. "That's it I said break it up!" the officer yelled as Ming so angry now and cursing in her native tongue she swung wildly at the officer holding her.
The boutique owner came around crying saying the men attacked the ladies but the Paparazzi showed their broken cameras as proof that they were attacked. The police looked over Evangeline and smirked to each other, announcing they were all going to jail.
Evangeline's eyes got wide. "No, wait I can explain" she said but the officer bent her arm behind her back and put handcuffs on her.
"You fucking asshole don't you hurt my sister!" Layla screamed and the other officer told her to 'shut up' pushing her against the wall and handcuffing her.
Marcie covered her mouth crying and the one photographer left standing snapped pictures of the arrest. The girls were dragged out with Evangeline in a wedding dress crying. Marcie ran after them saying she would call the guys for help. Evangeline was humiliated but Ming and Layla were screaming and kicking as they were piled into a police car in front of a large crowd.
