Chapter 20
The only alteration the dress needed was in the length. It was about four inches too long. Cassie told the girl she would bring in the shoes she would wear with it tomorrow so it could be hemmed to the right length.
"So you are buying the dress?" the girl asked in surprise.
"Yes I am," Cassie told her. "I know you haven't priced it yet because it was in the trunk but I will put down a deposit and be back tomorrow to pick it up."
"Ummmm okay," the girl said taking Cassie's check and then helping her to take the dress off.
"How would you like to pick up some fancy ice cream and we could have a Sundae bar when we get home," Cassie suggested.
"That sounds great mom! Do you know what AJ's favorite flavor of ice cream is?" Grace asked eagerly.
"I don't, sweetie but I am really glad that you like AJ."
"He's really neat mom, and I'm glad that you found someone like him to love. I really loved daddy but you are too young to be all alone, and if AJ isn't good to you I will make sure that he answered to me!" Grace stated in all seriousness.
"Thank you Grace. I am sure that AJ will be very good to me. He is a kind and gentle man and he certainly does like you."
"Brandon seems to like him too. I wonder if Lori will?"
"I guess we will have to see, won't we? Now lets get that ice cream."
"Should we call AJ and ask him what he likes?"
"We could but then it wouldn't be a surprise. How about if we just get a good vanity and hope we get something he likes."
"Okay! Can we get mint chocolate chip?"
"Oh I don't think so, no one really likes that!" Cassie's smile was very tongue in cheek.
"Mom! You know it's my favorite!"
"Yes I know you silly goose. I'm not so old that I can't remember your favorite foods."
"I'm sorry mom. You're so good at keeping a straight face that I can't tell when you're teasing me. At least with AJ he has that cute twinkle in his eyes that he can't seem to hide."
"I'm going to have to tell him that you think his twinkle is cute."
"Oh mom!"
They returned to Grayhouse with the ice cream and a jar of marachino cherries because Grace was sure they were out of them. Everyone gathered around when word got out that there was going to be a Sundae bar.
The evening was a great success and ended with a rousing game of charades. Brandon and Grace were not happy to be on the loosing team, but they did get a kick out of seeing the delight on Cassie and AJ's face when they pulled out the win by one point!
Cassie and Grace talked about finding their dresses that evening and it caused AJ to ask Cassie, "I have a good suit with me, the one I wore to Mac and Harm's vow renewal. Would that be alright to get married in or would you perfer I get a new one or even my dress uniform if you'd like?"
"The suit you have here is fine, my love. I thought you looked very handsome in it."
"I don't know about that but if you liked the suit then that is fine with me. Oh I hadn't had the time to tell you yet but Mayor Tinsdale came into the shop after you left and I asked her if she would perform the ceremony on Saturday. She said that she would be more than happy to do so.
"Oh good, one more thing to check off the list. Stephanie is also on board with doing the catering. The garden is full of flowers and on Friday I'll make a cake for us. Is there anything I've forgotten?"
"We could use your sound system again for the music, but I think that's it," he replied.
To Be Continued…