Chapter 21

Author's Note: For all who have been sweet enough to ask… I found out late Saturday night that I have passed all of my classes this semester and I officially have my BSN and am a Graduate Nurse. Now on to all of the fun things… like studying for boards… and passing. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's a lot fluffy, but it's time for some female bonding.

Taylor stared at her IPhone as Siri gave a list of three bridal shops in the area. She was already counting out David's Bridal because she had heard nothing but bad things about it. Kaitlyn had a notebook out and was writing things in it.

"There are two on East Oak, Belle Vie Bridal and Ultimate Bride," Taylor informed Kaitlyn. "I'm checking the reviews right now, but they both require an appointment."

Kaitlyn nodded. "I didn't think of that… I just assumed you walked into a bridal shop, and…. "

"Yeah, me too. Of course, we could always try to get in without an appointment."

Kaitlyn giggled. "You are so bad."

"Hey, my money spends just like everyone else's. If they're that desperate to sell a dress or two, they'll let us in."

"True," Kaitlyn agreed as she picked through her salad looking for more chicken. "Guys are so lucky. All they do is go to the tuxedo shop and say I need a tux and they're in and out in half an hour."

"Sucks, doesn't it? I don't think Joe's even thought about a tux, let alone what color."

"If I had my way, we'd have a western wedding. I saw a really cute dress that would go really well with cowboy boots and a hat. It wasn't all frills and lace, but it was really adorable. But, I can't see Jeff in cowboy boots or a hat, so that's out."

"Kaitlyn, it's your wedding. You should have what you want. If you ask Jeff and present it to him, he just might go along with it."

"True," Kaitlyn agreed. "And we could always have a military wedding."

"You could," Taylor agreed. "As could I."

"You served?" Kaitlyn asked.

"US Navy. Eight years."

"My twin is a Navy doctor. She's at Bethesda."

"Good hospital," Taylor said as she sipped her iced tea. "One of the best military hospitals in the country. I was stationed at NH Naples and NRMC San Diego."

"Ooooh, Italy! I've always wanted to go there! What's it like?"

"It's very romantic. And the men- " she broke off. "Oooh, la la! They love blondes."

"Every European country loves blondes."

Taylor laughed. "Because they have so few over there. Unless you're in Northern Italy or Sweden."

"True. Sweden has a lot of blondes."

"Where were you stationed?" Taylor asked.

"Hickam mostly. I was deployed to Germany and Afghanistan." She shook her head. "Not pretty."

"I can imagine. Especially being female, military, and educated."

"It was rough," Kaitlyn said.

"But I'm sure Hickam was paradise."

"Not bad, but expensive as hell. I don't know how anyone can afford to live there."

"San Diego is the same way. For it being an old Navy town, it sure is outrageous to live there. But, I'll trade the high rent for a surfboard and the beach any day." She sighed. "I miss California some days."

"I miss Hawaii too. Especially during the winters here."

"You get used to them."

The waitress made a trip over and asked if they needed anything else. Both declined dessert. "Gotta fit into the wedding dresses," they said in unison before dissolving into giggles.