As always, thanks to Iris, Pattinlethr, SparklyMeg and MidnightCougar for their help. You girls are amazeballs.
Chapter 12
From: Tanya M. Turner
To: Isabella Swan
CC: Edward Cullen
Time: 5:17 a.m.
Re: Turner/Cullen Wedding
Bella,
Thank you for sending the schedule. I've spent some time looking through it, and I have a few questions. Is the timeline definite? I don't think you've allowed enough time for photos. I feel I should remind you that the press will be there taking photos, and we're possibly getting a magazine deal. I don't want to feel rushed. Is there anything we can do here? The timing for the dinner service also seems rushed. Is this correct or a mistake on your part? I'm happy with the reception time.
I received the photos Edward took, and I'd like to confirm the roses. I want big centerpiece arrangements for each table. I've attached a picture of the closest style and size I could find. Picture this but taller. Can your florist do this? We'll also have roses in the bridal arrangement and for each of the bridesmaids, as they'll work well with my dress and the silver bridesmaids dresses. What do you think?
Have you arranged a day/time for you to try on the bridesmaid dress? I'm home on Sunday, and I'd like to see this before I arrive. Can you also let me know how much time you have available for an appointment or two? I'd like to speak with the hotel, have the menu tasting, and check the dresses before I have to fly out again.
Edward, my flight gets in at 10 p.m. If you can't pick me up, please arrange for a car to collect me.
Many thanks,
Tanya
ooOoo
I scowl as Jess arrives to the office. The scowl has nothing to do with her and everything to do with the bitchy email I woke up to. I've been on the receiving end of emails like this — and worse — but for some reason, this has me wound up more than usual.
"You're late," I snap, harsher than I intended.
She stands in my office doorway, a shocked expression on her face. She looks at her watch and back at me.
"By less than five minutes. That's never mattered before. You know I get stuck in traffic, and I more than make up that time."
I sigh, leaning my elbows on my desk and rubbing my head with my hands.
"What's with the 'tude? Why so snappy?" Her tone is more amused than annoyed.
I lean back in my seat and smile softly at her. "I'm sorry. That wasn't aimed at you. It was aimed at this." I point to the screen.
Jess comes around to my side of the desk so she can read the email I still have open.
"Okay. I'll admit it's a bit bitchy, but you've dealt with worse." She scrolls back to see who the sender is and rolls her eyes. "So, Miss Tanya's true colors are starting to show."
"Jess! Look how many times she says 'I' in that email. She's more worried about what people think and how she looks. There's nothing in that email about Edward. She's just made all the decisions for him. And she's doubting my work, like I couldn't do a wedding schedule properly."
"Huh."
"Huh what?"
"Is this more to do with who sent the email rather than what it says?"
"Maybe…"
"Sweetie, I thought we agreed he's an asshole?"
I groan. "We did."
She sits on the corner of my desk. "So why does this bother you so much?"
"I don't know."
I do know, though. Last night changed my mind.
She rubs my shoulder but doesn't say anything. There's nothing she can say that she hasn't already told me before. My head understands; my heart's just a little late to the party.
"Well, bridezilla clearly has some issues. Are we dealing with her first?"
I nod. "Yes. Can you check the schedule for me? I've read it over so many times that I can't see much room for moving anything. The only thing I can think of is making her ceremony slightly earlier. She's right; if we can allocate more time for photos, it'd be good, especially since so many eyes will be on this wedding. Can you double check for me?"
She nods. "Sure. What's this bit here? About bridesmaids dresses?"
I roll my eyes. "She wants me to try one on and send a photo, but I shouldn't be offended if it doesn't fit 'since they're meant for models.'"
"She said that to you?"
"Yep."
"What a—"
"I know." I shrug. "It's fine. I like being able to eat burgers and drink wine and margaritas when we go out. You know I'd never last on rabbit food."
She grins. "Oh, I know."
"Will you come with me? I don't really want it to just be me and Edward. Not after—"
"After...?"
I choke out a laugh. "I'll tell you at lunch. Just know that I'll be scheduling an appointment to try the dress on and you're coming with me."
She smiles. "Of course. As a colleague or as a friend?"
"A friend."
ooOoo
Later that morning, I arrange an appointment with the bridal shop for Friday afternoon. That gives me enough time to try on the dress, send the photos to Tanya, and still leave her with enough time to look them over before she returns home.
"Jess, keep the rest of the day clear, and you can just go home after the appointment."
"You sure? Remember, I'm not in this Saturday."
"Yeah. Like you so kindly reminded me this morning, you've more than made up your time this week."
She grins at me. "You know I was just messing with you."
"I know. I deserved that reminder, though."
"Do we need to do anything more with Tanya today?"
I shake my head. "No. I'm working on her email now and will send it tonight before I leave. I want to spend the afternoon focusing on Victoria and James. Their wedding's only two weeks after Tanya and Edward's, and we really need to get them up to speed with things."
"Right. I actually have their file here. Want me to contact them about their menu tasting? It has a note that we're to contact them in the new year with the new menus from the hotel."
I take the file from her and quickly read it over. "Yes, please. They also don't have anything planned for drinks and hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour, so mention that, too. That'll hopefully get things moving."
"On it. I'm also clearing some space in your afternoon today so we can discuss what you almost spilled about Edward. Don't think for a minute I'd forget that."
I roll my eyes and focus back on my work as she leaves my office.
"Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
ooOoo
From: Isabella Swan
To: Tanya M. Turner
CC: Edward Cullen
Time: 6:32 p.m.
Re: Turner/Cullen Wedding
Dear Tanya,
Apologies for the delay in replying to your queries. I wanted to make sure I had everything before emailing you back.
With regard to the schedule, please find the amended copy attached. There are several alternatives I've highlighted. Please read through them and let me know. I agree that you may need more time for photos, so my best suggestion is to make the ceremony earlier, even it's just by an hour. You'll feel less rushed and pushed for time. Please let me know what you think.
For the service time of the meal, I've actually overestimated the time. The hotel staff's very efficient, but I would rather overestimate and finish early than underestimate and risk you running over time.
I've also arranged an appointment at the bridal shop for Friday afternoon. I'll try on the dress as requested, and Edward can then email you the photos. The shop will be able to cover the fact that the dress won't fit, so you hopefully won't notice this in the pictures.
I know you're arriving home late on Sunday and will most likely have jet lag on Monday, so if you'd like to meet up, I'm free on Tuesday afternoon after 2:00.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Bella
I re-read the email several times before hitting send, making sure I've taken any bitchiness out. It's not her fault I'm crushing on the groom.
Before I can shut down my computer, Edward replies to my email.
From: Edward Cullen
To: Isabella Swan
Time: 6:32 p.m.
Bella,
The dress will look one hundred times better on you than on some model who hasn't had a chili cheese dog with onions and mustard in years, if ever.
Looking forward to seeing you on Friday.
Edward
I try to fight it, but the grin stays on my face for the rest of the evening.
ooOoo
Thank you for reading, see you next Sunday!
Fic Rec: The Monster by Thimbles - We are Generation Z. We are educated and engaged. We have the whole world at our fingertips. Our biggest killer? Ourselves.