Days had passed and the preparations began for the wedding. We had decided on a small ceremony, just very close friends and family but Wade wanted to make sure that it was everything that I wanted so he was being really secretive around me but I let it go, I loved him for that.
Adele had called me to meet her and some others for lunch; we were then after going to go look for a brand new wedding dress.
I walked into the restaurant, gripping onto my hand was little Adele who I wanted to find a flower girls dress. One of the waiters ushered us into the lavish eatery where I saw the group of women seated around the table waiting for us.
"Over here Lea" said Adele standing up.
We hurried over and sat down. "Hi everybody" I said looking at all their faces. There was Natalya, Stephanie and Bethany and ironically both Adele's were conversing with one another.
"Let's get started, because I am starving" said Bethany glaring over the menu.
I nodded as I read the menu.
"So... you must be getting a little nervous" said Natalya, "Your wedding is only days away."
I blushed, "I am... a little bit" I said biting my lip.
"Don't worry, at least you're getting married to a gorgeous hunk like Wade" said Bethany, "Plus he's got lots of money, you're just set for life."
"Trust you to say something like that" I said narrowing my eyes at her.
"I just hope this wedding actually happens and you don't suddenly change your mind" said Bethany bitterly.
Everyone exchanged uncomfortable glances at Bethany's comment. My cheeks had turned scarlet from embarrassment; I knew inviting Alex to this lunch was the right decision because this was going to be a little weird.
I took a breath in and spoke up, "Bethany, Can I talk to you outside for a second?"
"Sure, cousin" she said as she got out of her seat.
I smiled at everyone politely before leaving with her. We stood together out the front of the restaurant, "What's up?" she asked standing across from me.
"What up? What's up with you?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked, blinking her eyes in confusion.
"Why are you being so rude? Are you not happy that I'm getting married? I mean you like Wade don't you?"
"You know I do..." she said.
"Then what is it? Why are you even bringing up what happened last time?" I asked her, "Everybody has moved on, I mean I went to John's wedding for god sake!"
She huffed quietly, staring at the ground, "I'm sorry Lea, I just feel like since you've been with Wade you never really come to see me or meet me. I feel like you've just accustomed this new life with him, you've become so distant. I mean I understand that you moved in with him and then you were pregnant and then unfortunately you lost the baby and it was hard for you. But I never even see you, the kids miss you too, you always were their favourite aunt."
I felt myself become a little ashamed. I didn't realise how much Bethany had missed me, I always saw her as this evil, bitchy woman I didn't think that she would yearn for me. I smiled and gave her a hug. "You know you are always welcome at our home" I said, "Adele would love to make friends with her new cousins."
She nodded, "Thank you, I'll make sure to visit as long as you do as well."
"Of course Bethany, you're my family" I said.
"Lea... there's another thing, I wanted to know" she said.
"Yes?"
"Promise me that you won't suddenly change your mind about Wade and then run to Randy... Out of those three men, I liked you with Wade the most."
"Me too." I walked with her back inside the restaurant.
"I mean who told you in the beginning to have sex with your boss" she said.
I shook my head, "Okay... let's just eat."
...
After lunch, we headed toward the designer wedding dress store. I had never seen so many dresses, I felt overwhelmed. "Wow... now I feel like I'm getting married."
All the ladies spread out, trying to look through the shelves for a dress that would suit me.
"You're not wearing your mother's dress?" asked Bethany who stood next to me.
I shook my head, "I feel like this is a fresh start and when I wore that dress when I was going to marry John... besides Wade has already seen me wear it. I want something new."
She nodded and continued rummaging through the racks. I walked away from her and my eyes were caught onto the middle of the store where a mannequin stood. It was dressed in the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. The dress was strapless, lots of layered fabric and a train made of white silk. It was combined with lace and crystal embroidery. I touched the layers of the dress adoringly as I stared at it. I could feel someone walk next to me, "That's our Giorgio Armani number" she spoke.
I turned to look at the store assistant, this older caramel skinned woman with large brown eyes. She was gawking at me but I hadn't seemed to notice as my eyes were locked onto the gown. "It's very beautiful" I said.
"It would look even more beautiful on you" she said.
I blushed as my hand fell back to my side. I glanced at the price tag and looked back at the woman, "I can't afford it."
"How about I give it to you to try on, for your friends and then once you wear it... you can make up your mind" she said.
"Really... it's okay" I urged.
Stephanie walked over to me, "Just try it on, Lea... you'll feel amazing once you wear it."
I rolled my eyes, "Alright."
The woman pushed me toward the dressing room and handed me the dress in my size. I carefully placed it on and then walked outside where I hadn't realised but there was a small audience waiting for me. All of them had astounded glances as they looked at me wearing the expensive, lavish wedding dress.
"Mummy...you look like a princess" said the younger Adele as she walked toward me.
"Thank you sweetheart" I said, I then peered at myself in the mirror and stared at my reflection. I did look quite beautiful, the dress made me feel illuminated.
"Lea, you have to get this dress" said Natalya.
"You look so beautiful" said Stephanie.
"Wade is going to be a very lucky guy" said Bethany.
"But this dress is half of my life savings" I said, "I can't buy it."
The older Adele walked over to me, "Life savings for what? A house? Oh wait you have that. A car? Oh wait you have a driver. A business? Oh that's right, your fiancé already has or bought you all those things."
"But still..." I muttered.
"But what?" said Natalya, "Lea, you clearly want the dress... so why don't you buy it? You should spoil yourself especially after what you've been through."
I stared at myself in the mirror feeling unstoppable in the dress, still unsure of whether to spend so much money on a dress.
"Lea, you have to understand that you're not alone anymore. Your money becomes his money; your problems become his problems. You two have now become one and it's okay now to spend that much money on your wedding dress because you already have many of life's necessities already because of Wade. So this is pretty much the last thing you can spend your own money on" explained Bethany, "You'll be okay because you have your husband with you."
"I never thought of it like that" I said.
"Plus I'm sure Wade won't be getting married than anything less than Giorgio Armani" said Bethany.
I chuckled, "That's true." I turned to the store assistant, "I'll take it."
"Wonderful" she said, "Did you pick out a dress for the little one?"
"Did you find a dress, Adele?" I asked her.
Stephanie smiled and showed me the small white laced dress, it was beautiful. "Adele's dress it on me" she said.
"No Steph, I'll pay for it" I said.
"Take it as a wedding present" she said smiling, "What else am I here for?"
Her sentiment meant a lot to me, I hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much."
"It's alright sweetheart, it's what mothers are supposed to do" she said.
"You've done more than my real mother ever did" I said, "I'm glad you're here."
"Me too" she said, "By the way, your dress might be something you'd like to give Adele when she grows up and gets married. It would make a beautiful tradition."
"It would" I said as I crouched down to kiss my daughter on the cheek. "I hope Daddy likes the dress, remember you can't tell him anything about it."
She placed her small finger over her lips, "My lips are sealed."
...
After everyone had bought their dresses, Bethany was itching for chocolate cheesecake and so we decided to pop into a small cafe.
"Is it right for a bride to be eating cheesecake before her wedding? What if I don't fit in my dress?" I said as I scooped up the chocolate dessert onto my spoon.
"Just go naked... that'll make for a great wedding" suggested the elder Adele.
Bethany howled in laughter, "Wade would love that! So would all of us!"
"So have you decided on who you want as your maid of honour?" asked Natalya.
"Well... I was thinking about Adele but I actually think Bethany is perfect" I said my eyes flickering up at her
"Congratulations Beth" said Stephanie.
She smiled but then calmed the rest of the applause, "Wait... Lea, I'm really honoured that you want me to be your maid of honour again but what you said about having a fresh start. I think you should have a different maid of honour."
"What are you talking about? Why would I have a different maid of honour?" I said, "Anyway I just meant the dress."
"Yeah you may have but even though you were going to have a wedding before I don't want you thinking about that because it didn't happen. This is your first and last wedding and I want you to feel like that" said Bethany, "Besides... I wasn't always the kindest person to you even when we were kids. I want you to have your friend Adele as your maid of honour."
"Bethany... that's all in the past."
"Still... you want to have someone who knows you a little better than I do, at least have someone who has always been there for you" she said, "I insist you make Adele your maid of honour."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Bethany nodded.
"Alright" I said looking at the elder Adele, "Would you do me the honour of being my maid of honour."
Adele grinned, "It would be my privilege."
I handed her my wedding dress, "This is going to stay with you until my wedding day, keep it safe."
"Yes boss" she said taking the large bag which contained the dress in.
"Could you make sure Phil doesn't see it, I'm scared he'll blurt it out to his buddy Wade" I said.
"I'll try to stop the bromance before it happens" she said.
"So what are the wedding plans?" asked Stephanie.
"Wade is planning it all, he won't tell me anything... I only know where it's going to be. But that's it" I said, "But I'm sure he's probably paid some lady to do everything."
Natalya giggled, "Do you know who Wade if going to have as his best man?"
I glanced at Adele hoping she wouldn't kill me after I spoke the name I was about to, "He wants to ask Drew..."
"Drew?" Adele blurted out.
I nodded, "He's his best friend from back home."
"Bethany... are you sure you don't want to be maid of honour?" she said.
"I'm sure" said Bethany, "He's not bad to look at though."
"Who is this Drew character, anyway?" asked Natalya.
"The Scottish scum that works with me" huffed Adele.
"He can be really nice" I said, "And he's very successful."
"Yeah... successful in trying to get in every woman's pants" said Adele.
I glared at her.
"Come on Lea, I'm sorry but you know how I feel about him. I'm sure if your weren't getting married to his best friend he'd be after you too" she said.
I shook my head, "He didn't go after me because he was floored by your obvious beauty anyway... you don't have to do anything with him anyway... besides I'm sure Phil will be watching on closely."
"My Phillip is very protective" she said thinking about him, "He'll make a great husband."
"Well... I gotta go" said Natalya as she stood up.
"Is Randy waiting for you?" I asked coyly.
She blushed and nodded.
"I hope you two have fun" I said hugging her. She waved to us and left.
"Funny about a year ago, you definitely wouldn't have been hoping that they'd be having fun" said Bethany.
"Well a year ago, I didn't think that I would be marrying my boss" I said, "I've definitely moved up in the world, from loving my best friend to now marrying my boss."
Stephanie laughed, "It's alright Lea, as long as you're happy we all wish you well."
"Thank you."
"I had a lot of fun ladies, I think I should get home to my own man" she said, "Who knows what he's been doing?"
"Probably sitting at home playing old 80s metal bands and pretending to be 20" I said, "That's my Dad."
Stephanie laughed, "Well let me know if you need anything."
I walked after her, "I will... Steph?"
"Yes Lea?" she asked.
"Thank you for being so sincere today. You made me feel like... you made me feel like I had a mother with me" I said.
She hugged me tightly, "I'm always here for you, sweetheart."
I nodded as I watched her leave.
"Well I guess the rest of us should be going to our respected partners, I got kids to feed" said Bethany.
"I have a dress to guard" said Adele smirking.
"Thank you guys for coming" I said grabbing my daughter's hand, "It meant a lot"
"I'm glad to be here and I'm really happy for you, you're getting everything that you deserve" said Bethany.
"Yeah Lea, I'm really happy to be your maid of honour and I promise I'll guard this dress with my life."
"I love you girls" I said, "I'll see you soon."
"Bye Aunt Bethany, bye Aunt Adele" said the younger Adele as we walked our separate directions.
...
Everything seemed to be set for our wedding. Wade had taken care of every detail all that was left was for us to get married. My wedding day was now growing closer, it was hours away. I could feel butterflies in my stomach as I lay in my old bed. I was staying at my Dad's house; I insisted to Wade that it was bad luck to see the person you were going to marry before your wedding so I stayed here. I realised the difference between when I was going to marry John and now that I was going to marry Wade. The difference was that I could not get a blink of sleep; my eyes were wide with excitement. I couldn't wait to stand across from Wade and take our vowels together and get to be called his wife. The idea of him being mine forever was something I wanted so much. I was thinking back to the last kiss we had earlier in the day when he had dropped me off, he swept me off my feet as he gave one last, breathtaking kiss. I wanted to kiss his sweet lips forever and gaze into his green loving eyes. I started to think about how everything that had happened in my life or for the past few years had led me to this day, to this moment in my life and to this perfect man. Just as I seemed to ease my mind and try to sleep I heard this tapping sound. I sat up and glanced at my window, someone was throwing stones at it. I hoped that it wasn't the kids from next door trying to ruin my sleep; I looked like a zombie so I wasn't afraid to act like one and kill them. As I opened the window and looked down to the perpetrator, I found him much worse than any kid. "What do you want, Randy?"
He grinned as he threw the rest of the stones on to the lawn below. "Just wanted to talk. Can I come up?"
I rolled my eyes, "Couldn't you have rung the telephone?"
He shook his head stubbornly, "I had to talk to you in person."
I hesitated wondering what he could possibly tell me at this hour, I hoped it wasn't something that would cause me to slap him across his face. "Come up then..."
He grinned again and then began climbing up the wall until he got to the ledge on my window where he eased himself inside. I shook my head at him and waited for him to speak.
...
There you go guys. Another chapter...the next one should be up shortly. So keep those reviews coming.