Chapter Seventy Five

Bella

When I woke up I thought just for a second that Jasper was back, then I remembered last night and my eyes flew open. Charlotte smiled and let me go so I could sit up.

"Char I'm so sorry, how embarrassing. You must be really uncomfortable this close to a human"

"I don't think there's much human left there Bella. You don't even feel hot to me. Never mind,, get your butt in the shower, we have a serious shopping day ahead of us."

I showered quickly before managing a few bites of the breakfast Char had ordered for me. She scowled at the plateful I left before shrugging.

"Right, where first?"

"Dress, but nothing fancy!"

"Hey I'm on your side."

When we got to the lobby the desk clerk called us over,

"Your car is here Ladies"

We looked at each other,

"Peter organised a car?" I asked.

Char shook her head,

"You never know with him, it could be a hearse!"

It wasn't, it was a beautiful limousine with a driver who told us he'd already had instructions on our destinations. So we sat back and watched the streets as they passed. When he pulled up outside a rather upper class dress shop I looked at Char suspiciously,

"Peter?"

She dragged me out and we looked into the window. It was then I saw it, a very simple caramel coloured dress with seed pearls around the hem line and the same around the neck. I pointed it out to Char who nodded her approval and we went in. The dress was in my size,

"New in and very beautiful"

We were informed, and the price wasn't bad either so it became our first purchase of the day.

At the next stop I found shoes, not too high, I might even be able to walk in them! And Char found an outfit, so they were added to the trunk of the car by our very patient and helpful driver. He then stopped at a restaurant

"Brunch ladies?"

We felt almost obliged to go and eat, well I did, and now the important things were out of the way I was more relaxed and ate a little more. My phone went but Char snatched it before I could answer,

"Hi Jazz, Bella's in the rest room right now. We are doing a little shopping. Well she doesn't have many clothes with all the travelling she's done. I'll get her to ring you this evening, we're off to the cinema in a minute and I'd hate to miss the start of the film. Bye."

When we came out our driver was waiting with a newspaper in his hands.

"Ready for a tour of the jewelers ladies?"

We nodded getting in.

"Is Peter normally this organised Char?"

"No not normally, but who knows with him?"

"Do you think Jazz knows and he set this up?"

"Not if Peter wants to keep his balls!"

When the car next stopped we were outside a very exclusive jewelry shop and I looked at him,

"Are you sure this was the place?"

He looked at a piece of paper then nodded,

"Yes ma'am why, is there a problem?"

"No, no problem"

We got out and approached the window apprehensively. The prices did nothing to make us feel any easier and I noticed an antique shop next door. Something drew me to the window and I saw them,

"Char look"

I pointed to a pair of rings in the window, they could be worn separately, but fit together as a single ring as well.

"They are just right for us. Almost as if they were waiting for me."

I went in and inquired the price. It was high but not as high as the shop next door and the owner promised to have them cleaned while we browsed. In a corner of the little shop I found a small tatty book of poems. Opening it at random I found a beautiful poem, a love poem that would be perfect for my vows so I added it to the rings and the owner wrapped my purchases which our driver put with the rest.

"So what's left?" Char asked.

I couldn't think of anything.

"Have I forgotten anything?"

"Excuse me ladies but could I say something?"

"Of course, I'm sorry I don't know your name and you've been so good to us today."

"It's Simon. I was just wondering if you needed any flowers or gifts?"

"Not flowers, is there anything else I could carry?"

"Well I have heard of another thing that some ladies have carried, a very old custom and probably not appropriate for you but,...a crystal heart perhaps?"

I put my hands on his shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss,

"Simon you are a life saver. Now where do I get one?"

"No idea ma'am but if you give me a few minutes..."

He disappeared into the car as I turned excitedly to Char,

"Its perfect, I can give it to Jasper at the end of the service. What do you think?"

It was then I noticed Chars pensive look,

"What Char?"

"I think we've been had Bella. I think we've been led around Junction City by the nose, by a professional."

"Sorry I'm not with you"

"Are you happy with what we got today? Would you have chosen them?"

"I did, and yes I'm very happy"

She smiled,

"Then great. Simon's calling us, come on"

She refused to say any more and I was too excited to follow-up on it.

He drove us to another part of town where there was a selection of craft shops in a square with a cafe in the center.

We wandered round looking in all the shops and in the last one Char saw what we'd been looking for, a crystal heart about an inch across on a cream ribbon that I could wear as a bracelet. I went in and bought it with a smile of joy, all I needed now was my minister and bridegroom. And that would all come the next evening, only a few hours now.

Charlotte

When we got back to the hotel I insisted Bella eat in the restaurant and she was so busy chatting about what we'd bought that she cleaned her plate without even noticing. I even persuaded her to have a dessert and a couple of glasses of wine to mellow her out otherwise I could see her swinging on the light fittings by the end of the night. Simon had informed us he was instructed to pick us up the next lunchtime for the drive to the venue, stopping for dinner on the way. As we took the lift to our suite Bella turned to me, eyes still sparkling,

"Charlotte"

"Yes Bella?"

"Are you happy for me, for us? Do you really think I'm right for him?"

"Bella shut up and get to bed, you're driving me crazy and the answer is yes."