Chapter 98: Pre-Wedding Appointments
The Ladies entered Le Couture Boutique de Chanel via a separate back entrance for their Bridal Department, which was even nicer than the main entrance as it was set up for private clients.
The Boutique was managed by a native French man straight from the House of Chanel, Paris, France, named Andre Auclair, who met them at the door.
"Madame Bradford, Madame Grant, Mademoiselle Bradford, welcome! So good to see the three of you again, and this must be…"
"This is my daughter, Allison Rose Grant, Andre. Allison, this is Monsieur Andre Auclair, the Fashion Director here and the man who has helped me so much with our Wedding attire."
"Pleased to meet you, Monsieur Au…clair," smiled Allie broadly, trying out her French.
"C'est un plaisir de vous rencountrer, Mademoiselle Grant," he offered with a slight bow that caused Allie to giggle.
"Monsieur Auclair just said it's his pleasure to meet you, Allie," whispered Millicent.
"Merci, Monsieur Au…clair!"
"Ah, but you do speak French?"
"Just a little, Sir! Momma and Dad are teaching me."
Monsieur Auclair smiled warmly.
"Tres bon!"
"That means very good," smiled Allie.
"Indeed, it does, Mademoiselle Grant! You are very beautiful, and I do believe you are going to love your Wedding dress because you will look stunning in it! Shall we get started?"
The Ladies followed Monsieur Auclair to a beautiful, very plush private sitting area, where the adults were served champagne, coffee, or tea, with juices and milk for Allie.
"Momma, do I get to see your Wedding Gown too?"
Andre smiled at the girl's enthusiasm.
"If it's alright with your Momma, but everything is tres top secret. Your father, the Groom, mustn't know anything, Mademoiselle, at all," instructed Monsieur Auclair in a very serious tone.
Allie's eyes widened.
"Oh, that would be very bad luck, Monsieur Auclair. We mustn't tell Dad anything about Momma's gown," insisted Allie.
"Aha! Beautiful child and a very smart one too! Would you like to try your Wedding Gown on, Miss Bradford? One last fitting?"
Millicent laughed.
"Are you absolutely sure this will be the last, Andre?"
"Oh, please do try it on, Dear! I've seen it hanging, but I'm dying to see it on you," insisted Sophia.
"For you and Allie, Sophia. But promise me that this is the last time, Andre!"
"I promise if it fits perfectly, it's the last!"
Millicent giggled.
"You would say that, Andre…"
When Millicent came out of the huge Private Dressing Room dressed in her Wedding Gown, there was total silence, even from her daughter.
It took several moments and lots of motherly tears from both Sophia and Victoria before anyone could speak.
"You look like a real-live angel, my Dear. My Son is blessed beyond measure with you as his Bride and future Wife. Just perfect, and positively breathtaking. I don't know what else to say," cried Sophia. "The gown is so different from anything I've ever seen yet I've never seen a gown so beautiful nor anyone who looks more beautiful!"
"I do believe you're the most stunning Bride I've ever seen, my Darling," complimented Victoria. "And that's not a mother's bias either. You are simply total perfection, and that gown is just beyond anything I could have imagined for you!"
"Mother, be honest, it's not too much? Too couture? I want Nathan to recognize me."
"My Darling, all of Montreal and most of Canada is looking forward to this Wedding. It will even be covered in the European newspapers. So, you must have something never seen before, and something exquisite. This is that. Truly perfection. Elegant, unique, and 'designerish,' yes, but simply beautiful too. And whether you realize it or not, the gown looks as though it's made perfectly for you!"
"Gramma and Grandmama are right. Dad is going to pass out when he sees you, Momma!"
Millicent hugged her daughter.
"Let's hope not, Sweetheart! Ready to try on your gown, so we can see how we look together?"
"Really?"
"Really! Can you Grandmothers please help Allie, since I'll have to stand here in order not to wrinkle anything!"
"Our pleasure, Darling…"
While the grandmothers fussed over getting Allie dressed in the elegant dressing room, Millicent waited, standing in front of the three-way mirror, thinking totally of her Groom.
The pearls on her exquisite gown glistened under the spotlights that were reflected in three different ways via the various mirrors.
Her long veil, edged in and scattered with the same tiny pearls, gathered around her made her look like an absolute vision.
Here she stood in one of the most beautiful couture gowns in the world, and all she cared about was that in a matter of days, she would be marrying the man she loved more than life itself.
Yes, the gown and veil were exquisite, and she felt like a Princess in them, but what would be most beautiful to her was seeing her most handsome Groom's face waiting for her at the Altar.
Little did she realize said Groom was very close by, hard at work, first taking care of his assigned 'errand' as well as gifts for his daughter's upcoming adoption before preparing to pour over his own designs for both Millicent's Christmas Present and Wedding Presents with Mr. Henri Helmsley….
Henri, the owner, met Chief Inspector Grant at the main entrance of his Shoppe.
A VIP customer, yes, but truth be known Henri genuinely liked the young Gentleman from Hope Valley. His forthrightness was refreshing in a town full of anything but. And there was just an authenticity and kindness about him that drew you right in.
"Chief Inspector, so very good to see you again!"
"Henri, great to see you, too. It's good to be back in Montreal. I admit I'm anxious to see the results of our little projects!"
Henri led Nathan to his private office, where he had the requested pieces, along with others, waiting on his desk.
"Have a seat, Sir, and make yourself comfortable. Do you care for anything to drink?"
"Perhaps Coffee, black, please!"
An assistant instantly appeared with a silver pot of steaming black coffee and poured it into a golden-edged Herend China cup for Nathan. Then he poured the same for his Boss, but with two lumps of Sugar and a splash of Cream.
"Thank you, Ashton!" smiled Henri cordially, as he made himself comfortable in his huge leather desk chair.
"Henri, so I won't forget after we look into my Bride's gifts, I probably should take care of two other matters now. First, Millicent and I are helping a wife whose husband has been sent to prison on a minor charge. As a result, she has been in quite dire circumstances, along with her son, and we want to give them a really good Christmas. She's a seamstress and is wanting to start a business, so Millicent feels she needs a pair of Pearl drop earrings and possibly a matching Pearl necklace. Sarah, the woman's name, appears to be quite conservative, so we don't think she would want anything too large or too fancy, but something substantial enough to help her feel better about herself and present nicely to her clientele. I would venture to say she will be wearing these her whole life through."
"What a kind thing for you and Miss Bradford to do, Sir!"
"We're just happy to be able to help, Henri."
"Is this Sarah a woman of faith?"
"Very much so. She's been through an awful lot and has a young son to provide for alone. You can tell by her worn Bible she has a close relationship with God. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, but of course on a smaller scale?"
"I am Sir. I actually have several sets that will meet Miss Bradford's standards for you to choose from!"
"Second, here is Allie's Pearl necklace from her mother, as well as her matching bracelet from her grandfather. Edward also gave her a pendant, but Allie has worn that since the moment he gave it to her, without having taken it off once! So not a chance of getting that!" chuckled Nathan. "I just wanted you to see these so we can be sure the earrings we choose today match them perfectly!"
"Of course, Sir, excuse me while I fetch the earrings I have selected as options for your daughter, as well as the sets for your friend, Sarah. Just make yourself comfortable. I shan't be long."
Nathan was itching to open the boxes before him to see his own designs, his Christmas Gift, and his Wedding Gifts for his Bride, but he restrained himself by concentrating on his Coffee and pondering about the Hayes' situation.
Suddenly he knew what he needed to do. It would be the best possible Christmas gift Millicent and he could give them. The couple would have to make it a matter of prayer, but this one thing could very possibly change the lives of all three family members.
It would take some maneuvering through Montreal Mountie Headquarters to accomplish this endeavor, but deep inside Nathan felt very strongly, for a variety of reasons, that this needed to take place. Thankfully, the Commissioner was visiting, as Nathan knew it would be best to discuss the matter with him directly. And at that moment, he committed to putting his plan into action this very day to ensure that the end result would occur before Christmas.
He knew better than anyone just how important this event would be to all involved.
"Here are the Pearl earring selections I put back for Miss Allie, and here are the three sets of Pearls that I think meet your requirements for your new friend quite nicely, Sir."
"May I see Allie's first?"
"Of course, let's lay them all out here together, so we can make the perfect choices. I just assumed, but does your daughter have pierced ears?"
"Well, not yet. However, she will after Christmas, although she doesn't know that. Millicent is taking her to have them done by her doctor sometime before the adoption ceremony, which is also a surprise and will thrill Allie to no end. In fact, Millicent is planning to gift her a pair of tiny diamond hearts for Christmas that her own ears were pierced with. Henri, I want to do something really special for Millicent's adoption of Allie. When I adopted my daughter in Hope Valley, she wanted new clothes, which I got her, but I regretted later not getting her something permanent. Completing her set of Pearls from her mother and grandfather seems the right thing to do for both adoptions."
"Miss Allie will be thrilled, Sir. What lovely Christmas and Adoption presents!"
"But I would love it if she had something she could wear now."
"We can take care of that. I just need to find a pair of tiny pearl studs that are age-appropriate for a young girl. Excuse me a moment, Sir..."
As soon as Henri returned, he first laid out the original selection of matching adult-style earrings, in both stud and drop styles, to complete Allie's grown-up set for Nathan to see. It was instantly clear which pairs of studs and drop earrings best matched Allie's necklace and bracelet.
"These two pairs of earrings are perfect!"
"Yes, Sir, they are. Same size, same color as her set in both designs. We couldn't possibly do better! Now, these are the tiny pearl studs that best match everything, although on a much daintier scale."
"These are wonderful, as Allie will be able to wear these now, which she'll love! Would you happen to have a pearl charm by any chance?"
"One minute, Sir."
Henri summoned an assistant and gave instructions as to what he needed.
In no time at all, several pearl-trimmed charms were found and retrieved for the owner. Henri first checked that the pieces were to his satisfaction, then he handed Nathan the large white velvet board.
"Here they are, Sir, what do you think?"
"Ah, this oval charm is beautiful and can be engraved. She will love it! But I prefer the gold and her charm bracelet is silver!"
"I remember our 'Tomboy,' Sir! You know, they make quite a few charms with Pearl trim or even Pearl attachments, although the gold looks much better with the Pearls. Not to push, but you mentioned you wanted Miss Allie to have a gold charm bracelet like Miss Bradford's when she was older."
"Yes, both of us do."
"A gold charm bracelet started with a pearl charm or two is a lovely addition to Allie's set of Pearls for early adulthood. Frankly, it would make her entire set of Pearls more youthful, which I know seems ironic now, as all little girls can't wait to grow up. But when they reach adulthood, they generally prefer something more playful to go with their Mother's Pearls."
"You know, that's not a bad idea at all. Let's select a gold charm bracelet, and if you have two of the gold oval charms trimmed in pearls, we can engrave both adoption dates on each."
"That's all you need, Sir."
Nathan was scribbling the dates down along with the inscriptions, as Henri discreetly asked his assistant to bring a top selection of gold charm bracelets.
Before Nathan was finished, a beautiful selection of charm bracelets was placed before him.
"My, there are so many to choose from. Do you have an idea what Millicent would choose?"
Henri smiled.
"Indeed, I do, Sir. You can't go wrong with these three!"
"Any more opinions? Which would you recommend, Henri?"
"This is the most beautiful and unique charm bracelet we have, Sir. I don't think you could do better anywhere."
"It does stand out in a very elegant way, doesn't it? Let's do this. The studs, the drop earrings, the charm bracelet, and the two gold pearl-trimmed charms! That is if you can engrave them on both sides? This will complete Allie's set and allow us to commemorate both adoptions, which is exactly what Millicent and I were hoping for."
"I'll have these engraved now, Sir, while we finish here. Then we'll set all of these aside to wrap in one of our metallic papers with silk ribbon. Does Miss Allie have a color preference?"
"Lavender, if you have it!"
"Lavender, it is! Now for your friend."
Henri opened all three purple velvet boxes and positioned them close to Nathan so that he could see them most clearly.
"I'm no expert, but all three sets appear to fit the bill perfectly."
"Is there one you prefer, Sir?"
"This one! Definitely. I think Sarah will love having the addition of the Cross Pendant. And of course, for obvious reasons, I'm drawn to the Cross as well. I have no doubt she will be, too."
"I was hoping you would say that, Sir! It's quite different than the one you designed for Miss Bradford but still very beautiful. The Pearl pendant, of course, is removable so that the Pearl necklace can be worn with or without the pendant. The set also comes with a gold chain and braided gold wire necklace so the pendant can be worn more casually for everyday wear. This gives the Lady several options, Sir!"
"Millicent will love that for Sarah. I also think she will prefer these earrings."
"Yes, you know your Bride well, Chief Inspector. These are the most classic and definitely the ones Miss Bradford will prefer."
"Then we have our selection, Henri. Can you see that these are wrapped for Christmas?"
"Of course, Sir. My pleasure! I'll have it done now, so you may take them with you if you'd like, or we can deliver them if you prefer."
"Well, I'll be taking Allie's and Millicent's with me to hide away, so it won't be a problem at all to take these and put them back for Christmas as well."
"Of course, Sir."
Henri handed the sets to his Assistant, with instructions to wrap the third set very elegantly as a Christmas present.
Then he turned his attention to the various boxes on his desk.
"I must say this little secret project of ours has been a true joy, Chief Inspector. Your designs are so elegant and precise, I had very little to do except follow your explicit instructions..."
As Allie came out of her dressing room with her grandmothers on each side, Millicent turned and placed her hands over her heart.
Sophie and Victoria had decided to try their gowns on along with their granddaughter.
"The three of you look positively stunning! And Allie, you look like the most beautiful Princess!"
"I feel like a Princess, Momma! I love my dress and it matches yours with all the Pearls and the overskirt!"
Allie's dress, which was really a perfectly age-appropriate formal gown, was made of the same white satin fabric as Millicent's gown but with an organza overlay. The bodice was also encrusted with scattered pearls, although not quite as heavily as the Bride's gown. But the design concept of both gowns was very similar and intentionally so according to Millicent's wishes, which absolutely thrilled Allie.
"Does the length feel right, Sweetheart?"
"It's perfect. I'll be able to dance with Uncle Bill and all my Uncles! I love the sleeves too; they're so pretty!"
"Lucky you! I'm not so sure I'm going to be able to manage much more than a waltz with your father, in mine," laughed Millicent.
"They're 'Juliet' sleeves, Mademoiselle Grant," explained Andre. "Your Momma thought they would be beautiful on you, and she was right! I must say the entire gown is perfection. You bring it to life, Dear. Can you do a twirl, please, so we can see the gown from every angle?"
Allie did as instructed, and everyone clapped.
"Truly perfect, Mademoiselle. Perfection," and Andre dramatically threw Allie a kiss as only the French can do, which resulted in a delighted giggle from our girl.
"Mother, Sophia, you both look exquisite. The most beautiful Mothers of the Bride & Groom ever!"
"Mrs. Bradford, Mrs. Grant, here are your matching fur-trimmed evening coats. Do you mind trying them on over your gowns, so that I can be sure they fit perfectly?" asked Andre.
The coats looked splendid on, and although both were trimmed with furs, they looked completely different. Thankfully, they fit both Sophia and Victoria perfectly.
"While you have your coats on, I'll need you to try on your chapeaux, if you don't mind."
"Oh, Sophie, that hat is simply gorgeous on you," bragged Victoria.
"Thanks, Tori. It is quite the stylish hat, isn't it?"
"Gramma, you look like a movie star," grinned Allie.
"Mrs. Bradford, here is yours. I think this one is best worn at an angle. That way you'll get to see everything better as well!"
"That's good, Andre, because I don't intend to miss a second of this Wedding!"
"Nor I," added Sophia emphatically.
"Both hats are perfection," smiled Millicent.
"Grandmama, you look like a Princess."
"Well, Allie, Dear, I'm afraid definitely not like a Cree Princess. My father, your great-grandfather, will not be happy at all that I'm not in full Indian dress for the Wedding like both Mother and he will be."
"Will my great-grandpapa wear his Indian Chief Headdress," asked a delighted Allie at the mere possibility.
"Not his colorful one, Child, For Weddings and special occasions, he wears a special headdress of white feathers! I'm afraid it's rather large and very cumbersome. Though actually, quite beautiful!"
"This is going to be the best Wedding ever!"
"I just hope I don't trip over the blanket we have to carry to wrap our children in" worried Sophia.
"I'll show you an old Cree trick in folding it so it won't be in the way," assured Victoria.
"Momma and Dad get wrapped in a blanket?" asked an incredulous Allie.
"Afraid so, Sweetie! It's an old Cree Custom. One your father is familiar with too. Between my Cree-loving groom and my Cree Indian Chief grandfather, we have to include it!"
"I'm quite sure your Grandfather would have disinherited you both had you not, my Darling!"
Everyone chuckled, but both Millicent and Victoria knew it was true.
"I can't wait," and Allie was so excited she clapped her hands in front of her to prove it.
"Well, you'll certainly get to see everything first-hand standing by me, Angel! Which of these headpieces would you like to wear," asked Millicent.
"I get to choose?"
"You most certainly do!"
"Oh, Momma, I love this one! Is that okay?"
Allie chose a simple Pearl circlet to set on top of her head.
"It's my favorite, too! It's perfect for you, Allie. We'll fix your hair so everything is just beautiful!"
It was then that Andre clapped his hands.
A rack of pre-selected furs was immediately rolled out.
"What's this, Andre?" asked Victoria.
"I'm determined that we are prepared for everything Mrs. Bradford and as perfect as these coats are, I'm afraid they may not be warm enough depending on the weather on the day of our Wedding. These are just for backup, but absolutely necessary. Let's try them on."
"Oh, I couldn't," insisted Sophia.
"He has a point, as cold as it's been, we do need to be prepared. And I most certainly am not trying anything on unless you do, too, Soph!"
The friends exchanged looks as only dear friends can, and Sophia soon realized she was outnumbered. Even Allie was shaking her head yes, right along with her Momma.
"It does make sense," agreed the Bride. "I will have to wear a fur cape given my gown's lack of warmth, so the two of you should have them too. Besides these are extraordinary."
"Indeed they are! Which appeals to you, Sophie?" asked Victoria, wanting her friend to select first.
"I'll have to leave that up to you, Tori, as you're the expert in this arena. I most certainly am not!"
"Try this one," insisted Victoria.
Millicent, who knew her Mother's selection for her best friend was probably the most expensive on the rack, was grateful Sophia would probably not know that. She couldn't help but smile watching her Mother and soon-to-be Mother-in-law laugh like teenagers as they tried on one fur after the other, but in the end, Sophia preferred the one Victoria had selected for her.
"We'll take these two, Andre, but you'll have to tweak our chapeau!"
"We'll do two brand new ones to perfectly match your fur selections, Ma'am. That way whatever you need to wear on that day will be picture-perfect!"
"Thank you, Andre. Can you send the two new hats to the house for us to try there?"
"Of course, Ma'am. I'll personally deliver them myself. With our exquisite Bride, our Princess Maid of Honor, and you two beautiful Ladies, this is going to be the Wedding of the Decade," pronounced Andre. "If not the Century!"
Then he hurriedly added.
"But for now, let's get you Ladies changed so we can select Mademoiselle Allison's party dresses!"
"Thank goodness," giggled the Bride, who was more than ready to have her daughter take center stage...
