Lemon
Reception-Planning on the Fly
Jubilee was beside herself with planning the small reception for Wednesday night. She and the Queen were introduced to Delilah and Ethel first thing on Monday morning and the women instantly hit it off. Things went very smoothly after that, the women zooming around the city buying supplies and arranging things for the busy bride.
Landi sighed lightly, wishing that she'd taken Monday off. But she couldn't get out of the court appearance. Her client was counter-suing a burglar for hurting himself during his break-in. The man was demanding compensation for his hospital bills and the emotional trauma of falling through the skylight in the house he was trying to rob. The whole thing was ridiculous, but Arthur had hired Fletcher Reede, one of the slicker lawyers in the city, to represent him and Ms. Darcy was sure to lose if she didn't bring her A game.
"... And therefore, based on my client's mental state at the time of the break-in, we do not believe that he should be held responsible for the damages to Mrs. Grady's property. In fact, she should be paying him for having a faulty roof that caused him to fall and caused the injury to his leg that causes him daily pain."
The prosecutor was dismayed to see a few of the jurors nodding at this opening statement but didn't show it. Her client was more vocal about her displeasure, causing Landi to have to quiet her down before the judge could. Then it was time for her opening statement. 'Just like you practiced, " she thought to herself.
"Wow. That was quite an opening move. My colleague would have you believe that his client was the victim here. And it is quite convincing. But a few facts do not bear him out. No matter his mental state, Mr. Grimes chose to get up on that roof. He was injured attempting to rob an innocent woman. How would you feel about paying a person who mugged you because he slipped while holding you up? Mr. Reede would promote a culture of victim shaming that cannot be allowed. There is no excuse for what his client did and he needs to be made to face the consequences of his actions." Her keen observation skills told her that she'd won back at least two of the nodders. But she was the first questioner this time around and facing a major smooth talker. She would have to continue to push for empathy if she wanted to win this case.
The afternoon wore on, both lawyers working hard to prove their point. After Landi tore apart the defendant's argument of mental capacity, Reede spent a half hour having his client detail his daily struggles based on the injury sustained attempting to rob her client. He was very convincing, glossing over his indiscretion as if it were a boyish prank gone wrong. Her older client forgot her court discipline and had to be reprimanded several times by the judge, which didn't help her case. At one point Landi had to request a short recess to calm her client down.
"What are you doing, Ms. Darcy? I told you to-"
"Did you hear that criminal going on and on about his limp? I thought you were supposed to be the best. We are losing this case!"
That's right, Ms. Darcy. We are losing the case. Mostly because you are presenting yourself as a spoiled rich woman who 'had it coming'." Landi let that sink in before continuing. "I need you to calm down and remember what we talked about. Fletcher Reede is trying to bait you. He has no case and is therefore looking to discredit you as a person to win. You acting like a wild child and being inches from being jailed for being found in contempt of court is exactly what the defense wants. I plan to put you on the stand next. But first you have got to calm down."
"So you are saying that it's my fault if we lose?" The woman said furiously. Landi glared at her client until she looked away.
"We win or lose together, Ms. Darcy. You hired me to represent you. Allow me to represent you. Stop trying to do this all by yourself - you are terrible at it. I have a plan, but I need you to stop acting like a 'rich bitch' and start being who you are."
"And just who is that?" she asked defensively. Landi placed a hand over hers to show they were on the same side.
"The true victim in all this." That brought the angry woman up short. She was more cooperative after this and answered her lawyer's questions on the stand. Then it was the Defense's turn to cross-examine and Fletcher Reede managed to whip her into a frenzy. It was different than before though. Ursula Grady was in tears over the violation of her privacy that night, something that resonated with the jury. Landi called his parole officer to the stand as a character witness. He described the man as balanced and reckless, always looking for the big score. His explanation of the defendant after the incident destroyed their defense completely. No PTSD flashes, able to climb heights with his construction job, and no limp when he seemingly wasn't thinking about it. He submitted a video of the defendant playing basketball with friends which Reede attempted to have struck from the record. Darnell was unshakable in defense, refusing to budge on his story or accusations that he was a bad parole officer. This was not his first time in court. Fletcher Reede brought a character witness to the stand to try and undo the damage to the defendant's story, but Alandra tore his story apart in cross-examination.
At four in the afternoon, Landi made her closing statement, citing the facts and the emotional testimony of her client. She seemed to be throwing her client under the bus by emphasizing the amount of emotion in her testimony but then related it back to the trauma of her experience. With that on the table, Reede was unable to make a big deal of Ms. Darcy's testimony, which was all he had left to argue since Landi had destroyed his original story. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before ruling the defendant guilty unanimously. The defendant was to pay for the damages to Ms. Darcy's house and a hefty sum for emotional damage, all of which would be taken out of his wages until the debt was paid. Ursula burst into tears at the ruling, hugging the life out of her lawyer. Arthur Grimes started screaming about how he would appeal to a higher court before she got a cent of his money. It was only when he started shrieking threats against both the plaintiff and her lawyer that he was found in contempt of court and put in jail.
Fletcher Reede came over to shake hands with them as the courtroom was clearing out.
"Marrying a royal hasn't dulled your edge, Landi," the man chuckled as he shook her hand. "I should have realized that." He tried to yank her closer to kiss her, but Landi didn't budge, having been prepared for something underhanded. She pulled her hand away, her smile brittle.
"You understand that if you'd managed to pull that stunt off, I simply would have sued you for sexual harassment, right?"
"Damn. And I thought we were getting along so well," he said flirtatiously. Landi finished packing up her notes without another word and herded her client out of the room. The woman was exhausted from being in court and dealing with her client's tantrums throughout the day. She was therefore unprepared to be mobbed by her family and the Royal family's guards.
"Wh-what are you all doing here?" Landi asked after introducing her client to her people. The women all laughed at her continued surprise.
"I've never seen you in action, Babygirl. That was… thrilling."
"But… But weren't you all supposed to be getting things together for the reception? How much got done today when the reception is Wednesday night?" The women all looked a little bit guilty.
"Don't worry, sis. Most of the list got done. We've only been here since lunch."
"What's left, Jubes? I only have the rest of today and tomorrow to make this event happen."
"I feel like celebrating," Ursula suddenly announced. "I must insist that you all join me; I just won my court case." The group started murmuring about the best place to go.
"Ms. Grady, I am happy for you, I truly am. But-"
"Ursula. And you're not going to hurt an old lady's feelings are you?" Landi looked around desperately for an excuse to beg off, but everyone was so excited at the prospect of sharing a meal that she was trapped. The woman yawned and bowed her head in defeat.
"No, I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings, Ms. Grady."
"Ursula, dear. You may call me Ursula. My, what a polite child you raised, Mrs. Shaveed! Now, where shall we dine?"
"I know a place. It's not too far from here and the food is divine," Landi yawned as she said it.
"Alandra my dear, you look exhausted."
"What I do is exhausting, your Majesty," the woman explained to the queen. "We're going to Fredericton Steakhouse." This excited the whole group and they all entered the limousine in high spirits. Landi slept curled against her mother the whole ride. Then woke to the news that her family had half-assed all of the decisions for the reception in an effort to make it to her trial on time. She was furious, but couldn't show it without being labeled a 'bridezilla'.
"So… What exactly happened today?" The woman asked as she ate her succulent ribs. She was feeling much more awake than when she stepped into the limo but no better when faced with how much work she now had to do tomorrow. She had the list she'd made Sunday night for her family in front of her and was checking it over to see what needed corrections.
"Relax, Ms. Bride," Ethel said with a forced chuckle. "We did the best we could on such short notice. It's not like you gave us time to-"
"I… I really needed that list completed correctly today, Ethel. That way I could work on this list first thing tomorrow morning. Now I have to work on both lists-"
"We did the best we could, daughter," Delilah said forcefully, but couldn't quite look her child in the eye as she lied. Landi, taking this as a sign, excused herself from the table and called up Rachel for help.
"Oh hey, Landi! Are we invited to this reception of yours on Wednesday?"
"I'll invite you to my first child's Christening if you can help me out tomorrow."
"Woah, what's the matter? You sound panicked."
"I gave my family a list of tasks to do today and they half-assed it so that they could come see my trial. I now have to redo their work plus I have a second list of tasks for tomorrow. I would start working on it tonight, but they insisted on going to the Steakhouse to celebrate my victory in court tonight. I have court paperwork to file, their screwup to fix, and my own wedding reception tasks to complete… I could really use someone I can trust to help me get all this done." There was silence on the line for a minute and she sighed. "I understand that it's really short notice, Rachel. I'm so sorry to dump this on you-"
"Pick me up at seven - you'll have to skip your workout tomorrow. And we'll have to work fast; I have class to teach at four." Landi screamed happily before remembering where she was and apologizing to the maitre D.
"You are such a lifesaver! Thank you so much for helping me with this crazy situation! I'll swing by to get you at seven on the dot. And I'll drop you at your office by three-thirty so you're not late for your class. A-and lunch is on me of course. Thanks so much for-"
"Relax, Landi!" The woman laughed. "Of course I wouldn't leave you hanging! You remember how freaked out I was about that school reception I was meant to organize last year and you came through for me? Now we're even. I'll see you tomorrow morning so we can plan a strategy, okay?"
"Okay." She sniffled. "Thank you. I mean it. We basically have two days worth of work to do in one day." Alandra hung up after that ominous statement and returned to the table.
"You were gone for a while, daughter. Whispering sweet nothings to Tyr?"
"Ha ha, very funny, Mom," she said ruefully. She decided not to mention her call to Rachel, lest she start a fight at Ursula's victory party. "How is everyone enjoying their dinner?"
"This chicken is so tender!" Ursula said happily. "I will never be able to look at food the same way again."
"These meals do tend to change people's lives," Landi agreed.
"We eat like this every night in Africa," Victoria said with a warm smile at her new daughter-in-law.
"I'll have to keep up with my exercise routine once I get there or I'll lose my girlish figure." Everyone laughed at that.
"Well, in three years we'll be looking for you to lose your figure, at least for a little bit," Jubilee said with a wink.
"Oh, don't look so smug, Jubes. I'm sure that the baby-making baton won't be passed solely to me." Instead of laughing, the usually joyful woman seemed to deflate.
"I'll be lucky to make it that far on the baton. Your children will be made in love. Mine will be made out of obligation." Victoria touched her daughter's cheek softly, looking so sad that Landi, Ethel, Delilah, and Ursula felt it.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ethel asked.
"There's no such thing as 'dating' in Africa. 'Casual' does not exist in relationships over there. You choose, and then you pray that you made a good choice. You barely get the opportunity to get to know your choice before you're saddled with him for life! He owns you. And once he does, his real personality comes out. Why do you think I've been in college for six years? Father's been searching for a husband for me for a while now, but he can't sell his brainiac daughter to traditional African princes. Not that there are that many to begin with. I won't even get to pick my husband. He'll be chosen for me!" The food suddenly didn't really appeal to the women at the table.
"There has to be a way around that fate," Landi's mother said angrily. "This is the twenty-first century. I can't believe this sort of thing is still allowed!"
"It's Africa. I'm lucky to still have my 'lady parts'. Mother put her foot down on that when I was born. Daddy is a traditionalist; he doesn't see anything wrong with the way things are. I have maybe three more years of hiding in academia before he turns his attention to me. After that…" Jubilee swallowed back her tears.
"Then let's use those three years," Landi said defiantly. "Instead of giving up, become very interested in the politics and personal life of whoever your father is leaning toward. Research him; you are right, Mom, this is the twenty-first century. Everyone's dirt is on the internet. We can even get your brother involved. I won't let you just be sacrificed to the god of tradition. You deserve to be loved. A bright spirit like yours should be cherished, not crushed. We may not be able to save everyone right away, but change has to start somewhere and why not with the princess of Alibhai!" The princess and Queen were staring at her in awe, making her uncomfortable. "Your Majesties?" The college student jumped up and hugged the life out of her. "Jubilee?"
"I'm so happy that you are my new sister! Ellura would have told me to just accept my fate."
"Oh yeah. How is Ms. Bereng handling the hotel room?"
"She's not," Jubilee said flippantly, returning to her seat. "She petitioned to fly back to Lesotho right after you guys left for your second breakfast. His Majesty was more than happy to send her on her way; she wouldn't stop crying and throwing a tantrum until he did."
"Huh. I would have expected more of a fight from her. Not that I'm not grateful. I do hope she finds herself a good man. As long as it isn't my man." The queen tittered into her hand, sounding genuinely amused.
"Oh, my daughter! You are going to cause quite a sensation in my country when you take the throne in a decade! Congratulations!"
"Um… Thanks?" After that the women finished their meals, ordering desserts to go. After saying goodbye to Ms. Grady, the lawyer sighed and settled in her seat. "I'd like my mother and sister-in-law dropped off first, please," Landi told Hazma once she was in the limo.
"Your pardon, Majesty. But which ones?" Landi smirked at the truth of that question.
"The ones without bodyguards."
"Yes, your Majesty," they said dutifully. Alandra barely noticed the formalities as she was already dozing off.
"Your daughter is something quite special, Mrs. Shaveed. How did you manage to keep her so pure?" Delilah smiled at her sleeping child.
"She stubbornly refused to be corrupted. Alandra has a very set outlook on the world. It's disgustingly black and white and even as a child she refused to deviate from her views or compromise on them. She believed so hard she made others believe. Plus, she has a sense of fair play that I envy at times. Prepare yourself, Victoria. I have a feeling that she is going to change your whole world. She's not a soul you can meet without feeling almost breathless with the need to help her. But most times, she doesn't need any help. My little girl has always been quite self-reliant. She calls it something else though." The rest of the ride to Quintan's home was silent.
"What does she call it?" Jubilee finally asked as the two women stepped out of the limousine.
"Faith, my daughter," Delilah smiled at her newest daughter-in-law. "Landi calls it 'faith'. I will see you again at the reception, your Majesties. Take care of my little girl." Hazma waited until the women were safely in the house before climbing back in the limo to drive away. He then called Tyr.
"Sire, where shall we drop your wife off tonight? At her place or yours?" There was a pause on the line. "Majesty?"
"I think she'd want to go home, even though the elevator is off for the night. I'll meet you there." Tyr and Omar were waiting for his wife when she arrived at her apartment. The exhausted woman woke up when the vehicle stopped.
"Tyr! What are you doing here? I was just-" The prince covered her plump lips with his as she stepped out of the limousine, delighting in her shiver and moan.
"I belong where you are, Alhamia," he whispered against her lips, smiling into her dilated eyes. "Shall we go to bed now?" He smiled at the heat coming off her face. (Protectress)
"Good night, your Majesties," she said with a nervous laugh as she leaned in to retrieve her briefcase and dessert from the Steakhouse. Victoria giggled at her embarrassment and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, daughter. Go. Be with your husband. We will see you tomorrow to help you with the reception."
"I've got the reception planning covered, Madam. Please don't worry about it. Just be ready to enjoy yourself at the reception. Goodnight." The woman pulled away from the limousine before her mother-in-law demanded an explanation. Tyr bowed to his mother and followed his woman upstairs. He stopped her nervous flight on the fifth floor by ravaging her mouth and everywhere else he could reach up against the wall. Landi's tired mind could barely keep up with her husband's attack.
"Tyr! I have work to do tonight and an early morning tomorrow to fix my family's laziness. I can't-" He ignored her explanation, twirling his tongue in her mouth erotically as she moaned. He picked her up and carried her the last two flights to her apartment, all while kissing the mouth off of her. He was good and hard for her by the time they reached her home, but Landi was insistent.
"I will grant you one-half hour to finish your work for the night, Alhamia. After that, I'm going to take you to bed and finish ravaging you." (Protectress)
"You… You can't-"
"Shall we make it fifteen minutes?" he asked as he sat her on the couch in front of her coffee table.
"No!"
"Ten?" he asked while his naughty hands smoothed up her thighs under her skirt.
"TYR!" He chuckled at her.
"Very well, my willful wife. Thirty minutes starting now." He left her shivering form in the living room and went to prepare her bedroom for their sexscapades later tonight. By the time a half hour was up, his wife was firmly in work mode, typing her notes to file at work tomorrow after the wedding planning was done. She couldn't comp dinner since she paid for everyone on the credit card, but the trial hours were ready to be filed. She was feeling good and almost finished when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, scaring the crap out of her. She screamed, her concentration shattered.
"Tyr! I just- mmmph!" The woman laughed into his mouth as he explored her. He picked her up again and took her to the bedroom, ignoring her muffled protests. The bed was made with blue rose petals spread sparingly over the covers. Soft music was playing and the scented candles she used when she bathed were lit and placed all around the room. "Tyr, I was working!"
"I gave you thirty minutes to work. It's been forty-seven minutes." He played with her bun, his other hand on her skirt as she thought that through.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much time I had- Tyr!" He chuckled darkly as her skirt slipped down her legs. He dodged her arms and focused on removing her blouse and jacket.
"That work bun needs to come down right now, Alhamia. I want to run my fingers through your hair as I make love to you tonight." If the princess could have turned beet red, she would have. As it was, her body was on fire and showing red undertones to her brown skin. Tyr didn't bother commenting, simply returning to the enjoyable task of undressing his woman. (Protectress)
Once she was completely naked, her luscious locks a dark curtain down to her knees, he tilted her back to attack her breasts with his mouth. Grateful beyond words that she set her alarm for tomorrow during dinner, she gave herself over to the madness, letting her husband have his wicked way with her.
… …
Hours later, as the two were recovering from their evening, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Landi hid under the covers but Tyr sat up, comfortable with his guards.
"What is it?" he asked in annoyance.
"Pardon the interruption, your Majesties, but the device you asked for is here."
"Already?" The prince laughed excitedly, climbing out of the bed and throwing on his boxers before opening the door. He accepted whatever the guard offered him and turned to face his woman, only to see her shivering under the covers. Dismissing the bodyguards, he walked back over to the bed and started massaging his bride over the covers until she purred. Then he turned back the covers to find her.
"What's the matter, love?" he asked softly.
"Everything's so different now," she whined. "There are boys in my house! You've seen me naked! I'm having sex! It's all so… so…"
"Come here, my Alhamia," he commanded gently, hugging her close as she cried. (Protectress)
"I don't want you to think that I don't like it, Jaguar. I just… Everything's happening so fast," she said, dissolving into tears again. He held her tightly until she settled down with a yawn.
"My wonderful wife. I love you and I understand. This is a fast transition. But I'm not going to leave you. You are my life and the best friend I've ever had. I want to get to know you better and I want to be with you as much as I can before we start trying for children in three years. Sleep now, little one. I know you have an early morning tomorrow." Alandra slumped against him obediently and was soon asleep. The prince arranged them under the covers to sleep.
The next morning Landi was woken up by Omar knocking on the door.
"Forgive me, Highness, but your alarm just went off."
"Thank you," she rasped, trying to clear her throat and wake up. "We gotta get to Rachel's by seven. Just let me hop in the shower and we can go." The woman wiggled out of her husband's warm embrace and headed for the bathroom to do her morning rituals. Ten minutes later she was sitting in the steamy bathroom, rubbing lotion on. After that she wrapped herself in her damp towel and snuck over to her closet to pick a casual outfit for the day. As she was looking, she suddenly felt her husband slide into her from behind. The princess moaned and bent over to accept this new invasion.
"I don't like waking up alone, little one," he scolded her lightly as he started massaging her clitoris and pumping into her. It took a minute to get her stuttering cries of delight under control.
"I-I… I have to go," she whimpered softly. Tyr ignored her in his quest to please her, which he did until she exploded in his arms. When she went limp in his embrace, he pulled his hard length out of her and selected her outfit for the day. He led her back to the edge of the bed, sitting her down and wiping the drool off her chin, before going to get her underthings out of her drawers. He dressed her lovingly as she recovered, smiling fondly at her as he did. Once she was ready for the day, he kissed her thoroughly and led her to the door. The woman accepted her breakfast shake from Hazma before going with him to the door for the day.
"I love you, Jaguar," she said happily as she left the apartment, work briefcase and lists in hand. Tyr waved before going back to bed. Neither of them seemed to notice that he was still naked.
The drive was nice, Landi watching the scenery as she drank her shake and attempted to recover from her morning.
"It's okay to be confused about all this, your Majesty," Hazma cut into her turbulent thoughts. "It's a lot to process in such a short time. You were a virgin up until three days ago. Now you're a wife and essentially planning your wedding for the sake of your family. Anyone would be confused with the whiplash of it all."
"I really don't want to be called 'Majesty' or 'Highness' all day, Hazma. Is there any way you could tone it down for now?"
"Very well, Alandra. When we're alone - or not in mixed company - I will address you by name, okay?"
"Thank you! I'm just… I've got no one to really talk to about all of this. Not without it getting back to him," she added without heat in her voice. "I guess you are going to be a spy for him from now on." The woman sighed and curled into herself in the back seat.
"Only in matters that concern your health and well-being, Alandra. In all other ways, I am your friend and confidant. Try me."
"Okay. I feel intimidated by his… Size. I have zero experience with men. Is it supposed to be that big?" The man kept from bursting out laughing by sheer force of will. He didn't want to hurt her feelings after all.
"Yes, Landi. It's okay that he's that big."
"But I feel like he's pushing against the back of my teeth sometimes, he's so deep inside of me! Like, am I doing something wrong?" This time he couldn't help his chuckle. He rushed to reassure his charge before she took his amusement the wrong way.
"You should know that such talk would inflate your lord's ego. But no, you are not doing anything wrong. Does it hurt when he's inside you?" The woman was already shaking her head. "Then everything is fine. Is there anything else you are intimidated by?"
"He's so… Good at touching me and getting me ready for… That. Sometimes I feel like he's going to get bored of me. Like I'm not enough of a challenge for him. But I don't know how to get better."
"Landi, I cannot deny that your husband is a man that has had much experience with women. He's never been shy about his sexual appetite. Three months with you has changed his life though. The fact that he is your husband should tell you something about his commitment to you. Your purity calls to him; you don't have to worry about pretending in your marriage bed." Landi flushed prettily, deciding that was enough 'true confessions' for one morning.
"You guys seem pretty comfortable with him. How long have you guys been assigned to him?"
"Omar and I were assigned to Tyr when he first came to New York. It's been nine years since he got here right out of college in Alibhai. He was quite brash and eager to partake of life in the Big Apple."
"And by 'life', you mean…"
"The women, yes," he said with an uncomfortable shrug.
"It's okay to say it, you know. I'm not going to throw a fit if you mention his past conquests." Hazma looked at her strangely.
"Most women would dance around the subject or avoid it altogether," he said firmly.
"I'm not most women," she said forcefully. "I grew up surrounded by boys and raised as 'one of the guys' because Daddy and Mama didn't really know what to do with me once they'd raised two boys. My first period was a real fiasco. It reminded them that I was still technically a girl. Things were awkward for those first couple of days, but I didn't start gushing over guys or demanding pedicures or whatever it is that girls are supposed to want, so…" The bodyguard chuckled again.
"Where did you learn your emotional health from then? Most boys aren't known for their empathy."
"I'm technically not a boy," she shrugged. "Oh, we're here! Can we talk more later?" She jumped out of the car to ring the doorbell before he could answer. He smiled fondly at her, going to park the car once she was in the building. By the time the man was back, his charge and her friend were sharing the lists and making a plan. Landi was right, the ladies had messed up their assignments completely yesterday. They didn't really deserve to run around today. They hadn't even managed to get the cake order correct! Landi was right to want to fix their screw-ups with her friend. They tackled the first list, making calls and getting things done at warp speed.
The cake was to be made by the Ritz-Carlton kitchen, the flowers would come from the flower shop Tyr got her original bouquet from. She was in work mode, and so was her friend, nailing down the details of the reception easily now that she had time to focus on it herself. Next came the dress and accessories. The two women had been looking online for dress ideas all morning to cut down on real life shopping times. They couldn't agree on the final style though. Landi was determined to get something simple and cheap. Rachel wanted her to consider the more expensive builds.
"Rachel, I'm already married! There's no point in me buying-"
"There's always a point where wedding dresses are concerned," Oliver butted into the conversation. "Why didn't you two ask me to help with dressing the bride?"
"We've got this under control, Ollie," Landi reassured her friend. "After a morning of hard work, we've gotten everything nailed down, even the party favors, and we're ready to head out to-"
"Well just let me grab my man-purse and we can go. I'll grab a coffee on the way."
"Actually, we could use a break after this morning. It's noon. Why don't we grab lunch and then go to this high-end place I know?"
"I'm sure I can find something suitable for the wedding at David's bridal."
"You can't buy your dress off the rack! That's outrageous," Oliver cried dramatically.
"The reception is tomorrow, not next week, Ollie." The effeminate man looked so scandalized the women couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, Rachel. You're right, I'm running on fumes right now. Where were you thinking for lunch?" The stressed-out woman chuckled with her equally stressed-out friends. They dined at one of the best BBQ places in the city before cleaning up and going to check on the reception hall. It was nice and big for the families and the Myers and Myers families to attend. Jubilee was inspecting the hall herself, and checking the menu for tomorrow. She insisted on coming along with them to pick the dress. Her mother-in-law invited herself along as well, meaning that a limo and additional bodyguards were required for the trip.
"We're just going to pick something up from David's Bridal. I promise you, you don't need to come along with us!"
"You are not going to a pre-made wedding dress shop," Victoria said, scandalized by the idea.
"See, that's what I said," Oliver exclaimed
"The reception is tomorrow! There isn't time for-"
"It's your wedding reception, dear. There's always time," the older woman insisted. "Call your mother. I'm sure she will agree." Feeling panicked that this was getting out of hand, Alandra tried to head off the call.
"I already made the call, your Majesty," Jubilee smiled, ending the call. "Delilah and Ethel are on their way with a stretch limousine for all of us."
"Why are you doing this to me?" The bride demanded, doing her best not to cry. "There are still a ton of things to do to make up for yesterday. I just want to grab a quick dress and get back to work!"
"Oh, daughter," the queen said, wiping her tears away with her thumbs, "this is just too important to do halfway."
"Yeah, Landi," Rachel said to comfort her friend. "Thanks to the last five and a half hours, we're almost completely ready for the reception. We just need to-"
"I need to check on the flowers, approve the cake, make sure that the playlist I made this morning for the DJ gets to him, do the-"
"All of which can be done on the way to the tailor's," Oliver soothed her. "You're still thinking like a woman of no means. Honey, you have the riches of Alibhai at your disposal! You're not a pauper."
"I don't want to take advantage," she said in a small voice, backing away from the Queen's comforting hands.
"Wait a minute! That credit card number you gave me to use all morning-"
"What of it?" She asked defensively. "I budgeted for-"
"Oh, you poor thing. Didn't you know that you're on my son's budget now?" The mother turned to her son's bodyguard and asked for his credit card limit. The number he gave made her eyes cross. "Hazma, please take some time to transfer accounts on my behalf. I want not a dollar left on her card and you know the kind of extravagance Barbarossa insists on. Take care of it. We will keep Little Landi safe with us while you work."
"Wait-"
"Yes, your Majesty," her bodyguard bowed and left to go to Tyr's suite, taking the annotated lists with him for reference. He'd been waiting on the opportunity to do this all day.
Landi, in the meantime, was reeling. With that much money at her disposal, no wonder the woman was insisting on having her dress made! She could likely afford to have same-day alterations done.
"I can see the wheels in her head turning already, My Lady. What you really need is a spa treatment this evening. It will change your life." The college student flagged down one of the staff and asked for the spa menu without the prices. Her mother and sister-in-law entered the hotel just as Jubilee was trying to convince the bride to choose a few treatments.
"She'll have the salt scrub, the mani-pedi with French tips, and the ninety minute aromatic massage."
"Mom!"
"What?" Delilah mocked her distraught daughter.
"You probably just selected over a grand's worth of treatments!
"More than, considering that you're getting the same treatments as your daughter and daughter-in-law."
"In that case, can we get facials also? And eyebrow shaping?"
"I have you all booked in for six-thirty tonight," the attendant holding the treatment tablet said professionally. "Is there anything else I can do for you, your Majesties?"
"Yes. Mother and I would be interested in a bottle of cold Sangria and chunks of fruit and berries being sent to our room at eight-fifteen. That should give the ladies plenty of time to get back to our room for a little bachelorette party!"
"Oh dear," Landi said quietly as the others got very excited and started throwing out random suggestions for said party.
"... In fact, I think we'll need our own room to party in with the strippers," Jubilee said, her eyes shining with mischief.
"Guys, guys! Technically, I'm not a-"
"I don't care, Babygirl! You denied us a chance to give you a bachelorette party, you are getting one now. And I don't care how much of a lightweight you are, you're going to have some Sangria with me tonight!" Landi started herding the group of excited females - and Ollie - out of the hotel, not liking all the attention they were suddenly garnering. It was like herding cats, but she finally managed it by turning the conversation back to her wedding dress.
Wedding dress shopping was just as disastrous as Landi thought it would be with so many opinions and options available to the group. The argument about fabrics almost turned viscous until the bride headed it off by suggesting a satin with a lace overlay. After that, the group tried three different dresses - each made from scratch - before coming up with a design with which the bride was truly pleased. She tried to get away with what the others wanted just to get the trip over with, but Delilah had a sixth sense about her daughter's opinion. Fortunately, Jubilee had a keen eye for fabrics and materials, and they ended up with an ivory lace and pink tulle wedding gown that flowed to the ground from its A-line design in a river of lace. The dress was embellished with three-dimensional silk flowers, crystals, pearl beads, and petals. The style was bold for the conservative woman, with a deep V-neck to the center of her chest. The sleeves fell to her elbows in lace. On her hands were fingerless lace gloves made of the same material as the dress that covered her dainty wrists.
The salesperson found a cathedral veil that flowed to the floor with the dress but did not cover her face. It was embellished along the edges with the same silk petals and beading, held to her head with filigree crystal jeweled combs. This complemented the hairstyle Delilah had in mind for her child. They also got her a small pearl-studded purse for her phone and wallet. Oliver immediately decided that the bouquet of dark blue roses with an ivory white rose in the center would be the right bouquet for her and ordered it for her.
"Yeah, you're right, Ollie. The red from my torn-up hands will be perfect for-"
"The roses will be de-thorned, of course, silly goose. Now try these platforms on. I think they fit your style perfectly." Everyone was impressed with the rainbow sheep of the Young family when she gained an extra three inches of closed-toe height without wobbling. The trains of her dress and veil were extra long so the seamstresses fitting the dress to her body added an ingenious series of pearl buttons to them so that she could dance when the time came. By the time the bride was in her corset, underwear, and garter belt - not to mention the non-royal members of the party guests had selected their dresses and accessories for the event - it was almost time for dinner so the trio could go for their spa evening treatments. Rachel was long gone to her class with promises to be back at the hotel by six for the party.
The group ate gyros from Symposium on the way back to the Ritz-Carlton. Landi, Ethel, and Delilah were immediately whisked away for their appointments. The mani-pedis were deeply relaxing and Landi fell asleep after the salt scrub and during the massage.
"Wake up, Babygirl. You slept through the spa appointment."
"Mama, it's been a long day, the reception is tomorrow and then his family is going back to Alibhai… I go to court again Friday… This week is draining on me."
"Then why?"
"Come on, Mama. You know I'd do anything for my family. Either of them," she yawned and sat up, putting on her clothes quickly. "I'm hoping to talk Jubilee out of this party idea," Landi yawned again as she slipped her shoes on.
"Why would you want to skip the party?" Delilah said as she put her bra on.
"Oh, come on, Mom! You know I can't handle my liquor. What if something happens and I'm too blitzed out to do anything about it?"
"That's what the guards are for," the woman said happily. "Alandra, you have to learn to let go. You are the most tightly wound person I've ever met. But it's truly alright that you are so sensitive. You've earned the right to relax a little. Come party with us."
Alandra looked her mother over, desperately hoping that things would go well.
