| Chapter Twenty-Six The next morning was a blur of activity. Kevin walked around the house with a phone tucked against his chin as he made calls. He made lists, and then checked and rechecked those lists to make sure nothing had been forgotten. My sister’s were extremely happy that Kevin and I were getting married. They jumped right into all the planning and soon they were rushing from place to place making sure the things Kevin had requested were available. They also had the house staff cleaning the house from top to bottom; along with cooking and baking for the reception and they had the part-time gardener trimming bushes, cleaning out the flowerbeds, replanting and mowing the grass. Although it was late in the year and the weather could be unpredictable at best, nothing else would do; in Kevin’s opinion, than for us to be married outside under the rose trellis just like my parents had so many years before. When I warned him about the weather, he just smiled and assured me that it wouldn’t dare rain or turn cold before we were through. It made me laugh, but I prayed in earnest that the weather would hold. “Hey sis, you ready?” Callie asked as she stuck her head into my room. I grimaced inwardly, but flashed her a bright smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I answered, while mentally pushing the image of Omar the Tentmaker from my mind. “Then let’s go, Carly has the truck waiting outside,” she said as she turned and led the way down the hall. Forcing a smile to my lips I followed her downstairs, said a quick good-bye to Kevin and went out to the truck. Before I was ready, we were pulling into the parking lot of a bridal boutique in the town over from ours. I inhaled deeply as I followed my sisters inside. A tall matronly woman introduced herself as Marge as she greeted us and then promptly showed us to a room with plush mauve colored couches that lined one wall. In the middle of the room was a raised stage with hinged mirrors in front of it. With an efficiency of a drill sergeant, Marge had my size and likes. She swept out of the room and returned moments later with three dresses draped over her arm. “Come along dear,” she said as she entered another room. I followed along obediently, cringing all the way. The mental image of a white tent rose before me and I hid the shudder that ran down my spine. Within minutes I was standing in my maternity bra and panties as Marge fit the first dress over my head. I kept my eyes closed while she zipped up the back and arranged the tiers of chiffon. I slowly opened my eyes and just managed to stifle a groan. It was just what I expected. A tent. The dress hung from my shoulders to the floor. The frills, meant to look fluffy, simply hung around my body, emphasizing my protruding belly. “Come on Cass, we want to see,” Carly called from the other side of the dressing room. Marge opened the door and stepped out and I followed. I watched my sister’s faces as they got their first look. It was all I could do not to laugh. The looks of horror were absolutely priceless. “Let’s reserve judgment until you’ve tried them all on,” Callie said as diplomatically as possible. I nodded and sent her a look of thanks as I turned and went to try the next dress. It was no better. The shoulders were puffy, making my pregnancy-swollen breasts appear even larger. And the bodice clung, hiding nothing. I wanted to rip the offending garment off, but knew my sister’s would have a fit if they didn’t get to see it first. Drawing on deep reserves of strength, I pulled the door open and stepped out. This time, diplomacy flew out the proverbial window. “Take it off sis. Take it off now,” Carly said as she giggled. I felt the heat race along my cheeks as I turned. I smiled apologetically at Marge as I moved back into the room. “I’m so sorry,” I murmured as she closed the door behind us. “Sometimes Carly just doesn’t know when to stay quiet,” I added ruefully. Marge chuckled as she helped me get the dress off. “It’s perfectly all right. I really didn’t think the dress was right for you, but I figured we’d give a try.” As efficient as ever, Marge slipped the next dress over my head and buttoned me up. She adjusted the fall of the fabric and then stood back. I raised my eyes from the floor to the small mirror and stood in shock. The neckline was squared, bringing the attention to my face, while the sleeves were mid-length and slim, lying close to my arms. The bodice was overlaid in flowing lace and tucked under my breast in an empire waist and fell gently over the mound of my belly. It was perfect. I beamed a smile towards Marge and she nodded in satisfaction before she opened the door and stood aside. I knew the moment I saw my sister’s faces it was right. “Oh sis, you look so beautiful,” Callie said. “Yeah, just like mom,” Carly chimed in, bringing tears to my eyes. “I’ll take it,” I told Marge, who beamed. As we pulled out of the parking lot, Carly being her usual blunt self said, “You’re going to knock Kevin right off of his feet and flat on his…” “Carly,” Callie and I protested in unison. “What? I was just going to say his back. Sheesh, you’d think I was about to swear or something the way you two are acting.” Callie and I exchanged a look and then the three of us burst out laughing. CCC Index Chapter Twenty-Seven Main Page |