“Mommy is funny today!”
“Yep, sure is,” Leah said, giving me a wry look.
While I was upstairs changing, Leah had picked up Maddie from the day camp and asked if she wanted to help us shop. Being the little diva she
was, she naturally agreed.
“Let’s go shopping, ladies!” Leah said cheerfully, and all of us, including my extra-large cup of coffee with cream and sugar, headed out of
the hotel and into the black rented sedan Leah had managed to obtain.
“The concierge gave me a couple places to check out, but based on everything she told me, there is one place I want to go to first.”
I gave her a thumbs up and we were on our way.
“I think you should get a pink dress Mommy.”
“Oh yeah? I’m not sure pink is my color baby girl.”
She gave me a pointed look that could only be pulled off by a five year old and said, “Pink is everyone’s color Mommy.”
Put in my place by my own offspring. Figures.
“Well, if there is a pink dress…I promise I’ll try it on.” I gave Leah a wink, knowing full well I wouldn’t have to keep my word. What
kind of bridal shop had pink dresses?
I really should have kept my mouth shut, because as soon as we walked into the door of the beautifully decorated bridal salon Leah had chosen,
in all its pink, glittery glory, was a dress that would have put Glenda the Good Witch to shame.
I think I almost went deaf from the squeals that emanated from my daughter.
“Mommy! You have to try this on!”
At least she said I just had to try it on. Based on the decibel level of that squeal, I figured she would have demanded I buy it on the spot.
No doubt hearing the noise from our grand entrance, a store clerk emerged and gave us a warm welcome. She was the nicest woman you could ask
for when shopping for a wedding dress. A complete contrast to the stores I visited back home. They were all rush, rush…and highly annoyed I
had come in at the last minute. Who gets married that quickly? Um, lots of people. Get over it. And no, I wasn’t pregnant. But thanks for
giving me the once over.
Was it a crime that I wanted to look good on my special day, even if it wasn’t a year in the future?
The woman helping us, Maria, seemed to understand perfectly, having most likely helped plenty of women in similar situations. We weren’t in
Vegas, but with views and romance surrounding you at every turn in this place, impromptu weddings were likely to occur.
“What type of dress were you looking for?” she asked, which took me by surprise.
“Whatever you have off the rack, I guess.”
“Oh darling…we have plenty. Tell me what you envision wearing the day you marry your special man, and I will see what I can do.”
Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe I was overly emotional from everything that was happening…but I began to tear up. Leah threw an arm around me
and gave me a gentle hug.
“See, I told you we would find you something special. Did you ever stop to think that maybe your dress getting trashed wasn’t a sign that you
weren’t supposed to get married, but a sign that you weren’t supposed to get married in that dress?”
I looked up at her confused.
“Clare, don’t try and hide it. I know you hated that dress.”
I tried to argue with her, but I couldn’t. I really did hate that dress. It was, like I said, beautiful…with a sweeping matte satin train and
fitted strapless bodice…but it wasn’t me at all.
“When I see myself on that beach, marrying Logan, I see myself in vintage lace. Something simple— timeless and elegant, but not overdone.”
Maria smiled, “I think I have just the thing.”
Logan
“She’s going to kill you, man,” my soon to be brother in law said, shaking his head as I moved the last bag across the hall.
“I might kill myself first.”
“They’re not back yet. You could still change your mind. She’d never know.”
I stopped in the middle of the hall, looking back and forth between the two doors and shook my head.
“No, I want to do this. I think we need a bit of tradition.”
“Okay, but do me one favor?”
“Sure, what’s that?”
“Let me be around when you tell her?” he said, before hitting me on the back and laughing. I groaned, hating myself already.
We didn’t have to wait long. After finishing the task that would no doubt land me in the dog house, we headed downstairs to the bar and met
the girls in the lobby, returning from their afternoon out. My eyes came to rest on Clare, and I felt my breath hitch. Even after months
together, waking up each morning by her side, day after day, she still managed to steal my breath with just one glimpse.
She was glowing, full of joy, and no longer carrying that devastated expression she’d arrived with after finding her destroyed wedding dress.
Instantly, I was at her side. Bending down, I placed a lingering, tender kiss on her lips.
“I’m guessing it was a good trip?”