Nothing he said made me feel any less annoyed with him. If my head were up, I would have shot something even worse than daggers, at Jake.
While Jake tried to make amends, Gram called everyone back in the States. The butler got Jake’s parents, Uncle Henry, Aunt Barbara, Jane, and Nick all on conference call. We told them the good news and Jane seemed the most excited as we would become sisters shortly.
Jake announced to the family our plans to get married on the Fourth of July, and I could hear Sandy gasp.
“Mom, consider it a slightly bigger Christmas dinner. Let’s have the wedding at the house, and we’ll just use all the people you use regularly.”
“Emi, do you mind getting married at the house? This idea just came to me. Also, we live so close to the fireworks display, it will be beautiful at night during the reception.”
Getting married at the house was a fantastic idea if Sandy didn’t mind.
“Mom,” I couldn’t believe I had a mom again. My heart exulted. “Do you mind if I call you Mom, already?” I asked with hesitation. I wasn’t sure Sandy would feel comfortable with me jumping into the family.
“Emily, Bobby and I’ve loved you since the day we met you in Hawaii, and knew you would be a part of our family. I am thrilled you want to call me mom.”
Sandy’s answer brought a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye. I felt this weird mixture of sadness and joy, as I no longer had to wish for a family anymore. They were all here on the phone with me. Jake put both his arms around me and kissed my head.
“Thank you, Mom and Dad. I love you too.”
“Are you OK with getting married at the house?” Sandy asked.
“If you don’t mind…I really like Jake’s idea. Could you get the preparations started for me? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Sandy, Barbara,” Gram said. “I’ll buy Emily and Jake their dress and tuxedo here. You get started on the reception.”
By the end of the conversation, everyone had a to-do list. Once the wedding dress and tuxedo were taken care of here, we’d fly back with Gram and finish up the rest of the wedding preparation.
Gram’s driver took us shopping the rest of the day. Gram and I walked into a designer wedding dress shop while she sent Jake over to get fitted for his tuxedo. As soon as we walked in, Gram and I instantly gravitated toward the same wedding dress. The silk organza gown that hung on the first rack called my name. This was the gown for me.
“Emily, go try it on,” Gram urged.
The sales lady led me to a suite-sized dressing room and helped me into my dream wedding gown.
The gown fit as though it was made expressly for me. The slightly puffed sleeves naturally fell off my shoulders and the clean bodice hugged my waistline. The skirt was also a clean sheet of pure silk organza. It had no lace, no beading, and no details—just the simplicity I wanted. There was a semi long train and a bow that tied beautifully in the back. I felt like Cinderella going to her ball.
“Gram, I love this dress.”
“Emily, I think we are done looking. You look gorgeous,” she exclaimed with an approving nod. “Let’s buy this dress.”
“Gram, Jake and I will pay for this dress. I don’t want you to spend any more money on us. Your ring is present enough.”
“Nonsense. Don’t you know that I’m the richest person in this family?” She probably wasn’t kidding.
“Thank you, again, Gram!” I said while hugging her.
“Emily, you’ve made my favorite grandson a very happy man. I hope you two will love each as much as his grandfather and I loved each other.”
“We will,” I promised. “We will.”
The sales lady agreed to ship the dress to their Los Angeles store overnight, and I would have my final fittings over there. We walked over to Jake, and he was finishing up with the tailor. I was overcome with emotion thinking of Jake standing at the altar. He looked so handsome.
“Why are you back so soon?”
“We’re done.” I was beaming.
“Jakey, your bride is going to be stunning in her dress!”
“She’s always stunning, Gram.” He was delighted.
The tailor put the last touches on Jake’s tuxedo and we walked to Harvey Nichols Department Store and had a bowl of noodles for dinner. I hoped we were done for the day, but Gram wanted to buy a few more items for the wedding.
“Jakey, you go look around by yourself in the department store and I’m going to take Emily up to lingerie.”
My face turned red at the thought of buying lingerie with Jake’s grandmother.
“Gram, I’m coming with you,” he absolutely insisted. “I should have a say in this. It’s really more for me than it is for her.”