| |
I woke up mid-afternoon to find Sara standing at the foot of the bed. Needless to say I freaked out, screamed, and tossed one of my pillows at her. It turns out I’m not allowed to see Adrien until this evening. So now I’m sitting at the dressing table, while Sara tries to pin up my hair.
“Ouch.” Again she stabs me like my head is a pin cushion.
“Shit!” She tosses the hairbrush on the dressing table in frustration.
She’s certainly no Cate. God, I miss Cate doing my hair. In fact after this, I’ll never complain again when she wants to practise on me.
I sigh out a tense breath. I’m nervous and don’t know what to expect. It really doesn’t feel like the run up to a wedding at all. This is fast. Like I told Adrien, it’s insane.
“Sorry,” Sara says, and I’m in shock. She never apologises for anything. She’s always right. “I think we both need a drink.”
She lifts a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket, and pours into two flutes. She hands me one, and we both more or less down it at the same time together. She smiles at me, and I laugh at her, holding out my glass for another. This is probably the first real female bonding with Sara I have experienced. It’s weird, but welcomed. I have no one here from my family, so any reassurance I can get, I’m going to take it.
“Okay, but this is the last one though.” She takes my glass. “Can’t have you falling on your ass out there.”
“Are we doing the right thing Sara?” I ask, and again it feels like barbed wire is coiling around my neck. I shouldn’t have any doubts about this.
“You and Adrien have never done the right thing. But when it comes to this, there is no right way to go about it. It’s not about the right thing. It’s about the stupidity of love.”
“Well, thanks.” I huff out a breath, taking the glass from her.
“What I mean is, one way or another you’ll always end up together. It’s not for anyone else to protest against it, or approve of it. It’s like the more negativity you face, the more powerful you become together. You both rebel against all advice and opinion given to you. I guess that’s what true love really is.”
“Marriage though?” I’m not getting second thoughts. Well I don’t think I am. I’m thinking too much. Shit.
“How much do you love Adrien? Enough to nearly kill yourself for him. Oh wait, you did that, remember.” She rolls her eyes at me, and at this moment I don’t appreciate her sarcasm. “And how many times has Adrien fought and nearly died for you. Too many times. So you don’t need to be afraid of going out there and affirming that.” She drops down and sits on the ottoman at the end of the bed. “If it’s because you miss your mom, then call her. Tell her your plans so when you get back, it’s already out in the open.”
I look at my reflection. I’m half ready to get married, and as much as I hate to admit it, I need to hear my mum’s voice. I pick up my phone and twirl it in my hand a few times.
“I’ll give you a few minutes.” Sara gets up, swiping away the bottle of champagne as she leaves.
I take in a breath and scroll down to Mum’s number, pressing dial before I change my mind. With each ring I scrunch up my eyes. It stops.
“Hi Lizzy honey. I didn’t think I’d be hearing from you so soon. Used to the once every few weeks, phone call.” Tears well up in my eyes, and I stay quiet for too long. “Is everything okay?”
I sniff up. “Yes Mum.”
“No it’s not.” My mother’s radar strikes again.
I gulp down the knot in my neck, trying to get a grip of my emotions. “Don’t be mad at me Mum. I wanted to call you before I went ahead and just did it.”
“Lizzy, you’re worrying me. What is it?”
“You know how much you were looking forward to the wedding.”
“Yes,” she mumbles in a low long tone.
“Well... well it’s not going to be happening.”
“What!”
“Because it’s happening tonight.” I clench up, listening to her panting down the receiver.
“Did you hear that Cate,” Mum goes off and yells in the background.
Oh great. Cate is at my mum’s house. I know there’s a saying: kill two birds with one stone. But I might as well be using a damn bulldozer right now.
“You’re on speaker Lizzy,” Mum yells.
I can virtually see them all gathering around the phone, as I listen to the shockwave I’ve created. I’m so hot and feel like hanging up. But I have to stay on the line, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it, or be forgiven.
“You’re getting married tonight?” Cate squeals, not in excitement, but anger.
“Bloody hell Lizzy,” Geoff’s voice emerges from the background.
“Look, this is what we want. Quiet and no fuss,” I say, again cringing as they all twitter.
I listen as they continue to gossip angrily amongst each other. But I won’t tell them to stop. I thought that deep down they’d understand. I guess I was wrong.
After around forty seconds Mum snaps, “Right, shush. I want to talk to Lizzy!” I exhale a long weary breath. “Sweetheart, is this what you really want?”
“Yes, more than anything in the world. But I don’t want any of you to be upset because of me.” I pause, snivelling, wiping a tear from my cheek. “I want everyone to be happy. To understand it’s hard to cater for everyone. That it’s about us.”
“Liz,” Cate calls out. “I... I’m so happy for you.” That’s Cate gone now, lost in her sobs.
“You have... you have our blessing.” Mum also begins to weep. “Geoff, get that posh plonk out from under the stairs and put it on ice.” I chuckle, knowing I’ve given her an excuse to throw an impromptu party. “I love you so much Lizzy. Please send me at least one picture.”
Sara appears in the doorway. I frown, noticing she’s holding a dress bag.
“Mum, love you too. I’ll call you all soon. I’ve got to go.”
“Oh my god. Lizzy enjoy it. Oh my god,” Mum squeaks.
I hang-up, feeling less terrified than before, but I’m also confused as to why Sara is hanging a dress bag on the door. I thought I’d be wearing the dress I wore for the masquerade.
As Sara unzips the bag I stand up, full of curiosity. She hands me a folded note. I open and see Adrien’s handwriting.
Dear Elizabeth
This dress once belonged to the other most important woman in my life. It’s your something old if you choose. Our marriage will be the something new. Sara has your something borrowed. And there will be nothing blue. Nothing blue about this night at all. I’m only a short walk away, waiting.
Your forever loving
Adrien.
The note has taken my breath away. I was expecting just the basic nuptials, but he seems to have planned this all out.
I move closer to the dress and reach out to run my fingers over the fabric. It’s cream silk with an over layer of dark ivory lace, which is almost gold. The neck and back are V shaped, and it comes in at the waist, flowing down to ankle length. It’s simple but beautiful. It’s nothing like the modern dresses you’d find in a bridal boutique.
“Let’s see if it fits then.” Sara takes the hanger and lifts the dress out from the bag.
I’m still speechless. I’m presuming this was his mother’s dress. It has to be near two hundred years old.
“It’s not got any mothballs.” Sara seems pissed I’m not jumping around at the sight of it.
“It’s not that. It’s just... just perfect,” I utter.
***
I’M STANDING BEFORE the full length mirror, brushing down the lace over my hips. My hair is down and loosely pinned up on the left side. It is about all I could manage, as soon as Sara gave up. I have the heels I wore for our engagement party on, and just the bare minimal make-up.
“You look... you look great,” Sara awkwardly compliments me.
I see she’s changed into a tight fitted lavender dress. “You too.”
“Oh, here, your something borrowed.” She dashes up to me and pulls out my wrist. She takes a delicate bracelet of platinum and diamonds, and slides it over my hand.
“Wow,” I say as she fastens the clasp.
“This is worth a small fortune, so don’t you lose it in the fits of passion.” She steps back to look me over. “Now or never.” She holds open her arm.
“Hold on, do I need someone to give me away?”
She takes my arm and forces me to link up with her. “This isn’t a normal wedding.”