Althena Book 2

79. Dress Shopping

The girls and Chris pull me out of the helicopter at some little shop. I think we're in the palace district. I'm honestly surprised we're not at Safiri.

"Where are we?"

"Wedding dress shop." Lila holds the door. "They're expecting us."

We sit on couches. The place is super fancy.

"Welcome, everyone. Who did I speak with on the phone?"

Chris raises his hand. "That was me."

"I pulled a variety of dresses in completely different styles as you requested. I pulled a few with color as well. I'm a little confused though. The wedding dress needs to be done by next Thursday?"

Mary smiles. "We have so many events going forward with this wedding. We're going to need a lot of dresses. Depending on the event or who is hosting it, some will be wedding dresses, others will be regular dresses."

"Now I understand. Thank you."

"My pleasure."

"Mrs. Bride to be, please come with me, and I'll help you get in the first one."

I follow her to the back. There are white dresses everywhere. And a backdoor. I run out the door. I feel like I'm going to panic. I stand there taking deep breaths.

Monte comes running out 30 seconds later. "What are you doing?"

"Breathing."

"What's the problem?"

"I don't know... My mom's not here." Tears fall out of my eyes. "I have nobody to give me away. My grandma is the only real family I have. I haven't even known her for 6 months. Who the hell am I going to invite? Why am I doing this?" He wraps his arms around me and lets me cry. "Is it so other people can get together and have a reason to celebrate? People I don't even know. They can say congratulations, and I'll never see them again. What's the point of any of it?"

"It's for you. You can be happy and celebrate special occasions with people who care about you. It doesn't matter if 20 people or 2,000 people watch. It's only a celebration for the 2 of you. Ignore everyone else. Dance with him. Have some champagne. Thank everyone for coming and celebrating with you. That's it. And I'm sorry your parents aren't here. I know your mom wanted to see this."

I sob and wipe my nose on my arm. "She tried so hard."

"I know." He holds me closer and kisses my head. "Try to enjoy it for her. You enjoying it is what she would have wanted." He wipes the tears off my face. "She wouldn't want this."

I nod and hug him. He's right. She would want me to be happy.

He leads me back in and the lady smiles. "Right here is the dressing room. Put the first dress on, and I will come in and adjust it to your body."

"Ok. I can do this." I put it on and I don't like it. I open the door. "I don't like it."

She puts some clips on my back. They make the dress tighter. "They'll want to see it too. It takes a lot of people to pick a wedding dress. But do not let them talk you into something you don't like." She guides me to them and helps me onto the podium. "This dress has a fit and flare silhouette, spaghetti strap, deep v neck, floor length, slit to the thigh, silk, with a train. Thoughts on this one?"

Mary smiles. "I like the train and the neck line."

"Ehhh" Chris tilts his head. "It's not fancy enough."

"I feel like I'm wearing a nightgown."

"Yea. Next." Lila waves her hand at me.

The next one. "This is a mermaid fit. Fitted to below the knees and explodes into the train. Very dramatic."

Monte tilts his head. "Can you walk in that?"

"Barely. I like the fit and flare type better. This is difficult."

I change again. "Next we have a drop waist. This is an ivory dress with a white lace overlay. Long sleeves. Thoughts?"

I hug myself. "I love the lace."

Granny smiles. "I love the colors."

Next. "This is a true ballgown. Long train. Princess cut on top with the drop sleeves."

"That is perfect." Mary smiles.

Lila shakes her head. "The dress is wearing her. It's too much of a dress for her frame."

"That is true. Do you have something in that style but not so huge?"

"Yes I do."

I have a silent meltdown on my way out.

"This is another ballgown. Not quite as many layers. Thoughts?"

I side eye the sales lady. "Why is everything so white?"

"Brides like to symbolize their virginity with white."

I bite my lip so I don't laugh. Chris snorts and looks down. Monte laughs. Lila hits him in the head with a pillow. "Knock it off."

"Well," The lady smiles. "Most soulmates mark each other when they meet. The white symbolizes waiting for their mate. Not that they are currently a virgin."

"Oh, I can wear white." I smile at everyone.

"Good job, sweetie."

"Thank you, granny."

"We're going to keep going now." The lady pulls me to the back again.

3 dresses later. I'm going to need alcohol soon. "This dress is an A-line lace dress with spaghetti straps and a deep v neckline. Thoughts?"

"I love lace."

Cyrus's mom smiles at me. She hasn't said a word all day. "Will you put her in a fit and flare, lace dress please?"

"Sure will."

I come out of the dressing room holding it on my body. Then she clips it on and takes me out. I stare at myself in the mirror. I love this.

"This is fit and flare with the lace overlay. Princess cut top with hanging drop shoulders. Slit to the thigh. Nice train in the back. Thoughts?"

"Mine." I can't even pull my eyes off it. I drag my fingers over the lace. It's so pretty.

"Can we see it with a veil?"

The lady hooks it in my hair. It's perfect. I think it's as long as the train. I wrap it partially around me, then jump.

"No jumping." The lady grabs the dress. "It's only held on by clips. They will fly right off, and you'll be standing here in your underwear."

Cyrus's mom smiles. "Can you have that ready for pickup by next Thursday?"

"Yes. That won't be a problem. I'll need a fitting today and Friday. Final fitting will be Monday next week."

"Perfect."

Mary nods. "Now she needs a dress for this Saturday."

"Another wedding dress?"

"Fancy but no." Chris gets out his phone. "Saturday is her engagement party. This is the color palette for the party."

"You know what..." The lady runs off. Then she runs back in. "I'll put it on her."

I get to the dressing room, and she pushes some pins into the dress. "I'm marking where I need to alter it. This way it will fit you without the clips."

"I love it so much. I don't want to take it off."

"I can tell, and it looks beautiful on you. Let's see if I can find you a dress for your party Saturday quickly. Then I can start work on this one."

"Ok." I wipe tears off my face. I don't know why this is such an emotional day.

"Perfect." She gets it off me. Then disappears for about 2 minutes. "I'm thinking you'll like this. I kept the lace you like."

I put a blue dress on and it fits perfectly. "I do like it."

"I figured. Let's see what everyone else thinks."

I run out and stand on the podium.

"That is perfect for a party." Granny smiles at me.

"It's got lace too."

The lady catches up with me. "This is a cocktail length, sky blue, v neck." She goes to say something else and Chris cuts her off.

"We'll take it. She loves that dress. We'll need a matching tie and vest for Drogon."

Mary looks at him. "That was a fast decision."

"She loves the dress, and it's for a party. It's the perfect shade of blue. It's not like it has to be super formal or perfect."

"There are still going to be a lot of people there."

"That's true." Chris looks back at the dress I'm wearing.

"UGH." I stare at the ceiling and Monte starts laughing again.

2 hours and 8 dress changes later, we figure out that it's perfect. I have seriously spent an entire day here.

I get to the house with Chris and my boys are sitting around the table.

Conner asks, "How did it go, babygirl?"

"When I marry you, I'm going to be naked."

"Lucky me."

I sit and lay my head on the table. "Food please."

"They didn't feed you, baby?" Cyrus uses his fingertips to rub my back.

"They had snacks like crackers. Nothing that would mark a dress."

Chris hangs a dress bag on the wall. "Shoes tomorrow." I tense but don't move.

"What's that dress?" Cyrus is staring at the bag.

"Engagement party. I think she put Drogon's stuff in here too."

"I got stuff?"

"New tie. You'll match." Chris checks the bag. "Yea. Vest and tie."

"That's pretty." Mike smiles at my dress. Then sends the help to bring me some food.

I eat and ignore them. I can't take anymore talk today. Then I go to Mike's bed. I need some actual sleep.