The Look Of Love

Chapter 51: Fern

President's Day, the first Monday after Valentine's Day, brought a much needed break. It's nice having a day off from school. While their friends were relaxing, and hanging out at Golf 'N Stuff, Bobby and Mary were wedding planning. The intention had been to spend half the morning working on wedding things, and the other half with their friends.

Whenever, mom's are involved you can kiss plans goodbye. According to Bobby's mother, they're already months behind. She began naming things to do. The venue has not been reserved, engagement photos have not been taken, bridal party attire has not been chosen, the guest list is not compiled, an officiant needs to be reserved, wedding invitations have to be looked at... the list went on and on. 

At one point she asked her son, "Do you even know where you want to go for a honeymoon?" Bobby blushed from the roots of his head to the tips of his toes. He figured he'd choose it a few weeks before the wedding, then discuss accommodations and what not with his dad. The embarrassed expression on her son's face told her all she needed to know, as an answer. She lifted her chin and frowned at him.

Next Katie Brown told them both, "You need a gift registry. Figure out what stores you want to register at, then go and talk the home goods manager." She gave them a look that means business. "You both have so much to do and not much time to do it in. I don't know what I'm going to do with the two of you." She shook her head and questioned Mary. "What do you aunts have to say about all of this?" Her delicate hand swept over the wedding binder she had created. 

Mary sighed. "Pretty much the same things you have said. They're beginning to grow anxious that everything will not be done in time. Although they have begun making a guest list. Aunt Kitty will probably call you soon to discuss it." It's obvious she and Bobby won't be joining their friends.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Bobby's mother announced "Alright, what you are going to do today is this. First, you're going to sit here and make a list of stores for your bridal registry. Then we will look at the list together. Next you will go to those stores and register for wedding gifts. In the meantime, I will be calling a wedding planner. I spoke with your aunts earlier about this, and they gave me their blessing to hire one." She paused to take a sip of her coffee.

 "Hopefully someone can squeeze us in this afternoon. I may have to use my connections to persuade, but I will find a way to make this happen. That way you can choose invitations and other such stuff." She looked at the couple. "Why are you just sitting there? Pick up that notepad and start writing." She walked out of the living room, most likely to go call a wedding planner.

Grabbing the notepad, Bobby scowled. He handed it to Mary and got up from the sofa. He started pacing around the room. "I thought this would be simple. I propose, you say yes, we get married. I didn't know all of this other stuff was involved." He began to massage the back of his neck.

Mary's eyes snapped to his. She could not believe he really thought that. Is this how men think? Do they believe the wedding just pulls itself together, like some wedding fairy waves their wand and... poof! Here's a wedding. She knew they had to do all of these things, but has been putting it off. It all looks so daunting and overwhelming.

He stopped pacing and sat back down. "For example, do we really need engagement photos? I mean, we're going to have wedding pictures." Judging by the look on his girlfriend's face they obviously did.

"Seriously? Yes, we need them. Unless you want to have the honor of explaining, to your mother and my aunts, that we're not," she told him. She saw a look of terror flash across his face.