Book Club

Princess Party

Penelope takes a breath, "What do you think?" She hears nothing but a light snore and realizes, "I'll call back later. You just had an adorable baby." Penelope hangs up the phone and gets back to work.

She ends up calling later when the case is closed. Emily is discharged with baby Resi. The first few nights are hard, but Resi understands her sleep schedule fairly quickly. Emily and Derek both adjust to the new parent schedule. Soon enough weeks pass by and it's time for Emily's bridal shower and bachelorette party all in one. She hooks the car seat into the car and rests Resi in it. She gives Resi her favorite pink blanket made by Penelope. On the way over she chats with Resi. She discusses how amazing she is and how she is the best thing ever to happen to her.

After a nice car ride through downtown Quantico, Emily and Resi make their way into Penelope's small apartment. Penelope greets them with hugs and air kisses. Penelope picks up Resi and slowly swings back and forth, "My wittle baby girl. How is she mamacita?"

Emily answers, "Exhausted." Resi is put back in her carrier as Penelope makes an announcement, "JJ is going to meet us at our destination, then we will come back here."

"Where are we going?" Emily walks out the door, holding Resi in the carrier.

Penelope smirks, "It's a secret." Penelope locks the door and moves the car seat base from Emily's car to her own. After a few minutes of slight struggling, they place the car seat in the base and sit in the car. Penelope whips out of her parking lot and has her head on a swivel. She turns right, then left, then right again. Emily is instructed to close her eyes with no peeksies. as they get closer. Emily does as she says and does not peek.

Resi starts to wake up as they pull into the spot. Penelope runs to the other side of the car and opens Emily's door. Emily opens her eyes to see ZoZo's Bridal Shop. She smiles, "You guys..."

She hears screams from the inside of the boutique. She grabs Resi and marches in with a purpose to see Sara, Desiree, Elizabeth and Fran. They crowd her and Resi saying things like, "Isn't she just so precious. She's as cute as a button. She is amazing."

Emily thanks them for their compliments and sets the carrier down. Fran is the first to ask, "May I hold her?" Emily nods and unclips Resi from the seat. Resi bables happily as Fran rocks her from side to side.

The owners of the shop approach the bride to be, "We are Zoe, and Zofia, we are the owners. We have the whole place reserved for you. How can we help you?"

Penelope introduces Emily, "This is Emily, the bride to be. I'm Penelope, the one you spoke to on the phone."

"Do I just tell you what I'm looking for in a dress?" Emily asks politely. Zoe nods her head in affirmation. Emily starts, "I've always wanted an ivory or white dress. Plain and simple, maybe with cap sleeves and some floral embroidery, but still staying simple and elegant."

"Boy do we have the dresses for you," Zofia takes Emily by the hand and takes her into a closet full of what she described. Emily picks out 3 dresses and heads to the changing room. While changing into the first dress, Zofia asks, "What are you looking for in bridesmaid dresses?"

"I haven't even chosen my bridesmaids, but Derek and I were thinking of a summertime wedding. Sometime in August. I'm not very creative so you can go wild," Emily explains.

Emily is zipped into her first dress and walks out to her group of people. Before Zo and Zo can explain the dress, Emily blurts out, "Sara, Des, JJ, and Penelope, would you like to be my bridesmaids?"

Penelope shrieks, "Yes!"

Quietly the other three say, "Yes."

Zofia smiles and explains, "After we figure out Emily's dress, we can start with the bridesmaids and mothers."

Still before Emily has turned around toward the mirror, Zoe explains the dress, "This is a Galina Signature, floral Tulle Wedding Dress with Removable Sleeves with a sweep back train."

Emily turns around and starts to tear up. Elizabeth, now holding Resi asks, "What's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong. It's perfect," Emily starts to cry.

Zofia asks, "Is this the dress?"

Emily nods her head yes and cries more. Penelope starts taking pictures while Emily cries some more. Emily gets a hold of herself and steps off the pedestal, "Your turn."

Desiree asks, "What dress?"

"You can pick, as long as they are the same color and go with an August wedding, you can go crazy," Sara runs to this one dress she has been eyeballing. While they discuss amongst themselves, Emily takes the dress off, sits down with the mothers, and takes Resi back.

Only a few minutes pass by when all of them come walking out in dusty light purple dresses. Penelope cheers while Sara looks in the mirror, "What do you think?"

"I think you all look amazing," Emily smiles and reaches for a tissue to wipe the excess tears left over. They all go back in and get changed back into their normal clothes. The mothers are up next, Sara takes Resi out of Emily's arms. The mothers browse around the shop until they find something they like. One after another they come out and model. Elizabeth has a beautiful blush short sleeve knee-length dress, while Fran walks out in a sparkling gold ¾ sleeve knee-length dress.

The two head back and get changed into their original clothes. Penelope starts to clean up the area around them. When everyone meets back together, Penelope mentions to Emily heading back to the car, "You think that was it? I got one more trick up my sleeve, follow me."

Emily and the rest of the group follow the mysterious Penelope around the corner and down the block, "Oh my goodness! You remembered!"

Emily turns to her mother who is smiling ear to ear. Penelope mentions and points to Elizabeth, "It was her idea."

Emily smiles, "Mom..." She turns back to the beautiful picnic setup. It is set up in a gazebo with string lights on the inside and outside.

JJ is the first to start walking towards the gazebo. Emily turns back around and runs to hug her mother. Her mother takes a moment to hug her back, but nevertheless, she did. Elizabeth says, "You picked a great man."

"I know, I know," Emily lets go.

They all walk to the gazebo crossing over a tiny creek. Once everyone is settled, Fran asks, "What is the significance of this?"

Emily answers before she stuffs her face with the wonderful meats and cheeses from the platter, "When I was little, and home with my dad, every birthday we would come here and have a picnic. Then this one time, on my tenth birthday, my mom came to surprise me. She was supposed to be out in Kuwait, but came home for a few days to celebrate my birthday. Next to me getting engaged, that was my favorite day." 

Elizabeth wipes a tear away, "I wish I could have been there more."

"I love you, mom," Emily leans over and hugs her mother tightly. Collectively the group stays quiet and tears roll down cheeks.