Choking On Sapphires

Part 97 Golden Dandelions

Genevieve's hair was clean and fluffy like a freshly bathed kitten. An ocean of darkness around her as people brushed and fussed, fresh from her mikvah the day before and she was still feeling a bit dazed. She'd been as reflective as the water's surface as she soaked until she pruned, alone in the silence of the stone-walled room. She recalled the first time she'd seen Alfie. She watched it play out through what felt like antique glass. It seemed as if they had been so much younger then. Had she known? Or had it taken longer to deny that feeling in her gut? It certainly had been a rush from hesitant kisses, apologies, fights, and burning down city blocks. Had it all happened so fast?

She stood in the middle of a white draped room, with people scurrying around her like flies, perched on a stool, her eyes unfocused, it already felt as if it'd been a long day. It felt surreal. It didn't matter if she'd planned every second of what was to happen, with a blur of motion around her and lost in deep thought, she couldn't help but feel a bit detached. She'd gone over every moment that led to this decision for her, every good and bad memory, leaving them behind as she entered the Temple that day.

"ARSCH MIT OHREN!" Freddie snaps and slaps her ass in the beaded dress.

She finally blinks and looks down to meet his heavy fluffy brows with her high ones. "Ja Lackaffe?" her voice is calm and steady, acting nothing like what he expected. His friend wasn't exactly typical and he didn't expect her to be a giddy child on the day of her wedding but he hadn't expected total detachment either.

"I've asked you three times if you want me to sew you into this and pop it after the ceremony? These seams are refusing to lie perfectly flat."

"Do what you need to do," she responds with a nod.

"Are you... alright?" he creases the bridge of his nose up at her.

"I'm perfectly fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You seem very... like you've smoked opium, to be honest." he shrugs.

"No.'' she purses her lips, "I'm feeling a bit... disoriented but I believe it is a result of the contemplation of how I've found myself at this point."

"In a negative sense?"

"No, my no." she swings her head. "When one finds oneself in an elaborate situation... and one of their creation nonetheless, it's hard not to reflect on it when you thought it impossible."

"If I wasn't so focused on sewing your arse into this dress I'd be more apt to indulge in my bewilderment as to you getting married." he goes back to intricately securing beads. "As it has all played out. For what it is worth, I believe it is a good thing. For both of you're stubborn arses."

"We agree. With the encounter with George and all the familial relations and conversations and memories, this past week has brought rushing down upon me during this, already, a strenuous time, I suppose I hadn't given myself proper permission to enjoy it."

"You have everything finalized. Claire, who is more capable than any of us is managing everything so you don't have to worry your pretty little painted head about it today. Do those breathing exercises those lovely chinamen taught us on holiday. Bring you back into the present."

"I suppose you're right. I wouldn't want to look back and recall nothing."

"You've been waiting all your life for a fairy tale Genevieve. Let yourself live it for a day."

She takes a breath as deep into her lungs as it'll go.

"Have you ever had a dream come true Freddie?"

"Giving the man a lot of credit," he smirks and continues a concentrated brow above his dark-rimmed glasses only concerned with not adding a splash of red to this dress while stabbing his friend's backside with his needle.