Gray Area (sequel to White Noise)

Ch 16 - Only The Best For My Girls

"You know, Ashton, this whole 'close your eyes, I'm not telling you where we're going' thing is really starting to get old."

Ashton just giggled at Tori from his spot behind the wheel. "Our whole friendship has been based on secrets and surprises," he told her. "I'd think you'd be used to it by now."

We had been in Sydney for less than 24 hours before Ashton announced his plans to kidnap Tori for the day. Of course, being the best friend and only other female brain in the group, he filled me in on his plans and asked me to tag along.

"Don't worry, Tor," I told her from the front seat. "You're gonna love it. I promise." This 'surprise' was something she and I had been talking about for a while now but hadn't been able to do until the baby was born.

"Alright," Ashton announced as he pulled into the parking lot of our destination, "we're here. Sit tight, Tori. I'll help you get out." He jumped out of the car as soon as it was in park and rushed around to Tori's door. I guess he was afraid she would open her eyes and peek before he was ready, and honestly, he probably had a right to be. Tori wasn't the most patient person, by any means.

"Can I please open my eyes now?" she asked once Ashton had helped her out of the car and got her in position.

"Okay. Open!"

I watched her reaction carefully as she took in her surroundings. Her expression was blank for a few moments before she broke out into a beaming smile.

"Guys. Oh my god!"

"Do you like it?" Ashton asked, trying to gauge her reaction. She responded by throwing her arms around him and giving him a tight squeeze.

"Ashton, I love it! I was beginning to think I was going to have to wear jeans and a t-shirt on my wedding day."

"Not on my watch, you're not. Come on," he told us, linking an arm through each of ours. "Let's go find you a wedding dress."

As soon as we had entered the store, we were immediately greeted by two smiling ladies waiting just inside the front door.

"Welcome! We're so glad to have you! Which one of you lovely ladies is the bride?" Ashton and I both pointed at Tori wordlessly. The lady addressed her with a smile and continued, "Congratulations! If you three will follow me, we can go ahead and get started. You ladies are in for a treat. Mr. Irwin has given us specific instructions to spoil you today." She gave Ashton a warm smile, which caused him to giggle.

She wasn't lying, though. As she led us into the huge showroom, I noticed the glasses of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us. It also seemed like Ashton had rented out the whole store for the day, as we were the only people in sight. Tori turned to Ashton, and I thought I could see tears in her eyes.

"Ash. You really didn't have to do all of this."

"Of course I did!" he argued. "Only the best for my girls. Always." She gave him another tight hug, which he happily returned.

"Alright, enough of this mushy stuff," I told them. "Let's find a dress!"

The consultants spent a while talking to Tori, trying to get a feel of the wedding and what she was looking for. When they felt they had enough information, they led her back to a dressing room, leaving Ashton and I sitting on the couch sipping our champagne.

"This really was a great idea, Ash," I told him in between sips. "She had pretty much decided to just settle and find a cheap dress somewhere."

"There's no way I'd let her do that. Or you, when that day comes. Like I said, only the best for you two. No exceptions."

We chatted a little while longer before Tori finally came out in her first dress. I couldn't help it; the tears formed all on their own.

"Oh, Tor," I sighed as I looked at my gorgeous friend standing in front of me. "You look stunning."

"Thanks, Lex," she blushed, twisting and turning to get a good look at herself in the mirror. "I don't know, though. It's a beautiful dress, but I don't really see myself in a ballgown, you know?"

"Well, then, this isn't the one. Go try on another."

We saw a couple more that, even though beautiful, just weren't the right fit for Tori. It was the fourth dress she tried on, however, that took all of our breath away.

"What do you think, Ash?" Tori questioned softly. "You think Cal will like this one?"

"Are you kidding me?" he answered, struggling not to cry. "He'll love it. Tori, you look absolutely breathtaking."

She smiled at him through her tears and turned back to survey herself in the mirror. The dress she had on was a faint blush in color. It was strapless with a slight sweetheart neckline and was fitted to her body until just below her hips, where the skirt blossomed out softly. It was covered in delicate lace and, the finishing touch, had a long satin bow tied at the waistline.

"Ok," Tori sighed, turning to the consultant. "How much is this one?"

Ashton immediately interrupted. "No! Stop. You don't need to know that."

"I kinda do if I'm going to buy it."

"That's just the thing," he told her. "You're not going to buy it. I am."

She immediately tried to shut him down. "Oh, no way. Ashton, I'm not letting you do that. You've done enough."

"Hush, Tori. I'm buying you this dress, and that's that. Consider it my wedding gift."

"Ashton..."

"Don't 'Ashton' me," he sassed her. "It's a done deal."

Her tears started falling again, and she stepped down off the pedestal to give him a kiss on the cheek and another hug. "Love you, Ash. Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he told her with a grin. "And I love you, too."

She turned to me then, and we both let out a little sob. I took both of her hands in mine and smiled at her like through my tears. "Tori. You're getting married."

"I'm getting married," she replied, grinning back at me. "Can you believe it?"

"Yeah, I can. You look gorgeous, Tor. Calum's going to freak when he sees you."

"You think he'll cry?"

"Oh, absolutely."

She gave me another grin before turning back towards the mirror. She studied herself in silence for a few minutes, trying to let it all sink in. When she turned back to me, the tears were gone, and only a breathtaking smile was left.

"Lex," she sighed. "I'm getting married."