Light Me Up Again

chapter 21

Lily

The day has arrived, and luci and I are waiting outside the bridal boutique, waiting for them to open. I made the earliest appointment so I could spend some extra time to find the perfect dress. "Good morning, ladies, Welcome to Lamont Bridal, My name is Chloe, and I will be assisting you today."

Chloe escorted us to our very own bridal room. It was filled with snacks and champagne. What a day this is going to be. As I look around the room in aww of the many dresses that fill the shop I find myself becoming overwhelmed, I knew I wanted something fitting, off the shoulder and either lace or sequence and I wanted two.

It's been an hour, and I haven't found the dress I want, I was becoming frustrated. Luci has been out in the showroom trying to find me some dresses to try, and im up to my fourth glass of champagne. As I pour myself my fifth, Luci walks in with a knee-length, high neck, open back sequence dress, and it was perfect for the reception. "I think I found the perfect reception dress," she says, I snatched the dress and ran to the change room, I could hear her laughing in the background as I almost tripped over the podium.

I walk out to the mirror, and I could hear everyone, aww wow. "YES!" luci yells as she jumps from the sofa, "that's beautiful, lily it looks so elegant on you" and she was right it did look good on me and I could see my face glowing. But I still couldn't find the dress I wanted to wear during service. Chole takes my measurements and asks about any final touches and leaves. It's now been 3 hours, I take another look around the showroom and shake my head.

"Lily, what are you after in particular?" chloe asks as she places her hand on my shoulder. "I can see you're overwhelmed. Let me help you."
"I want a tight-fitting mermaid dress that is off the shoulders with lace work and sequence." Chloe stands and walks upstairs, "Meet me in your bridal room," she instructs, and I walk back. Moment later, she walks in with a pure white mermaid dress off the shoulder and hand sewn lacework that covers the entirety of the dress, including the train. "Now, just imagine it with the sequence you want, and it's your perfect dress." She says as she smiles wider than my face.

"Omg, yes. Yes, this is the dress." I finally found the dresses I wanted, and I was over the moon. I work with Chloe and give her the details of how I would like the sequence to work in with the dress, make payment, and head home.

I could hear Luci saying something to me, but I was distracted by the sight of Anna sitting at the restaurant adjacent to the shop. I can't tell if she is in her work clothes or if this is a casual thing. "Did you hear me, Lily?" Luci says as she tries to follow where my eyes are glued.

"Oh, what the Fuuuuck, is that, Anna?" she says, as I finally noticed what I was looking at. "Yup" is all I could say, I was speechless and I know I shouldn't judge because she is entitled to have lunch with friends but by the way they are holding hands just didn't sit right with me.

I push Luci into the car and rush my way to Elliot's apartment, "Ohh nooo, i am not coming with you, I'm staying in the car" Luci locks her door so I couldn't open it, so I leave her the keys and run.

I bang on the door of Elliot's apartment until he opens it. "Damn Lily, it looks like you ran a marathon what's wrong" in between breaths. "Anna - I saw her restaurant - a man." I walk over to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. "What are you doing here?" he asks. "Dress shopping with luci," his face brightens at the sound of his name.

"Where is she then?" his looking around the room. "In the car." He opens his phone and looks at the camera in his garage. Even though he can't see her, he still smiles. "Did you know anna was going out? Isn't she at work today?" I question breaking his trance. "She told me she was meeting some friends for lunch and will be home after." I side smile as I find her excuse to me unreasonable and suspicious, but if Elliot has no issues, then why should I get in the way.

"Before you leave, could you give this to Luci, I replaced a frame I broke." I take the gift and head back to the car. "Here, from Elliot," I say as I place it on her lap and begin to drive off. She is holding it in two hands, staring at it. We are almost home. "Are you going to open it? You have been looking at it for an hour and a half, and we are almost home."

She tares back the paper to show two photo frames, one of all the children together and another of her and Elliott on the beach one new years when they were young. I remember that photo because I was the one who took it.

They were so happy and in love, it was the first time I saw both of them happy in a long time. Luci picks up the second frame and starts to cry as we near the house. I park my car in the garage and hold Luci close. I take the frames from her, and we go inside.

We had dinner and rode out the wave of emotions. We didn't want Arlo to question her when she got home. After we cleaned up, we both walked back to her home to see both our men drunk passed out on the loungeroom floor. I light a fire throw blankets over them, and we fall asleep on the lounge.