Taming of the Tom

Chapter 7

We pay and walk to Chanel to look at dresses. 

"No," I say when she picks up a dress that is way too short.

"No, that's too extravagant. I'm not taking the attention away from your sister."

"No, that's white!"

We walk into several other dress shops, before resorting to Dolce and Gabbana.

I pick out the first dress I see, the one the mannequin at the front of the shop is wearing.

It is white, but with a sheet of Italian lace layering on top of a silk slip. It's embellished with light pink flowers and little green petals, and although quite short, it's modest.

Ara gives me 'the look'.

"Arabella..."

"That's the one, Jennifer." We smile at our little code.

I take the dress off the rail and we almost run into the changing rooms, where Ara waits outside on a white plush sofa. 

I strip and slip into the dress. Of course, it fits perfectly, meaning I won't have to get it altered.

"Ready to wear," I say, knowing she'll hear me.

"It's destiny, Jen!" I smile to myself. "Come out then!"

I open the door and twirl in front of her.

"It's perfect."

On the morning of the wedding, I get changed into a t shirt and jeans, pick up my suitcase, clutch and strawlined wedges, and head to the dry cleaners to pick up my dress.

After, I take a cab to the hotel where it's all happening, and check into the room where Lucille's getting ready. She's booked half of the hotel with rooms for all her 100 guests, and so they've offered her a large room to get changed in.

I knock on the door, and there is Lucille, in a corset, tears streaming down her face in happiness.

"Oh Jennifer! I'm so glad you're here!"

"Me too! Oh, you look so radiant! Let me do that corset up for you, okay?"

Ara comes out of the bathroom, dressed in tights and a vest top.

"Ara, will you get some tissues?" She nods, and I turn back to the bride. "Oh honey, I'm so happy for you. I can't believe it's finally happening!"

"And to think, we're just coming up to our nine year anniversary," we both smile, and I take the lace and begin to yank at her bodice.

"Tell me if it hurts," I warn her.

"Okay. I haven't seen your dress yet!"

"Oh, who cares about mine? It's your day!"

"I want my best friend to be equally as beautiful as me,"

"Good luck with that, it'll take me another few reincarnations to be as beautiful as you." I pull at the corset, tying it.

"Umph!" 

"Well that's done."

Ara sits on the bed, admiring her sister. I smile.

"Where's your dress, munchkin?"

"I'll put it on now."

"Me too." I take my dress out of the bag and go behind the divider.

The ceremony was beautiful, the church traditional and elegant.

Tom is one of the ushers, so he sat on the other side of the church, at some points making silly faces which I obviously had to return. Ara never failed to notice.

Later on in the evening, we sit down to dinner in the main reception room at the hotel. Obviously, I was seated opposite to Tom, who kept nudging me under the clothed table. 

After the speeches and dinner, everyone headed to the dancefloor to watch the first dance, which was perfect. Lucille looked stunning, and Brendan handsome. I cried for the first time that day, and Ara being the little saint she is, she handed me a tissue.

"Thank you," I say, still looking at the couple. The song is coming to an end.

"Could I have the honour of your company on the dancefloor?" an Eton voice asks.

THIS IS THE BIT! Excited?! I guess I only am because I know what's coming next. *fangirls*

Sorry for keeping you away from Tom for so long, I now how it feels to be deprived of any mention of him. Sigh.

Thank you again for reading, I hope you're still enjoying reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

Feedback is much appreciated. Have a wonderful day! xxxx