9 Months, 1 Prize

Chapter 12

I turn the music up in my car and sing along with it on the way to the shop, this is going to be the best year of my life. I am marrying the love of my life and I am going to give birth to my first baby.

I pull into the car park and walk into the shop. Poppy runs up to me and hugs me "Zoe! I am so excited for you, of course I already knew but still" I hug her back and laugh to myself.

I turn around to the others and smile. "So I guess we should start looking, right?" The girls look at each other getting even more excited

"Zoeeee, we can't start looking until you tell us what you want" Tan says, laughing and looking at the others

"I haven't actually thought about it"

"Come on Zo, you must have had a dream when you were little about your dream wedding" Louise replies

"Okay, well I always wanted a white princess gown, one that flares out at the waist" I say, looking around the shop

"Perfect! Zoe you are going to look amazing" Niomi says, we all start to look around the shop and pull out dresses for me to try on. There were so many beautiful gowns, but none of them had jumped out at me.

I turned around and saw a beautiful dress on a mannequin, it was perfect. It had the most amazing lace detailing on the top and the most beautiful, trailing skirt. I point it out to the girls and they all marvel over it.

"I think this is the one" I say, looking at my friends. I call over the shop owner and point out the dress. She seemed to look me up and down, and stopped when she got to my stomach and shook her head. "Excuse me? Is everything okay?" I ask

"Are you pregnant?" She asks, not taking her eyes off my stomach

"Yes, I am" I say, thinking she was going to congratulate me or something like that

"You aren't even married, that is so wrong" She tuts. I didn't even know how to respond, how rude did she have to be.

"Excuse me! I will have you know that having a child before marriage is not wrong at all! Things like this can't always be planned. So before judging people on their current situation. How about you talk to and get to understand where they are coming from!" I reply, letting all of my anger out "Now are you going to tell me the price of this dress or not?"

"I apologise, mam, I didn't realise the predicament you were in. I thought this child had been planned before the wedding. The dress is £799.99" She says, visibly sorry

"It's okay, I apologise for shouting like that, you know, the hormones" I laugh, I look at all of the girls and think about the price of the dress, how can I make Alfie spend this much on this dress. I know your wedding night is supposed to be expensive and a one-off, but we can't afford this dress and the venue. "Can I just make a phone call? Thank you"

I walk outside and pull out my phone. I ring Alfie

Alfie: Hey little one, how's it going? Found your perfect gown yet?
Zoe: I have yes but it's £800
Alfie: And? Buy it. It's your big day
Zoe: Alfie this is a lot of money to spend on a dress that I will wear for one night
Alfie: Zoe, buy it!
Zoe: Are you sure?
Alfie: Of course, would I lie to you beautiful
Zoe: Okay Alfie, I love you
Alfie: I love you too Zo

I put the phone down and walk back inside "I will take it" I smile at the girls and they all cheer. The lady hands me the dress and I go to try it on in the changing rooms. I pull it over my baby bump and zip up the back.

I walk over to the mirror and look at my reflection. This is the perfect dress, I can't wait to walk down the aisle to marry the love of my life. I spin in the dress and watch as the skirt flares out

"Zoe, are you done?" Poppy asks impatiently "I want to see you in the dress" I turn towards the curtains and breathe in and out trying not to get overwhelmed

"I am done, I am coming out now" I open the curtains and step out in front of all of the girls. Their mouths drop open and they stare at the dress that I chose. I spin in the dress and smile.

"Zoe, it's perfect" Tanya says, looking at the other girls.

"I'll take it" I smile, I walk back into the changing room and slip on my clothes, I hand the dress to the worker and she puts it into a dress bag and I hand her the money. We all walk out of the shop and get into our cars and drive home.

I pull into my parking space at home and walk inside, I hug Alfie "I found the perfect dress"

"I am so glad little one" He says and kisses the top of my head "Where is it now?"

"Tanya has took it home with her because I am going to stay there the night before the wedding and get ready there so you don't see me before the wedding" I say. We sit on the sofa and fall asleep watching movies