Boundaries..... It's not just a word

Chapter 35

They approached the rest of them at the pool and then Charlie cleared his throat and said "I have an announcement that we would like to share with you all. I've asked Misty to marry me and she said Yes!" Everyone was up and out of their chairs and over to the couple in record time, both Nancy and Doug hugged Misty and then their son. They said "it's about damn time" then they laughed. Misty hugged Lynda and they both started to cry again. Liam shook Charlie's hand and told him "congratulations, you couldn't have picked a more beautiful, funny and smart woman." Misty turned to Lynda "will you be my maid of honor?" Lynda's face tear stained, slapped her friends arm and said "Duh! I am the only one who can do that job." Misty said "good because you're the only one I want to be standing up there with me, marrying the man I've loved for so long." Again, both girls cried and hugged each other. "So, when's the big day?" Nancy asked. Charlie and Misty looked at each other and at the same time said "As soon as possible!" Everyone laughed as Misty jinxed Charlie and he had to go get her a soda from the fridge. They were perfect for each other. Misty, Lynda and Nancy began to discuss what kind of wedding it was going to be and where they wanted it to be held. 

Misty said "a simple close family only, I kind of want personal and comfortable, nothing stuff or overboard. The park, I think that the park would be the best place to have it." For both Misty and Charlie, it felt like the puzzle pieces of their lives that had been missing, until now the puzzle is finally complete, especially when they're together. It's funny, they don't disagree about much, their life together is fulfilling for them. They don't even need to talk to each other for the other to know what the other is thinking or wanting. She might want a soda and he'll come walking into the room with one for her, she never had to ask, he just knew. That's how connected these two souls were. Best friends, lovers and soon to be united as one in marriage. It's so obvious that they were meant to be.

It has been about three weeks since Charlie proposed. Misty, Lynda and Nancy need to begin to look for a dress for Misty. They went to a bridal store and Misty was taken completely aback when she walked into the door and saw the huge selection of dresses. She began to become overwhelmed and a slight panic attack took hold, Lynda grabbed her hand and reassured her "We'll find the perfect dress for you. I already set up an appointment don't worry, we'll have someone to help us." Right at that moment a woman walked up and introduced herself as Natalie. "Hello Ms. Rhodes, we've been expecting you and I have a few dresses already pulled to the side for you." Misty was amazed and looked at Lynda and Nancy and they both smiled. Misty hugged them both and tears were building and threatened to over flow. Nancy said "I know how stressful this can be, so we wanted to make sure that we kept it as stress-free as possible for you. It's wonderful to have some help especially with a store this big!" The ladies were lead to the back of the store where the changing rooms were. They sat down on the couch that was placed there in front of a platform that had 3 mirrors and one across the way so that all angles of the dress could be seen. Another woman named Lucy brought over a tray with three glasses of champagne and handed them out to the ladies. 

Natalie asked Misty a few questions about what she wanted her dress to be like. Misty said "I want something simple, white, nothing flashy or too frilly, it's going to be a close family only ceremony at a park. I do want it to be beautiful but I don't know what kind of style will fit me the best and if I'll even like it." Natalie smiled and said "you will know when you find the right dress. You won't just like the dress, you'll love it!" Misty exhaled and said "okay let's get this show on the road, where's the first dress that I can try on?" Natalie walked her to the dressing room and presented her with more than 20 dresses to try on. Misty said "all of these are for me? Oh, I don't know if I'll find the dress I want." Natalie selected a dress and put it on the hanging area and said "let's try this one first." Misty shook her head in agreement and Natalie left the room so that she could undress and try the dress on. The dress was beautiful, it was simple, it was a boho romantic rustic wedding dress. Off-White in color, made with cotton, nylon and silk lining, the thin straps on her shoulders but the back was completely open and she could see the scars on her back from her hellish life with Uncle Thomas. "This is not the dress!" she said loudly and began to take it off when the door opened and Lynda walked right in. She looked at the dress and could tell that Misty liked the dress but that it wouldn't be the one she would get. She knew about Misty's rough upbringing and knew she was abused, the scars were there but they were little white lines hardly visible to anyone, except Misty and because she was so self-conscious about her back being exposed she wouldn't get a dress like that.