Forever and Always

Important Decisions

Cecelia had always dreamed about her wedding day, what little girl hasn't dreamt of a big white wedding? The wedding was 2 months away and plans for their day were well underway.

Cecelia closed her big scrapbook with a thud and Abby came in carrying a few papers. 'Uncle Oscar asked me to ask you what kind of cake you want' she said. Cecelia pored over the pictures, 'I like this one' she answered pointing to the middle one 'what do you think?' Abby nodded and ran to give the pages back to Oscar, who was in his office. She flipped through the selection of wedding magazines and brochures laid out along the kitchen table. There was so much to organise and they were trying to keep the budget as low as possible. Her job paid well and he was moving up the ranks in his office so they weren't strapped for money but she insisted that they save up. One day, she was keen to have a baby, or maybe two. They had saved up for a long time to buy their first house together and it was a beautiful house on a good estate. They had been eager to move in together before they got married so they were used to each other. They had decided on a small house to start with 'we can always upgrade if we need to' Oscar had told her.

She popped her head round the door of his office where she found him looking at venues with Abby sitting on the floor making lots of collages out of discarded pictures and information. 'Want a cup of tea?' She asked 'I got new teabags' he took the box from her and read the label. 'Sounds nice' he said 'yes please' she looked down at Abby 'do you want a drink Abby?' She nodded 'how about you come and help me?' She jumped up excitedly 'okay!' They went out to the kitchen and Cecelia poured Abby some juice while the kettle was boiling. She took a spoon out of the drawer and laid it on the worktop, she turned to her niece 'Abby I have a big question to ask you, but if you want to help me then you have to be a big girl okay? Do you think you can help me?' Oscar poked his head around the corner. Abby nodded 'okay, can you carry the rings for us Abby?' She looked at Cecelia and gave her a big smile 'of course Auntie Ces!' she squealed and flew into her arms, Cecelia laughed 'do you want to come dress shopping later with me, Nanny Hillary and Nanny Angela?' 'Do I?' She squealed. They sat and talked about the colour scheme and decided on a few more details before she got the phone call from her mum to say that she was at Hillary's and they were ready to go.

They waved goodbye as he drove off to meet his friends and they could pick their tuxedo's. She put Abby in her car seat in the back, got into the drivers seat and they set off for Hillary's house. They were singing songs on the way and they were finishing a song as they pulled up at Hillary's gate. She honked the horn and the gate opened, she pulled up to the front door and stepped out. 'I won't be a minute Abby' she said and closed the door. She greeted her mum and her mum-in-law to be 'you ready to look beautiful?' asked Angela 'you always look beautiful' Hillary said squashing Cecelia's cheek gently between her thumb and forefinger. 'We've had our chance. Now it's your turn' she said. Cecelia started singing Old MacDonald's Farm with Abby again as they set off for the bridal shop appointment and soon everyone joined in on the round of catchy kids classics.

The bell rang as Cecelia pulled open the door to the bridal shop. The assistant greeted her warmly 'can I take your name?' 'Its Cecelia. Cecelia King' 'not for much longer' she thought. They took a seat while the assistant picked out the dresses Cecelia has reserved. She stepped out of the dressing room with the first dress on. It was a floor length, figure huggingly stretchy gown made of a Lycra type material, they all shook their heads and she went back inside. The second dress was better; it was short and flared out to make a lovely floaty skirt that was just above her knees. Hillary liked it but Angela thought it wasn't traditional enough, 'I like the next one best' she said 'let me show you it'. She went back and a few moments later she put her head through the gap in the curtains. 'Um, could you help me for a second please' she said motioning for the assistant to join her behind the white curtain. They heard the lace being pulled and the assistant sighing. 'You're so pretty' they heard her say 'you look stunning. Stay there and I'll open the curtain' the assistant came out and pulled an ivory coloured rope on one side. The curtains slid apart and Hillary and Angela's mouths fell open, Cecelia stepped forward and the huge skirt hovered just above the ground and they could see the white heels underneath. They were speechless. She smoothed the satin material skirt and the assistant came and put the veil on top of her hair. Angela cried, 'my beautiful girl' she said quietly and got up to hug her daughter. 'So this is the one?' She asked 'definitely' said her mum 'it's perfect' agreed Hillary, 'you're so beautiful Auntie Ces' Abby said in awe. 'I'll take this one' Cecelia said to the assistant and she nodded 'great choice'.

Meanwhile, the boys had been done for ages. It was easy to decide because Oscar wanted them to look classy and so he practically chose for them. They all got to pick a different tie to go with their suits to make them feel a bit more like individuals.

She had three bridesmaids and he had three best men. He had picked his two good friends Alex and Robbie whom he had known since his school days. He had also picked his dad as he felt as though he was an important person to have there. He had asked her dad but David had turned him down, which hurt Oscar a little as he thought that his bond should be stronger with his father-in-law to be by now but it seemed as though David wasn't even trying to get along with his new son-in-law. She had picked her best friend Hayley to be one of her bridesmaids as well as Hillary and Angela. She had been best friends with Hayley since secondary school and they had met through a mutual love of music.