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Chapter 10
 
(Sat., May 18, 2013 came around at last…)

das Peters’ Haus (the Peters’ house)

“Time to get up, darling! The girls will be here in about an hour,” Carol chirped as she poked her head in Maddy’s room before heading over to the guest room.

“Gaby’s right ... mother’s are way too cheerful in the mornings!” Maddy thought as she pulled up the sheet and rolled onto her side.

“Ally … time to get up, dear … you can use our bathroom … I’ve already put fresh towels out.”

“Thanks Mrs. P,” Ally replied.

“C’mon Maddy … shake a leg … you’ll be late for your own wedding!” Carol encouraged as she walked past her daughter’s open door.

“Mum? … Can I talk to you for a sec?” Maddy called out from her bed.

Carol thought she sounded a bit upset as she entered her daughter’s bedroom.

“Lousy sleep last night ... or nerves?” she softly asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t think I’ve had a real sleep since we met with Reverend Gotthard ... too many things to worry about.”

“Hmmm ... sounds like nerves ... now … everything will be just fine! Once today is over you can relax.” After a very short pause, she thoughtfully added, “Well … maybe not tonight…”

“MUMMMMM!” Maddy shrieked as she abruptly turned to face her mum with a look of disbelief.

“Oh, calm down. I’m not that old that I can’t remember what it was like,” Carol chuckled as she put her arms around her daughter and pulled her close.

“Can I pass along some advice, though … mother to daughter?”

“Please?” Maddy whispered.

“I know how much you two love each other … but … there’ll be times you will fight, believe me ... and when that happens … always remember something my mum told me on my wedding day.”

“What’s that?” Maddy weakly asked.

“Never go to bed mad at each other.”

“Whattya mean?”

“Talk out all your problems before going to sleep. If you sleep on them and let things fester, they’ll be a much bigger problem in the morning.”

“I won’t let that happen … I promise,” Maddy softly replied. “I almost lost her once because I didn’t talk to her.”

“Go have your shower, darling ... you’ll feel better.”

Carol kissed Maddy on the forehead before sending her off. As she headed downstairs, she felt a couple of tears run down her cheek.

Just as Maddy was starting to enjoy the warmth of the water cascading over her, she heard the bathroom door suddenly burst open.

“Mum?”

“Guten Morgen Madeline!” Kat cheerfully yelled over the sound of the water as she peeked behind the shower curtain.

“Scheiße! Fer Christsake, Kat! Ya wanna give me a bloody heart attack?” Maddy popped her head out from behind the shower curtain at a slightly drowned Kat and stared at her dripping hair.

“Why are you wet, Fräulein?” Maddy sarcastically wondered.

Kat looked at her with an exaggerated pout and then informed her, “Your mama told me to tell you she ist making us some breakfast … so get out!”

“I have to rinse off, first!”

After turning off the water, Maddy pulled back the curtain to get out and found Kat standing there with a silly grin and a large opened bath towel. When she stepped out of the tub, she noticed the matching towel was piled in a heap by Kat’s feet and her hair was in desperate need of a good brushing.

“Danke ... tell mum I’ll be down in ten ... but brush out that hair, first.”

“Ja.” After Maddy passed her a brush, Kat quickly sorted out her damp hair and went to deliver her message to Carol.

The same time Kat went downstairs, Maddy ran to her room to quickly get ready for the morning. Looking in her drawers, she hurriedly selected some underwear then threw on some jeans, her UMIST sweatshirt and trainers before going downstairs.

When she entered the kitchen, she noticed Ally and Carol were there, but someone was missing.

“Morning, Ally … where’s Kat?”

“Gone to get the door,” Carol replied without looking at her daughter. Turning around, she couldn’t help but notice Maddy’s extremely casual appearance.

“You’re not planning to go get your hair done looking like that are you? ... And your hair’s a mess.”

“Mummm. We’re going to a beauty salon. Who cares what I wear as long as I don’t wear it walking down the aisle?” Maddy cheerfully replied. “Besides, it’s comfortable...”

“I thought I’m supposed to be the nervous one today,” Maddy joked.

“Well … what do you expect? I’ve never had a daughter get married before.”

“I hope you’re not too nervous. You do remember your line, don’t you?” Maddy playfully asked, referring to her mum’s part in the wedding.

“I think so,” Carol replied with a quiet chuckle.

Maddy threw her arms around her mum’s neck and tightly held on. Before releasing her, she whispered in her ear “I love you, Mum.”

As Maddy gave her mum a kiss on the cheek, Kat entered the kitchen with the three remaining bridesmaids.

“Kat … take the girls up to the guest room and have them leave their things there until it’s time to change,” Carol cheerfully suggested.

“Ja, Frau Peters. C’mon guys!”

“Don’t take all day. Mum’s got breakfast ready!”

“Nervous, Mad?” Ann asked as they returned to the kitchen, moments later.

“I wasn’t until you mentioned it,” Maddy replied with a bit of a chuckle.

Later, as the girls finished their light breakfast, Carol had them go into the lounge to await their ride to the salon.

“You guys go ahead. I want to talk to Ally for a minute…” When they were alone in the kitchen, she turned her attention to her friend.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I really wanted to talk with you yesterday, but you know what things were like. Anyway … what’s with you and Em? You okay being paired with her in the wedding procession?”

“Why?”

“No reason, really. It’s just that you looked … ‘down’ … when you were walking with her at the rehearsal. Would you rather go with one of the other girls? I could switch your place in the procession if you’d like.”

“It’s not that,” Ally quietly stated.

“Then what is it?”

“I dunno … me, I guess,” Ally almost whispered, as she cast her eyes to the floor.

“After what the two of you pulled at Gabs’ birthday, I didn’t want to ever talk to Rhod again. His whole attitude was becoming too prissy an’ arrogant … like Em’s … and I definitely didn’t want anything to do with her!”

“But…” Maddy firmly prompted.

“When you told me that Gaby was coming to your graduation from Warsop ... we sorta called a ‘cease fire’ between us so we could be there for you two. By the end of the weekend ... well ... then when I went off to university … we started to hang out with each other if I was home ... but...”

“Something changed … didn’t it?” Maddy quietly asked.

“Besides her surgery?” Ally joked.

“You know wot I mean...” Maddy softly replied.

“When I got that job in London ... we still didn’t see much of each other ... ‘cept the odd weekend I was home. Last year was the most we’ve been together … and that was mainly because of you and Gabs … but…”

“But what?”

“She’s changed, Mad ... she’s not the same Em that was in Virginia. She’s much more comfortable with herself … more considerate … thoughtful … and … fun … like Rhod was…”

“Go on…”

“When we’re together … I just feel good.”

“Like Rhod?”

“We were only kids then. No … it’s much more than that. I really think I’ve fallen in love with her,” Ally softly confessed.
“Are you sure?” Maddy slowly asked.

“I’ve had boyfriends, Mad ... but none have made me feel like this. If you want to be with a person so much that you can’t get them out of your mind when you’re not with them ... isn’t that love?”

“Have you told her?”

“No … I never thought about having a relationship with another girl…”

“Until Em…” Maddy quietly completed Ally’s thought.

“Maaad? What do I do? All I know is that I want to be with her!”

As she looked into Maddy’s eyes, she softly added, “When I’m around her ... I just feel so ... so...”

“I know that feeling very well,” Maddy softly replied in a soothing voice.

“Mad-eee ... tell me...” Ally quietly whined.

“Okay. Tell her how you feel ... today ... and take it from there. You already know how she feels about you … so that kinda cancels out any question of her making a scene and walking away … doesn’t it?” Maddy replied with a knowing smirk.

“Just like that?” Ally asked.

“Just like that...” Maddy droned.

“What if she makes a scene? I don’t want to ruin your day...”

“Trust me ... she won’t.”

“You sure?”

“Ally!” Maddy hissed out of mock frustration as she tried hard to keep a serious expression on her face.

“Okay ... okay ... today...” Ally quickly conceded.

“Ironic isn’t it? I seem to remember that it wasn’t too long ago that I was the one convincing a good friend to listen to her heart…” Her voice faded as she closed her wet eyes and hugged Maddy.

“Send us an invite,” Maddy softly suggested as she continued to hold her friend.

(sigh) “Guess we should join the others … thanks, Mad…” Ally whispered as they parted.

Soon after they joined the others in the lounge, John answered the door and informed the girls their ride to the salon was waiting outside.

“What about the flowers for the girl’s hair ... and your ‘feather?” Carol asked her daughter as they were leaving.

“Gabs said to put that stuff in after we get dressed or else they’ll get ruined,” Maddy stated as she took her mum’s arm and started out the door.

“Jen and I figure we’ll be back around noon, so enjoy the quiet while you can,” Carol told John as she kissed him good-bye.

“Oh … and don’t forget that you and Dave have to deliver the girl’s bouquets to the church ... this morning.”

das Bonds’ Haus (the Bonds’ house)

“Rise and shine, sis…” Jules sweetly called out as she entered Gaby’s room, only to find it empty.

“GABEEE … where are you?” Panic tinged her voice as she quickly turned around and called out for her sister.

“She’ll be back shortly,” Dave stated as he walked past the bedroom door. That was enough to set Jules off.

“Back? Where’d she go? She’s supposed to stay here … not go off on some unknown expedition whenever she gets an urge! What’m I supposed to do if she’s late for her hair appointment? Phone up Maddy an’ tell her Gabs ran off?”

“Sorry, Petal … It was my fault. I should’ve told you when they left … but I thought you could use the extra sleep.”

Dave put his arms around Jules to calm her down.

“Your mum and sister went out for a ride a couple of hours ago. You know how it helps her when she gets a bit overwhelmed … and you also know your mum’ll make very sure they’re back in plenty of time.”

“But why today of all days? She’s not supposed to take off like that ... not on her wedding day. She could’ve at least told me last night she was gonna do this,” mumbled a distraught Jules. “What if they have an accident or get a flat?”

“I don’t think she knew or she certainly would’ve told you. Anyway ... they’re both very careful … and they both have their mobiles. If they run into any problems they’ll call me and I’ll pick them up. Now try to calm down and relax.”

“Okay … I’ll try. At least I can shower without her pestering me,” Jules playfully claimed as she headed off to get ready for her shower.

“Is Em up?”

“She’s using our shower … should be out shortly. I told her your mother will need it as soon as they come back,” Dave replied.

He then went downstairs to the kitchen to start their breakfast and to await the return of his other two girls.

A short time later Em walked into the kitchen and at Dave’s invitation began to make herself a tea. Not long after she sat down at the table, Dave had to get up to answer the door.

“Guten Morgen, Kristen … girls … c’mon in. Jules is in the shower … Em’s in the kitchen and Gaby and Jen should be back shortly.”

“Kristen … take the girls and put your things in the guest room with Em’s stuff … then come back and grab some breakfast,” Dave offered.

At the same time they were going upstairs, he heard his wife and daughter come through the back door.

“Good ride?” Dave asked when he saw the two women heading for the stairs.

“In more ways than one!” Jenny replied for both of them.

As mother and daughter continued upstairs to get cleaned up, Jules was visibly relieved as they passed her in the hall. Following a quick shower, Gaby joined the rest of her bridal party in the kitchen for a tea and a light breakfast. Jenny joined them a few minutes later.

“Where’d you go, luv?” Dave asked his wife once she sat down.

“Altenahr and back.”

“That took over two hours? That’s only a few minutes down the road.”

“Gaby needed some time alone … with her mother.”

Later, when he’d just finished doing up the breakfast dishes, Dave went to answer a knock at the door.

“Guten Morgen … Herr Bond?”

“Ein Moment bitte … Limo’s here!” The chauffer returned to the limousine to await the arrival of his passengers. “Everyone ready?”

“Sis? It’s not too late to back out. You really want to do this?” Jules kept a serious face as they all got up to leave.

“An’ you’re only asking me now?“ Gaby joked.

“Gabs … got your ‘feather?” Kristen asked.

“I’m leaving it here. It’ll be better if I put it in myself after I’m dressed.”

“What about the flowers for our hair?” Nina questioned.

“Do them after you’re dressed or you’ll ruin them.”

As the six ladies filed past Dave and out the front door, Jenny gave him a peck on the cheek with some final instructions.

“Relax and try to stay out of trouble. We’ll be back by noon-ish … and make sure you take the flowers to the church before we get back … okay?”

der Schönheitssalon (the beauty salon)

A short time after the ladies departed the Bond and Peter residences, both limousines arrived together in front of the beauty salon.

Once everyone got out and gathered in front of the shop, they encountered a locked door and a sign in the window with the words “Heute geschlossen” (closed today).

“Gabi! They’re clos… never mind…” Nina started to read the sign in the window before it dawned on her.

Kat knocked on the door. After one of the staff pulled the small door curtain to one side for a look, she then opened the door.

“Der Bond-Peters Hochzeit?”

“Ja,” Jenny replied.

“What’d she say?” Em whispered to Gaby as the twelve women entered the salon.

“She asked if we’re the Bond-Peters wedding,” Gaby quietly answered.

Elsa, the owner of the salon, came over and apologized for the sign and the locked door but with a wedding party of fourteen she decided it would be better to close for the morning than to try to accommodate other customers.

Seeing a couple of blank looks and recalling overhearing bits of English conversation, Elsa asked Brenda, “You are all English?”

“Most of us are … but only four girls don’t speak any German,” Jenny quickly explained.

“Then we speak English … ja? Now … who ist die Braut … erm ... bride? I do her first,” Elsa announced.

“We are!” Maddy and Gaby chorused while simultaneously pointing at each other.

“Ach … ja! You did tell me zwei Bräute when you phoned. When you get old … das memory sometimes ist not so good. Now, how do you want the hair, again?”

“Everybody’s basically the same … just a wash and trim any split ends without changing the length too much. We’d like it kept long and straight. Oh, yeah ... highlights for everyone! I want my hair parted in the middle ... but Mad an’ I’ve told the others they can have it parted how they like,” Gaby outlined.

“Oh! Don’t forget ... the manicures ... but only apply a clear coat … no colour ... and of course, facials ... and we’d like the make-up to be kept ‘natural’ and understated,” Maddy added.

Elsa had half the girls take a chair while her staff started to work their magic. The others just had to wait their turn.

“No headpieces?” Elsa inquired after surveying around the room.

“It’ll be easier if Mad an’ I put our ‘feathers in ourselves … after we’re dressed,” Gaby casually replied.

“Feathers? Sounds interesting. You must bring some pictures around later,” remarked a perplexed Elsa.

Three hours later, they all exited the salon, only to find the limousines and a small crowd of curious onlookers, waiting for them.

“This must look really weird to these people.” Judith commented.

“Why?” asked Em.

Judith explained, “Well … twelve women…”

“Fourteen if you include der mamas...” Nina playfully pointed out.

Judith quickly glanced at Nina while she resumed her explanation, “I stand corrected … fourteen beautiful women … und two stretched limos … not exactly a common sight in this town.”

Gaby added, “Guys! If you think we have a crowd looking at us now … wait until after the wedding when we all go out the front of the church.”

“Ja...” agreed Kat. Seeing puzzled expressions on the faces of Mfawny and Ally, Gaby stepped in with the explanation.

“We’ll literally be the centre of attraction in a busy town square ... on a Saturday afternoon.”

“Whaddya mean, ‘centre of attraction’?” Em cautiously asked.

“Weddings always draw really big crowds ‘round here...” Jules grinned.

“Yeah … but we won’t have to worry if you and Maddy decide to wear those necklines as low as you did at the fittings…” Kristen playfully shot back while making a run for her limo.

zurück am Peters’ Haus (back at the Peters’ house)

“Ah … you’re back! … Lunch is waiting … it’s going to be a while before the reception.”

Later while John cleared the table and started to wash up, the girls quickly disappeared upstairs to get ready.

“What’s the rush? …You girls have plenty of time,” John stated.

“No we don’t ... trust me!” Maddy called out as she ran upstairs. John just shook his head and went back to the task at hand.

Kat and the other girls headed for the guest room to get changed, while Maddy went to her room.

“Give me a few moments to get dressed and I’ll be in to help you, ja?” Kat mentioned to Maddy as they parted company.

A short time later, Kat was dressed with help from one of the other girls and knocking on Maddy’s closed bedroom door. When she got no immediate answer, she slowly opened the door and peaked in.

“You decent?”

“No … but you’re gonna come in anyway, aren’tcha?”

“Sex-eee! … You look like you stepped out of one of those Victoria Secrets thingies!“ Kat enthused as she entered the room and quickly closed the door behind her.

“Like it? That’s for when we get changed,” Maddy mentioned as she removed the lace-trimmed, black push-up bra.

“I’m sure Gabi will,” Kat suggestively replied as her friend stood in front of her, only wearing her panties. Maddy blushed a vivid crimson as she tried to change the subject.

“Pretty ‘hot’ yourself, kid! You look really sexy … in a sixteenth century kinda way. I bet when he sees you … poor Kurt won’t know if he’s coming or going.”

“You think so?” Kat blushed at Maddy’s comments.

“Trust me...” Maddy replied with a mischievous grin. Again changing the subject, she nodded to Kat’s hairpiece. “I love the flower in your hair.”

“Danke.”

“Did you put it in?”

“Ja … mit some help from Cathy. I don’t think it’ll come loose. She wove it in pretty gut.”

“Tell Cathy to make sure all the girls have their flowers firmly secured in their hair … and make sure it’s above their right ear.” Kat left the room to pass the message along.

After she returned from checking on the others, Kat resumed helping Maddy to get ready. She paid particular attention not to muss her friend’s hair as she slipped her chemise over her head.

“Don’t worry about it, Kat. I already mussed it up when I took off my sweatshirt. A quick run-through with the brush and it’s as good as new.”

Between the two of them, it didn’t take as long as they initially thought it would to get her looking as desirable as she did at the fittings. Once she was set, Maddy went and sat on the bench at the end of her bed.

Taking the rawhide strip in her fingers, she proceeded to fold the length in half and then gathering a few strands of her hair on the left side of her head above the ear, she braided a short length of the rawhide into the lock of hair, leaving the majority of the strip to hang free. Next, she slipped the feather’s quill up through the braid so the feather appeared to hang freely down the side of the head. She found the process was actually quite simple, once she had a few lessons from Gaby.

“Now where’s that shield? Have you seen it Kat?” Maddy was furiously looking all around.

“Calm down Mad … here it is!” Kat quietly replied as she reached down and plucked it from Maddy’s lap before handing it to her.

Where does it go?” Kat inquired.

“It covers where the quill is pushed through the braided rawhide,” Maddy explained. “...Gives it a more finished look.”

“I haff never seen Gabs wear one.”

“They’re worn mainly for formal and ceremonial occasions.”

“Like a wedding...”

“Uh huh.”

“Does the design on the shield mean anything?”

“Dunno. I might be able to find out later … if you’re really interested.”

Once it was clipped in place, Maddy looked much more relaxed. Next, Kat passed her the dream-catcher earrings. Finally Maddy carefully gathered her hair and held it up while Kat put the choker around her neck and fastened it at the back.

“I’ve haff not seen that kind of choker before. Reminds me of a segmented toy,” Kat thoughtfully contemplated. “...But it looks lovely on you.”

“Danke ... Gaby calls it a four-strand ‘boned’ choker. I like this polished stone at the front ... it really sets it off,” Maddy commented as she posed in front of her dresser mirror.

A final brush to her hair and Kat declared Maddy was ready to go.

“Think Gaby will like?” Maddy wondered as she posed for her Maid of Honour.

“Ja … I know she will.”

In a sudden moment of panic, Maddy threw open her bedroom door as she remembered the flowers.

“Mummmm! Did you deliver my rose and the bouquets to the church ... or are they still here?” Maddy called out.

“Relax … your dad took them all over this morning while we were at the salon.” Carol replied in a calming tone, as she reached Maddy’s door.

She stood in the doorway staring at her daughter for several moments, then after a deep sigh, embraced her daughter in a tight hug.

“You look absolutely beautiful, dear,” Carol whispered in Maddy’s ear. “Love the feather.”

“Thanks, Mum. You look lovely yourself,” Maddy replied and then motioned to the corner of her dresser.

“Do me a favour and take that bag downstairs with you? It’s the gifts for the girls.”

“Okay, dear. Oh! … I almost forgot … your Gran’s charm bracelet. It even has a blue stone in it,” Carol pointed out. As Maddy held out her wrist, her mum let out a sigh of relief.

“There … you’re all ready!”

“I thought Gran was coming to the house.”

“She said there’d be enough confusion around here and that she’d meet us at the church.”

“You ready, luv?” Carol called out to John as she grabbed the bag and started towards the door.

“Waiting for you down here!” John called up the stairs.

Meanwhile Kat had checked on the progress of the other girls and ushered those who were ready, downstairs.

Finally, Ann joined the others and as all gathered at the base of the stairs, they watched in silence as Maddy slowly descended the staircase.

When she stepped off the bottom step, Carol handed her the bag. Reaching inside, Maddy pulled out a number of boxes and laid them on the small table by the stairs.

“Now, the finishing touches.”

“For my Maid of Honour and the Mother-of-the-bride,” Maddy said with a certain air of ‘pomp and circumstance’. “These are for today.”

She produced a pair of earrings and a ‘bone’ choker identical to hers, for both Kat and her mum. After both ladies put on the earrings, Maddy assisted them with their chokers.

“There! Now you got your own, Kat...” she added with a wide grin.

Then turning to her attendants, “Und für meine Brautjunfern…”

Maddy handed each bridesmaid a box containing a pair of earrings identical to hers, then stood back and watched as they put them in.

“You two really thought this ‘look’ out, didn’t you?” Carol remarked while admiring Maddy and her attendants.

Before they left for the waiting limo, John took several photos of his daughter and her bridal party.

“Mark this day well dear ... you’ll never see your father looking so handsome again,” Carol playful commented, as she tightly clutched one of John’s arms.

The time to leave for the church came and the bridal party departed in their limousine while John and Carol followed in their own car. Like the rest of the guests, they would park in one of the town’s public lots and walk to the church, while the girls got door-to-door service.

zurück am Bonds' Haus (back at the Bonds’ house)

As the girls started to file through the front door, Dave came out from the kitchen.

“You ladies get something to eat. We don’t need anyone passing out because of an empty, nervous stomach … do we … Gaby?”

A few moments later, he’d served a light lunch to the six ladies at the kitchen table.

After all had eaten and relaxed for a very few minutes, they headed upstairs to get ready, Gaby and Jules to their own rooms and everyone else to the guest room.

“You coming to get ready, luv?” Jenny asked, as she was about to leave the kitchen.

“Takes you longer … go ahead. I’ll be right up in a few minutes, after I wash up here,” Dave replied.

“Em? You give me a hand so I can get in and help Gaby?” Jules asked as Em started to go with the rest of the girls.

“I’ll help you after you finish mit Jules,” Nina mentioned as Em started to follow Gaby’s sister.

When she entered Jules’ bedroom, she found Jules stripped down to her panties and pantyhose and just about to lower her chemise over her head.

“Wait a minute, Jules! Let me help … don’t want to muss your hair if we can help it.”

“You sound like a hairdresser.”

“I am … remember? Now let’s get your shoulders laced up and then we can get you into your dress.”

“Em? I know we haven’t seen each other since back then … but I just wanted you to know that I’m glad you and Gaby are friends again … and if she can forgive you for what you did … so can I.”

Em tearfully accepted the offered hug. After she dabbed her eyes, she laced Jules into her dress.

“How’s that?”

“Think the bodice could be a little tighter.”

“Breathe in … and … uuuuuuh! How’s that?”

“Perfect! You really have to wonder how women dressed themselves back then.”

“Thankfully, we don’t need to worry about that. Now just let me fix the hair…”

After a quick brush of Jules’ hair, Em secured the wild flower above her left ear and then stood back to let Jules admire her work.

“That’s really nice, Em … seems like it’s going to stay, too … thanks! Last thing I need is to have it fall out while walking up the aisle.”

Following a short awkward silence, Jules looked at Gaby’s long-time friend.

“Em? Are you really happier now?”

“Yes,” Em softly answered as Jules embraced her.

“Sorry I was such a bitch back in Warsop … but…” Jules whispered.

“You were protecting your sister … I know … and I wasn’t exactly the best of ‘mates’, either…”

“Either way … I’m sorry I was mean towards you.”

“Thank you … I’m just sorry it even happened.”

“Well … c’mon … Gabs’ going to start wondering what’s happened to us. When you get back … you wanna make sure all the girls have their flower in their hair … above their left ear?”

Following a last minute check of the make-up, Jules went across the hall to help her sister.

“Ready for me, sis?” Jules asked as she peaked around the door. As she walked in, Gaby was stepping into her crinoline while just wearing panties, nylons and a suspender belt. She then picked up her chemise off the bed and held it against herself while looking in her full-length mirror.

“Sexy!” Jules seductively offered.

“I know wot ya mean!” Gaby sarcastically enthused. That got the two sisters giggling and eased some, but not all, of the nervous tension.

With her sister’s help, Gaby carefully slipped the chemise over her head and as she shook it out to let it fall into place, she looked up at her sister.

“Just remember how beautiful you looked in your dress,” Jules encouraged.

“I could really use another ride!”

“You’ve got a wedding to get through, first … sister o’ mine! Now stand still and let me tie you up!”

“Sis ... do you really like your dress or were you just being polite at the fitting?”

“I really like it. I think it’s comfortable and something I can actually see wearing again. As far as I’m concerned, you guys had a great idea when you decided to go with these dresses!” Jules slowly twirled around for her sister’s inspection.

She smugly continued as she cupped her breasts, “Ye old ‘push-up’ has nothing on the laced bodice … except comfort.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Gaby replied with a straight face.

Jules’s smug look changed to a devilish grin as she retrieved her sister’s dress from the closet. “Glad you feel that way … your turn, sis.”

After tying the wrist drawstrings on Gaby’s chemise, Jules lowered the dress over her sister’s head. Once she smoothed down the skirt, Jules tightly laced the bodice.

“How’s that feel?”

“Alright.”

When adjusting the drawstring for Gaby’s neckline, Jules paid particular attention in helping her achieve that seductive off-the-shoulder look, just leaving a glimpse of cleavage for Maddy. Finally, she tied off the shoulders of her sister’s dress.

Inspecting her efforts, all Jules could manage to get out before choking up was, ”Sis…”

Gaby reached for and gently squeezed Jules’ hand. “This isn’t the time for tears, okay? You’ll get me going an’ Ros put a lot of work into this make-up! Now … shall we continue?”

Jules managed to nod her head in reply. Gaby turned around and held the back of her hair up as Jules fastened the beaded choker around her sister’s neck.

“Something ‘borrowed’ … this is Mum’s … it’s the bracelet she wore when she an’ Dad were married,” Jules commented as she fastened it onto Gaby’s wrist.

“We don’t have anything blue … do we?” Jules asked.

“All taken care of,” Gaby replied while playfully patting her butt as she sat down on her bed facing her dresser mirror.

“Maybe it might be better if you do it, Gabs,” Jules cautioned as she held the rawhide string and Nighthawk feather that would be her sister’s headpiece.

As she looked on, Gaby grabbed a few strands of hair above her left ear and quickly braided the rawhide strip into the hair. Next, she inserted the quill of the feather into the top of the braid and clipped the decorative ‘shield’ in place.

“You did that so fast … and without a mirror!” Jules exclaimed in amazement.

“I find it’s actually easier not to use the mirror.”

She then put on her ‘feather’ earrings and with a final check in front of the mirror, turned to her sister.

“Looks good…” Jules declared. “Ready?”

As Gaby turned towards the closed bedroom door, Jules reminded her, “Your shoes?”

She took Gaby’s pumps off the bed and then continuing to play the role of a Lady-in-Waiting, knelt down to put them on her sister’s feet.

“You keep forgetting ‘em, m’lady…”

With her shoes on, Jules looked at her sister and softly proclaimed, “Now … it’s time!”

“Love you, sis…” Gaby whispered in Jules’ ear as they embraced each other in a sisterly hug. “Now, let’s go before I do something stupid ... like start crying.”

On the way to the stairs, the two sisters met Mfawny as she came out of the guest room and while Jules continued on downstairs, Gaby gave her long-time friend a long hug.

“It’s hard to believe this pretty young thing in front of me, was a shy, geeky lad … you look absolutely lovely, Em...” Gaby softly conveyed while holding her at arm’s length.

“Thanks, Gabs.”

“One of these days … you’ll be walking down that aisle, ya know!”

“I doubt it. No matter who I’m with, I always seem to end up thinking about Ally … but…” Em’s fading response was quiet and weak.

“I’ve a strong feeling things will work out between you two. Give it time,” Gaby quietly comforted her childhood friend.

As Em threatened to tear up, she broke the hug and told Gaby, “You better let me go down first. You know … your Grande entrance an’ all.”

With that, she turned to go down the staircase leaving Gaby alone at the top, ready to make her debut as the beautiful bride.

With everyone waiting at the bottom of the stairs, she lifted her skirt with one hand and with the other hand on the banister, slowly and cautiously started down.

As she stepped off the bottom step, Jules handed her the bag that she had brought back from Canada.

“Thanks.”

Gaby then led her parents and her attendants into the lounge where she placed the bag on an end table by the couch. Reaching in, she pulled out two of the larger boxes.

“Before you ask … these are to be worn now. For Jules and Mum...”

Gaby handed both of them, a pair of earrings and a choker identical to hers. After they put in the earrings, she helped them with their chokers.

“What does dad think of your hair?” Gaby whispered in her mum’s ear as she fastened her choker for her.

“He won’t let me cut it, now…” Jenny playfully whispered back.

“I don’t blame him,” Gaby softly hissed while remaining close behind her.

“Thank you…”

“An’ for my girls.”

Turning to her attendants, Gaby handed each of her bridesmaids, a small box containing a pair of feathered earrings identical to her own.

As the girls opened them, a chorus of thank-you’s rang out and they all took a few minutes to admire each other as they put them in.

“See? There was a reason I told you guys ‘no earrings’.”

“Let me get a few quick shots … before you girls get in the limo.” Dave requested.

After several photos and a long hug from Gaby, Dave assisted each girl into the limousine and then watched them as they departed for the church. He went around to the passenger side of their own car and helped Jenny to get in, before following the girls to the church.
 
 
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To Be Continued...