Chapter three

"Clayyyy come out please" Abby was pleading from the other side of my bedroom door.

"No I'm not coming out I look ridiculous" I said as I looked at myself in my door mirror.
"Sweetie I highly doubt you look ridiculous and we need to get going the rehearsal is in an hour now please come out and show us" mom sounded just like Abby.

"No, go away!" I huffed back.
This is so embarrassing.I still can't believe I was whining like a frustrated teenager.

Why the hell couldn't Becky be here to take my place?Becky is Aunt Melinda's oldest at thirty two and is currently stationed in New Jersey with the Coast Guard.

She had tried to get approval to come but was denied seeing as a large amount of military personnel had recently gone through large scale "structural reorganization" that left many unable to continue their job specific duties. Basically they were short handed and she couldn't get the leave.

So that left me having to take her place.
"Do you have everything on or just the dress?" Mom called out.

I didn't want to answer her.
"Clay?" She drew out my name.
"Ye..yes I have everything on but I don't want you to see me like this".

"Oh thank you honey" I heard mom say.
"Took me a minute to find it but I knew I had it somewhere" I heard my dad chuckle.

"Mom, Dad what are you doing?" I asked.
It was at that moment I heard the unmistakable sound of a key entering my door lock.

I lunged for the doorknob but it was too late, I was trying to hold the door shut against the combined forces of Abby and Mom and was doing pretty good even with these stupid heels on when I heard my dad chuckle and felt a force on the top of the door.

With one hand my defenses were crushed as my old man effortlessly pushed open my door.

"Eeep" I can't believe that sound came out of my mouth as I stumbled back on these sky scraper tall heels "Ok I admit they were only three inches but still".

And there I was in all my glory.
The light grey calf-length asymmetrical dress with a high neck cold shoulder design and lace bell sleeves.

How do I know this? Have I suddenly become an expert on dresses?

No,Its what was on the tag on the bag, there was also a grey strapless bra, a black thing called a garter belt and sheer midnight moon(black) stockings. I had to watch a YouTube video on how to put those on cause there was no way in hell I was gonna ask mom.

And then there were the heels, labeled (Bandage straped buckled heels/3" charcoal size 7)

I stood there imitating a tomato while Mom, Dad and Abby all looked at me.
Mom brought her hands up to her mouth and had what I can only describe as happy tears and a huge smile.
"Ohhh you're soo beautiful" she squealed as she came over and hugged me.
"Thank you for being brave about this Clay, I know its hard to hear this but you are beautiful and you don't even have your hair or makeup done yet" she pushed me back just a little while still holding onto my shoulders.

"It's ok mom, I figured you were working on a way to get me in dresses eventually anyway" I smiled a little but wanted to thump her on the nose.

"Well, I won't say I was but I won't say I wasn't either " she smiled.
"You look stunning" My old man said as he stood in the door way.

That made me warm up even more.my dad the old man,the guy who use to tell me to toughen up and be a man just said I look stunning, in a freakin dress!
"What the hell has happened to my life?" I thought.

Abby was wearing the same outfit as me except her short blonde hair had a bit more thought put into it at the moment with the black and grey head band, back flared out and her bangs hanging to one side of her face at an angle.

"Wow you are absolutely gorgeous I can't wait to see the whole package after our salon visit tomorrow" she had been exited about that part cause it would be her first time getting the full works.Even though I still catch a glimpse of Greg every now and then, it seems he, well she has truly embraced her new life. I wonder if I'll ever get to that point , where I'm actually happy again.

The only good thing about this is the fact that mother nature was easing up on her attack and I was feeling a bit better.

It was kinda funny me and Abby all dressed up while mom was just in her jeans and Almond Brothers Tshirt.

"Well Its time to go,rehearsals should be starting in an hour that gives us plenty of time to get to the church and chat for a minute" mom said getting behind and gently pushing me towards the door.

I figured I needed to rip it off like a bandaid so I didn't give much resistance.
"Oh hold up" Mom said as I felt her reach into the back of my dress and remove the shoe lace I had attached to the dresses zipper so I could zip it up myself.

It feels so weird, the dress is snug in some places and loose in others.
The feel of the stockings on my legs as the skirt swishes around them the strangeness of the heels peaking out as I walked and their click clack that were making.its just all too strange for me to comprehend.I honestlyjust felt like I was on auto pilot at that point.

"Clay you need to change your walk or you're going to fall, or hurt your feet here watch Abby" mom said.

Abby had been wearing heels for a bit now and had no issues as she glided across the hardwood floor gently moving her hips and placing one foot infront of the other with ease.

I sighed and tried to imitate her and had to do it a few times. It was strange that my body seemed to naturally move better walking like this.

I didn't feel so off balance like I had been while trying to walk how I always have.

After my fifth or sixth trip across the family room and some guidance from Abby and Mom they were finally happy with my amateur results.

I still felt awkward as we stepped out on the porch.
Abby had no issues walking across our gravel driveway.

I took one step and almost hit the ground but luckily my old man was there to catch me.

"Just try putting more weight on your toes like this" mom said demonstrating by lifting her heels off the ground and walking on her toes in her tennis shoes.

I tried again, but again I made it like three steps before my dad caught me.
"Ben sweetie we'll have Clay practice later that dress can't get dirty so please carry her to the car" Mom asked.

Before I could even protest my dad scooped me up like a little girl with one arm under my legs and I had to hold onto his shoulders while he brought me over to my moms Explorer then helped me slip into the back seat.

"Ahh... thanks dad" I felt red hot with embarrassment after that.
Dad just winked and made his favorite click clkick sound with his mouth before he smiled and shut the door then he walked around to the driver's seat.

"This is so wrong" I said into my hands.
"Cheer up Blue and relax this will be fun if you let it" Abby giggled.

Me and Abby are basically sisters now, even though its not official or on paper she has been living with us since day one and has pretty much taken over Coles room.

She's been working at Mom's friends Lingerie store Sally's Lingerie and Finery for the last two weeks as a shop attendant so she has really been getting an education in girl stuff.

Her and Stacy have also become really good friends and stacy is a real girly girl kinda up town or at least she tries to be.
So basically bad influences all around.

Me I'm happy working with dad, I know I can't do much of the physical labor anymore but I am getting real good at running the heavy equipment.

We arrived at the church in fifteen minutes. I mean we only live seven miles away.
This time dad parked on the paved portion of the parking lot and there is a sidewalk that leads to all parts of the church grounds so I was able to get out on my own.

I felt like I had a parakeet flying around in my stomach as we walked towards the small crowd of people standing outside the front door of the main church.

There weren't many people just the ones who were part of the wedding.
All the groomsman were wearing tan kakies and white polo shirts while all the bridesmaids were dressed in our dresses.

Why do they get a choice?
Mom led us up to the door and two of the three groomsmen standing next to it whistled which caused the other to turn around.

When he did I saw that it was Justin Lakeland Stevens sixteen year old brother.
And his eyes almost poped out of his head as he locked eyes with me.

I instantly felt flush and looked away as I hurried past him feeling his eyes on me the whole time.
I looked around and there were some of my relatives and some of Stevens relatives about twenty people in all not counting the processional just kind of mulling about.

I saw Cheyenne who was wearing a simple green sun dress and Steven was wearing the same outfit as his grooms men only his polo shirt was dark blue.

She saw me about the same time and waved me and Abby over.
"Oh my god you guys look fantastic" she squealed as she quickly hugged both of us.

"You look great too can't wait to see you in the dress" Abby said.
"Speaking of dresses why are we all dressed up if this is just rehearsals?" I asked.

"Well I just thought it would be best if everyone was dressed for the rehearsals so you could get use to everything" she said.

"All we're gonna be doing is standing in one place" I said.
"Oh stop being such a debbie downer and Lighten up Clay" Aunt Melinda walked up behind me and hugged me.

"Its fun to dress up every now and then" she laughed lettingme go.
Aunt mel was wearing the same outfit as the rest of us.

"Ok everyone's here so we had best get this show on the road" Aunt Melinda yelled to everyone.

The non involved family mainly my mom, dad a few cousins and relatives on both sides all found seats in the pews.

Me and the other bridesmaids walked back to the front room on the left side of the building looking from the front doors and the groomsmen went to the right side in the foyer.

After everyone was in place the pianist started to play "Canon In D" and we started.

Aunt Melinda walked out first, she being the mother of the bride and the Maid of honor she made her way to the front and then made a circle around the other side of the pews back to the room where Cheyenne was currently at.

Then the groom Steven was escorted down the Isle by his mother Mrs. April. Then she sat next to His dad Bobby Lakeland of Lakeland automotive.
Yeah that lakland family

After that it was our turn. The bridesmaids and the groomsmen walked out at the same time down our respective sides of the isle and took our places where aunt Melinda had shown us by height.

I was the shortest followed by my cousin Lisa, her friend Rebecca Abby and then my cousin Jennifer.

And then I almost lost it and fell to the floor laughing but luckily all I let out was a snort.
It was the flower girls turn.

The song quickly changed to the international staple of all American weddings "Here comes the bride".

There were two of them, Becky's five year old daughter and Kaylie all dressed up in "Yes I'll say it" the cutest little white and pink flower girl dresses followed by Becky's oldest Mathew who is seven as the ring bearer and he was dressed just like the other groomsmen.

And he was followed by the Lady of honor and her father.
Cheyenne was led down the aisle by her dad my uncle Lonny followed a few steps behind by aunt Melinda.

After everyone made it to their perspective places the music stopped and I thought we were done.

But I was wrong.
We had to do it six more times before aunt Melinda was satisfied all the little nitpick stuff was fixed.

I hate to admit it but I was one of the main problems,it was my walk.
It ended up taking some one on one training away from everyone else in the reception hall before I was considered just right.

And after about three hours we were done.
I thought we would all go home but instead all the bridesmaids went into the back to change into normal clothes and we were all going out to a local Mexican restaurant for super,the grooms treat.

I was kinda just shuffled along with everyone else into the back room.
I felt extremely awkward as all the girls started to get changed.

I turned and looked away towards the wall and heard giggling.
"Ahh...Clay, you don't have to look away I mean we aren't stripping naked and you have all the same stuff now so come on and get dressed" My cousin Jennifer laughed.

I turned and felt myself going flush.
"I didn't bring anything to wear" I said.

"Oh its ok I brought you some clothes and shoes as well as the dress bag" My mom said as she walked into the room haveing heard my little admonishment.

Mom helped me take off the dress by unzipping the back for me then packing away the dress and other pieces as I
stripped out of everything but my underwear.

I stood there feeling really exposed wondering where my other clothes were.
"Clay, Please don't be mad but I wanted you to look nice tonight so I bought you an outfit to wear earlier today" she looked nervous.

"I take that its girly?"
She nodded.
"Can't be any worse then what I just wore" I sighed.

She picked up one of the shopping bags she had brought in and reached inside.

"Here put these on" she said handing me a a pair of charcoal leggings".
I took them and just like I had done with the stockings earlier I put them on to the best of my ability.

Then she handed me a shirt, it looked like a normal tshirt but one side had a thin strap instead of the normal sleeve.

The shirt was two tone black and grey.
I put it on and then I cringed at the next item. A dark tan knee length pleated skirt with a buckled top.

I knew there was no use in backing down now so I stepped in and mom helped me put it on.

"And before you get angry Abby picked out the shoes" Mom said opening a fancy black box.

Inside was a pair of brown mid calf high heeled lace up riding boots again with the three inch heels.

"They're.... nice, I like them" I said hoping to put moms mind at ease.

Mom had been walking on egg shells when it came to this kind of stuff for a while but she would make small comments here and there about clothes that we would see out and about or she would ask me what I thought about certain outfits on pinterest.

She never would come out and say it but she would drop hints that she thought this or that would look good on me.

Although I'm not completely sold on this stuff I have known in the back of my mind that this was inevitable so I guess its time to take the plunge.

She beamed when I told her that and gave me a quick hug."Thank you Clay I promise I won't push you too much with this stuff" she said.

"It's ok mom" I said taking the boots from her.
After I put them on I stood up, even with the heel these are pretty comfortable mainly cause of the wider heel unlike the others that are a bit thinner. They also don't have as sharp a rise as the others did.

"One more thing" Mom said holding something hunter green in her hand.
It was a long sleeved open summer cardigan is what she said.

I slipped it on and the outfit was complete.
Mom stepped back and all the other ladies who by this time had finished getting dressed themselves all looked at me for a moment.

"Wow she looks so cute I love that outfit combination you really have great taste aunt Judy" My cousin Jennifer said as she looked me over.

Her and mom started talking about stores and stuff and I just stood there until we all started for the door.

I felt weird but at the same time I felt relaxed. I like to say it was tiredness from all the excitement and stress but I honestly don't know what it was.

I looked around and saw everyone else smiling,laughing and chatting and I couldn't help but smile at this little moment and for the first time in over a month and a half, for a moment I felt, normal.

We all walked outside and the groomsmen, dad, Steven and Lonny were all gathered around talking about the upcoming hunting seasons and their plans.

Normally I'd be right there with them excited about the new deer or turkeys I had caught on my trail cams.
But right then I wasn't one of the guys anymore.
I wasn't part of the crew, I was just one of the girls in the family.

But honestly during that particular moment I wasn't really worried about it, I felt that I was right where I needed to be.
It didn't take the boys long to see us as we walked over to the vehicles.

I walked over to my moms Explorer while mom and Abby went to grab dad. Most of the others started to head for their vehicles as well.

I noticed dad talking to Justin and He laughed and nodded.
Abby had walked over with mom and I saw her look at me with a grin and she started walking over to the car at a brisk pace.

"Hey Clay" she said as she walked past me.
"He..y whats up?" I said confused by her sudden strange behavior.

"Oh nothing" Abby said opening the door and climbing in.
It took me a second but I realized she was climbing into the very back third row.

"Abby why are you getting in the......"
I turned and looked at mom and dad walking towards us,but they weren't alone.

Why is Justin walking with them?