This chapter describes the preparations for the wedding and the delicate issue of briony's parents agreeing to attend a wedding where both participants are wearing bridal gowns.

Sorry about the delays in posting this chapter but real life has really been getting in the way. However it was good stuff and I've been so busy enjoying life that writing HAD to take back shelf for a week or so.

I have really been growing old disgracefully. (Hey it's my form of therapy so don't knock it.)

This was me winning a burlesque competition at swansea Art centre Grand Theatre on Saturday. Firts prize was a bottle of rum ... well hello sailor!!!

Now that's growing old disgracefully.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 34

Briony Davies... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion... Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon Davies... Brionys’ abusive and unfaithful husband.
Dave Cadwalloder... Welsh bachelor hill-farmer.
Jenny and Lassie... Daves’ sheepdog bitches.
Laddie... Daves’ sheepdog.
Jessica and Pansy... Daves’ sows.
Angel... Daves’ mare.
Gabriella (Gabby)... Angels’ foal (Gift to Sion.)
Elsbeth... Briony’s sister.
Daphne... Daves’ ‘girlfriend’
Cledwyn... Farmer further down the valley (Neighbour.)
Blodwen... Cledwyn’s daughter.
Rachel... Daphne’s TV friend.
Shirley... Rachels’ GG wife.
Fajita... The maid.
James & Tara... Rachel’s teenaged children (16 & 15)
Billy and Janet... Manager and accountant at Daphne’s club.
Terry... New Zealand Shepherd.
Wendy Blodwens best friend at school. Also Dave’s friend.
Jane Policewoman at Machynlleth.
Jack Davies Sergeant North Wales Police.
Joyce Blodwen’s Partner.

The Ram 34.

When the friends entered Machynlleth, the inevitable ‘Welsh Sunshine’ arrived with a lazy north westerly gale to drive it hard against the windshield of Daphne’s Landrover. As the wipers slapped out their tattoo, every occupant was glad for the warmth and protection inside the car.

“Don’t much fancy shopping in this,” Briony sighed. “We’d have been better off going straight to Newtown.”

A general chorus of agreement greeted her words. Daphne however had an ulterior motive.

“We’re only going to Wendy’s and the bridal shop,” Daphne declared. “We’ll hardly be out of the car but we’ll be in the shop. The cattle market is closed today so nobody will be near it in this weather. We’ll be able to park under the veranda by the side door to her shop. I phoned her before we left Plas Las and she told me she’s got some new stuff in.”

This news brightened everybody’s spirits except James and Sion. Daphne sensed their dejection so she decided to brighten their day.

“You two can go into the toy shop in the new Bear Lane Mall at Newtown when we get there that is ... if we get there and the road isn’t flooded again. You can spend all afternoon in there while we check out the bridal shops in Newtown.”

This news brightened everybody up and they tumbled into Wendy’s grateful for the high veranda that protected them from the rain. Wendy was waiting for them and welcomed them in.

“So what’s the new stock you’ve imported from London then?” Daphne asked.

“It’s on those first three racks by the window.”

She hardly needed to say this for Daphne had already spotted the exciting new stock as she skipped excitedly towards it. Blodwen and Shirley exchanged knowing grins as Rachel followed immediately behind. Briony spotted the interaction and frowned questioningly.

What?” She asked.

Shirley nodded to where Daphne and Shirley were picking through the new stuff.

“Those two,” Blodwen replied, “just look at them. Typical trannies.”

“What does that mean?”

Shirley giggled as she explained.

“Shopping girl! Shopping! Trannies have an even more developed shopping gene than us real girls. Just look at them, you’d think they were in the last shop on earth.”

Briony studied them and grinned as she turned to Blodwen and Shirley.

“Good God! I see what you mean. We’d better get a move on!”

Wendy’s eyes widened as she realised these girls were up for some serious shopping and within minutes, purchases were being rung up. They had the shop virtually to themselves because few people frequented the livestock market on Christmas eve and ordinarily, Wendy would not have opened except that Daphne had for-warned her. Wendy was also mildly surprised to see Rachel and Daphne casually strip to bras and panties as they tried on outfits and ran ensembles together. She found her gaze being drawn to the smooth, flat-fronted curve of Daphne’s panties and eventually she felt forced to ask.

“Daphne, have you had the op?”

Daphne flashed a wan smile.

“No love.”

She posed in front of the mirror and smiled with no little satisfaction as she explained.

“I’ve always been small down there then when I practiced tucking I found I could almost make it invisible.”

“So where d’you put it?”

“My balls go up into my abdomen, that used to be painful but not anymore then I just fold it back and fold it inside the empty scrotum. A strip of surgical tape keeps it tucked well back and up.”

“But that’s unbelievable. I Mean, you’ve even got a camel toe.”

“The surgical tape does that.”

“How do you wee?”

“Like a girl ... you know, sitting down. It’s a bit messy, but then most girls have to wipe. I split the end of the tape so my glans is free. That’s why when it’s folded back it looks like a camel toe.”

“Can I see?”

“No! Certainly not!”

“Aaawww! Spoilsport.”

Daphne said no more as she wriggled provocatively into a stretchy tube micro dress and then posed to check herself out. Wendy found herself studying Daphne from behind.

‘There was no doubt about it; the girl had a stunning figure!’ She told herself.

As Daphne plucked at the shoulder straps to remove some creases, Wendy could not resist stepping up behind her and smoothing out some creases around Daphne’s waist and bum. Her hand lingered fractionally too long and Daphne realised that Wendy was checking her out. She murmured softly.

“Watch it girl. I’m spoken for.”

Wendy suddenly realised her intentions had been misread and she stuttered an apology.

“Oh, no, I wasn’t being salacious, I just couldn’t believe your curves were real, I thought you had padded panties on. It’s really you isn’t it.”

“Every bit,” Daphne confirmed with a grin, “real welsh mutton but not so much lamb these days. Anyway, you’ve just seen my panties!”

“Yeah, but you’d be surprised how realistic prosthetics can be these days.”

Daphne gave her a knowing look which clearly showed disbelief. Then she grinned.

“You were just copping a grope and you know it.”

“No! Honest! I was just checking; you have, you’ve got a lovely butt, I just couldn’t believe it.”

“Well it’s all me, honest. In computer parlance it’s WYSIWYG.”

Wendy tried deflecting the discussion by making a few more adjustments to the hem then she stood back and nodded.

“That style suits you but I think maybe blue or red.”

“I’ll stay with black thank you. It’s for Christmas day. We’re having a bit of a party.”

“Are these girls all house guests?” Wendy asked.

“Yes, and they’re here to buy outfits as well. So what-choo waitin’ for gu-url? I’m done here. I’m taking this one.”

Wendy needed no more persuasion and slipped away to fuss and flatter the others. Daphne picked out a couple more attractive dresses while Wendy was pre-occupied and in the general mayhem of checking out, Wendy didn’t notice them. She rang them up unwittingly presuming the other girls had bought them.

By Noon they’d finished and the next phase was agreed. They’d give the rest of Machynlleth a miss and head direct to Newtown.
Newtown was an altogether bigger town and after dumping the males off to fend for themselves, the girls headed for the bridal shop. Two o’clock on Christmas Eve was not a typical time to shop for wedding dresses and they found the shop deserted. Moira the proprietor was seriously considering closing early until a maelstrom of squealing, giggling, girlyness surged through the door.

“Afternoon ladies, what can I do for you?”

“Bridal gowns,” Briony declared.”

Moira glanced at the wedding band on Briony’s figure and nodded.

“So is it for the young lady?” She asked glancing at Tara.

“Uhm, no it’s for me and my partner here.”

Moira’s eyes widened momentarily as she gathered her wits.

“Oh you’re having a double wedding, how lovely.”

Briony’s response shouted volumes as to how far she had come since knowing Daphne.

“Uhm no! My partner here and I are getting wed. We want two bridal gowns plus a few bride’s-maids dresses.”
Briony smiled at Daphne who returned the smile to Moira as she explained.

“I’m transgendered. I’ll be the husband but I’ll be wearing a gown so you might as well think of me as the other bride.”

The girls had to give Moira full marks for phlegm. She hardly batted an eyelid as she changed tack and invited the two brides to inspect her wares. She asked everybody else to entertain themselves in the main shop while she invited Briony and Daphne into the bridal boutique.

“So ladies, I’ve never provided for a ... how do you describe it ... a gay wedding?”

“No, not quite, I am in fact, legally and physically a man.” Daphne explained. “Indeed, I am the father to the twins Briony is carrying.”

“Oh, so congratulations are in order.” Moira replied as her mind searched desperately for the right approach. “How do you describe your marriage then?”

Briony glanced uncertainly at Daphne who bit her lower lip before replying.

“I suppose it could be described as a ‘Trans Wedding’, I’m transgendered.”

Moira’s eyes deliberately fell to Daphne’s cleavage before following the slender waist that flared slightly enough to emphasize Daphne’s slightly curved hips. Admittedly her hips were slightly boyish but they also had a slightly feminine roundness. 'All in all' Moira concluded, 'Daphne had a very attractive figure'. The only thing missing was the fully rounded 'squidgy'butt and the ripe curves at the thighs. There was no doubt at all that the person standing in front of her was an attractive woman even if she was a man. Having decided in her own head that the two individuals looked like women, walked like women and talked like women, then she would treat them as women. It was the correct decision as Moira was to soon learn. Having made up her mind, Moira found it easy to slip into her professional mode as she prepared to take measurements. She slipped the tape between her fingers and asked.

“So ladies, are these gowns to be bespoke or ‘off the peg’?”

Briony looked askance at Daphne; neither of them had considered the options. Daphne, the expert shopper decided to first consider styles.

“Shall we look at some first? Then we can decide.”

Moira nodded and invited both girls to strip as she explained.
“I have to measure you anyway, all the gowns invariably need alterations.”

She was surprised that both girls showed no reservations about removing their jeans and tops as she brought out her catalogue of styles.

So darlings, what styles do you fancy.

Briony giggled and Moira raised a questioning eye.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh nothing,” Briony continued chuckling, “it’s just that the groom isn’t supposed to see the wedding gown until the wedding.”
Daphne snorted with amusement then added.

“Well, is the bride supposed to see the groom’s wedding gown?”

It was Moira’s turn to chuckle as she momentarily lost her professional reserve.

“Well ladies. We have a conundrum. If you don’t see your partner’s gowns you might clash unless of course, you want identical gowns.”

Briony’s eyes met Daphne’s and she grinned.

“Now there’s an idea, identical gowns to signify identical status.”

“Is that what you really want?” Daphne asked.

“Seems like a plan,” Briony giggled. “What sort of gown were you envisaging?”

Daphne had to stop and remind herself.

If somebody had suggested a few months ago, that she would be getting married to a beautiful woman whilst wearing a bridal gown of her own, she would have written them off as insane. Now, here she was not only talking gowns but considering matching gowns! She hesitated as she gathered her senses and tried to make sense of Briony’s ... for want of a better word, offer.

“Are you serious, you mean matching gowns?”

“Why not? You look really good in your dresses; a classy gown like the one Kate wore at ‘THE’ wedding would suite your slender figure beautifully.”

Daphne sucked her lip thoughtfully.

“What sort of dress would you like?”

“Oh, I think a white, full length, sheath-column dress in satin with a scoop top and possibly a court train. I don't want all that lace over the shoulders though. Maybe a bolero jacket to hide your slightly wider shoulders.”

Daphne’s eyes widened with delight at first as she realised that Briony had described Daphne’s exact fantasy. Then she frowned.

“That sounds fantastic darling but aren’t you forgetting your bump?”

Briony wagged her head in mock despair.

“Oooh you silly girl! This bump isn’t permanent you know. Come May, I’ll be rid of it.”

“But, and I don’t want to sound nasty here; you, you, you’ll still be a bit plumpish for some time after. It takes time for the bump to, you know.”

“Not with me it doesn’t,” Briony grinned knowingly. “What was I like when you first met me?”

“Well you were very pretty and slim.”

“Exactly, and I was still feeding Ellairy.”

“Yes,” Daphne sighed, “you looked like the Madonna when you were feeding her. It was beautiful.”

Briony almost cried with pleasure at this description, Arfon had never said anything as beautiful as that. She contained her tears and kissed Daphne gently on the eyelids.

“You say the sweetest things. The truth was I was back to that shape only a month after Ellairy popped out. We’re good breeders in our family, ask Elspeth some time. She slips them out like shelling peas.”

Daphne’s eyes widened a bit.

“So you’re saying we’ll have to wait until June before we can do the deed.”

“If we’re to wear satin, sheath dresses, yes, and I do so want to wear a sheath. My first wedding gown was like an oversized wedding cake. I was young and didn’t know much.”

Moira had been listening to the conversation and trying to restrain her smiles. Eventually, she felt she had to intervene.

“Well if you’re talking a June wedding, we’ve got plenty of time. Would you like to see some styles?”

Both girls grinned and shared a thrill of excitement. Wedding gowns were just such beautiful dresses that reflected such happy occasions. It was hard for a girl not to feel romantic when looking at them. They stepped into the changing boutique where Moira brought out some examples. She looked thoughtfully at Briony whilst being tactful.

“These aren’t going to work with that bump darling. I think we’d best let Daphne try them on.”

Briony gave a snort of amusement as she commented to Moira.

“Oh you’ll make her day, there’s nothing she likes more than showing off in her dresses. Don’t you darling?” (She turned to Daphne who grinned openly.)

“I’ve never denied it darling. I am what I am.”

Having established the modus operandi, Moira set to with efficient speed as she slipped into professional gear. After only one dress, she realised she had a natural model in Daphne.

“My God Girl, you look stunning!”

Daphne secretly admired her willowy form in the full length mirrors while Briony watched enviously. It was the first time she had ever wished she didn’t have her bump. Moira sensed Briony’s disappointment and declared encouragingly.

“Never mind darling, I can see by your build that this dress will suite you as well as it suite’s her. You’re a few inches shorter but still of a shape and height to wear this style, or something very similar.”

Briony sighed wistfully.

“From where I’m standing at the moment, I feel like the mother of the bride.”

Daphne suddenly felt sorry for Briony, choosing a wedding dress was just soo-oo much pleasure and here she was doing just that while poor Briony had to sit on the sidelines. She turned to Briony.

“Oh you poor dear. Shall we forego this bit until you’re back in shape?”

“No!” Briony gasped. “You go ahead girl. I can see what they’re like on you just as well and it will give me encouragement to get back into shape after the bump. Try the others on.”

Thus encouraged, Daphne did just that while Moira invited the others to join in the pleasure.

Naturally, the most excited of all was Tara who got to choose her bride’s-maid’s dress. Moira had to smile when the brides debated who was to give them away. Daphne turned hopefully to Rachel.

“Would you give me away?”

Rachel’s jaw sagged with pleasure.

“Wouldn’t I just girl. Do I get to wear a nice two piece suite?”

“Oooh yes! I could just see you in a smart, close fitting dress and bolero jacket.”

At these words Briony became thoughtful.

“Who’s to give me away? I can’t see my dad agreeing to a gay wedding.”

Daphne wagged her head.

“Uuhm; it’s not a gay wedding darling. Technically, I’m still a man; the man who gave you that bump.”

Briony nodded agreement.

“Yes, but I can’t see my dad agreeing to walk me down the aisle to give me away to a man in a bridal gown. He never really forgave me for my stupidity in marrying Arfon.”

“Well this time you’ll be marrying a man who loves you properly and will never abuse you. D’you think I should meet your mum and dad?”

Briony swallowed fearfully. This was a question she had been dreading. She had hardly seen her parents since marrying Arfon. In fact her parents had never seen Ellairy. She didn’t answer the question and Daphne had sense enough not to press for an answer. There was plenty of time to address that issue. For now, it was a happy occasion and Daphne was determined to make it so, especially for Briony. To this end she tried on several more gowns while the rest of the girls tried out options as well.

It was a Christmas Eve well spent, if unusually so. Finally, they met up with Sion and James to complete some late-night shopping before they returned to Plas Las. They arrived in a joyous mood just as the heavens opened; fortunately, Terry met them at the door with a supper already made. This was an added bonus for the girls who were exhausted from shopping.

The evening found a timbre of its own as each brought their own personal rituals and family traditions to the occasion while the house rang to squeals of laughter and various shrieks of enjoyment as various party games surfaced from long forgotten memories to make the even an evening that few would forget. It also set the tone for parties yet to come.