Chapter 36: The right dress

POV: Gabby

August 23, 2008

Our pictures at Philbrook had come out incredible. Zac had worn tan shorts and a solid teal shirt, which fit with my solid white dress, it had been sleeveless and covered well. I’d even gone and put makeup on and even fixed my hair. There had been several single pictures of me and Shawn had selected three of them.

The canvases for Sarah’s friend were also done. I’d done two scenic pictures one of a forest with a deer in the center and one of the Arkansas river, same view I’d had when I talked with Shawn. I then did one of horses running through a field and one of a tiger, really close up on the face. The very big one I’d done of a Dragon, but I told her it could be displayed but that it wasn’t for sale, I promised that one to Shawn because he saw it during a visit and just fell in love. A golden dragon with blue highlights.

Having Sierra there wasn’t bad, they practiced and I painted, I did see her but it was rare. I started to invite her today but then Carrick and Austin were going to practice all day since Zac and the other two were taking the day off. It may be better if she weren’t there.

Zac begged me to send pictures to him, namely of the one I chose, I flatly refused. When he handed me the no limit credit card though I about fainted, he told me to buy what felt right and he didn’t care how much it cost.

When Diana arrived we left and met Abigail for a brunch date and then we went to the shop, which was called Bridal Elegance of Tulsa. Abigail was so giddy it was insane, Diana had made the appointment and we went inside with a few minutes to spare.

“Hi, I’m Elaine. How may I help you?”

“Hanson.” Diana said.

She smiled. “Your consultant is ready, her name is Ruby. She’ll be happy to assist you in all of your needs and questions.”

Ruby was about my height, petite, with bright blonde hair. Clearly she kept it dyed that color, she was cute really. Had a cute face, I however didn’t like that she wore a Hanson symbol necklace. But, perhaps she would be nice.

“Good Evening Mrs. Hanson, I have selected several dresses that I feel would be appropriate.”

She had addressed Diana and Abby looked at me confused because that sounded like she’d selected dresses for Diana, not me.

Diana blushed. “How sweet, I am sure Gabriella would appreciate that.”

Yep, there it was. That stunned look and she looked at me and then back to Diana. “It’s not your vowel renewal?”

“No ma’am, Walker and I are content with our vows. Oh dear, I see the confusion I made the appointment under my name. The appointment is for my daughter-in-law, Gabriella.”

I went to shake her hand and she didn’t bother so I let it drop, great this was a perfect way to start my day. A consultant who apparently didn’t like me.

“Certainly, I think the ones selected would still be appropriate.”

Diana and Abigail moved to sit down and Ruby had me follow her to the back to a room. I really didn’t want to undress in front of this woman, but I did and the first dress was very poofy. She tightened it behind me and I just stared in the mirror. The bottom flared way too much and even the waist didn’t seem to fit.

“I don’t like this one at all.”

“It’s fine, let them see it.”

I simply nodded and walked to the front, the damn bottom was all in my way, and it swallowed me whole. Even though the top was a corset style, I felt like it did nothing to support my breast at all.

“I thought you said no poofy?” Abby asked.

“It was something she had picked out.”

“I don’t like it period.”

“I have to admit, neither do I. It’s not flattering at all.” Diana said.

I just turned and walked back to the room but as I passed a mirror I saw her holding her phone up, all she would get is my back and so what if Zac saw it? I wasn’t going to buy it. I did watch her carefully as I removed it, because I wouldn’t tolerate her tweeting partially nude pictures. Yet, every dress she had selected was big and poofy, even some of them had huge puffy sleeves and the more I tried on the more unhappy I got. I finally got a picture of her and sent it to Zac, I mean bad fan is one thing but this was ridiculous.

Do you know this bitch?!

Yeah…Is her name Ruby by chance?

Yes. How do you know her?!

She was one of a few local hookups, was a long time ago. Why is she there?

She’s my consultant….I swear if she brings me one more dress that makes me feel like a whale I am going to snap though. :- ( I’ve asked her ten times to bring something different.

Calm down buttercup. Say something to my Mom, she made the appointment and she will say something to her.

I don’t want to seem like a bribezilla…oh god…another poofy dress.

I even sent him a picture of this hideously poofy thing and even he said no, in capital letters. So, I didn’t even try it on.

“I have a few more.”

“I’m not trying those on Ruby. I do not want a poofy dress, I have asked you four times to get me a mermaid style. I’m not stupid I know what they look like.”

She seemed pissed off as she snatched the one up and started to leave the room, but I heard her mutter what a bitch I was. I just breathed deeply and waited, but even then the ones she brought me were so fucking bad. They were mermaid style, but the bottoms had huge swirly pieces of fabric, super sized roses that were flat and weird looking, and then one that just had a lot of crystals with a poofy bottom. I tried on one the last one, which Abby and Diana both said no too. I humored her with another five dresses but I was about done, after this many surely there was no hope in finding one today. The last one she brought me was a very plain dress, it covered virtually every part of me but my face and hands. I hated the way it looked in the mirror, but I started out there anyway. I stepped up and then looked at Diana and Abby, but I was shocked to see Sierra sitting there as well.

That was a contrast from hell, because Diana and Abby were all cool colors and proper but Sierra was all black, bright blue hair and dark make up.

“What is that? You look like a miserable sardine. Really? This is the best they offered you?”

“Sierra.” I said.

“You don’t look happy.” Abby said.

“Not sure you look like a sardine, but you really don’t seem to like it. Ruby, is there a reason why you keep bringing her these dresses? It’s clear that none of us like the designs especially her.”

“I believe they fit her well.”

Sierra got up and walked away, several minutes passed before she returned with Elaine, whom didn’t look happy.

“Mrs. Hanson are you not pleased with the dresses that Ruby has chosen?”

“No. I didn’t want poofy and most of them have been, this is the only non poofy and I really hate it. I don’t think I can keep on. I just really want to go home now.”

“Skye, you don’t mean that. I think we could however use a different consultant.” Sierra said.

“No, I mean it Sierra. I just want to go home. I’m done.”

I walked out of the show room and back to the room, where I started changing. When the door opened I didn’t bother to turn around, assumed it was Ruby.

“Leave me alone Ruby. I don’t care that you had sex with him years ago, I’m his wife now and it’s clear you have a fucking problem with that.”

“That bitch was with him? No wonder she doesn’t like you kitten.”

I turned, stunned and half naked. “What are you doing?”

“Checking on you, Ruby is being replaced. Elaine is going to pick some things out for you personally.”

“No point, I’m done Sierra.”

“You aren’t done. You haven’t found your dress and you won’t have time after the tour starts.”

“I’m done. I’ve tried everything in this room on and nothing was right. All she did was bring me the shit she knew I didn’t want.”

She walked to me and her hands on my face felt warm and comforting. Even the way her thumb carefully caressed my cheek felt nice.

“Fuck you.”

“You need to calm down, you use to when I did this. I know you’re tired, frustrated, and you want to leave because that bitch didn’t listen to you, she didn’t care to please you and Elaine will handle her behavior when we are done. But, Elaine wants you to be happy and confident in the dress you choose. Give her a chance, if she can’t find the right one then you and I will go to every bridal store across the United States.”

Her hands moved down my neck and across my shoulders, they were slow movements that really did calm me down.

“Okay. But if she brings me some stupidly poofy fucking dress I am out of here.”

“Deal. You get comfortable and we’ll pick some out while you calm down.”

I slipped my shirt on and sat down, Elaine and Ruby removed the numerous dresses from the room and it was very clear that Ruby had been yelled at because she didn’t even look at me. But, fuck if she treated all her clients like she did me, how was she expecting to succeed here?

You sent Sierra here…didn’t you?

I may have mentioned you needed back up. My mom is very nice and Abby wouldn’t want to make her mad or upset her. Sierra wouldn’t care what either of them said. Take it she laid down the law?

I’m still here…she’s the only reason I am. I don’t know whether to thank you yet or not tho.

;-) you can thank me when you get home.

I change a billion times and you get to sit on your butt all day! I’ll be tired.

Pretty sure I can sway you when you get here.

I don’t know…I met your former booty call…

You cannot be mad about her! She was like the second person…

Not mad at you. Long as you *never* see her again ;- )

Not a problem, I’ll go think of creative ways to make you untired and then very tired when you get home…I am sure you’ll find the right one. *kisses*

I sent him a kisses emoticon and waited, Elaine came in with a helper who had three other dresses.

“You’re friend said no poof whatsoever. So, all of these are A-lines and mermaids with no poof.”

The first two were more a-lines, they were form fitting but pretty plain, Abby and Diane liked them but Sierra didn’t show any emotion. She tried a few more but one had way too many details, but it fit well. She brought me a Maggie Sottero dress, that was form fitting all the way down, it dipped very low in the back though and the details were all over the dress. It got 3 smiles though and while they all loved it, I felt indifferent. The second Maggie dress she brought was a little different the back wasn’t as low, but the detailing was still so extensive. These two felt very busy to be, but everyone else liked it.

Abby totally said I should bring that one home and since everyone agreed I just went along with it. I was tired and hungry and just wanted to go home. I was tired of seeing dresses and while I thought having Diana here would help, she was very agreeable with Abby. Elaine followed me to the back and was unclamping the back when she looked at me through the mirror.

“I’ve been doing this thirty years and I can see it written all over your face, this is not the dress you want. Is it?”

“They all love it and I’m tired, hungry and I just want to go home.”

“They love it, but do you?”

“It’ll do.”

She finished unsnapping and removing this one but before I could put my normal clothes back on she paused me.

“You want your wedding to be memorable, if this is not the dress you like, I’m not talking about your friends and family, I mean you. If you do not love it, then I’m not going to ring you up.”

“It’s fine, really.”

She just looked at me. “What about this do you not like? What do you like?”

“I like that the top has details, but it’s just too busy for me. There’s designs all the way down to the end and I just..I think it’s too much. Ironically, I wanted the mermaid style or a-line but I haven’t liked the way it feels so tight around my hips and legs. I can barely walk in them and you aren’t making them that tight.”

She appraised me a moment. “You are doing winter right?”

“Yes. I mean I wanted something with sleeves too, but we are inside.”

“How much do you trust me?”

“More than I do Ruby.”

“Give me one more dress, you don’t even have to go out there if you don’t want too. If you don’t like it then we can schedule you to come back when you have time. I’ll even do middle of the night if you have too, I don’t want you to just settle.”

I considered it and she had a point, if I settled then months from now I’d just hate it. “Okay.”

She gathered all but the last one and left, I felt like it was taking forever before she finally came back in with bag and just by what I saw I felt different, almost like it was calling my name. She wouldn’t let me look in the mirror as I put it on and she fixed it in the back.

“This has a bodysuit that can be purchased, it’ll fit under the top and has sleeves with details that match the top, you can wear it during the ceremony and pictures and then take it off so you don’t get too hot.”

She adjusted and fixed the dress before she had me turn around, eyes closed. She then fixed the bottom before she let me open my eyes. I really was speechless. She retrieved that body suit and just held it up over my arm and because I couldn’t find a single flaw with it, I knew it was right.

“Is this better?”

“It’s perfect. It’s the one I want and I don’t care what they say.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, for once I am absolutely sure.”

“Okay. This is the ivory version, do you want this color?”

“Does it comes in white?”

“Yes, I like the white version better myself.”

“Do you have one here?”

“I do but it’s in a plus size, it would be way too big on you.”

“I just want to see it.”

“Okay.”

She retrieved it and I was absolutely sure this was the dress I wanted. I didn’t even look at the price tag until after I had signed the receipt. Hopefully when he saw that total he still wanted to proceed with his plan! She also went ahead and got measurements but we’d do another appointment in December.

I finally walked to the front where they were waiting.

“Took you long enough. Sierra had to leave, she was going back to the studio.” Abby said.

“I had to do the paperwork and she went ahead and got measurements because I won’t be able to come back because we have the tour. Everything is set. I figured she would leave before I was done.”

Diana smiled and we left the bridal shop. “My son sent me a message and said not to feed you. He apparently has cooked dinner.”

“Interesting.”

Given that Walker had fixed their dinner she dropped me off out front and I went up to the apartment, I knew something was amidst when I opened the door because the apartment was completely dark except for this table that was set up behind the couch, it had candles and rose petals.

“Zachary?” I asked.

He seemed to come from the kitchen and I hadn’t even seen him!

“Welcome home.”

“Since when did we get a table? What is that smell?”

“Spaghetti might be your favorite, but I wanted something different. So, I went with a salmon, green beans, rice, and a salad.”

I blinked at him, he had gone all out. He even lead me to the table, which was a cherry wood color, just big enough for two.

“This wasn’t here when I left.”

“I know, I wanted something romantic and the couch and the counter wouldn’t cut it. So, I went and purchased a table. It can be repurposed if and when we move out of here.”

I really had to give him credit, the salmon was perfect and everything was perfect. The atmosphere, the little rose petals, and even the smell was just right. He cleared the plates but wouldn’t let me get up just yet and I found out why, he’d gotten cake. Chocolate heaven cake.

“You know you’ll never live this down right?”

“It just means I’ll have to try harder.”

The cake was super sweet but so good, yet eating made me very sleepy. He took the dishes to the kitchen and when he returned he leaned down and kissed my cheek before he put the blindfold over my eyes.

“I’m beginning to wonder what’s up here.”

He got my hand and had me follow him, clearly to the bedroom and then the bathroom. Once I was standing here he proceeded to remove my clothes, placing kisses as he went until I was completely undressed.

I felt kisses to my neck. “Step into the tub, but don’t sit down yet.”

I let him guide me because I couldn’t see and the water in the tub was warm, felt a little oily which meant he’d probably added some of the bath oil I had. The bathroom felt cool and I didn’t detect any bright lights, I stood there a moment and inhaled, smelled like roses. I felt him get in behind me and sit down, then brought me down into the warm water.

“What did you do with my husband?”

“I can be quite romantic when I need to be.”

He finally removed the blindfold and I blinked. There were dozens of candles everywhere, rose petals and scent oils that made it smell like roses.

“Clearly you thought of a way to make me untired and then very tired, I believe is what you said.”

“I know that trying on stuff is horrible, hate when people style us. Did you find the dress or will you be going back?”

I leaned back against his chest, let his arms come around me. “I did, still certain you have no problem with the cost?”

“Depends, does this elusive dress make you happy?”

“Yes.”

“Did it feel right to you?”

“Yes.”

His left hand moved down some. “Does it make you feel beautiful?”

I nodded oddly wanting that hand to keep moving down. I felt warm air circle my neck as his hand moved down where I wanted it, right over me.

“Does it make you feel sexy?”

“Yes.”

I felt a finger slip between the folds, finding their destination really quickly, followed by a slight nip to my ear.

“Then I don’t care how much it costs because it makes you very happy. I’ll just nag Abby for details.”

I smiled some and turned to him, but that finger was making words a bit hard to think of.

“She never saw it.”

“Surely Sierra did then.”

I shook my head no. “No one but me and I’m not going to tell you.”

His lips found mine but that hand and that finger kept moving, so much that I forgot I was tired. The other hand came up, finding nipples and those little bites to my neck were just making me forget a lot of things. I completely melted when he moved his hand down a bit, slipping a finger inside me. That moan was completely needed, but when I went to close my legs his legs moved quickly to keep them parted.

“No, no. This is better.”

“So mean..”

Yet I could feel him against my back and his movements caused me to move some, which was helping him. I was getting very close when he stopped and I turned to him, but he just prompted me to turn completely around. Not entirely a bad thing because that put him inside me and not against me. It certainly was not the first time we’d had sex in the tub, it was the first time in this particular position, it felt amazing.

I was rather glad at some point the water had drained out, made laying there on his chest afterwards a little easier.

“Mm, I told you I’d find a way.”

I nipped his neck. “You really think I cared about changing a billion times, please. But, you are a closet romantic.”

“How about we actually get a shower, I feel oil all over me.”

“That could be interesting.”

“I can totally do that in the morning, oil you up really well..I have all day to do that too.”

We finally motivated ourselves to get up and shower and then get in the bed. It wouldn’t be long before I’d be in a bunk above him again for months. I would enjoy the time spent snuggled up with him between now and then.