Chapter Text
-1-
MAY 2006
19 days before the wedding
“Would you like to try a veil before going out?”
“Oh, sure, that’d be lovely.” She replies with a deceiving smile while fidgeting with the fabric.
The consultant leaves the room for a moment and then returns with a long sheer veil. She adjusts it with some bobby pins and then covers her face with it skillfully, proof she has done this many times before. Then she is left alone.
Lottie looks at herself in the mirror and her eyes get watery.
This is her dress; she knows it in her heart.
All those things other married people have told her about that instant become true the second she looks at herself.
Her mother, mother-in-law, and closest friends are still waiting for her outside the dressing room but this is her moment alone before facing them. She won’t be able to handle a negative with that dress, it has been a couple of exhausting hours with many “noes” and some “maybes” but when she saw her reflection in the mirror, she knew.
“Lottie, is everything okay?” Shauna knocks on the door.
“Yes. I’ll be there in a second.” She wipes the tears away with the back of her hand.
She opens the door and hears the whispers coming from the contiguous room. She takes a deep breath before stopping right outside.
“Okay everyone, be nice! I’m begging you.” Lottie yells before walking in.
All of a sudden, the room goes quiet. Lottie gets to position herself in the center.
The gown fits her like a glove. It’s an ivory mermaid fit-and-flare dress with a deep v-neckline that shows a little -not too much- cleavage held together with a single string in the middle. Right below the thighs and above the knees the fabric falls gracefully and it folds creating a loose bottom that ends in a train. The veil is delicately embroidered and it reaches the floor matching her pronounced height.
“You have to imagine the whole thing with the makeup and the hair… the bouquet.”
Unable to wait any longer, she turns around; the deafening silence was starting to get alarming.
But she is pleasantly surprised to find that everyone is crying.
(For the right reasons)
“My baby.” Her mother sobs. “You look so beautiful.” She reaches for one of the tissues on the table.
Lottie has never seen her mother cry before, at least not in front of her, certainly not because of her. Well, in fact, she has never gotten involved in anything related to her life until she announced the engagement but it’s nice to have her there for once. Especially when this particular moment requires some emotionality from her progenitor. It’s almost genuine.
“Lottie, you look gorgeous.” Tai looks at her fondly, her cheeks are wet.
Shauna and Jackie can’t even say a word but they nod and grab some more tissues from the box.
Then, she turns toward her mother-in-law who hasn’t said a single word yet. What if she thought it was too much? What if she was showing too much cleavage for her taste?
“I think…” She stands up from the sofa and gets closer to the bride-to-be. “That Nick is very lucky.” She grabs Lottie’s hand and squeezes it lightly.
The mention of her fiancé’s name is what ends up breaking her down in tears. She has a big smile on her face but her eyes are like two streams of water running down her cheeks.
“I can’t believe it.” She sobs. “I’ve found my dress.”
The room bursts into cheers, and someone -probably the seller- pops a bottle of champagne.
She twirls on top of the platform. “I’m getting married!” The joyful smile is tattooed on her face.
✧
“I’m sorry that we can’t be here to help you with the other things.” Tai pulls Lottie into a hug. “Van already feels guilty for not being here today.”
“Aw, don’t even say it. I’m glad that you were able to come from Washington for this when you’re still working on the campaign, means a lot.” She holds both hers and Shauna’s hands. “It really does.”
“We’re like the worst bridesmaids ever but we’ll make it up to you with a killing bachelorette party when we come back.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.” Lottie chuckles. “But seriously, guys, don’t worry. Jackie is going to help me and I still have a couple more weeks to get ready. With the dress thing done, there are just a few more details to go through.” She looks in Jackie’s direction. “She even has a binder, everything is under control.”
Her mother’s flight has departed earlier. Watching her leave wasn’t half as difficult as saying goodbye to her friends, it’s like when she first left her house in New Jersey to move to New York four months ago, only Nick isn’t with her this time.
“Are you crying again?” Tai cleans her tears. “Don’t. You’re going to be dried out by the time you get married.”
“No… yes… I’m going to miss you…” She admits.
“Lot…” They wrap her in a hug. “We’ll be back in a heartbeat.”
“And you’re going to be the most beautiful bride in the world,” Shauna adds.
“Okay, okay… that’s enough,” Lottie tells herself. “You better go or I’m not going to let you.”
“We’ll call you when we get off the plane.” Tai squeezes her hand one more time.
“Alright.” She smiles. “See you soon!”
They start walking toward the departure lounge.
Lottie meets Jackie a few steps behind. She waves at the two girls who copy the gesture, they have said goodbye three times already.
“Well, it’s time to go.”
Jackie wraps her arm around her friend to comfort her.
“So, what do we do next?” Lottie asks. They head out of the airport.
“Flowers next Thursday and some other appointments that day.” She frowns and stops for an instant to massage her temples.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I think I got dehydrated for crying too much. It’s just a headache.”
Lottie laughs. “I’ll drive then.”
Her friend nods and they leave after the Washington flight is announced.