I went outside to see Sean sitting in the backseat of the car for me. We were being driven around by a chauffeur. It all felt surreal to me.
First we went shopping for my gown. I t was really tiresome because I had to try a lot of clothes and I hated doing that but Sean wouldn’t take a no for an answer. What was more irritating was that he wouldn’t even choose one. He was too fussy.
Finally we went entered a boutique and Sean and I both became breathless as we saw a gown on the display. It was a beautiful sapphire blue gown with tiny sapphire colored crystals sewn on the border, neck, sleeves and at the waist. It was simple yet elegant. When the light fell on the right places it looked like a million stars were sewn into the gown. It was a boat neck and the back dipped into a modest V shape.
It was gorgeous. I went to try it and when I looked at myself in the mirror I just stared. Was that really me? The dress hugged the upper half of my body perfectly and flared a little at the end. It was a mermaid style gown and I loved it!
I went out to Sean how it looked and saw Jude and his mom were here too. Sean gave a low whistle and said, “Babe that dress was made for you!”
I looked at Jude and saw him just staring at me.
“You look ravishing my dear.”
‘Thank you Mrs. Smith” I said smiling.
“Er Jude stop staring at her like that! Say something.’
“You look good.” He said a little hoarsely, then cleared his throat and said to the salesgirl, ‘We’ll take this.”
“So what are you wearing?” I asked Jude.
“I got a tuxedo.” He showed it to me, it was a conventional looking tuxedo but I already knew that Jude would look good in it. After that we went shopping for Sean, He was a really fussy shopper. By the time he chose his outfit all of us were tired but we still had to buy shoes for Jude’s mom and I.
We entered a shoe shop. I saw determination on Jude’s mom’s face. She was tired and she was going to make sure this was our last stop. I didn’t mind in fact I would pick up the first pair of shoes that my eyes landed on. I just wanted to go home and sleep. Just then my stomach growled. Correction, I wanted to eat and then sleep. While I sat there Sean came to me excited about something. When I saw him come near me I saw what all the excitement was about. He had a beautiful pair of heels in his hands.
“Natasha they match your dress!”
“Yay Sean! Now can we please go and eat?”
“Try it!”
Luckily they were a perfect fit. Mrs. Smith joined us and she had in her hands elegant looking black sandals. Jude made the payments while the rest of us went out across the street to a small restaurant. We ordered food quickly and then Sean spoke up, “Natasha we have an appointment at the beauty salon.”
“I don’t need to go to a salon Sean! I need to sleep!”
“Nonsense! I took an appointment for the both of us and my beautician is the best around. Pampering yourself is the next best thing to shopping therapy.”
“You should go Natasha, it would relax you a little.” I nodded politely at Mrs. Smith.
“You can come too Jude” said Sean. Jude chocked on his sandwich. “I don’t need a beautician Sean!” Sean shrugged as if to say your loss. After we ate Jude left with his mother while Sean and I went to the salon. There we were treated with a kind looking woman who had beautiful skin. I was shocked to find out she was in her fifties. She looked like she was in her mid thirties.
Sean was taken to the men’s side and I was taken to the women’s section. She gave me a gown to change into. After that I was taken to a room that had a mild lavender fragrance. I was asked to lie on my stomach while a lady massaged my back.
I felt like I was in heaven! It felt so good I almost fell asleep. When it was time to get I wanted to protest a little. Then I was taken to another area where I sat on a chair and the lady whose name was Lily massaged olive oil into my hair. I hadn’t realized I was so tensed. I felt myself relax as she massaged my head. Then she placed a steamer on my head and I sat there in bliss.
After 15 minutes I was taken back to the previous room and was told to lie on my back this time. Lily gave me a facial and I dozed off when she put a mask for me. I woke up as I felt a wet cloth on y face. Lily was wiping off my face mask. After this she massaged my back once more to completely relax me and then I was sent to soak in aromatic water.
The bath tub was lined with aroma therapy candles and I felt total bliss. I felt myself relax completely. Once I got out I changed into my clothes and then Lily washed my hair and told me not to heat treat it until tomorrow. Then my hair would really shine.
I thanked her as I was getting out and gave her a generous tip. She beamed at me and thanked me. Sean came out just as I reached the reception he looked rejuvenated as well. I was about to pay for the both of us when he stopped me and said, “It’s a gift sister in law.” He wouldn’t let me pay no matter how much I tried.
As we were on the way home Sean suddenly screeched and said, “Turn back! Turn back!”
I looked at him in alarm.
“Sean what happened?”
“I forgot to pick up the masks! Natasha how can we have a masquerade without masks?”
I slapped my hand to my forehead. “Sean! Don’t scare me like that again!”
“What? I just averted a major disaster.”
Luckily we didn’t have to search a lot. There was only one shop where we would get masks and Sean was interested in finding the best one for Jude, himself and I. The rest could be common, he didn’t care. His words, not mine.
He was satisfied when he found a silver one with blue stones and feathers that went perfectly with my dress. He found a black and blue one for Jude and a plain black one with black stones for himself.
Half an hour later we were home. It was already dinner time, today had just whizzed past us. Everyone went to bed quickly because tomorrow was a long day and a lot of preparations were to be made. The menu was a lavish one and the best caterers in the county had been given the order.
After dinner Sean and I were walking around the lawn while Jude sat with his cousins. Suddenly Sean clapped his hands and said, “You will get to meet Wade tomorrow!”