Natasha’s P. O. V:
It had been over a week since Jude had let the boys know what their duties would be during the wedding. The preparations were in full swing. Jude’s job was going good. The beach had been booked, the wedding decorations were finalized and so were the flowers. Sean was coming over today. His main duty in his words was ‘taking care of the bride’s needs.’ We had a lot to do. Today we had to finalize the dress, shoes, jewellery, and the dresser and make up artist. I seriously doubted whether we could achieve all of this in a day. I mean Sean had this compulsive habit of making me try a 1000 dressed before finalizing one.
I sighed as I tied the laces to my sneakers, it was going to be a long day I was glad Joanna was joining us as well. We had to decide on the bridesmaids dresses as well. I had asked two of Jude’s cousins to be my bridesmaids and two nieces of his to be flower girls. They were delighted and so was Jude’s mom.
I glanced at the watch and frowned Sean was late. He was never late. Just then the doorbell rang and I opened it to find a grinning Sean on the doorstep.
“Hi”
“Hi what took you so long?”
“Ah excited are we?” he asked raising a well shaped eyebrow.
I rolled my eyes and said, “I have been ready for a long time”
“Sorry I had to pick someone up”
“Who?”
“Me!” yelled Joanna.
I looked over Sean’s shoulder to see Joanna sitting in the passenger’s seat. She was smiling enthusiastically.
I waved at her and stepped out locking the door behind me. As Sean drove I thought about the past week. It had been a magical week. Jude and I had gotten closer to each other and gotten to know each other better.
We realized we complemented each other perfectly. I was short tempered but Jude was patient, Jude was sloppy and I was a neatness freak, Jude was lazy I was full of energy, I was impulsive but Jude thought well ahead, Jude loved spending but I loved saving. So yeah all in all we were the perfect other halves to each other.
I was ying he was yang. We balanced each other perfectly and it was all that mattered. Jude was very sweet and considerate and a really committed, the total opposite of the player I had first met at the park.
“What are you smiling about?” asked Sean jolting me out of my reverie.
I looked up blushing, “nothing”
“Let me guess’ said Joey, “have you guys gotten to the third base?”
“Joey! No we haven’t”
“Seriously?” asked Sean in disbelief.
“Yeah”
“Why not?”
“I wanted to wait”
“Ah you were born in the wrong century Nats you should’ve been born in the Victorian times!”
“Yeah really funny Sean”
“It is!” said Joey and I stared at the traitor.
Finally we stopped near a jeweller’s shop. As Sean and I got out Joanna volunteered to stay back in the car. Sean and I entered and were immediately surrounded with the sales team.
“Good morning sir what can I do for you?” asked a man in his mid thirties.
“Hi we are here to look at wedding rings”
“Oh come this way sir” he said looking delighted, I followed Sean to a section where rings were kept.
“Sir what is your preference? Yellow gold or white gold?”
“Er Nats?”
I just shrugged in response.
“Why don’t you just show us the best that you have and then we can decide?” asked Sean.
“Very well sir” he said pulling out a tray. “These are our finest designs”
I stared at the tray, it held a beautiful array of rings. I pulled out a traditional band with a single solitaire.
“Very conventional” said the salesman.
I frowned at him and Sean nodded and said, “Come on choose something different, off the beat!”
“I don’t know!” I said exasperated.
We tried a dozen rings but the ones I liked Sean turned his nose up at them and the ones he chose well I snorted at them, attractive I know. While I was trying a ring in white gold with pretty stone flowers on it Sean’s phone rang. He took the call and then went aside to talk. When he came back he asked me to go out and meet Joanna.
“But what about the ring?”
“I got a call from the designer and she needs you to come over quickly, she got a fresh batch of gown and we will be the first ones to see them!”
I hurried out while Sean spoke to the salesman who nodded and smiled . Soon Sean joined us and we were off to the designer’s. We stepped into the shop and a man dressed in purple pants and black t shirt approached us.
“Jasper!” said Sean hugging him and air kissing him.
“Oh SEanie! Its been long!” said Jasper returning the hug and kisses while Joanna and I looked on in amusement.
“So who’s the bride to be?” asked Jasper.
“That’s her” said Sean pointing at me.
I smiled and said, “Hi”
“Oh come here you” said Jasper pulling me in a hug while I stared in bewilderment over Jasper’s shoulder as Sean shrugged at me.
“Thisw Joanna she is going to be my maid of honor”
“Hi honey”
“Hey Jasper”
“Ok both of you seem to have lovely figures so we needn’t worry about much almost everything should look good on you guys”
“Thanks” Joey and I said at the same time.
“Ok so what do you have in mind?”
“Well the bridesmaids dresses are to be made in satin and have to be powder blue”
“Aha I love the combination” said Jasper clapping his hands and he grabbed a notepad and pencil and sat down. The rest of us sat down as well as Jasper worked on his sketch, his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth as he concentrated.
I stood up and looked around at the dresses that adorned the mannequins, Jasper was really good. He came up with quirky designs that looked awesome. I admired a knee length bottle green outfit. It was simple yet elegant, the asymmetrical hem was a nice touch to the off shoulder dress. The bustline was straight and was adorned with tine matt sequins in bottle green that flashed as light fell on them.
“Ok I am done!” said Jasper hopping off his work stool. I went and stood peering over his shoulder as did Sean and Joanna.
He had sketched a sleeveless gown that had a slit up on one side that went all the way to the knee. At the waist he had drawn 3 roses in a bunch and on the hands were strips of criss crossing satin. “I love it!” said Joanna.
“Oh wait its not done yet honey, there will be tiny rhinestones on the straps and the neck and bustier”
“I love it!” I exclaimed.
“Well you know usually I have brides coming in and choosing the ugliest colors for the bridesmaids. After all they want to look the prettiest on their wedding!”
“hahahahhaha I could never be so mean! My bridesmaids have to look good” I said and Joanna smiled at me.
“Just so you know that any bridesmaid who does not wear silver heels with these own will be shot dead by me” said Jasper looking as if he meant every word he said. Joanna nodded quickly and looked at the design.
“But will you be able to have these ready in about two weeks?” asked Sean.
‘Darling leave it all up to me, now what do we do for the bride?” “Something you have never ever done before”
“Hmm” he said as he thought about it carefully.
I looked at him apprehensively and then realized Jude’s cousins were supposed to be here for the measurements.
“Sean when are Natalie and Leah going to come? Their measurements need to be taken.”
Sean started calling and checking on the girls. “Oh they will be here any minute” said Sean. I nodded and looked that Jasper hadn’t shifted from his position as he sat with a sketchpad in hand thinking seriously.
A woman came in from inside the shop and Jasper asked her to take Joanna’s measurements.
“Don’t mess up or there will be consequences” he told her ominously. She gulped and nodded. She quickly took Joanna’s measurements and went back inside. The door opened and in walked Jude’s cousins hand in hand.
“Natasha!” they squealed in unison. I smiled at them and went forward to hug them. “Oh thank you thank you thank you so much for choosing us!”
“No problem!” I said as Joanna raised her eyebrows at me. They were really sweet girls but over enthusiastic they reminded me of Cameron Diaz’s character in My best friend’s wedding. They went about gushing about the wedding and yelled some more when they saw the dress designed for them. They barely stood still as the girl emerged once more to take their measurements.
Soon it was over and they were on their way and they yelled their goodbyes.
“Do me a favor” said Joanna “do not call them for the trial at the same time as me”
I laughed and asked her to stop being mean.
“Ok guys” said Jasper finally snapping out of his reverie. “Leave and come back after an hour or so while I figure out what to do with Natasha’s gown.”
“Alright” said Sean, “call me when you’re ready”
“So lets eat something” I said stepping out into the sun again.
“I have to rush back” said Joanna, “I just got a break until lunch”
“So eat then leave” said Sean.
“Nope if I leave now I will be able to grab a sandwich just before I resume work”
She hugged us both and left. Sean and I walked down the street deciding to leave the car in the parking lot. We walked into a small café and sat down.
“Whew its os hot!” said Sean.
“Yeah it is, I guess its going to be a summer wedding!” I said and Sean nodded.
We called for burger and fries and chocolate milkshake. I put a fry into my mouth and sighed blissfully.
“You better watch what you eat” said Sean, “you don’t want to break out before your wedding”
“Oh Sean I love food and food loves me back! I don’t gain weight nor do I break out when I eat oily food”