***
“Have you heard from them yet?” Tanesha asked Briana as they entered the church’s beautifully decorated dressing room. It was the smaller of the two dressing rooms on the grounds. Briana and Tanesha were to use that whilst the six bridesmaids used the bigger room. Briana had told her that morning that her parents’ flight had been delayed. She’d said there was a high probability that they wouldn’t make it to the wedding. Her mum said her dad had agreed to step in for Briana’s dad. Somehow Briana had gotten close with her mum after Dora made it possible for her and Cole to be wed in their church. Well… so it seemed.
“Yes. Mum was crying.” Briana said without emotion which Tanesha thought was rather strange. “Hello, ladies.” She cheerfully greeted the four ladies who were waiting to help them get ready. “Now sit and let them work on you.” She gently pushed Tanesha onto the dressing stool in front of the full-length mirror.
“Oh no, you sit Briana,” Tanesha said getting off the stool. “It’s your wedding, not mine. Why are you treating me like…”
“You’re pregnant Tanesha.” Briana gushed. “I just don’t want you getting tired that’s all. We have a long day ahead of us.”
“I know but…”
“How are things going ladies?” Dora Ashton asked from the doorway, looking smashingly elegant in a beautiful long white whisper-soft designer Capri chiffon gown. “Honey, are you okay?” She went to her daughter.
“I’m okay mum,” Tanesha said smiling at her mother. “Have I told you how beautiful you look, mum?” She looked at her mother with eyes filled with admiration.
“You’ve already told me, darling.” Dora chuckled. “Now let’s get you presentable. We can’t have you ruining Briana’s wedding.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ashton.” Briana sighed. “She’s so stubborn. Is that how all pregnant women are?”
Tanesha and Dora laughed. “Heard anything from your parents dear?”
“No Ma’am.”
“Don’t worry. My husband is waiting outside. You ladies had better dress fast. He wants to see you to discuss how you’re going to take your steps or something of that sort. I told the man that all he had to do was walk but he insisted on seeing you. And he’s worried about you Tanny.”
“Me? Why?” Tanesha asked as she stepped into her dress which one of the ladies held out for her.
“Oh my God.” Dora gasped as she stared at her daughter’s gown. She was seeing it for the first time.
Tanesha turned to look at her mum when she didn’t respond to her question and saw the awe on her face. “Like it?” She grinned.
“Like it?” Dora whispered. “I love it.”
“Thank you.” Tanesha beamed.
“Baby, I’m going to the next room to see how the other ladies are doing okay? I’ll be right back.” Dora’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Are you okay mum?” Tanesha frowned.
“Peachy,” Dora said as she walked briskly away from her daughter. She didn’t want her to see the tears in her eyes. Not only was that dress absolutely gorgeous, but it looked breathtakingly good on her daughter. She needed to compose herself.
“Oh my God, Bri that is beautiful.” Tanesha stared at Briana’s mermaid designer bridal gown. Its asymmetrical pattern flattered Briana’s figure brilliantly.
“I know right?” Briana giggled.
Tanesha continued to stare at Briana. Something wasn’t right but she just couldn’t put a finger to it. For one, she didn’t have any intention of voicing her thoughts out loud, but much as she acknowledged the fact that Briana’s gown was lovely, it was nowhere as lovely as hers. If she didn’t know better, she would say she was the bride and not Briana.
“Please have a seat.” One of the ladies tending to Tanesha said. “I want to work on your makeup whilst she fixes the corset at your back.” She said, referring to the other lady.
Tanesha sat down and allowed the two ladies to fuss over her. Her makeup was flawless. Her beautiful long hair was expertly gathered into a delectable updo, with loose, long tendrils softly dripping down the nape of her neck. It looked simple but was so very stunning and sleek. Her feet were pushed into beautiful ultra-high-heeled, open-toe, sparkling rhinestone shoes. Tanesha watched with a frown as a classic cubic zirconia bracelet was fixed around her left wrist. Her mum had the same thing. When the lady took out the matching necklace and earrings, Tanesha gasped.
“My mother has the same set.” She said just as Dora Ashton came back into the room. “Mum, these look exactly like yours.”
Dora took the box that held the jewelry and turned it over. “These designers are all thieves. They steal each other’s designs and pass them off as theirs. Mine is by another designer.” Dora said dismissively, hoping her daughter would buy her lies. “Oh honey, you look simply charming. Are you sure you’ll be comfortable in those heels?”
“Well, it’s not as if I’m the bride. I’ll take them off immediately I sit down.”
“No, no, no,” Dora said sternly. “If you’re not comfortable in them just tell me.”
“And if I’m not, how will you get a replacement as this time mum?” Tanesha chuckled.
“If you have to do your duties barefoot, you will young lady.” Dora looked dead serious.
“Relax mum. It’s fine.” Tanesha looked at herself in the mirror. “Looks like I’m all set.” She kept staring at her image. She couldn’t get over how much like a bride she looked. Was that how she would look on her wedding day? But for Ty’s disappearance, she would have been married already. Tanesha sighed, refusing to allow the depression that had threatened to overwhelm her since she got out of bed that morning, succeed. It was her friend’s day. She couldn’t ruin it by allowing her own problems to make her look glum. Briana would kill her if she ruined her pictures. “Please bring him back.” She whispered softly in prayer.
Tanesha stood up and went to stand behind Briana who had insisted on making up herself. The lady attending to her stood with folded arms, watching her with an amused look.
“And she calls me stubborn,” Tanesha smirked. “I’ve never seen a more stubborn bride.”
“Sue me.” Briana laughed, getting to her feet. “Now all that’s left is our fascinators, then we’re set. Is Mr. Ashton still out there, Ma’am?” She asked Dora.
“Let me get him,” Dora said, moving to the door.
Briana started giggling. “We’re getting married.” She was almost through with the farce of the century and she was feeling excited and proud of herself. Cole had better get ready to pay up, she thought smugly. She hadn’t gotten them busted as he’d predicted. Briana was feeling good.
“Yes, you are.” Tanesha laughed. “Are the others still dressing up?”
“Don’t worry about them. Weddings are all about the bride and maid of honour.” Briana did some dancing steps, making Tanesha laugh.
“You’re crazy.” She said and turned to watch the doorway as her parents entered. Her dad looked dashing in an all-white tux.