^ Bridesmaids dress

My head is lying on a chest when I wake in the morning. Strong arms hold me in place. I move my head to the side and I watch Austin sleep.

He opens his eyes. "Morning, baby. I love waking up with you in my arms."

I giggle. "I agree. I love watching you sleep."

"Are you ready to enjoy the free day before the rehearsal dinner?"

I nod. "What do you want to do?"

"Stay in bed with you. I want to hold you for the day."

My stomach grumbles. "Let's get some food first and then we can go back to bed."

I climb out of bed and put on a pair of sweat pants and a tank top.

Austin pulls on a pair of jeans and t-shirt. He holds my hand and opens the door.

Liane is on the phone when Austin and I step into the hallways. She shakes her head. "Okay, thank you for letting me know." She throws the phone at the wall.

I take my hand out of Austin's and walk over to my sister. "Is everything alright, Li?"

She slides down the all into a sitting position. "Not, it's not. My Maid of Honour can't attend the wedding. Her son is in the hospital."

"I'm sorry, sis. Is there anything I can do?"

She looks at me. "Actually,"

Oh, no! What does she need from me?

"I want you to be my Maid of Honour."

Hell no. I don't want to be a part of the bridal party.

James enters the hall. "That's not going to be awkward."

Liane ignores him. "I need to take you to Mum. She can fix my Maid of Honours dress to fit you."

I look at Austin and mouth. "Help me."

He shrugs, "I'll see you tonight." Austin walks away from me.

My stomach grumbles. "I'm going to have breakfast first."

Liane follows me to the kitchen.

Mum is cooking pancakes when I enter the kitchen,

Liane kisses Mum on the cheek. "Good morning, Mum. After breakfast I need you to do a fitting on the Maid of Honour dress."

Mum flips the pancakes over. "Why do I need to do a fitting for that dress? It looked perfect on Nina."

"Nina called me this morning and she can't make it. Her son George is in the hospital."

Mum walks over to Liane. "Who am I doing the fitting for? You know I can't take out the dress if the person can't fit into it."

Liane points to me. "Valentina's going to be the Maid of Honour."

Mum looks at me. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I shake my head. "I don't want to. I did ask her if she needed any help with anything and it looks like I'll be the one stepping in to fill a hole in the wedding."

Austin and James enter the kitchen. They are laughing.

Austin wraps his arm around me and kisses my neck. "I'm going to go into town while you get the fitting done. Do you want anything while I'm there?"

I smile. "Bring some ice cream back. You can do what you wanted to that day we brought ice cream."

He licks his lips. "What flavour should I buy?"

I smirk. "Chocolate,"

Mum clears he throat. "I know you two are married, but there's still people in the kitchen."

My face heats up.

Austin laughs. "You're embarrassing her."

Mum laughs. "I know. She deserves it."

Liane hugs James. "See you tonight."

James pouts. "Are you already kicking me out of the house?"

Liane nods. "Yep, you're too much of a distraction." She grabs some keys from the counter. "Take those boxes to the reception hall and set it up. You know how I want everything, babe."

James turns to Austin. "You have to come with me. I don't want that woman to yell at me if I screw up."

"What makes you think I didn't screw up when I married, Val?"

James looks at me. "He screwed up?"

I shake my head. "No, you can't screw up when you elope."

James looks at the ground. "Oh,"

I push Austin out the door and whisper. "Don't screw up, hubby." I slam the door in his face.

After breakfast I spend a couple hours in front of my mother wearing the yellow bridesmaids dress.

***

My phone beeps with a message.

I open the message from Austin and it's a picture of reception hall.

Wow! The guys did a good job.

"Li," I yell.

She enters the room. "What?"

I show her the phone. "The guys did that?"

I nod. "Yeah, it's the way you wanted it right?"

"Yep, I'm impressed that James listened to how I wanted the room. Will you go with me to look at it in the morning?"

"Sure, I bet they have CTV in the room. We should pay the security guy to show it to us."

Mum finishes the last stitch on the dress. "You look gorgeous in the dress, sweetheart. I'm glad you came home for the wedding." She hugs me.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to come home. My life got busy and I didn't think I should come home until I took care of myself. Then I met Austin and we eloped."

Mum smiles. "You seem happy with Austin. Are you going to make me a Grandmother anytime soon?"

I am happy with Austin. I think it was love at first sight for me.

I shake my head. "I'm not ready to be Mum. Li will make you one before me."

"No," Li looks at the ground and tears run down her face. "I need to tell you something."

"What?"

"I can't have kids. James and I have been trying for three years and I've had three miscarriages. After the third one I told James I didn't want any more kids. James and I are looking into adoption."

"I'm sorry, sis." I hug her.

"It's not your fault. You've been away for a long time and we haven't spoken since you left." Liane wipes her face with her hands.

I pick up the box of tissues from the table and give it to her.

She takes a tissue and blows her nose. "Thanks,"

James and Austin walks into the room.

Austin smirks. "Hello, sunshine."

I roll my eyes.

"Babe, we need to head to the park for the run through of our wedding at the park. You need to get changed, Val."

I leave the room and enter my bedroom. I take the dress off and put it on the bed. I pull on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

I pick the dress up off the bed and take it to Mum.

Mum puts the dress on a coat hanger and puts it in the cupboard.

James and Liane enter the room and look at me.

"Are you ready?" Liane asks.

I nod. "Where are we going?"

"We are going to Lana's Oval. That's where we are getting married."

Austin takes my hand. "I have to see this park."

The limo pulls in front of the house and we climb inside.

***

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