Je t’aime

“So she’ll pick out clothes and bring them to me?” Kendra said, thinking she might be able to handle that.

“Believe it or not, I hate shopping. This way I know I’ll have choices that are tailored to me, not half the world.”

“I could get used to that.” Kendra said, thinking that here finally was a benefit of being rich.

Kendra knew that the time had come to talk about the wedding dress, she didn’t want Barbra sending her personal buyer out looking for her wedding dress.

“Barbra, I wanted to talk to you about my wedding dress. I really appreciate all you and mom have been doing for the wedding, but I want to pick out my own dress.”

“Well…I had already put some thought into the dress but if you don’t like what I’ve found, you can pick something else. Will you take a look? I think it’s perfect for you.”

Kendra followed her upstairs to one of the bedrooms on the second floor. There hanging on a rack was the most beautiful wedding dress she had ever seen. It was ivory, not white, which was what Kendra had wanted. The color would make her skin glow. There were no flounces, lace or jewels. It was simple with classic lines, clearly old.

“It was Remy’s grandmother’s dress. I thought it would be perfect for you. Try it on, let’s see how it looks.” Barbra said, seeing Kendra’s face when she saw the dress.

Kendra wasted no time, stripping off her clothes and slipping into the dress. It fit like it was made for her, showing off all her best features. She was speechless when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Close to tears, she threw her arms around Barbra and gave her a big hug.

“It’s all I ever imagined. How did you know?” Kendra asked.

“It’s been hanging in the storage closet for years just waiting for you. Welcome to the family.”

*****

Time flew and before Kendra and Remy knew it the wedding was only a week away. Her brother had arrived safely, but was avoiding the preparations by hanging out with Remy. Their mothers had everything well in hand, any last minute emergencies would be handled with as much efficiency as everything else had been.

Kendra had endured one dinner party after another, some had actually been fun, but she was ready for the entire affair to be over. The one benefit of all the fuss and bother was that Kendra was more than sure she would be able to handle being the matron of the family.

She would be taking the next three weeks off from the restaurant, but this time she had gotten someone to cover for her. She and Remy would be spending two weeks touring Italy. She was looking forward to tasting true Italian cooking, and maybe bringing some new ideas home with her.

As they sat, bundled up, on the balcony with only 7 days until they would be husband and wife, Remy too, was ready for the whole experience to be over. He had been pulled from one place to another, doing all those traditional things his mother thought were so important. He’d spent more time with his family in the last two months, than he had in his entire life.

“Are you ready for the big day?” Remy asked.

“Honestly, I have mixed emotions. On the one hand it’s been so nice having my mom here, but on the other, I think that if I had to go to one more dinner party my clothes wouldn’t fit.” Kendra said.

“I know what you mean. We should have just snuck off and gotten married. It would have been easier.”

“Yeah, and our mothers wouldn’t have talked to us for years. It probably would have taken grandchildren to get them to forgive us.” Kendra said, shaking her head.

“I just wish you didn’t have to go stay at the estate for a week. I’ve gotten used to you being around, don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep.”

“Somehow I doubt it’s sleep you’re worried about going without.” Kendra said, snuggling up against him suggestively.

*****

The morning of the wedding dawned clear and bright. It would be a lovely winter day, the perfect day for a wedding in Paris. There would be heaters to keep the tents warm, but they might not even be needed until that night. The house was full of people and more would be attending the ceremony and reception after.

Extra help had been brought in to help take care of everyone staying at the house, plus the caterers and workers setting up for the ceremony, so there were people everywhere. Kendra was sequestered in her room, waiting for her bride’s maids to join her for a private brunch while they were getting ready for the ceremony. Barbra had been right, she had gotten to know her bride’s maids and found them all to be great company. Of course, Margot was her maid of honor and had been her rock though all the preparations.

She was the first to arrive, full of smiles and giggles. “I’m so excited, today is going to be wonderful.”

“I’m so nervous, I don’t know how I’m going to get through today. Everyone will be watching me, what if I trip.” Kendra said, pacing the room.

“Enough of that. You’re a world renowned chef, you were on a television show that was watched by millions of people. I think you can handle a short walk down the aisle.” Margot said, pushing Kendra into a chair and making her a plate from the buffet set up in the room.

“You’re right.” Kendra said, squaring her shoulders.

Just then the rest of the bride’s maids arrived and the rest of the morning and early afternoon flew by as makeup artists and stylists worked their magic, transforming each of the girls into a vision of beauty.

Kendra had never been this pampered in her entire life. From the tip of her toes to the top of her head, each piece of skin, every muscle had been worked over. She glowed and felt like it. When it came time to put on her dress, everyone gathered around to help. Surrounded as she was it wasn’t until they stepped back and she got a look at herself that she realized that this was really happening.

Just then her mother and Barbra stepped into the room to see if everyone was ready. One look at Kendra and they both teared up. Barbra was the first to give Kendra a big hug and ask if she was ready. Kendra could only nod her head yes. Satisfied, Barbra rounded up everyone else but Kendra’s mother and shooed them out of the room.