Free Learning to Move Forward: Novella #3.5 by Cynthia P. O'Neill Page A

head. “No. I love it!” I turned to her and grabbed her hands. “I don’t know who’s responsible for creating this, but I’m blown away. This is more breathtaking than I’d imagined and I just don’t know what to say.”
    I was staring at a lovely sleeveless gown, adorned with custom beading and lace on the top. The neckline had a deep plunge, accentuating and lifting my cleavage. The dress hugged my upper half and hips and flared out just above the knee with a ton of tulle making up the mermaid bottom. There wasn’t a definite line separating the portions of the dress, which was my fear. Instead they made the beading and lace dip into the lower portion in various areas as if it had originally been designed this way. The back of the dress dipped to my lower back and had a few strands of pearls crossing over, accentuating my skin. I had them remove the train because it didn’t make any sense risking grass stains when the wedding was outside.
    She smiled and seemed to breathe in relief. “Why don’t we step out onto the floor and you can see yourself in the three-way mirror and get Laurel’s opinion.”
    She opened the door and helped guide me through. Laurel was already in her dress and smiling away in delight. The color they’d helped me pick out, a burnt copper, looked radiant on her. I’d kept her dress simple, a strapless knee length gown that flared a bit at the hips, with a bolero style jacket to match.
    I’d always imagined a spring wedding, but I didn’t want to wait for spring to roll around to marry Jonathan, so I’d never thought about anything outside of pinks and yellows. We’d tried gold, various shades of yellow, since it was fall, but they all washed Laurel out. The copper looked perfect on her.
    We were going with a small wedding, just immediate family and a few co-workers, similar to what Laurel and Garrett had. I didn’t want the hassle of tons of attendants, and frankly, I’d never been closer to anyone other than her, so she immediately came to mind. Jonathan was glad, since he’d only wanted Garrett as his best man, which made things perfect.
    The beach had already been done, so we opted for the country club Dr. and Mrs. Waters belonged to. The main building was located close to a waterway and had an artistically carved white gazebo that would look amazing against the setting sun. The club would be closed for the day for our wedding and reception. I’d objected at first, not wanting to put anyone out, but my new family was insistent on having the best and insisting on safety.
    My mind must’ve wondered off a bit. Laurel was grabbing hold of my arms and shaking me. “Grace, snap out of it.”
    I smiled. “Sorry, just imagining how everything will look.” I glanced at her and motioned for her to turn around. “The dress doesn’t look like it needs any alterations.” I was almost jealous of her looking so good in it. Garrett had hired a trainer to work with her to get her muscle tone back after having the babies by cesarean. She’d complained that her abdomen continually hurt until the trainer had shown her some gentle exercises to help slowly strengthen them. Now she looked like she’d never had a baby, let alone two, her figure looked amazing.
    “Jonathan’s jaw is going to drop when he sees you in this dress. You look wonderful.” I noticed tears in her eyes as she reached for a tissue.
    I put on the shoes the shop had reserved for me and stepped up onto the platform and twirled this way and that, staring at the mirror in amazement. My mom had insisted on a veil, but I didn’t want to be bothered with one. I saw how cumbersome it had been for Laurel, blowing all over the place in the wind at the beach. We compromised with a birdcage veil, similar to fish netting. It would be pinned into my hair and adorned with satin roses and rhinestones. Unlike Garrett, Jonathan wanted my hair up and dotted with sparkling clips and flowers. Personally, I think he likes my hair done