Chapter 21 - Chelsea
“Here we are.”
Ken hops out of the cab. I have a feeling Marie told him to make sure I show up. No matter what.
“Are they here?”
“It’s all good.”
Ken looks me over. I look down at my outfit. They said to wear something dressy, but not too dressy. I had no idea what that meant.
“Can you please try to look happy?” Ken says. “You’re getting your wedding dress today. You’ve been dreaming of this since you were little, etc. We need that dream come true excitement.”
“Sorry.”
I plaster a smile on my face. Ken rubs his forehead.
“Try not to think about the cameras, okay? Just think about how much you love him.”
“But the cameras,” I sputter out, because what else can I say?
“You’re worrying too much. When you forget the cameras are on you, everyone can see how crazy in love you are with him.”
“How do you—”
“I watch all the footage. All of it.”
His tone indicates it’s not a part of his job he particularly likes.
“It’s sweet, sometimes too sweet. Like so sweet I kind of want to vomit. But the audience will eat it up. Just think about Scott, about marrying him. You’re allowed to have fun today, so for God’s sake, please do.”
“God?” I say, smirking.
I can’t help teasing him a little. That’s the thing about rat terriers. Equal parts annoying and endearing.
“Okay, okay, my sake. And yours.”
“I can do this.”
I close my eyes and picture Scott waiting for me at the end of the aisle. His hair won’t stay in place in the light breeze—we’re outside—but I love that. He looks so good in his tux. Next to him there are a few generic groomsmen with pink rosebud boutonnieres to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.
No, scratch that. Sam will not wear pink.
“Perfect.”
Ken grabs my arm and pulls me into the building. My mom and Sam are waiting in the lobby. Off to one side is Ronnie.
“Chelsea.”
My mom sweeps me up into a hug.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, and I’m not talking about the wedding dress shopping.
She smells like the most familiar thing in the world. She doesn’t want to let me go and I’m perfectly fine with that.
“Shoot. We should have had cameras down here.”
I’m extremely glad they didn’t. I introduce Ronnie to my mom and Sam. Ken clears his throat and we all look at him.
“Vivien’s just texted me that they are waiting.”
He takes us up the stairs and says goodbye. Vivien is waiting with the cameraman, Gary. She runs through the instructions.
“When you walk in, act like you are amazed.”
I don’t have to act. I sneak a look at my mom and Ronnie. They are equally blown away. Sam maintains her usually cool expression despite the truly opulent setting.
The carpet is so plush it’s like walking on a cloud. Everywhere there are little seating areas and mirrors. But the most amazing thing is the dresses.
Mannequins are placed every ten feet or so. Lace, sequins, satin. There’s even one wearing a white velvet cape. It looks like it’s made of snow sparkling in the sun. In alcoves under archways adorned with French provincial moldings are even more dresses. So many. Everywhere you look, there’s more. There might be a thousand in this room alone.
I let my eyes wander around the room, drinking it all in. When I turn back, I realize the camera has been on me the whole time. And, miracle of miracles, Vivien is actually smiling.
I can’t wait to tell Scott later,I think. I actually got a smile out of the dragon director.
Kerri, my consultant, comes over and I introduce everyone. Kerrie ushers us over to a seating area—the one with the extra lighting set up around it. We sit down. My mom slides her hand down my arm and takes my hand.
“So what style were we thinking?”
I think Kerri was talking to me, but I’m not sure. And I have no idea anyway.
“Ballgown, or something more modern?”
“Ballgown,” my mom says at the same time Sam says, “Modern.”
“We’ll start with a few different styles, find the right silhouette and go from there. Sound good?”
I nod.
“Budget?”
Mom lets go of my hand and opens her pocketbook.
“Her father and I have been saving—”
“Mom, no.” Her face falls. “I mean, I can’t let you pay for it. Besides the network gave me a budget.”
“Oh,” she says.
I notice her hands shaking a little bit, but Kerri is beckoning me and Vivien once again looks like she’s never been happy about anything in her life. I have no choice but to get up. I don’t look at my mom. I don’t want to see the disappointment in her eyes.
“We’re going to set her up in a dressing room,” Kerri says. “She’ll be back in a gown before you know it.”
“Modern gown?” Sam says.
“Don’t worry,” Kerri says, winking. “I already have a couple in mind.”
Kerri leads me down a hallway, the cameraman follows. She opens the door. I turn back to Gary.
“You are not filming me changing,” I say firmly.
He shrugs and looks back at Vivien, who rolls her eyes.
“Okay, he’ll duck in and out. Make sure she doesn’t look in the mirror until he’s filming.”
Kerrie nods.
“Chelsea, tell Kerrie the budget before you go in there.”
“The network said seven thousand dollars. I, uh, really appreciate their generosity.”
That gets me another eye roll. I try again.
“The budget is seven thousand dollars.”
“Fabulous,” Kerri says.
We get a few shots of Kerri measuring me. Then I’m left alone to change. I put on the complimentary robe—do I get to keep it? Do I want to? I’m not sure about either. I’m just about to sit down when there is a knock at the door. I open it.
“Can he come in now.”
Somehow whenever Vivien asks a question it always sounds like an order.
Once Gary gets set up and is filming, Kerri and another woman come in. They both have their hands full. They hang up eight dresses on the giant, very sturdy looking, hooks along the wall.
“Thanks, Marcia,” Kerri says. Kerrie points to the first dress. “This is from one of our up-and-coming designers. She’s very hot right now.”
“And this is a mermaid. This one’s a halter top.”
“With her coloring definitely ivory. But the palest ivory, you know?”
They talk really fast, over each other. I’m not catching everything, but it’s clear they are talking to the camera, not me.
“Which one do you want to try on first?”
All eyes turn to me. Fortunately, I anticipated the question.
“You guys are the experts. Which one would fit my body type best?”
“Girl, with your figure, you can wear anything.”
“Oh, thanks,” I say, but what I’m thinking is ‘crap.’
“How about that one?” I say, pointing to a dress that looks something like a Vegas showgirl would wear.
At least I think so. It has feathers. Tons of them.
Kerri helps me into the dress. Then Vivien and Gary come back in. I turn around and look in the mirror.
“Wow.”
It’s all I can say. The dress is ridiculous.
“So, yes, no, maybe?” Should we show your family?”
“Definitely.”
Sam has got to see this.
I walk down the hall. Kerri trots behind me holding the back of the dress up. When I climb up on the small podium everyone is covering their eyes.
“And…open.”
My mom and Ronnie’s eyes practically bug out of their heads. Sam bursts out laughing but quickly chokes it back down.
“That’s a lot of dress,” she says. “I think you need to be like a foot taller to pull it off.”
“Yes, you’re too short. No offense,” says Ronnie.
My mom looks immensely relieved.
I wink at Sam before I head back to the dressing room.
Vivien says she wants me to try them all on, so I do. When I go out to show everyone dress number five, I see my entourage—Kerri’s word, not mine—has been given some snacks. I realize I’m starving, but I don’t dare ask for anything. Back in the dressing room I drain what’s left in my water bottle.
“This one?” Kerri says.
It’s a ball gown. Delicate spaghetti straps and just a bit of gorgeous, intricate beading at the top of the bodice.
“Okay.”
She helps me into it and I turn around.
“Oh.”
That’s all I can manage to say. I’m completely choked up. It’s beautiful. Elegant. If I was actually getting married, I would want it to be in this dress.
“You’re not saying anything. Does that mean you like it or hate it?”
“I love it,” I say quietly. “It’s perfect. Can we show them?”
I know Sam will not be impressed, but I can’t wait to see my mom’s reaction. I’m not disappointed.
“Oh my god, honey.”
She starts crying. Ronnie hands her a tissue and wraps her arm around her. It’s so sweet, they’ve already become close.
“Sam?” Kerri says.
She smiles and nods. Obviously less enthusiastic than the moms, but I have her approval too.
“Wait,” Kerri says.
She starts tugging at the back of the dress, then works her way around me. When she steps back, she’s holding the large skirt. I look down. What I thought was a built-in slip, is actually part of the dress.
“Turn around.”
As I look in the mirror, Sam starts applauding. The second version is just as good as the first. I get to be both a radiant princess and a sleek and sophisticated bride.
“Is this the one?” Kerri asks.
My mom and Ronnie put their thumbs up immediately.
“I’m doing two thumbs up, for two dresses,” Sam says.
“Chelsea?”
“I love it. Yes.”
My mom accompanies me back to the dressing room. Kerri helps me out of the dress. When she leaves my mom shuts the door in Vivien’s face, then turns to me.
“Chelsea, are you sure about this?”
“I love the dress. I thought you did too.”
“You know I’m not talking about the dress.”
Yes, I know.
“It’s just way too fast. You barely know each other. This is all happening way too fast.”
“I know it seems that way, Mom, but Scott is really nice. The nicest guy ever, I promise.”
“You haven’t known him long enough to be sure. Everyone is nice in the beginning. That’s when people are on their best behavior.”
“It’s going to be okay, Mom, I promise.”
She sighs and then hugs me for what seems like a really long time, but I don’t mind. When she pulls away, she holds onto my upper arms for a bit. Then she brushes my hair back.
“You really love him? You’re sure? After only a few months?”
That’s easy to answer and I don’t even have to lie.
“I do.”