20. Pampered
Pampered
Amity
N ash must have heard we partied hard until the early morning hours, as he sent his “butler” Grant with the magical elixir so we could be functioning humans today. I can’t even say we partied. We just stayed up playing card games, taking shots, and then taunting me with calling Blake. Needless to say, the bags under my eyes look like trenches. I toss myself back into the bed and hide under the covers. Hamlet jumps in the bed, using his snout to find me, giving away my hiding spot.
All three girls proceed to drag me out of the bed. “Come on, Amity. It’s already eleven, and the moms just pulled in with an entourage of hair and makeup artists.”
“Ugh, just come get me with thirty minutes to spare, and I can get myself ready.”
“I swear I have never seen a bride more inclined to pass on her own wedding day. Maybe we should call Nash for reinforcements.” I hear Tilly loudly whisper to Willa.
Pulling the covers off my head but wrapping them around me, I glare at them both. “What reinforcements?”
Lana strolls in. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe letting the media head over here. Or decking Nevada out in diamonds for when you ride him over. Or allow kids into the ceremony?”
“FIIINNNE, I’m up! What do I need to do?”
“Firstly, go take a shower. The wax lady will be here in an hour to spruce you up, then you can get your hair done. Grab a small snack. Oh, and drink lots of water today. Then it will be time for makeup, dress, pictures, wedding, then more pictures, then the reception. So, chop chop!”
Looking at Tilly and Willa, I mock-whisper, “When the hell did Lana get so bossy?”
“I guess since she planned a wedding in four months with Blake,” Tilly says, laughing.
“No, I get it. He either makes you grow a backbone or want to crawl in a deep hole to rot.”
We laugh, then Lana pokes her head back in. “NOW, Amity. You have ten minutes.” I slowly walk into the bathroom, where she had already started the shower. The bathroom is steamed up. As I step in, I let the hot water cinch my skin and roll over my body. Probably the most relaxed moment I will have all day.
* * *
I was right. The shower was the only minuscule amount of relaxation I have had all day. I barely was able to grab a granola bar before I was thrown to the wax lady, who left me with a mere landing strip as far as hair goes on my bikini area. Then tossed over to get a manicure and pedicure all while answering questions about I don’t even know what between my mama and Mrs. Holdings. They were like two squirrels running around a tree with topics of conversation. Then I was placed in the hands of the hairstylist who tugged and curled my hair. Lana had decided on a loose curl, twist updo at the nape of my neck with small braids from the front, twisting in the back. Accentuated with a platinum vintage diamond leaf comb that slides in at the top. Once done, my makeup was finally applied. I honestly can’t think of a day in my life where I wore so much makeup, but I get it. This needs to last all day for pictures, the wedding, more pictures, make out sessions I plan on having with my husband, and the reception.
“Alright, Am, time to put your dress on.” Lana comes in already looking gorgeous in her stunning cornflower chiffon one-shoulder dress, with her wavy blonde hair half pulled up with a mini matching hair comb to mine in the back. Followed by Tilly in the same dress, with her hair in an updo with loose curls framing her face. Then Willa in a longer version of the same dress with her hair done up in a messy modern ponytail with a fishtail braid alongside. A slight laugh slips through my lips, as their makeup all matches for the most part, same dress, but their hair all represents their style, and I love it.
Willa has the dress in her hands. “Are you ready for the big reveal?”
“I still can’t believe you didn’t pick out your own wedding dress. Let alone, have not tried it on,” Tilly pipes in.
“Y’all, know I did not want a huge wedding. Besides, I have complete confidence in Lana and Blake to pick out the perfect dress for me.”
Willa loses it. “Blake has seen your dress? I thought it was just Lana.” I look at Lana.
“Calm down, snapples, Y’all are all wound up today. First off, I have been measuring Amity every week even up to two days ago to ensure her dress will fit perfectly. Second of all, I had Blake pick out his top five favorites, and then from there, I chose one so he would still be surprised. And might I add, he made it tough. Every dress he could have picked out for Amity would have looked stunning on her and fit her style. This one kept catching my eye and screamed Amity to me above the rest. It’s a vintage, elegant high neck with lace, with a complete open back. The cut will hug your body, and the lace is see-through on the top, like on the arms.”
“Well hell, now I’m excited. Let’s get this puppy on me.” It takes all four of us to wrangle me in this dress, but once on, it's stunning, and we all start to tear up. All topped off with my brand-new distressed leather Shyanne Sienna Metalico boots with floral embroidery.
“Don’t ruin your make-up, Am.”
“Look who's talking, Wil.” We laugh and know there is no use in trying to stop the tears. So much emotion is behind these tears. Trauma, abuse, heartbreak, struggle, love, happiness, self-perseverance, and acceptance. These girls have lived every moment of all of it with me.
“I’m so happy for you, Am. My heart is bursting with joy for you after everything that occurred. You’re alive and here. And now get to marry that man that truly was created for you,” Lana speaks.
I tug her in my arms for a tight hug. “I know this could have not been easy for you to plan, so know it means the world to me that you took this on. And I promise you, one day soon, you will find your match. The one that worships you like the goddess you are because you deserve nothing less.” She smiles through her tears, and then we all find ourselves in a group hug again.
“Flippin’ snapples. Now we all need touch-ups. Let me go grab a few of the makeup people. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh, honey bunches, you look so pretty. Blake is going to faint.”
“Thank you, Mama.” I lean over to kiss her on the cheek. “No tears, Mama. Lana will have all our asses.”
She slightly slaps my arm. “Oh, Amity. Watch your language today. It’s a beautiful day.” I give her my, I'll give it my best try , grin.
I feel like I have had a camera in my face ever since I woke up this morning with all the candid shots and then those of me getting ready, plus a few solo shots in the dress. Then we spent an hour doing group pictures, and I have to say the men look on fire in their deep navy-blue suits with cornflower blue ties to match the bridesmaids. If that is any indication of how my man will look at the end of the aisle, I know I’m in trouble. We take several typical wedding group shots with just the girls, then the guys, and all together, but then several fun ones also. Like the guys holding me up in their arms, a few where it looks as if I’m running away and they capture me, and one where we climbed my favorite tree, very carefully. Several in front of the barn doors and by the fences with the cows in the background.
When I thought I was getting a breather when my ladies and the guys were sent to do photos with Blake over at the main house, my photographer stayed to get some solo shots of me and then deddy brought out Nevada for the photoshoot. He sure looks mighty handsome all groomed with a brand-new black leather double bridle adorned with Swarovski crystals across the browband. Cornflower blue ribbon weaved into his black mane. Deddy and the photographer help me get on the back of Nevada. We decided bareback would be the best way to go today to not have to deal with the saddle with me in a dress. Plus, it’s near seventy degrees today, regardless that we are in the month of December. We take several of me laying across him with my train hanging down along his side, then a few with me sitting up. I think one my favorites will be the close up of my face with his on the side of his blue eye that matches mine. His other eye is brown, and I love how his mix-matched eyes play into his personality. I can tell he is feeling himself today with all the hustle going on at the ranch, me dressed up, and the photographer all over him.
Kissing his muzzle, then running my hands along the side of it, I murmur, “You are such a good boy. You ready to do this today?” He places his nose into my neck. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Hey, Amity.” I turn to see Lana. “We have about an hour left before the ceremony starts, but we thought we could do a cute photo session with you and Blake, but y’all cannot look at each other. He is currently blindfolded, and I need to put one on you also, until we can get you positioned.
“Um, okay.” She places the blindfold carefully over my eyes and face, then she takes my hand and guides me to the other side of Nevada.
Then I hear Clint’s voice. “Bro, trust me. I’m not going to trip you.”
I giggle knowing Blake must be a nervous wreck not being in control at this moment. “Princess, is that you?”
“It is, all mighty one.”
“Such a smartass already today.”
“Well, I’ve been awake since the break of dawn, so it shall be expected.” He laughs, and my heart clenches because I feel like it has been forever since I’ve seen him.
“Alright you two, Nevada is between the two of you. There is to be no peeking. Once we back you up to be against Nevada, I will place your hands together, and Clint and I will remove the blindfolds. Again, we are taking these quickly, and no peeking. Capeesh?”
We both answer, “Capeesh.”
Once our fingers lace together under Nevada’s neck, my breath hitches. I know he can feel the heat and sparks flowing between us. He squeezes my hand diligently. I’m so tempted to move and look at him, but Lana is giving me the evil eye already. I hear Clint threatening Blake not to move. “Just look towards me now,” the photographer asks. Within five minutes, she is done, and I am blindfolded again. Blake squeezes my hand tightly one more time before we are separated.
“See you soon,” he shouts back to me.
Finally, I am whisked back to Willa’s old cabin for some water and touch ups. Willa and Tilly show up with smiles and giddiness, letting me know how gorgeous my soon to be husband looks today. My eyes pop out of my head, when Tilly hands me a Tiffany box. Their blue is so distinctive along with the ribbon. “This is from Blake.”
“I told him I did not want a gift because we are going on a month-long honeymoon.”
“You know that boy doesn’t listen to a thing anyone tells him,” Willa adds. I shake my head in agreement as I undo the ribbon, slipping the top off.
“Oh my fuckin’ pineapples.” I pull out a platinum chain necklace with a diamond studded horseshoe with matching earrings. “He has lost his damn marbles.” They laugh, and Willa takes the necklace from my hand to put on me. I fumble with removing the earrings I was wearing to replace them with the diamond horseshoes.
Time seemed to move slowly until Lana announced it was time. We drove the gator slowly back down to the barn where I mounted Nevada, then the girls and my mom headed down to the where the ceremony is being held. I was told all I have to do is ride Nevada down the driveway, take a left by the large oak then a right after the fence. I got this. “We got this. Right boy?” I ask, petting Nevada on the neck to hopefully calm my jittery nerves down. I ride him to the aisle to meet deddy. I focus on him to refrain from looking at Blake. Knowing that if I do, I may fall off this horse. Once down, dress adjusted, I turn to link my arm with my deddy’s. It’s then I look up, and my breath is taken away.