Post by Shea O’Hara on May 11, 2024 22:29:28 GMT
At the heart of their friendship was a promise to be there, no matter what. It was a foundation that had been laid several years earlier, over a shared tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream, Vivienne’s favourite. Outside work, away from the public eye and in the privacy of Vivienne’s home, Shea O’Hara had proven herself to be so much more than Vivienne’s favourite coworker. Being there in any way Vivienne needed in the immediate aftermath of her first true heartbreak over her first fiancé, Xavier, had unquestionably cemented Shea’s place in Vivienne’s life as her ride or die bestie.
Whether Vivienne needed a sympathetic ear or a warm embrace or both, Shea had always been there and always would be, and that undeniable truth was what separated Shea from Vivienne’s other friends, like Dawn Halliwell or Mai Everstone. It was why, even with how wildly their careers had diverged, Shea was the only person Vivienne could ever imagine as her maid of honour, for this, Vivienne’s third attempt down the aisle, with yet another man who almost certainly didn’t deserve her.
In another life, one in which Shea wasn’t so broken and could fulfill Vivienne’s deepest desire to have children together, they almost certainly would be so much more than best friends, but in this one, Shea’s tragic miscarriage had made her more vulnerable and hesitant to risk another pregnancy. Shea couldn’t go through that ever again, so she’d boxed up her feelings for her best friend and casually laughed about how dreadfully cliche they all were with both Dawn Halliwell and Ciara O’Connor for having fallen for their friend so damned hard.
Relatively speaking, Shea was newer to her feelings for Vivienne than either Ciara or Dawn, and it was Ciara who had read the heartbreak all over Shea’s face one day at the Performance Centre, a couple days after Ulf Hednir had publicly proposed to Vivienne on the grandest stage of them all. It was Ciara who had seen the truth behind Shea’s tears. Tears over Vivienne Rodgers not seeing what was right in front of her and had been the whole time. It was a remarkably familiar tale to both Dawn and Ciara, because once upon a time it had been their story too. Vivienne’s well established preference for bad boys and assholes was a tough pill to swallow, but it became easier when Dawn had said that the alternative would be to walk away from the friendship altogether, like Ciara had. Shea couldn’t do that, she’d rather die in fact.
So with little other choice, Shea had accepted Cyrus’ invite to Australia. The big Aussie bastard had surprised her when through Warren, he had said he wanted to surprise Vivienne by inviting her and the other bridesmaids to Queensland ahead of the wedding so that Vivienne could plan and organise things for their wedding on location, especially now they had more time thanks to Verona giving them all some unexpected time off so they weren’t too overworked before what promised to be the biggest and most important Night of the Immortals in company history.
An event of such historical significance that Verona was more than willing to cancel weekly obligations and push everything forward if it meant a better Pay-Per-View in the end for everybody, not just the fans, but the wrestlers too. Shea didn’t even pretend to understand the business strategy behind such an unexpected and last minute shift, and ultimately, as she stood in the company of Dawn, Mai and the wedding planner, Leila Somerville outside apparently one of the best bridal shops in the region, Shea realised that she didn’t care because it didn’t matter.
Today, the only thing that really mattered was her best friend’s happiness. Mai checked her phone for the hundredth time, clearly the least comfortable here, despite both Shea and Dawn’s efforts to not alienate the newest member to their friend group, but in truth the only thing that seemed to relax Mai a little was when the rental car finally pulled up to drop Vivienne off. Shea watched Vivienne and Cyrus as they shared a few words and exchanged a few bright smiles, but had to look away when Cyrus kissed Vivienne. The unbridled passion gave both Dawn and Shea a new appreciation for Mai’s discomfort in being here.
However, Shea couldn’t help but snap back to attention when Vivienne practically bolted out of the car and threw herself at Shea, embracing her in a tight hug that sucked the air out of them both. A quick kiss on the cheek and Vivienne hugged Dawn next and Mai last. After waving Cyrus off, Vivienne practically jumped up and down in place, threatening to burst into pure joy on the spot.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re all here to help me pick out my wedding dress! Thank you! Thank you!”
Vivienne’s excitement was palpable, and Shea understood exactly why. Vivienne had been engaged twice before, but this was the first of the three to reach the dress shopping stage. It was a big deal, and a significant milestone and one that Shea would have thought was well beyond Cyrus, but even somebody as naturally cautious as Shea had to acknowledge the fact that since coming back into Vivienne’s life, Cyrus had really stepped up to the plate. He had embraced not only Vivienne, but also their kids almost immediately. Before now, it had been impossible for Shea to imagine anybody else truly loving Vivienne as much as Shea did, but Cyrus was doing his best to make that a little easier to believe with every thoughtful romantic gesture. Maybe he really meant it when Vivienne had told her that he said he loved her as a person and not just a piece of ass. Hopefully, that was true, and if it was, Cyrus would be unique as the first and only man to make Shea believe it.
“He’s starting ta win me over,” Shea said.
“Oh I’m so happy to hear that. Honestly Shea, I’ve never been so happy or so in love.”
“Do you still want to do non-white?” Leila asked.
“Yeah, I think so. Unless something unbelievable catches my eye.”
“Of course,” Leila smiled. “Unbelievable is why we’re here. This is one of the top bridal specialists in the area. Follow me, if ya would please, girls.”
Shea shook her head lightly, amused by the childlike excitement that gripped Vivienne as they all followed Leila into the large bridal boutique. Vivienne’s enthusiasm was quickly replaced with awe and wonder as they navigated a sea of beautifully dressed tailors dummies, each as headless as Vivienne seemed here. For somebody seemingly so sure that she didn’t want a traditional wedding or dress, Vivienne spent a lot of time admiring the white bridal gowns on display.
“This is a very unusual shade of green,” Dawn quipped, “Don’t you think, Shea?”
“Oh absolutely. I’ve never seen anything like it, how about you, Mai?”
“Definitely not,” Mai said. It was obviously easier for her to relax in the company of somebody she actually considered a friend in Vivienne.
“Sorry, I know it wasn’t part of the plan,” Vivienne acknowledged, “But some of these are just so beautiful.”
“It’s quite alright, you aren’t the first bride-to-be to be having second thoughts about her dress, and ya won’t be the last,” Leila assured, “As long as ya don’t start having second thoughts about your groom, I can adjust things quite easily.”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t dream of it. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me.”
It wasn’t the first time Shea had heard Vivienne express such a sentiment about Cyrus, and a quick glance over at Dawn who rolled her eyes, told Shea she wasn’t the only one.
“Yes, well, I’ve always believed a real relationship is about finding beauty and meaning in all the little imperfections that only you know about,” Leila said.
“I think I know what you mean,” Vivienne said as they moved deeper into the enchanted forest of impeccably dressed expectant brides, seeming more and more at home here with each step she took. “Are you married, Leila?”
“Maybe one day.”
“It’ll happen when you least expect it,” Vivienne said, “That’s how it happened for me.”
“Do you still want to see the green ones?” Dawn’s question was likely prompted by doing her best not to reflect on the breakdown of her own marriage to Charity. Dawn had grown more jaded and sceptical than even Shea about marriage as an institution after her personal experience of such a devastating shitshow.
“Oh yeah, sorry,” Vivienne said, “If it’s not too much trouble?”
“Not at all,” Leila said.
It was reasonable to assume Leila had a longstanding and profitable relationship with this boutique, especially with how well she seemed to know both the owner and the premises. She guided the group almost effortlessly through to the more untraditional styles and colours available. Shea was sucked into the beautiful rainbow of unique options that surrounded them much more than Dawn and Mai who were quietly lamenting being away from the darker and more comfortable shades of their usual wardrobes to each other. For Shea however, the bright and vibrant colours proudly declared the beauty of a love fully realised and embraced finally, and that wonderful reality was as significant an as yet unfulfilled dream as being married was to Vivienne.
Vivienne moved quicker than Shea was ready for through the brighter and more brilliant shades of green on offer. Vivienne barely considered the limes and the jades and the emeralds on display, laser focused on the darker forest greens ahead of her. Several minutes of cocked head deliberation and delicate material handling all lead to a final three of the most muted shades on offer. One of the three gowns was pure uncompromised green, and the one Shea would have bet money on Vivienne picking given how much she adored the more natural and earthy tones of the world.
“Would it be okay to try each of these on?” Vivienne asked, unwilling and unable to make a decision on sight alone. She needed to feel the fit for herself.
“But of course,” Leila smiled. “Let’s get Dylan over to give us a hand.”
‘Thank you’ had barely left Vivienne’s lips before Leila raised her arm and clicked her fingers, summoning one of the boutique assistants over. Dylan was a guy with gorgeous blue eyes and perfect sandy brown short hair, who was wasted in his current job, Shea thought. He belonged on a catwalk, not here and certainly not in her orbit. The Aussies just built their men differently, apparently.
Shea was so struck by him that she missed Vivienne’s nerves as she gave her dress size to Dylan. In recent years, stubborn baby weight had been the secret bane of Vivienne’s existence. Nothing shifted it, and the quiet anxiety that Cyrus would eventually leave her over it had dominated many a recent gym visit. There was only so much reassurance Shea could offer. She didn’t know if Cyrus would be ‘just like Ulf about it’, she didn’t know him that well, and besides part of Shea envied that Vivienne had been able to carry not one but two beautiful and healthy baby boys to term, though she never voiced that jealousy, knowing it would serve no point to do so.
“Need a napkin?” Dawn asked, rudely shoulder bumping Shea out of her reverie.
“What?”
“To catch all the drool you’re about to drown in.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Shea protested, “Besides, it’d never work long term.”
“So have some fun in the short term.”
“We’re not all like you, Dawn,” Shea said. “Right, Mai? Back me up here.”
“Don’t drag me into this, I have no idea what either of you see in guys.”
“Want me to ask him for his number?” Dawn asked, as Dylan brushed past them carrying the three dresses in Vivienne’s size back to the designated changing area. “I totally can.”
“Don’t you dare,” Shea said firmly, “If I want his number I’ll ask for it myself, ta very much.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right,” Dawn said. “You don’t need his number to get his di…”
Vivienne’s emergence in the first of three dresses mercifully kept Dawn from completing her thought. Vivienne offered her three friends and Leila a three quarter turn in the dress, her smile as wide as it was beautiful. “What do you think, guys?”
“Fits the brief perfectly, like,” Shea said.
“You don’t think it’s too green,” Vivienne said. “I think it’s too green, honestly.”
Shea was thoroughly unsurprised that Vivienne’s first choice had rapidly lost its appeal. Such had always been the story of her love life, after all. Thankfully, the second dress had more white lace accenting her neckline and bust, and whilst everyone agreed it was pretty and that she wore it well, it lacked the fairytale Princess vibes Vivienne was looking for ideally. The third’s white accents whilst more pronounced were apparently the wrong design and made her feel fat. Vivienne felt defeated and unnecessarily apologised for wasting everyone’s time as it turned out that her final three weren’t exactly her final three after all.
“It’s fine,” Leila assured, “We can look at others, and if there’s still nothing here that appeals, we can shop elsewhere.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be difficult. I thought I wanted something definitely green, but the more traditional ones out the front are just so pretty. If we could find something that was a mix of the two styles, like a forest fairy princess. That would be perfect, I think.”
Leila tapped her bottom lip softly with an exceptionally well manicured and sparkly nail as she contemplated Vivienne’s desires for a moment. “Sounds like we need a fresh set of eyes. Dylan, would you please go and ask Crystal if she has anything in stock that fits the new brief, please.”
Dylan diligently nodded before turning on his heel. He offered Shea a quick smile and a casual wink, apparently he had noticed her noticing him. Dawn nudged Shea playfully again, shaking her enough for a fresh, warm blush to colour her cheeks. Shea suddenly became unreasonably fascinated with the wooden grooves on the shop floor directly underneath her, embarrassed by her lack of subtlety.
When Dylan returned, he wasn’t alone. Accompanied by the boutique owner, an older woman with red curls which framed a warm, round face. Crystal carried a dress that nobody had seen on display. It was a beautiful white gown, more white than any of the others Vivienne had tried, accented with a light green leafy pattern across the front and bottom of the gown, giving the impression of a fairy princess bride who was at one with Mother Nature herself.
“Just got this in this morning, haven’t had time to put it on display yet,” Crystal said.
Vivienne immediately brought both hands to her face, her eyes glistening with tears of pure joy. No other gown they had seen so far had impacted Vivienne as deeply. “ Oh my, it’s gorgeous. Like you picked it directly out of my imagination! Thank you!”
“I believe they call that fate, Sweetheart,” Crystal smiled. “Would you like to try it on?”
“Absolutely, yes!”
Vivienne excitedly took the dress and disappeared behind the red velvet curtain of her changing booth. Several minutes passed, Vivienne seemed to be taking longer over this dress than any other.
Shea’s phone dinged with an instant message.
V: Need you now…
Shea pocketed her phone and slipped behind the curtain, sure to close it behind her on instinct. Vivienne frowned at her reflection in the mirror as Shea appeared behind her.
“What’s up?”
“Cyrus just messaged me from the caterers Leila recommended. He wants to double check the numbers we’re inviting, and I still don’t know if Warren is bringing Dean. Were we wrong to invite Warren and not Dean? I don’t want anybody to feel awkward and have their day ruined.”
“It’s not their day, V. It’s yours, you should invite whoever you want.”
“That’s what Cyrus said too. Dean never touched me, Xavier basically made me watch how much better Dean was at satisfying him, hoping I’d learn a few things, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, you told me before.”
“Did you tell Warren?”
“No, it’s never come up, and even if it had, I still wouldn’t. I know how to keep a secret. Just like how you asked me not to tell anybody about how Nicole left in the middle of things between you and Cyrus. I’d never embarrass you like that, you’re my best friend.”
“You do know things about me I’ve never told anybody else,” Vivienne said. “Regrets I’m not proud of and I know it’s too late to change. I wish I could go back and give my heart to Cyrus when it was purer, he deserves that. But I can’t, can I? Should I tell Warren nothing happened between Dean and I? Do you think that would help fix things between them? I just want to make up for my mistakes and for everyone to be happy at the wedding.”
Shea grabbed Vivienne’s face gently and they touched foreheads as Shea held her best friend’s gaze, and spoke soft and clear. “V, listen ta me. None of this is your fault. It never was. It was Xavier’s, and Warren and Dean’s problems happened way after your thing with Dean, so I doubt that has anything to do with what they’re going through right now.”
“But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”
“I don’t,” Shea admitted, “But if it would put your mind at ease, I can talk to Warren.”
“Oh, would you?” Vivienne asked, finally separating their foreheads again, “Before the big day?”
“Of course, hon,” Shea said softly. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving something like this hanging over your head on your special day.”
“You’re the best!” Vivienne’s smile returned as she faced herself in the full length mirror once more, feeling like a real princess again. “I think this is the one!”
“I think so too,” Shea nodded, “Suits you and the vibe you’re going through perfectly.”
“Can we take a picture?”
“Absolutely,” Shea smiled and quickly took a few selfies of the two of them.
Vivienne pulled out her own phone and thumbed through her notes until she found a rough draft of the vows she was still in the process of perfecting. “I took your advice, mind if we run through what I have for my vows so far?”
Shea nodded and smiled, quietly imagined herself as her best friend’s other half.
“In the melody of my life, your presence is the melody that resonates,” Vivienne began. Shea’s musical influence was already clear.
Several nervous moments later, Vivienne was done. “What do you think?”
“You really do love him, don’t you?”
“I do,” Vivienne declared. “More than I ever thought I would ever love anybody in my life.”
“Good, ya deserve ta be happy, V.”
“Do ya think a green colour scheme would still work for the wedding party with this dress?”
“Yeah, I think we can make that work.”
“I still need to get back to Cyrus about catering, what should I say? I’m thinking of a smallish ceremony of no more than thirty including Dean if Warren brings him. If he does, we need to cater for his vegetarianism.”
“Better ta be safe than sorry,” Shea said. “Order one vegetarian option, just in case.”
“Okay,” Vivienne nodded. She fired off a quick text to Cyrus.
“Everything alright?” Leila said, popping her head into the booth to check in.
“Yeah,” Vivienne replied, “I’ve finally found the one, I think.”
“Bonza!” Leila declared, “Then please get out here. We still need to pick out stuff for the rest of your wedding guests, right?”
“Right,” Vivienne nodded.
Now that Vivienne had finally settled on her dress, it was far easier and much quicker for her to settle on forest green dresses and suits for the rest of the party. Vivienne even ended up taking Shea’s advice on the style. Shea picked out a beautiful shade of emerald for the dresses, although the low cut style raised Dawn’s eyebrows slightly.
“Nice colour,” Dawn said, half twirling in exactly the kind of dress she’d never wear in her everyday life. It was far too girly for her, “But I don’t have Shea’s tits to do this justice, you know that, right?”
“In fairness, nobody has Shea’s assets,” Mai agreed, not entirely at home in green, she always preferred black, but this wasn’t about what she wanted, it was about what Vivienne wanted.
“Guys, please take this seriously. This is important,” Shea said.
“We are,” Dawn smirked, clearly enjoying teasing Shea. “I always take your tits seriously.”
“They are great,” Vivienne said, finally joining in the fun herself.
“Please, not you too,” Shea gently protested.
Everybody laughed, even Leila, and Shea thought Dylan was embarrassing, but as it turned out, nobody can embarrass you quite like those who are closest to you.
“Okay, seriously now,” Dawn smiled, hugging Shea tight. “Great choice, I say we go for it.”
“That’s settled then,” Vivienne nodded.
“Now we just need to wait for your bloke ta get back from the caterers,” Leila said. “Then we can go to the specialist men’s tailor since he’s a rather big boy, ain’t he? Hopefully they can make something complimentary.”
“I’m thinking black with forest green accents for him,” Vivienne said. “While we wait, can I take pictures of you all in your dresses with me, please?”
Whether Vivienne needed a sympathetic ear or a warm embrace or both, Shea had always been there and always would be, and that undeniable truth was what separated Shea from Vivienne’s other friends, like Dawn Halliwell or Mai Everstone. It was why, even with how wildly their careers had diverged, Shea was the only person Vivienne could ever imagine as her maid of honour, for this, Vivienne’s third attempt down the aisle, with yet another man who almost certainly didn’t deserve her.
In another life, one in which Shea wasn’t so broken and could fulfill Vivienne’s deepest desire to have children together, they almost certainly would be so much more than best friends, but in this one, Shea’s tragic miscarriage had made her more vulnerable and hesitant to risk another pregnancy. Shea couldn’t go through that ever again, so she’d boxed up her feelings for her best friend and casually laughed about how dreadfully cliche they all were with both Dawn Halliwell and Ciara O’Connor for having fallen for their friend so damned hard.
Relatively speaking, Shea was newer to her feelings for Vivienne than either Ciara or Dawn, and it was Ciara who had read the heartbreak all over Shea’s face one day at the Performance Centre, a couple days after Ulf Hednir had publicly proposed to Vivienne on the grandest stage of them all. It was Ciara who had seen the truth behind Shea’s tears. Tears over Vivienne Rodgers not seeing what was right in front of her and had been the whole time. It was a remarkably familiar tale to both Dawn and Ciara, because once upon a time it had been their story too. Vivienne’s well established preference for bad boys and assholes was a tough pill to swallow, but it became easier when Dawn had said that the alternative would be to walk away from the friendship altogether, like Ciara had. Shea couldn’t do that, she’d rather die in fact.
So with little other choice, Shea had accepted Cyrus’ invite to Australia. The big Aussie bastard had surprised her when through Warren, he had said he wanted to surprise Vivienne by inviting her and the other bridesmaids to Queensland ahead of the wedding so that Vivienne could plan and organise things for their wedding on location, especially now they had more time thanks to Verona giving them all some unexpected time off so they weren’t too overworked before what promised to be the biggest and most important Night of the Immortals in company history.
An event of such historical significance that Verona was more than willing to cancel weekly obligations and push everything forward if it meant a better Pay-Per-View in the end for everybody, not just the fans, but the wrestlers too. Shea didn’t even pretend to understand the business strategy behind such an unexpected and last minute shift, and ultimately, as she stood in the company of Dawn, Mai and the wedding planner, Leila Somerville outside apparently one of the best bridal shops in the region, Shea realised that she didn’t care because it didn’t matter.
Today, the only thing that really mattered was her best friend’s happiness. Mai checked her phone for the hundredth time, clearly the least comfortable here, despite both Shea and Dawn’s efforts to not alienate the newest member to their friend group, but in truth the only thing that seemed to relax Mai a little was when the rental car finally pulled up to drop Vivienne off. Shea watched Vivienne and Cyrus as they shared a few words and exchanged a few bright smiles, but had to look away when Cyrus kissed Vivienne. The unbridled passion gave both Dawn and Shea a new appreciation for Mai’s discomfort in being here.
However, Shea couldn’t help but snap back to attention when Vivienne practically bolted out of the car and threw herself at Shea, embracing her in a tight hug that sucked the air out of them both. A quick kiss on the cheek and Vivienne hugged Dawn next and Mai last. After waving Cyrus off, Vivienne practically jumped up and down in place, threatening to burst into pure joy on the spot.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re all here to help me pick out my wedding dress! Thank you! Thank you!”
Vivienne’s excitement was palpable, and Shea understood exactly why. Vivienne had been engaged twice before, but this was the first of the three to reach the dress shopping stage. It was a big deal, and a significant milestone and one that Shea would have thought was well beyond Cyrus, but even somebody as naturally cautious as Shea had to acknowledge the fact that since coming back into Vivienne’s life, Cyrus had really stepped up to the plate. He had embraced not only Vivienne, but also their kids almost immediately. Before now, it had been impossible for Shea to imagine anybody else truly loving Vivienne as much as Shea did, but Cyrus was doing his best to make that a little easier to believe with every thoughtful romantic gesture. Maybe he really meant it when Vivienne had told her that he said he loved her as a person and not just a piece of ass. Hopefully, that was true, and if it was, Cyrus would be unique as the first and only man to make Shea believe it.
“He’s starting ta win me over,” Shea said.
“Oh I’m so happy to hear that. Honestly Shea, I’ve never been so happy or so in love.”
“Do you still want to do non-white?” Leila asked.
“Yeah, I think so. Unless something unbelievable catches my eye.”
“Of course,” Leila smiled. “Unbelievable is why we’re here. This is one of the top bridal specialists in the area. Follow me, if ya would please, girls.”
Shea shook her head lightly, amused by the childlike excitement that gripped Vivienne as they all followed Leila into the large bridal boutique. Vivienne’s enthusiasm was quickly replaced with awe and wonder as they navigated a sea of beautifully dressed tailors dummies, each as headless as Vivienne seemed here. For somebody seemingly so sure that she didn’t want a traditional wedding or dress, Vivienne spent a lot of time admiring the white bridal gowns on display.
“This is a very unusual shade of green,” Dawn quipped, “Don’t you think, Shea?”
“Oh absolutely. I’ve never seen anything like it, how about you, Mai?”
“Definitely not,” Mai said. It was obviously easier for her to relax in the company of somebody she actually considered a friend in Vivienne.
“Sorry, I know it wasn’t part of the plan,” Vivienne acknowledged, “But some of these are just so beautiful.”
“It’s quite alright, you aren’t the first bride-to-be to be having second thoughts about her dress, and ya won’t be the last,” Leila assured, “As long as ya don’t start having second thoughts about your groom, I can adjust things quite easily.”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t dream of it. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for me.”
It wasn’t the first time Shea had heard Vivienne express such a sentiment about Cyrus, and a quick glance over at Dawn who rolled her eyes, told Shea she wasn’t the only one.
“Yes, well, I’ve always believed a real relationship is about finding beauty and meaning in all the little imperfections that only you know about,” Leila said.
“I think I know what you mean,” Vivienne said as they moved deeper into the enchanted forest of impeccably dressed expectant brides, seeming more and more at home here with each step she took. “Are you married, Leila?”
“Maybe one day.”
“It’ll happen when you least expect it,” Vivienne said, “That’s how it happened for me.”
“Do you still want to see the green ones?” Dawn’s question was likely prompted by doing her best not to reflect on the breakdown of her own marriage to Charity. Dawn had grown more jaded and sceptical than even Shea about marriage as an institution after her personal experience of such a devastating shitshow.
“Oh yeah, sorry,” Vivienne said, “If it’s not too much trouble?”
“Not at all,” Leila said.
It was reasonable to assume Leila had a longstanding and profitable relationship with this boutique, especially with how well she seemed to know both the owner and the premises. She guided the group almost effortlessly through to the more untraditional styles and colours available. Shea was sucked into the beautiful rainbow of unique options that surrounded them much more than Dawn and Mai who were quietly lamenting being away from the darker and more comfortable shades of their usual wardrobes to each other. For Shea however, the bright and vibrant colours proudly declared the beauty of a love fully realised and embraced finally, and that wonderful reality was as significant an as yet unfulfilled dream as being married was to Vivienne.
Vivienne moved quicker than Shea was ready for through the brighter and more brilliant shades of green on offer. Vivienne barely considered the limes and the jades and the emeralds on display, laser focused on the darker forest greens ahead of her. Several minutes of cocked head deliberation and delicate material handling all lead to a final three of the most muted shades on offer. One of the three gowns was pure uncompromised green, and the one Shea would have bet money on Vivienne picking given how much she adored the more natural and earthy tones of the world.
“Would it be okay to try each of these on?” Vivienne asked, unwilling and unable to make a decision on sight alone. She needed to feel the fit for herself.
“But of course,” Leila smiled. “Let’s get Dylan over to give us a hand.”
‘Thank you’ had barely left Vivienne’s lips before Leila raised her arm and clicked her fingers, summoning one of the boutique assistants over. Dylan was a guy with gorgeous blue eyes and perfect sandy brown short hair, who was wasted in his current job, Shea thought. He belonged on a catwalk, not here and certainly not in her orbit. The Aussies just built their men differently, apparently.
Shea was so struck by him that she missed Vivienne’s nerves as she gave her dress size to Dylan. In recent years, stubborn baby weight had been the secret bane of Vivienne’s existence. Nothing shifted it, and the quiet anxiety that Cyrus would eventually leave her over it had dominated many a recent gym visit. There was only so much reassurance Shea could offer. She didn’t know if Cyrus would be ‘just like Ulf about it’, she didn’t know him that well, and besides part of Shea envied that Vivienne had been able to carry not one but two beautiful and healthy baby boys to term, though she never voiced that jealousy, knowing it would serve no point to do so.
“Need a napkin?” Dawn asked, rudely shoulder bumping Shea out of her reverie.
“What?”
“To catch all the drool you’re about to drown in.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Shea protested, “Besides, it’d never work long term.”
“So have some fun in the short term.”
“We’re not all like you, Dawn,” Shea said. “Right, Mai? Back me up here.”
“Don’t drag me into this, I have no idea what either of you see in guys.”
“Want me to ask him for his number?” Dawn asked, as Dylan brushed past them carrying the three dresses in Vivienne’s size back to the designated changing area. “I totally can.”
“Don’t you dare,” Shea said firmly, “If I want his number I’ll ask for it myself, ta very much.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right,” Dawn said. “You don’t need his number to get his di…”
Vivienne’s emergence in the first of three dresses mercifully kept Dawn from completing her thought. Vivienne offered her three friends and Leila a three quarter turn in the dress, her smile as wide as it was beautiful. “What do you think, guys?”
“Fits the brief perfectly, like,” Shea said.
“You don’t think it’s too green,” Vivienne said. “I think it’s too green, honestly.”
Shea was thoroughly unsurprised that Vivienne’s first choice had rapidly lost its appeal. Such had always been the story of her love life, after all. Thankfully, the second dress had more white lace accenting her neckline and bust, and whilst everyone agreed it was pretty and that she wore it well, it lacked the fairytale Princess vibes Vivienne was looking for ideally. The third’s white accents whilst more pronounced were apparently the wrong design and made her feel fat. Vivienne felt defeated and unnecessarily apologised for wasting everyone’s time as it turned out that her final three weren’t exactly her final three after all.
“It’s fine,” Leila assured, “We can look at others, and if there’s still nothing here that appeals, we can shop elsewhere.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be difficult. I thought I wanted something definitely green, but the more traditional ones out the front are just so pretty. If we could find something that was a mix of the two styles, like a forest fairy princess. That would be perfect, I think.”
Leila tapped her bottom lip softly with an exceptionally well manicured and sparkly nail as she contemplated Vivienne’s desires for a moment. “Sounds like we need a fresh set of eyes. Dylan, would you please go and ask Crystal if she has anything in stock that fits the new brief, please.”
Dylan diligently nodded before turning on his heel. He offered Shea a quick smile and a casual wink, apparently he had noticed her noticing him. Dawn nudged Shea playfully again, shaking her enough for a fresh, warm blush to colour her cheeks. Shea suddenly became unreasonably fascinated with the wooden grooves on the shop floor directly underneath her, embarrassed by her lack of subtlety.
When Dylan returned, he wasn’t alone. Accompanied by the boutique owner, an older woman with red curls which framed a warm, round face. Crystal carried a dress that nobody had seen on display. It was a beautiful white gown, more white than any of the others Vivienne had tried, accented with a light green leafy pattern across the front and bottom of the gown, giving the impression of a fairy princess bride who was at one with Mother Nature herself.
“Just got this in this morning, haven’t had time to put it on display yet,” Crystal said.
Vivienne immediately brought both hands to her face, her eyes glistening with tears of pure joy. No other gown they had seen so far had impacted Vivienne as deeply. “ Oh my, it’s gorgeous. Like you picked it directly out of my imagination! Thank you!”
“I believe they call that fate, Sweetheart,” Crystal smiled. “Would you like to try it on?”
“Absolutely, yes!”
Vivienne excitedly took the dress and disappeared behind the red velvet curtain of her changing booth. Several minutes passed, Vivienne seemed to be taking longer over this dress than any other.
Shea’s phone dinged with an instant message.
V: Need you now…
Shea pocketed her phone and slipped behind the curtain, sure to close it behind her on instinct. Vivienne frowned at her reflection in the mirror as Shea appeared behind her.
“What’s up?”
“Cyrus just messaged me from the caterers Leila recommended. He wants to double check the numbers we’re inviting, and I still don’t know if Warren is bringing Dean. Were we wrong to invite Warren and not Dean? I don’t want anybody to feel awkward and have their day ruined.”
“It’s not their day, V. It’s yours, you should invite whoever you want.”
“That’s what Cyrus said too. Dean never touched me, Xavier basically made me watch how much better Dean was at satisfying him, hoping I’d learn a few things, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, you told me before.”
“Did you tell Warren?”
“No, it’s never come up, and even if it had, I still wouldn’t. I know how to keep a secret. Just like how you asked me not to tell anybody about how Nicole left in the middle of things between you and Cyrus. I’d never embarrass you like that, you’re my best friend.”
“You do know things about me I’ve never told anybody else,” Vivienne said. “Regrets I’m not proud of and I know it’s too late to change. I wish I could go back and give my heart to Cyrus when it was purer, he deserves that. But I can’t, can I? Should I tell Warren nothing happened between Dean and I? Do you think that would help fix things between them? I just want to make up for my mistakes and for everyone to be happy at the wedding.”
Shea grabbed Vivienne’s face gently and they touched foreheads as Shea held her best friend’s gaze, and spoke soft and clear. “V, listen ta me. None of this is your fault. It never was. It was Xavier’s, and Warren and Dean’s problems happened way after your thing with Dean, so I doubt that has anything to do with what they’re going through right now.”
“But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”
“I don’t,” Shea admitted, “But if it would put your mind at ease, I can talk to Warren.”
“Oh, would you?” Vivienne asked, finally separating their foreheads again, “Before the big day?”
“Of course, hon,” Shea said softly. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving something like this hanging over your head on your special day.”
“You’re the best!” Vivienne’s smile returned as she faced herself in the full length mirror once more, feeling like a real princess again. “I think this is the one!”
“I think so too,” Shea nodded, “Suits you and the vibe you’re going through perfectly.”
“Can we take a picture?”
“Absolutely,” Shea smiled and quickly took a few selfies of the two of them.
Vivienne pulled out her own phone and thumbed through her notes until she found a rough draft of the vows she was still in the process of perfecting. “I took your advice, mind if we run through what I have for my vows so far?”
Shea nodded and smiled, quietly imagined herself as her best friend’s other half.
“In the melody of my life, your presence is the melody that resonates,” Vivienne began. Shea’s musical influence was already clear.
Several nervous moments later, Vivienne was done. “What do you think?”
“You really do love him, don’t you?”
“I do,” Vivienne declared. “More than I ever thought I would ever love anybody in my life.”
“Good, ya deserve ta be happy, V.”
“Do ya think a green colour scheme would still work for the wedding party with this dress?”
“Yeah, I think we can make that work.”
“I still need to get back to Cyrus about catering, what should I say? I’m thinking of a smallish ceremony of no more than thirty including Dean if Warren brings him. If he does, we need to cater for his vegetarianism.”
“Better ta be safe than sorry,” Shea said. “Order one vegetarian option, just in case.”
“Okay,” Vivienne nodded. She fired off a quick text to Cyrus.
“Everything alright?” Leila said, popping her head into the booth to check in.
“Yeah,” Vivienne replied, “I’ve finally found the one, I think.”
“Bonza!” Leila declared, “Then please get out here. We still need to pick out stuff for the rest of your wedding guests, right?”
“Right,” Vivienne nodded.
Now that Vivienne had finally settled on her dress, it was far easier and much quicker for her to settle on forest green dresses and suits for the rest of the party. Vivienne even ended up taking Shea’s advice on the style. Shea picked out a beautiful shade of emerald for the dresses, although the low cut style raised Dawn’s eyebrows slightly.
“Nice colour,” Dawn said, half twirling in exactly the kind of dress she’d never wear in her everyday life. It was far too girly for her, “But I don’t have Shea’s tits to do this justice, you know that, right?”
“In fairness, nobody has Shea’s assets,” Mai agreed, not entirely at home in green, she always preferred black, but this wasn’t about what she wanted, it was about what Vivienne wanted.
“Guys, please take this seriously. This is important,” Shea said.
“We are,” Dawn smirked, clearly enjoying teasing Shea. “I always take your tits seriously.”
“They are great,” Vivienne said, finally joining in the fun herself.
“Please, not you too,” Shea gently protested.
Everybody laughed, even Leila, and Shea thought Dylan was embarrassing, but as it turned out, nobody can embarrass you quite like those who are closest to you.
“Okay, seriously now,” Dawn smiled, hugging Shea tight. “Great choice, I say we go for it.”
“That’s settled then,” Vivienne nodded.
“Now we just need to wait for your bloke ta get back from the caterers,” Leila said. “Then we can go to the specialist men’s tailor since he’s a rather big boy, ain’t he? Hopefully they can make something complimentary.”
“I’m thinking black with forest green accents for him,” Vivienne said. “While we wait, can I take pictures of you all in your dresses with me, please?”
Well howdy there pardner.