The Right Wedding Gown

by Shirley Hailstock

  He pulled her closer, his body going to heaven at the way she fit against him, the way her touch sent sparks of electricity through him. Just being in her arms was a fulfillment he hadn’t thought possible.

  Justin pushed her jeans down, starting at her hips, over her legs and continuing until his palms cupped the soles of her feet. Running his hands over them, he made a journey, a long, slow journey over hills and valleys that were created for his touch, for the purpose of tantalizing his sensitive skin.

  He kissed her from her ankles to her stomach, running his tongue around her navel. A shudder went through her. He could feel her accelerated heartbeat and hear the hitch in her throat when his fingers encountered puckered nipples.

  Anticipation welled inside him. Samara’s hands skimmed across his back and down to his waist. She reached for his shirt, pulling it free from his pants, circling her hands around his waist and back. He squeezed her as sensations went through him. Starting with the buttons on the bottom of his shirt, she opened each of them, concentrating, using her hands like weapons of sexual destruction as she touched his skin under the fabric, while her mouth still worked its voodoo on him. Every molecule of his body tightened, stiffened, hardened, wanted her. Long fingernails scored his chest, seeking, traveling, working their way up and down, going through arousal points that had him bending her backward. Still she kept her hands on him, migrating to the top of his pants.

  “Sam,” he groaned.

  Her hands met his pants zipper and conquered. Freeing him. He found the hook on her bra and pulled it away. She pushed his shirt down his arms. They undressed in a frenzy, their mouths staying together as if glued. Their hands washing over each other as if contact was as necessary as air. He pushed her against the wall, pinning her there, burying his tongue in her throat and imprinting her with his form.

  Justin couldn’t stand it any longer. He grabbed his pants and pulled the condom from its pocket. Quickly he sheathed himself. Samara was back in his arms the moment he finished. He lifted her. Her legs went around his waist. He pushed her against the wall and drove into her. Her back arched, holding on to him.

  He was weak from his arms to his knees. Her feet slid to the floor, but the two of them remained joined in the most intimate way.

  And Justin wanted them to remain that way for all time.

  Chapter 12

  No one truly knew how the wheels of government worked and no one could explain the volume of RSVPs for Geri’s fashion show. But a week before the event, it was obvious the store would not accommodate the number of attendees. She had to move it to one of the ballrooms in Shadow Walk.

  Carpenters worked night and day to setup for a different location, but on the day of the show everything was in place and ready. Everything except Geri, who was a wreck, and Samara, who couldn’t believe she was preparing to let herself be dressed yet again in a wedding gown.

  The show was about to start and backstage everything was in chaos. The noise level rose and no one seemed to know where their station was or what clothes they were to wear. Nervous energy was as palpable as smoke.

  “All right. That’s enough,” Shane shouted, clapping her hands. She stood in the middle of the room, wearing a white lace, one-piece halter-girdle straight out of a Victoria’s Secret store, with matching panties. Her stockings were white and ended without support at her thighs. On her head was a long veil that made her look like one of the animated cartoon characters in an erotic magazine. “Stop all this chatter and get to the place you’re supposed to be. We have a show to put on.”

  For a moment no one moved, then everyone scurried at once. Shane was a director and her voice left no room for argument. Geri looked relieved that someone had taken control.

  Geri was to do the commentating. She had a deck of cards with the descriptions on them in her hands. Yet there was a TelePrompter set up with all the information typed and ready for her to read.

  “Five minutes,” she announced. “I’m going out now to begin the welcome speech.” She looked at Samara. “You’re first,” she told her. “Get dressed.”

  Taking a deep breath, Samara stepped into the dress. The dresser assigned to her zipped it. The woman quickly adjusted a strand of hair that had come loose and smiled her assurance that everything was all right.

  Samara went to the entryway and waited until Geri called her name. The curtain opened and she took another breath and smiled brightly. As Geri described the gown she was wearing, Samara walked the distance on the raised platform.

  Her sister, Cinnamon, and her husband Mac sat at the end, to the right of the stage. Next to them were Justin and his family. Samara didn’t expect them all to come. Katie Beckett smiled at her. Samara had to concentrate on her footing, making sure she didn’t trip as she turned and walked back toward the curtain.

  Geri described the bridesmaid’s gown of yellow organza. She went through detail after detail. Samara demonstrated as she heard the different features of the gown. As she reached the curtain she was to go through, she turned back to allow the audience to see the front of the dress. They applauded and she exited.

  “That was so frightening,” Samara said as she returned to her dressing station. Putting her hand on her stomach, she nearly fell into the chair in front of her makeup mirror.

  “No sitting down,” the dresser said. “You have another gown to get into. You’ll be back on before you know it.”

  Samara watched from the side as the others went out and came back. Shane was impressive. The stage was her element and she was completely comfortable as she floated back and forth in gown after gown. Samara went out wearing three more dresses before it was her turn to put on the first wedding gown.

  It was the one from her trunk. Geri had had it cleaned and pressed and she’d added a few appliqués to give it an updated appearance.

  When the curtain opened and she stood there, she heard a gasp from the direction of the room where her sister sat. Cinnamon didn’t know Samara had been talked into wearing a wedding gown. It was easier now that she’d had it on more than once. The dress was beautiful and Samara felt very much like a bride wearing it. Wait until her sister saw her in Justin Beckett’s grandmother’s dress.

  As Geri explained the features of an updated gown from the past, Samara glanced at her sister. The smile on her face was ear to ear. She smiled back. Turning, she allowed the train to fall into gentle folds. The audience watched, many of them making notes on the programs they’d been given.

  Coming off stage, she grabbed the hand of one of the security guards posted there to prevent them from tripping as they walked down the three steps.

  Shane glanced at Samara as she came into the dressing room. She was putting her veil on. “Here, let me help you,” Samara said. She went to her and took the veil. Shane sat and Samara anchored it into her upswept hairstyle. “You look great. I can see why people cry at weddings. You must have looked like this on your own wedding day.”

  “Samara—”

  “Shane, you’re on,” one of the dressers told her.

  “Coming.” She shrugged and rushed away.

  Going before the crowd got easier each time Samara did it. She knew the majority of the audience was interested in the gown she was wearing, not her. She was merely a dress form for them to view the movement of fabric and combination of the bride’s wedding day trousseau. Even with Justin looking up at her like the perfect husband, it didn’t abate her comfort level.

  Interspersed between the wedding gowns floating in and out of the room, Samara went through three changes of clothes suitable for bridesmaids, prom queens or summer cruises.

  Finally it was time for the last gown. The right wedding dress. Samara had been buttoned and laced, her hair and makeup freshened. She was the last bride.

  “Now, ladies and gentlemen.” She heard Geri speaking. “These models have shown you what our new store has to offer.” The audience applauded. Geri waited for the sound to stop. “But there is one more gown. Unfortunately, thi
s one is not for sale. It’s a family heirloom.”

  She took the time to introduce Justin’s father and mother and let the audience know the gown belonged to Justin’s mother.

  “And now, Ms. Samara Scott in Wedding in June.”

  The curtain opened and for a moment Samara did not move. People stood up, applauding. Samara didn’t know how Geri’s crew had managed to change the stage, but there was a curved platform at the rear. All the models, wearing their final gowns, stood in a semicircle. The opening was only large enough for two more people. Interspersed between each bride was a groom. Geri had mentioned this idea once, but Samara thought she’d dropped it since none of the men were ever at a rehearsal. Still, from where she stood, they looked like a beautiful party.

  Samara began her walk. Slowly, she moved through the arching brides, taking the lead and continuing to the end of the runway. Once there, she could see her sister. Cinnamon silently mouthed the words “the right wedding gown.” Samara smiled, but did not acknowledge it. She looked at Katie and Lane Beckett. Tears rolled down Katie’s face. Deanna handed her mother a tissue. Justin was missing.

  Samara had to hold her smile in place. Where had he gone at a time like this? She turned to show the back of the dress, the long train and elegant fall of the lace. Then from out of nowhere, Justin came up the front steps and took her arm. She gazed up at him, smiling, her heart in her eyes.

  “Raise the gown,” he whispered. “Like in the painting.”

  With him supporting her, she reached down, lifted the side of the train with the hand holding her bouquet and came up extending her arm. She looked at his parents. Tears now streamed down Katie’s face, but her smile was bright.

  As a couple, she and Justin walked back to the semicircle and took their places, forming a portrait of brides and grooms.

  The audience applauded for long moments. Geri had a huge smile on her face when she signaled them to exit. Samara understood that the show would launch a lucrative business. Geri had the touch.

  One by one the brides took a final walk on the arms of their partners before exiting the stage.

  “Samara that was perfect,” Shane said rushing to her as she and Justin came through the curtain. “What made you think to lift the train like that?”

  She glanced at Justin. “I saw it in a picture somewhere.”

  He squeezed her hand and smiled.

  In all her years, Samara had never known a family that seemed so genuinely happy to be with each other. But this was the Becketts. It seemed they got together for specific reasons or for no reason at all. They were still in town, staying at Justin’s and today she was invited to lunch with them.

  Justin had called and seemed very mysterious about there being something she needed to hear. She also had another reason for going. The wedding gown needed to be returned.

  Geri had worked her magic yesterday after the show and had the dress cleaned and packed. Samara had to pick it up on her way to Justin’s and she was running late. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the door and walked into the new bridal store twenty minutes later.

  The place wasn’t as packed as it had been last night after the show. There were a few young brides-to-be cautiously sifting through the wall of dresses. But there weren’t eight models, wearing full-skirted gowns with pent-up trains, to maneuver around.

  Geri had served refreshments in the store so people could browse. A few of them were back today, including Shane, whom she hadn’t expected to see.

  “Shane?” They hugged and said hello. “I thought you’d still be asleep.”

  “Geri told me you were going to be here and I wanted to talk to you. I didn’t get a chance to last night.”

  Samara walked into the store manager’s office and closed the door. She and Shane sat down at a small round table.

  “What’s wrong?” Samara asked. Shane was obviously distressed.

  “I told the others yesterday, but I didn’t want to ruin the show for you.”

  Samara’s heart had begun to beat with fear. Shane was hesitating too long and Samara wanted to know what was wrong.

  “Me? How does this affect me?”

  “Your superstitions.”

  “What about my superstitions?” Samara didn’t think of herself as being superstitious. She was a pragmatist. The others didn’t see it that way. She didn’t mind. There were quirks they had that she didn’t understand, either.

  “It’s my marriage,” Shane said.

  “What about it?”

  Shane had been married for six years. Her husband, Alex, was an actor. He was still struggling for stardom, but had gotten several bit parts in feature films. He and Shane had known each other since college.

  “I’m getting a divorce,” she said.

  Samara’s hand went to her throat. She was both relieved and saddened.

  “Shane, I am so sorry.” Reaching across she squeezed her friend’s hand.

  “It’s been coming for a while. Both of us knew it. Both of us tried to ignore it.” She got up and paced about the tiny room. “But our lives are taking different directions. We can’t go on.”

  “Are you sure?” Samara asked.

  “We’ve done everything, marriage counseling, long discussions, even greater-than-usual sex, but we’re not in love any longer.”

  “Is there someone else?”

  Shane laughed. “You would think so. He’s an actor and they are notorious for having multiple partners.” She paused. “But, no. There is no one else.”

  “What about you?” Samara kept her voice level. “Have you found someone else?”

  She shook her head. “Don’t mourn for me. Alex and I know this is best for us.”

  Samara got up and hugged her friend. “I know you’re saying that. But is it really the truth? You and Alex have been together since you were in college. It has to be traumatic to separate.”

  “I won’t lie and tell you I’m fine. I’m sure there will be nights when I’ll miss him, but I’ll be fine.” Her eyes were a little glassy, but she smiled through them. “Don’t be surprised if your phone rings in the middle of the night, some night.”

  “You know you can always call me.”

  “Well, there is the matter of Justin Beckett. Looks to me like he wants to be the one spending the night with you. Don’t take my failed marriage as a reason that you shouldn’t tie the knot with him.”

  Samara shook her head. “We have an understanding. And he knows I’m not planning to marry.”

  “I know them, too. And I’ve just told you that I’m getting divorced, but if Justin asks you, give it some thought. He looks like a man in love to me.”

  Samara stepped back. “It was the tux and all those wedding gowns.”

  “Maybe, but that might not be all it is. I wouldn’t mind being a bridesmaid.”

  “You are a bridesmaid. Remember, Diana is getting married.”

  Shane opened the office door and looked out at the many dresses hanging along the walls. She gestured toward the bridesmaids dresses. “I can afford two gowns,” she said. “I have a friend in the business.”

  They laughed. Shane could still make jokes. Maybe she would be all right. Most of the divorced couples she knew were doing fine. Some of them had remarried. Others had gone on to careers or work to sustain themselves as single mothers. Shane had no children.

  Life was so uncertain and marriage even more. Finding a person to give your whole heart to, who would always be there, through better or worse—that had to be the least likely event in the universe.

  Lunch was a celebration. Food, conversation and good people. Samara was glad to have a distraction after her conversation with Shane. Justin’s entire family had come, even Austin was there from Chicago and Christian from Virginia.

  “Sorry we missed your performance last night,” Austin said. “Mom tells us you were beautiful.”

  “She cried,” Lane Beckett said.

  Samara looked at Katie and Lane Beckett.

  “I nev
er thought that dress could look better than it did in the case,” Katie said. “It only goes to show that clothes look better on people than they do in glass cases.”

  “Well, I don’t think we can wear it around the house, Mom,” Deanna said.

  The room laughed.

  “And that part at the end,” Mr. Beckett said, “whose idea was that?”

  “Justin’s.” She gave him up immediately.

  “Guilty,” Justin agreed.

  “What?” Micah asked. “What happened?”

  “You know the painting, the one of The Wedding, that we were looking for the papers on when Samara first came to the house?”

  Micah nodded.

  “The one they had cleaned,” Micah stated.

  His dad nodded. “At the end of the program yesterday, Samara reached down and pulled the train of the gown out the same way it is in the painting.”

  “I guess this is the right time to bring this up,” Justin said.

  Everyone looked at him, sobering as if he was about to say something important.

  “I heard from the art investigator I hired.”

  “And…” his father said in the pause that Justin had begun.

  “And here’s his report.” Justin got up and pulled a folder from his briefcase that sat on a window seat near the table. Instead of giving it to his father, Justin handed it to Samara.

  Surprised, she took it and opened it. There was a bill of sale inside, along with a history of the painting’s previous owners.

  “It’s legitimately yours,” she said, looking up at Lane Beckett, then switching her gaze to Justin.

  “Well, I could have told you that,” Lane said. “You didn’t think I’d really have a painting that wasn’t legally mine, did you?”

  “When I saw the words on the backing, I had to be sure.”

  “Of course she did,” Justin defended. “Samara works with rare documents. She understands how precious history is to the country and to families.”