The movie, my movie, was met with rousing, amazing reviews and was a hit with both the critics and audiences alike. I was shocked, to say the least. With each interview, each review, and each comment posted online and shared in print media, I felt the tension leave my body, leaving me a boneless heap. After two weeks of promoting the movie, we flew back to San Francisco and decompressed as a family, holing in our new home, and sleeping off the jetlag.
In between much needed naps and bonding as new family, we also started working on planning our wedding. Well, planning and executing said plan.
You’d be shocked how much money talked.
We had everything set up for our August thirteenth nuptials. Caius paid for the venue, the Wandering Tree Estate in Lake Tahoe and was planning on paying for my dress, jewelry, and cake for the reception. Carlisle and Esme were paying for the catering, flowers, and photos. I wanted to help, but my family was covering it all.
The weekend after we’d returned from our whirlwind promotional tour, I was working in the backyard on mapping out my next book series. I was relishing in the quiet as Edward and Seth were out grocery shopping and running errands. Bear was curled up in the shade as I surfed the web, finding photo inspiration for my newest book. Bear’s head popped up, woofing quietly. I shielded my eyes, smiling when I saw Caius walking toward me. We’d given him a key since he was considered family. “Hey, Caius. Long time, no see.”
“Well, you were traveling the globe,” Caius teased, sitting down across from me. He gave Bear a pet before he pushed his sunglasses onto his bald head. “Have you recovered from your jetlag?”
“For the most part,” I answered. “What brings you here?”
“Two things,” Caius said. “One, I wanted to see my adoptive daughter. It’s been far too long, sweetheart. And two, to take you wedding dress shopping.”
“Caius …” I argued. “The dress I wore for the movie premiere was a wedding gown. I can wear that.”
“Oh, hell no,” Caius grumped. “Edward saw you in that. While it was absolutely beautiful, you deserve a beautiful, one-of-a-kind dress. Since, I’m spending most of next week in court, I want to take you out today. I tried to coordinate with Esme to come with us, but she had some emergency down in Los Angeles.”
“Is everything alright?” I asked, closing my laptop.
“Some model broke out in hives or something, begging Esme to support her or whatever,” Caius snickered, waving his hand dismissively. “I have Esme’s phone number if you find something. We can video call her.”
“Let me send Edward a quick text to let him know that we’re going out. I need to change. I’m not really dressed for wedding dress shopping,” I deadpanned, gesturing to my yoga pants and oversized shirt I’d pilfered from Edward’s side of the closet. “Give me a few?”
“Of course,” Caius answered, picking up a slimy tennis ball and waved it in front of Bear. My dog hopped up, his butt wriggling. Caius threw the ball and Bear took off like a shot, chasing the ball and barking happily. I giggled, darting upstairs to change. I put on a pretty summer dress that I’d gotten with Rose, along with a pair of sandals. I sent a brief message to Edward, explaining that I was going out with Caius and would be back for dinner. Edward sent his love, along with a goofy selfie with Seth. I smiled, saving the picture to my phone and went back downstairs. Caius brought in Bear and was filling up the water bowl. “I gave the furball some treats - the green toothbrushy things.”
“Thanks,” I laughed. “Bear has some major doggy breath. No matter how many times we brush his teeth, his breath is awful.” Picking up my purse, I ruffled Bears ears. “I’m ready to go.”
We got into Caius’s car, and he drove us to a fancy bridal salon in downtown San Francisco. Walking inside, we were greeted by a friendly consultant, Abby. We sat down and drank champagne while we talked about my wedding. Even though it was going to a smaller affair, my celebrity, along with Edward’s fame, made the wedding a bigger deal than I’d ever anticipated. With that being said, the consultant seemed to smell a hefty sale since the turnaround to pick up the dress was about a month.
“What are thinking for as a shape?” asked the consultant, Abby. I looked at her blankly. Abby chuckled, asking, “Designer?”
“Who was the designer who did your dress for the premiere?” Caius questioned.
“Reem something?” I replied.
“Oh, Reem Acra. Such beautiful designs,” Abby gushed. “Let me pull some of the most popular wedding dresses and ones that might fit your tiny frame.”
“Nothing strapless,” I said. “I have some injuries, scars on my back. I don’t want them on display.”
“What about thick straps? Or lace on the back?” Abby asked.
“Both sound really pretty,” I smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Okay,” Abby replied. “Let’s get you into a dressing room. There’s a silk robe in there for you. Just let me know if you want more champagne.”
