“I can’t wait to see this on! X”
I blush, but only because his mum is here. She’s smiling though then she hands me something, a coin.
“And a silver sixpence for your shoe,” she says and this sounds funny in her American accent. “Bob’s mom handed it down to me on my wedding day, she was very traditional. It’s yours now.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “I’ll keep it…” I almost say ‘for our children’ but none of them know we are already trying and I don’t want to open that can of worms this morning. Max and Jen exchange a look…they know, clearly. “I’ll look after it,” I clarify. Anyway, I think everyone realises what I’m trying to say, I’ll keep it for ‘future generations’ whenever they may come.
“Okay!” says Max taking the heat off. “That just leaves me.” He gets up and holds out his hand. I take it and stand to follow him, goodness knows where. Everyone follows as he stops at the spare room door. “Close your eyes,’ he says giddy with excitement. Then he opens the door and leads me in. I’m positioned in the middle of the room and I stand perfectly still.
“Open,” he says.
I blink and set eyes on my wedding dress.
Both hands cover my mouth as I gasp. In fact, collectively, everyone gasps. Hanging beside it are purple dresses for Grace and Jen, which are very like my dress from last night but in a floatier fabric with less full skirts. My dress is beautiful. Again, very like my dress from last night. Very fifties. It’s ivory silk with a lace overlay and a full netted skirt. It’s short, I’m guessing below the knee and it’s belted with a purple bow. The neckline is a flattering deep V, it’s just perfect and obviously a style Danny likes.
I step forward and touch it while everyone watches me silently. I never even started to imagine what sort of wedding dress I’d choose, but I would like to think, given the choice of any dress, this would be the one I would pick. Seeing it now, as the dress Danny thinks is perfect for me, I can’t imagine I would want any other dress. Max’s hand squeezes my shoulder.
“What do you think?” he whispers.
“It’s perfect,” I say in wonder.
A collective sigh of relief is released and I laugh as I turn to look at them all. My mum is dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
“Oh and these are to go with it,” Max remembers, now that the big reveal is over.
Inside one box is a small ivory net veil. It’s not really a veil as such, but one of those net things that will just cover my eyes. It’s held in place by an ivory flower, it’s perfect for the dress and the hairstyle I have. The other box must be my shoes. My stomach turns. I know Danny gets my shoe issues, even before the accident, heels were not my thing, but this dress deserves heels. I open the box with trepidation, but the love I feel for Danny is immeasurable when I lift out a pair of purple Converse. Everyone laughs but it just finishes me off, I’m in pieces before I know it, with Max soothing me and trying to remind me about my makeup.
Max produces an envelope and I just about pull myself together to read the note.
I know picking shoes for this dress would have really stressed you out. But you are the girl I love and it’s you I want beside me today, so I’ve chosen shoes that are you through and through. I wouldn’t want you to try and be someone you’re not, especially not today.
I just can’t wait to see you.
Dx
He really gets me. Oh my God, I have to stop crying!
Significantly more composed and with my makeup retouched, I let Max help me get dressed.
“Wow!” he sighs as he finishes primping the purple bow. He pulls me in front of the full-length mirror and I take it in. It’s just perfect. I never could have chosen this well for myself. I turn and look at the back, over my shoulder. The deep V almost frames the large peacock tattooed there perfectly. I’m sure the person who designed this dress never imagined a bride like me wearing it, but I like the way my bold skin contrasts with the delicate lace, and the statement of the sash brings the perfect balance. I sigh. It’s all so me.
I’m not aware of the time, just that we are moving forward, but when I come out of the spare room all dressed, I’m surprised to find everyone ready. My mum looks beautiful in a lilac dress and jacket, with a feathery fascinator. Danny’s mum is wearing a smart but feminine indigo suit, her headdress is more a hat than a fascinator. Her signature style, a suit and pearls has remained since I was young. Seeing her like this for the first time since our reunion is a reminder of how much history we have.
I kiss them both and we all gush over how beautiful the other looks. Grace and Jen too, their dresses are lovely. I wonder if perhaps they met in LA to choose them together? It would explain how they seem to have got to know each other. While the living room is a flurry of compliments, Max reappears, having quickly put himself together. You’d never know it only took a few minutes, he looks devastatingly handsome and immaculate in his dark grey suit. The shirt is the faintest lavender and the tie is a few scant shades darker. He raises an eyebrow and looks down at his feet to draw my gaze. Black Converse.
“Don’t you look handsome!” purrs Connie.
It always makes me smile to see Max dressed up. Because formal wear covers almost all evidence of the fact that he is just like me. Max has gradually allowed tattoos to peep above his collar and under his cuffs to compensate. I show more of myself than usual when we dress up like this, so I never have that problem.
“He always looks amazing.” I grin and kiss his cheek.
There is a knock at the door and Mum lets Ali in, she’s dressed now too and is carrying a box full of flowers. My bouquet is a riot of orchids in every shade of purple and pinks. It’s stunning. The flowers for the bridesmaids are less riotous, but no less beautiful. My mum pins a buttonhole on Max and I scan the room.
“I can’t believe Danny did all this!” I exclaim,
Max grins and winks, telling me that he had a little help from the master.
‘Thank you,’ I mouth.
“Right, let’s get this show on the road,” says Max clapping his hands together.
Chapter Twenty-two
Liv
I promise not to go up any more ladders.
I laugh hysterically when we walk through the deserted diner and see the cars that are here to collect us. A traditional London black cab for the mums and a vintage yellow NYC chequered cab for Jen and Grace.
Ali locks up behind us and she and Carla jump in the car with Ali’s boyfriend.
Max and I wait on the curb as the cars pull away.
“Did you close the diner?” I ask with mock disapproval.
“Sack me.” Max shrugs. I laugh.
Just then a throaty roar can be heard and I look up to see a Mustang approach. I look at Max aghast.
“That’s not…?” I stutter.
“No,” confirms Max.” “Hired for the day, but he thought it would be a fitting tribute as she paid for the whole thing!”
I look up and down the car as it pulls up beside us. It’s unbelievable, the colour, every detail. It could be the same car.
“The whole day?” I ask just realising what Max said.
“It could have paid for it ten times Liv.”
I whistle.
Max offers me his elbow to help me into the car, this is when I realise that he is escorting me. I panic slightly, what about Dave? He gave Grace away, won’t he be upset? Before I get to articulate any of this, I shut it down. Danny will have it all covered.
While we’re driving along, I start to get twitchy about where we’re going. I haven’t ever thought about getting married it’s true, but I definitely know I would have a hard time settling for a hotel with a per head price, drab decor and mediocre food. I try not to let this play on my mind. I know from when Max and Charlie got married, there’s not much around to satisfy us, which is maybe why we run the type of place we do. If it was my choice, I know what I would do, but Danny is in charge of this. Whatever he has chosen, I’m sure I’ll love it.