131. Vintage Anyone?
Ophelia POV
I was so dam hot, the weather was changing but before Fox left he reminded me I needed to wear all my guns which meant I had to wear a coat to keep them concealed but the sun was rising and I felt like I would pass out again from the heat. “Sorry Fox” I said as I took off my coat and plopped all the guns into my overly large purse. Thank fuck I brought this one, it was super large, and it held the four guns and holster. It was full but I could take off the coat and breathe again.
I had forgone taking any car today. I called Mary and she said we could meet at a store. Then called Greer who was still not back but once I gave her a filling in on everything but the pregnancy she was all for coming home. I told her I would buy her ticket and email it to her later. Mary, the wedding planner had done what I told her. She spoke to the priest at the church who would be calling me to confirm this afternoon. Then the appointment with the writer from the paper was set up for after the honeymoon.
He was told it was an announcement, and we would have an interview about the engagement and plans and all that. But when Fox and I met him it would be like ‘surprise, we couldn’t wait’. I had to admit Mary was brilliant. I stood in front of the shop waiting for her. She came running up, her bag was bigger than my own. What the hell, did she have in that thing? She must have seen my face and said “Sorry it is my portfolio, I have some boards I made so while we were here, I could show you and you can just pick.”
I raised one of my brows. “You could have just emailed me.” I said and she shook her head “You made it clear you don’t like me reaching out.” I gave her a nod. I opened the door and she followed. “Do you two have an appointment?” A woman asked and I looked around and saw the place was wall to wall white. I stood out in my black pants and black silk button up. “Sorry I know we needed one, but I was hoping you could squeeze us in considering...” Mary said as I looked around.
“No exceptions” the woman said “But she is” Mary tried to say. I touched Mary shoulders to say stop. I had yet to smile if Fox wasn’t around since Simion died and now was no different. I had a resting scowl on my face. “Mary let’s go somewhere else; this woman clearly does not want our business despite the endless budget.” I started to walk toward the door. It took a moment and the woman said, “Wait endless budget, who are you?” I removed my large sunglasses, and my large scar showed her who I was.
I had been in the paper in the society section, and it was clear this woman had seen it because she immediately changed her tune. “Oh Miss Blake, you are marrying into the Valentine Family.” I nodded. “I can show you.” I held up my hand and she went silent. “I wouldn’t buy a dress from this snippy shit show if it was the last shop in the city. Come on Mary.” Mary caught up and as I put my large sunglasses on, I said so the woman could hear to Mary “When I have my interview make sure I don’t forget to talk about this place.” She nodded and we left.
Once out of the shop Mary looked concerned. “Ophelia that was the best wedding dress shop in the city. You should have taken a look.” I still had my glasses on. “No that bitch was a cunt, I am not doing her any favors, where else is a place to get a dress?” Mary chewed on her lip. “Um if you don’t mind going across the river there is a beautiful vintage shop, and they have a small selection of dresses. It is my favorite shop actually, but I figured that wasn’t your style.” Then she paused and added “There is one other in the city that is like this one.” I cut her off “No, we can take a cab to the vintage place, besides I am curious to see what your tastes really are, and in a cab, you can show me what is in that bag?” She smiled.
A cab came, and Mary gave the place, and I leaned back in the seat. I was already tired. I had decided to walk a lot this morning and in heels no less, I wanted to just sleep again. I was tired of this, I was only a few weeks pregnant, and I already was to the point of falling asleep with minimal exertion. Mary showed me her mood boards there was three to choose from. “I think this one is the best for what you are going for and for the quick small wedding.” Mary said.
I looked at her board and agreed. There were candles that lined the aisle and red roses petals down it, then large bouquets with lots of red roses around the alter. “Seems elegant and can be put together quick. A reported will see the simplicity and also extravagance and it will be a wow factor, not to mention it is beautiful.” I agreed and told her that was a good idea. “Red roses are also always readily available.” Good to know, I guess. I closed my eyes, just one second, I thought.
Next thing I knew was Mary tapping my shoulder “Ophelia we are here.” “Right yeah” I said groggily. God I was so fucking tired, of course I was I was growing three fucking babies. As we got out onto the street, I could see the shop was cute. It nothing like the first place. There was no wedding dress in the window to even look out. “I swear they have a wedding section; it is small but beautiful dresses.” I nodded.
We walked in and were greeted once we made our way in a little further. I noticed a lot of really cool clothes. I should tell EJ and Greer about this; they would love it. “You should look around Ophelia” Mary said as we got to the back, and I saw what she was talking about. There was a good amount of wedding dresses, all of them in clear plastic bags to preserve them. Some were elaborate others not and I would guess were from the 60’s or 70’s. I didn’t know.
I found one that caught my eye, and I pulled it off the overly stuffed rack. It had a tag on it that read “Worn by Patricia Ellis in the 1934 Musical Here Comes the Groom.” I looked at the little photo and sure enough there was the dress on the movie poster. I decided to try it on. It felt weird wearing white, but I knew without a doubt this would be the dress. It was satin and came off the shoulders. It hugged my curves just right and it was beyond elegant without being over the top.
I loved it, this was the dress. I looked and saw no veil but the picture of the movie poster the actress was wearing one. I felt like it would be perfect with this dress. I came out of the changing room and Mary’s face lit up. “Oh My God you look amazing.” “Thank you but there is no veil, and I think I want one.” She began rummaging around and found a few and I tried each one until one matched what I wanted. It was perfect and I was excited to see Fox’s face when he saw it. I bet EJ would be super jealous.
Everything was perfect and I was relieved I would not need alterations to fit the dress, it was perfect, and the veil pulled it all together. Mary knew what she was talking about. I doubted I would have found anything like this at the other place. I paid and got a bunch of information about the shop that I planned to spill in the paper and to EJ and Greer.