Authors: S L Lewis
Everyone made such an effort with their appearance; I was scared to think how much of my child’s university money I would need to spend on my wedding outfit to keep up with everyone. ‘Can you do my clip please?’ Gabrielle asked kindly.
Dressed in a long, gold, silk boobtube gown, which accentuated her petite curves, with gold coloured crystals highlighting the breast region; Gabrielle looked like a Greek Goddess with her hair spilling loose curls down her back.
We were given strict instructions on what we were to wear, so we didn’t upstage her; I was very shocked that Anya obliged.
Anya looked demur and beautiful, which wasn’t always easy for her as she loved to show her ‘money makers’ in case there were potential clients in a 5 mile radius.
Wearing a fitted, silvery blue, mini dress with batwing sleeves and thick, jewel encrusted belt, she topped off the shimmering splendour with luxurious silver, strappy high heels with an equally elegant clutch bag.
Dealing with the endless shopping trips and failed diets, I ended up deciding that every dress made me feel like a frumpy bloated ball, that wouldn’t look out of place at a volley ball competition. So, after many tantrums and tests of both Anya’s and Amelia’s muscle power, when I constantly asked them to help me pull up the defiant zips on all the dresses I tried on, Amelia said, ‘This one looks beautiful Neets’ as I glanced in the mirror and saw the frilly horror she tried to convince me to wear as her patience had run out.
Now, although Amelia is wonderful in a crisis and thinks on her feet, she does lack patience when shopping with me. Anya regarded the frilly mess as she tried not to laugh, when she saw the disgust on my face.
‘Errrm, maybe this von vould be better,’ she giggled as she handed me a long, jade green, halter neck dress with crystal embroidery around the neckline.
There was a silent pause as I took a deep breath and went to try it on.
I could hear them whispering and Anya laughing at Amelia’s attempt to dress me up as her Grandma’s toilet roll holder.
‘Come on Neets. I need a drink after all this stress,’ Amelia demanded as I slowly emerged through the white curtain.
The shopping assistant walked into the changing room as I twirled around on demand from the judging panel of two.
Sucking in my waist, making my shoulders appear smaller and giving me a cleavage that could rival a ‘Page 3 Model’ I was very impressed and vowed to spend my last pennies on getting Anya and Amelia the biggest bottle of Cava my purse could afford.
‘You look beautiful. Like an emerald swan,’ the shop assistant swooned as I posed for my audience with pride and sophistication.
They all agreed I should buy it and when I questioned the price, I was quickly reminded it was an investment, not to just be worn once. Before I could respond my credit card was quickly swiped from my hand and we were out the door.
Putting it on a second time made me feel just as sexy and elegant but with my new secret I was finding it hard to enjoy the moment, and finally the questions to my new bloated exterior were answered.
With one glass of champagne, we toasted to Gabrielle’s new life-to-be and celebrated her fond memories, we all shared of her in the flat.
The champagne toast was not enough for Anya, so when she produced a round of Vodka shots to allow Gabrielle to bid farewell to her single life properly, I slyly gave mine to Amelia and we went through the door for the last time as four single ladies.
*********
Decorated in a Middle Eastern theme with beautiful deep blues, reds, orange and gold fabrics draped from the ceiling and big bronze Moroccan lamp shades hanging down gave the hall the cosy and exotic feel Gabrielle wanted.
Lowered gold coffee tables and soft, chic bean bag chairs circled the sides of the room, leaving just enough space for the dance floor and a corner for the one man bar.
With low lighting and loud music, it took me a while to get through the crowd to find dad holding mum’s hand, whilst Renesh was on the other side of them being comforted by a large rum and coke.
‘Is she here yet?’ Renesh asked eagerly as I greeted them. With compliments oozing from mum and dad, I shook my head as I gave him a hug and promised I’d tell him as soon as I saw her.
Feeling a kiss on my neck, I prayed Yatin wouldn’t put his hands anywhere near my stomach as I swung round and greeted him with a nervous kiss. ‘I’ve missed my baby,’ he cooed as the sweat began to make an appearance on my brow. ‘I missed you too hun but I’ve just got to nip outside for a minute,’ I gasped as I pretended my phone was ringing and ran out.
Taking deep gulps of air and trying to steady myself on the wall, I didn’t realise Shilpa walking towards me.
Visibly upset and shaken, she put on a brave smile and gave me a hug. ‘I’m so glad you decided to come. It wouldn’t have been the same without you,’ I said as we made small talk to avoid the situation and trying to bide more time before we had to go into the questioning crowds.
The number in the hall had increased since being outside and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get through the enthusiastic guests.
Gabrielle and John had it easy, as they put thrones on the stage, so they could look down on the crowd, much like the King and Queen of the ball.
‘Neets, come over,’ Gabrielle waved as she beckoned me to her hierarchical chair. ‘Do you think it was a good idea to invite Shilpa?’ she questioned as she pointed over to the stressed and awkward looking pair.
As I examined the car-crash couple, I came to the conclusion that they were not fighting or arguing so it was a start. ‘I will keep an eye on them so don’t worry yourself and enjoy the night,’ I comforted Gabrielle as I went away to get her a drink to calm her nerves.
Getting through the crowds, I managed to avoid Yatin and bump straight into my Grandmother.
‘Hi Gran,’ I said nervously as she regarded me coldly.
To break the tension, I gave her a hug and began small talk, which was cut abruptly. She looked around, as though not wanting anyone to hear or looking for Grandad, she whispered, ‘I’m fine sweetheart but I’ll be even better by the end of this evening.’
I tried to ask her to elaborate as it sounded quite sinister, but she refused and walked away when she saw my mother approaching.
‘What did that witch say?’ my mum asked giving her daggers, as she gave them back whilst walking away with a smug grin on her face.
‘Nothing mum. Just ignore her. Don’t let it ruin the evening. Anyway how’s things with dad?’ I asked feebly as I tried to distract her attention.
The last thing Gabrielle needed was a WWF fight between our mum and Grandma!
John’s family were already slightly overwhelmed by the elaborate décor and Gabrielle’s constantly increasing demands on how much money should be spent on the wedding.
‘It’s a one time event and am I not worth it?’ she pressured John into answering as she bombarded him with more changing plans for the wedding, the weekend before the actual event.
With waiters trying to get through the crowds with tiny spicy canapés and equally stressed waitresses coming around to silently fill the empty classes, everyone was having a good time and even Renesh managed to smile as his begging seemed to be working on Shilpa.
‘How’s my emerald princess?’ my dad asked as he gave me the biggest hug.
‘I’m great dad. How’s it going with mum?’ I replied nervously.
He was beaming from ear to ear and I knew I didn’t have to worry about them anymore. ‘We’re getting there, hun and if it wasn’t for my jewel, it wouldn’t have happened, so here, let’s celebrate,’ he announced as he grabbed two glasses of champagne, from the silent waitress’s tray, and clinked the glasses.
I could never lie to my dad and he knew it.
I paused and looked down at the glass. ‘What’s wrong, Princess?’ dad asked looking increasingly worried.
The tears couldn’t be held back anymore and as soon as one escaped, they all flowed down my face.
What could I say to him? I knew he’d be happy but as we were driving to the venue, I remembered a horrible thought, I had only been in a relationship with Yatin for 3 months, however, I had only stopped sleeping with Angus a few weeks before.
What if it wasn’t Yatin’s?
The final thought made me hysterical and through embarrassment or concern my dad escorted me outside and I told him the ‘happy’ news.
Avoiding telling him my thoughts on who the father may be, he was overjoyed and vowed to help me 100%. I made him promise not to tell anyone until after the engagement and gave the excuse that I didn’t want to ruin the party and he agreed.
With more hugs and help to make me look more like Audrey Hepburn and less like Marilyn Manson, we went back into the party as a car pulled up as I didn’t want anymore family members thinking I had gone insane!
‘Where have you been?’ Yatin asked examining my face for clues. ‘We just had a father and daughter moment,’ my dad interrupted and with that he whisked me onto the dance floor with my dad dragging my mum to join us.
The dancing was hilarious and unique…to say the least!
As the alcohol flowed, there was a variety of ‘Grandad dancing’ from John’s family before getting pulled into the middle of the dance floor from some of the more fiery older auntie’s from my dad’s side and some Irish gigs from my mother’s cousins.
There was laughter, there were a few happy tears and there was anger.
This anger came in the form of Geron gate crashing the party with Charlize and a very pregnant, Elisa.
It was like a movie but in slow motion. He walked through the crowd with determination and with the pair in tow. Amelia was dancing with one of my cousins and was unaware of the drama which was coming towards her, until she saw both myself and Anya try to beat them to their target…but it was too late!
The look on her face was a mixture of shock, embarrassment and pure rage.
‘GET OUT,’ she growled as the circle around her stopped talking and concentrated on the scene that was about to unfold.
Nobody spoke or moved for fear of getting caught in the crossfire, but this didn’t stop Geron’s bravery. ‘I’m not staying long. I didn’t want to create a scene but you wouldn’t answer my calls, emails or letters,’ he pleaded. But this fell on deaf ears as Amelia was reminded of the secret he kept from her when she saw how pregnant Elisa was.
‘I didn’t answer your attempts to contact me cos you’re a lying bastard, who doesn’t deserve my time or energy,’ she spat as she tried to walk away.
Whether it was the adrenalin or sheer stupidity, he grabbed her arm, tried to kiss her and with that Amelia punched him and he ended up on the floor with a bleeding nose.
The music stopped and the crowd moved away from the boxing match to show Geron on the floor. Holding his bloody nose, Charlize tried to help him and Amelia was left shaking the pain out of her fist.
As though shocked she had punched him, she just looked at him for a minute before she tried to walk away.
‘I didn’t lie to you but I couldn’t see them in so much pain every time a donor backed out,’ he confessed which stopped Amelia.
‘Well, you are the modern day Gandhi, aren’t you? But tell me this, how are you going to be able to live your life knowing your child is being raised by these lesbians and you cannot be a proper father to it?’ she screamed back.
A stunned crowd, interested to see what would happen next, listened intently.
Geron rose to his feet and stopped Elisa from answering on his behalf.
‘I won’t deny it won’t be hard but I can’t do this without you. I know it’s a lot to ask but I need you now. I can’t cope without you,’ and with that Amelia went to attack him again, only this time Renesh managed to hold her back. ‘You coped just fine when you kept this from me for months so don’t give me this sob story now! Just get out with your freak show and never contact me again!’ she screamed with tears flowing down her face and rage in her eyes.
‘Amelia I’m so sorry this has happened but it’s not Geron’s fault, we asked him not to tell anyone until we got our heads round it ourselves. We didn’t want any extra pressure on Elisa. Please don’t blame him,’ Charlize tried to defend him but this just angered Amelia more.