Tough Love (Completed)

Chapter - 17

Beth

"The new designs are brilliant.", Caitlin says excitedly at the other end of the phone.

"You liked it. I thought it's quite risque for a wedding dress", I tell her. After I sold the design house to Caitlin, she decided to diversify and added a wedding dress line to the current party wear line. When it came to wedding dresses, I am narrow-minded and kept coming up with the same old designs while Caitlin wanted something elegant and different. So after struggling for weeks, I sent her a few designs yesterday and from the excitement in her voice, it's clear they are a hit.

"Are you kidding? Women fancy designs like this. It's wicked", she assures me. " And speaking of weddings, it's only a few more weeks. Are you scared, excited, nervous, crazy?", she asks thrilled.

"Ah... It's been hectic. There is so much to take care of", I grumble. Its been six months since Dean and I got engaged. We fixed a date 7 months later which according to Dean was too long yet there is not enough time to arrange everything. Even though it's not a big wedding only about 100 people or so, I am overwhelmed by all the preparation that needs to be done. Dean helps me out from time to time but he is of no use when choosing flowers or the invitation. The man cannot say the difference between roses and peonies if his life depends on it. So naturally, I am doing all the work, making me go Bridezilla over every detail. 

"I am sorry if I am adding to your stress', Caitlin says guiltily.

"Not at all. I bit off more than what I can chew. I should have hired a wedding planner as Dean suggested. I wanted to do everything and I am not getting anything done.", I explain while trying to sort out my desk as I speak to her.

"You can check the wedding dress off your checklist. Its ready and its 'Amazeballs' like you Americans say it"

"Oh My God! Send me a pic", I say excitedly.

"Already done. Check your email"

I rush around the desk and open my mail. 

"Oh My God. It's beautiful. I am going to cry", I say fanning my face trying not to cry of joy.

"It's your design", Caitlin coos.

The white lace dress has a sweetheart neckline that will show off my shoulders. The back is transparent with intricate beadwork done on net fabric. It flares down the waist and ends in a long court tail. Everything looks exactly like my stretches and the beadwork looks beautiful. 

"Oh, Shit! What if I have gained weight and the dress doesn't fit. What will I do then? I can't have a wedding without a wedding dress. Maybe I should fly down there", I start panicking.

"Ann. Annie... Bethany... Take a minute... Breath... You don't gain weight easily. Unless you eat the food of two people you will be the same. In any case, Prince and I are flying down there two weeks before the wedding and there will be enough time to get everything fixed.", she talks some sense to me and I calm down.

"Sorry. I am... tensed.", I say taking a couple of deep breaths. She laughs,

"No kidding... Take it, easy darling... I don't see you getting married one more time, so hire a wedding planner, take it easy on yourself and enjoy the ride."

"You are right... I should at the least get an assistant", I say and see Dean come in through the connecting door pushing in a food trolley with two plates each with a serving of lasagna and a glass of white wine. 

"Do that. I am going to Bedfordshire. Cheers. Talk to you tomorrow", Caitlin says and ends the call.

"You are my saviour. I don't know what I will do without you", I say to Dean. I throw my arms around his shoulders and get on my toes to kiss him. His hands circle my waist plastering my body to his while he kisses me until I lose my breath. Then, he pulls away but cups my cheeks and gives a quick peck before setting up the coffee table near the floor to ceiling window.