My mom shook her head, and she seemed prepared to speak, but Mariella beat her to it.
"I got married to Frantz's father at the age of seventeen. I didn't love him then. Barely knew him. My parents were farmers. His parents ran the town. When we met, he made it known that he wanted to have me as his wife. When we first married, I was petrified of him. He wasn't a cruel man, he never laid a hand on me, but he was arrogant, proud. He knew what he wanted, and he didn't mince his words. I had to improvise as I went, until one day, I took a chance to really look at him, and that's when it happened, I began falling for him. My point Liliana, there is no rulebook to being the perfect wife. And here, you have an advantage.
You've already matured as a young woman, and you have a strong mind.
You already know Frantz like the back of your hand. You love him. That love that you feel for him, you have to bring that into your marriage. It's hard work, there will be good days and bad days, but your love is what will make the marriage work. Everything else will fall into place as it should." Mariella advised, and I breathed slowly, as I shook my head, and blinked my tears away, my heart slowing down just slightly.
"And do you know what I really love about you Liliana?" Mariella asked, and I shook my head as I admitted softly, "No."
"I love that you bring God in the middle of everything you do. After our family lost Franco, we were in a really bad place. Our divorce papers had already been drawn up, and the next thing was that my husband and I would discuss custody terms for Frantz. The day before we met with the lawyers to sign the papers, I went back to my home town, and went directly into the small church where I had grown up in. Frantz was with me. When I got there, I prayed and cried like I had never done before, and I didn't open my eyes until the man I fell in love with lifted my chin from the ground, and dried my tears. Do you know what he said to me?
With teary eyes, he said, 'I knew I would find you here. This is where I first saw you and knew I wanted to be with you, and here I was reminded of the promise I made you on that altar! Point is Lili, you keep your faith, and you keep it strong. It'll come in handy." Mariella spoke, as she held my hands, and tapped her palm over my hand.
I sniffled and giggled as I looked down, and my mom rubbed my back.
"I will." I nodded softly, and Mariella smiled while saying, "now how about we go in there, and see if the cakes and thin crust pizzas have really made a difference."
With a soft chuckle from each of us, we exited the car, and entered the shop.
The dress I chose was an A-Line, off shoulder straps, with a sweetheart neckline. The off white material was covered with white lace appliques, and a cathedral veil which also served as a train. My shoes were Ivory heels, with similar lace patterns on my ankle strap and because they wouldn't be visible, I chose moderate height heels, something comfortable. Something I could clearly avoid breaking my neck in. I mean who wanted to break their neck on their wedding day because of high heels? Certainly not me.
When I entered the fitting room, and one of the staff members helped me into the dress, I could barely breathe. I felt lightheaded as the zipper began gliding upwards along my right ribcage. I was so afraid that the dress wouldn't fit, I had not realized that the door was open for me to walk out and show my moms the final result. When I stepped out of the dressing room, my mom's face had me ready to burst into tears.
"Oh my," Mariella whispered, as she placed her hand against her flushed cheek, meanwhile my mom's eyes were wet with tears.
"Mom?" I called out with a groggy voice, before I gulped nervously, waiting for her approval.
"You make such a beautiful bride, my, you're going to stun the crowd.
Oh my darling, you look absolutely stunning." She complimented, and I sighed in relief, though my stomach could only expand that far, given that breathing room was now really limited, thanks to the cakes and thin crust pizzas.
After that tearful and emotional trip to the shop, I dropped my moms off, and then met up with Chamille, who requested that I meet with her at the mall. Except she wouldn't tell me why we were there. I embraced her in greeting as she sighed and said, "alright come on." Then she hooked our elbows together, and began leading me into the mall.
"What are we doing here?" | chuckled, and Chamille replied casually,
"well, as maid of honor, your mom has assigned me to one specific job she felt was more suitable for our relationship. We're going to pick out the lingerie you're going to wear in order to have Frantz lose all his common sense." At Chamille's words, my mouth ran dry, as I blinked quickly.
I was so caught up with the wedding, I didn't even think of what would come after. The honeymoon.
"Oh, uh uh, nope," Chamille began shaking her head upon noticing my face which had drained of blood and suddenly felt really cold, "don't even get that weird look on your face as if you didn't think this would happen. Now we're gonna go in there, and you're going to pick something that will have Frantz drooling in seconds."
"But- But-"
"Ah, no buts." Chamille cut me off, just as she dragged me into a Victoria's Secret store. At least she went to a place I was familiar with.
"Now, what do you usually buy from this store?" Chamille asked me, as we entered he dimly lit space, with various bra and panty displays, along with overpriced perfume and cosmetics.
"Boy shorts and T-shirt bras," I admitted proudly just as one of the perky associates approached us with a smile on her matte burgundy painted lips.
"Hello, welcome to Victoria's Secret, my name is Sasha, are you ladies looking for anything in particular this afternoon?" Sasha greeted, and before I could speak, Chamille spoke up, "yes, my dear friend here is getting married in a few days, and she is in desperate need of a thong."
My jaw hit the floor.
Sasha did not appear fazed, instead she smiled and said, "Ah I see, I think I know exactly what you're looking for."
"Oh it doesn't have to actually be a thong, I'm perfectly fine with a pair of boy shorts." I cut in quickly, and Chamille added, "just make sure it's something naughty enough." And I shook my head. You just had to love Chamille.
"Right this way." Sasha smiled at our exchange before leading us past a few displays, until we reached an area with a few rather revealing sets of underwear.
"So we have this style," Sasha explained, as she pointed to a mannequin wearing a black and red singlet with lace details, ending just above the mannequin's upper thigh. The sheer fringe details added to the flow of movement, but was thin enough that anyone's skin and belly button would show. The sweetheart neckline along with the pinned fashion just below the chest, accentuated the breasts, with a full on cleavage of the mannequin's boobs. The sheer material revealed the lacy boy shorts underneath. As my eyes ran over the material design of the set, I felt my face heat up at the thought of Frantz admiring me in this piece. Heck I was admiring the mannequin in this set of clothing.
"So what do you think?" Chamille asked me, and I couldn't even speak. I liked it, it was the least revealing lingerie set in the room, but my cheeks were on fire at the thought of my being in such a revealing piece.
"We'll take it." Chamille turned to Sasha when I failed to give a
response.
Chamille went around the store, and picked up a set of perfume and lotion which she advised that I wear with the lingerie. I listened to her instructions blindly. Like holy cow... I was about to do the deed with Frantz in a few days. That was big.
After we purchased all the items Chamille swore would help me be ready for my first night with Frantz, we decided to stop for a quick bite before heading home.
While we sat in the restaurant, a nicely lit cozy restaurant, there had been a question weighing on my mind since I came to the realization that soon I would be sleeping with Frantz, and before I knew it, my lips blurted out, "how was it for you?" then my cheeks flushed darker than the red wine in my glass.
"How was what?" Chamille asked me, as she sipped on her drink, while we waited for our entrees. And I looked away for a moment, my fingers working against each other nervously, my palms sweaty and moist as I said quietly, "you know... your first time with a man." I almost whispered, then I suddenly wanted to sink into the dark brown cushion of the booth we were currently seated in. I probably shouldn't have asked that question.
"Ooh," Chamille said, her eyes widening as she realized what I was talking about, then she smiled as if my question did not bother her as she shrugged and prepared to reply.
"Well, ladmit, it was a little uncomfortable at first. I had heard that it would be a super painful experience, and my first time I was completely freaking out. His name was Dallas. He was my first boyfriend. We dated from senior year of high school, to my junior year in college. He had become my best friend, I trusted him enough to take the next step with him. He was a bit inexperienced himself. We kissed, we tried to get in the mood, we played around a little before he actually you know, put it in. It was uncomfortable, I admit that, at some point there was a bit of resistance, but I refused to let him just jab himself into me like some random horny caveman. It was a process, so we'll leave it at that." Chamille said, giving me the PG-13 version, and I was now even more lost than before. but grateful that my ears had been spared.
Chamille noted my quiet nature, and she smiled as she said, "hey, it's okay to be nervous. I was nervous too before my wedding. I mean who isn't? But take comfort in the thought that you will be married to a man who loves and cares for you. I've seen the way Frantz looks at you Lili, and I know he's going to take care of you. So just try to relax, and don't let the wedding jitters get to you. You're going to be fine." Chamille reached across the table, and tapped my hand in a comforting manner, and I sighed and smiled softly.
My wedding to Frantz Cavalier was only a few days away, and I was going to be okay.