Page 82 of The Wonder of You

“Well, wonderful, if you want to undress,” she says looking at me again. “Then I’ll get some pink dresses ready for our next show.”

“Can I have another wine too?” Lola hands over the glass to the shop owner, who rolls her eyes and tuts, but also happily obliges.

“You’re getting tipsy, Lola, you know you do silly things when you’re tipsy!” Toni tuts disapprovingly. She has certainly turned into the role of a serious mother.

“Name one thing!” Lola smirks as if she knows the exact answer.

“Just don’t let me catch you lingering around that mansion house again. I won’t get over that one, you naughty woman!” Toni crosses her arms but I notice her serious expression has some amusement there; she pouts her lips to stop herself from laughing. Lola winks at me and leans back to gulp the wine she has just been given.

I go back into the dressing room to change, having one more glance at myself in the large mirror. It’s such a welcoming feeling to be happy in these clothes, to behappy in my own skin. The moment of admiration ends when I hear Maudie start shouting,

“Oh, they’re beautiful, can I try them all on? Renée, you have to hurry, I need to try this on!”

I get changed back into my normal clothes and look forward to the showcase of bridesmaid dresses that we’re going to get from Maudie.

Chapter 58

Three months after Phoenix’s marriage proposal, the big day is here. Although sticking to traditions was not really necessary to us, there were still a few things I wanted to do, such as Phoenix not seeing me in my dress until I walked down the aisle. So, after a morning of passion, I grab my bag and head to Toni’s cabin. She already has my dress hanging up on her cupboard door. The butterflies can’t help but flutter around in my stomach as I run my hand down it. Thinking back to the first day I met Phoenix all those years ago, and the second time after my rebirth, a strong feeling of wanting to cry comes over me. Why have we waited so long to celebrate our love?

Toni and her girls treat me like a princess getting ready. I keep seeing the light of a camera from the corner of my eye. I can’t wait to make a photo album after this. Lola applies a thin layer of makeup on me; enough mascara to make my eyes stand out a little more, a bit of powder to hide some of those tiny spots. No lipstick, though, I hate the feel of it on my lips. She ties my hair up into a messy, but stylish pony-tail, something I didn’t realise was possible to accomplish until now. Perhaps I need hair lessons from Lola. Finally, looking in the mirror, I feel good. I feel like me.

Toni and the girls leave me alone as they walk off in their black and white dresses to get ready for the big moment. I’m not alone with my thoughts for long,though. Maudie opens the door and screams as she catches sight of me.

“Renée!” Her squeal gives me a confidence boost. “You look like a fairy!”

A fairy! I like that much more than a princess.

“And so do you, my mini fairy!” I chuckle as she spins around in her own tea-length dress.

A miniature version of mine, other than the fact hers is pink.

“I really love my dress, I feel so pretty.” She smiles confidently and it makes me melt inside. What a wonderful moment.

“That makes me so happy, Maudie, youarepretty, the most beautiful girl in the world.”

Her eyes light up at my comment and she twirls around in her dress again.

A part of me feels nervous, being the centre of attention and all. Phoenix is used to standing and talking in front of crowds for the circus, but I’m not fully there yet. All eyes will be on me. It’s fine though, because my eyes will just be on Phoenix. The butterflies swim around in my stomach thinking of him waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Maudie snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Are you ready for your big day?”

I smile.

“I’ve always been ready.”

A knock makes both Maudie and I turn around to the door. Excitement takes her face as she jumps on the spot and claps.

“It’s time!” she squeals.

I open the door to Henry.

“Well, I say,” he grins. “You look beautiful, as you always do, but today…” He puts his hands in the air. He has no words, but he doesn’t need to say a thing.

“Thank you, Henry, but look at you!” He stands in his plain black suit, a very different appearance to his usual patterned one. It suits him well, though. He looks handsome even with those deadly eyes.

“We’ve still got time to run away with each other, you know?” he jokes. I laugh as Maudie steps forward and waggles her finger at him.

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