Three Weddings and a Dress by Mary Martinez Page A

only.”
    “And a few minutes before five, Cecie will be at the bank closing the account. I’ll have opened up a safe deposit box at mine, where I’ll put the cash in, minus what’s needed for the leasing company.” Skye finished the itinerary for the next day.
    “Simple.” Rae clapped her hands. “Tomorrow evening, we’ll all be on our best behavior at the rehearsal dinner. And the next day, while we stall at the church, you’ll be across town moving into your new life.”

Dear Diary;
    Rehearsal Day
    Unease ruffled over my ribbons as I watched Cecelia toss and turn. It had been like this all through the night. As if she knew something might stop her from following her real dream. I’d doze myself then her mumbling would startle my satin and I’d wake with a start.
    I met the BFFs last night when they returned from the bachelorette party. I have never been so relieved. Not that I’ve been created long enough to have experienced much. When Miss Cecelia walked through the door unharmed by her dangerous spiked shoes, my bolero expanded in relief.
    I liked Joy the best, she was very soft spoken, totally opposite of the others. Skye was a little scary. Then Cecie, as her friends called her, could also be intimidating when she put her mind to it.
    I was privy to some of the plans for today. To say I’m concerned would be an understatement. I hope everything goes as planned.
    Sorrow wrinkles my bodice when I think of all that could go wrong with their plans. Sometimes I feel as if Heidi designed me only to be frustrated with my limited communication. What good am I, if I can’t warn my bride when she’s set on a course that could spell disaster?
    My chapel train quivered knowing I wouldn’t be at the dinner to watch and protect my Cecie.
    Cecie? Yes, I now think of her as a trusted friend.
    When did I grow to care so much about this human? She isn’t my soul mate. My silk would never have the chance to wrap her body and quake in delight as the sacred words were spoken to join her with her true love.
    I love her and I want her to have the best life ever. If only…   

Chapter Five  

      Warmth cocooned her. Snuggling in deeper, Cecelia tried to recapture the dream of deep green, sexy, eyes. Her subconscious was not having any part of it. There was some reason she needed to wake.
    Something very important.
    Bolting to a sitting position, she glared at the bedside clock. The damn thing said nine. That was the time she was to meet Fanny. “Shit!”
    Startled she stared at Bella, had the dress shuddered at her swearing? No. Jeez, now she was imagining things. As she walked past the shimmering dress on her way to the bathroom, she swore it subtly turned following her as if the beads were a million eyes.
    Sometimes Bella was too real, and it was a bit creepy.
    Cecelia loved that dress. Could she take the dress with her? Maybe she could keep the beautiful garment for when her day did come.
    The thought of the gown yellowing in a closet until she was ready to settle down made her too sad. On impulse, she pivoted on her heel to return to Bella. She laid a hand on the edge of the lace on the bolero.
    No. She did not feel the material jolt.
    Nerves, that’s what it had to be.
    She swallowed, still a little weirded out. “Bella, something about you is magical and I really do promise to have Carla send you back to Heidi’s. Okay?”
    As she continued on her way to the bathroom, she glanced over her shoulder. Did Bella just say ‘okay’?
    After her shower, the cobwebs cleared from her mind. She realized it must have been the leftover effects of the several shots she’d consumed the night before.
    Make a note to self to remember that in the future.
    Before she could meet Fanny, she had to figure out where to stow her bags. After all, she was leaving on her honeymoon. Her parents wouldn’t think anything when they saw her bags. Her furniture would have to stay behind. Later after the dust settled she hoped to be