Lessons in Love (19 page)

Emily tried to relax, sinking down onto the recently purchased lounge suite. It really was beautiful, and smelled enticingly of new leather. ‘At least it’s comfortable,’ she muttered to herself, trying to force her mind away from the inevitable confrontation.

Nicholas smiled at her as he seated himself across from her, placing their glasses down on the coffee table between them. Emily raised her eyebrows at the drink.

‘It’s to help you unwind,’ he said with a grin. ‘Just a small sample of some sweet wine I picked up just for you.’ Emily took a sip, relaxing almost immediately as a pleasant warmth spread through her.

‘I really shouldn’t be drinking this,’ she reminded him. He shrugged a shoulder.

‘One tiny drink won’t hurt, and it’s very low in alcohol.’ Emily wasn’t entirely sure and decided to pace herself.

They chatted for awhile and Emily had almost started to calm down, when the distinct sound of a car pulling into the driveway could be heard, and Emily’s heart flew back into her mouth.

‘Relax!’ Nicholas said, grinning at her. He looked as if he was enjoying himself, and Emily resisted the urge to slap the expression off his face.

‘I’m trying,’ she insisted, her heart thumping fit to burst, and her hands sweating with nervous anticipation. Nicholas gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before walking over to the front door. She could picture them now: Mrs Cavanaugh, tall and regal in bearing, wearing a designer outfit by Chanel or someone else of that ilk, her hair perfectly coiffed, and makeup professionally done. Mr Cavanaugh Senior would be tall and distinguished like his son, with an imperious bearing which would leave Emily feeling less significant than a mouse.

The doorbell rang, and Emily braced herself as best as she could, walking forward to join Nicholas at the door. He turned the handle and Emily prepared herself for the worst, but was left staring at the pair dumbfounded when they entered the room.

‘Mum. Dad. I’m honoured to present to you my fiancée, Emily Peterson.’ Emily stepped forward, and was immediately thrust against a pillowed bosom which smelled suspiciously of lavender.

‘It’s wonderful to meet you, love. Nicky’s told us so much about you.’ And with a big kiss on the cheek, Mrs Cavanaugh pulled back. Emily was left staring at a short, dumpy farmwife, with a bright smile and merry blue eyes. Nicholas’s father, standing quietly behind his wife, was as tall as his wife was short, and although clearly the more reserved of the pair, greeted Emily just as warmly. As his wife, he was nothing like Emily had imagined.

‘They’re not what you expected are they?’ Nicholas whispered with a naughty grin. Emily laughed, shaking her head.

‘It’s
so
good to meet you at last,’ she said fervently, and every word was true. From the instant they’d entered the room, Emily had felt at ease.

‘See, that wasn’t so bad at all was it?’ Nicholas said as he and Emily went into the kitchen to prepare drinks for their guests.

‘Nicholas!’ she exclaimed, and slapped him teasingly on the arm. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about them? You must have known what I’d think.’

‘I do remember telling you I grew up in the country, remember?’ he teased her. She smiled at him, fully relaxed now. ‘I didn’t want to tell you every detail of my background,’ he explained. ‘I wanted you to find out for yourself. It seems to me that you’ve always considered me to be above you somehow, because I’m successful and wealthy, but my roots are no more affluent than your own. I’ve got where I am today by sheer hard work and determination. My parents are good people, but even they’ve never completely understood what drives me. Neither have I, for that matter. But I always knew they’d love you. From the instant I met you, I thought to myself, “now that’s a girl I could take home to Mum and Dad!” and it’s true. They always worried I’d marry some haughty socialite and be miserable for the rest of my days.’ Emily laughed.

‘That’s exactly how I pictured your mother! Can you imagine how frightened I was, knowing full and well that socialite I am not?’ Nicholas laughed again.

‘Go in there and sit down. They’ll want to know everything about you. I’ll finish up here.’

‘They do know about the baby don’t they?’ she asked cautiously. She knew her own mother, God bless her soul, would be turning in her grave if she knew what had happened.

‘Yes, they know. And don’t worry; they haven’t judged you for it. They grew up in the country, remember? Among good, honest country folk. My older sister was born only five months after their wedding day!’ Emily laughed in relief, and joined her future in-laws in the living room.

The rest of the evening was just as pleasant, and Emily was almost sad to leave. She realised she looked forward to seeing her future in-laws again, and was glad she’d finally met them. It would be nice to belong to a loving family again.

Now as long as Nicholas liked her friends as much as Emily liked his parents, everything would be perfect, she reflected.

The next Saturday evening Emily arranged a double date for her and Nicholas and Sonya and Andrew. She was anxious for her best friends to meet her fiancé, and even more anxious for them all to like each other.

Fortunately, the dinner had an auspicious beginning as Nicholas saw a kindred spirit in Andrew, a fellow businessman, and was warm and friendly to Sonya, who also seemed to take to him.

‘Where do you work?’ Nicholas asked Andrew, sounding genuinely interested.

‘At Raymond Brothers.’

‘Ahh,’ Nicholas said, nodding. ‘I know the firm well. I attended university with Peter Raymond. He’s a good bloke, I like him a lot.’ Andrew smiled and nodded, glad they had a mutual acquaintance, and their conversation flowed naturally from there, while all Sonya could talk about were preparations for Emily’s upcoming wedding.

The evening ended on a pleasant note for all involved, and Emily could almost imagine that her wedding was something real, that she and Nicholas shared a loving relationship, and that it was not merely a wedding of practicality for the both of them.

The next weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Not only did Emily have a wedding to prepare for, but she also had exams to study for, and more than ever now, she wanted to do well.

Her impending marriage to Nicholas made her feel increasingly distant from her fellow students, however, and she dreaded his classes. But time marched inexorably forward, until she realised there were only a few more of those business economics classes left.

Mark had been more than surprised to hear of Emily’s forthcoming marriage, and even more surprised about the baby. She hadn’t gone into details with him, but she could only imagine what he must have thought! But, as always, Mark was her strongest supporter, and Lisa was there to stand by her side and give her all the help she needed.

With Sonya’s assistance, the wedding preparations took place. They’d found a lovely guest house just twenty minutes out of Ballarat which catered for weddings, with a beautiful, rustic hall where the ceremony could take place, and delightful formal gardens outside for the pictures.

‘Now, Emily,’ Sonya announced one morning over the phone, ‘you’ve arranged the wedding location, the reception, done the invitations – but you don’t have a dress!’ Emily sighed.

‘Honestly, I’ve been a bit worried that if I pick the dress too early, it’ll be…ah…a little too tight before the big day.’ Sonya laughed merrily.

‘Oh Emily, you won’t be that far advanced in your pregnancy, and if you mention the situation to whoever outfits you, I’m sure she’ll understand.’ Emily was aghast.

‘I couldn’t do that, Sonya!’ she exclaimed.

‘Why not?’

‘Well, how would it look?’ Sonya sighed.

‘Emily, thousands and thousands of women throughout the ages have become married while pregnant. In our parents’ generation, they kept it all hush hush, but according to my mother it wasn’t all that uncommon for a child to be born less than nine months after its parents’ marriage.’

‘Maybe. But, you know…’ her voice trailed off. She’d been brought up to always do the right thing, make the right choices. She knew how horrified her mother would have been to know that her eldest daughter – sensible Emily – was getting married because she’d fallen pregnant out of wedlock. Perhaps it was old fashioned for a twenty-four year old woman living in the twenty-first century to feel this way, but she did.

She and Sonya arranged a Saturday morning shopping spree to buy their dresses. Sonya was to be her matron of honour, while Veronica would be her bridesmaid, and so that Steven wasn’t left out, Nicholas had appointed him as junior groomsman, and while he complained about having to dress in a suit and tie, Emily knew he was secretly pleased to be included.

‘How many shops are you planning on searching?’ Veronica moaned in complaint as they left the third bridal shop they’d browsed through. Sonya raised her eyebrows.

‘Aren’t you having fun, Verri? I thought you were excited.’

‘I was. At the first shop. There have been heaps of beautiful dresses! I loved the burgundy bridesmaid dress we saw at that last shop. Haven’t you liked anything Emily?’ Emily laughed, and put her arm around her younger sister’s shoulders.

‘We’re just getting an idea of what’s available. At least, that’s what Sonya’s told me we have to do.’ She laughed at her friend, and Sonya stuck her tongue out.

‘I only want to find the best wedding gown for my dearest friend, and this is the thanks I get?’ She pouted. Emily laughed.

‘If we can’t find anything better in the next shop, we’ll go back to the last one. I quite liked a couple of the dresses there, although the prices were a little daunting.’

‘Rubbish! That’s why you’re marrying a rich man. You can pay for the dress on your Visa and after you’re married, he can pay it off.’ Emily laughed and shook her head.

They reached the fourth, and hopefully final, bridal wear shop, and Emily was immediately entranced by one of the dresses displayed in the window.

‘What do you think of that?’ she asked, immediately picturing what it would look like on her.

‘I love it,’ said Sonya, and Veronica nodded vigorously.

‘Now go and try it on for goodness’ sake! My feet are killing me.’ The two older women laughed and entered the store.

The dress looked even more amazing on than Emily had imagined. Sonya and Veronica agreed whole-heartedly that it was by far and away the best she’d tried on, and Emily knew she had to have it.

‘Oh!’ gasped Veronica. ‘You look like a princess, Emily!’

‘You do look beautiful,’ Sonya agreed. ‘Not only is the dress stunning on you, but it’s high waisted, allowing for…hm…expansion.’ Emily looked at herself critically in the mirror. Sonya was right. Even if she expanded slightly in her mid-region, the dress would fit, and would undoubtedly disguise what she wanted hidden. She smiled in satisfaction.

‘How are you going?’ asked the shop assistant, admiring Emily as she did so. ‘It looks lovely on you. You’re the perfect model for it, with all that long wavy hair flowing down your back. Tell me you’ll wear your hair down for the ceremony!’ Emily laughed.

‘I hadn’t honestly thought about it. But you’re right, I think.’

‘That reminds me!’ Sonya said, hitting her hand against her forehead in mock frustration. ‘We haven’t even been to see a hairdresser yet! And we’ll need someone to do your makeup.’ Emily sighed, shaking her head at her friend.

‘First things first, let’s get something for you and Verri.’

‘Great!’ Veronica agreed vehemently. ‘Then we can go home!’ she said with a huge sigh, to the laughter of the other three women.

‘What did you have in mind for your attendants?’ the shop assistant queried.

‘I’ll leave it to them to decide,’ she said generously. Most of the dresses Veronica liked Emily approved of, and Sonya was one of the best dressed women Emily knew.

An hour later they left the store satisfied. Veronica had found a dark blue dress she liked even better than the one she’d seen in the previous shop, and Sonya had chosen a different-styled dress in the same colour, so they would complement each other, but wear their own individual styles. Emily sighed at the cost, but Sonya had put paid to her apprehensions and dragged her out of the store.

‘I wonder how Steven’s faring?’ Emily commented rhetorically. Nicholas had arranged for Steven and his best man to meet at a formal wear hire store, and had then promised to entertain him for the rest of the afternoon, knowing undoubtedly that it would take the women much longer to decide on their purchases.

After visiting her favourite salon and booking a pre-wedding consultation for the three of them, Emily drove them back to her house, where she’d promised to feed all six of them – Nicholas and his best man included.

‘How did it go?’ Nicholas asked as the three women entered the door, tired but satisfied after their long day.

‘I’m amazed they’re already finished!’ commented his companion, obviously James, his best man.

‘Ha! Ha!’ Emily gave a mock laugh. ‘I’ll have you know that I am a very efficient shopper, and it’s only due to the so-called help of my dearest and bestest friend Sonya that we have arrived home at such a late hour.’ Sonya shook her head and laughed.

‘I wanted only the best for your bride-to-be Nicholas, and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the result. Even Emily has to admit that the perfect dress could only be found in the fourth store we visited. Now we’re all outfitted, everything’s pretty much organised, and the big day will be perfect for the both of you.’ Nicholas smiled warmly at Sonya.