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“Max, your flight leaves at noon, today right? Please make sure to pack the yellow dress with butterflies and silver shoes I got for Luna the last time I was in New York. Our girl looks so beautiful in pastels.”
Helen puts Max on speakerphone and paces in their London apartment biting her newly painted red nails. She finally sits in a chair to finish putting on her brown booties. Since she’ll be on her feet wedding planning all day and then shopping for her own wedding dress, she wants to be comfortable.
“Yes, ma’am. Luna and I will be in London today at 7pm…Sharpe.” Max pauses. “Get it?” He chuckles like he’s proud of his joke.
“You are a right goof, Max Goodwin.” Helen holds her stomach and lets out an airy laugh. She touches her warm cheeks and shakes her head with a smile reveling in the fact that simply hearing Max’s laugh on the telephone makes her feel giddy.
“And you’ll always love me for it?” Max asks in the soft and quiet voice she loves.
“I will always love you for it.” Helen says contently.
“Phew! And I will always love you, Helen Sharpe.” Max sighs deeply. “I just can’t wait to see you, and… to finally become your husband!”
Helen clears her throat to settle the lump that is beginning to form there. Just the thought of their impending nuptials has been making her emotional all week. She already cried three times, and each time, she called Lyn or Max to convince her that it was normal to be nervous. Now the lump is forming because she misses Max, and she is only slightly annoyed that he isn’t here to help her.
“I can’t wait to become your wife! I just wish…that you were here. I know you’re on board with the castle idea which is a relief, but there is still the cake, the flowers, my dress! Not that you should be there for that last one anyway.” Helen looks outside just as a cloud starts to gather in the sky. She hopes that rain will not fall today, and that London will be kind to her and Max.
“I know, baby. I want nothing more than to be there with you right now, so you are going to FaceTime me whenever you have a question, and whenever the cashier needs my credit card. I completely trust your judgment. And…I have a few surprises that’ll make your day as bloody magnificent as you are.” Max says the last part in a sing-songy voice.
Helen picks up her phone and cradles it to her ear smiling because Max used the phrase he’d called her after the snowstorm that fell the first year they worked together. Helen closes her eyes to let the feelings and memory wash over her. Max had said that right before Helen tried to address their unspoken “vibe” by firmly telling him that he needed to choose. And now… he was choosing. They were both finally getting to choose each other, unabashedly. Just thinking about how she will never need to triage their love for each other again, makes Helen want to pinch herself then cry until she runs out of tears.
“My love…what surprise could be better than you?” Helen asks in the soft and sweet tone of voice that Max usually reserves for her.
“Helen Sharpe…now I’m blushing in the middle of a tuxedo shop.”
“That was the goal.” Helen whirls triumphantly then sighs. “But really, Max? My mum isn’t available until later today when I’ve reserved some dresses to try on, and Mina is finishing up her finals. I’m going to be alone for the most part. You know what, Max? I might as well find some time to get legless today.”
“Legless? Alone? That is unacceptable. Helen, please keep your legs on, or you won’t be able to answer the doorbell when it rings in a few seconds.”
“Max…how do you know the doorbell will–” Helen stops when she hears the familiar ring. “What have you planned for me, you cheeky man?” Helen puts Max on speaker again, and stands up quickly rushing to the door still holding the phone.
“Please cover the peephole before you open it.” Max instructs. Helen rolls her eyes, but she takes a deep breath and obliges. Helen turns the door handle and sees Lyn and Mina standing in the doorway. Her eyes widen in shock, and she drops the phone on the counter while screaming excitedly which makes Lyn and Mina start screaming excitedly.
“Helen, I take those as excited screams, right? Helen?” Max asks from the speakerphone.
“Max, I love you so much!” Helen shouts in the direction of her phone as Lyn and Mina huddle around either side of her. “And I love you both so much!” Mina and Lyn take turns giving Helen hugs, but they are soon in one big group hug.
“We wouldn’t miss this, girl! Your man flew me and baby Malvo out to London because this is a very big deal, and we are your family.” Lyn takes Helen’s hand in hers and smiles so big. Lyn already has tears in her eyes which makes Helen start to tear up.
“And you missy,” Helen says, turning to Mina. “I thought you had exams all day.”
“I finished my last one this morning since my anthropology and calculus professors let me take their finals yesterday when I told them my Ameh Joon was getting married!”
Helen shakes her head in disbelief knowing that nothing could get the smile off her face.
“Hi Lyn and Mina.” Max’s voice enters the room again cutting through their reunion. “Thanks for coming on such short notice. Please be an amazing planning group for the love of my life today…hello? It’s gone quiet there. What’s happening now?”
Mina picks up Helen’s phone now and switches the call to FaceTime, so Max can see how Helen and Lyn are still embracing and speaking to each other quickly and joyfully as Helen kisses Lyn’s belly, links arms with her friend then leads her to the couch. Mina turns the camera back to herself.
“Everyone's fine. We are just catching up, Amoo. But this is a lovely surprise for my Ameh Joon. Thank you for making her so happy.” Mina casually hands the phone back to Helen and sits in an armchair.
Helen just blinks rapidly in Mina’s direction because she can not believe Mina just called Max her uncle. She looks at the phone screen to see Max’s shocked expression, and she lifts a finger to her mouth and then to the screen, but it covers Max’s whole head instead of just his lips.
“Come here, Mina.” Helen wipes away the tears she didn't know were falling, and gestures for Mina to join them on the couch. Mina sits between Helen and Lyn as Helen plants kisses on both of her niece’s cheeks which makes Mina laugh.
“Um…Helen. Does “Amoo” mean… what I think it might?” Max asks tentatively, but Helen can hear the slight shake in his voice.
“Yes, dear. ‘Amoo’ means…uncle.” Max looks a bit teary-eyed on the phone screen, and Lyn gives him a thumbs up and he gives her a smile and nod.
“Guys, please don’t make it weird.” Mina makes a face but then laughs, so they all do.
“Well, how do you say “cousin” in Farsi? Since that is what my baby will be calling Luna and Mina.” Lyn asks, putting her hands on her hips.
“This is one of the best days of my life,” is all Helen can manage to say between hiccups.
***
“Ameh Joon, we’ve been here for almost two hours. Are you waiting for your mother to get here before trying on your favorite dresses?”
“Yes, Mina.” Helen is standing on a black fitting platform and looking into one of the large mirrors that line the room. She tugs the collar on the wedding dress she has on knowing full well that it isn’t the dress for her. Helen takes a long swig of her champagne and signals for the bridal attendant, Nakia, to bring out another bottle.
“Wait…she knows I’m here too, right?” Mina suddenly gets up and starts pacing around the small fitting room specifically reserved for private bridal entourages.
“Of course, Mum knows you’re here. We’ve actually had a few breakthroughs lately, so I think she will at least behave… cordially.”
“And I’m not afraid to kindly ask Mama Sharpe to leave if she doesn’t play nice.” Lyn pipes up from her seat in the purple loveseat in the middle of the dressing room.
Helen and Mina smile at Lyn gratefully.
When Serwa finally arrives, she is carrying two bouquets of roses.
“I am sorry to be so late, daughter. Dance class ran over today, but these are for you.” Helen steps off the platform to take the flowers and hug her mother.
Lyn lets out a huffing noise and rolls her eyes, and Helen gives Lyn a panicked look. Lyn shakes her head and nods in understanding. Wordlessly agreeing to keep it cute with Mama Serwa unless she is given a reason not to. Helen blows Lyn a kiss behind Serwa’s turned back, and Mina snickers to herself.
“And for you.” Serwa hands the smaller bouquet to Mina.
“Thank you, Mādar Bozorg.”
Serwa knows a bit of Farsi, so she winces when Mina calls her “grandmother”. Still slightly uncomfortable with the whole thing.
Lyn gestures for Mina to come and sit by her on the couch, and she puts a protective arm around her as Helen introduces Lyn to her mother. Both women give polite nods.
“It’s nice to meet you Lyn, and your little one as well.” Serwa gestures to Lyn’s stomach and smiles.
Helen looks away uncomfortably then clears her throat.
“Thank you, Ms. Sharpe.” Lyn says. “We’re just glad you were able to make it. Helen has been waiting for you to get here, so she could try on the dresses she likes the most.”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear you waited for me Helen.” Serwa sighs quietly to herself unsure if they will ever get their relationship to where it needs to be. But she still wants to try. “I mean, I appreciate that you waited for me, daughter. Your heart is so pure. Max is very lucky to be marrying such an esteemed woman…I know this will be a blessed union.”
Helen raises her eyebrows a bit stunned to hear the words, and looks to Lyn then Mina and finally at her mother. Helen reaches out to hug Serwa again, so this time when Lyn smiles at Helen’s mother it reaches her eyes.
“Th-thank you, Mum. I really needed to hear those words.” Helen starts to cry again, and Lyn gets up to pat her friend’s back as Mina flags the dress shop owner down for some water and tissues.
After Helen composes herself, she stands up and pushes back her shoulders.
“Okay, now that all my lovely ladies are here. Is everyone ready to see what may be… my favorite dress?” Helen scrunches her nose up nervously and bites one of her nails.
Everyone in the room nods in anticipation.
Helen continues, “I mean, I’m not sure if it’s ‘the dress’ but when I saw it on the hanger a few weeks ago I just felt… a surge of energy and excitement. I don’t know if that makes sense.” Helen puts her hands over her mouth and giggles slightly.
“Ameh Joon, if you feel something then that means something. That’s what you said to me last year when we went dress shopping for me. And surprisingly, that turned out to be the start of your romance with Max. So I believe this is a good sign. I will even stand outside the door and take the dress back if you start to second guess, so no one has to see. Easy.”
“Mina, my girl. Everyday I am more thankful for you.” Mina takes Helen’s hand and leans her head onto her shoulder. Serwa takes a seat on the couch next to Lyn, and gives a sad smile.
“Girl, I love you. But we’ve got to keep on time. I want to be here for the big dress moment before my bladder holds me captive again. And the castle venue will be closing in an hour, and you and Max still need to sign the papers. Well, Max will need to e-sign them.” Lyn says looking through the small wedding planner Helen gave her earlier today.
“Oh, you’re right Lyn! I’m so glad you’re here because I swear I feel like I’m moving underwater right now. I’ll be right back!” Helen rushes back to the changing room with Mina close behind her.
***
When Helen comes out of the dressing room, all the women in the room stop to gasp and stare. Even Nakia stops putting away items to marvel at Helen.
Helen is dressed in an off the shoulder satin gown that hugs her curves in the right places and shows off her gorgeous brown skin. Helen whirls around a few times to fan out the full skirt of the gown, and she examines herself in the mirror from different angles. She has a big smile on her face as she looks at her party though none of them has said anything yet.
“I take it you love the dress as much as I do. I honestly think I’m out of tears!” Helen laughs and twirls again. “I feel so beautiful… just like a princess.” Helen’s voice catches on the last word, and she squeezes herself tightly.
“You have always been beautiful, Helen.” Serwa says getting up slowly. She wipes away one of her tears, and stands up to further examine Helen’s dress. She cups Helen under the chin.
“Thank you, Mum. I’m in love with this dress. This is the one!” She shouts.
Mina has been recording a video of Helen since she walked out of the dressing room, and now she puts it down to go to her aunt’s side.
Mina whistles when she sees Helen up close. “Max is going to pass out when he sees you, Ameh Joon. I hope the photographer gets that shot.”
“Mina is not lying, Helen. We better make sure Max eats his “Wheaties” on your wedding day because you are a sight. And your ass in that dress? Girl, you picked the right one for real.” Lyn laughs so hard that she holds onto her stomach, and Mina holds Lyn’s other arm to keep her steady.
“Right, Lyn? I love how it makes my arse look too, so ready for Max to see me in this dress.” Helen says dreamily. “And thank you, all. For being here.”
Mina and Lyn just hold each other and smile at Helen. While Serwa takes out two objects from her purse. One is a turquoise beaded necklace, and the other is a thin silver headpiece.
“I know I told you that your father and I did not make much of our wedding, but I did wear this necklace that my mother gave me. And…your father gave me this headpiece to wear. I took off the jewelry as soon as we took one photo and signed the license. But… I know your baba would have wanted you to have them on your wedding day. If you like them.”
Serwa hands Helen the items along with a small photo of her and Helen’s father next to a judge. Helen looks closely at the photo and sees that her mother was indeed wearing both pieces of jewelry and a plain white dress suit. Her father wore a white button up shirt with a red velvet vest and black slacks. Her brows knit in frustration, and she feels a pain she cannot fully name looking at the photo. The new information makes her both happy and sad.
Mina moves closer to Helen to look at the picture. She looks at Helen with tears in her eyes that reflect Helen’s.
“Ameh Joon, I didn’t know how much Baba Bozorg looked like my own Baba when he was younger.” Mina leans her head on Helen’s shoulder again and sighs. Helen pulls Mina closer to her and sighs as well. And Serwa comes to hug Mina as well which takes her by surprise. Soon she relaxes into the hug, and they all take a deep breath. Then Helen extends an arm to Lyn who links arms with her again.
“Mum, these are the best gifts you could have given me. I would be honored to wear them when I marry the love of my life.”