* * *
"Good morning!" Shanna cheerfully greeted Vivian as she came from her and Jake's room.
"Morning to you." She smiled making her way into the bathroom, yawning, feeling sleepy as if she could easily do a couple more hours of it. Once again, the night was spent with Jake making love to her, twice. A couple of hours in between the two times. It had been as slow, and quiet as they could be, but there was a point when silence was just not possible. She tried hard not to think about those times, hoping that Shanna and Royce slept through it, or were too busy themselves to notice. Both men were gone for the day, leaving them to get on with theirs.
"Hope you're hungry?! I have the most amazingly beautiful strawberries ever! Fresh and bursting with flavor, a honey dew melon, cantaloupe and blueberries - and the best yogurt I have ever experienced. Royce told me about it, we picked up two quarts of it, it's Greek yogurt, and it is to die for. Nothing starts your day like beautiful fruit and yogurt. I've fixed me a big bowl of it and you as well!" Shanna called loudly to make sure Vivian heard her.
"Thanks, I'm sure I'll enjoy it!" Vivian called back from the bathroom.
"Isn't this wonderful? Just as I dreamed it would be. You and Jake living here; oh I know it's temporary, until he finishes the house, but still! You're here, I can't believe it. So you know what we need to get busy with don't you? Your wedding! August will be here before you know it!"
Vivian came out of the bathroom smiling, still looking sleepy.
Shanna peered at her a few moments, "Think you're pregnant yet?"
Vivian stopped by the counter, mouth fell open, then closed it with a sigh, "So he's told you?" She asked resuming her way to the table, at the setting and incredible full bowl of colorful fruit and yogurt set out for her, she took her seat.
"Are you kidding? Last night, after you'd gone to bed, he looked at Royce, then at me, gave us the most lecherous grin and said, "Since we're working on a baby, I have to be up early, so uh, goodnight! And, cover your ears."
Vivian sat back in the chair, closing her eyes, shaking her head, "You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Give me time, I'm getting there." She opened her eyes to see the cutest expression on Shanna's face as she sat grinning at her.
"Well eat up! Gotta keep you healthy and fertile! And, start making plans for your wedding!"
Vivian smiled, "Yes, the wedding..." she scooped up a heaping of the fruit with the yogurt, "...where should we begin." Then popped it into her mouth. The pleasure went all through her as her moan and closing eyes testified to.
Smiling, Shanna joined her, "I'm thinking, your gown. That should come first, so we can get that out of the way. Sylvia was married in my mother's gown, what do you think?"
"Hmmm? I always dreamed of shopping for my gown should I ever marry, I still want to."
"Sounds like a trip to Madison! How much you wantin' to spend?"
Vivian thought about that, and the fact that she was no longer employed; and the fact that there was no way her father would observe the tradition and pay for it, not even half. He would look at her as if she'd lost her mind. This meant that the cost was primarily on Jake. She had money in the bank in Chicago, money that she'd saved and even in the face of getting married, she wasn't going to touch it; that money was her parachute to safety money, just in case. And while she shouldn't be thinking along those lines, the realities of life forced her to act accordingly and leave the money in place, safe. She sat quiet a moment, thinking, eating her fruit and yogurt, she glanced up at Shanna, "I think I'm gonna have to talk that over with Jake. Can we work on something else?"
"Sure can, invitations! The earlier they go out, the better. We need to start your list, and we need to determine what type of invitations? Computer made and printed out by us? Or special ordered? Before you decide, I want to show you what I can do, I think you'll be impressed; if not, I know where we can go for something that will impress you, that is - if I'm unable to."
"You did this for Sylvia?"
"Sure did."
"Which did she go with?"
"She completely trusted me with it, yep, I did them. Well you got an invite-..."
"Actually, Sheila got one and told me what was going on - I never really saw it."
"Okay, well, I have a book with all the invitations I've ever made, including hers. I'm slowly building a portfolio for wedding planning. I hit the arts and craft store, fill up on all the things I will need and spend a night or two just going through various styles. Let me get my invitation album out, you can look them over while we eat."
"Oooh, okay!"
Vivian flipped through the book in disbelief, "You made these? Oh my god, Shanna! These are stunning! Oh I'm definitely going with you, I love these, three in particular. I'll show Jake, let him pick one of the three. Oh this is so exciting, so uh, how much? To plan our wedding?"
"Family is free - I'm using you guys to build on my portfolio. So my charge is to be able to use it all as an advert, agreed?"
"Girl please, you know it! Use whatever you want!" Vivian laughed, "Oh god, I feel like I'm acting so cheap! This is not like me, there was a time I would have slapped a credit card on the table and said, give me the best you've got!" She sighed, smiling, "Those days are over, I have to start thinking reasonably - on a budget."
"Hey, I beg your pardon! I have every intention of giving you the best I've got! And your wedding my dear, will not appear cheap - on a budget! That I promise you."
"I'm sorry Shanna, I don't want you thinking I'm haughty or proud. It's just that I worked really hard to get where I was, and I made a promise to myself, that I would never settle for less, for any reason. I just-..." She stopped, couldn't believe she was getting so emotional - feeling tears come to her eyes.
"It's all right - I understand, you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just tripppin' - don't mind me. That's weird, I don't usually get like that." She smiled.
Shanna smiled brightly, "Uh oh, going through a hormone flux maybe? Knowing Jake, I bet you're pregnant already! Oh wouldn't that be incredible? We should go get a test right now!"
"It's too soon to tell."
"When is your period due?"
Vivian sat thinking about it, looking around the room for a calendar. She stood and walked to it, glancing back at the previous month and then back to where they were. "Today is Wednesday.... hmmm, I should be on by Tuesday."
Shanna clapped her hands, kicking her feet on the floor, "I bet he's gotcha' already! Hee-hee! How much you wanna bet? I just know it, it's a done deal already!"
"Not that fast." Vivian denied coming back to the table to finish her breakfast, "I figure it'll take at least a few months of trying before it happens. There are people who've been trying to get pregnant for years, and no such luck."
Shanna maintained her silly grin, "Em hm, well, come next Tuesday, I will be waiting for you to ask me to pass you the pads, or, the phone."
"The phone?"
"Gyne appointment."
Vivian chuckled, trying to be serious as she explained, "Stress, change of lifestyle, many things could alter my cycle and I could just be late."
"As I said, we shall see, know this, come Tuesday, I will be watching like a hawk! Oh this is so exciting! Do you feel any different? The tiniest bit different?"
Vivian sat a moment, her eyes rolling with the thought of it, focusing on whether she felt different from before, only thing that felt different, she stated, "All I think is different is that I'm more sleepy, I'm more tired. But - let's face it, it ain't like I'm getting the sleep I used to get every night, so that's the reason for that."
"Yeah, that's true." Shanna sighed in disappointment. "I guess we'll have to wait and see, in the meantime, (a) - guest list, (b) - ceremony and reception location? (c) - area hotels and accommodations for those arriving from out of town. I will make arrangements with them for group rates and discounts for those showing up for the wedding. So location is just as important as the guest list to get on right now."
"Phew, I was holding my breath, I thought you might say in Chicago."
"I thought of Chicago, but you know what, I don't want to get bogged down by the wrong people showing up there. There are certain family members, I do not want at my wedding. In truth, it will be a miracle if my mother shows up. My father will, because I can blackmail him - he wants Jake to do his basement over. In which case, he will be here to give me away."
"You don't think your mother will come?" Shanna asked in sympathy.
"Yeah, she will - my father will make sure she shows up. Even so, I need to prepare you for the fact that she doesn't like Jake, mainly because, he's white."
Shanna sat back with wide eyes, "Oh."
"Yeah, it's like that with her. But my oldest sister, will be here with bells on! She's happy for me."
"You know what, it doesn't matter. We need to get busy to make sure no one has the excuse of previous plans. Let's get the hall booked. And wedding, where?"
"Hmmm, you know, he and I haven't joined a church here yet."
"Jake already belongs to the church my family's been going to since we lived here; Shawn and Sylvia were married there."
"Shanna, I'm gonna keep all of that stuff simple, with short notice like this; I'm not gonna be stressing it. Same church. Sheila's been there before with me, I like the church and the minister there was really nice. Book us!"
"Ah, you do understand that if he marries you, he will want to speak to you two first before he will agree?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah ... he did the same with Sylvia and Shawn."
"Speak to us about what?"
"Ohhh, I think, to ask why you two are getting married? He does that with anyone he marries, so - prepare yourself. We'll call him today, let him know - this ought to be interesting to say the least."
Vivian felt butterflies in her stomach kicking up. She believed in God, always had. But she had never been a big church goer. More than likely because her mother had only gone once a month. She'd complained about the women there always eagle eying other women's business, sitting up looking at everyone walking in to see who was wearing what and coming in with who? Who was pregnant; who was cheating on who; who was an alcoholic, dope head or dealer; whose son been arrested and why; whose daughter was the local hoochie; who was materialistic and trying to keep up with the Jones; who couldn't even pay they bills but got the nerve to be driving some big ass Cadillac; whose 14 to 16 year old was pregnant now; which family, or woman thought her shit don't stink - that she was better than everyone else. Vivian sighed, the latter had been her mother. They'd gone less and less until finally, it was down to the holidays, weddings and funerals.
"You look nervous?"
"I am - wonder if Sylvia is up?"
"Why?"
"So I can ask her and Shawn about it."
"Good idea, let's go over there!"
"Yeah, she's up; they probably getting Shawn moved into that studio."
They were right, walking up the street, everyone was carrying things from the basement into his new studio, they met Mundo on the way over with parts of Shawn's drafting table and stool. "Your mom at the house, or the studio?" Vivian asked.
"Studio - telling Shawn how he should do this, or that..." He laughed, "He 'bout to kick her out already." Mundo grinned.
They followed him in and sure enough...
"Sylvia Lucinda McPherson! Do you mind if I set my business up my way please?!"
"I ain't tryin' to tell you how to set it up! I'm trying to show you how to get stuff organized - I just wanna decorate it!"
"Uh, if my memory serves me correctly, do you not have a bed and breakfast to get underway?" He reminded her, brow wrinkled, lips pressed thin, shuffling her gently aside and out of the way as they brought things in.
"Hey, I got my stuff in order, it's just waiting until all yo' folks clear out my house! You got all them kids in there! Soon as it's empty of yo'chillin' - it's gone been poppin'! Shanna and I have plans!"
"Are your brochures done?" He returned, shifting her once more out of his way, putting her to the test.
"All they need is printin' baby, with maps mind you - I wouldn't want anyone to loose their way! Next question?"
"Your menu?"
Sylvia smirked at him, "I haven't worked that one out yet."
"Well, oh ho-ho, don't let me keep you!" He gestured grandly, arms in the air.
Sylvia glanced their way, "I can't stand him!"
They both cracked up laughing. Sylvia turned back whining, "Come on Shawn let me help." She sounded so pitiful he threw her an air kiss, "No! This is my business - if I need your help, I will ask for it. That across the road is going to be your business, if you need my help, just ask me."
"I did! And you wouldn't help me!"
"Because that's your business! When it comes to the woman part of it, decorating - you're gun-ho, but when it comes to brochures and figuring out layout and design on them, you want me to do it because it bugs you if you can't get it right!"
"I got it done didn't I? And right!"
"I don't know, I haven't seen them, have I?"
"And you ain't gone see'em either!"
"Fine with me, now get on the menu and leave me to get on with my thing here!"
"Fine! Be that way!" She bluff kicked at him, looking ornery, lip poked out.
"Can't be no other way, Mrs. McPherson! Spoiled ass - don't get slapped on it, you will not always be getting your way!" Shawn bantered.
"Ugggh, if you say that one more time! Get my way? Always? You must be joking, I'd like to know exactly when I've ever gotten my way with you?" and then to them, "And uh, see how he threatened to beat me?"
Shawn laughed, refusing to take her seriously, neither did Vivian or Shanna for that matter.
"Excuse me ladies." Mundo grinned, heading out the door to get more stuff, staying out of it.
Wanting to get on with what he was doing, Shawn gazed at her exasperated expression, then pointed at Shanna and Vivian, "Have you noticed that you've got company!"
Sylvia looked at them and back at Shawn, "Sorry sir, they are not company, they family! Not the same!"
"Vivian might be pregnant!" Shanna blurted before either could say another word.
"Shanna!?" Vivian exclaimed, lightly smacking her on the shoulder, "We don't know that yet!"
"Oh my god! You're pregnant?!" Sylvia screeched with wide eyes.
"She might be! I think she is." Shanna insisted.
"Holy mackerel!" Shawn gasped.
"Shanna!? There is no proof or indication that I am pregnant, none!"
"Jake's been trying to get her pregnant - she's fertile right now!"
"Shanna!" Vivian stomped.
"Well it's true! He's out to get'ya! I think it's done! But that's just me - oh you should have heard'em last night!"
"SHANNA!" Vivian screeched, slapping her hands over her face, shaking her head in disbelief.
Sylvia cracked up laughing, shaking her head, "I can just imagine, and If he is anything like this man here - standing right there, you can forget it - it's a done deal! Your goose is cooked baby-girl! That rabbit pro'ly in riggamortis!"
"Okay?! She just needs to accept it right?" Shanna went on.
Vivian could only grumble exasperated looking at Shawn.
"Don't look at me, they're probably right, which means I've got to hurry."
All three women looked at him perplexed, "Hurry?" All stated simultaneously.
"Yes, hurry! Remember Vivian? You promised to do a photo shoot with me, I was serious about that. Let me get everything set up here today, and I'll be ready for you tonight, or tomorrow - whichever you prefer."
Vivian stood with her mouth open, remembering. "Oh yeah, so you still want to huh?"
"Yep - ah, I do - some tastefully nude as well, remember?"
Vivian's eyes rolled to Sylvia, Sylvia's eyes rolled to
Shawn, Shanna's darted from one to the other. "You've never done nudes of me!" Shanna rattled off.
"I won't be either, you're my little sister, I don't wanna look at your naked ass!"
"Oh but you don't mind looking at other women's naked ass!" Sylvia couldn't bite her tongue.
"Sylvia! I'm an artist, it's what I do!"
"It's what you choose to do! There are artist who capture landscapes, flowers, puppies!"
"Okay, what I choose to do, sobeit. As a photographer, I capture what I perceive as beauty, on a canvas - where it never fades away - I want to capture Vivian Cooke, you've known from the beginning, haven't you?" He asked her seriously.
Sylvia sighed, her mouth twisting on that truth, "Yes, I have." She turned to Vivian, gazing at her, her little sister if anyone asked, "I suppose you have no choice," She looked back at him once more, "'Cause I can tell you now, nothing you've done that I've seen, comes any where close to her, as far as beauty is concerned, so do your thing." Sylvia walked to her, patting her cheek lovingly, "He's right, if he's gonna do beauty, he has to start here babygirl."
Vivian felt her eyes stinging with moisture again, grabbing Sylvia, she hugged her tight, "You sure you don't mind?" She pushed away to ask.
"No the question is, do you mind? Don't let him pressure you, if you don't want to, then don't. It's your choice. I trust you, I trust him."
Shawn felt like a heal and added, "She's right Vivian, don't do it if you don't feel comfortable, trying to please me. I do want to capture you, but only if you're okay with it. I should have said that from the beginning."
Vivian smiled at him, then back at Sylvia, "I've missed you so much, I'm so glad we're together. And you know what, I want to."
The exhale from Shawn was audible to all three women. Vivian felt flattered to the highest degree.
"This is so wonderful, having everyone together like this." Shanna commented.
"Now if we could only get Sheila here." Sylvia added.
"I'm working on that!" Shawn called out on his way into his office. He'd been connecting all of his computer equipment. The ladies stood out in what would be the front entry of the studio before the receptionist desk, where someone, -(Shawn hadn't said who yet)- would be working when he started booking jobs. Down the short hallway, there were two doors to the right; offices, first one was Shawn's, which had another door on the opposite wall to his dark room for photo development. He still liked doing it the old fashioned way with black and white photography even with his digital works. The second door would be someone else's office, for the time being, Ben's. At the end of the hall, two more doors, one on the right, opened to the bathroom, one on the left opened to the dressing room, which had another door leading straight into the large photography studio. On the left side of the hallway, two more doors, first door to Shawn's draft and painting studio, and the second door was to the photography studio as well. The front of the studio, was the entry that was six steps away from the front desk. To the right of it, two consultation booths that would have computers setup to show customers their proofs, progress and packages available. To the left of the desk was the lobby/waiting room. Which is what Sylvia had been begging to decorate. He had his ideas and he wasn't budging. That was brought out while they stood talking about it, and then the subject surrounding their wedding and interview with Rev. Hamilton, this while Mundo and Angela made trips back and forth with more of Shawn's studio implements. Her bodyguard sat outside the studio across from the house diligently watching their surroundings.
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