by Beth Merlin
Jamie smiled warmly as Annabelle called out asking for some help getting out of the dress.
Jamie set his coffee down on the table. “I’ll go.”
He went to the back corner of the room and I slipped Victoria’s cathedral length veil off the hanger. Jamie had finished off all the edges last night and added the small rhinestones to the very bottom of it. Our hope was that the natural light coming in from the church windows would reflect off of the stones just enough to give a hint of a sparkle without it looking overdone.
Trying on Victoria’s actual wedding dress might be bad luck, but what harm could come from trying on the veil? I searched for the affixed hair comb and slid it into my own hair. I stood up on the pedestal and examined it from every angle. Even in this poor light, I could see it achieved the effect we were looking for—the sun bouncing off of every stone.
“Looks good on you,” a familiar voice said from behind me.
Embarrassed, I pulled the comb out, wrapped the veil over my arm and turned around. Perry was standing in the doorway.
“Looks better on Victoria.” I stepped down from the pedestal and placed the veil back on the hanger.
“Is Annabelle here? She asked me to meet her.”
“She’s getting changed. We just finished her final fitting.”
“Everything ready for the big day?”
“I think so. We have one last meeting with Victoria later today about the wedding dress. She’s already debuted a few of our looks. So far so good.”
“And you’re attending with Gideon?”
I nodded. “I’ll probably be behind the scenes during the ceremony and early part of the reception in case of a dress disaster. I should be able to attend most of it though.”
“We’re performing a number from Elizabeth at the after-hours party.”
“I heard. Which one?”
“The Accession.”
The song was an absolute masterpiece, contrasting Elizabeth’s ascent to the crown with the different revolutions happening throughout England. Perry had mixed choral music from that time period with British new wave punk and created the most thrilling piece in musical theater of the last century—according to the New York Times theater critic. He’d worked on it for close to a year, asking for my input along the way. As soon as he finished it, we both knew he had a masterpiece on his hands.
“One of my favorites.”
“I know,” he said softly.
“Oh good, you found me.” Annabelle emerged from behind the curtain. “Ready for lunch, darling?”
Perry nodded as Annabelle took his hand.
“See you at the wedding,” Perry said.
“Yeah, see you there.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The morning of the wedding was a flurry of activity. Jamie and I left the hotel around 7 a.m. to meet Victoria at her parents’ house. A courier escorted by armed guard had transported the wedding gown over from our studio the night before. The plan was for Victoria to have her hair and makeup done before getting dressed. Once Victoria was completely ready, she’d travel by processional from her home in South Kensington to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.
Jordana had flown in the night before to deal with some press and to assist me on the chance that Jamie had to head back early for the babies’ births. She’d insisted on staying in New York until the very last possible minute so she could manage all the other things going on with G. Malone. I appreciated her commitment to ensuring we had a fully functional company to return to when all the craziness of the wedding eventually died down.
When I walked into Victoria’s bedroom, she was surrounded by what could only be described as a glam squad. She had three stylists working on setting her hair into rollers while the makeup artist and his assistant mixed foundation colors. I tiptoed over to her to let her know Jamie was steaming the dress out in the other room and we’d be ready for her whenever she finished. I turned to leave the room, but she grabbed me by the arm.
“Gigi, I am freaking out,” she said.
I pulled over a chair to sit down beside her and took her hand. “Normal wedding day jitters, that’s all.”
She motioned around the room. “Does anything about this seem normal to you?”
“Yes, albeit on a larger scale. You can handle this. You love Alexander and he’s over the moon about you. Just try to focus on him. Nothing else. Just you and him.”
I started to rise from my seat and Victoria pulled me back down. “Can you stay here and keep talking to me? I need a distraction. Belle and Mum are busy readying themselves.”
“Of course.” I crossed my hands in my lap. “What do you want to talk about?”
“I don’t know? Anything. Just distract me. What are you wearing tonight?”
“A gorgeous vintage metallic Valentino. I hope Gideon likes it.”
“Do you think you and Gideon are in it for the long term? Do you see yourself getting married?”
“I don’t know. I’m certainly very fond of him.”
“That doesn’t sound all that promising.”
“He’s great. He really is. We have some cards stacked against us though. His life is here. Mine is in New York. I don’t know if we’ll be able to overcome the distance.”
“You should talk to Annabelle. She thought she had everything wrapped up with Perry and now who knows what’s going on with them.”
Jamie called out to let me know Jordana had arrived and wanted to do a run-through of the morning’s plans. I asked Victoria if she’d mind if I stepped out for a bit to join them in the other room. Victoria reluctantly let go of my hand. One of the stylists quickly replaced it with a mimosa. She took a few small sips and handed it back to him.
I walked in while Jamie was lifting the gown onto the dress form. This was the first time Jordana’d seen the finished wedding gown complete with the borrowed Cartier jewels. Pure astonishment registered across her face.
“Oh my God. You haven’t just outdone yourselves, you’ve maybe outdone every designer ever,” Jordana said, her jaw practically on the floor.
“It’s good, right?” Jamie said.
“No, it’s not good, it’s a game changer. I’ve been fielding calls from investors since it was announced G. Malone was designing the gown. Once they get a look at this dress, the brand’s gonna explode. Brick and mortar stores, licensing deals…”
Jamie’s phone went off and he pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s Thom, I have to grab this,” he said, answering it. “I’ll be right back.”
I stepped over to the dress form, smoothed out a few creases, and adjusted the lining while Jordana plugged her laptop into a nearby outlet and logged into her computer. A minute or so later Jamie stepped back into the room. His face was ashen.
I took two steps toward the door. “Is everything okay with Thom? The babies?”
“The surrogate’s in active labor. I have to get back home as soon as I finish here.”
Jordana jumped up. “I’ll go speak to Gemma and see what we can be arranged.”
After Jordana was out of earshot, Jamie said, “I’m pretty sure the two of them could run the world.”
“And maybe should,” I said, laughing.
Jamie rubbed his temples and surveyed the room. “I can’t leave you here with all this.”
“Yes, you can. We’ll get Victoria dressed and then you’ll head to the airport. I can handle the rest of the looks myself.”
“I can’t believe the timing of this. I had a front seat to the wedding of the century.”
“You have a better spot waiting for you at home. Jamie, you’re going to be a father.”
Tears welled up in his eyes and fell down his cheeks. I wiped them away and leaned into his chest. He pulled me in for a warm hug. “I want you to be involved in their lives. What if we have a girl and she wants a woman to take her shopping for her first bra or prom dress?”
“She’ll want you,” I answered. “But you know I’ll be there for anything yo
u or they need.”
Jamie kissed me on the forehead. “Who would’ve thought a chance encounter on reality TV would lead to all this?”
I smiled and went to check on Victoria. The stylists were finishing up her hair and the makeup artists were waving a fan in front of Victoria’s eyes to dry her fake lashes.
“What’s the ETA?” I asked.
“We need another few minutes to get the veil in,” one of the stylists said.
“Oh, let me bring it from the other room.” I went to retrieve the veil and carefully carried it to her.
Victoria called for Gemma. “Gem, can you get the tiara from the vault?”
“Tiara?” I said.
“Last night, Alex surprised me and asked if I’d wear the same tiara his mother wore when she married his father. Besides, now it’s my something borrowed. This handkerchief is my something old. These earrings,” she said, holding up a pair of diamond studs, “are my something new. And this garter,” she said, flashing some thigh, “is my something blue.”
I giggled and Gemma walked in with the jewel box and presented Victoria with the crown.
I leaned in toward Victoria to examine it. “It’s perfect. We couldn’t have designed a better compliment to the dress.”
The stylist secured the tiara into Victoria’s hair and then pinned the veil into place. Victoria stared at her reflection in the mirror.
“You look like a princess,” Jamie said as he walked into the room. “Gigi, get this woman dressed and ready to marry her prince.”
Two hours later, Victoria’s car arrived at the Great West Door in front of Westminster Abbey. Between the nonstop chimes of the church bells and the wall-to-wall cheering of the crowd that’d gathered to catch a glimpse of their future queen, it was hard to hear even the person next to you. Gemma was shouting instructions to me for where I should go stand so I’d be able to do one final check of Victoria’s dress before she walked into the church.
Victoria’s father exited the car first so he could offer his hand to help her out while Annabelle waited by the stairs, ready to attend to the train. Annabelle looked absolutely stunning. Her hair cascaded down to her shoulders in soft waves. She’d opted for a bit more makeup than her usual more natural look. The dress, though, was the real star. It fit like an absolute dream, showing off every one of Annabelle’s best assets. The photographers were going crazy snapping her picture while she stood half-posing off to the side.
The minute Victoria got out of the car, every single camera and head turned to look at her like a flock of birds changing direction. I’d spent the last six months working on every square inch of her wedding gown, but just like the rest of the world, it felt as though I was seeing it for the very first time. Victoria didn’t just look beautiful, she looked regal. The sun bounced off the jewel clusters on the collar of the dress, hitting Victoria’s face in such a way that she positively glowed. When she turned to wave to the stands, the crowd went crazy. Annabelle rushed behind her to lift the train as Victoria’s father took her hand and led her up the small stairs to where the Archbishop of Canterbury was waiting to greet them all.
Gemma gave me a thumbs-up and I retreated to a hidden corner in the back of the church where Victoria and her father were preparing to start their long walk down the aisle to the altar. The service commenced with the procession of the King, Queen, and then the clergy. Once the processional got underway, I counted the rows and found Gideon, his parents, and Linney sitting right where he’d told me he’d be. I snuck around the side and slid into the bench beside them. Gideon took my hand and we turned to watch Victoria make her way to Alexander.
As a boy’s tabernacle choir sang religious hymns, the bride made her three-and-a-half-minute procession through the nave of the church on her father’s arm. At first, she looked a bit shaky and nervous, but then her eyes locked with Alexander’s. After that, she practically glided up the aisle. I looked around the room to gauge reactions to the gown. Mouths were agape. I even saw Victoria Beckham hit David and point to the details on the back of the dress. I prayed Jamie had satellite TV on his flight back home so he could see firsthand how the world was reacting to our creation.
I scanned the room again and saw Perry sitting way up front with the rest of the Ellicott family. When Victoria passed, I watched his eyes study every inch of the dress before a small knowing smile crept across his face. He glanced over to where I was seated, and I quickly averted my eyes.
I turned to the front of the church as Victoria’s father escorted her up the steps to the altar where Alexander was waiting in full military dress. According to Gemma, it was the customary attire for the royal family at formal occasions. He looked regal and debonair. I could almost hear the hearts of young girls breaking all over the world. “Love em and leave em Lex” was about to officially and forever be taken off the market. He took Victoria by the hand and they turned to face the archbishop while Mr. Ellicott joined his wife already seated in the first pew.
Jamie had been right. The back of the wedding gown was in many ways more important than the front. Every single pair of eyes in the room was focused on it. The transparent lace back with 58 buttons of organza, fastened by Rouleau loops. The soft pleats that unfolded to the floor, forming a Victorian-style semi-bustle leading to the almost ten-foot train. It was a stunning success.
The archbishop began the service by speaking to Victoria and Alexander’s commitment and devotion to one another before launching into the main ceremony and vows. The couple promised to “love, comfort, honor, and keep” each other and then sealed their promise with the exchange of simple rings. I looked over at Gideon, who was spellbound. He squeezed my knee at least three times during the ceremony.
When the archbishop called up Alexander’s first cousin to recite the famous passage from Corinthians about love, I stole a peek at my phone and scrolled through the first few texts from my mother, Alicia, and Jordana. The reviews were in, and according to all three, the wedding gown had been lauded as an undisputed accomplishment.
Fashion industry insiders and worldwide viewers were in agreement that Victoria’s gown was a design masterpiece. Alicia sent me a direct quote from a prominent fashion site:
“This dress symbolizes a partnership in which the vision and dreams of Victoria Ellicott and all of England have been superbly interpreted and executed by Georgica Goldstein and Jamie Malone. Their understanding of fashion’s role in serving and underlining this historic moment is truly unparalleled.”
Tears flooded my eyes as I slipped the phone back into my clutch. Believing I was moved by the wedding ceremony, Gideon put his arm around me, pulled me into his chest, and kissed the top of my head.
The service concluded with prayers and exhortations by the archbishop. After the signing of the registers, Alexander and Victoria walked down the aisle, pausing briefly to bow and curtsey to the King and Queen. They were followed in procession by other members of the bridal party and their families, being joined at the door by the two youngest flower girls.
When we got outside, Victoria and Alexander climbed into an ornate carriage pulled by four white horses. A similar open carriage carried the rest of the bridal party while the other members of the royal family and Ellicott family followed in cars to the afternoon reception being hosted at Buckingham Palace.
As the church slowly cleared out, Gemma found me standing with Gideon and his family on the front steps. She let me know Victoria was all set with her dress for the brunch and I should plan to be at the Goring Hotel at 5:00 to help get her dressed for the evening’s reception. Gemma generously reserved a room for me at the hotel so I could get ready for the party after I was finished. Gideon asked me if I wanted to join him and his family for lunch at the Ritz, but I told him I was anxious to get to the hotel to make sure all of Victoria’s looks for the reception had been brought over. Without Jamie’s reassuring voice there to tell me everything would be fine, I was a bundle of nerves.
Gideon kissed me and told me he
’d be at the hotel later to escort me to the reception. I repeated I’d be fine to just meet him there, but he insisted on coming to collect me like a proper date. I waved his family off and stepped out of the way to let the remaining guests and wedding attendees pass. I took my phone out and read the simple four-word text message in all caps from Jamie who obviously had Wi-Fi on the plane.
GIRL, WE SLAYED IT.
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud and wish my partner and best friend was here so we could celebrate this triumph together.
“What’s so funny?”
I turned around. Perry was standing there, his hands in his gray morning coat, his wavy hair pulled back neatly off his face.
“Something Jamie texted me,” I answered, slipping the phone back into my purse.
“Where is he? Back at the Ellicotts?”
“Back in the States. He and Thom are about to become fathers. Their surrogate’s having twins any minute now.”
His eyes widened. “That’s incredible news. How’s Jamie handling it?”
“You know him. He’s being as dramatic as humanly possible right now, but when the babies get here, there’ll be no better dad in the world,” I said.
Perry smiled and nodded in agreement then came down a few more steps so we were face to face. “I’m glad you haven’t left yet. I wanted to congratulate you on Victoria’s dress. What a showstopper. Really, Gigi, it’s far and away the best thing you’ve ever done.”
“High praise coming from the man with a record-breaking number of Oliviers.” I looked up into Perry’s deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t call after the awards. I wanted to. I meant to. I hope you know your father would’ve been so proud.”
“I appreciate that,” he said before softly laying his hand on my arm.
I moved down to the next step and out of Perry’s reach. “I should get going, I have a lot of things to do before tonight.”
“Take a second. Look around at where we are. What do you think those two starving artists working in that crowded studio apartment in Hell’s Kitchen would have to say if they saw us now?” He whispered in my ear.
