Score on Me

by Melody Heck Gatto

  "By the way, Mr. Torella," Kris started to say, changing the subject and breaking the tension that now loomed over the table.

  "Please, son, call me Jay."

  "Okay then, Jay, if you ever want to go to a Renegades game, here or in Florida, just let me know. I can have tickets waiting for you." Kris offered.

  "I would really enjoy that, thank you, Kris." Jay Torella beamed as Kat smiled at Kris. He already won her dad over for sure.

  "Katherine, did you make the pasta sauce?" Cece asked.

  Before Kat could answer, she felt Kris put his hand on her leg. She took in a deep breath before answering. "Yes, mom, I did."

  "I figured. It's missing something. Dear, did you remember to put the salt in?"

  Kat felt her face getting hot, she was fed up. "Look, Mom–"

  "Cece, Kat also made the meatballs, they are really good, my favorite actually. Have you tried them?" Without giving Cece a chance to answer Kris continued. "Gia helped cook dinner, she made the broccoli casserole and the appetizer. Your girls made a wonderful meal, I am proud of both of them." Kris leaned over and kissed Kat. "Great dinner, baby." He turned his attention to Gia, "You too, sis! Nice job on everything!"

  "Thanks, Kris." Kat was tired of the put downs, but honestly she had expected more of them tonight.

  "You are right, Kris. It is a lovely meal. Oh, by the way, Katherine. Did you plan on getting your hair done anytime soon? It looks like it really needs some sort of style."

  "Oh, mom," Gia groaned.

  "What? Well, it does. Don't you think so?" Cece asked.

  "Kat, dear. Everything is wonderful. You too, Gia. Dinner is amazing. Thank you both so much for such a great home cooked meal." Claire smiled at the girls.

  "Thank you, Claire. I will say, your son is an amazing cook himself. I get many home cooked and healthy meals from him." Kat smiled at her husband-to-be.

  Don't say anything about the healthy meals, please, Mom. Kat silently begged once she realized her poor choice in wording. She would like to hold on to a shred of her dignity tonight.

  "Healthy cooking? Good, you can really use that, Katherine."

  Ugh, thanks mom. Right on cue. She never disappointed.

  CHAPTER 27

  "Gia, do you even know where you are going?"

  "I do. I am following the GPS! We would've been there sooner if it had told me there was construction on the highway."

  "Oh boy, why do I feel like we're gonna get lost? Or are we already lost?"

  "How can we get lost when we are following the GPS? I am your maid of honor and I am in charge of helping you find a dress. So shut up, sit back, and relax." Gia made a sharp right hand turn, tossing them both around the front seat.

  Kat grabbed on to the door handle to keep from flying across the car. "Maybe first we could just work on getting me there in one piece, then worry about the dress?"

  "Stop your whining. We're here. Told you I knew where I was going!" Gia abruptly pulled into a parking spot and pointed at the sign for the bridal shop.

  They were down to the wire as far as the planning. Just in the past week, the pieces were all falling together nicely. The hall had been rented with a caterer, thanks to using the Renegades' name. The DJ was easy, because Matt knew of a guy. Kris knew the owner of a bakery in town, and he was more than happy to provide an exquisite wedding cake, hockey themed of course.

  Kat thought they should keep things small. It would be too hard to pick one or two guys from the team to be in the wedding party. So instead, Kris had asked Patrick to be the best man, and Kat asked Gia to be the maid of honor. Kris was in charge of finding the tuxedos, but he contacted the company who supplied the tuxedos to the team when they needed them.

  Now the hunt was on for the dresses. Kat knew exactly what she wanted. She had spent the last month searching the internet for one she liked. Finally she had found the perfect dress at this local shop. She wanted that dress. Period. It was exactly what she had dreamed of as a kid. Her biggest obstacle was going to be if it didn't fit perfectly. She was hoping those doughnuts that she ate a few weeks ago weren't permanently taking up residence in her waistline.

  The wedding was in two weeks.

  "Kat, hello? Anybody in there? C'mon, let's go look for this dress!" Gia climbed out of the car.

  "You know what you are looking for, right?"

  "I do. I am looking for any bridesmaid dress in royal blue."

  "Any dress at all that is royal blue. I don't care what it is as long as it looks nice. It shouldn't be that hard to find something in royal blue. That is such a popular color. Right?" Kat asked as they entered the shop.

  Kat looked around in wonder as she thought a sales person said something to her. However, her head was spinning at the sight of all of the dresses. She could see the woman talking to her, but she couldn't hear anything. Was she having a panic attack? Is that what this was?

  Kat grabbed on to the nearest dress rack in the hopes of steadying herself from falling.

  "Kat!" Gia called, snapping her fingers in front of Kat's face.

  She heard that. That was a good sign.

  "Pay attention. So, the royal blue dresses are over there." Gia pointed to the back corner. "I am going to go try a few on. I see one from here that I kind of like. Also, I showed the lady the dress you want."

  "And?"

  "And she is going to get your size. So wait here and she will bring it out for you to try on."

  "So they have it?"

  "Duh. Yes, they have it. Why are you holding on to that rack like you are drunk? Let's go! Oh, and she said that incase we do need a dress altered, they have a rush service. It'll only take a few days for one dress. However, it is pricey, so Kris will have to shell out the big bucks for that."

  Kat felt like her head was swimming again. Seriously, is this what a panic attack felt like? Taking a deep breath, she got a hold of herself just in time for the sales girl to return.

  "Honey, here is the dress. You can use this room right here. I will wait incase you need any help, and we'll see how it fits!" She clapped her hands together happily.

  "Thanks." Kat wanted this dress. It was perfect. Except for those sweets she had with Gia, she had eaten nothing but rabbit food the last few weeks hoping this dress would fit. Staring at herself in the mirror, she wasn't sure that even rabbit food could make that happen.

  She unzipped the plastic bag and pulled out the dress. It was beautiful. It was simple and elegant. Her stomach suddenly dropped as worry filled her heart. What if it looked horrible on her? There is no way she was going to look good in this dress. She wrapped her arms around her middle, hiding her stomach from the mirror.

  "Kat?" Gia knocked on the dressing room door. "How's it coming?"

  "Um–"

  "Do you have it on yet? How does it fit?"

  Closing her eyes, she wished Gia would just shush for a second. Her head was spinning again. She was feeling short of breath this time. Trying to catch her breath, she sat down.

  "Kat?" Gia called, again.

  Kat unlocked the dressing room door. "No, and I don't know."

  "But? Kat! C'mon! Why don't you have this on yet? What's wrong?"

  "G, there is no way it is going to look right."

  "Are we back to self pity? Cause I sure hope not! Kat, get up and try this on!"

  Gia was getting on her last nerve. "You don't understand. Look at you in that dress. It is gorgeous on you." The blue dress Gia had on hugged her every curve.

  "Ha! This must be what mermaids feel like. It looks good. It does. As long as I am standing up!" Gia tried to sit down beside Kat and every seam started to pull while Gia struggled to breath. "Yeah, there is no way I am sitting down in this. It's gonna blow if I do, and I'm not paying for a dress that is in about twenty pieces."

  "Oh my gosh!" Kat covered her mouth as a giggle escaped her lips.

  "Now look, I don't want to hear that you are reverting to your old insecure self. Stand up! Look at the girl in the
mirror! She is beautiful and hot as hell. Not to mention, she is marrying KRIS LAFLEUR! Hello! Do I need to remind you that he is crazy about you?"

  "No, I guess not," Kat groaned, looking at the floor.

  "I can't hear you!" Gia shouted like a drill sergeant.

  "No. You don't have to remind me," Kat said louder.

  "Good! Now let's see this dress on you. Oh, wait. I need to get out of this thing before it pops." Gia squirmed out of the dress until it fell to the floor. "Maria?"

  "Yes, dear?"

  "Can you please hand me the other blue dress I sat out there?"

  "Sure. Is everything all right in there? Can I help at all?" Maria asked.

  "No, I think we have everything under control," Gia said and looked at Kat. "We do, don't we?"

  Kat shook her head and smiled. "Yes. Thanks, Maria. I'll be out in a minute."

  Kat pulled her shirt off, and took a long look in the mirror. All she saw staring back at her was Kat. It wasn't the fat little girl anymore; that girl was gone for good. What she saw staring back at her was a beautiful girl. As her hand ran along her stomach, the light caught her ring. The shimmer of her engagement ring made her think of Kris. She was also looking at a beautiful girl that was going to marry the one-and-only Kris Lafleur.

  "Yoo-hoo. Ready?" Gia stood behind Kat holding the wedding gown. "Let's try this bad boy on. Shall we?"

  Kat slid the dress over her head; the silken fabric sliding down her skin. She heard Gia gasp, and felt her zip the dress up.

  "Wha–" Kat turned towards the mirror. The A-line dress was amazing. The fabric was silky and flowed with her every movement. The empire waist hid any imaginary imperfections.

  "Oh, Kat." Gia was still in awe. She had already slipped on the new dress while Kat was mesmerized by her own reflection.

  "Ladies, let's see!" Maria called.

  "C'mon!" Gia grabbed Kat's arm and led her out in to the store.

  "Oh my! Kat, that dress is perfect for you! That square neckline is pure elegance!" Maria fussed over Kat, checking every inch of the dress. "Do you like it? How does it feel?"

  Kat stepped up on a pedestal in the center of a circle of mirrors. Her reflection shown back at her from five different mirrors. The fabric swayed as she turned to look at herself from every angle. "I love it. It feels great, almost as if it was made for me."

  "Kat, you look amazing." Gia said with a tear in her eye.

  Kat turned to look at Gia, not realizing she also wore a gorgeous dress. "Gia! That dress!"

  "I know I look pretty damn good. And bonus, I can sit down in this one." The dress she wore was a sheath style that contoured to her body. The v-neckline accented her breasts and the skirt flowed freely.

  "Oh, Gia, I love that dress! Do you love it? I love it!"

  "I do love it! And, Kat, you need to get that dress!"

  "Yes, Kat, I have never seen a more perfect dress." Maria said. "And I've seen a lot of dresses!"

  "So, how long do you think it will take to get altered?" Kat asked.

  "Altered? Honey, this dress fits you like a glove, nothing needs done to it! If you want it, you can take it today! Same with you, Gia."

  "Score for the Torella sisters! The last piece of the puzzle, Kat. It's all finally together."

  ****

  Kat sat at the vanity finishing her makeup. Her hair was pulled back in a perfect up-do, courtesy of Lindsey. Thin elegant curls framed her face. She hardly recognized that girl in the mirror. She was stunning.

  The joy she felt overwhelmed her, as if she was going to burst. Her face was sore from smiling so much already. Her big day had snuck up on her. One minute she was dating the most amazing man she had ever met, and the next she was sitting in a church, preparing to walk down the aisle to him.

  Knock-knock-knock.

  "Hello? Can I come in?" Gia poked her head in the room. "There's the beautiful blushing bride!"

  "G!" Kat jumped up from the vanity and squeezed her sister tight. "I'm so happy to see you! And you look beautiful."

  "Thanks, but today is all about you. Happy wedding day, sis! Are you ready to get dressed?"

  Wedding day. She could hardly believe it was finally here. Taking a moment she listened to the silence of the room, then hearing the organ music mixed with the soft hum of the guests echo through the halls.

  "I think it's time to get ready, sis." Gia held the dress up, pulling it off of the hanger.

  She looked at Gia and then the dress. Words were not forming. Her wedding dress still took her breath away.

  "Kat? You're not going to cry, are you? You don't want to mess up your make up."

  She sniffed and shook her head. "Nope. I'm good." She untied her robe and draped it over the nearest chair. "Let's do this."

  Gia helped Kat step into her dress, and secured the zipper. "Have you seen Mom yet?"

  A soft knock at the door interrupted them.

  "Katherine, dear?"

  Oh no, she didn't need this stress right now. Not today.

  "Yes, Mom. Come in." Kat said as she rolled her eyes. She held her breath, preparing for the endless string of criticism that she was about to endure. She had to be strong; she couldn't let her mom affect her today.

  "Girls, you both look stunning, just stunning. Gianna, that dress suits you perfectly." Cece wrapper her arms around Gia.

  Kat could see Gia's face over her mom's shoulder. Gia was just as surprised by the hug as Kat was.

  "Mom, were you hitting the communion wine already?" Gia asked as she pulled away. "Cause I am pretty sure that is just for mass."

  "Gianna, don't be snarky," Cece snapped before turning to Kat. "Katherine..."

  "Yes, mom?" Kat was waiting; the insults had to be coming.

  "Dear, that dress–" Cece held Kat at arms length.

  Here it comes, Kat thought.

  "Katherine, that dress is gorgeous. It looks like it was made specifically for you. You look beautiful."

  What? There has to be more, wait for it, Kat thought.

  "You look absolutely beautiful, dear." Cece pulled Kat into a hug.

  Gia giggled at the look that must have been on Kat's face. In all her years, her mother had never given her a 'real' hug. She has grown accustomed to the Hollywood hugs, the ones where you barely touch.

  "You are more stunning then I could've ever imagined."

  Kat saw her mom's eye glisten. "Mom, are you crying?"

  Cece sniffed. "No, if I cried I would mess up the makeup that I worked so hard putting on. My eyes are just so overwhelmed by your beauty right now, that's all."

  Seriously, she had to have gotten in to the wine.

  "Mom? Are you feeling okay?" Gia asked, as if she read Kat's mind.

  "I'm fine." Cece took a deep breath. "Katherine, I just have no words to describe how beautiful you are today. I wish you all the happiness in the world." She pulled Kat into a heavy hug.

  "Um, thanks, Mom."

  "You have blossomed into an amazing woman, and I'm so proud of you, dear. I might not know a lot about hockey, but I know that Kris is one lucky man."

  "Wow, mom, I don't think you have ever said so many nice things in one sentence before," Gia said.

  "Gianna, dear, you really don't need to point that out. I know how I am. But today of all days, I need your sister to know how much I love her."

  "I love you too, Mom." Kat had no idea how to take everything that was just said to her, but one thing was for sure, she was not going to waste this moment. If this was the only time her mother expressed her love to her, then she would take it.

  "Also, I want you to have these. They will look perfect with your dress. Unless you already have a necklace to wear?" Cece held up a pearl necklace. "It was my mother's. It's okay if you don't want to we–"

  "No, Mom, it's perfect." Kat smiled at her mom.

  "Are you sure? I wouldn't be offended if you didn't want to wear them."

  "No, Mom, they will go perfect with this dress. I forgot all about jewelry,
so this is really what I needed."

  "Let me help you," Cece draped the string of pearls around Kat's neck. "Perfect."

  "Thank you, Mom." Kat said before Cece took her in her arms again. Kat had never been hugged this much or this tight by her mom before. It was awkward and nice all at the same time.

  "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I never would've believed it. Cece Torella has finally cracked." Gia made circles with her finger by her head.

  "Gianna, dear, behave. I love you too; now get over here for a hug."

  CHAPTER 28

  Here Comes the Bride echoed through the church, as a hush fell over the crowd and all heads turned to where Kat waited.

  She looked down to the altar where Kris stood. A nervous smile was plastered on his face, and he looked amazing in his dapper tuxedo. Patrick stood at his side, smiling at Kat. At least she assumed he was smiling at her, but then again, Gia was walking down the aisle in front of her.

  Kat was frozen; all eyes were on her. Her feet did not want to move, as if they were glued to the floor. Gia had taken her place at the altar already; it was time.

  "Ready, dear?" Jay whispered.

  Kat still didn't move.

  "Kat, don't look at all the guests. Focus on Kris, he's waiting for you. Just hold on to me and I will get you to him."

  Kat let out a breath as the organist repeated the music again. Her hesitation prompted a few whispers from the crowd, but she knew her dad was right. She had to keep her eyes on Kris, and only Kris. "Okay, Daddy, I'm ready." She held his arm tight as they walked down the aisle. Keeping her glance pointed straight ahead, she forgot about her audience. All she could see was her groom.

  Reaching the altar, Jay kissed Kat's cheek and put her hand in Kris's. "Welcome to the family, son," Jay said with a wide smile as he patted Kris on the shoulder.

  "You look beautiful, baby," Kris whispered.

  "Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself."

  The priest nodded his head at Kat and Kris, and with a smile, began to speak. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Katherine and Kristopher."

  Looking over at Kris, her nerves calmed, as she slowly became lost in his eyes. All the noise in the church became muffled and she felt as if it was happening in slow motion. She heard the priest talking. She was following his instructions, stand, sit, kneel, but she was mesmerized by Kris.