Tony stepped toward her. She was an attractive, tall, professional-looking brunette who looked about the same age as Claire. As she stepped toward Tony, he turned toward Claire. “Patricia, let me finally introduce you to my fiancée, Claire Nichols. Claire, this is my number one assistant, secretary, and right-hand man/woman, Patricia.” His introduction revealed his admiration for her abilities.
They both extended their hands. Claire spoke first. “I have heard so many wonderful things about you. It is very nice to finally meet you.”
Patricia’s greeting sounded less gregarious. “Hello, Ms. Nichols, I have heard about you.” Claire definitely detected animosity but chose to wait and let the chips fall. Patricia continued with the introductions. “Brad Clark and Monica Thompson, may I introduce Mr. Anthony Rawlings and his fiancée, Claire Nichols. Mr. Rawlings, Brad is your wedding consultant, and Monica is your wedding planner. They come highly recommended and have some wonderful ideas to share.”
Claire and Tony shook their hands and told them how happy they were to meet them. Tony looked at his watch, 12:30. They were due to arrive at two. In Tony’s book, they had made bonus points. Claire, on the other hand, had anticipated lunch. She was less pleased, but smiled and proceeded with their meeting. Brad and Monica showed Tony and Claire to Tony’s conference table.
Brad and Monica began by explaining how honored they were to be chosen to assist with their wedding. Then they presented a very informative Power Point presentation with endless options available to Mr. Rawlings and Ms. Nichols. They also displayed photos of their previous work, examples of decorations, cakes, receptions, etc. They asked questions, both of Tony and of Claire. What did they want their wedding to say? How many guests do they anticipate? Where on the estate would the wedding and reception be held? What would be the time of the ceremony? What colors did they want? What type of food? What type of music?
While the questions were tedious, Claire couldn’t help notice Patricia’s stares. She was excessively attentive to Tony. “Yes, Mr. Rawlings.” “I can get that for you, Mr. Rawlings.” “Let me take care of that, Mr. Rawlings.” For the first time since John’s consequences and the multiple rule discussions, Claire was happy to be the future Mrs. Anthony Rawlings. It even amused her that as an adult the cattiness of another woman could readjust her attitude. Claire found herself holding Tony’s arm, looking at pictures of cakes and lights and tables and flowers, and saying all the right things. He smiled affectionately and she radiated happiness. Patricia sat on the sidelines taking notes.
Tony then asked Claire to show Brad and Monica around the main level of their home so that they could brainstorm. They would get back to them on Monday with possibilities for the ceremony and reception. As she walked them from room to room, she saw the mansion from a new perspective. In their eyes it was a magnificent display of architecture and an exquisite home. It hadn’t been that to her, it had been a prison. Tony referred to it as their home, both now and last night with John and Emily. She smiled as she thought, this is my home.
Tony and Claire promised to get a guest list together very soon. They, with the help of Brad and Monica, decided that being a Christmas wedding, red, green, and black would be the colors. The question still remained whether Emily’s dress would be green, red, or black. There would be Christmas lights, lots of lights, starting from the gates and going up the drive to the house. The house would be decorated very chic Christmas. The number of guests would determine the setup of the wedding and reception. The music during the wedding would be provided by a string quartet and a harpist. Brad and Monica would put together some demo CDs and Tony and Claire could chose the music.
The reception would be on the grounds, either in the house or perhaps in the backyard. Claire thought that sounded cold. Brad promised a tent, decorated and heated. He even had pictures of previous tent receptions. With the decorations, tables, and people, it didn’t appear that it was a tent, only a reception hall. The next hurdle was the cake. They must have looked at fifty different pictures of cakes. Regarding flavors, Tony said he liked traditional white. Claire went out on a limb and said she liked chocolate. She hoped for