Around a few weeks later...

4th of February, 1965

Jude's POV

2 more days until the wedding! Two more days! It is clearly unbelievable for me. Especially to believe that one of my wishes is going to come true except that my happiness will be for eternity even if I am still living with Timothy as unmarried couple. I have been so euphoric and impatient like an excited and frisky child lately. Furthermore, my future husband is in the same way like me too. My colleagues Charlotte and Ramona were excited either too including my boss with Mother Claudia though there aren't going to be plenty of guests on our wedding in the following 2 days. Me and my fiance have already determined ourselves which are the guests by marrying each other in the nearest church that is about 500 metres away from the former Monsignor's villa, located in the countryside. The wedding's preparation started from the beginning of this week in monstrous pace. I was extremely paranoid when it's joint a word about the wedding ceremony. If I need to be candid, I have never been that joyous in my life especially as a middle aged woman though certain people could tell I'm not exactly a middle aged woman, judging me visually.

Anyway back to the main moment, as we had the last night a discussion with Tim about Thursday which is exactly today that after work I am going to be slightly late by not mentioning the real motive why, without rendering him to being some kind of envious or outraged with me. In my Thursday plans for those 2 days as a Miss Jude Martin, I had already planned after finishing work either accurately in 6PM or a little bit earlier with a couple of minutes with my squad Charlotte and Ramona to attend a shop for wedding dresses. I forgot to mention that I didn't want to mention the reason why I am going to be a bit late after work because I don't want the surprise to be ruined by promising to astound him in joyful way. I know exactly! He backed me up, of course! Except that he supported and respected my decision.

After work me and my colleagues and friends in the same time went in the nearest store for wedding dresses by being warmly welcomed by one seller who could be described precisely in this way:

A young lady in the beginning of her 30s, with medium crimson straight hair, black eyes like the gloomy and arcane midnight, pale skin color, wearing bright pink turtleneck, followed by black leather pants with black and pink ankle boots, dark gray sleeveless vest with silver bracelet on her left wrist and amethyst ring on her ring finger which sparkled from a long distance like an extraordinary star.

-Hello ladies! How may I help you?- The seller inquired in openhearted way, smiling in lovely and welcoming way to us.

-Hello!*inhaling and exhaling* We are just going to watch the wedding dresses. - I replied to the younger woman who demonstrated politeness whilst Charlotte was standing nervously next to me unlike Ramona who was prone to be more confident and secure.

-Okay! In case if you need me, call me anytime for some guide. - The red-haired lady said with soothing voice, possessing the ginormous wish to be helpful, still smiling.

-Alright!

We began our initiative to watch wedding dresses which were pretty ravishing and gorgeous even if they are the merest ones. I am not in the most ornament ones, tobe honest. With a handful exceptions, of course! If I need to more candid, the classy ones fascinate me more. This time we left work with 10 minutes earlier which was rather natural for us.

Sometime later...

30 minutes have already passed like we had less than 24 hours life according to the hourglass. We have watched, commented every wedding dress. I like a few amongst them that were 2 ordinary ones while the last 3 ones were tending to be more exquisite. It was such a tough choice. Thanks to my younger colleagues, they were my right hand in choosing smartly the best wedding gown. I tried in the dressing room those 5 dresses, receiving all the same compliments such as "Oh Wow! You look so stunning, Judy!". More compliments, more heated cheeks of my side! For every compliment, I thanked cordially with flushed face and an insecure smile.
Then the culmination part had arrived as soon as possible. To choose the best gown that I am going to wear for the rest of my life and on our wedding.
The first wedding dress was the traditional one as we know, strapless, in cream white color, ankle length. The second one was a humble one with V neckline, long floral transparent sleeves, a little above the knees. The third dress was a sleeveless with thin beige spaghetti straps with alluring gemstones such as sapphires, moonstones, amethysts and emeralds attached to the neckline, knee lenght. The last two ones were similar as the first one with a few deviations such as the sleeves, having floral and non-floral either in beige or white unlike the first 3 choices. I liked and perceived myself for pretty enough in every dress, although I should choose only one from the 4 ones.

Suddenly the friendly seller emerged in the leaat predictable moment as she dimly startled us especially me.

-I am so sorry ladies for scaring you. I didn't want it but I supposed you need some help. - The young woman apologized rrom the bottom of her heart as we calmed down once she warned us.

-Everything is fine! I am placed in a difficult choice by choosing between those 5 wedding gowns which is the better one. - I stated in grave way whilst smiling tenderly.

-I comprehend you, Madame ! First of all, can you try once again those dresses that you had already selected? Just for me, please?

-A-alright! - I agreed with a modest smile across my lips whilst returning back in the dressing room as Charlotte, Ramona and the unnamed seller walked behind me like they were my assistants.

Once I stepped in the dressing room, pushing the violet vintage curtain so that to not being watched and cause a turmoil, I started with the traditional ones until I tried my favorite one which was with the floral transparent long sleeves. Every time whenever I try the first 4 dresses, I received the same compliments as Charlotte and Ramona's ones. Unless I tried my favorite one which astonished the red-haired woman who had pierced her eyes in abysmal way with a broad and luminous smile across her full lips. Even my colleagues reacted in the same way like her.

-Oh Wow! You look very beautiful in this dress. It perfectly fits in your fit body. Bravo! - The seller clapped her hands, by complimenting me in hospitable way. The real season why I was blushing so hard now.

-Thank you very much! *looking down as I gazed at my hardly visible belly, skinny legs and small feet in a little bit ashamed way as I was wearing an anxious smile, being asked from the same woman "Is everything okay?" as she approached me, placing her right hand onto my shoulder, studying my face carefully* Everything is okay! I am just shy and embarrassed every time whenever somebody compliments me. - I raised my head, facing the young lady as my hands were sashaying freely like a released eagle.

-You shouldn't be that precarious, dear. You are rather looking amazing for your age. You are still fresh, young and beautiful regardless the aging process.

-*sensing my cheeks heating even more* Aww, thank you very much! 

A few minutes have passed by changing from my future wedding dress into my casual clothing, thus me and my colleagues placing back the other tried wedding gowns as I took my favorite one, heading to the cash desk against the seller. The frugal dress didn't cost more than $300 though it is unique by itself. Eventually, It was packed, enveloped by placing it in my purse as we waved to the seller, thaking to her and saying goodbye to her and vice versa. We left the shop delighted as I headed directly to home by seperating with the younger ladies, hugging each of them. 

I am really wondering how Timothy is going to react once he beholds the dress and sees me in that dress. I am convinced that he is going to be insanely astounded as soon as he sees me wearing this dress, near the rim to have a heart attack. I am going to be the real reason of his death.

To be continued...