vivian 11

“Gah! This is so difficult!” I shout from my closet holding a dress out the door. “How about this one?” I ask. I can feel her frowning. “No? Okay.” I call and search for another. I came out with three I found appropriate. I held up the first one, an ice blue one that fell in waves down to the floor. She made a face. “No too fancy.” I threw it aside and held up the second, a short purple one with a glittery skirt and fitted bodice, no straps. She shook her head. “You’re going to dinner not the club.” I rolled my eyes and presented the third, a velvet navy blue, one long sleeve dress with roucheing coming off a broach spot at the ribcage which of course would perfectly fit grandma’s pin. She smiled. “Oh yeah that one, that one for sure. Put it on.” She said and shoved me in the closet. I quickly slipped it on and glanced in the mirror in my closet. This dress was perfect. It made my skin looked pretty and my face almost glowed. I walked out with confidence. “Vivian!” she exclaimed looking me over. “Your hot!” she says after having me twirl. “Thanks,” I reply and swished my hair over my shoulder. “How should I do my hair?” I asked. She shrugged. “Curled maybe?” she suggested and I nod. “That’s what I was thinking.” I say and grab my curling iron. After about an hour my hair is perfect and I look at my face, which is not made up yet. “I need Alexandra, I don’t know what to do with my make up!” I cried speaking of my friend from college Alicia Brady’s mom, who was a stylist/makeup artist. I quickly dialed her number and she promised she’d be on her way ASAP.

           

I squirmed in my seat as Alexandra finished my makeup. “Girl if you don’t stay still I’m going to mess you up.” she said laughing, swiping lipstick over my lips before turning me around. My jaw nearly hit the floor. “I’m…” I started and Alexandra laughed. “Gorgeous.” She finishes for me and I nod. She had my eyes done with a dark blue shadow and wedge liner. My cheeks were slightly rosy and my lips were painted red. Temp smiled. “When do you not?” she asked. I shook my head and took my dress into the bathroom to change. I emerged just in time as I heard mom calling me downstairs.

 

            As I walk down the stairs Mom and Lane are smiling at me. My mom squeezes my shoulder as Lane takes my hand. “I’ll have her back soon. Mrs. Lummis!” he called over his shoulder as he walked me out the door. I laughed as I saw what her was driving, his dads big black truck. “Nice ride.” I tease as he opens the door and takes my hand to help me up into the cab. “I knew you’d like it he says before he shuts the door. When he gets in the truck I turn to him. “where are we going to?” I ask. He smiles. “you’ll see.”

 

            Soon we were riding down a long wooded drive then a old time Victorian hotel appeared. “What is this place?” I asked as he opened my door and helped me down. “just a family place I know of.” He says and hands the valet his key. I raise my eyebrows. “With valet parking?” I ask. He shrugs. “never said they were a poor family.” As we walked inside we were greeted by the voices of ten workers all shouting Mr. Langford! I laughed. “your quite well known.” I say as one of the waiter’s lead us out to a balcony with one lone table, already set and ready with food. “I hope you don’t mind, I knew you’d get the prime rib. It’s your favorite.” He says pulling out my chair and I sat then smiled up at him. “yes it is,” I responded. The waiter takes the coverings off the food as Lane sits down and then leaves. “what great service.” I laugh, starting to slice into my prime rib. He nods, just looking at me. “You look beautiful tonight Vivian.” He states softly and I blush. “thank you Lane.”  I reply shyly.

After the main course the waiter comes out with the desert cart. After I scan it a second I spot a piece of red velvet with chocolate shavings. “Mmm, that one.” I say and the waiter sets it down in front of me. I dip my fork into the cake and I can hear it slice through, a great sign when it comes to cake. I take a bite and my eyes go wide. “This is so good.” I say after I swallow the bite and offer one to him. He takes it and after a moment of delicate chewing he nods in agreement. The band inside strikes up a waltz and he reaches across the table for my hand. “would you like to dance?” he asked and I smiled, taking his hand and letting him help me to my feet, but instead of dancing on the balcony, he quickly leads me inside, down a grand staircase that opens out onto the beach. I laugh as he drags me along, losing my shoes as he leads me out onto the fine sand and twirls me around. He wraps his arm around my waist and we begin to waltz, stepping on each other’s toes. I just couldn’t stop giggling. When the song was over we stood on the beach, staring at each other. “what now?” I ask and his face lightens up as he takes my hand and walks toward the dock. “oh no, not in this dress. I am not getting near that water. “Oh come on Vivian, don’t you want to take a ride on lake Vivian?” He asked as he stepped up on the dock, motioning to the boat at the end. I tilt my head and let him help me up, and lead me down the dock, slightly stunned by his question. When we reach the boat I finally ask, “the lake’s name is Vivian?” he nods as he unties the boat and jumps up onto it. “Come on, get up here.” He laughs as the boat tries to float away. I gather my skirt and jump the gap between the Boat and the dock, and he catches me. “There, you see, no water.” He says, leading me to the co-captain’s chair. I sit down looking around at the lake. It was very clear, and you could see the fish swim by. The boat starts moving, snapping me out of my trance. He smiles at me. “Beautiful isn’t it. I always though it was funny that it had the same name as the beautiful girl next door,” he says, squeezing my knee. I smile at him and look around again, seeing an island a little way off. “what’s that?” I ask pointing to it. “The island. It’s just big enough for three people to lay down head to toe.” He says steering us toward it. “that’s where were going, you can’t go on lake V and not stand on the island.”

 

As we pull up to the island he drops the anchor, then hops down. I look over the edge, slightly nervous. “Don’t worry I’ll catch you.” He says holding out his arms. Gingerly I step up on the rail, close my eyes and jump. A pair of strong arms wraps around my waist and my feet hit solid ground. I open my eyes. “You caught me.” I whispered and he laughs. “I told you I would didn’t I?” he asks as he takes my hand and we step onto the center of the island. The sand is very thick, but it’s dry and I smile up at the moon. “Look at that moon.” I sigh. Lane just keeps looking at me. I look back at him. “What is it, do I have food on my face or something?” I ask wiping at my face. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?” he asks suddenly not answering my question. “Yes. Everyday.” I answer giggling. He takes my hand. “Have I ever told you about my dream?” he asks and I tilt my head. “No…what dream…” I start to ask but he kneels down on one knee. “The dream with us, on a little farm, a couple of kids, and a wedding ring.” He says and my eyes go wide as I realize what’s happening, my hand flying to face, tears forming in my eyes. “Vivian Leanne Lummis, will you please do me the honor of becoming my lawful wedded wife and making my dream come true?” he asks, pulling out a beautiful sapphire ring. The tears well over and I start crying, nodding violently, my curls bouncing. “Is that a yes?” he asked after a moment. “Yes!” I gasp through the tears. “It’s definitely a yes!” he smiles and takes the ring out of the box, then slips it onto my ring finger. Then he stands up, and kisses me in the moonlight.