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I let out a big, dramatic sigh and said, "Well, now I have to do something very, very UNcomfortable." I stood and grabbed my purse from the end table. Mitch seemed surprised. "What do you need to do? Untape yourself? That's got to be uncomfortable." I looked at him with an expression that said I was shocked that he would even make such a suggestion. "Do I talk about your personal areas!? No, I don't, because I'm a lady and I'd thank you not to talk about mine, sir! EVER AGAIN!" He laughed at my indignation while I took out my phone and took a picture of my left hand. Then asked, "What do you have to do that's so uncomfortable, then?" I showed him the picture I'd taken. "I have to text Marie, Hilda and Nancy, the three women in my life most likely to say 'I told you so,' and tell them that they were all right. It's going to be a long night." I created the text, just a picture of the ring on my left hand and the phrase, 'I had an interesting day,' and I sent it off as a group text to Marie, Hilda and Nancy. It took about twenty seconds for my phone to ring. It was Marie. I handed the phone to Mitch and said, "Here. You answer it. Put it on speaker." He smiled, pushed the accept button and then hit 'speaker.' "Hello, this is Donnie's phone, but Donnie isn't available. This is Mitchell, Donnie's assistant. May I help you?" "Very funny, jackass," Marie laughed. "I want to talk to my little sister before you steal her away. Put her on." "I'm sorry, ma'm," Mitch was smiling, on the verge of laughter, "but Donnie is far too busy to spend time talking to family members at this time. Perhaps if you call back in a few days, she may find the time..." "Yeah, yeah, yeah, funny man, put her on. Oh... and by the way. Congratulations. You're getting a wonderful girl." At that moment, Mitch's phone rang. He glanced at it and saw that it was Hilda calling him. He showed the phone to me and raised his eyebrows. Then he said to Marie, "Well, thank you, ma'm. I am going to turn you over to your sister now, but only because your better half is calling me. Here she is." He handed the phone to me and I said, "Hi, Rie. You saw the picture?" "Oh, honey, it's beautiful. I'm so happy for both of you," Marie squealed through the phone. "So what are the arrangements? Are you wearing a tux or a gown?" I laughed. "Definitely not a tux. Those days are over for me." "Really!?" Marie sounded a bit surprised by my resolute tone. "You're absolutely set on being my sister, then?" "I am," I said. "I can't imagine being anything else." There was a loud banging on the suite's hallway door. I continued talking as I walked to the door to open it. "Oh, and one of the wives here is an assistant principal at The Crawford School and she offered me a job as a teacher." I opened the door to find Nancy and Craig smiling and holding a bottle of champagne. I grinned, indicated that I was on the phone and waved them in while continuing to listen as Marie said, quite a bit more dismissively than necessary, "Teach!? What are you qualified to teach?" "Art of course," I laughed. "Oh!" Marie laughed. "Well, that makes sense, I guess." "Look, Rie, I have to go. Nancy and Craig just came in. I'll call you tomorrow, ok? Love you." "Love you, too, baby sister," Rie said. Again - we are twins. I'm a few minutes younger, but that's about it. This 'baby sister' thing seemed to be funny to Marie, though. When I disconnected the call, Nancy threw her arms around me. "Oh, Donnie, I'm so happy for you! We both are! As soon as we saw the text, Craig ran down to the bar and got a bottle of champagne to celebrate." She kissed my cheek and put one of her hands where her lipstick mark remained, then said, much more quietly, "I am so, so happy for you, Donnie. I really, really am." I grinned broadly and kissed her cheek in return. "Thank you, Nan. I'm happy for you, too." Mitch stood and held his phone out to me. "Hilda wants to talk to you, Donnie." He greeted Craig and Nancy with handshakes and hugs and I said hello to my sister in law. "Oh, Donnie, Donnie... I am so happy for you," Hilda said in a loving, accented voice. "See what happens when you open up and allow yourself to be loved?" I felt so warmed by her words. "Thanks, Hilda. Thanks for everything. For listening, for being there for me... for everything." "It was my pleasure, no... my joy to do whatever I could, engel." Maybe she actually said 'angel' in English, but her accent made it sound German and it made me feel that much more loved. "I know you have guests, so I'll let you go. We love you, liebling. Go be happy." We said our goodbyes, and by the time I had disconnected the call, the cork was popping out of the champagne bottle and Mitch, Nancy and Craig let out that strange cheer of triumph that always comes with the release of a champagne cork. They poured themselves portions of the bubbly wine into the small tumblers that were in the kitchenette area of the suite, while I pulled a can of ginger ale out of the minibar and used a similar tumbler. Craig and Nancy toasted our happiness and we toasted theirs and we all ended up on the balcony, lounging and chatting. As Mitch and Craig discussed the results of the round of gold that Mitch had missed that day, Nancy and I began discussing our individual weddings. She, of course, had already made a lot of plans. Being an events planner and having a great deal of experience in these things, she gave me the names of the best and most reliable bakeries and dress makers and jewelers and pretty much every other aspect of a wedding reception. "Of course, I can get you a great deal at my hotel, if you want." I smiled and thanked her and said that I would let her know as we planned. "I've been engaged for, what, an hour and a half? and I have already been offered help from a half dozen people." I sipped my ginger ale and laughed, "Talk about a whirlwind! I knew that women got excited about weddings, but Bev and Jodi went nuts within thirty seconds of me saying yes." Nancy rolled her eyes. "Well, if they're offering help, you'll be in good hands, but make sure that you guys do want YOU want. It's YOUR wedding - and watch the budget, too. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding does not make a marriage work any better than having a pot luck reception in your back yard." "Ooh," I giggled, "now THAT sounds nice. Something in July or August... the men in shirtsleeves and ties, the women in summer dresses. I could get into something like that. Mitch's mom would never go for it, though. Knowing her, I'm sure that she's had Mitch's wedding planned since she found out she was pregnant with him." We both laughed at that. Pretty soon, the champagne was gone and it was getting late. Mitch walked with Craig to the door and I walked with Nancy. She put her arm around me and whispered, "Maybe everything happens for a reason, Donnie. Maybe we had each other for so long so that we could find Craig and Mitch. And maybe 'the cosmos' brought us together here to help each other towards better lives." "Maybe," I agreed, but I was pretty sure her philosophical attitude was champagne fueled. Then she got very serious and looked me right in the eyes. "But I will always love you, Donnie. Both as a friend and as someone who was my lover. Just remember that." I kissed her cheek. "I will, Nan, and the same goes for me. I'm glad we had the chance to be friends, again." Craig shook Mitch's hand and hugged me and congratulated both of us, again, and finally, Mitch and I were alone. "Well," he laughed, "I didn't expect the whole island to go crazy over this!" He looked so happy, so excited, that I needed to hug him, so I did. I hugged him as tightly as I could and he did the same, almost breaking my spine in the process. He lifted me in the air and swung me in a circle once - twice - three times before my feet touched the ground again. Then he kissed me with a soft passion that I felt in every molecule of my body. "Are you happy?" He asked. "I could not be happier," I bubbled back at him. He gave me one more peck on the lips, then suggested that I go get ready for bed while he called his mom and dad and told them the news. When I exited the lavatory about forty five minutes later, he was still on the phone. "Yeah, mom, I know. Here, Donnie's just come out of the bathroom. I'll let you talk to her. Yep. Love you, too, mom. Yeah, we'll be home in a few days and we can talk about everything then. Bye-bye." He held the phone out to me and said, "Take a breath. She has a lot to say." As I'd expected, Mitch's mom had a lot of ideas about her son's wedding. She wanted it in the church that Mitch and I had attended as boys, something I wasn't too keen on - besides the fact that I was a very lapsed Catholic, the idea of either explaining my situation or lying to a priest didn't particularly excite me - but I figured that that was a discussion that could wait until we got home in just a few days. Mitch's dad was surprisingly embracing of his son marrying another man. I mean, he's never been anti-gay in any way, but... I guess I just figured that a man might be disappointed if his son wasn't straight. Too many TV movies, I guess. Anyway, Mitch's dad, who'd always called me 'Donald,' took it all in stride and called me 'Donnie,' and 'dear,' and 'darling,' as if he'd done so all his life. Both insisted that I now refer to them as 'mom and dad' and I was very comfortable with that, too. When Mitch emerged from the bathroom about ten minutes after he'd entered, he chuckled at the fact that I was still talking to his folks. He mouthed the word 'sorry,' but his bright eyes indicated that he was thrilled that everyone was happy. "Ok, mom," I said. "I'm going to hand you back to Mitch, now. Yep. I love you too. No, no, I won't forget. I'll see you soon." I handed Mitch the phone and he put it to his ear. "Ok, mom. Yes, we're very happy, too. Ok. I'll see you on Friday. Bye-bye." He disconnected the phone and looked at me. "Wow! She's really excited. I don't envy you!" "Me!? I asked, confused. "Why don't you envy me?" Mitch laughed. "You're the one with three mothers and three sisters who are all going to want to help you plan the wedding." I blinked. "I have three sisters, yeah, but I doubt I'll be inviting two of them to the wedding." He laughed. "I meant Marie, Hilda and Nancy. They're all going to drive you crazy with helpful ideas and opinions." He pulled back the blankets on his bed and swung his feet under the light covers. I nodded. "I get it... and my three moms are your mom, Bev and Jodi, right?" "You know it," he shook his head. "Like I said, I don't envy you." I touched my blankets and was about to pull them down, but I stopped. "Mitch?" "Yes?" "Would it be ok if... I slept with you?" He raised himself up onto an elbow and looked at me. "Donnie... I'm not sure we're ready to try making love again, just yet." I shook my head, a bit embarrassed. "No. I mean... just sleep. Can I sleep with you? I really want to be near you." God, I felt like a needy child asking a parent if she could cuddle. He smiled and held the covers open. "I'd love that." I climbed in and laid with my head on his broad chest, his strong arm around me and breathed in his scent and I felt his chest hair and muscles on my cheek and I was happy. Truly happy. Mitch had an eight thirty tee time the next morning, and the golf course was off of resort property, so we were up and at breakfast at seven thirty. That morning I wore my favorite of all of my silk top and skirt outfits. The top on this one was pale peach and the print looked as if it had been stitched together from those delicate handkerchiefs that old women used when I was a child. All of the handkerchiefs were set at a forty five degree angle, with a corner pointed up. One had delicate little violets in each corner, another roses, and still another daisies, etc. It had tiny cap sleeves and slit top with a stiff, one inch collar. As with several other of my blouses, the silk was sheer enough that the beautifully lace covered chemise I wore beneath it was clearly visible. The blouse was matched with wide A-line skirt with pale, watercolor-like flowers that seems to have run together and faded into a beautiful, soft pastiche of color. From a distance, my blouse seemed unadorned and the skirt rather bold, but up close, the colors of the skirt blended and faded and the blouse held your attention. Combine those with classic, tan, two inch pumps and I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. Mitch agreed and so did many of the women at breakfast who complimented my look while also asking to see my ring and congratulating both of us on our engagement. Mitch kept checking his phone throughout breakfast and occasionally typed something into a text, but he was also gregarious and engaged with everyone who came our way. Just as he was about to leave, Craig and Nancy arrived, each carrying a cup of coffee and wearing sun glasses. Craig said that he wasn't going to sit, that they'd overslept and he was going to get by with just the coffee. He kissed Nancy, who sat and joined me. Mitch stood, then bent to kiss me. "I probably won?t be back until dinner time," he said. "After the golf game, I have to help Bob with something. I shouldn?t be long." I said that was fine. I?d find some way to get through the day until he returned and he laughed at that. Before he left, Mitch stopped and said to both Nancy and me, "Oh, tomorrow is our last full day and we have the formal banquet tomorrow night. Why don?t you two make an appointment at the salon and get your hair and whatever done for the party? The works, ok? My treat." I looked at Nancy who looked at me and shrugged. "Sure. I?d love that. Thank you, Mitch." "Yes, thanks, hon," I said as well and the men left. As soon as they were out of sight, Nancy waved down a waitress. "I?ll have a mimosa, please. Light on the juice. The waitress was about to leave, but I stopped her. I asked her to wait a moment while I asked, Nancy, "Is that all you?re having?" She lifted her sunglasses and peeked out at me with dark circles under her bloodshot eyes. "It?s what I need." "Bring her toast and tea as well. Charge it to my room." I told the waitress and she smiled and walked away. "Hair of the dog?" I asked Nancy, who shook her head. "Yeah," she laughed. "Craig and I had already had a couple before we got your text last night. Combine that with the champagne and that dog bit me pretty hard. I haven?t had a hangover like this since college." Now, I laughed because I had been in the same boat recently. "I know what you mean!" The waitress arrived with the toast, tea and mimosa and we thanked her. We chatted some more about weddings, etc, and then I spotted Alyssa arriving. I excused my self from Nancy?s conversation for just a moment and I invited Alyssa to join us. "Well, just look at you, the radiant bride to be," Alyssa smiled as she sat. "Let me see the ring. Oh! It?s beautiful, and so old fashioned! Just like you! I love it!" "I?m old fashioned?" I asked. She looked at Nancy and smiled. "Does she not know how old fashioned she is?" Nancy sipped her mimosa and smiled back. "Let me tell you something about my friend, Dawn. We were very close until about a year ago. We saw each other every day and never once did I think that she was an old fashioned girl at all, but since last Thursday, every day she has been the perfect little lady. Silk and lace and pearls... the change is shocking!" Then she looked at me, "Look around, Donnie. Compare your look to every other woman here. Your adorable blouse, your flouncy skirt, your pretty little pumps, not to mention your hair and makeup ? you are a perfect, porcelain doll, my love. A golden trophy among aluminum figurines." She toasted me with her glass and took another sip. I felt a bit hurt. Was she making fun of me? "I don?t know quite how to take that, Nancy. I mean... I work very hard on my clothes and makeup..." She leaned forward and took my hand. "I just meant that you look like a goddess amongst mere mortals, Donnie. I was trying to be funny, but it came out wrong ? like I was a mean drunk. You?re beautiful, babe. That?s all I meant." I nodded, but I was still confused. "I only meant," Alyssa smiled and touch my upper arm, "that your style and the way you present yourself is all very... classic and I love the fact that Mitch chose a ring that reflected the same aesthetic. It suits you. I didn?t mean to offend you at all." I nodded and felt better. "The ring was actually Mitch?s grandmother?s." "Oh, how wonderful," Alyssa gushed. "I assume she?s passed away, then? Did you know her?" "We both did," I replied, including Nancy. Alyssa fingered the ring some more, inspecting it with a woman?s eye. "Oh, I bet she?s looking down form heaven thrilled that you?re wearing her ring. Extending her legacy to another generation of her family. Just think, some day, your daughter or granddaughter may be wearing that ring on her wedding day, too. Family is everything, after all." I wondered how Nana may have felt about me wearing her ring. Would she be happy or appalled. Nancy must have seen a cloud of concern pass across my face and she added. "She is, Donnie. Mitch?s Nana loved you like you were her own, too. She?s smiling down on you, right now, just like Alyssa said." I looked at the ring and, honestly, I could feel not only Mitch?s love, but Nana?s love too, and I stifled back a tear. "I hope so," I said, quietly. "So?" Alyssa, sensing that things may get maudlin, was suddenly brighter, "Have you made a decision?" Nancy looked from Alyssa to me. "A decision about what?" "Alyssa offered me a job, teaching art, at her school, and, yes, I have made a decision, and, yes, Alyssa, if you?re school will have me, I?d love to teach there." I said, a bit excited. "That?s wonderful!" Alyssa smiled and clapped her hand on her leg. She checked her watch and did some math. Deciding that it wasn?t too late to call back home, she said, "If you?ll excuse me, I?m going to go call the school and let them know that you?ll take the job. Oh, I?m so happy, Donnie! You?re going to love it at Crawford, I just know it!" She jumped up and headed away from the breakfast area to make her call. "Wow!" Nancy said as she nibbled the toast. "A new look, new job, new lover, new sex... you?re really starting over, aren?t you!?" Again, I wasn?t sure if Nancy was being mean or not. "Is that a sincere question or are you back to being a mean drunk?" "Argh," she grunted as she put her fingers under her sunglasses and rubbed her eyes, then left her hands on her cheeks as she spoke. "I am done drinking like that! I?m just grumpy this morning, Donnie. I?m sorry. I don?t mean to come across that way, I?m trying to be nice, I swear." I nodded. "Ok, but take another sip of mimosa so that you get back to being a decent person, again." She stuck her tongue out at me and sipped her drink, again. She held up her glass to me and said, "Cheers." She exhaled a big breath and looked around for a moment or two before asking, "Can I ask you a question?" "Sure," I said, as I stopped a gentle breeze from inflating my skirt. "Are you moving in with Mitch?" I nodded. "I am. He asked me to do that before he even proposed." She nodded and waited another moment before asking, "Then... are you selling the house?" It hadn?t even occurred to me that selling my house might be an emotional issue for Nancy, but she lived there with me and even paid part of the mortgage for almost a decade. "I kind of have to," I said. "Even if I needed it, I don?t think I could really afford it." Nancy nodded, again, then asked, "Would you consider selling it to Craig and me?" I was shocked by the question. "Well... yeah... You?d be interested in buying it?" "Sure. What not? I always loved that house and the neighborhood. It?s a great place to bring up kids, there?s a nice school right around the corner, the yard is flat and big without being unmanageable... I?ll need to talk I to Craig first, but we were talking about buying a place and that?s the kind of place I?d love to raise a family in." "Great!" I smiled. "When we get home, let?s get together and figure it all out. I kept track of all the times that you contributed to the mortgage payments, so... well, let?s see how much you?ve already invested in it, how much I owe, and figure out a price you?re happy with." Nancy smiled. "Well, ok... but we?ll pay you market value..." I nodded. "We?ll figure it all out. I don?t need to make a profit off you and Craig, Nan." She shook her head and looked around, again. "You are a whole different person, Donnie. You really are. I love you to death, but you need to be careful of this new desire to please everyone." I laughed. "Marie says I?m trying to be a good girl. She thinks it?s funny." "I think it?s adorable," she laughed, "but I don?t need to take advantage of you, either. Let?s make sure we?re both happy about the price of the house. I?ll talk to Craig, tonight." I asked the concierge to arrange for salon appointments for both Nancy and me, then, due to Nancy still recovering from her hangover, although she was better after her toast and tea, we took a long, slow walk on the beach. It was our next to the last full day in Hawaii and we wanted to enjoy the beauty and warm breezes for as long as we could before returning to the cold, snow and slush of New England. I carried my pumps and gloried in the feeling of the soft, warm, sugar-like sand. "So..." Nancy said as we walked along, alone, "you?re going to be a teacher? That might be even more surprising than finding out you were going to be a woman." I laughed. "I know, but... it?s a career opportunity and I haven?t had a lot of those, lately. Besides, I love art. I think it?ll be nice to share that with kids." "LITTLE kids, Donnie," she pointed out. "Little kids who need gentleness and patience and sometimes even hugs. You?re going to need to be a lot more patient and supportive than you?ve ever had to be before." I nodded. "True, but... I think I?ll be able to do it. I?m different than I used to be. I think I might enjoy working with kids." "Well, good for you, Donnie. I imagine your future mother-in-law will have plenty of advice for you." That was true. Mitch?s mom had about thirty years of classroom experience. She would probably be happy to offer some advice. "Great idea," I said. "You?re going to have to tone done your clothes a bit," Nancy laughed. "You can?t very well risk getting paint or marker on an outfit like the one you?re wearing, now." I laughed. "Oh, good. More shopping. Marie will be thrilled!" "So will Mitch, I?m sure," Nancy laughed in response. "Nancy! Donnie!" We heard someone calling from the walkway at the end of the beach. We turned and saw Beverly waving. "Girls! Come here, please! Big news!" "I wonder what that?s all about?" I said as we headed in that direction. "She?s probably thought of the perfect place to buy your wedding lingerie," Nancy teased. I laughed. "Pretty soon, I?m going to need a huge walk-in closet, just for lingerie." "Well, I?m sure Mitch will buy it for you if you ask," Nancy said with a smug smile on her face. "Girls," Bev was very wound up, "I have such good news!" "What?s that?" I asked. "Well, let me start with you, Nancy. Now, this is just between we three, you understand. No one else can know until tomorrow night?s banquet, but... Nancy... Craig is being promoted to the Head of Forensic Accounting! Isn?t that exciting!?" "Oh, my God!" Nancy was shocked. "How? When? How did this happen!?" "Well, you see," Bev explained, "Oscar and Bob had Mitch and Craig review some irregularities in the accounts of a client ? it was Mitch?s idea to have Craig look at the records... anyway, Craig uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraud and embezzlement and now, the firm is a hero in the eyes of their client and Bob and Oscar were so impressed with Craig that he?s being promoted." "That?s... That?s wonderful!" Nancy was still shocked, but thrilled as well. "Oh, God, Craig will be over the moon about this! Oh, I?m so happy for him!" "For both of you, dear," Bev corrected. "This is a huge promotion and comes with a huge raise, too. You will be very well off after this." Nancy just shook her head, amazed. "I don?t know what to say, Beverly. Thank you, of course, but... this is amazing!" "And as for Mitchell," Bev looked at me and smiled. "Tomorrow night, Oscar and Bob will be announcing that Mitchell will be becoming a full partner in the firm." Now, it was my turn to be shocked. "Full... oh, my God! That?s amazing, Bev! Thank you!" "Well," she smiled and touched both of our shoulders, "of course, Bob and Oscar made their decisions based on the work that your fianc?s have been doing for them, but you two played a part in the decisions, too. Donnie, since you arrived, you have just shined through every day and Nancy, I had my doubts, but you have proved to be a tremendous asset to all of us. Thank you both, but remember ? NOT A WORD to anyone, including Craig and Mitchell, until tomorrow, night." "We promise," Nancy and I said in unison. "Now," Bev grew more serious, "there is an issue I need to discuss with you." We waited. "We want tomorrow?s promotions to be photographed and posted on our website, but... I hate to be indelicate, but... may I ask what you?re both wearing tomorrow night? I know the men are wearing tuxedos, but... please forgive me for asking... may I please see what you?ll be wearing to event?" "Oh," I stuttered as both Bev and Nancy got text messages. "I don?t see any problem with that..." I stopped because Bev and Nancy both checked their phones, then looked at each other, Bev smiled and Nancy stared at her in shock. "Is everything ok?" I asked. Bev smiled and spoke to me, but her eyes remained focused on Nancy until well into her first sentence. "No, dear. Everything is just fine. That was just Jodi texting. She?s going to meet with Nancy in her room and see what she is wearing. I?ll go with you, ok? Oh, here comes Jodi, now! Jodi! Over here!" I looked at Nancy, who just rolled her eyes. "You told them, already?" Jodi asked. Beverley put her arm through mine. "I couldn?t resist. Why don?t you go with Nancy and I?ll see what little, Miss Donnie is wearing." "Excellent," Jodi smiled, but also asked. "Oh, what color are you wearing, Donnie?" I was still getting past the fact that Mitch was becoming a partner. My head was still spinning from all of the changes the last few days had brought. "Oh, Umm, it?s silver with a little gold vine running through it." "Well, that sounds lovely!" Jodi said, then looked at Nancy. "Do you think that your dress will go well with silver?" Then I blurted out, "She has a nice blue chiffon dress that should..." but I stopped when I realized that I?d sent her that dress anonymously. "I knew you sent that!" Nancy pointed at me and let out a verbose laughed. "At first, I thought it was Craig, but when he never asked about it, I knew it had to be you!" I shook my head at my foolish mistake. "It was just too perfect for you, Nan, and I knew you wouldn?t let me buy it for you..." "Yeah, well, I would, now, since finding out that Mitch is going to be a partner." She laughed at that and so did Bev and Jodi. "Ok, enough, you two," Bev scolded. "Let?s see what we have and if we need to get anything for tomorrow. Remember, girls ? Behind every good man is a good woman there to support him." Bev and I arrived at my suite and I took the dress... the gown really... from the closet and pulled its dry cleaning bag up to the crook of the hanger so that she could see it. "Oh, that is lovely," she gushed. She felt the silk material and shook her head. "I miss being young enough to wear things like this. May I see how it looks on you?" "Ok..." I said, a bit surprised. She?d seen all my clothes all week. Did she think I?d show up at the final formal event in a dress that didn?t fit? Her refusal to move indicated that I was changing in front of her, too. First Marie, then Jodi, then Nancy, who had, of course, seen me naked a million times, and now, Beverly. I thought women were more reserved about these things then men, but these women just kept expecting me to strip to my skivvies in front of them. Of course I turned my back as I removed my skirt, blouse and chemise. I stepped into the gown and pulled it up to just below my breasts before removing my bra and quickly running my arms under the spaghetti straps, safely hiding my smaller than normal nipples and aureoles. The dress was beautiful. A silver silk under skirt covered by a transparent, soft tulle outer skirt, with a vine of gold thread with a few delicate leaves made of the same thread running through the tulle. The V-neck bodice that formed beautifully around my breasts were supported by the spaghetti straps. The subtle, natural waist flowed elegantly down in a luxurious skirt that was hemmed to just touch the floor when I wore my four inch heeled, silver sandals. The skirt had a modest train that dragged along behind in, necessitating my holding the skirts while I walked, and a slit up the front that allowed for peeks of my thin, well tanned legs, while the back of the top of the dress was open, nearly to the top of my buttocks, with a fairly complex array or spaghetti-strap-style laces holding the whole garment together. There was no possible way that I could straighten the laces and tie the whole thing off correctly without help from Bev and she was more than happy to assist, gushing about the softness of both my gown and my skin the entire time. When the laces were tied and I was fairly sure that the dress wasn?t going to fall off of me, I turned and Bev inspected the dress. "Oh, Donnie, Donnie, Donnie... it?s breathtaking, my dear. Just breathtaking." "Thank you," I said, pleased that she approved, but feeling very pretty for just having the dress on. Part of me couldn?t wait to get all dolled up and ready for the event the following evening. "What about jewelry?" She asked. "I?m not sure," I responded. "I think my mother?s pearls might be a bit much, but I have a nice gold chain pendant with a tear drop amethyst on it that I thought might look nice." She made me try it on, and it was obvious that Bev was unimpressed by the combination of clothes and jewelry. "I?ll bring by a nice pendant that I have - platinum chain with a lovely, blue diamond pendant. I brought it just in case, but I think it?ll be perfect for you to wear tomorrow. It was Oscar?s great aunt?s. It?s lovely... classic... like your ring." I was very surprised that Beverly would offer me something so precious to wear. "Bev... I?m not sure that I can accept that. Even for an evening. It?s too generous of you." "Oh, don?t be silly," she pop-pooed. "That?ll help with the four things..." suddenly she stopped. "The four what things?" I asked. "Never mind, dear." She smiled. "The dress is perfect. Absolutely perfect." "I?m glad you like it," I smiled. "Could you undo me?" Once again, the wonderfully crippling logistics of feminine clothing required the help of another woman to free me from my silken clothing. I dressed as Bev returned my gown to the hanger and returned it to the closet. I was curious, so I asked, "Bev, do you and the firm always make such a big deal out of promotions? I mean, making sure that the girlfriends? clothes are all perfect for the pictures and everything?" Bev sighed. "Well, to tell you the truth... we?ve never added a new partner before. See, Oscar started the firm and Bob joined about six years after that. They were the only partners. Now... well... you know how things go... Oscar is getting along in years and it?s time to step aside, but Bob isn?t all that far behind him. Bob says he likes working with Mitchell almost as much as he likes working with Oscar, so Mitch is really going to be trained to take over the company in five or six years. It?s a huge responsibility, Donnie ? all those people depending on him ? but Bob and Oscar think he?s up to the challenge. So... someday soon, you will be the wife of the president of this firm." I stared at Bev. Mitch had hoped to get a raise ? maybe be considered for a partnership down the road a few years, but this... this was beyond his wildest dreams! He was going to pass out when he heard this! "Bev... I... Please, tell Bob and Oscar that Mitch and I will do everything in our power to make them proud to have chosen Mitch for this position." She touched my cheek. "We know that already, dear. You?re a wonderful bright, beautiful couple. Mitch is the right man for the job and you?re the right woman to help him. Now... let?s go see how Jodi and Nancy made out." We met Jodi and Nancy as we came out of the elevator. Jodi confirmed that the dress I?d bought in secret for Nancy was a good choice for the formal dinner. Nancy and I assured both of the partner?s wives that we were having our hair done the next afternoon, so they both seemed satisfied that we would not be embarrassing the firm in our photographs. Bev, Jodi, Nancy and I spent the afternoon shopping at every boutique, gift shop and art gallery at the resort, and every one within walking distance of the main gate ? and there were plenty! Bev and Jodi pointed out all kinds of wedding ideas to both Nancy and me and their interests in our lives seemed to grow as the day wore on. We had lunch at a beautiful, outdoor, carry out place. Fresh fish, fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, everything was fresh and delicious. At lunch, Nancy mentioned that she was considering purchasing my house, since I?d be moving in with Mitch. "Oh, you own your own house!?" Bev asked, impressed. "I do," I smiled. "It?s been hard to keep up with it since I lost my job, though, so, since I?ll be moving in with Mitch when we get back home, I figured that I would put it on the market. But, if after Nancy shows it to Craig, they decide they?d like to buy it, that would be great!" "Do you think that Mitch may want to get a bigger place after he finds out that he?s being named a partner?" Jodi asked. I glanced at Nancy and we both smiled. I answered, though. "I doubt it. Mitch was thrilled when he was able to buy the house right across from his parents. I don?t think he?d ever give that up." "Ha," Bev shook her head. "I never would have suspected that Mitchell would be a mama?s boy." I was about to respond, but Nancy leapt to Mitch?s defense. "Not at all, Bev. Mitch is a ?Family Man? in every sense of the word. His parents and his grandparents lived side by side and when Mitch could afford to buy a house, he never even looked outside of his neighborhood. I remember the day that he told us that the house across the street was going on the market. He couldn?t wait to make an offer. He was thrilled to get it." "Now," Jodi asked, "is that the same grandmother who left Mitch the ring that Donnie is wearing?" I looked at the ring on the third finger of my left hand and I felt warm and loved all over again. "It is," I answered. "Mitch is very dedicated to his family and friends." Then, as I thought about all the effort Mitch ? and I, too - had gone through to make a great impression at this retreat, I said, "And to this firm. Honestly, Oscar and Bob couldn?t have picked a more dedicated and loyal guy to make a partner." Bev looked at Jodi and smiled. "We know that, dear. Believe me, you don?t have to up-sell Mitchell to us. Bob is probably the most stubborn and picky man on God?s green earth and he told Oscar that Mitch is one of the most talented litigators that he has ever met. Oscar trusts Bob implicitly, so as far as the firm is concerned, Mitchell is a gift from heaven." "As are you, Donnie," Jodi smiled. "You too, Nancy," she smiled. We finished our lunch, shopped some more, then walked back to the resort. It was a glorious, sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing through my hair and the light, billowy material of both my blouse and skirt. Honestly, at that moment, I just wished that I could stay there in that tropical paradise forever. When I got back into the suite, it was already five o?clock. I knew Mitch was involved with some work with Bob and he?d be late, but I hoped that we might be able to have a nice evening. After all, it was our last unscheduled night in Hawaii. So, in anticipation of a romantic evening under the stars, I changed out of my blouse and skirt and into one of the sundresses that had been ?forbidden? by Randall and Marie. Oh, it was a lovely dress! A royal blue cotton with a pattern of pale pink roses with stems and leaves printed on it. Two inch straps over the shoulders, a bodice that buttoned in the front and hugged my torso beautifully, and a blouse skirt that fell to just below my knees. I partnered that with a pair of two inch, strappy sandals and I waited for Mitch to come back. By six o?clock, I was lonely. I sent Marie and Hilda texts of photos and told them about the trip. Of course, it was too early in the morning to expect a response from them, but I hoped that they might just happen to be awake. Apparently, they weren?t, because no one responded. It was seven fifteen before Mitch showed up and he seemed a bit surprised that I was still waiting for him to go have dinner and enjoy the evening. "Sorry," he said, as he hugged me, "it took longer than I expected. Let me just change quickly and we can go have a nice dinner and enjoy the night, ok?" To tell you the truth, I was a bit ticked off that he?d made me wait so long, but I figured that, once he became a full partner, I would probably have to get used to his hours being a bit erratic. So, I just cherished the hug and he got changed. It was a truly romantic night, too. Dinner at the terrace restaurant, dancing to small band near the beach, walking hand in hand on the sand with the warm Pacific water washing over our bare toes. A perfect last night to ourselves. I sighed as he hugged me from behind and we looked at the nearly full moon reflecting on the water. "I wish we could stay here forever." I said as I gazed at the beauty all around us. He gave my neck a gentle kiss. "Me too, but... real life awaits, so... back to the cold in a couple of days. BUT..." he let that hang for a moment before continuing. "...we can come back anytime we want. It?s only an eleven hour plane ride away." I smiled. "That would be nice. It would be nice to just be here alone. No Bev and Oscar. No Jodie and Bob. No golf. No work. Just us." Mitch snickered. "No golf? Are you crazy?" I knew he was teasing, but when I didn?t react, he teased some more. "You know what I think would make this place even nicer? We keep Bob, Oscar, Bev and Jodi, we keep Craig and Nancy, too, and we add my mom and dad, and Marie and Hilda. That sound sounds like the perfect mix for a romantic vacation. What do you say?" I scoffed and rolled my eyes as I turned to hug him properly. "No thanks. I just want to be alone with you." He laid his cheek on the top of my head and said, "You may regret wishing for that, because you?ve got me forever, now, Donnie. Forever and ever." We, slept in the same bed again that night and I once again loved laying next to Mitch in my short, silk nighty, my head on his chest and his arm wrapped around my shoulder making me feel, small, protected and loved. There was no golf on the last full day of the retreat. Instead, we slept a little later, had a lovely breakfast on our balcony and then we took a long, quiet, peaceful walk around the resort. I showed Mitch all the beautiful sights I had seen during the week while he had been playing golf. Mitch took dozens of pictures ? many of them of the scenery and many of them of me and many of both of us. After lunch, we met up with Craig and Nancy. I kissed Mitch goodbye and Nancy and I headed for the salon. I was just a little surprised to see Jodi and Bev exiting the salon as we arrive. "Don?t you look lovely!?" I gushed at both of them, and they did. Bev always had her hair done in an attractive bob, but she?d had them touch up the color and add a little body for the evening?s festivities. Jodi had her shoulder length hair curled and piled on top. Both had had their makeup done quite nicely, as well. Jodi laughed happily. "After you mentioned that you had appointments for the salon, we thought it was such a good idea that we booked our own appointments. A little pampering before the formal dinner was a just perfect way to begin getting ready for the evening." We wished them well and we went into the salon. Now, the first time that we?d been there, the salon was nearly empty. This time, though, it was mobbed ? and the oddest part was, every single woman in the salon was a wife or girlfriend of someone at the firm. Apparently, Mitch?s idea was not as original as I?d believed. Everyone seemed to be there to prepare for the evening. All of the chairs in the salon were full, but Since Nancy and I had made appointments and most of the others were ?walk- ins,? we were escorted to our stylists right away. Luckily, I had the same stylist that I?d had the first time I came, so I just asked her to do something similar. Nancy, though, requested that we have our makeup done for the evening as well as our hair. I thought that was a bit presumptuous, since Mitch was paying for this, but he did say to get ?the works,? so I guess hair, nails and makeup fit that bill. Again, I gloried in the feelings of having my hair washed and brushed and styled. The manicurist convinced me that the best match for my silver gown with the thin, gold leaf pattern sewn into it was French nails. So, my nails were coated with a very pale pink that looked like natural nails, then my tips were coated with a little line of white. I liked it, but it didn?t seem as elegant as the solid colors I?d been wearing. Nancy oohed and ahed over them, though, so I assumed that this was just a style I had yet to understand. I shrugged, and looked at them again. They were lovely, I guessed. The makeup woman worked on Nancy for twelve or fifteen minutes and she looked fabulous afterwards. The same woman was still working on me nearly a half an hour after she started. "You?ve been working on my face for quite a long time," I said as the makeup woman was inspecting her work. "Beauty takes time," she said in a voice that said that she was not all that interested in discussing her work with me. "Am I that hideous?" I asked, only half joking. That actually broke her intense inspection long enough to make her laugh. "Not at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Some faces just take makeup differently ? more like a canvas ? than others. I?m sorry if I?m taking too long, it?s just... you have one of those faces." I accepted that and she went back to work. By the time my hair was done, I had been turned around so that my back was to the mirrors. Nancy was chatting with a group of the wives and girlfriends. By the intensity of their conversation, I assumed that they were discussing arrangements for the spring fundraiser. "Excuse me," my stylist called over to Nancy. "Before I let the young lady see the results of our work, May I ask your opinion?" I was surprised that not only Nancy, but a rather large group of the other wives and girlfriends came over to inspect me and the consensus was positive. Nancy summed up the opinion with her hand slapping firmly against her lips as her eyes watered. "Oh... Oh, she looks... just perfect." Why were these women so invested in my appearance? I mean, many of them had had their own hair and makeup done already and none of them seemed as interested in each other as they did in me. Why? "Alright, then," the stylist said. "Time for the unveiling." With that, she turned me to face the mirrors and... well... I was more than a little surprised. Instead of having my hair piled in an aesthetically pleasing, asymmetrical way as it had been a few nights earlier, instead, my hair had been literally woven into a beautifully loose braid that circle my head around the height of my temples, but instead of the braid continuing to incorporate all of my hair, the hair hung loosely through the crisscrossed plaits and was curled and combed out into gently, feminine waves below. If I had to guess, I?d estimate that the stylist had used somewhere between thirty and a thousand bobby- pins to secure the basket-weave pattern around my temple and, as nice as it looked, what really surprised me was the fact that sprigs of baby?s breath flowers and little faux-pearls had been woven into my hair as well. It seemed incredibly ostentatious to me ? and I?m the one who had made my entrance just a week earlier in a long sleeved, silk blouse with a large, floppy bow, paired with a gold skirt that made women stare at me. "Wow," I muttered. "It?s... it?s beautiful, but isn?t it a bit... much... for a banquet?" "No, no, no," Nancy shook her head as I looked at her reflection in the mirror. "It?s perfect, Donnie. Mitch will love it." I blinked and looked at the reflections of the other women as well, many of whom also seemed to have watery eyes. I caught sight of Alyssa who was also posed with her hand pressed to her lips and her eyes damp. "You look just beautiful, Donnie," she shook her head in an odd, dreamy manner. "Just beautiful." "Come on," Nancy insisted, "its after four. We need to go get dressed." Suddenly, all the women were checking their watches and hustling to leave and prepare for the evening. I remember what prom days were like in high school ? the girls all attending school for four periods until they would have earned a full day?s attendance, then suddenly clearing out of the school to prepare for the formal dance. All of them headed straight to beauty parlors to get their hair and makeup done. It was an activity that was mystifying to all the boys who were left behind in the school to muddle through math and science classes until after school when we?d casually picked up our rented tuxes and spend a maximum of fifteen minutes preparing to escort our dates to the dinner-dance. I suspected I had just experienced a similar female ritual. It was odd, but a lot of what I?d experienced in the previous ten days had been odd as well. I asked Nancy if she might come to my room at some point to help me to lace up the back of my elaborate dress. She said she?d love to help, but in order to facilitate both of us having time to dress properly, we stopped by Nancy?s room and picked up her dress and shoes. Back in the suite, we went into the bedroom to prepare. Within a few moments, we were in our bras and panties and preparing to dress Nancy. She looked at her gown and smiled. "Thank you for this, Donnie. It?s a beautiful dress and, honestly, I could never have afforded it." She laughed. "I suppose I should be thanking Mitch, too, huh?" I touched her shoulder and smiled. "Mitch didn?t mind at all. You?re a big part of his life, too." She nodded. "How does Mitch feel about me? Am I, like, ?the other man,? or ?the old boyfriend??" "He loves you as a friend, Nan." I thought it was an odd question, but the whole day had been odd up to this point, anyway, so why should this be any different? She looked me in the eye. "So, if he were to walk in here, right now, and see the two of us together, undressed, the way we are... he?d be fine with that?" I nodded. "I think so." Nancy raised her eyebrows as she thought about that. "You?re probably right. Mitch is a genuinely good guy and..." she looked me up and down. "...he?s in love with a genuinely good girl." I smiled at that. "Thanks." We got Nancy into her gown and heels and she looked lovely, truly lovely. Her dark hair was in a messier bun than it had been last time, which was very pretty, and they?d done an amazing job on her makeup, too. Just by way of small talk, I asked, "Have you tried on bridal gowns, yet?" She shook her head. "Not yet. To tell you the truth, my mom isn?t a big fan of Craig?s..." I chuckled at that. "Not surprising. She was never a big fan of mine, either." She didn?t bother arguing about that. Instead, she just continued her thought, "... so I haven?t really had anyone to go bridal gown shopping with. Craig keeps promising to go with me, but... you know how that goes. Guys..." She just let that remark hang in the air as an accusation towards Craig and, I suspected, the Donald of old. It was true that Nancy never really had any female friends other than Marie and, of course, after our break-up, I kind of ?got Marie in the settlement,? as it were. Nancy?s mom was... how shall I phrase this?... A psycho. She hated pretty much everyone and had a bad opinion of even the people she tolerated. But I felt really bad for Nancy, at that moment. Here she was, at what should be one of the most exciting times of her life and she had no one to share it with other than Craig. "I could go..." I sputtered. That?s not what I really meant, so I rephrased what I wanted to say. "I would love to go with you to find a gown, if you?d like me to." In her heels and gown, with me barefoot and in a bra and panties, I felt oddly little ? not just small, but young and inexperienced ? next to the tall and elegant Nancy. She smiled down at me. "You know, Donnie... When I first saw you out on the terrace that morning... I thought you?d lost your mind, but... I think you actually may have found... something... that was missing in you before. This whole week, I?ve felt closer to you than I ever did when we were a couple. Not in a... sexual way, I mean... I mean... it?s like I found a different kind of soul mate. Like... a sister... and... I don?t want to lose her. Could you consider... I mean... would you be my Maid of Honor?" I was elated, taken aback, and excited all at once. "Would I... YES! Of course, Nan! I?d be... I?d be honored to, but... what is your mother going to say about it?" Nancy shrugged and smirked. "Nothing in public, I?m sure, but she?ll go on about it in private for years, I?m sure ? but that?s something that I will have to deal with. You?ll do it, then? You?ll be my Maid of Honor?" I couldn?t help it. I had to hug her. "Of course, Nancy. Thank you for asking me." She hugged me back. "It would be like old times if Marie would be a bridesmaid, too. Do you think she would?" "Definitely!" I stepped out of the hug and grabbed my phone. "Let?s call her, now! She?ll be so excited!" "No! No! No!" Nancy said with undo urgency. "I?ll... let?s... let?s, like, have lunch after we get back, or something, ok? I?d like to ask her in person." "Oh," I said, a bit deflated in the moment. "Ok, sure." Nancy smiled and said, "Why don?t we get you dressed, now?" I retrieved my silver gown from the closet and laid it neatly across the bottom of the bed. I put the four inch sandals next to it and admired it for a moment before going to my lingerie drawer and pulling out the appropriately chosen pair of panties, I would not be wearing a bra, and my flesh colored waist nipper. Nancy peeked into the drawer as I checked the baggies to find the correct underwear. "You?ve been a girl for, what, ten days, and you have more lingerie to chose from than I do. That?s hardly seems fair." I shrugged as I pulled the nipper into place. "You need to go shopping with Nancy, some time. Oh... and be sure you have a nearly limitless credit line. That?s all it takes." Nancy watched as I created a more feminine waist using the nipper. "Can I ask a very personal question?" "Sure," I said, somewhat out of breath from my efforts. "Well, since you?ve decided to remain this way and be Mitch?s wife... are you going to... you know... have surgery?" I sighed. "Probably not. I mean, this is all new to me and... I know this sounds stupid, but... I like my penis. Right now, anyway... I don?t want to lose it. Besides, I?m allergic to anesthesia, so the risk would probably be too high." Nancy nodded. "What about your breasts. You said that those will only last three weeks or so." I know that it?s pretty stupid to say, but I had not thought about my breasts going away when the treatment that Hilda had given me wore off. "Huh," I said, giving away how stupid I?d been about the matter, "I hadn?t thought about that. I don?t know. I mean... I want breasts, so... I guess I?ll need to research that." Nancy took my shoes and knelt to slide them onto my feet. "I bet there?s a way. Maybe Mitch?s dad knows someone." "I don?t know if I?d feel comfortable having that conversation with Mitch?s father." I was being honest. I?m mean, I wasn?t all that comfortable having the conversation I was having with Nancy at that moment. Nancy stood and smiled, though. "I?m sure it wouldn?t be the first time he would have discussed things like that with a patient." "How about with his son?s boyfriend, though?" "How about with his daughter-in-law, you mean. Face it, Donnie, in the next year or so, you are going to have a lot of conversations with a lot of people. Doctors, old friends, family members... You?re going to need to get used to talking about these things. You?ve made a tough choice ? don?t get me wrong, I think it?s the right choice, but it?s a tough choice none the less, and you?re going to have to be in charge of the conversation if you?re going to survive." I nodded. She was right. "Well," I mulled, "I don?t think I?ll need to have that conversation immediately. I mean, I expect that this weekend will be mostly wedding discussions, right?" "I don?t know," she shrugged. "He is a doctor, so don?t be surprised if he brings it up. Be prepared. Don?t be embarrassed, certainly don?t be ashamed and know what you want." By now, Nancy was standing again and I was removing my bra. It is funny that I wasn?t in anyway self conscious about being naked in front of Nancy. She seemed to have accepted everything in stride. I was very happy that, as she?d stated, she now saw me as a sister. I already had two biological sisters too many ? my older sisters, I mean. Marie, of course, I loved and I guess I had a sisterly affection for Hilda, too, but to have Nancy back in my life and to have had it happen this way was... wonderful. I stepped into my gown and pulled it up, slipping my arms into the spaghetti straps and turning my back to Nancy so that she could begin manipulating the laces in the back. She laughed as she started to tighten up the pattern of laces. "If you?re going to continue to wear clothes like this, you?re going to need to hire a chamber maid to help you dress." That made me laugh, too. "If I continue to dress like this, Mitch will have to sell his house, too. This dress cost more than my first two cars combined." "I remember those cars," Nancy shook her head. "I bet I own shorts from Walmart that cost more than both those cars combined." She pulled the laces tight enough to hold the bodice in place, but not tight enough to dig into my skin and she began adjusting the material around my curves. "Well," she joked, "there is one big advantage to having little nipples." "What?s that," I asked. She ran her finger across the material covering my breasts, inadvertently sending a shiver through me. "You don?t need to wear silicone nipple covers when you go bra less." I glanced at the material, now, suddenly aware of yet another hazard of womanhood. "Are those really a thing? They sound uncomfortable." That made Nancy actually belly laugh. "There are a lot of uncomfortable things about being a woman, Donnie. Count yourself lucky that you?re only dealing with the uncomfortable things caused by fashion. You?ll never have to deal with cramps, or bleeding or tampons or pads..." "Oh, stop!" I cringed in mock, well ? somewhat mock ? horror at the very idea of having to endure something that a good portion of the world?s population suffered through every twenty eight days. At least when I?d been a guy, no one ever shared the graphic details of the feminine cycle with me. "It?s like I?m talking to Rie! She suddenly became very open about her period with me. Please! It?s more information than I can even process." "Oh, you poor baby," Nancy smiled as she kissed my cheek just as someone knocked on the door. "Take a look in the mirror and tell me what you think. I?ll see who?s at the door." I turned to the mirrored sliding door on the closet door and I have to admit ? I looked amazing. Even though I still thought that the hairdo was a bit over the top, with the flowers and fake pearls, it did go amazingly well with the gown. Then I heard Bev?s voice as she passed from the doorway, through the lounge and towards the bedroom. "Oh, you look, just lovely, Nancy! That dress is perfect on you! Is Donnie decent? I?ve brought a pendent for her to wear tonight..." I thought that it was odd that Bev had asked if I was decent, since just the previous day she?d seen me in just a bra and panties. How much less decent could I get? "Ahh!" Bev gasped with her typical dramatic flair as she entered the bedroom. "Oh, Nancy, isn?t she a sight!? My dear, you are just radiant!" "Thank you, Bev," I blushed at the unnecessary effusiveness. "I?ve brought my blue diamond pendant, dear. Here, let me put it on you." She moved behind me and gently drew the platinum chain around my neck and attached it in the back. I watched her in the mirror and gawked at the simple beauty of the obviously valuable pendant. "Oh, Bev..." I gasped at how it laid against my soft skin and complimented the dress. "Are you sure it?s ok for me to wear it?" "Of course it is, my dear," she stood behind me, her hands on my shoulders. "It?s a special day for the firm, a special day for Mitch and a special day for you." I shook my head in disbelief. The jewelry was beautiful and I was grateful, but this was Mitch?s special day. I was, in fact, meant to be exactly what I?d agreed to be when Mitch first proposed this whole plan just ten days ago ? merely an ornament on his arm. Instead of arguing with Bev, though, I just said, "Thank you, Bev. You?ve been so kind to me since we?ve met. I don?t know how to... well... thank you." "My pleasure, my dear. Honestly. You," she turned and looked at Nancy, "and you, too, are the future of this firm. Without you supporting your husbands-to-be, this firm and everyone who works for it will fail. It is a bigger responsibility than you probably realize at this moment, but you both have important roles to play." Then Bev seemed to shake off all of her seriousness. "But we?ll get to all of that later. Tonight is a night to celebrate. So, let?s just do that. On, heavens, look at the time. I need to finish getting ready! See you soon, girls!" "I should go, too," Nancy announced, then she kissed my cheek and said, "I?ll see you in a little bit. Bye bye." An then I was alone, but only for a few minutes, until Mitch showed up. He came through the door, smiling, as usual, and stopped cold when he saw me. "Holy cow, Donnie... Ho...ly...cow." "You don?t like it?" I asked, knowing full well that he was complimenting me. "No, I don?t." He approached me and laid one hand on the top of each of my arms. "I adore it," he said, then kissed me. "I adore you." Another kiss, but as much as I loved the kisses, I stopped him. "That?s enough, stud," I giggled. "Don?t mess up my makeup. Go put on your tux and let?s go have a nice last night in Hawaii." "Sounds like a plan," he smiled and leaned forward once more to kiss me. "No!" I insisted. "No more kisses until later. Right now ? get dressed." Ok, so I know this sounds like a clich?, but come on - I?d been in the beauty parlor for almost two hours, I?d spent hours trying on dresses back home, I?d recruited the help of my former girlfriend to secure my dress to me properly and I hadn?t sat down once she?d left because I didn?t want to wrinkle this amazing dress, yet less than ten minutes after Mitch had entered the suite, he?d combed his hair and put on a tux and looked like a young James Bond. It just wasn?t fair! When I was a guy, I used to brush my hair and throw on a tux and I?d still look like a dweeb. Mitch looked like a movie star. Between our suite and the Royal Hawaiian Ballroom, a beautiful indoor/outdoor room with Hawaiian themed d?cor, Mitch must have told me how beautiful I looked at least six hundred times. Don?t get me wrong, I loved every second of it... I?m just saying... that... he said it a lot. The weather was beautiful, so the event was set up in the outdoor section of ballroom. There was no ?head table,? but there was a podium set up with a microphone and it was on a small stage with potted palm trees along the back. Mitch and I sat at a round table with Oscar and Bev, Bob and Jodi, and Craig and Nancy. It was an exciting atmosphere and everyone seemed very happy to be there. It had, after all, been a wonderful week and we were all dressed beautifully for a night of good food, good company, dancing and, hopefully, romance. After yet another amazing fish dinner, Bob and Oscar took to the podium and began giving out ?team spirit? awards. They were cute, friendly slogans on little trophies. Each award represented some aspect of the employee?s personality and everyone got one. There was lots of laughter and applause. Then came the winner of the golf tournament. "Well," Bob laughed as he looked at the score sheets, "a lot of us need to spend a bit less time at the office and a bit more time on the golf course." That got a big round of applause. "According to what I have in front of me, only eleven of us even got close to par, and of those eleven on three were under par. You know, this really kills me to say, since this son of a gun even took a day off from playing, but by seven strokes, the winner of this year?s golf tournament is... drumroll, please..." everyone drummed on their tables, "...everyone?s ?go-to guy?... Mitch!" I seemed to be the only one who found it surprising that Mitch had taken a day off from playing and still won the prize, which was, if you recall, an extra week of vacation. Everyone applauded, but many of Mitch?s competitors on the course tossed napkins and other harmless things at Mitch as he passed. Mitch accepted the trophy, an envelope and shook hands with both Bob and Oscar, then sat back down. "That?s awesome," I congratulated him as I hugged him. Mitch just smiled and shrugged, humble as ever. Bob spoke again. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just a couple of business issues to attend to, tonight. As you all know, as this firm has grown, Oscar has always overseen the courtroom work of the firm, while I was usually more focused on the accounting aspects of our business. The truth is, I thought I was pretty good at it, too, but... this week I was proved wrong. I believe you all know Craig from accounting. Craig, would you please come up here?" Craig stood and looked both a little surprised and a little flattered to be given recognition. Bob shook Craig?s hand and continued. "Craig, Oscar and I have decided that we should institute a Forensic Accounting Department at the firm and we would be very happy if you would be willing to accept the responsibility of overseeing this aspect of the Accounting Department." Craig?s jaw dropped as Bob offered his hand. Everyone applauded, some just politely and some in genuine support of Craig?s new position. When he returned to the table, Craig was breathless and almost giddy. He couldn?t believe he?d been promoted, and no one congratulated him more than Mitch did. Then Oscar took to the podium. "Ok... alright... I am... well... I have to make an announcement that... well, I?d hoped I?d never have to make, but... whew... due to some health concerns and my age..." he took a deep breath. "I need to start taking a much small role in the firm?s day-to- day affairs. Now, don?t get your hopes up, I?m not disappearing altogether," that brought a concerned chuckle from the crowd, "I?m just going to be taking a less hand-on role in the firm?s work." He looked around the room. The people looking back were a concerned both for him and their jobs. "I promise you all... I?m going to be ok. I just need to back off a bit on the number of hours I work." That seemed to make everyone breathe a bit more easily. "Well," Oscar smiled, "I can?t just drop all of the extra work I?m leaving behind on Bob, here, so... for the first time since Bob and I started this firm together, we are appointing a new, full partner. This young man?s work has been constantly competent and sometimes even brilliant. In the time that he has been with this firm, he has never lost a case or negotiation. He has helped every single associate here to find new and creative ways to assist our clients and he has never asked for credit or compensation for that effort. In short, I can think of no better lawyer, man or friend in whom to trust the future of this company than..." by this time, everyone except Mitch was applauding and many were raising to their feet. Oscar just smiled and looked our way. "Mitchell... come on up." This time, no one threw any napkins or anything else and no one seemed at all opposed to Mitch?s new position. I rose and he hugged me hard. "I can?t believe this," he muttered. When he didn?t let go, but continued to hug me, I said, "Mitch, you have to get up there. Go on." "Oh, yeah," he laughed and he hustled through the mass of backslaps and hand shakes to get to the partners ? well, I guess I should say, the OTHER partners. Oh, I can?t tell you how proud I was of him. My eyes were filled with tears, but I kept them from falling in deference to my makeup. Just before Mitch reached the small stage with the podium on it, he stopped and hugged someone, and... I could have sworn it was his father, but... well, someone stepped in front of me and I lost sight of the person and by the time my sightline was cleared again, the person was gone. The crowd began calling for a speech and after Oscar and Bob shook his hand, Mitch finally moved to the microphone. "Wow..." he smiled and laughed and shook his head. "Just... wow... Oscar... Bob... Everyone... I am just so... amazed and... grateful. Thank you... thank you... thank you. I swear, Oscar, I will do everything to make you proud. This firm is the only firm in New England that has the moral backbone and integrity to fight for the rights of the people. I have always been honored to be a member of this firm and to be associated with all of you... wonderful... dedicated people. Thank you all for your support. I look forward to continued success as we work together to help make the world a better place. Thank you!" As Mitch stepped down from the stage, Bev grabbed my hand and Jodi grabbed both Craig and Nancy?s and we were hustled to the stage area where we were organized by a photographer who took several quick photos of all of us, as well as some of just the three partners and each couple. All of the pictures were taken in less than two minutes, leaving me to wonder at the amount of time, effort and expense had gone into my visit to the salon. As we turned and headed back to the table, I noticed that Mitch said something to Craig, who in turn whispered to Nancy who smiled, then turned to me. "I need to use the ladies? room. Come with me, ok?" I nodded, then turned to tell Mitch where I was going, but for some reason, he had disappeared. "Come on, Donnie," Bev was suddenly beside me. "Let?s go to the restroom." "Oh... I..." I started to tell her I was already headed there, but when I turned to Nancy, she was already headed in that direction with Jodi. "Ok," I said, completely befuddled. I was being pushed with a bit more force than I felt necessary towards the exit. The room had become a confusing mass of people who were congratulating me on Mitch?s promotion and telling Bev how concerned they were about Oscar?s condition. My head was spinning with all the commotion. Finally, we stepped into the hallway, but instead of heading towards the ladies room, a Polynesian woman who was wearing a resort uniform placed a band of flowers onto my head. "That is a haku lei," she smiled. "It brings the bride luck." "The bride?" I said, even more baffled than before. "Here, Donnie," Jodi appeared from nowhere beside me, "take this." She handed me a small bunch of orchids. "What?" I asked. "Why?" Then, to completely make my brain explode, a tall, slime person in a white tuxedo took hold of my arm and ran it through hers. "Are you all set?" She asked with the hint of an Austrian accent. I turned and I couldn?t blink... I couldn?t speak... I couldn?t even breath for a few seconds. I shook my head in the hopes of clearing out the impossibilities of the situation. Finally I muttered, "Hilda!? Hilda? What are you doing here?" "I?m giving away the bride," she smiled and my knees nearly gave out on me.