Sleepless: Callum And Harper - Sleepless: Callum and Harper Part 19
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Sleepless: Callum and Harper Part 19

"Oh, he's so there. We're still friends." I could also tell she wished it was still more.

"The Bowery will provide the tunes," she jested, elbowing me softly. "Do you have a song, Harper?"

I was caught off guard to realize that we did. "Please Don't Go by Barcelona."

"Oh yeah," all three girls sighed before bursting into laughter again.

"I'll tell Van," Marty said. "Gah! I almost forgot! Van said, as a wedding gift, he'd provide, and I quote, 'a few morsels and some bubbly'."

"I almost forgot!" Kelly chimed in suddenly. "We'll get Tom to play his acoustic for the processional."

I almost cried at everyone's generosity. I wanted to bolt from the room and tell Callum we couldn't take advantage of them like that but knew it was what we had to do in order to live and for John never to be able to find me. I didn't have a choice and my heartfelt oddly light and heavy all at the same time. What a riddle.

"What time is the ceremony?" Cherry asked "Three p.m. We're the only marriage he has that day," I said.

"We'll get the judge to meet us at The Bowery then."

"I doubt he'll do that," I said. "Why? Do you know someone who knows someone?"

They all laughed.

"No," Cherry said, "but never underestimate the power of a red head." She winked devilishly and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'd love to see you pull it off," I teased.

"What's his name?" She asked.

"Judge Ryder."

"Just let me handle it," she said and somehow I believed she'd do it.

"We're done," Cherry said, slapping her hands together in a swiping motion. "See? Harmless."

"You just planned my wedding in less than an hour," I stated, flabbergasted. "And it didn't cost a dime!"

"I know!" Marty said, hugging herself. "It pays to know creatives, Harper. We may not be able to do your taxes but we can throw one heck of a wedding."

I smiled, knowing this was probably going to be one of the best days of my sad, lonely life.

Thursday rolled around and Cherry told me she got the judge to meet us at The Bowery and that Robert, yeah, Robert, and his wife Karol would be attending. I should have known that she'd be able to pull it off.

Friday came a little too quickly for my taste. Callum and I stayed our nights at The Hope House, working mornings and lunches earning roughly three hundred a day. Since Monday we'd saved fifteen hundred and that made us both feel a little bit more secure.

Friday night, Cherry insisted we have a girl's sleepover at her house and watch wedding themed films. Callum would stay at Charlie's. The whole thing was shockingly too much like a real wedding to me and I often found myself tamping down guilty feelings.

Not surprisingly, Sam wouldn't be able to attend the slumber party or the wedding as she was 'visiting family' in Idaho over the weekend and couldn't possibly reschedule. That was like music to my ears. I didn't really want someone who believed we were making a mistake there. Even if we were, it was our mistake to make. Period.

Cherry made popcorn and she, Kelly, Marty and I dressed in pajamas and watched The Princess Bride, The Wedding Singer, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, (Cherry suggested Father Of The Bride but I turned that down for obvious reasons) and at my insistence Corpse Bride. They all scoffed at the last choice but none could disagree Callum was marrying the perfect bride, which made me squirm a little in my seat. We gave each other manicures and pedicures, talking and giggling all night. The other girls painted their nails wild colors to match their equally wild outfits but I wanted a natural look and only painted a pale, pale pink to mine.

The late morning sun woke me after a good six hours of sleep, from what I could tell which surprised me as I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep at all. It seemed I was the last to wake up. I could hear their soft giggling from Cherry's closet/dining area.

"She's perfect for him," Marty whispered.

"I know. It seems impulsive but I know my Callum. He's made a most perfect choice," Cherry chimed in.

"I love her already," Kelly said. "I'm so happy Callum found her. He was so lonely for so long." Cherry and Marty mumbled in agreement. "It seemed no matter what we did to make him feel a part of our little family he never really committed to us the way we wanted. Harper has changed his confidence. I thought Callum was amazing before but now there's not a thing in this world I can imagine that could possibly stop that boy from being extraordinary now that he's with her."

They were quiet for a moment and I figured that was as good a time as any to let them know I was awake so I made an exaggerated noise before standing and stretching.

"She's up!" Cherry said and all three girls sprinted toward me like it was an annual shoe sale at Loehmann's. She turned me toward her bathroom and shoved me gently. "Get in the shower. We only have four hours to get ready." I obeyed. Cherry meant business.

The shower was lovely but not super warm. I noticed the other girls had already showered and done their hair. Each was perfectly styled and fit them beautifully. I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself. I leaned over the sink to brush my teeth, water dripping down my legs and back and I realized I'd have to kiss Callum today. I started to panic and dropped my brush in the sink. I picked it back up and brought it back to my mouth with shaking hands. I brushed longer than my shower had taken. Silly girl. Before I could even finish, though, Cherry came bursting through the door, taking me by surprise. I squealed like a little girl.

"How long are you going to brush your teeth, girl? They're clean alright! It's not like it's the first time you've ever kissed! Jeez!"

"You were listening?" And it is the first time I'll be kissing him! Suddenly I was more nervous about the kiss then I was about the actual getting hitched. Figure that out.

"Of course! Didn't I mention we have precious little time? Come on!" She dragged me to her little vanity area in her dining room and sat me in the velvet cushioned stool.

I looked at myself in the mirror and started to freak out a little. My hair was still wet, not a stitch of makeup, and I was completely naked underneath my towel. I was about as little prepared to get married as humanly possible. I began to wring my hands.

"No worries," Marty said, squeezing my shoulder. "Now! Blow dryer! Stat!"

Cherry, Marty and Kelly went into a mission like mode, buzzing around me like someone had just kicked their hive. Marty didn't say a word while drying my hair and it seemed like it took forever but when I glanced at the clock only fifteen minutes had passed. It was going to be a long day.

Kelly took over where Marty left off, a bright gold curling iron in her hand. She began to fashion spiral curls that tapered to the middle of my back.

"I learned this from our hair girl at the theater. It took a lot of practice," she said, laying a warm curl against my skin. "You're hair looks like copper, Harper."

"That's what Callum always says."

"Does he now?" She teased, wagging her brows up and down.

I blushed profusely. I knew there were going to be sex jokes this day but I didn't think they were going to start that early. I figured they'd come right about the time the champagne started flowing.

"Stop, Kelly," I laughed. "Don't you dare!"

Cherry pulled a chair up to my side, grabbing my hands in hers, seriousness was written all over her face.

"Now, Harper. When a man and woman get married..." she started and I pulled my hands free, covering my face. All three of us started to bust up.

"Callum's never done it with anyone before," Marty said, matter-of-factly flipping through a magazine.

"Marty!" We all yelled.

"What? He hasn't. It's written all over him." She looked at me pointedly. "He hasn't, has he?"

I cleared my throat, turning another dangerous shade of red. I'm going to look like a lobster in the photos, I thought. "I'm not at liberty to say," I said cryptically or maybe not so cryptically.

"I knew it!" Marty laughed throwing her head back. "What about you?" She asked.

Cherry could tell how uncomfortable I was becoming. "Marty," she admonished. "We're vexing Harper."

"No, it's okay. I'm not experienced either." Once I said so, all of the girls' faces turned expressionless. "What?" I asked, feeling shy all of a sudden. I sunk slightly into my shoulders.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Cherry said.

"I'm not," I said and she winked.

When Kelly was done with my hair, I stood closely to the mirror. "I don't think my hair has ever looked this beautiful," I said honestly. "Thank you, Kelly." I hugged her fiercely, a tear beginning to slip.

"Stop, you're going to make me cry," she said, already crying. "Turn around, I need to spray it." I obeyed and she sprayed them in place but not too much because I told her my hair held curl well and I didn't want to look like plastic.

Kelly also did my make-up, a trick of her trade she told me. She sat me in the stool, facing her and took out a large bag, splaying out its insides on the table. I gulped at the quantity she owned.

"Calm down, Harper. It's not all going on you," she teased. She picked a few colors out and got to work. "I think I'll do gold for the eyes. What do you think girls?"

"Oh, definitely," Marty agreed. "Just like her eyes. Make it smoky looking." Kelly nodded her agreement.

"She doesn't really need much for the cheeks," Cherry said. "Her skin is perfect. Ugh. So jealous." I smirked at her.

"Do a natural glossy lip," Marty said, "or it'll clash with the eyes."

Once Kelly was done, all three girls stood, eyeing me carefully. "The fascinator," she said. Cherry left and came back with the most beautiful netted head piece with feathered butterflies on the band. It made me gasp it was so beautiful. Cherry and Marty pinned it to my head, folding the slanted net over my face. I tried to turn and look but Cherry stopped me.

"Not yet," she said. "Let's complete the look first. Stand up for me, baby." She whipped out a very light blue silky piece of underwear. It looked like a piece of scrap. She bent and held it open for me to slide my feet into. I laughed out loud.

"You're going to put my underwear on me?" I asked.

"Yes, unless you want to do it but you'll have to remove your towel and I can't have you move yet or you'll see yourself. Expose yourself or have me slip them on. Your choice."

"Fine," I sighed as she slipped them up my legs.

"Lotion," Marty said, handing a big bottle to Cherry. They both lathered their hands and started applying it to my legs.

"I can't believe I'm not embarrassed by this," I said, laughing.

"Meh, we're girls. Who cares," Marty said, finishing up my right leg.

Kelly left to the closet and pulled out a garment bag hanging on the door.

"The dress," she said dramatically, smiling from ear to ear.

"We'll have to tape her first," Marty said.

"Tape?" I screeched.

"Yes, you can't wear a bra with this dress. It's backless," she said like I was goofy in the head. I'd tried the dress on once and it fit perfectly but didn't even think about undergarments. I blushed slightly as I applied the nude colored tape to my breasts awkwardly under my towel.

Then they slipped the velvety soft silk garment over my extended arms and it cascaded over my figure and toppled to the floor. The only thing Kelly could find in my size in Costumes that wouldn't clash with my dress were a pair of white Dupioni silk ballet slippers with a satin ribbon that laced up my calf. They were comfortable and elegant and so unbelievably beautiful.

When the look was complete, the girls stood back a bit and admired their handiwork. All three started tear up, smiling at one another. Cherry did a little jump.

"Turn around, Harper," she said.

I turned slowly, a little afraid of what I'd see but was stunned to see that I actually looked beautiful. I couldn't believe how well they had thrown me together like this. The dress was white silk, a nineteen-twenties inspired floor length slip dress with a slight train. The sleeves gathered at the shoulders and twisted like pieces of rope that criss-crossed in the back. It was form fitting and hugged my hips and chest perfectly. I lifted my dress slightly to expose the lace that ribboned up my calves.

"You're stunning, Harper," Cherry said, a hiccup in throat.

All the girls came to stand beside me and we admired my slippers, gown, head piece, hair and makeup.

"Let's see," Marty said. "We have something old in the gown, something new in the underwear." We all laughed. "We have something borrowed in the shoes. What's her something blue?" She asked.

"The underwear!" Cherry laughed making us all giggle yet again. "It's working double-time. I thought of everything."

We stood still for a few minutes before a knock at the door startled us.

"That better not be Callum," Kelly teased.

Cherry skipped to the door, giddy no doubt at her workmanship. She peeked through the peephole. "It's Tom!" She squealed and threw open the door.

Tom had anticipated we'd all be right there because no matter where you stood in the studio you could see the door so he had posed like 007. His right hand at the top of the door jamb, his left at his chin, a hilarious smolder on his face. As goofy as he was, he looked incredibly debonair in a black suit and thin tie.

Cherry whistled and Kelly, grabbed my hand like she had just really noticed him for the first time and needed assistance standing. Hmm.

"Tom!" I said. "You look like a million bucks, man!"

He winked but when he noticed me he stopped and clutched at his chest.

"Callum is one incredibly lucky man, Harper. You look like a cross between a Shakespearean fairy and a character from The Great Gatsby. You're stunning," he said, but I noticed he briefly drunk Kelly in. He quickly brought his right hand behind his back and stepped my direction. He stood a few feet in front of me, before presenting a bouquet of light pink ranunculus with a simple white Dupioni silk band around the stems. I gasped.

"Oh, Tom!" I said and hugged him fiercely. I caught a hitch in my throat. "I do not know how I could ever repay you for this! For any of this," I said to everyone around me.

"Just be good to Callum," Tom said. "That's all we could ever want."

I nodded, smiling.

Tom straightened. "I had several assignments. The flowers, the processional, and I am also here to escort you lovely ladies in my kickin' Sixty-Five Imperial because that's the kind of guy I am I guess. I bring hot ace women to weddings apparently."

Callum must have thought about that. I really thought we were going to have to ride the subway to The Bowery. It was laughable now that I really thought about it.

I took Tom's hand and we started walking toward the door but Cherry stopped us.

"Wait!" she said. "Perfume!" She ran to her vanity and picked up a bottle of perfume. "Stand back Tom, unless you want to smell like a fabulous woman all night." He quickly hedged toward the door. Cherry spritzed my body twice then placed a dab on my wrists and behind my ears. "You're good to go."

"What is that?" I asked, breathing in its heavenly scent.

"It reminded me of you," she said. "It's got bluebells, persimmon, lily of the valley and eglantine. It's very elegant. Do you like it?"