PART 1 -- Beauty Marries the Geek
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The virginal white gown was a strapless affair with a modest bust line, though its rear plunged scandalously to the small of her back. It was a silken and clinging thing around her slender waist, flaring at the hips to create a skirt long enough to obscure her legs and feet. The skirt was an impractical thing of puffy gauze and lace, dragging along the floor behind her wherever she went. Coils of dark hair piled above her head, each tendril meticulously placed to form a ravaging mess of shiny curls. Eye-shadow the color of pool water brought out her eyes, a subdued red decorated her lips and cheeks, while a hint of glitter decorated her brow and temples.
Staring at herself in a floor-length mirror, Miley wondered if all brides-to-be felt as special as she did in that moment - like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
In order to honor tradition, Miley was secured in a changing room within a small chapel at the park she and Charlie had chosen to marry. Neither of them had any desire for a traditional wedding, but Charlie's mother Olivia was superstitious and insisted Miley not be seen by the groom (or anyone else other than Stacy) prior to their ceremony. It was to be an outdoor affair, simple and elegant. Both the bride and the groom would have one attendant each; Stacy was the Maid-of-honor, while Brian was Charlie's chosen Best Man. Charlie's brother Edward agreed to usher and the White family's pastor would perform the ceremony.
Miley had to force herself away from the mirror from fear of her own vanity. She wondered how Charlie looked in his tuxedo and wished she could see him, imagining how dashing he must have appeared. The excitement of it all began to well within her, though Miley didn't have long to dwell on her fantasy before the changing room door burst open.
"Did we bring any booze?" Stacy hurried towards a pile of bags, dressed in heels and an elegant red gown which displayed her shapely hips.
Miley was immediately worried by Stacy's frantic demeanor, "What's going on?"
"You don't want to know," Stacy remarked obscurely, rifling through a duffel bag.
"What is it?" Miley pressed, "I thought you were checking on the boys?"
"I was," Stacy seemed reluctant to say more.
"Stace!" Miley pleaded, "Tell me what's going on..."
Stacy let out a resigned breath, knowing Miley wouldn't relent until she found out what was going on, "It's Charlie - he's freaking out."
"What?!" Miley squeaked. "He's not... he's not getting cold feet, is he?"
Stacy saw the anxiety in Miley's eyes, "Of course not, sweetie. He's just nervous about standing up in front of all those people. Don't worry yourself, Brian and I can handle it."
"Tell me what's happening," Miley insisted. "Maybe I can help."
"Okay," Stacy took a deep breath. "I went into the other changing room to check on the boys, like you asked. They were ready to go, except Charlie was pacing nervously - you know? And he was sort of fidgeting with his hands, like this..."
Miley watched Stacy's frantic movements as she mimicked Charlie, recognizing the way Charlie rubbed his hands together whenever he was nervous.
Stacy continued, "Brian told me Charlie's been a wreck all morning and that he's deathly afraid of being in front of a crowd."
Miley's eyes filled with concern, "Please tell me your plan isn't to get Charlie drunk."
Stacy shrugged helplessly, "I figured a shot or two would loosen him up."
Miley frowned, "Charlie has like, zero tolerance. You'll have him on the floor halfway through the second shot."
"I don't know what else to do," Stacy complained. She looked helplessly at the pile of bags, "I swore we brought some champagne?"
"I need to see him," Miley declared.
Stacy's eyes widened before she resolutely shook her head, "No. No way! Are you crazy? The ceremony is supposed to start in just over an hour. If Charlie sees you before --"
"It would be nice," Miley interrupted sarcastically, "if Charlie were upright when he vows to love me for the rest of his life. I can calm him down without getting him drunk."
"What can you possibly do?" Stacy fretted.
Miley gathered her skirt and started towards the door, "Just trust me, okay? I know my man."
Stacy didn't appear convinced but could see there would be no arguing with Miley, "All right, all right... let me go ahead and make sure the coast is clear. If Olivia catches you sneaking in to see Charlie she'll have both of our heads."
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Olivia White reached the last bench, attaching one final lacy flower arrangement to the wooden end-cap. She glanced over the rows to admire her handiwork; all the decorations were in place and everything looked beautiful. The day was perfect and soon the park glade would be bustling with friends and family to celebrate the wedding of her son. Olivia took a moment to enjoy the quiet, fondly remembering when her Charlie was but a small and awkward boy.
A voice came from behind her, "Everything looks great."
Olivia spun, a hand on her chest, "John, you startled me."
"Sorry," John muttered. "Were you busy praying Charlie would come to his senses?"
Olivia's looked amused by her husband's pessimism, "I think it's a little late for praying, don't you?"
"I'm joking," John said as he put his arm around her shoulders, "mostly."
Olivia leaned into her husband, "I know you feel Charlie's rushing into this, but the boy is in love. To be honest, I'm surprised it took him and Miley this long. When they first started dating I was worried Charlie would have a wife before he had a high school diploma."
John snorted, "I was more surprised when Charlie graduated before making us grandparents. Remember when Miley came to live with us?"
Olivia smiled at the memory, "No matter how many times we told them 'no funny-business' we couldn't keep Miley from sneaking into Charlie's room every night, could we?"
John took a second look around, "Well, at least Miley has a rich father and we didn't have to pay for this whole shin-dig."
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Miley crept through hallway in the park's chapel, clinging to the skirt of her gown and holding it up off the floor. Two rooms had been provided for the wedding party to use as changing areas, but they were on opposite ends of the chapel.
Stacy was leading the way with a hawkish eye. "This isn't right," she hissed, "no one is supposed to see the bride before the ceremony, especially not the groom! It's bad luck."
Miley glanced around cautiously, "It would be far worse luck if Charlie passes out before he can say 'I do', don't you think?"
Stacy gave Miley a worried look, but then nodded in agreement, "Are you sure you can calm him down?"
"Pretty sure," Miley commented dryly and knowingly.
