Dress Me Up
Walking down the Strip made Ella feel like a little kid at an amusement park--or a big kid at an amusement park. She couldn’t help but gawk at everything. From the beautiful lights to the dancing fountains to the statues, it was so vivid and alive. She wanted to go into every hotel, look at every building, say hello to everyone that she met.
They had disguises on again, but this time, they were better. They’d taken their time trying to make sure neither of them were recognizable, but especially Rome since he was a celebrity, and it was only a problem for her if Ella were photographed with him and the photos got back to her family. But if Rome wasn’t recognizable, it didn’t matter. No one would be interested in them if it weren’t for his celebrity status.
“We could go back to the Venetian and go on a gondola ride,” Rome suggested after they’d made it almost to the end of the Strip. “We also need to get you a dress.”
“Are you going to wear a tuxedo?” she asked, giggling with glee.
“Do you want me to?” His smile had her stomach doing flip flops. Even though he didn’t look exactly like himself, he was still adorable.
“Yes. With tails.”
“Well, all right then. I guess I have some shopping to do, too. We have three hours before our appointment at the chapel. They said to expect to spend a half an hour getting the marriage certificate, so we’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“Do you think the Venetian will have a dress I’ll like? I don’t want anything too fancy, nothing that screams bride.”
“Yet, you want me to wear tails.” He gave her a playful jab with his elbow, and she giggled again.
“I’ll wear something elegant if you like, something like the gown I wore to the ball.”
“No, I want you to wear whatever you want to wear,” he assured her.
“I’ll need shoes, too. I forgot to grab any heels.”
“All right. Then let's head back to our new home away from home.” Rome pulled her close and kissed her on the lips, right there on the sidewalk, and Ella was happier than she’d ever been in her whole life.
The stroll back to the Venetian led them down the other side of the Strip, so Ella took her time, looking at all of the hotels on this side. She imagined a person could stay in this town for months and never get see everything.
When they got back to their hotel, they hurried inside, and Rome led her to the gondola rides. She’d been on an actual gondola before, but it paled in comparison to the boat ride with Rome. The sky above them was painted, and the facades were all fake, but the love she felt for him was real.
The gondola driver serenaded them, and when they got to a bridge, he told them they were supposed to kiss as they went under it. Ella had no problem keeping that tradition, but she did have a problem stopping the kiss once they were on the other side. Rome grinned at her. “I love you so much,” he whispered.
“I love you, too. More than anything.”
At the end of the boat ride, Rome climbed out and offered his hand, pulling her up to him. He kissed her again, and then asked, “Ready to go get a gown?”
Ella beamed at him. “I’m ready to go get my wedding gown.”
The Venetian was full of shops. Ella couldn’t believe all the gorgeous gowns she had to choose from. While she’d always envisioned herself in a large, white gown, it didn’t feel right for what they were doing. Maybe someday, when their families were no longer at war, they could have another wedding, a big one, and invite everyone, but for now, a simple wedding needed a simple gown.
At the third store they entered, she saw it--the perfect dress. But she didn’t want to jinx it. “Rome, I know what dress I want. But if you see me try it on, won't that be bad luck?”
He laughed at her. “Babe, we’re going straight to the chapel, right? So… I think it’s fine. Besides, I don’t believe in bad luck. You and I are meant to be together. Nothing can jinx this.”
He leaned down and kissed her, and Ella accepted that response. Even though she had a feeling things would get worse before they got better, she knew their love was meant to be. She pulled away. “You’re right. I don’t believe in bad luck anyway.”
“Great. Which one do you want?”
Ella walked over to a gown that went almost to her knees in the front with a longer train in the back. It was white but it had small pink gemstones in the shape of flowers all over it. She loved it instantly.
“That’s gorgeous, Ella. You should definitely try that on.”
She grabbed her size and hurried off to the changing room while Rome looked at the suits. She didn’t care if he wore tails or not, she’d just been teasing. But when she walked out of the changing room, certain this was the dress for her, she was happily surprised to see him wearing a tuxedo with tails. With a huge smile, she said, “You look amazing!”
“You look… breathtaking. I don’t even care that you have blonde hair at the moment. You’re a vision, El.”
“Thanks, babe. You are the most handsome mustachioed man I’ve ever seen.”
“Why thank you, gorgeous. And… I think these shoes would look lovely with your dress.”
Ella moved over to look at the pair he was indicating. “They’re beautiful!” They were a white satin with pink rhinestones around the edge, like her dress. “But I don’t see my size.”
“What size are you?” he asked. “Maybe they have it in the back.”
“Four and a half.”
Rome grabbed a sales person to go and check, but the closest they had a size five. Without much time left before their appointment, Ella decided they would have to do. She slid the shoes on, and they looked great with her gown. They were a little big, but she could walk in them. “I think they look amazing with this dress. The size will do.”
“Are you sure?” Rome asked.
“Yeah, they’ll work.”
“All right then--let’s go.”
“Wait--what about the rings?” Ella asked, grabbing his arm.
Rome smiled at her. “Got it covered.”
She arched an eyebrow, hoping he wasn’t planning on sticking a Lifesaver candy on her finger. Whatever he had in the way of rings, she was sure it would be perfect, just like everything else Rome did.
He quickly paid for everything, and then they headed out, arm in arm, to catch their Uber to the courthouse to get their marriage license and then on to the chapel. Ella was more excited than she’d ever been in her whole life. No matter what they faced, she knew they’d make it work as long as they were together.
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