Liz and her collection of bridesmaids were having a final fitting of their gowns. What Liz had orginally had hoped was going to be a small, private wedding was now turning into a huge event. A televised one at that. And why? Because Max was the Semirellian King.
In some ways it seemed a little silly - other than being on the IDTF, what actual power did Max hold as King? The YIRAAS pretty much looked after aliens on Earth. And then Liz learnt that the whole YIRAAS Council was made up of Dathrians - more out of coincidence than anything else (there were a lot more Dath than Sems). Still like any "minority group", the Sems believed they deserved representation - years ago it had been decided that upon Max's marriage or 21st birthday (whichever came first) he would take a seat on the Council.
This led Liz to wonder what had they done while they waited? What had happened to Max's parents? No one seemed to have an answer - or they weren't willing to share them with her.
Maybe after she was Queen.
Queen! Even now it seemed rather incredible.
And that was the other thing, Liz mulled over while the seamstress clucked over her work. Liz had been effectively forced to tell her parents about aliens. There was absolutely no way whatsoever they would have been able to hide such a detail in the grand production that was going to be their wedding. Not with all the cameras, the obvious expense, the number of guests...
"I still can't believe The President of the United States is coming to your wedding," Maria was saying. "No, seriously, I'm not over it. I don't think the shock is even going to hit me until I see him in the pews."
Yeah, security was going to be insane too.
Jessica
"Look at who else is coming," Liz said, in a sort of shell-shocked voice. She showed the guest list to Maria and Isabel. The British royal family had been invited, along with the Genovian royal court, and the Danish royal court.
"Well," Isabel sais matter-of-factly. "The Semirellian king is marrying a human girl. I guess it could be seen as a dimplomatic merger of two worlds." She probably shouldn't tell Liz that she herself would be given a place on the IDTF council after they married. Liz was already overwhelmed.
"I'm sorry Liz," Jessi said as her dress was being hemmed. "But I am already getting sick of lavendar," she giggled.
Julie
"Let's hope it actually accomplishes something," Julie muttered. "I mean... y'know obviously it's going to be productive on a personal scale, but if they're looking at it as a diplomatic event, then... y'know what I'm saying?"
"I just want to get married," Liz said.
"And you will," Cassie nodded. "Forget all those silly diplomats and stuff. It's gonna to be your day, and that's the only important thing."
"Exactly," Maria agreed.
Rachel
"Dude, Liz," Rachel said. "You're getting married! she squealed. "Oh god. I'm gonna go throw up now!" Rach ran to the bathroom.
Julie
"Yes," Julie said cheerfully. "That's what it's like when you get pregnant."
"Oh, Julie wipe that stupid look off your face," Maria replied, her own child loss still fresh in her mind.
"What?" Julie asked, genuinely having no idea what she said wrong.
"Forget it."
Cassie coughed and whispered something in Julie's ear. An 'oops' expression crossed her face, but fortunately Maria didn't see.
"See? We were right," Isabel said smugly, changing the subject. "A tiara looks much better on you than a veil."
Jessica
Jess gave Maria a hug, and then went back to bouncing around, literally. She jumped on the furniture, she jumped off the furniture, she jumped all over the place.
"So, are my psycho brothers gonna play at your wedding?" Jess asked.
Julie
Liz was opening her mouth to reply when Julie cut in:
"I think that your brothers aren't the only ones who are psycho."
"Watch out for the -" Maria lunged for the vase of flowers on the table, and managed to catch it before it hit the ground.
"Nice catch," Cassie said.
Jessica and Rachel
"I'm the normal one of the family," Jess insisted, jumping on an ottoman.
"Sadly, she's right," Rach said mournfully reentering the room.
Maria and Liz
"Oh wow Liz," Maria said, turning to look at her friend, "You look beautiful."
Liz smiled, the seamstress now done with her gown.
"Thanks."
Jessica and Rachel
"You look amazing," Jessi gushed.
"Totally," Rach agreed.
"Incomparable," Isabel echoed.
Liz
Liz blushed.
"Aww, thanks guys," she said.
The last fitting was soon over. The girls changed back into their regular clothes, and their gowns set aside until the big day.
10 more sleeps to go.