Ava - The Bachelorette Party

"Cecelia, Congratulations on your Wedding day!" exclaimed all her friends as they surrounded her at the table.

"Amy, Jackie, Melissa, Katherine, Sonia and Adrianna, it's been years," said Cecelia getting up from her place at the table and giving each friend a hug.

"We were last together at prom, when Adrianna's boyfriend proposed to her," said Melissa.

"Yes I remember" said Cecelia.

"Time sure does fly, and look you are finally getting married!" exclaimed Amy.

The hall Mrs. Calistar Hartwell had booked for the occasion, was decorated with a spring theme. Its colours were peony pink, apple green and sky blue. Multi-coloured balloons and streamers, in pastel shades hung from the white pillars of the little hall. The tablecloth was pale pink and it was layered with silver trimmings. It was also full of treats, Italian pizza, egg and ham sandwiches, cupcakes, fruit tarts, and scones with buttercream and assorted flavours of jam. A large bowl of peachy-pink punch was placed in the centre with tall bottles of champagne and short round glasses.

A deejay played upbeat music through the speakers, though not loud enough to drown out conversation that was made. While Aunt Cecelia carried on a steady stream of chatter with her dear friends, Ava chose that exact moment to enter the hall.

"Ava are the games in order? Check the karaoke set up and let me know if it's all ready so we can start," ordered Mrs. Calistar. "Everyone, before we begin I would like us to raise our glasses in union with me. Cecelia from the bottom of our hearts we wish you a blissful wedded life, as you celebrate the last few days of singleness." "To Cecelia!", announced Mrs Calistar.

"To Cecelia!" cheered the little gathering that was before her.

"Our first game will be 'Do You Know Cecelia Hartwell'?" announced Ava taking over from her mother. She continued "first person to answer all questions about Cecelia Hartwell wins!"

A half an hour later, Amy Donaldson won the first game. The second game was a scavenger hunt for a gift box that had a gold ring with a floral design inside, that was hidden in the hall. Katherine Draycott won game as she found the little box behind a large vase in the corner of the hall. Next, was a karaoke session and Melissa Cartwright sang Cecelia's favourite song 'Love on the Line by Kathy Seacrest'. To which, Cecelia grabbed a microphone and joined her along for the chorus.

Mary-Anne was the night's photographer as she spent most of it behind the camera, taking videos and photos of everyone present.

"Mary-Anne, keep the camera away from me," warned Ava.

"Awww...why Ava? Somebody is camera shy," teased Mary-Anne pointing the camera at Ava who at that moment was busy helping her mother keep the gifts that were for Aunt Cecelia on a table near the entrance of the hall.

All was going well as it got dark out, Ava decided she needed some air and some space. She thought the little garden with a wooden bridge that went over a lake just outside the hall they were in, was so beautiful. She could not resist climbing the steps and walking on the bridge, she stopped in the center and took the opportunity to stare at the fish underneath the water below. She didn't realise that she had been bending down and staring so intently at the orange scales of the fish that when her mother called her. She straightened her back and spun around so quickly her cherry red dress got caught to a nail that was discreetly jutting out. Her dress tore down the side making a large hole big enough to reveal her underskirt that was white.

"Mom, I've torn my dress I can't go back inside," said Ava mournfully.

"Oh dear," said Mrs Calistar inspecting the tear. "I'll go quickly and bring your purple dress, I remember you brought it along."

"Its in my suitcase, I'll wait here," said Ava decidedly.

Ava found a garden bench and decided to sit awaiting the return of her mother. She did not find herself alone in the garden much longer as she heard fotsteps and someone humming tune. That someone happened to be Jaxon.

"Jaxon, what are you doing here?" whispered Ava.

"Why are you whispering?" he asked.

"I don't want anyone to know I'm here," she replied.

"Why ever not?" he asked, from behind a tree.

"Shhhhh.....I tore my dress. I'm waiting to change into another one."

"Oh!" whispered Jaxon.

"I mean I know I'm hot and all but you need to seriously control yourself woman. What's the matter with you?" he asked jokingly.

"Very funny," said Ava sarcastically. "It got caught on a nail jutting out on the rail of the bridge you moron."

"It must be difficult to admit how crazy you are about me." "It's alright, I understand," said Jaxon.

"I've had enough of you, you insufferable brute," said Ava rolling her eyes skyward, with a small smile playing on her lips she looked at him and coyly said "maybe, you should leave me here alone before someone discovers us together, I don't want to have to explain that you found me irresistible and could not control yourself."

"Wouldn't that be a scandal indeed my lady much like the movie 'Fiery Heart' when Diana was trying to kiss James," said Jaxon dramatically.

"Huh, I never pegged you as a true romantic," remarked Ava.

"I have a sister named Kayla," she keeps me updated" he replied dryly.

Before, Ava could comment further Mrs. Calistar, appeared.

"Here you go Ava, you can change in the toilet outside the hall." "Mr.Smith I bid you a goodnight, you do not wish to stay up too late, rehearsal is tomorrow at six in the morning." "We had no choice but to do it early as the chapel is fully booked the whole day for church services as well," informed Mrs.Calistar.

"I'm surprised you know my last name ma'am."

"You are one of the groomsmen on the list, of course I would know," said Mrs. Calistar.

Ava changed into her purple dress and like a dutiful daughter helped her mother with the rest of night's event. Jaxon decided to heed Mrs. Calistar's advice and went straight to bed.

"Aunty , this is for you," said Ava presenting her gift to her aunt.

"Thank you my dear for everything, I had a wonderful night all thanks to you," said Aunt Cecelia giving her niece a warm hug.