“What happened?” Daniel fluttered, settling Holly in the chair.
“My hands keep shaking,” Holly explained, and Daniel quietly took over, fussing over Holly before standing back.
“There, honey. You look beautiful. Now go put on your robe and try to relax. Once I’ve got my makeup and hair on, I’ll come over and help you into your dress before I finish getting ready, okay?” Daniel seemed to take all of this in stride, and James felt completely useless. He mostly stayed out of the way, sitting on the edge of the bed, fascinated as Daniel put on the makeup that slowly transformed him into Lala.
“Why use that color?”
“It will work with the eye color I’m going to put on afterwards,” Daniel answered as he continued working. “It can take hours for me to do this. I usually try to perfect a different look for each performance. Today, though, to save time, I’m re-creating a look I’ve done before.” He painted lines from his eyes, creating exaggerated curves that he filled in with shades of blue that made his eyes look enormous. “Okay, what do you think?”
“Stunning,” James breathed, unable to move as Daniel finished his makeup. It was indeed over the top, with incredibly exaggerated cheekbones and luscious lips. Once he seemed satisfied, Daniel pulled a nylon cap over his head, then attached a tall platinum wig with tape, clips, and even adhesive at the hairline.
“That’s…” James didn’t quite know what to say.
“The higher the hair, the closer to god, and we are going to church…” He cocked his incredibly prominent eyebrows, and James groaned. “You loved it.” He did another look from all sides before standing. “I need to help Holly. You finish getting dressed and then keep your parents and sister calm until the limousine gets here to take them to the church. You will drive me, and we’ll go in the side door so we don’t cause too much of an early stir.”
James rolled his entire head. “You want to make an entrance.”
“If this is going to be theater, then it’s going to be as dramatic as hell.” Daniel’s hand shook a little, the only sign that he was nervous, and no one else would pick up on it, but James did. “I’ve got to help Holly.” He flashed a brilliant smile and then left the room.
James dressed in his black tuxedo with a light gray vest and royal ascot tie. He liked the way he looked, and once he had his cuff links and shoes on, went in search of his parents. Mom was already in the living room, dressed and sitting carefully on the sofa. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s almost ready. I helped him with his cuff links and tie.” She bobbed her leg slightly, clearly nervous. “What about Holly?”
“Daniel is helping her into the dress. The limousine will be here in half an hour. Her makeup is done and her hair is beautiful. She’s going to be a stunning bride, Mom.” The door to Holly’s old room opened and, in a shimmer of white with a jeweled hairpiece tucked into her hair, Holly floated down the hallway toward the living room.
Mom inhaled sharply as she got her first look at the restyled gown.
“You look incredible,” James breathed as Dad came down the hall behind her.
“Honey, you look like the princess I always knew you were,” their dad said.
Margot joined them as well and even she told Holly how gorgeous she looked. All that praise kept anything Mom might have said to herself.
“Daniel did it,” Holly said, twirling slowly, the dress the perfect length so it seemed to float around her. James saw Daniel sneak back into their room and close the door. He hugged Holly carefully and kissed her cheek, then did the same with Margot, who was stunning in royal blue. It really was her color.
His phone vibrated in his pocket with a message from Daniel to come to the bedroom. He went down and knocked. The door cracked open. “This is for Margot.” Daniel handed him a jeweled necklace. “It’s the mate to Holly’s hairpiece.” He smiled and closed the door once again.
He helped Margot with the necklace, and Mom insisted she get a picture of the three of them together. James also wanted one of his sisters. “Do you have everything?” James asked once he’d snapped an amazing image. “Something old…”
“Mom gave me grandma’s necklace.” She placed her hand at her neck, the diamond sparkling when it caught the light.
“Something new…”
“The tiara from Daniel. It’s new and borrowed, so all I need is something blue, and there are sapphire stones in it.” The tiara really set off Holly’s eyes.