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Scott was on his way west to meet up with his friends to start a new life in L A. What he came across in the desert after his car broke down would change him forever. He wondered if his friends would recognise him once they finally met again. He didn’t think this was what his friend’s intended when they said, "start a new life."

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Tyrone and Carolyn had helped many people realise their dreams with their mobile salon, but were considering scaling down their travelling the highways in search of those in need. At the moment, they were back at home having a much needed break.

"You know we will be helping with the wedding arrangements," Tyrone mentioned to his wife, as he lay back in the Lazy boy with a cup of coffee.

At his wife's nod, as she sipped her own drink, he continued his line of thought.

"We are a bit far away to commute back and forth. I was wondering if you would like to sell up here and move south. We could see if Kim knows of any properties we could afford where we could set up a salon nearby and still be somewhere near the coast."

"Sounds good, I'd like to be somewhere warmer and being near Frisco, would mean more variety in shopping," grinned Carolyn, her meaning clear. "Plus we don't have to start explaining to the neighbours about Tyrissa or my miraculous recovery. We can make a fresh start without them sticking their noses into our business."

Tyrone nodded in silent agreement, and started the ball rolling by reaching for the phone to ring Kim.

Half an hour after Kim was informed of Tyrone's decision, Sara took a call from Kim.

"Sara, didn't you mention that there was a hairdresser's up for sale across the road from the bridal shop?"

"Yes I did. I mentioned that it was a pity that Tyrissa and Carolyn couldn't buy it for their business-why?"

"Well, it looks like they might be moving down here, and that would be an ideal place for them. All I need to do is find a house for them, that's not to far away," Kim answered to a rousing cheer.

"Yah! That's excellent, will they be moving straight away, or after they sell their old place?" enquired Sara eagerly.

"They will be heading down as soon as they pack what stuff they want to keep. I told them, we would take care of selling their place and buying something new for them. I didn't mention the hairdresser's, so if they ring, you know nothing, right?"

"Know what? Giggled Sara in reply.

"That's a girl; I'll give you more details, as soon as I get them."

"Oh, if your looking for a house, do you think they will mind being close to us? It's just I saw a property at the end of the road, about two miles from us. It is not on the beach side, but it has a good view, as it's on the slope of a hill." Suggested Sara hopefully.

"Is that the one heading into town?" Kim asked curiously.

"Yeah," just before the turnoff."

"Okay, I know the one you mean, I'll have someone round to get both properties and set them up.," Kim promised.

Two weeks later.

So much had happened, and was still happening, that Sara didn't have time to dwell on her other gift that had to show itself. Both Tyrone and Carolyn had moved down into their new home. Their mobile salon, doing double duty as a 'U Haul it,' for all their personal belongings. A huge house warming party had been organised, which had the new couple in tears, as they toured their new home. Tyrissa made an appearance soon after in her party dress, as did a few other former males, choosing to kick up their heels literally.

Late the following day, they were taken to see the hairdressing salon, which had been renovated, ah la Shelke style. They were overcome with emotion at seeing the culmination of their dreams.

Richard and Jenna had been fitted for the bridesmaid's dresses, although in truth, it was Rachel that had enjoyed the day. This time she was more confident in her ability to carry it off, and had a far more enjoyable time.

Tyrone had opened the salon with a huge advertising campaign, which Kim had helped organise. The wording of which left subtle clues for the discerning man who required something extra, than just a haircut.

No one seemed to pick up on the way that more women seem to come out than went in. Once the word went out over the internet, people started trickling in from all over the country. This prompted Kim to start up similar operations elsewhere, under the same name.

The wedding was only days away, and the parent's were due to arrive tomorrow. Sara had organised the church, while Kim had found a suitable minister to perform the ceremony. The minister, although male, had been one of those with penchant to dress in robes more feminine than the usual church attire. He was only too glad to perform the ceremony once he was brought into the picture, especially when a certain bracelet was offered as payment.

The day of the wedding arrived, and everyone was up early, as the first ceremony started at 10 am. The church was booked for the whole day, so there was no rush to get each couple married in time. The reception was going to be in the backyard of the condo, where curious eyes, could be avoided. Kim had organised for her people to set it up, while everyone was at the church, a feat that would tax even the Shelke in Sara's opinion.

"You are sure you can get it done in time?" Sara asked, as she looked out on her normal backyard, to which nothing had been setup in advance.

"Yes, and don't worry about how long it takes, the food will be hot and tasty, by the time you get back," Kim reassured her, touching the side of her nose with a finger in a knowing gesture.

Jenna and Richard came over with Cathleen at the crack of light to find the others already up and nervously pacing. Amelia, ever the practical one, made them all sit down to breakfast she had prepared earlier, as the others were too wound up to think of food, apart from Cathleen and Maggie.

"Can't have the brides fainting in church, because they didn't have a proper breakfast," scolded Amelia in full mother mode.

Maggie and Cathleen didn't need to be told twice, as they tucked into bacon sandwiches.

Tyrissa and Carolyn came over looking relaxed after their hard couple of days work prior to the morning of the wedding. Being able to capture and store images of their bodies via the Krin, meant that getting the brides and their parents' hair and makeup just right, was a breeze.

After each person was finished, their image was captured, so that all they had to do was click a setting and the perfection that both Tyrissa and Carolyn strived for, was instantly recreated as new, despite having it done one or two days earlier. All they really had to do was get dressed in their bridal gowns. When they needed to swap to wearing the bridesmaid's dresses, the Krin would take care of that, as each had worn them already and had them stored in the Krin also.

When Kim asked why they didn't do the same with the wedding gowns, so there would be no preparation time needed, she was firmly informed that some sort of tradition had to be upheld, even if everything else had flown out the window.

The one tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until the church had to be abandoned, as technically, there were no grooms. Sara wouldn't countenance having Anita dress in another room.

"We are going to share every experience and that includes helping the bride get ready," was Sara's adamant reply to the suggested separation.

After Julie and Mi Ling and Jenna and Rachel were finally dressed, they had to switch to the setting on the Krin, which had them gowned in the bridesmaid's outfits.

Jenna pulled off her wedding ring with some reluctance, before handing it to Amelia. Even though she knew it would soon be on her finger again, even removing it at all was poignant moment, especially after the miracle to get it there in the first place.

Amelia left with Kim to go to the church, taking along the girl's with their pets, leaving Sara and Anita, with Julie and Mi Ling, along with Jenna and Rachel.

Two white limos pulled up outside and they all went out. Julie held up the hem of Sara's dress, while Jenna did the same for Anita, so they didn't drag on the gravel drive, as they made their way to the cars.

The drivers opened the doors, seemingly not bothered by the sight of two brides. Sara made a note to ask Kim, if these were her people driving. Looking forward, once they were both ensconced in the rear seat, she had her answer. Going by the gadgets on the dash, she knew this was a Shelke special, obviously, Kim was taking no chances.

The drive to the church took only minutes, as they neared, Sara grew suspicious of all the new vehicles that were lining the road outside the church, most of which she half recognised as being Shelke specials, although she only recognised a few. One in particular stood out, it looked like a Ford 4x4, but the paint job was spectacular, and with its huge size dwarfing the others, it really caught the eye.

Sara pointed it out to Anita, as they pulled into the front of the church. Having left the wedding arrangements and invitations to Kim, Sara wondered if these vehicles belonged to her friends.

As they were assisted out of the limo, they drew some looks from a few curious locals that had paused on their way past the church. Sara saw a small altercation near the church doors by one slightly loud man. Apparently, after being told this was a private service, he began insisting that the house of God was never closed, and that he had a right to enter. Sara was distracted when a photographer insisted on a formal photo of the brides and bridesmaids together, and she never saw what had happened to the man. She only knew that everything had gone quiet again just before the church organ began the wedding march.

Entering the vestibule of the church Sara saw Amelia holding two little impatient angels by the hands. Amelia gave both brides a quick kiss, saying they both looked wonderful. A signal must have been relayed to the organist, as the music strengthened, just as the two doors leading down the aisle were opened from inside.

Cathleen was released and allowed to precede the brides with her basket of rose petals. She tottered slowly ahead, scattering the petals along the aisle. As Sara and Anita stepped into the aisle, both their fathers stepped to their sides and took an arm each. Peter and Ben, now resplendent as Patricia and Bernice, walked them down the aisle towards the pulpit. Sara looked around seeing her mother and Kevin's sitting in the front row. Cindy was sitting with her femmed husband Bob next to Leanne.

Knowing that originally they both had planned to be bridesmaids, made Sara a little sad, but Leanne, not having a partner, decided not to participate, and Cindy hadn't been sure she could make it, what with getting Bob moved to her home in the south, and so had forgone the pleasure of joining the others as bridesmaids. Sara noticed a lot of women, who unfamiliar to her, seemed to know who she was, from the smiles they were giving her.

Their 'dads 'relinquished their grip, and went to sit next to their wives, as the ceremony started,

"Dearly beloved-"

Sara hardly heard the rest, until the "I do's," Sara saw Maggie, who had brought up the rear bearing a velvet cushion with the rings on, lift it up, so the exchange of rings could proceed.

"The look of joy, when the minister in her feminine robes, announced them husband and wife, was clearly evident on their faces, as they kissed each other fervently.

After signing in the registry, they went outside to do the obligatory photographs after running the gauntlet of rice throwers; at least rice was easier to remove than confetti, a fact that was confirmed later. Sara wanted to talk to the newcomers who stood at the outskirts of the family group and acted like a screen from curious onlookers. Unfortunately, they were whisked away, once the photos were finished.

Sara and Anita kissed and cuddled while on route back to the condo. Kim met them there and stopped them from going and investigating the noises coming from the backyard. They weren't even allowed to look out of the bedroom windows, because it would spoil the surprise. Sara and Jenna helped Julie and Mi Ling get into their wedding gowns, after changing via the Krin into the bridesmaids gowns, Julie had selected. Once gowned and last minute checks to see if their own husbands (Anita and Rachel) were ready. The whole process repeated.

This idea had been decided as being better than all three couples getting married at the same time, as each set of brides had their own individual ceremonies with attention not being shared between the three couples. Of course it was only possible, given the Krin, as each time, gowns and hair had been stored ready for each occasion, plus it was a lot of fun.

When it came time for Jenna's turn as bride, the only difference was that Maggie was holding her kitten, as she walked up the aisle, while Cathleen strew more rose petals on the already rose covered path. When it came time for the rings to be exchanged, Cathleen turned and called for Bailey, who had been held back at the rear of the church by Amelia.

Bailey bounded forward towards her mistress, making the congregation chuckle and smile. Once Bailey and Cathleen were united again, she untied the ribbon holding the two rings, which symbolised that, most holy of unions, marriage. This display was of course; meet with huge approval from everyone, with calls of, "how cute," and "adorable," as Cathleen struggled to hold Bailey in her arms.

Once the photos were finished, the bridal party were again whisked away to the condo for the final event. This time, the three couples helped each other take off their gowns to rid themselves of the rice and then redo the hair and makeup using the Krin, which they had worn as brides. Jenna and Rachel, who like the others, had smudged their makeup and mussed their hair on the ride back, used the Krin to regain that just out of the salon look.

Once all six were looking their best in the wedding gowns that they had been married in, they waited for the signal that was to tell them that all the guests had arrived, so they could then make their grand entrance. The noise outside grew as cars drove up, then the six anxious brides heard things quieten down. The knock that signalled that all was ready sounded on the bedroom door.

To be continued.

  

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 © 2005 by Prudence Walker. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of the copyright holder.