2. Press-on nails, so Brian Fitzpatrick couldn’t see how badly I’ve bitten at my real nails.
3. Platform wedges, which caused me to tower over him.
CHAPTER 32
12:35 p.m., Tuesday, May 5
Frank Gianini Community Center
Rate the Royals Rating: 1
Am attempting to rocket through all my work here (not that I dislike my job, molding young minds and setting them on a path toward success is enormously satisfying, and also important) so I can get busy on my plan for Olivia, but I’m being hampered at every turn by this wedding business (which, of course, is also very important, but not as important as molding young minds or what I’m going to do about my newfound sister).
The kids are so sweet, though! They made me an enormous birthday card and signed their names to it and Ling Su hung it in my office. It takes up most of one wall.
Then yesterday, when they found out about the engagement, they made another card, and hung it on my other wall. Some of the kids seem to have seen the report on Inside Edition and have wished me luck “with the babies.” A few of the girls have drawn startlingly tender portraits of “the babies.” I am somewhat disturbed by this.
• Note to self: Must make sure we make screenings of 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom a regular part of our programming because I understand these shows have helped to lower teen birth rates by depicting how difficult it is to raise a child when you are not yet emotionally or financially ready.
Michael texted that the doctors to whom he was supposed to give his speech last night are willing to let him reschedule it for tonight and would I mind if he’s “home” late.
So sweet of him to ask! And almost like being married already. I texted back no, that I wouldn’t mind, but that I’d miss him, and included an emoji of a pair of kissing lips.
In return he sent a picture of an exploding volcano and said that’s what I should expect when he got home.
• Note to self: Make sure security-system glitch has been repaired. Forgot . . . I don’t have to! We’re engaged! No more sneaking around necessary.
CHAPTER 33
12:55 p.m., Tuesday, May 5
Frank Gianini Community Center
Rate the Royals Rating: 1
E-mail from Grandmère and her assistant, Rolanda, saying they want to put together an itinerary for me for my week and also begin the wedding planning and so need some input. It appears I’m to have some say in my wedding after all! They asked me to fill out and return the following:
The Wedding of Princess Amelia Renaldo of Genovia
to
Mr. Michael Moscovitz
GUEST LIST:
Michael and I would like to keep it small, family and friends only. I know this is asking a lot, but can we keep it under fifty, please? A hundred, tops.
WEDDING PARTY:
I don’t know who Michael is going to want, but as my bridesmaids I’d definitely like Lilly Moscovitz, Tina Hakim Baba, Shameeka Taylor, Perin Thomas, Ling Su Wong, and possibly Lana Rockefeller and Trisha Bush (née Hayes), but I’ll have to get back to you on that last one. I definitely want Rocky as a ring bearer/groomsman, though.
DATE:
We can’t possibly have it on July 18. That’s way too soon. Maybe in July of next year. Thanks.
VENUE:
Michael and I don’t mind having it at the palace but not the chapel, because we don’t want a religious ceremony and not the throne room (lack of intimacy). Outdoors would be nice. I’d love to have a beach wedding! But I realize crowd control could be an issue. Plus there is always the danger of drones.
GOWN:
My friend Shameeka works at Vera Wang, so we already have an “in” there. Her gowns are classic and beautiful, and it would be nice to have a designer who is a woman for a change.
But I know how important it is to use local vendors, so probably we should use a Genovian?
Since I want a beach or at least an outdoor wedding (fingers crossed), I’d like something simple, that I can dance in!
ENTERTAINMENT:
Obviously a DJ.
Michael wants our first song to be “Girl U Want” by Devo because he says it’s our song (since it perfectly describes how he used to think of me back in high school ), but I know that will never work since it’s much too fast!
So we’ll settle for Al Green’s “Take Me to the River” or “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison. See attached playlist for the songs we’d like during the reception.
FOOD:
While I know how the palace chef feels about buffets, a lot of people nowadays do have food restrictions, so it’s nice to be sensitive to that. So I think offering a variety of options, including a gluten-free and also a vegan entrée, would be nice.
Mini grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and build-your-own taco/nacho bar would also be fun.
HONEYMOON:
It would be great to go to Mykonos. As you know, I’ve never been there, and I’ve always wanted to take the royal yacht and visit it as well as the surrounding islands. It’s supposed to be the “Ibiza of Greece”!
CHAPTER 34
1:15 p.m., Tuesday, May 5
Frank Gianini Community Center
Rate the Royals Rating: 1
Just got a text from Tina Hakim Baba:
<Tina HBB “TruRomantic”
HRH Mia Thermopolis “FtLouie”>
Hi, hope things are going well with the wedding planning, missing you! Anyway, Boris texted me this morning to ask if I thought you’d want him to perform at your reception. He said he’s booked that day in Cleveland, but he doesn’t mind disappointing the Borettes for you. I said I’d ask. So do you want him to?