Russian Roulette

I wake up early the next morning and run into the guest room and climb onto their bed.

“Morning guy’s,” I say loudly.

“What time is it?” Audrina groans.

“8 am,” I reply.

“What are you doing in here? We could be naked under here,” James grumbles.

“But you’re not. You two were way too exhausted to do it last night,” I tell him. Audrina sits up and wipes the sleep out of her eyes.

“Guess what we’re doing today?” I ask her.

“What?” she replies.

“We’re going wedding dress shopping.” Her eyes open wide and a smile breaks out across her face.

“Oh my god, I have to get ready,” she says excitedly. She gets up and races to the bathroom. I get up and head to the kitchen to make coffee.

After breakfast I grab the keys to Geno’s car and me and Audrina pick up Matt and Elias. We get to the boutique and a woman with short black hair greets us at the door.

“Привет Я Куинн, Вера послала меня сюда (Hi I’m Quinn, Vera sent me here,)” I tell the woman.

“Of course. Is nice to be meeting you. Do you have idea of what you are wanting to be wearing?” she asks me and I’m relieved I don’t have to translate.

“Not really. I’m pregnant so do you guy’s have a maternity section?”

“We do. Follow me.” Audrina, Elias and Matt sit on the couches in front of a set of mirrors and I follow the lady to the back. She shows me the rack of maternity dresses and I pick out six that I sort of like. I try on a floor length strapless chiffon dress and walk out to my friends. I stand on the pedestal and look in the mirror. I didn’t hate it, but I certainly didn’t love it. I turn around and wait for a response.

“You look so pretty,” Audrina says smiling.

“It’s alright,” Matt says shrugging.

“It looks like a shower curtain,” Elias says honestly. I smile and shake my head and head to the dressing room. I try on the second one and it’s a strapless ball gown dress that hides my bump. I walk out and try to read their faces.

“I like the other one better,” Audrina states.

“It’s alright,” Matt says again.

“It’s just not you,” Elias tells me. I head back to dressing hoping I find one that wins them over. They turn down the next three and I’m left with one. I put it on and cross my fingers that they like this one. I walk out and stand on the pedestal. I look at their faces and their jaws are all hanging open.

“What is it that bad?” I ask.

“Quinn you look-“ Elias begins to say but stops.

“Oh my god Quinn,” Audrina whispers.

“That’s it. That’s the one,” Matt says smiling. I turn around and look in the mirror. I was wearing an Amelia lace maternity dress long in ivory. It was white with see through lace on my shoulders and three quarter length sleeves. It hugged my bump and there was a ribbon just above it. I look at my reflection and my eyes start watering. I looked liked a bride. Geno would see me in the dress and we would get married and I would be his forever. I turn back around and I start smiling.

“This is it!” I exclaim. They all start clapping and I wipe my tears away. I buy the dress and head back to the apartment where Audrina cooks for everybody. We’re all hanging out when the doorbell rings. I open the door and Anastasia is standing there wearing a tight red dress.

“Anastasia, you look. Wow,” I manage to get out.

“We go out tonight. How you say? Девичник (bachelorette) party?”

“Oh that’s so sweet but I really don’t need a bachelorette party,” I tell her.

“Oh yes you do!” Audrina calls from the living room.

“Is my bridesmaid duty,” she smiles. I had asked Anastasia to be my bridesmaid on whim and I was surprised she said yes. I invite her inside and introduce to her everyone. Elias and Matt looked stunned and I swear I could see Elias drool a little bit.

“So yes?” Anastasia asks.

“Okay fine.”

“Can we come?” Elias asks. They were practically my girlfriends plus I’d feel bad ditching them.

“Sure.” I go into my room and get ready. I put on dark blue skinny jeans and tight black long sleeved turtle neck shirt. I put on a pair of black thick-heeled boots and spray on some perfume. I rim my eyes with eyeliner and coat my lashes with mascara. I look in the mirror and I’m pleased with final product. I walk outside and everyone is waiting for me.

“I don’t know why you’re so against dresses,” Audrina tells me while wearing a black dress with cut outs in the side.

“I just really like pants,” I tell her. I look over and see Matt and Elias fighting over Anastasia’s attention.

“Okay let’s bounce!” I say loudly.

We get to the club and all I want to do is drink. I sip my water and remind myself that my baby is worth it. I look at my friend’s amazed faces as they take in Moscow nightlife. Anastasia gets up to go to the bathroom and I watch Matt and Elias’s eyes follow her.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn them.

“What why?” Elias asks.

“She has a boyfriend.”

“Dammit,” Elias says shaking his head. I get up and drag Audrina to the dance floor and I lose myself in the music. After awhile I start to feel hot so I go outside and I accidently walk into a very tall person.

“Sorry,” I begin to say. I look up only to find it’s Geno.

“Quinn!” he yells loudly. His group of friends look over at me and I laugh.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Bachelor party.” He takes an awkward step the left and I know he’s drunk.

“Of all the places in Moscow of course we end up at the same place,” I laugh.

“Quinn?” Alexei says confused.

“Hey,” I smile.

“Is Anastasia here?” he asks.

“Yeah she’s inside.” He pats my shoulder than heads inside. Geno leans against me and I try my best not to fall over.

“Look hot,” he says in my ear.

“Thanks babe. So no strippers tonight?” I ask.

“Earlier,” he tells me and I chuckle.

“Well I should go back inside.” I lead him over to his friend group and tell them to take care oh him.

“Quinn wait,” he yells. I turn around and he leans down and kisses me. He pulls away and smiles down at me. “See tomorrow wife.”

“See you tomorrow husband.” I go back inside and find Elias making out with some chick and Matt talking with some girl who’s running her fingers through his hair. I look around for Audrina but I can’t find her anywhere. I check the bathrooms and find her sitting a bench with her head between her legs.

“Hey buddy, how you feeling?” I ask.

“Not good,” she replies. I hand her my water and she downs the entire thing. I help her stand up and guide her back to where we were sitting.

“Okay I think I’m going to take her home. Are you guy’s coming or are you good?” I ask Matt and Elias. Elias continues to make out with his lady friend and Matt just looks between me and Elias.

“I think we’re good,” he answers. I see Anastasia and I wave her over.

“Are you leaving?” she asks.

“Yeah I gotta get her home. Thanks so much for this. I had so much fun,” I say while hugging her.

“I’m glad. I see you in morning,” she smiles.

I get Audrina home and help her change. I get her into bed and I put a wastebasket by her bed. I change into spandex shorts and one of Geno’s t-shirts and start watching House MD in the living room. I hear the doorbell ring and hour later and I open the door and find James standing there. He had met up with the rest of the team that made the trip and went out with them.

“Hey how was your night?” I ask him.

“So much fun. Man I love Moscow. Where’s Audrina?” he asks.

“Passed out in bed. She overdid it a little.”

“Big today tomorrow, are you nervous?”

“Nope.”

“That’s good. I guess I’ll see you in the a.m.” He hugs me then heads into the spare room. I stay awake as long as I can before I feel my eyelids close and I drift off.

Notes