This is really the story of Helen when Dawn and Dina are to be married.
***
Helen knew that she loved Dina, it wasn't a deep heart-wrenching kind of love but none-the-less it was love. In her heart, she knew that she had loved her since the first two weeks that they had spent together in Portugal. It was her university studies and her athletics that had been important enough to prevent them ever having got together but she had still sort of felt that it would happen one day.
Then along had come Dawn, she loved Dawn as well but more in a sisterly way. Okay, they had shared Dina's bed a few times, they had even made love to each other a couple of times but she still thought of her as something between a sister and a best friend.
Now that Dina and Dawn were married though, things were different, at least she felt they were. They would, without doubt, have still welcomed her in their bed but it didn't any longer feel right to her. They were quite obviously so very deeply in love and she knew she would feel like an intruder.
The wedding had been a remarkable occasion. Nothing hidden from the fans, all open for the world to see. Their recording company had even liked that they themselves were seen to be totally supportive of the marriage, that they presented an image of being up with the times.
Romero had been the best man and he had been over the moon to have been asked and he had truly risen to the occasion, he'd absolutely loved every minute of it. I, of course, was the maid of honour.
The fans had been fantastic, between us we had wondered if the marriage might upset some of them and it did but it seemed to be a minority. Most were supportive. What did surprise us though, was the obvious lesbian element. Oh, not placard waving types trying to turn the event into a statement of some sort but genuine country fans who just happened to be lesbian and there was a lot of them.
After the ceremony, I had vaguely been aware of a girl who a number of times seemed to be about to approach me. Each time though, I had been called to attend to something or other and I hadn't given it further thought.
It was at the reception when I saw her again. Everyone was still on the lawn, the photographer busy organising the various groups to his satisfaction. She was sort of drifting around trying to look inconspicuous.
I tapped her on the shoulder, "Excuse me, should you be here? It is a private function you know."
She turned to me and blushed furiously, "Yes, I know it is and yes, I am an official guest. Well, sort of anyway."
I looked closer at her, I didn't know her but then there were a lot of official guests that I didn't know, so that didn't mean much. She was quite pretty but also obviously shy. There was something about her that I liked. "I think you ought to explain what 'sort of official' means."
She looked a bit worried, "I work at their recording company, I'm on their PR team. My boss couldn't come, so he gave me his invite as he knew I would desperately love to come. I hope that's all right."
Now I smiled at her, "Of course it is, it's fine." I told her, "I thought you wanted to talk to me earlier but it was a bit hectic for me, was it anything important?"
Now she appeared a little more relaxed, her smile was enchanting. "No not really, it was just that I wondered if it might be possible for you to get them both to autograph their album for me, I didn't want to trouble them but I felt you might, you being so close to them."
She took the album 'Double Dynamite' from her handbag, then added, "But I wouldn't want to be a nuisance or anything, Helen."
So, she did know who I was, I was impressed, "What's your name, sweetie?"
She blushed again, I supposed it was because I had called her sweetie. "My names Sylvia."
I reached and took her hand in mine, "Well, come with me Sylvia, I think I can do better than just get their autograph."
Dina saw me approaching with Sylvia in tow. "Who's the pretty girl, Helen? I didn't know you'd brought a girlfriend with you."
Now Sylvia went bright red, I could see she didn't know where to look, the implication of Dina's question had obviously embarrassed her. But she was a fan and she was now stood in front of her two idols, something she had never expected.
This is Sylvia, she works for you in a roundabout way and she wanted your autographs but she didn't want to intrude. Oh, and she's not my girlfriend but it's a nice thought though." I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, she glanced at me with a confused look on her face.
Dawn reached and took Sylvia's hand from mine, "It's not an intrusion, if Helen thought it was okay then it is, don't you think so, Dina?"
Dina was smiling. Actually, she hadn't stopped smiling all day. I doubt that anything could dent her so obvious happiness. "At this very moment, I'm afraid we don't have a suitable pen to sign that album for you but don't worry, we'll have it sorted before we leave. Helen will, I'm quite sure, make certain for you, won't you love. Just make sure that you stay with her." She winked at me, it was my turn to blush.
Dawn called the photographer over and very shortly he had a number of pictures of the four of us together, Sylvia between Dawn and Dina and finally just of her and myself. She had put her arm around my waist for that one. When the photographer had gone and the newlyweds went off to mingle, Sylvia suddenly put her lips to my cheek, a quick peck was all it was but it kind of threw me for a second. I was noticing this girl. "Thank you so much, Helen, you can't imagine how you've made my day. How on earth can I repay you?" That's when I first thought that I might just think of something.
It didn't take a great deal of difficulty before I had arranged for Sylvia to be sitting next to me. She couldn't get over the fact that she was now sitting at the head table close to Dawn and Dina. She looked nervous, some people clearly wondering exactly who she was.
I rested my hand on her arm, "Relax, baby, you're with me. Just enjoy yourself."
Her hand came and covered mine, "I'm normally very shy Helen but I feel comfortable here with you, safe, you know. Now I don't feel so shy." Her hand moved mine to her other hand, her fingers entwined with mine, "Can I hold your hand, please?" Then both hands were resting on her lap. I suddenly had to fight the urge to press down, take it easy, I told myself. I had realised that I didn't want to risk frightening her away.
Dina never missed a thing, she gave me a nudge, answering my glance with a wink. Her look said everything, "You've scored there! She's nice."
For the first time, I seriously studied Sylvia. She looked to be maybe nineteen or twenty. Not really beautiful but certainly pretty, although when she smiled, her face really lit up. She appeared to have a nice figure but the suit she wore hid the detail. Her legs were the only showing feature that did stand out, they were quite stunningly shaped.
She shook me from my thoughts, "Well, do I measure up? You've given me a good check over." The forwardness of her own question surprised her, she was blushing deeply again, "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm saying." Then she was looking down, her shyness back with a bang.
Romero had just finished his speech, I had missed a little but everyone was beaming. Glasses were raised and we drank the toast. I sipped at my glass but I saw Sylvia drain hers in one. Dina rose to speak. I grabbed for Sylvia's hand and this time pulled it to my lap and held it tight. As discretely as I could, I refilled her glass. "Take your time, sweetheart, there's a whole evening to go yet."
Dina's speech was absolutely wonderful, so filled with love and emotion. I wondered at how she managed not to cry, on the contrary, she was radiant.
The DJ for the evening was himself a very well known radio personality, tonight he was on top form, he told me that he'd almost forgotten what it was like back in his first mobile days doing weddings and he was having a whale of a time.
Dina leaned towards us, "When Dawn and I have the first dance, will you two be the first to join us, please? We'd like that."
Sylvia looked flustered, then she whispered, "But I can't dance with you and not in front of all these people. I'm going to spoil everything now, aren't I?"
I held both of her hands, "Sylvia look at me, you can dance with me, ask yourself, why not? And besides, I want you to, I want to dance with you. Ignore the people, you don't even know them, so why should it worry you?"
"But I've never danced with a woman, I think I like you but I..." She trailed off, before adding, "I don't know what to think."
Dina and Dawn were already on the floor halfway through their chosen song, I saw Dina glance our way, "Sylvia, Dina is calling us, we're not going to let them down." I almost pulled her to her feet before taking her in my arms and leading her out.
Dawn, ever the more observant, had read the situation perfectly. She guided Dina and herself to meet us. Her hands came and cupped Sylvia's face, "For us my little love, for Dina and me, please." Then she gave her a quick kiss.