Three Weddings and a Dress Read Online Free PDF

always this dense? Or was it just her urgency that made it seem so?
    Almost there, she could see The Top of the Rock Observation deck, well not literally. However, she was close enough to see the building.  
    Fanny was not a patient person. If Cecelia was too late, she’d miss her.
    Only one minute passed the appointment time, she pulled the double glass door open of Java Cup. Fanny sat in a corner booth, Cecelia’s favorite low fat vanilla latte waiting.
    God bless her.
    She slid onto the opposite chair. Not wanting to waste time with chit-chat. “What do I need to do?”
    “It’s not hard, except it won’t be done by the wedding.” Fanny slid a paper across the table to her.
    “What’s this?”
    “The petition, it’s straight forward. I filled out everything or as much as I could.”
    Cecelia read the document over and frowned. Fanny had answered question number ten: of grounds for application as “not fulfilling the marriage contract”.
    When she didn’t appear to marry Chandler she needed to change her name, not her first, just her surname. She wanted a fresh start without any connection to the Wilson firm.
    Even the daughter of the great Broderick Wilson couldn’t defy him without consequences.
    Then she came to number eleven. She had the right per the Civil Rights Law §64-a, to request exemption for publishing her intent because her life was in danger. Technically hers wasn’t.
    “You’re trying to decide if your life is in danger?” Fanny sipped her green tea frap. “No one can make you marry Chandler. You’re just getting your affairs in order so you won’t have your bank accounts frozen.”
    “You don’t think my father would do whatever it took to stop me? Even lock me in my room until the wedding?” Cecelia smiled at Fanny’s exaggerated shiver.
    “Being locked in your room and forced down the aisle? I don’t believe we can say that’s life-threatening .” Another sip of her frap, then Fanny asked, “Do you even call him ‘Dad’?”
    “Broderick? Are you nuts? And at work, it has to be Mr. Wilson.”
    “You’re fuckin’ with me, Cecie.” Fanny laughed as if it were a joke.
    Cecelia didn’t laugh. It wasn’t funny. “No, I’m not. I am not allowed to address him differently than any other employee. I’m not even a partner. Can you even imagine? He’s not a father to me, he never has been. Fanny, if he can stop me, he will.”
    “Shit. No, I can’t imagine how it must be for you. My Dad is great. We’re very close. I’m sorry you don’t have the same.” Fanny took a moment to enjoy a bite of bagel before she continued. “You know, I have no idea why I’m surprised, I shouldn’t be. I’ve heard of the great and powerful Broderick Wilson and not just from you.” Fanny glanced around the shop, as if spies were everywhere.
    “If I file these papers today how long do you think it would be before they are published?”
    Fanny set her briefcase on the table, riffled through it to find the file. After she’d studied it for a few moments she returned her attention to Cecelia.
    “When you file they set the hearing date which can be anywhere from one to four weeks. Wish we could file in Brooklyn; they have the hearing on the same day you file. Sorry it doesn’t say anything about a timeline for public notification.”
    Cecelia took her time, sipping her latte letting her mind process the situation. Then decided she might as well use Fanny to brainstorm. “A name change is inevitable, not mandatory though. It’s not going to be complete before D-day anyway. Should I file after?”
    Fanny wiggled in her chair a bit. “Are you positive he’d see it in the paper?”
    “Every page is either read or at least scanned. I can’t guarantee he won’t see it.”
    “Can you file the day before? It shouldn’t take too long. The form is done and you pay a fee and have a hearing date set.”
    Cecelia pulled out her appointment book, opened to Friday. “Luckily I’ve been