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After a couple of days, we met with Mei to find my perfect wedding dress. Mom wanted to be present, but the tight schedule and long drive forced her to reconsider. So she said she would look forward to seeing me at the wedding and be surprised just like the other folks.
On Gabriel’s insistence, we went to the most expensive bridal shop in Seattle. We were welcomed with friendly faces and champagne. In all honesty, I wasn’t looking forward to picking out a dress as the one I had in Wallachia remained my favorite no matter what. But Mei’s exuberance raised my spirits and convinced me to enjoy the opportunity. After I tried several white dresses, I felt the need to change the color. And since we planned for a beach wedding, a baby blue color seemed like the perfect choice. The options became limited, but I didn’t have a problem with it. I decided to go with an off-the-shoulder A-line dress with short lace sleeves. The bodice was made of the same fine lace as the sleeves while the bottom cascaded into a chiffon skirt with tiny white flower appliques. Gone were the days when I had trouble choosing. One medieval boot camp, and I was healed. Still, the dress was gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to surprise Gabriel on our wedding day.
Mei, on the other hand, still struggled to decide. She put on ten gowns, and even though they looked stunning on her, she still couldn’t find the one. In the end, we decided to reflect the beachy theme and go for a silky, sand-colored dress.
After, while still tipsy from the champagne, we decided to have a late lunch at the closest diner around. The diner was mostly empty, given the time of day. We took a seat at a booth and ordered burgers, as usual.
“I cannot imagine you’ll be a married woman in less than a week,” Mei said.
If she only knew.
“Mei, do you believe in paranormal stuff?” I asked.
“Like ghosts or something?” she asked. “I guess. My parents are superstitious, but I never gave it much thought. Though I’m open to it.”
“What about traveling in time?” I asked.
“Like the old sci-fi movies we like to watch?”
“Yes. Would you believe it could be possible?”
“Listen. I know one thing. Everything is possible until proven differently. Why are you asking this question? Wait, is Gabriel from the future? Did he come to tell you the world is about to be destroyed into smithereens unless you join forces and save it?”
I laughed. “No one can travel to the future,” I said.
Mei giggled, but then her demeanor changed. “You cannot travel to the future, but you can travel to the past?”
“I did,” I said.
“But that’s not possible. How? Did Gabriel convince you of something like this? He could be the charismatic leader of a cult. Why hadn’t I thought of that first?”
“He didn’t need to. I traveled before I even met him there.”
“The more you talk, the more confusing it becomes,” Mei said, retying her ponytail to give herself time to take in this new information. “You went into the past and met him there? How?”
“Yes, I shouldn’t be telling you this…”
“Too late for that. I need all the details ASAP,” Mei said and sat closer to me.
“Well, when I went to Romania, I found a pendant and a gem, and they somehow transported me to the times of Vlad the Impaler.”
“No way. You spoke of this man so many times the universe decided to send you to him.”
“That’s where I met Gabriel. We were married there for two years till I found a way to return home. Which let me tell you, two years in the past equals twenty-four hours in the present,” I said.
“Fascinating. And Gabriel returned with you into your present?”
“Actually, no, he didn’t.” I lowered my gaze.
“Then how did he live for so long?” Mei asked, as confused as I was the first time.
“He became a…”
“A what?”
“He turned into…”
“Into what? Speak up. You want to kill me with the suspense?”
