Gina Is My Bridesmaid
By Janis Elizabeth

 

It was about a year before my wedding that I started noticing that my clothes and makeup were not quite in the same place, as I knew that I had left them. Sometimes my lingerie in my dresser appeared to be slightly rearranged or refolded. I also noticed that sometimes a dress or a blouse would not be situated properly on a hanger in my closet or would be hung in a different spot. At first, I did not think anything about these occurrences, feeling that maybe I had been careless when I put away my things. However, over time, I continued to notice my things being in slight disarray, even though I knew that I had been careful in how I had put them away.

The cause of this disarray did not become apparent until one day six months after my initial discovery, I quietly came up the stairs and saw my brother Gene in his room wearing one of my lacy slips in black satin. He was not aware of my presence as he thought he had closed his door. Nonetheless, it was open just a bit and I could see him lying there on his bed caressing his entire body through the softness of the slip. Rather than embarrass him by catching him in the act, I quietly retraced my steps until I was back downstairs. Then I called out rather loudly both to get his attention and to let him know I was in the house. I could hear him moving about suddenly. I imagined him removing the slip, getting it back into my drawer and then starting to get dressed in his normal clothes before he answered me. When he saw me, I noticed traces of makeup that he hadn't removed from his face. I acted as if nothing was different.

My brother was 14 when I found out that he enjoyed wearing my things. We were about the same size and he kept his blond hair on the longish side. From what I could see during the summer, he had little or no hair visible on his arms and legs. His features were on the soft side and his mannerisms were definitely gentle in nature. I would have loved to see him in a one-piece women's bathing suit one summer. I bet he would have looked great.

While brothers and sisters occasionally tend to argue and disagree, this was not the case between Gene and I. He did not come off as the normal hormone-driven teen male. Instead, he had a genuine respect for all people, both male and female. This also was very evident in his dealings with me, his big sister, where he was kind and courteous, not crass and rude. If he enjoyed wearing my pretty things, I was not going to object. If there were any way that I could encourage him in these pursuits without appearing to be a bossy sister, I would have done so gladly. Nevertheless, to be of more assistance to Gene in his quest for femininity, I began leaving soft, silky items of lingerie on my bed or on my dresser. When I looked at them later, they would be in a slightly different spot or were folded differently. I was glad that Gene was enjoying these feminine delights. I would have loved to have given him a silky nightgown and have him wear it at night while he slept. That would have been too open, though. However, an idea began to form in my head that would have me help Gene to fully experience his feminine side. I would try to talk him into being one of my bridesmaids in my upcoming wedding.

I discussed this in a general way with Mom. She admitted that some of the things in her drawers and her closet had been slightly messed up also. "Sharon," she said, "I just thought that I was getting forgetful about how I had left my things. However, I did find a pair of my silky panties in your brother's room one day. When I asked him about it, he claimed that the static from the dryer must have caused them to stick to one of his tee shirts and he hadn't noticed it when he folded and put away his clothes. Naturally, I didn't question him, figuring his explanation was plausible. I have noticed that my shower cap sometimes seem damp in the morning when I put it on for my shower even though it has been a day since I last used it. Maybe Gene is wearing it since he usually showers before I do. And now that you mention it, I have noticed traces of makeup that he did not completely remove from his face."

"I know that I can't just come out and ask him directly to be my bridesmaid. Do you think that I can approach him in a soft and gentle way and somehow say that I would like him to be in my wedding as a bridesmaid," I asked Mom? "I want to be very careful with this," I said. "I don't want to hurt him. He is my younger brother and I love him. Right now, I'm even leaving some of my lingerie around so that he can find it and easily wear it" Mom was pleased with what I was doing and agreed that we approach Gene carefully. She suggested that we get the gown, lingerie and shoes in his size and not tell him what we are planning until the very last minute. I said that I could tell him that one of my bridesmaids eloped and that has left me with a gap in my bridal party. It's too late to find one more of my girlfriends to be a bridesmaid. He would be my last hope. If possible, I would need and want him to fill in as my bridesmaid.

Of course, Mom knew all of his sizes, so it wasn't difficult to order the gown, lingerie and shoes. In fact, we did it during one of the fittings for my wedding gown. The sales assistant said that, though it was unusual for a bridesmaid's gown to be ordered without it being tried on first, it had occurred before. We thanked her for her assistance and placed the order for the gown and to have the shoes dyed to match. Since the lingerie was in stock, we took that with us.

After my final fitting, I picked up my wedding gown and Gene's bridesmaid dress. I guess that if he is to be my bridesmaid, I should stop thinking of him as Gene and start thinking of her as a girl. After a little thought, I realized that Gina would be an ideal name for him/her. Rather than tell anyone he was my brother, who was wearing a dress, I figured I could introduce him as my cousin from out of town. All was now ready. I hoped that now I could convince Gene to do it.

During the wedding rehearsal, it was obvious that the two ushers and best man outnumbered my Maid of Honor and my bridesmaid. I claimed that my other bridesmaid had told me that she would be arriving too late for the rehearsal. After we returned home, I let Gene go upstairs first, before I pretended to become hysterical. He immediately came running to see what had happened. "Sharon, what is the matter? Are you ok? You sound as if the world as we know it has ended." "Gene, for me, it has ended," I cried. "My picture perfect wedding is ruined. Linda called and left a message telling me that she wouldn't be able to be in my wedding because she and her boyfriend had just eloped. Now I am one bridesmaid short. Everything is out of balance." Mom looked on with hidden amusement at my performance as Gene tried to comfort me. "Sharon, isn't there anyone that you know that could fill in?" "Not at the last minute," I said. None of my other friends are the same height and build as Linda." Gene asked, "Isn't there something we can do for you? Isn't there something I can do for you?" Although not knowing it, Gene had said the magic words. I calmed down slightly and then looked at him carefully. "You know, I think you are the same height and almost the same build as Linda. Perhaps you could be my bridesmaid. Would you do it for me? You are my last hope. If you won't be my bridesmaid, my wedding will be ruined. Please do this for me? Please? Please?" By the time I finishing, I sounded almost like I was begging him to help me and, in fact, I was begging him for both our sakes.

I could sense a degree of excitement that momentarily shot through him as Gene considered what I just said. "Sharon, I would love to help you out. But, I'm a boy. People would know that I was a boy in a gown. I don't think I could do it, having people laugh at me and talk behind my back. Besides, how would you introduce me? Oh, this is my brother Gene who is wearing a gown and serving as my bridesmaid." I tried to reassure him that all of his fears and concerns were groundless. I told him that his facial features and his mannerisms were soft and gentle and that with his hair color and length he could easily pass as an attractive girl. As for how I would introduce him, I said that he would be my cousin Gina from out of town, who was an emergency replacement for one of my bridesmaids. His eyes seemed to light up when I said that he would be called Gina.

At this point, Mom gently offered her comments to persuade Gene. She said that I was right in what I said. She also felt that Gina would be an attractive young lady. "Sharon, I am just so afraid that I will look like a boy in a dress," he said. "However, for your sake and to save your wedding from being ruined, I am willing to give it a try. I just hope my appearance is not a distraction." I was so happy by his agreeing to my request that I reached out and hugged him tightly to me. I said that both Mom and I would make sure that he looked good. "We are going to have an attractive young lady named Gina serve as my bridesmaid," I said. "She will be pretty, just wait and see." Also, I told Gina that my hair stylist would be there in the morning to help us with our hair and makeup. I reminded Gina that when she awoke in the morning, that she needed to wash her hair and leave it damp. We reminded Gina to liberally dust herself with the scented bath powder when she was dry. After putting on her lingerie and a robe, she would have Mary do her hair and makeup. "Gina, thank you for helping me out and saving the day. You are a real gem. Would you like to start now to become Gina?" He nodded his assent. I took him to my room and found an ankle-length pink satin nightgown with spaghetti strap, a pink satin robe and a pair of pink slippers for him to wear. I handed them to him and told him to change while I did likewise.

A few minutes later, Mom and I met in Gina in her room. I was wearing a lilac satin nightgown, robe and slippers. Mom was wearing a blue satin nightgown robe and slippers. Gina had put on her nightgown, robe and slippers and was sitting on the side of her bed. Mom and I agreed that Gina should have her fingernails and toenails painted now rather than waiting for tomorrow. Gina sat there in rapt attention while having her hands and feet fussed over. While I worked on Gina's toenails, Mom did her fingernails. When we were done, Gina had several coats of bright pink polish on her toes and fingers. They really glistened. As I had stopped for a manicure and pedicure earlier that day, my nails glistened with a bright red polish. While I was doing her nails, I had noticed Gina admiring mine. We sat here and talked and reminded Gina not to touch anything until her nails were completely dry. Once they were dry, we each gave Gina a big hug, bid her good night and told her that tomorrow would be a big day for all of us. "Good night, little sister," I said. "Pleasant dreams." "Good night, big sister," Gina replied. "I hope to sleep very well tonight in my pretty nightgown." Tomorrow was truly going to be a big day for all of us.

By the time I got up the next morning, Mom had already taken her shower. Mary had done her hair and makeup and she sat there with a plastic hair dryer bonnet over her rollers while drying. I quickly showered and then started to get dressed. I put on my white satin garter belt, lacy white satin panties, white bridal stocking with wedding bell and dove appliques and my matching lacy white satin bra. I slipped on my white satin robe and went to have Mary start on my appearance. I also made sure that Gina was up and taking her shower. Gina bounced out of her room on my first call, greeted me with a hug and went to take her shower. Mom had already been combed out when I got downstairs. While Mary did my hair and makeup, Mom helped Gina get ready. While my lingerie was white satin, Gina's was pink satin with nude stockings. Mom helped Gina with her bra and then put two breast forms in the cups to give her a nice full A-cup of a fourteen year old girl.

Gina came downstairs while I had the plastic hair dryer bonnet over my rollers. She looked so young and feminine in her robe and lingerie. I smiled at her to reassure her. Mary went right to work, rolling up Gina's hair. She then did her makeup befitting the innocence of a fourteen-year-old girl. The pink blush and lipstick matched the color of her nail polish. Mary had applied only a touch of eye shadow to Gina's eyelids and a little mascara to her lashes. While I was being combed out, Gina sat under the dryer. Before she turned it on, I told her how pretty she looked even with her hair in rollers. Gina smiled at my compliment.

When Mary finished with Gina, including a heavy dose of hair spray to hold her hair, we all thanked her. She said that she would be at the church for any last minute makeup touch-ups. Mom and I took Gina to get dressed. "First, I help you into your bridesmaid's gown and then you help me into my wedding gown," I told her. Gina nodded in understanding. First, we had her put on her 4-inch heels and got her used to walking in them. Then came her ankle-length pink satin slip. Her crinoline was drawn up around her waist and securely fastened. Finally, Gina put on her bridesmaid's gown of pink satin with cap sleeves. Mom helped her by zipping up the back of the gown. In Gina's hair, Mom pinned her headpiece. A pearl necklace, clip-on pearl cluster earrings and short white gloves completed Gina's outfit. When she saw her image in the mirror, Gina was awestruck. I told her that she would look great. "Gina, you really look pretty in pink." Gina was beaming. Her smile could have lit the room.

Now, Mom and Gina helped me. Everything was similar, although in white. Slip, heels and crinoline were quickly in place. They then helped me into my wedding gown, a white satin and lace creation with short sleeves, full skirt, a sweetheart neckline and a train. Mom tenderly fastened each button up the back of my gown. I carefully sat in front of my vanity while Gina got my veil. Mom carefully pinned it to my hair and then Gina helped to straighten out my train.

"Sharon, you look radiant. All brides should look as beautiful as you do," said Gina. I blushed at her compliment. I told her that maybe some day she could be wearing a wedding gown and look as beautiful and radiant as I now do. "Sharon, I would settle for looking one-tenth as beautiful as my big sister." I reached over and hugged her.

By then, the other two attendants and the photographer were waiting downstairs. Mom helped Gina down first and then helped me. The photographer took several bridal portraits of me and then took pictures of the bridal party. During the group shots, Gina stood next to me, the perfect image of a young bridesmaid. I also had the photographer take individual portraits of my Maid of Honor and my bridesmaids, especially Gina. Several individual portraits were taken of Gina. She simply glowed over the attention. Mom seemed very happy also for her new daughter.

The limo arrived to take us to the church. With some difficulty, we all managed to get in. This was not an easy task, especially when wearing a full-skirted gown and a crinoline. At the church, we made our entry by a side door into a spacious waiting room for the bridal party. Gina looked at me and told me that she was getting nervous. "I feel that everyone is looking at me and knowing I am a boy in a dress," Gina said. "I am so nervous." Relax," I said. "No one will know. Just take your escort's arm and walk slowly into the church."

Gina seemed reassured until she heard the opening notes of the Wedding March. A glance from her and a smile from me helped to settle her down. As she stepped forward to take her escort's arm, she suddenly realized how good-looking he was. Gina relaxed a little more. As she entered, she took the slow measured tread that brides and bridesmaids have been taking at every wedding since the dawn of time. It was almost as if it was inbred in her. Mom escorted me down the aisle to give me away in marriage. Throughout the ceremony, I kept glancing at Gina, making sure she was ok. She seemed to beam. However, when my groom gave me our first kiss after we had been pronounced husband and wife, I did hear a distinct audible sigh from Gina. I could imagine the dreamy look that filled her eyes.

After the recessional, Gina was a part of the receiving line, standing next to me, smiling and greeting the assembled guests. Several times I commented that Gina had stepped in at the last minute to help save the day. Several guests commented on how pretty she was as a bridesmaid. Gina blushed and thanked each person for the compliment.

During the reception, Gina moved with the easy grace of a young lady, as if some inner characteristic had been tapped. At the appropriate time, Gina stood with the other single girls to try to catch my bouquet. Before I turned my back on them and tossed my bouquet, I noticed that Gina was off to one side. Naturally, I tried to aim my toss toward her. As luck would have it, she did catch my bouquet. One of the benefits of catching the bridal bouquet was that she now had to dance with the guy that caught the bridal garter. This happened to be the same handsome young man that escorted her down the aisle. She seemed to relax in his arms. Later, she asked me if it was wrong to have enjoyed being held by her escort. I told her that for today, she was a very attractive and feminine young lady and to simply enjoy the sensation of all things feminine. She smiled at me for that comment. I smiled back to see her enjoying her new identity and the soft feel of her clothes.

It was finally time for my groom and I to depart for our honeymoon. Before we did leave, I managed a few quiet moments with Gina. "Sharon, I just want to thank you for this wonderful day. I am glad that I was able to be a part of this special day in a small but special way. I am lucky to have a big sister like you." I quietly told Gina that I was glad that I had her for my little sister and what a lifesaver she had been today, standing in as an emergency bridesmaid. I was glad that she had enjoyed herself. I then told her that, while I was gone, she was free to wear anything in my closet or in my drawers. However, until I returned, she could not wear any of my makeup. As her big sister, I wanted to teach her how to wear it properly. Gina nodded in understanding.

She asked if we could go shopping for things for Gina when I returned. I said that I would look forward to the day. She would wear a soft and frilly dress and the appropriate lingerie for our day of shopping. I also told her that I might schedule her for an appointment for a permanent and hair coloring with Mary. She was thrilled with that.

Just before we left, I told Gina that after I got home, maybe she would like to wear my bridal gown and veil and be the bride for the day. "Would you do that for me," she asked? "That would be special. I would like that very much." I also mentioned that, while not a professional, I would take pictures of her as a bride. Gina thought that was a great idea. "I only have one condition that you have to comply with. Before you put on my gown, you must put a sanitary pad in your panties between your legs in the event of an accident," I said. "To be able to wear your bridal gown, I would do anything that you asked," Gina said. I told her that, in the near future, I would also get her a white satin negligee set similar to the one I would be wearing later this evening. She smiled and thanked me.

"There is a royal blue satin teddy in my bottom drawer that I think you would enjoy wearing. Make sure that you snap the bottom shut so that you can get the full sensual feel of the satin on your skin." "I will," said Gina. "Also, there is a pink satin baby doll nightgown under my pillow that would look darling on you. Why don't you wear it tonight and dream about what I am doing on my honeymoon?"

Gina said that she would wear it and assured me that she would have pleasant dreams. We hugged one last time. "Gina, I hope I will always have you as my little sister," I said. Gina's eyes started to mist up with tears of happiness. "Sharon, I am so lucky to have a big sister like you. I love you. I can't wait to wear your wedding gown and be the bride. Thank you for all of the wonderful experiences of today. Take care of yourself." I helped her dry her eyes before any damage was done to her makeup.

I left thinking of all of the happiness of the day. Mom had seen her elder daughter happily married. I was now with the one that I loved. And Mom had a new daughter and I had a new little sister. I look forward to helping Gina discover the woman inside her.

 

 

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