Page 27 of Everything I Want

“I’ve got that covered. Had a little surgery many years ago, two of those trouble makers were plenty for me.” I lift her chin to me with a finger. Kissing her, giving promises of what is to come.

December 23rd

Lorelei

Scott:I can't wait to see you tonight, beautiful. And show you off!

Tonight is Scott's annual Christmas party. I'm a little nervous, the butterflies in my stomach have kicked up a notch today. It’ll be the first time meeting his friends in more than a friendly neighbor capacity.

I spent the night with him last night but had to come home this morning to finish a dish that I had here, and to get ready.

My girls are coming over to help me get ready and give me a pep talk. I tried to convince them to come with me, but Lacey said I needed to do this on my own.

Scarlett said that she had the perfect outfit for me, which makes me a little bit scared because I haven't seen it yet. She said that I would tell her no, so it isn't the best selling point for her.

The front door opens and I can hear all the girls chattering about what we are going to do with my looks.

"No way!" That's Addy. "Mom doesn't need a hot pink lipstick! What is with you and bright lips?"

"Um, it's sexy," Lacey retorts and completes it with an over the top eye roll.

"Lace, seriously. Nude is in," Scarlett says. “Aren’t you in the beauty industry? How are you so out of touch?”

"Do I get a vote?" I ask, coming around the corner to greet my girls.

All three respond in an adamant, "No."

I hold out my arms and all three girls come in for a hug.

They can drive me nuts, but I love them. I just wish my Willow would come home. I don't trust those people she has in her life down there in Nashville.

"Mom, please tellyour daughterover here that bright lipstick is out," Addy says, staring at Lacey.

"Excuse me, I'm the one who is in the industry as Scarlett pointed out. You spend your day with teenagers!" Lacey argues back.

"Exactly! They do not hold back in telling me what is out of style," Addy rolls her eyes.

We all laugh because we've heard all the ways that she is uncool, and so are we. Me probably most of all.

"Sweet Scarlett, can you show me what you brought for me to wear?" I reach out to take the bag in her hand, skillfully ending this argument.

"Oh yes! Let me go lay it all out for you on the bed, you need to see it together!" She runs off to my bedroom.

Lacey and Addy are already setting up an intimidating amount of makeup and hair accessories on my dining room table. I walk to the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of water, taking a sip to calm my nerves. Scarlett calls for us to come to join her.

I walk in and see the outfit that Scarlett has laid out. A hunter green long sleeve, velvet dress with a v-neck and ruffles on the bottom of the hem. Cream colored tights, and brown riding boots.

I was honestly expecting something very revealing but I'm pleasantly surprised to see how wonderfully she has done at picking out an outfit that is not only beautiful, but I will still be comfortable in.

Tears spring to my eyes. I wipe the wayward tear off my cheek, trying to hide it from my girls.

Scarlett walks back in, "I forgot to add this necklace, it's – oh, mom! What is wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing. I'm just feeling a little emotional is all." I wave her off, "Show me this necklace."

She gives me a knowing look, but doesn't push me any further. "Okay, well if you want to talk, we are all here for you. I brought this gold locket. Do you remember it?"

She hands me a gold locket that I very much remember. When she was little she was desperate for a locket. I didn't want to buy her one because she was so young I just knew she would lose it. But Andrew insisted that she wouldn't lose it because it would be so special to her. Clearly, he was right. I pop open the locket and see Andrew's face smiling at me. He took the photo with a six year old Scarlett to put in her locket.

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