My mom came back into the dressing room looking nervous, but I didn’t know why. Freya said, “Sugar says they have something important to say.” Ok. Mom shakily told me, “I hope you don’t mind, but I have a dress I’d like you to try on.” I agreed, “Of course I’ll try it on.”
Mom admitted, “The women here have actually worked on it.” Oh no. My mom had a dress custom made for me? Mom squeezed my hand assuring me, “It’s ok if you don’t like it.” The women working brought in the dress in a garment bag.
The lady who had been helping me unzipped it. I gasped and tears filled my eyes. I reached out and touched the skirt of the dress. I whispered, “You remembered.” My mom hugged me from behind, “I’ve had them working on it since you turned seventeen. You know Sharon's sketches so I described it to her, and it was like your vision came to life.” I couldn’t stop the tears if I tried.
I whispered, “You really remembered.” My mom squeezed me gently, “Of course I did. I’ll just step out.” I grabbed her quickly nearly yelling, “Wait... can you help me put it on?” Mom agreed, “Of course, Ladybug.”
The worker who’d been helping me took it off the hanger. She smiled telling me, “This is actually my first solo design from a sketch. I loved making it.” I complimented her, “You did an amazing job. This is literally the dress of my dreams.”
It was a two piece dress that showed the barest hint of my stomach. The top was red lace with a white underlay. The shirt had a red belt that started at my waist and flowed out. It was white with small flowers starting out around the top of my thigh and multiplying as they went down. The bottom was just covered with a flower petal design. It was literally everything I’d described to her all those years ago.
My mom zipped the top on. I cried, “Mom, it’s perfect. I love it.” I turned around and hugged her. She wiped her own eyes, then mine. Mom urged, “Let’s go show them.” I smiled and walked back out. Everyone gasped.
Paige spoke first, “Umm is it me, or is thatthedress she described that our girl wanted?” Avery whispered, “It is.” I told them, “Mom had them design it for me.” Elise wiped her eyes saying, “You look amazing, Mel.”
I turned around and looked in the mirror. I announced, “I love it. It’s my dress.” The woman helping me smiled, “It’s beautiful on you! Are you wearing a reception dress?” I shrugged, “I don’t know. I want to stay in this all night.” She told me, “If you change your mind, we will get you a second dress.” I replied, “Thank you.”
I asked my wolf, “Do you like it?” Freya answered, “I do, it’s perfect.” I went back to the changing room and begrudgingly took off my dress. When I came back out everyone was given champagne, and they toasted me finding my dress.
Elise commented, “Gosh, this is going to be a busy weekend.” I tilted my head asking, “Don’t we just have Avery’s Mating Ceremony?” Elise laughed, “Uh no. Good Lord. Alexander hasn’t told you about the celebration in Blue Moon, has he?” I shook my head, “Not yet.”
Elise laughed, “Well, keep in mind there is one. Let’s see how long it takes for him to realize you don’t know.” I frowned pointing out, “But I do know now.” Elise laughed, “But notwhen.” I pursued my lips, “You’ll have to help me pick what to wear.” Elise assured me, “I’ll have something set out.”
I went to pay. My mom scoffed, “Melanie Jane McAlister, absolutely not.” I froze. I asked, “Uhh what? I mean… you had it designed… it’s custom made and…” Mom cut me off, “Your dad and I are buying your dress.”
Emotion choked me. I nodded, “Mmhmm… that does make sense… you… yeah… no that’s… ummm…. I can pay though and…” Mom hugged me, and the tears flowed down my face. Mom linked, “Your dad and I are back in your life now. We should’ve been all along, but this is a small thing to do for you. I’m sure you can buy it, but we are doing this for you.” I whispered, “Ok.”
Mom paid while Paige hugged me. Our group walked outside. Haley was in charge of keeping the dress safe, so I wasn’t worried about it. I drove us back to the house. Everyone left after eating the snack Mrs. Blanch had set out. Xander was still busy, so I wandered over to the hospital.
I easily found the Mental Health Center inside. It was labeled…and I knew already knew where it was from the blueprints I hacked of the pack. The receptionist smiled at me greeting, “Hello, Muffin Luna. Can I help you?”
I nodded, “Yes, I wanted to make an appointment.” She asked, “Well, do you know who you want your appointment with?” I answered automatically, “Haley.” She told me, “She has some free time next Monday.”
I confirmed, “That would be great.” She nodded, “I’ll get you all set up. If you could fill this out and bring it back to me that would be great.” I nodded and quickly filled out the questionnaire they had. I gave it back to her and left the office.
I wandered around some more. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and called Dalton. He answered, “This is Alpha Dalton.” I sighed, “I know... I called you.” Dalton soundedsurprised, “Ladybug? You’re calling me? I have your number because T gave it to me, but I answered without looking.”
I said, “Umm yes… it’s me… and I’m calling… which all seems obvious. Look, I was calling to let you know… your mate wants you to propose. Xander set the bar really high.” Dalton recovered quickly, “To clarify you’re telling me my mate, who told me to take is slow, wants me to propose?”
I answered, “Yes. Sometimes Paige’s human sensibilities of how things should go get in the way… I blame the foster family she lived with… and Covens in general for that. Witches and Warlocks aren’t human, the notion is silly. She does want you to propose…. So... do something about that, and make my friend happy, please.” Dalton laughed, “I’m on it, Ladybug. Thank you.” I replied, “Sure.” I hung up the phone.
When I rounded the corner, I gaped when I came to the giant lab building. I knew where it was from on my map and probably subconsciously wandered here. I’d always wanted to go inside and check it out. No... that’s a bad idea... I should just go.
Freya chimed in, “It’s no fun just to leave. You’re good at this science type of stuff.” My wolf was right. I debated for a few moments then walked inside. I kept waiting for someone to stop me, but no one did. I stopped short when I found a literal team of scientists trying to figure out what was in Laxenread.
I guess it made sense that they wanted to know how to make their own. The pack had to have a stash of it around here still though. I stared at their board and my fingers actually twitched… I could fix their formula easily. Was I ready for that? They’d absolutely report to EJ, Xander, or Eric that I fixed it. It was cowardly, but I slipped away.
My brain was going a million miles a minute with my other experiment ideas. I sat down and mapped out a few more. I was startled when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I blinked when I looked up, relieved to see my future brother in law.
I asked, “EJ?” He smiled, “Yes, EJ. I’ve been saying your name for a few minutes as I walked up. What are you lost in?” I blushed, “Umm nothing much... just… ideas... of things… and stuff... I just jot down ideas… when I get them... and….that’s not a new trait I have so…you could Elise…I do these things.”
EJ looked over my shoulder then said, “If you can figure out even one of those ideas, it would be impressive.” I frowned, “I can do them all...I just need the equipment and time.” EJ told me with a smirk on his face, “You are sitting outside our lab. The tools are all in there. As a Luna in this pack, you can use any of it any time you’d like.”
I replied, “Oh... I totally didn’t know that’s what this building was… I didn’t go inside… that’s not a thing I did. So… umm well... thanks, EJ.” EJ laughed, “Sure. Quick question, do we all get these watches you have? And what all do they do? Because I seem to recall Jase saying his shorted when he was held by Hunters. It didn’t though, did it?”
Freya snorted, “He’s letting you get away with admitting you went inside.” I might have pulled that off since he let it go. Freya replied, “Absolutely not. You were not even close.” I could’ve been. I answered EJ’s question, “It wouldn’t short, no. I do have watches for all you guys... I just need to go get them.”
EJ questioned, “And they are where exactly?” I replied, “In Nashville. I could have Dax or Caine bring them up… and…” EJ interrupted, “Why are they in Nashville?” I answered, “Umm because I used to live there?”
