Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 68

My mouth drops, “I-is this the entire dress shop?”

“‘Yes dear, your fiancé said you were a little nervous about other customers in the shop seeing some burn scars, so he paid for me to close the shop for the day and bring everything here. That way you’re in the privacy of your own home. Who am I to say no if Bronx Mason personally calls says he is getting married? This is a beautiful mansion by the way, so many employees!” 1

“Oh, thank you, ma’am. They’re like family. I can’t imagine what we would do without them,” I say still in awe as I look around my living room. She is clearly human, so we can’t let on that we’re werewolves. I’m not sure why she is so impressed by Bronx personally calling but he is well aware that I don’t care anymore if people see my scars. It’s just a cover story. I am more comfortable with my body nowadays. But it is such a sweet gesture by him. Now I don’t have t o have anxiety over the real reason I was worried about going to her shop. I don’t even want to think about how much it cost Bronx to have this sweet woman move her entire store inventory to my living room.

“No need to call me ma’am, dear. I’m Sheila. These are my assistants Lisa and Suzel,” she smiles at me as she points to the younger women standing beside her, “Let’s get started. Suzel will help the bridesmaids select some styles for us to look at while Lisa and I help you find your perfect dress.”

Sheila turns to my three bridesmaids, “Lenora, dear, are you due before or after the wedding?”

“Oh, before. In five weeks actually,” she responds, holding her plump belly.

“Perfect. We should be able to have all three of the bridesmaids wear matching dresses if that i s what you prefer, Miss Latmus. Now,” she turns back to me, “my paperwork says your name i s Iokaste but you go by Kas. So unique, what’s the origin of such a pretty name?”

“It’s Greek. My parents were both from there. It means violet.”

“That’s beautiful! Steeped in tradition, I’m sure.”

“Oh, yes ma’am. I mean Sheila. Deeply steeped in tradition. Also, please just call me Kas,” I hear the girls giggle beside me.

“Alright then, Kas. We are going to have a good time today. Let’s get started!” Sheila says in a sing song voice. She seems like the type of woman that likes to give hugs to strangers, “Now, what type of dress did you have in mind? What do you imagine looking like on your big day?”

“I’d like to look like a goddess, Sheila. I have some clippings from magazines,” I pull out my binder and start flipping through. To my surprise, she didn’t bat an eye at my statement. I thought for sure it would come off sounding conceited.

ideas and even a couple of sketches I did

last inspiration picture, Sheila claps her hands and smiles broadly, “I have several options in mind. Mr. Mason said spare no expense. So, at his request,

are all avoiding eye contact with me. Okay. Now I know where he got the idea

her assistant, “Suzel, I think open backs for our statuesque bridesmaids. Empire style will look beautiful. It

girls with a genuine smile, “I agree. We

at my bridesmaids, who all giggle,

and takes Lenora, Ashley, and Delilah to a

takes my hand and leads me behind a partition to undress. While Sheila

scars are from a fire?” Lisa says in disbelief, “I-I’m

them now that I’m older,” I say, “Everyone who will be at the wedding knows and I kind of want it to be a badge of honor, so if we can find a dress for me that has an open back like

is a wedding dress wizard,” she smiles just as Sheila

agrees, it is just not the one. The second one doesn’t flatter

as she makes some final adjustments to the straps,

from behind the partition and onto the little platform. I look in the mirror at the women behind

her hands covering her nose and mouth. Her eyes are wide and glassy. Delilah is standing, with her hands on her heart, mouth

it look like a long, sheer, pleated cape. The fabric extends to the floor creating a beautiful, long train. The back of the dress comes to a V near the small of my back. The front also has soft pleats starting at the shoulders and forms a deep V that stops just above my navel.

you say no to this dress, we’re gonna have

hair piled on top of my head, I look like I was always meant to wear this dress. I look like a goddess. I mean, I am a

We look gorgeous,” Lex whispers in my mind as Lisa and

until now, Lex. It was all just an abstract idea. But this is real. This

so much

“Who? My mother?”