Macey
SATURDAY ARRIVED AND I was at the Williams’ home helping to prep for the big party. Melissa’s crafting abilities were second to none and she always managed to do some pretty over the top things with next to no money.
Their home had a large daylight basement and the Williams’ brood had transformed it into a royal ballroom to die for, complete with chandeliers that had been rented from a local lighting shop. They were the plug-in variety, so Chuck had threaded the cords under billowing fabric on the ceiling to hide the wires.
“Molly’s going to freak out,” I said as I set out plastic champagne flutes for the sparkling cider.
“I know.” Payton grinned. “I think my parents are setting each of the grandkids up more and more each time. By the time mine come around, there will be diamond encrusted party favors.”
“Can I come to that one?” I joked.
“Like you’d get away with not coming.” Payton surveyed the room and nodded. “I think we’re good. Time to dress.”
I groaned. “Joy.”
“Come on. It’s not so bad.”
“Please tell me there will be grown-up drinks.”
“Oh, honey, Mom bought a case of wine and dad bought beer… we’re covered.”
“Thank God.”
I followed Payton upstairs to get ready for the party. We were dressing in Payton’s old room and arrived to find that nothing had changed since she’d moved out. The room still held high school memories and cheerleading trophies, items she hadn’t wanted to bring to the apartment.
“Wow,” I said as we walked inside.
“I know,” Payton said with a sigh. “Mom’s convinced I’m going to move home any day.”
“That’s kind of sweet.”
“Sure, we’ll go with that,” Payton said. “Okay, let’s see what we have.”
Two garment bags lay flat on her queen-sized bed and our names were pinned to the allotted costumes.
I unzipped my bag and let out a curse. “You didn’t say I had to wear her wedding outfit.”
Payton laughed. “Oh my god, Anna’s such a shit-stirrer.”
“Your sister’s going to die.” I held up a corset.
Payton opened her bag and groaned. “Yes, she is. Slowly. I’ll help.”
She pulled out Pocahontas’s costume. I lost it, dissolving into giggles and sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Bitch,” Payton snapped.
“Why did she pick that one?” I waved my hand. “Wait… is this left over from the time you had an obsession with tanning? Oh my god, that’s awesome.”
“Shut up, Macey… no it’s not.”
“But Pocahontas is beautiful.”
“She’s also a different race, and much tanner than me.”
“Not so much back then, but I do see what you’re saying now.” I grinned. “I love your sister. I mean, I hate her for my costume, but I love her for yours.”
“It’s fine,” Payton said. “I have a contingency.”
Payton sidled to the back of her closet and pulled out a see-through garment bag.
I gasped. “You cannot wear that! Slutty Snow White is not appropriate for Molly’s party.”
“I’ll leave off the thigh-highs and wear panties this time. It’ll be fine.”
“Your mother’s going to kill you.”
“I don’t care,” Payton said.
“It’s your funeral,” I said.
I tried to talk Payton out of wearing her costume again, but she was determined, so I gave up and focused on putting my monstrosity of a gown on.
Payton had just tightened my corset when my phone buzzed. “Hello?”
“Hey, baby. You okay?”
“Hi, honey.” I smiled, my stomach fluttering at the sound of his voice. “Yep, I’m fine. Payton’s just helping me with my costume.” Payton yanked on the corset string and I gasped. “Not so tight, huh?”
Payton giggled.
“What’s up?” I asked. “Aren’t you on an overnight?”
“Yep. Just missed you.”
“When did you get so sweet?”
Dallas chuckled. “Ages ago. You just didn’t notice.”
I sighed. “I miss you, too. Although, I must say, I’m glad you’re not seeing me in this ridiculous dress.”
“Dress?”
“I’m wearing Ariel’s wedding dress.”
Dallas laughed. “You’re not.”
“I am. I really, really am.”
“Oh, babe, I’m sorry,” he said, still laughing. “Did Molly say no to Cinderella?”
“Yes, mini-Hitler picked Bailey for that honor.”
“She’s five, honey. She picked everyone’s costume based on hair color.”
“Oh, I’m aware, but Anna’s the one who ultimately made all the final decisions.”
Dallas hummed in agreement. “Yeah that’s true, but since it’s her baby’s birthday, give her a break.”
“Like as in, break her legs?”
Dallas laughed again. “Drama aside, I bet you look beautiful.”
“I wish you were here.”
“No thanks.”
“Traitor.”
“I do love you, though.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “In all honesty, I do wish I was there. There ain’t no party like a Williams’ party, even with kids.”
“That’s so true. It’s nice of you to take the shift so Brock could be here.”
“We’ll just hope and pray the sickos stay put tonight. Would hate for him to have to leave the party… especially dressed as Prince Charming.”
I snorted. “Could you imagine?”
“Yes, yes I could. Which makes me kind of want to call him in.”
“Don’t you dare,” I admonished.
“What will you give me?”
“My undying love and affection?”
“I already have that,” he pointed out.
“Well, then I won’t kill you in your sleep.”
“Killjoy.”
I giggled. “Love you.”
“Love you too. Okay, better go. Will I see you after shift tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
“Can’t wait,” he said. “‘Bye, baby.”
“‘Bye.”
I hung up and finished dressing. Once Payton was in her get-up, we walked downstairs to find the immediate family milling around in their costumes.
Melissa grinned as she caught sight of me and then her face dropped. “No!”
“What?” Payton asked in innocence.
“You get your butt back up those stairs Payton Abigail!”
“Mom.”
“You look so pretty, auntie Payton,” Molly said with a squeal. Molly squealed everything.
“See?” Payton said.
“Come with me, Mol,” Anna demanded and guided her little Elsa away from the influence of slutty Snow White.
“Macey, you look beautiful,” Melissa said.
“Thanks.” I grinned at Molly. “You’re the prettiest Elsa I have ever seen.”
“Thanks Auntie Macey,” Molly squealed.
Anna and her husband William were dressed as Elsa and Anna’s parents, while Billy, their six-year-old son, was dressed as Sven the reindeer. Callie, the baby, was Sleeping Beauty, and in pure princess fashion, was currently napping.
Melissa took Payton’s arms and turned her around, back toward the stairs. “Up.” Melissa whacked her on the butt.
“Ow! Mom.”
“Come back down when I can’t see those cheeks peeking out.”
“Put on the costume I got you,” Anna called.
“Screw—”
“Payton!” Melissa admonished.
“In a light bulb, Anna,” Payton finished, adopting a serene smile as she stomped her way back up to her room.
I grinned at Melissa who was dressed as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. “You look adorable.”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “I’m too young to dress this old.”
And she was. Melissa Williams was fifty-eight and looked more than ten years younger. She had her long dark hair piled on top of her head, bringing out her deep blue eyes. She was curvy and her husband doted on her. He was a gorgeous man, and at almost sixty, looked a bit like Pierce Brosnan. Tonight, he was dressed as a butler and would be announcing everyone’s arrival.
“Well, you’re the hottest godmother on the planet,” Chuck said, kissing her. “Not to mention hottest grandma. Does that make you a G.I.L.F.?”
“Dad!” Anna exclaimed. “Gross!”
“Gramma’s a gilf!” Molly squealed. “Gramma’s a gilf!”
“Nice, Dad. Thanks for that,” Anna said, and gave her dad a scowl.
He chuckled. “Your mom’s hot, Anna Banana. You’ll just have to deal with it.”
“Well said,” I agreed.
“Thanks Mace,” Chuck said.
“Gramma’s hot! Gramma’s hot!” Molly mimicked… still squealing.
Melissa ushered everyone downstairs and into the bonus room. I grinned at Brock and Bailey who looked perfect as Prince Charming and Cinderella.
There wasn’t much time to chat, as the guests began to arrive, decked out to perfection as varying princesses and even the occasional prince. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the festivities as everyone fully got into the fantasy of the evening, participating in their characters as though they were born to play them.
Chuck was doing a brilliant job announcing all arrivals from the doors of the “ballroom.” The little girls grinned and held themselves as though they were true royalty, entering the room with grace and style. Well, as much grace and style as four and five-year-olds’ could muster before squealing and rushing to hug Molly and their friends.
Bailey and I stood off to the side as Brock and several of the other gentlemen took turns dancing with all the little princesses.
“Do you think we were this squealy as babies?” I mused.
“I totally was,” Bailey admitted. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I was squealy even when I wasn’t a baby. You should have seen my sweet-sixteen. My friends were in a constant state of squealdom… my parents rented out the town hall and transformed it into a party palace.” She sighed. “I think they spent fifty grand.”
“Shut up.”
“It’s true.” Bailey shook her head. “Even then, I felt kind of disgusted by it. But Mama had to outdo Susannah Rocker’s sixteenth the year before. Sick.”
Before Bailey had exposed her retired senator father’s and socialite mother’s illegal activities, she’d lived in an historical mansion in Vermont. She was the epitome of a wealthy debutant, only without the wealthy debutant attitude.
“Prince Eric,” Chuck announced, and I glanced at the door expecting one of the kids.
What I saw instead was Dallas decked out in full Prince Eric regalia. I let out a quiet gasp and started toward him. He met me half-way and took my hand, leaning down in a bow to kiss my fingers. “M’lady.”
I giggled. “What are you doing here?”
He straightened and smiled. “Can a prince not join his princess for a ball?”
“I apologize, your majesty… or sire? I have no idea what to call you.”
“Sexiest man alive will work.” He glanced around the room and then pulled me past Chuck and into one of the bedrooms down the hall. Closing the door, he pushed me against it and slid his hand to my neck, leaning down to kiss me.
I gripped his waist and sighed against his lips. “Best kisser ever.”
“We’ve done that one before,” he pointed out.
I giggled. “And we’ll probably do it a lot more.”
“Fair enough. Of course, the sentiment’s the same on my side.”
“And it should be.” I raised my hands to my head. “Dang it. Now I’m going to have to fix my hair again.”
He grinned, pulling a fork from his pocket. “Perhaps your comb will help.”
I laughed. “I won’t ask how you know about that part of the movie.”
“Elizabeth used to make Brock and me watch it with her whenever we’d showed up. Brock probably had to watch it more than me, and I don’t know that I’ve ever actually watched it all the way through, but I’ve seen enough of it to pick up a few things.”
“What happened with your overnight?”
“There was no overnight,” he said with a smile.
“Ooh, you sneaky, sneaky man.”
“Gotta keep you guessing, baby, or I will begin to bore you.”
“That could never happen.” I slid my arms around his neck. “So, my door.”
He sighed. “Needs to be replaced.”
“But you had all those really efficient looking tools,” I said. “And the tiny screw in your pocket.”
Dallas laughed. “I also have a great deal of strength, which I underestimated when I kicked it in. Don’t worry. I ordered a new one. It’ll be here next week. I’ll take care of it then.”
I bit my lip.
“What?” he asked.
“I’ve been sleeping in Payton’s room.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t lock my door,” I said, trying not to sound irritated.
“Oh, right. Sorry, babe. I didn’t think.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered.
Dallas stroked my cheek. “I’ll come and stay with you until it’s delivered.”
“Sounds like a pain in the butt.”
“To hold my girl through the night?” he asked with a frown. “Are you kidding me? That’s a dream come true. I should have broken down your door months ago.”
I snorted, unable to stop a grin. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Which is why you love me.” He kissed me again and then stroked my cheek. “Would you join me for a dance, m’lady?”
“Yes, kind sir, I would love to.”
Dallas pulled the door open and let me precede him out and back into the “ballroom.” I reveled in his doting for the rest of the evening, joining in the fun when Payton arrived, her Pocahontas costume too adorable for words, even though her face seemed to have a permanent scowl directed at Anna.
Once the children had all gone home and the Williams’ grandkids were put to bed, the party really got started while the adults danced, drank, and ate until well into the next morning. By the time Dallas took me home, I could barely function, but lucky for me, Dallas helped me out of my costume and even though I fell asleep almost as soon as I fell into bed, I awoke the next morning in his arms and all was right with my world.