Aidan rushing into my room and jumping on the bed was my wake up call. I'd only slept a few hours but I didn't care. I was so happy to see him. We hugged and cuddled for a bit, and then I got up through my robe over my pjs and headed up the stairs to nurse Adele with Aidan talking about everything that happened while I was gone. He continued until I picked up Adele. She was so happy to see me. She just grinned when she heard my voice. I hugged and kissed her and then sat down in the chair to nurse her. She was as anxious as I was. Once we were settled in a rhythm Aidan resumed his talking. He seemed to really enjoy having Claude watch him. He talked about how it was at school, and that the teacher apologized to him for hurting his feelings and told him she'd be more open minded. He went on about how bad a cook his Dad was, but that Claude kept pulling out cookbooks to try new things and was talking about going to cooking school. After I got both kids dressed we headed downstairs. I brought them into my room as I dressed in grey sweats and pulled my hair back. Then we headed to the kitchen. Aidan wanted waffles for breakfast. He helped me make the batter while Adele played in a high chair I pulled from the pantry. She was starting to sit up with help and in a few weeks she'd do it on her own. She was developing so much faster than Aidan. Once the waffles were in the griddle, I put the coffee on and poured Aidan some milk. That's when the door bell rang. "Mom, its several strangers." Aidan told me. I went into the living room and peaked out the window. It was the Rear Admiral James Resin, and he wasn't alone. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"What a pleasant surprise, what can I do for you on this fine Louisiana morning?" I asked as I opened the door. "Mrs. Northman, I am investigating the disappearance of Robert Derringer. May I come in and ask you a few questions?" he said. "I didn't realize you were an investigator for the Coast Guard, I thought your duties were second in command to section 8 of the US National Coast Guard, doesn't that keep you busy enough without taking on extra duties." I said to him, making sure he knew I'd done my research too. "This particular disappearance is very important to me, now do you mind if we come in." He said sternly. "But of course, you are all welcome, I just put a pot of coffee on, can I get you some?" I said as I opened my door wide. I could tell by the look on his face he was surprised to see Aidan behind me. "Yes, I'd like a cup of coffee, black; my men will stay outside for now." He said and walked in and sat on my couch. He scanned the house. The look on his face again showed surprise, I guess he thought the wife of the vampire king would live a bit more extravagantly. I went into the kitchen to pour three cups of coffee. Aidan go wake your Dad, be very quiet, tells him the coast guard is here to ask questions. Aidan slipped into Mike's room as I said "Can I offer you some waffles?" I hollered from the kitchen, I had to pull them off the griddle or they'd burn. "No thank you." He hollered back. "Do you mind coming to the kitchen so the kids and I can eat?" I asked him. "No, of course not, I'm sorry I'm interrupting your breakfast." He said as he walked through the kitchen door. "That's ok." I told him as I handed him a cup of coffee and motioned for him to take a seat. I put butter on the waffles and then got out the syrup and the honey. Aidan was the honey lover. "Aidan, breakfast." I hollered, and handed Adele a baby spoon to play with in her chair. Aidan bounded in the room and sat in his chair. "Looks delicious Mom, thanks." He said as he stabbed his first bite and dipped it in a glob of honey. "You're welcome." I told him and then turned my attention back to James Resin. "What questions did you have for me?" I asked him very casually.

He eyed me with caution, and then looked from Adele to Aidan. "Mrs. Northman what are you doing here?" he asked. "Excuse me." I responded. "It is very obvious that you are not a typical fangbanger, it is also obvious that you have a full life, why are you letting yourself get mixed up in vampires and other supernaturals?" He stated sounding like a father. "Sir, you are out of line. It is not for you to judge me, especially in my home in front of my children. Now I have invited you in, gave you coffee, and my cooperation, please do not offend me any further or I'll ask you to leave and you won't get any answers without a subpoena." I told him as I took another bite of my waffle. "My apologies. Do you know Robert Derringer?" he asked. "Yes, he's an old friend of my ex-husbands, they were in the Army together at some point and they kept in touch." I answered him honestly. "Did you know he had disappeared?" He asked quickly. "No, I did not. As I said he's a friend of my ex husband." I answered him continuing to eat and drink as if it was just a normal morning breakfast conversation. "Have you seen him recently?" He continued with his simple questions. "Yes, he stopped by about a week or so ago. He was in the area, and brought by Mike some stuff they'd talked about a few weeks before. He had dinner with us and then left." I told him, all true statement with just a few things left out. "Did he say where he was going?" he went on. "No, but he wasn't here to see me." I told him. "Is Mr. Christensen here?" he asked. "Yes, Aidan, go get your Daddy and tell him we have company, and that he should come on to breakfast." I told Aidan verbally this time. Aidan slipped out of his chair and into the other room. A few moments later Aidan was back and Mike was behind him. It was obvious that Mike kept that I was asleep look in order to not show he'd been listening in the whole time. "Good morning Sookie, thanks for fixing breakfast." Mike said patting my shoulder as he walked by to fix his plate. "Sure, no problem, Mike this is Rear Admiral James Resin. He's here to ask some questions about Bobby, he said he's disappeared." I explained to Mike. "Rear Admiral, that's an unusual title for an MP investigator and last time I checked Bobby had been out of the Army for almost a decade?" Mike questioned the commander. "Bobby was a friend of mine too. I'm not here on official business but personal, but given my last meeting with your ex-wife a few nights ago, I thought it best to come here in my official capacity. Do you know where he is?" The man answered not appreciating Mike calling him out like a fox in a hen house. "He was here ten days ago. I'd contacted him when I moved here and explained to him my new situation. I told him I was unsure about being around all these unknown beings and I knew he'd worked with them before. He told me he's come by and give me some pointers. He stayed for dinner, and spent the night, he left the next morning saying he had some business up north and that he'd call me later and see how I was doing." Mike told him. "Has he called you?" he continued his questioning. "No, but that's not unusual, sometimes its months before I hear from him even if I call him." Mike told him honestly.

"If you hear from him will you please ask him to call me?" Resin said as he stood and handed Mike a card. "Yes, I will, but I'm sure you will hear from him before I do." Mike told him taking the card in his hand. Mike walked him to the door. After we were sure he was gone, Mike put his hand to his lips to keep us shushed. "Aidan, come with Mommy, and we'll clean up the dishes and get my things out of the car. We set about our chores as Mike went to his room and came out with some sort of scanner. He maneuvered around the room until he found the bug that Resin had planted in the living room, and then he searched the kitchen and found that one too. He dropped them both in the glass of water. "It seems we were bugged. Eric must find a way to work on Bobby immediately or else we're going to have a shit load of trouble on our hands." Mike spoke with anger. "As soon as he awakens I'll send him immediately to test the Glamour. If it won't work then maybe Amelia can cast a spell that will remove his memories, and replace them with new." I told him trying to calm his fears. Aidan helped me dry the dishes, and when we were done we took Adele outside with us and put her on the porch while I unloaded my vehicle. Pam had moved all of my shower gifts into the back at some point in time. Plus I had the gifts I'd bought and then my luggage. After several trips I had moved everything into the living room. I searched through the packages and found the gifts for Adele and Aidan. Aidan was delighted. I started to sort through everything else. I packed the shower gifts in boxes to be moved to the new house.

Once I'd settled back in at home I put Aidan and Adele in the car and drove to the site where our new home was being built. It was moving along very nicely. It had been bricked and roofed while we were gone. Workers were buzzing all around it. I put Adele in the sling and took Aidan's hand and walked inside. The kitchen and bathrooms were complete. All of the drywall was up. They were looking on the light fixtures and paint inside, and landscaping outside. We'd be able to move in within a week. Never in my entire life had I seen a house go up so quickly. Aidan was very excited. We headed back home and I put the kids down for naps after a small bite to eat. Then I called Corrynne, and then Sasha to check on the shop. They were excited for me to come in tomorrow and see all they'd accomplished. They said they'd had a lot of response from the advertisements regarding our grand opening on Saturday. When I'd hung up from Sasha I sat down to make a list of things we needed to do to prep for the party on Saturday. And sometime I needed to find time to buy a dress for my wedding because in 12 days I was having a wedding and reception that could make the cover of American Vampire and it would be my best performance yet.

I spent the afternoon doing laundry, making lists and playing with my kids. Mike went to work around two, and it was nice to have the quiet for about an hour when Sam knocked on my door. "Sam, this is unexpected come on in." I told him and motioned for him to come in and have a seat. "Can I get you something?" I asked him before sitting down myself. "No, thank you Sookie, I can't stay long just wanted to stop by." Sam answered. "Oh, is everything ok?" I asked curiously. "I had some visitors in the bar for lunch. I overheard them ask my waitresses if they ever saw someone in a picture. Everyone said No, but when they showed me the picture I recognized him as that guy staying out at your house, so I was just wondering what was going on, and to see if you are in some kind of trouble again Sookie." Sam eyed me cautiously. "Sam, they were here this morning. I told them everything I knew. He was a friend of Mike's, he came for a visit, and then he left." I lied to Sam. "Sookie, you don't have to lie to me. If I can help you know I will, I'll always help you even if I don't agree with you." Sam said and then took my hand. "If you're in trouble tell me so that I can help even if it's just to ease your mind." Sam told me. I had always avoided reading Sam. But something told me that he was lying to me. He didn't mean me harm, but he also didn't want to help. It was almost as if he was in a trance and he'd been told what to do, or say. "Sam, I appreciate your concern, but my husband will take care of anything if need be, but I'm fine. I told the men the truth, I'm sure they'll find Bobby soon." I said convincingly. "If you say so Sookie, well I'll get out of your hair, I need to get back to the bar." Sam said as he stood up. "Thanks again Sam, I'll see you around." I told him as I closed the door.

Aidan and Adele were awake and we spent and we went to the grocery store. I hated the grocery store. It made me want to take up Eric's offer and have Tommy do it. But I just couldn't do that. I was capable, and millions of women were doing the same thing. Aidan needed the constant practice of shutting off the voices in his head. We went to Albertsons. I wasn't in the mood for Wal-Mart today. There weren't as many people there at this time of day. We made it all the way through the store without incident. At the register I got all the groceries bought and paid before I even saw someone I knew, Dermot. He was buying salt. He nodded towards me but never said anything. After arriving home I realized I hadn't heard from Claude. As I put the groceries away I called Claude's cell phone. He didn't answer. I prepared dinner for Aidan and I, and I decided that with Adele's growth I was going to try a little mixed grain cereal with some of my milk. When we sat down to eat, Aidan was fascinated by watching Adele try to eat. I spooned the liquid goo into her mouth and she made the funniest face. "Yuck Mom, how can she eat that?" "It's like oatmeal for her, only with a lot of milk, as she gets older we can make it thicker." I told him. "No, Mom, it tastes nothing like oatmeal." He told me. "How do you know what it tastes like?" I asked him. "Can't you taste it? When she takes a bite, don't you taste it?" Aidan asked honestly. "Honey, are you saying you think Adele is making you taste what she tastes?" I wondered. "Yes, only she likes it, but I don't." Aidan said. "Well why you don't try eating your food while I finish feeding Adele and Adele why don't you stop showing Aidan your food." I told her and she gave me that all gums grin. My daughter's talents at such a young age were scary. She was only four months old. What would she be able to do at four years old, or fourteen. Aidan's ability is fantastic, he can read any kind of being, and this has caused him to have a very adult vocabulary and understanding of situations which is remarkable. But Adele is showing so much more. Could Eric's blood be affecting her that much? As we were finishing dinner I felt Eric wake up for the day.

Eric came into the kitchen dressed in jeans and black Fangtasia tee freshly showered. "Good evening my lover, how was your day?" he asked me as he sat down next to Aidan. Eric reached over and ruffled Aidan's hair. "Hey, Uncle Eric, Mom took us to see the house today. It was really cool, and it's almost done. You should see it." Aidan told him. "Really, you went with out me." Eric said and put out his lower lip in a mock pout. "Uncle Eric, you can still see it, I'm sure Mom will let us go with you." Aidan said. "That's ok, but I'll stop by on my way out of town tonight." Eric told him. "Eric, Resin stopped by Merlotte's today, and then stopped by here to talk to Mike and me." I told him. "I figured it wouldn't take him long. I'll get it taken care of tonight." Eric told me as he sipped the True Blood I set in front of him. "Anything else I need to know before I head into Shreveport?" Eric wondered. "Just one thing, I'd like for Dr. Ludwig to do an exam on Aidan and Adele." I told him nonchalantly. "Why, are they sick, they look fine to me?" Eric said concerned. "They both need a pediatrician, hiding their abilities from a Dr, is not something I want to have to do, so I'd like Dr. Ludwig to see them. Adele is due for shots soon, and she is having a huge growth spurt, and her abilities are growing at an unreal rate. I just want to make sure its not putting any stress on her physically." I told him. "I'll call her on my way into town and ask her to contact you. I'm sorry but I need to head out. There are many things I need to take care of, it can't wait, the house, king duties, getting Rasul ready for New Orleans, training Andrew, setting up Pam for her new duties, and our upcoming wedding." Eric told me a bit apologetically. "I understand, I knew we wouldn't have a lot of time the next few weeks. Will you be returning tonight?" I asked. "I don't know. I'll call you later." He stood up, gave Adele and Aidan a kiss on the head and then kissed me before heading out the door.

I'd just put the kids down for the night when the house phone rang. "Sookie, this is Dr. Ludwig, Mr. Northman informed me that you have a desire for me to monitor the health of your offspring. I don't normally tend to humans as you know, but Mr. Northman insisted that these children are supernatural. I will agree to an initial examination of them, but that is it." Dr. Ludwig said without letting me respond. "Thank you, Dr. Ludwig, when would be a convenient time for you to see them?" I asked politely when I really just wanted to bitch at her. "Tomorrow night at my office around 6, the address is 478 Charlotte Dr. Suite C, in Shreveport. Do not be late, I have other appointments I must attend to." She said abruptly and then promptly hung up. It made me long for a quiet human life, but I had to do what was best for my children and Dr. Ludwig had proven on more than one occasion she was a good Dr. I made a note on my cell calendar of the appointment. It was only 9:30 but I was beat and life didn't slow down in Louisiana, this wasn't the simple life in the South you see in movies with passing your day on your porch sipping tea. I headed to bed.

When I woke it was to the alarm I set the next morning. Eric hadn't called or come home at all during the night. I hit the shower, got dressed in skinny ivory pants and a multi colored blazer. I was just slipping on my boots chocolate boots when Aidan opened my bedroom door. "Hey kiddo, what are you doing up so early?" I asked him. "Mommy, is Bubba here." Aidan asked rubbing his eyes. "I don't think so, why?" I looked at him. "I thought I heard him singing in my sleep." Aidan said. "Maybe you just dreamt about him." I told him. "I don't think so Mom, I think he's in the house." Aidan told me. "Well if he is then don't go looking for him, he's out for the day, and you can't risk opening something and shining light on him." I told Aidan, wondering if he was right, and why Bubba wouldn't have let me know he was here, or if Eric knew. "Let's go get some breakfast." I told Aidan trying to change the subject. "I'm not hungry Mom, I'm going to go back to bed. I'll have Dad take me to preschool." Aidan said and headed up the stairs. I followed him up and tucked him back into bed. Then I went to see Adele. I nursed her, and then dressed her for the day. I packed up her bag and then we went into the kitchen. I was glad I set the coffee maker the night before as I poured it into a go cup. I grabbed a banana my purse and tote bag with my papers and headed out the door to start the car. There was a chill in the air. Then I came back in and got Adele and her bag. I scribbled a quick note to Mike about Aidan wanting to sleep in, and headed out.

On the drive into Shreveport I called Jason, but got his voicemail. "Just checking in, come for dinner one night. I love ya." I left on the message. I arrived at the shop around 8:30. Once I settled Adele in the Exersaucer I walked around the store. It looked great. The girls had done a great job while I was gone. I went through the racks and cases and saw that they'd caught on really fast to what to look for and how to price. I only pulled a few things off the floor that I wouldn't take. I headed to the office and got to work. I have over twenty messages to call. I was busy at work, and Adele was asleep in her pack n play when Sasha arrived. We talked briefly and then both got to work. She took several consignments while I worked in my office. I had just heard my stomach growl when Claude peaked his head in my door. "What, starving yourself to fit in your wedding dress my dear." He quipped. "No, just sidetracked with work. There are so many things to do to get your shop opened." I told him. "You need to get outside. It's sunny even if it is chilly. Let's go eat outside somewhere." Claude told me. "OK, I'll get Adele." I smiled. I picked up Adele and put her in the umbrella stroller I kept in the back of the car. "I'll be back in an hour." I told Sasha. She waved and eyed Claude. Her mind was full of lust. He knew it too, but could have cared less.

We walked to the deli across the street. We ordered and then sat outside on the picnic tables. I was glad I had grabbed the blanket to put over Adele's legs. Claude had been right though, I needed the sunshine. I could feel myself getting stronger by the feel of it. "So what's up, why are you inviting me to lunch?" I asked him after a bite of my pastrami. "I just wanted to see the new Queen of Louisiana." Claude said with a smile. "Actually I wanted to discuss your bachelorette party with you." Claude grinned and bounced his eyebrows up and down. "Ok, Claude, what gives? Six years ago you were pushing me out of town. Offered to help me disappear, to run away with me, you wanted me to get as far away as possible. Now you are babysitting for me, encouraging my vow renewal, planning my bachelorette party, what's with the turn around?" I asked Claude. "I'm lonely. I miss my sisters. You're the closest thing I have to my sisters. But your life span is like 1/10th of mine. It's ridiculous, so I'd like to keep you close and around as long as I can." Claude confessed then dug into the roast beef sandwich in front of him. "Claude, I love you too, and I'm glad that we are family. But keeping me close isn't going to make me live any longer. If we're lucky I may see ninety, but that's about it. So we can enjoy the next sixty years with one another. Now tell me that you are keeping my bachelorette party low key." I told him, and reached for his hand. "Low key is not in my vocabulary. We're having it at the club. I'm shutting down for a private party. Only my best dancers allowed. Give a list of people you want on the guest list, Pam will handle all the Queen's official invites." Claude stated. "When, and what do I wear?" I asked him. "That's playing well. It's going to be a week from Wednesday at 8, and you should wear your most scandalous outfit in true form of a woman giving up her single life." Claude told me. "Ok, I will play along, but I need to get back to work." I told him. "One more thing Sookie, Niall would like to meet Aidan and Adele." Claude said in almost a whisper. "What? Why? I thought he sealed off the portal." I looked at him with fear. Niall might be my grandfather but he scares me with his way of thinking. "He's the prince Sookie. If he wants to crossover he can. He wants to see the kids and you too of course. He'd like to come over in a few nights, have dinner, get a chance to talk to the kids and then he'll leave satisfied." Claude told me. "Very well, Thursday then. I really need to go; I'll talk to you soon." I told him and walked back to the store.

My afternoon went very quickly. Before I knew it I was packing up to go pick up Aidan. Adele fell asleep on the way to preschool. Once I got Aidan we headed home. My conversation with Claude kept going on in my head. I was almost home when Jason called me back. "Hey sis, when will you be home? I'm hungry after a long days work." He said. "Jason, you could have called earlier, I've got about ten more minutes before I arrive home." I answered him. "Ok, I'll just watch a little TV." He said and hung up. I skipped dropping by the house and headed to Gran's. Aidan was excited to see Uncle Jason. When we got home Aidan jumped out of the car and straight into the house. I carried everything in with Adele in my arms. I dropped her off in Jason's arm, and headed into the kitchen. I had steak, baked potatoes, and a salad with rolls ready quickly. Thank God for microwaves. We sat down just as the sun was setting. I heard a door open in the house. It's Bubba Mom. "Is someone else here Sookie?" Jason asked between bites. "Just a friend." As I stood up and heated a bottle of True Blood. "Aidan, take this to our friend." I handed him the bottle. "Eric?" Jason asked. "No, Eric is in Shreveport." It told him and continued to eat. Aidan came back into the kitchen and sat down to finish his dinner. "He said thanks." Aidan told me. Our dinner was uneventful. Jason talked about work, Hoyt, and wanting to go deep seas fishing this summer. It was like he maintained this oblivious to what else is going on around him. "So what's new with you?" he finally asked. "Not much, my shop's grand opening is Saturday; the kids have Dr's appointments this week. The new house is almost done. We'll move in soon. The wedding is set for a week from Saturday. Just normal stuff I guess." I told him as I started to do dishes. "What new house, aren't you staying in Gran's house?" Jason asked. "Mike is staying here. The kids and I are moving into a new house about fifteen minutes from here. It's closer to work for me." I told him. "Did Eric buy it for you?" Jason asked. "No, Eric built it for us. He'll be living there too." I told him over the water running in the sink. "Who's getting married a week from Saturday?" Jason asked as he picked up Adele. "Uncle Jason, do you live in Bon Temps?" Aidan interrupted. "Yea, why?" Jason answered. "Do you know that Uncle Eric was named the vampire King of Louisiana?" Aidan continued. "Really, when did that happen Sookie?" Jason looked at me. "Uncle Jason, if my mom is married to Uncle Eric, and he's the King of Louisiana, then that makes my Mom the Queen of Louisiana, and she's the one marrying Uncle Eric again, because now it's legal in Louisiana." Aidan said with a bit of sarcasm, my son was genuinely in shock that his Uncle Jason was so ignorant to what was going on. "Sookie your son is too damn smart for his own good." Jason said slightly offended that he'd been schooled by a four year old. "Jason, Adele is smarter than you are when it comes to the world around you. You've always been more concerned about Jason than anything else. It's ok Jason, we love you anyways." I told him. "That's my cue to leave." He said and put Adele down and walked out my back door pissed off.

I took Adele into the living room with Aidan behind me. Bubba was sitting on the living room couch. "Good evening Bubba." I said as I sat next to him. "Good evening Miss Sookie." Bubba said and made room for Aidan to sit between us. "Bubba what are you doing here?" I asked him carefully. "Sorry I didn't tell you Miss Sookie, I got in real close to sunrise, and I didn't have a chance to make a hidey hole. Eric has hired me to be your personal body guard. He thought you'd be comfortable with me rather than someone else. Is that ok with you?" he looked at me still looking for assurance. "Yes, Bubba, I'd prefer that you be my guard than anyone else." I told him with a smile. I left Bubba and Aidan watching cartoons as I took Adele upstairs to give her a bath. She was almost strong enough to sit up in the tub by herself. She loves the warm water and just splashed and splashed. I was drenched when I got her out and dried her off. I got her pjs on her and then took her back downstairs to say goodnight. "Ms. Sookie, do you mind if I put Adele and Aidan to bed." Bubba asked me. "Of course not Bubba, you go right ahead." I told him and handed over Adele to him. Bubba was already singing by the time he reached the top of the stairs.

I took this time to call Eric. Rasul answered the phone "Fangtasia, the bar with a bite, how can we make your nightmares come true." "Hi Rasul, its Sookie, is Eric there." I asked. "Ah, my Queen, he is in his office, but there are several others in the office too, let me put you on hold and see if he can take your call now, or if he'd prefer a private moment to return your call." Rasul told me. I heard the phone click to hold. I put my phone on speaker and laid it on my bathroom sink. Then I started to paint my toenails and fingernails. I choose ice blue. It wasn't my usual color, but it made me think about Eric. I had just finished up my toes when I heard the phone click. "Sookie, its Andrew." "Hi Andrew, is Eric able to take my call now?" I asked him. "No, he'll have to call you back unless there's something I can help you with?" Andrew told me. "Thanks Andrew, but I just wanted to see if all was ok, and to talk about my day." I told Andrew. "I'm a good listener." Andrew stated. "Maybe another time, I'm going to get some things done here first. Good night." I told him. "Good night." Andrew said and we hung up. That boy was trouble. I would have to be on my toes when around him. He for some reason has attached himself to me. He needed a lover I thought. I finished my nails and ran bath water while they dried. I soaked in the tub leaving my toes and hands out of the water. I was almost asleep when my cell rang.

"Hello." I answered without looking at the caller id. "Sookie my favorite Queen ever, Rasul and I are going to New Orleans on Sunday. Eric has asked me to invite you to go shopping for your wedding dress since he knows there isn't as much selection here in town." Pam stated in her almost bored voice. "Thanks Pam, but I've got my dress covered, will you be back by Wednesday, and evidently that's when the bachelorette party is going to take place." I asked her. "I already talked to Claude and I'll be there. I better run before Eric realizes I'm gone, he's crabby today." She said and then hung up. The water was starting to cool so I got out of the tub. I wrapped myself up in my robe and sat in bed with my laptop on. Wedding dresses was my search. I wore nothing of importance when Eric and I married the first time. I wore a white suit when Mike and I married. I'd never done the big white gown and I didn't want to do that this time either. I looked for over an hour at page after page of dresses. Then I saw it. The gown was champagne crushed velvet with gold lace and ribbons, giving it a regal look. It was sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline and gold trims adorning the breast. It was elegantly embellished with braids and Celtic knot work. It looked old world, fit for a Queen. I loved it. I ordered it in my size. I could do some minor alterations if need be. Now I only had to hope it came in time. I also found Adele a flower girl dress, and Aidan a suit. We were set.

I turned off the computer and set it next to me. I glanced at the clock, 11:30. I hadn't heard back from Eric. I turned off the light and crawled under the covers. Eric was my last thought of the night and all I dreamt about during my restless sleep. When my alarm went off, he was my first thought. I checked my cell phone. There were no messages for me, not even a text. I was starting to worry.