Thank heavens! Bella is greatly improved! I am so relieved. There was a scuffle at school after she grabbed the infrared thermometer gun off the table at lunchtime. She said I could have it back to take her temperature just twice a day. I bought another this afternoon.
She gathered her things at home and drove to my house to make the costumes after finishing her homework; Alice let us use her design studio and mannequins. Bella had already fashioned a cape, which Alice helped her finish sewing. She had bought a red vest and white blouse from the thrift store and said she would wear black leggings and boots. Alice tried to convince her to borrow her heeled boots, but thankfully Alice's feet are somewhat smaller than Bellas, as wearing those would have meant certain death for Bella.
We finished by making her a frilly cravat with lace and I said I would make her Dracula's medallion from papier mache clay to put on the red ribbon Alice helped her sew into the right shape. They chatted about makeup for the party and what my siblings would be wearing. I didn't even know they were going, but it makes sense, as they enjoy parties.
Alice left us to work on my costume. I apologised to her afterwards. I did not want her to see the straight jacket and risk conjuring unpleasant memories of the last months of her human life. Bella directed me, following a video tutorial about how to assemble the sleeves of one shirt together with another in order to create the long arms. We struggled to attach the belts to create the straps, but eventually found a method that worked well enough to hold for the duration of the party.
Bella glued plastic flies to the plate I had bought, while I worked at the sewing machine. After two hours my costume was complete. Esme offered Bella dinner, but thankfully she said she should go home, eat with Charlie and get an early night. We were all relieved not to have to eat under close scrutiny.
Making the costumes was fun, Bella was right. Anything with her is fun. Even taking her temperature.
I love her so much.
A/N: Please leave a review! Thanks so much to my wonderful beta wh1teow1, please show some love and read Moirai, a reimagining of Twilight for the new decade! What do you think Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett will be for Halloween?