I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who took the time to review the first chapter. I appreciate each of you and yes, you are all correct. Birth control and antibiotics don't mix.
Normal disclaimers apply.
"That was such a great party last night Bella. It's a shame you ducked out early." Alice trills as she bounces on my bed next to me.
I try to sit up and wince at the ache that's made itself known between my thighs.
"Oh sorry. I forgot you weren't feeling great. How are you now?" Alice asks, picking up the two cups of coffee she came in here with.
I vaguely remember firing off a lie in a text to her last night explaining why I left the party early. It was a lame excuse but it's not like she's ever going to know the real reason for my abrupt exit. "I'm alright. Just achy. I think I over did the dance moves at the ball. My muscles weren't up to the task. A week on the couch will do that to a person I guess." The lies just kept rolling off of my tongue.
"Yeah. I suppose you're right. Did you at least have fun anyway?"
"Yeah. I did actually. Thank you for convincing me to go."
"See. I told you you'd enjoy yourself. How did you find the costume?" She asks, eyeing the heap of golden fabric I'd taken off in a hurry and dumped on my vanity chair.
"It was way too elaborate for my tastes and I could have done without the corset, but other than that it fit the theme of the evening well."
"And what about the underwear?"
"What about them?" I hedged, knowing full well they were currently in the possession of a complete stranger.
"Did they fit okay? Were they comfortable? I need to know because I'm thinking of adding them to the bridal package at the shop."
"Oh. Well then yes. They fit perfectly. Not a wedgie to complain about."
"Perfect." She grinned, staring down at me.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"There's something different about you. You seem more relaxed and smiley. Oh my god! You had sex, didn't you?!"
"Don't be absurd Alice. Who would I have sex with? All the guests were old stuffy types."
"Not true. Daddy said that some of the new residents attended."
"Ali," I sighed, "Did you consider that maybe I'm all smiley because I finally feel better, not because I got some dick?"
"You're right. You're way too straight laced to have a one night stand. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions."
Oh Alice, you have no idea how wrong you are. "It's okay. I forgive you. Now, are one of those coffee's for me?" She handed me a mug and stretched out her legs on the bed beside me while I laid my head in her lap like we used to when we were younger. "So tell me more about these bridal packages for the shop."
000
The weeks following Halloween flew past quickly. Our boutique was a flurry of activity as brides got ready for their holiday weddings. Alice was in her element putting together the bridal packages of conditioning face masks, sweet smelling lotions, bath fizzers, bubbles and of course the new lace panties that Alice designed herself. Her exact words were, "Who doesn't feel like a million bucks in perfectly fitting, sexy panties?" She was right about them becoming a big hit. Almost every bride requested them in their packages. She also helped them find the perfect gowns for their big days.
Every day I was rushed off my feet booking fittings and appointments, organizing packages and making sure all of these women feel like royalty when they step foot over our threshold. I was going home exhausted each night due to all the extra work.
Thanksgiving was in a couple of days and Alice, Jasper and I were travelling to her parents house for the holiday after work, meaning the shop was to be closed from Wednesday to Monday, making things much more busy than usual ensuring all wedding orders were completed.
"Hey doll face." Alice grinned, leaning her elbows on the front desk and beaming down at me. "Can you please mark down three extra sets of panties for the Hartman bridal party?"
"Sure thing. How many does that bring her party up to now?"
"Thirteen."
"Unlucky for some."
"Yep. So are you all set for the trip up to mom and dads?"
"I sure am. It will be nice to see them again. I haven't seen either of them since Halloween and then I didn't get a chance to talk to them much."
"That's because you zeroed in on the food, disappeared and then went home."
"I said I was sorry about that. How many more times are you going to bring it up?"
"Woah. Calm down Bell. I was only teasing."
"I'm sorry Ali. I didn't mean to snap. I think the next few days off will do me some good. Will your cousin be there? I still haven't met him yet."
"No unfortunately. He drew the short straw at the hospital and has to work over the holiday."
"You know, I'm beginning to think he doesn't actually exist. In all the years I've known you I've never met him."
"He is real. I swear. Just where he was older than us growing up and now he's dedicated to his career, he doesn't get a lot of free time."
"I understand Alice. I'm sure I'll meet him one day. Maybe on your wedding day."
"What? Wait do you know something? Did Jazz say something to you?"
"No! Nothing like that. But I can't imagine it being that far off. You two have been together for like forever. He worships the ground you walk on. Anyone can see that."
"Oh, I know that. He loves my pussy." She said with a wink.
A gasp from behind her had me stifling my laughter at her horrified expression as she slowly turned around to see the mother of the bride she had in the back room standing there.
"Oh. Hello Mrs Hartman. I'm sorry I didn't see you standing there. Is Chloe all set?" She asked with her best smile.
"Yes. She is." The older woman sniffed. "She wanted to know if you had any tiaras she could try with her veil?"
"Of course. I'll pick out a selection that will compliment her gown and be right through."
The older woman disappeared back to where the changing rooms were and I finally let out the laughter I was holding back. "Oh my god Ali. That poor woman's face."
"Stop it Bella." She blushed. "Oh my that was so unprofessional of me. Please knock the cost of the extra panties off of the price." She hurried over to the tiara display and plucked several from the higher price range. If she was successful in selling the bride one of those it would cover the cost of the so-called free panties and then some. Despite her loud mouth and colourful language, Alice was a shrewd business woman underneath.
000
"Are you ladies all set for the drive?" Jasper asked as we made our way out of our shared apartment later that evening with our suitcases in tow.
Alice was able to complete all of her sales and sold the most expensive tiara we stock to Chloe Hartman, meaning we'd both be getting a nice holiday bonus.
"Yes Jazzy. We're all set. Momma and daddy know we're going to be late arriving and so told us to just let ourselves in once we get there. Daddy has an early shift at the hospital tomorrow but then he has Thursday and Friday off."
I didn't hear what else was said because as soon as I sat in the back of Jasper's Mustang I was fast asleep.
I was woken forty five minutes later by Jasper gently shaking my shoulder while Alice hugged her parents. So much for letting ourselves in. "Sorry Jazz. I didn't mean to fall asleep. Your car is just so comfortable." I yawned, stroking the supple leather bench seat.
"I've been told that a lot. Although not much sleepin' has been happenin' back here." He winked.
I instantly stopped stroking the seat and fought my way out of the back of the car, grabbing my hand sanitizer out of my purse along the way. There wasn't enough Purell in the world that could make my hands ever feel clean again.
"Bella. Jasper. It's so good to see you both again." Esme and Carlisle wrapped us each in warm hugs and ushered us all inside. "I have some cold cuts, cheese and crusty bread set out for you three to enjoy. Please clean up once you're done and we'll see you all in the morning." They bade us a goodnight and headed off towards their bedroom with promises of catching up with us all tomorrow.
I eagerly tucked into a turkey mayo sandwich I had hastily assembled and moaned in appreciation. Esme always gets the good stuff and I hadn't eaten anything since lunch. I made myself a second and took it to my room, leaving Alice and Jasper in the kitchen. I slowly ate it as I unpacked my clothes I had brought for the next six days, before sinking into the softest mattress known to man, wrapping myself in the fluffiest of blankets and drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
I think I'm going to love this Alice. She's not the prissy prima doll type. She has a loud and dirty mouth. *insert smirk here*
Let me know what you think.
Much love x