Hey everyone,
Now, there is a chance that the whole birthday thing is going to be next chapter as I kind of want to cover Carmelita leaving the office early on Friday as well as her meeting Urmila at the studio that night. I plan to have the two bond a bit before the birthday thing takes place and I will probably cover the others arriving as well as a prelude to the actual birthday chapter. And trust me, when it comes to that chapter, I have plans!
Many of them,

Venquine1990
PS. I've written too many HP fics, I keep wanting to put 199-something down, lol.

Chapter 04
Preparing the Party

22nd of June 2007
Urmila's Boutique
Carmelita's POV

I still can't believe that Michael got me to leave office early today or that he got me the whole day off tomorrow without having to put in much of an effort, at least if his story is anything to go by. What's more is that, the closer we got to today, the friendlier and kinder Barkley got, though anyone with eyes can tell that the behavior is bloody fake and that he has an ulterior motive. Yet because of what might happen tomorrow, I really don't care for this or to find out said motive.
Still, it kind of bugs me that Barkley actually follows Michael and me out of Interpol and as soon as he himself is on the front step of the building it becomes clear why. "Alright Edwards, you have your orders. Get Fox to Urmila Svetlana, so she can prepare for her anniversary tomorrow. And I don't want to see either of you here the entire day, and definitely not in uniform, got it?" The badger barks, yet he doesn't use his usual angry tone.

I try not to raise my eyebrow at this, but Michael surprises and amazes me as he wraps a protective arm around my shoulders and then pleasantly tells Barkley: "You got it, boss. We'll see you and this office of justice on Monday, alright?" I hold back a gasp and look at Barkley, sure that the badger is going to explode and give us the tirade he usually gives me on a daily basis. But while he grumbles for about a second, he then grins and says: "You got it. Monday, Edwards."
Michael nods in answer to the ordering tone and this time I allow my eyes to widen just a fraction. The two of us walk over to his car, as Michael made sure to pick me up this morning, and while we walk, I whisper: "I can't believe you got us a whole extra day off." But Michael scoffs and whispers: "There's a reporter around the corner. Barkley is just getting himself some extra good PR to make up for the bad PR we got last year."

Then he turns his head and shouts: "Hey Marco, long time! Catch up with you later, okay bro? Gotta deliver my sister to the Missus for some spa and relaxation and then some fun with my little girl. You know, Inspector Fox, the hero of our country?" I stare at him as I wonder: "This can't be for that reporter, surely." But after Michael turns his head and guides me into his car, he explains it all. "Cooper is on top of the buildings on the other side of the street. I made sure to show my wedding ring when I waved at Marco."
I gape at the man and while we ride away from the office building, I ask: "Wait, you did that –.""To keep Cooper from thinking he had competition for your affections and to make sure he wouldn't have a reason to follow us to Urmila. It would just ruin the whole party tomorrow if there was unnecessary tension between him and me, right? Not to mention the surprise if he saw our destination." And just because of the boyish pride in his tone, I playfully slap his shoulder.

Michael grins back at me and says: "And about that PR I mentioned. Last year a lot of people were unhappy that you had been sent abroad on work on your anniversary. It really only got reported on in the tabloids, but it still got known nationwide. There was even a petition to have you get double your salary for the job and get your flight ticket and stuff paid by the office. It got through and Barkley was forced to pay you from the coffin of the staff or something."
My eyes widen as I remember the shock I felt when I saw this on my bank account back last year. I had been on the verge of starting another case against Cooper, so I had just accepted the whole thing and even sometimes believed it to be a mistake of the bank or something. Yet the knowledge that it came about thanks to the people of France caring for me on this level makes me mutter: "That's why I chose this job."
Michael smiles at me, but then he says: "Maybe so, but with an office as full of corrupt pieces of lizard's dung, I would consider finding another way to defend the people and uphold justice if I were you." I can't help but laugh as his words again remind me of Cooper and I honingly ask: "What? Join Sly and his gang?" Michael stops for a red light, yet he also makes use of this to grin at me and ask: "That depends. Would he accept?"

And the rest of the ride, which really only takes another ten minutes, I am quiet as I contemplate the very idea. Your parents would never accept it. An angry voice snaps in my mind, but a softer one whispers But they already know that your situation is terrible at work and that Sly is much kinder to you, a much better boss and leader. You're an officer of law, not a filthy criminal. The voice tries again, but the other one retorts.
But Sly is much more than just a mere criminal. He is your modern day Robin Hood. And if you accept, you could even be his Maid Marian. And to this, to my own surprise, the other voice in my head doesn't have a reply or a retort. "You okay in there?" Michael then asks me and with a start I realize that we've arrived. I turn a little red and get out of the car, yet my breath is caught when I see the building in front of me.

My own apartment always allowed me to peak over the many houses and flats of Paris and I was able to see many of the city's beautiful bits of architecture, such as the Eifel Tower and the castle at Euro Disney. But I was also, when standing on my balcony, able to see the golden top of Madam Urmila Svetlana's famous boutique and I always dreamed of walking in here one day, not as a guard, but as a customer of her wares.
I then remember the three boxes I pulled out of the storage of my cellar after I came home from dinner at Michael's earlier this month and whisper: "My dream has been coming true for months and I never knew." Michael again grins at me and offers me his arm as he says: "And now the next stage of your dream is coming true. Come on, sis." And for some reason I feel like he's putting extra volume in his tone as he calls out to me.
The two of us enter the building, but after passing a few other shoppers, Michael suddenly dives into one of the racks. I stare at him as he turns around to glance around the large windows on the upper floors. And then I feel like an idiot when he sighs in relief and mutters: "Good, he didn't follow us. My little exclamation worked." I shake my head as he gets a new spring in his step over this and he guides me over to a reception desk.

There I get evidence that Michael has been here before as the hummingbird behind the desk grins at us both and says: "Madam is expecting you. Follow me." Yet Michael turns to me and says: "I'm going to head home. Melanie and Angela need to make sure that we put on a show to keep Sly from getting suspicious before tomorrow morning. You have fun, alright?" I seriously wonder when Cooper became Sly for the man, but I nod anyway.
The big feline gives me a loving hug, reminding me of my older brother Cheren, who I really hope I will see tomorrow, and then turns to the hummingbird and says: "Take good care of her, Crystal. She's precious, to me and Cooper both." The bird gives him an actual solemn nod and then motions me with her head to follow her. I shake my head at them both and then I follow after the pretty green little avian, who actually still looks older than me despite her petite size.

The hummingbird guides me over to the back of the store and past what appears to be a beauty parlor and a fashion runway. I had always imagined there to be more to Urmila's fashion boutique than just a store, but the sight of it all is still incredible. We head over to a set of curtains that appear to be covering a large window frame. Yet when we pass through it, my eyes widen as I realize we have reached another portion of the building.
"This is how Madam makes her dramatic entrances during fashion shows and how she keeps her dealings with Monsieur Cooper a secret from the general public. The windows in the store truly show the grandness of the building, yet because the scenery in front of the store is very similar to that of the back, we can cover a portion of our store with mirrors without the guests realizing this. Now follow me, please." The receptionist explains, yet I can't help but ask:

"Excuse me for asking, but – what's your name?" The small thing looks startled and she turns around to bow to me as she says: "Forgive me, Madam. I am Crystal, the Secretary to Madam Urmila and her personal bodyguard. I cover for her in case something happens during one of her meetings with either new business clients or the Cooper Gang. I am also often sent out when Urmila fears for her little brother, even though Monsieur Cooper rarely needs my help, thanks to you."
I can hear a deep sense of respect in the bird's voice at the end and rub the back of my head in both pride and a light sense of embarrassment. Crystal turns back around and continues to guide me, up a few floors and even further into the back of the store. We reach a very cozy looking office that also has a moderate sense of grandeur to it, but that strangely enough lacks windows of any kind. Urmila herself is here and seems to be working some papers.

"Madam? Madam Carmelita Fox has arrived, Madam." Crystal announces and Urmila sends us both a beaming smile as she says: "Tres bien. You can go home now, Crystal. Thank you for waiting on Madam Fox to arrive. Give your hubby a big hug from me, will you Cheri?" Crystal smiles at the woman, who clearly considers her a close friend and nods before she takes her leave. I myself take the seat in front of the woman's desk. "Bonjour Ma Cheri. Welcome to my Secret Office."
I snicker at the humor that comes through Urmila's voice as she says this and then mumble: "I have always dreamed of a chance like this. To be in your store and actually able to afford buying something from you. Something that is specifically designed to my own shape and sizes." The woman smiles as I gaze around the office in awe and she asks: "Have you truly never entered my store, Cheri?" I shake my head and mutter: "My budget never allowed me."

The woman tilts her head and I grimace as I say: "I may have been working for Interpol for all these years, Urmila, but I never received a single kind of help. Not in dental or other insurances and I always paid for my own flight ticket, meals, everything. Combine that with the fact that I, somehow, ended up in one of the neighborhoods that still has rental prizes that are just ludicrously high and – I usually end up only able to save one or two euros a month, five at best."
The woman seems to contemplate this and she says: "Please do not feel insulted when I say this, Cheri, but – you don't look like the person who spends hundreds of euros on food or other groceries." I sigh as that is another sore point to my pride and has been for some time now. But because of the way Urmila helped me and comforted me last time we met, I decide to confide in her and mutter: "I only get cooked meals when Michael invites me over for dinner. Otherwise, I just buy a few microwave meals and pastas, just to save up money.
I haven't lit my stove in three months' time, well, other than for a few minutes a week just to make sure it keeps functioning.""And even then you hardly manage to save anything, Cheri?" I nod at her and then mutter: "To be honest, that's kind of another reason, another incentive, I guess you can say." The woman tilts her head and asks: "To do this whole birthday thing?" I shake my head, gather my courage and state:

"To join Sly's gang." Urmila's eyes turn wide as saucers and the pen she was holding falls from her grip. I quickly look away from her, yet I keep talking. "Michael and I were discussing it on the way here. There is – just so much wrong with Interpol that quitting is really my best option. But I don't want to become one of those people who spend months if not years finding a new job. And I do want to keep fighting for justice against criminals.
And that's what Sly does, in the end, and he treats me so much better than half of my coworkers have in the last year. What am I saying? He and his team have treated me better than 80% of Interpol has since I started my job as just a simple ticket maid. Ever since I stepped foot in that building after I graduated from college, those mongrels in there had their opinion of me and it hasn't changed, regardless of how hard I fight, how good I am at what I do or anything.

I've long since realized that Interpol wasn't the place for me, but – I just never really knew where my place was. Or – maybe, I did. I just didn't want to acknowledge it until now. And – I guess getting to spend less and less time with mama and papa really added to that denial. I – I didn't want to acknowledge what I feared would make them hate me, be disgusted with me. I didn't want to turn them against me, just like I seemed to turn everyone else against me.
Well, everyone except for Sly, that is." Urmila has joined me on my seat again and the way she holds me reminds me of my older sister, Helena, who I have really missed the past few years. I close my eyes tightly to fight the tears I can feel building behind my eyelids and whimper: "I haven't visited her office in 2 years. All because, no matter what I do or how annoyed I get, a couple of bastards are always at the door, ready to –."
"To attempt something, Mon Cheri?" Urmila asks after I hold a minute silence and I whisper: "Ready to try and hit me. You know, down there." The woman's eyes widen and she says: "You have every right to stay away from disgusting men like that. And your sister will surely understand this once you explain it to her tomorrow, Cheri." Instantly I perk up and ask: "Helena is going to be there as well tomorrow?" The woman nods and then she makes my night.

"Your whole family will be here tomorrow, Cheri. I agreed to meet them at 10.45 tomorrow morning. I met with them at the same time I met with Monsieur and Mademoiselle Andrews, a few days after you and Sly retrieved my collection. They are as aware of your situation as Bentley and Murray. The only one still unaware is Sly and we will keep it that way until you are ready to tell him." I smile at the woman and then an idea strikes me that makes me giggle.
The woman's smile seems to broaden at seeing me do so and she asks: "Anything amuse you, Cheri?" I happily answer: "I just thought of something to make the whole thing even better. My parents are going to be here at 10.45 tomorrow, right?" The woman nods and says: "Oui, and Bentley and Murray will be here at 10.50 and Sly at 11 sharp." I nod and say: "Then let's make this whole thing extra special – and add a bit of a challenge."
Urmila sends me an intrigued look and I say: "Once my parents arrive, send them to a room just off of where I'll be awaiting Sly while pretending to be a statue. Once Bentley and Murray arrive, send them there as well, to the room with my parents, I mean. Then, once Sly arrives, show him the room I'm in and tell him that his birthday gift – is one full hour alone with his new statue." The woman's eyes widen at the end and she asks:

"Ma Cheri, I do not mean to doubt your skill or insult your talents as an inspector and actress, but do you really think you can last an hour?" I smirk and say: "I once pretended to be a famous statue from ancient Greece, depicting a – ahem – scantily clad goddess. The creeps that were trying to sell me on the black market were pretty handy, if you get what I mean, but I managed to lure them into a false sense of security and kept up my act until they got to the auction house."
The woman stares at me and mutters: "We better never tell Sly about that story. He will rip the hands off those poor souls." I roll my eyes, even as my stomach feels like it gets filled with your typical cliched butterflies at the notion that Sly might get that angry at hearing this story. Then I tell her: "Both of them turned into the Prison's bitches once they got jailed. I don't think Sly will need to do much to defend my honor."

The woman nods and then gets up off of the arm rest of my seat as she asks: "Shall we have a quick dinner and then get you fitted for your outfit tomorrow?" Instantly I am out of my seat myself and nodding frantically. The two of us leave and head back downstairs as I admit: "I know I should be excited for tomorrow, but to actually have you fit an outfit for me and that I get to be present for that fitting as well –."
Words fail me and so I just squeal instead. The woman giggles softly and then suddenly she asks: "Before we have dinner, would you like to see the party room?" I shrug and the woman leads me to the ground floor, which is amazingly enough made of solid concrete and almost has the same interior as your average storage building. The only real difference, I notice, is that the bars that hold up the ceiling and the upper floors have small rubies inlaid in the red metal.
We reach one of the rooms in, what I can only assume is, the far back of the building. I feel personally amazed at how large this building is – as I am willing to bet you can park at least two to four large busses back to back in here – and then Urmila opens the door for me and I feel floored with shock. The banners, garlands and slings are all either dark blue and black striped or orange and tan striped, there are pictures of Sly and me all around the room and even the floor and the draping in front of the back wall are of a dark blue material.

"Take a close look at the photos, Cheri. Bentley and Sly actually worked together on them. Not that Sly knows that you will be here, but he is aware that you are the theme of his birthday party." Urmila excitedly tells me and I stare at her for a minute before I head over to the long string that is strung from one side of the room to the other and that has pictures hanging down from it. I take a close look at one and then realize that there is something off about it.
"That – never happened. Cooper – Sly and I – we – we never met dressed like that." I mutter confused and Urmila clears it all up. "Oui, that's because that is one of Sly's many fantasies of you. All of the pictures are. And as you can see, they are all very, very romantic." I nod in agreement to this and even smile a little when I notice one where we are dressed in some kind of royal medieval fashion. But then my eyes fall on the one next to it and widen a second time.

A huge cliff above a gorgeous lake or river or perhaps even the ocean, a bow standing above us that is filled with gorgeous white roses, dark blue lilies and soft orange hyacinths. Bentley and Murray on one side of where Sly and I are standing and two Foxes that have indistinguishable features on our other side. But what utterly floors me is that Sly and I are dressed in a bridal gown and the wedding suit of someone who's about to be married. And the kiss we share seems one truly so full of love, I almost feel like looking away.
"That used to be the picture of the kiss you shared at Krack-Karov Volcano. Bentley really worked hard to alter that one just right. He told me he had been hesitant to send it to me, but because he didn't want Sly to get suspicious, he just did anyway and said that it was up to me whether or not I used it. I did, because I wanted there to be no doubt in your heart on where you stand – in regards to your place in Sly's heart, Mon Cheri."

I hear Urmila behind me and hear what she says, but I don't really register her words or anything else. My eyes are just too drawn to the picture in front of me, to the love that appears to be on Sly's face. And with a small voice I whimper: "Bentley – he didn't have to – edit anything about –." I don't finish the question I so desperately want to ask, but I don't need to. Urmila gets me and gently whispers: "About the love on Sly's face? No Cheri, he did not."
I finally close my eyes and cross both my hands across my heart as I whisper: "I – I needed this. I – I decided." I turn to Urmila, who is right behind me, and confidently say: "I'm doing it. Tomorrow, once we've had our fun and I stopped pretending to be a statue, I'm going to tell Sly that I want to join his team. That I'm going to resign from Interpol and help him fight crime his style. That I – that I am done having my hard work be undermined and go unappreciated."
Urmila happily takes me into her arms and pulls me close against her slim but powerful form. And her words warm me from the inside more than the fire that now determinedly burns within me as she says: "Welcome to the family, little vixen of mine." I happily hug her back and then ask: "Can I get a copy of that picture? As a way to help me remain strong until I tell Sly this tomorrow?" Urmila nods and says: "I'll get one ready while we wait for dinner."

"You want me to cook?" I ask and the woman winces as she says: "No Cheri. I kind of planned to spend most of the night working on your new outfit, so I cooked up a large meal last night and hoped to share the leftovers with you tonight. I figured warming it up would give us more time to perfection your new looks." I don't even feel annoyed by this and just nod in understanding. Yet Urmila proves that she really is an incredibly caring serpent as she says:
"Forgive me, Cheri. If I knew you haven't had –.""You still cooked this meal yourself, Urmila. That's more than I can say about my own food of the last few months. I'm sure it will taste way better than that stuff I've digested lately. I don't like admitting it, but I've started to feel like I tasted the plastic it was encased in." The woman winces and then guides me out of the room. I do send one last quick glance at the wedding fantasy photo, but then I leave.

Urmila guides me up one floor and over to a large room that seems to be both a lounge and a kitchen in one. "There is also a kitchenette one floor above here, but that is mostly used by my staff whenever we have a heavy deadline ahead of us. I don't mind sharing this one, but most of my staff isn't as close to me as my darling Crystal and my little brother. Some are of my own decision as they might risk Sly, others are of their own volition. They prefer to work on their own accord."
Urmila tells me as she puts a large glass bowl in the microwave and sets the timer on 7 ½ minutes. She takes me to the lounge area and says: "Our studio, in which your outfit is waiting, is next door. Though if you remain steadfast on your decision, Cheri, then the one you will use after tomorrow will be on the ground floor. Sly might be one who prefers the roofs and such, but all our activities have always been on the ground floor."
I smile at the woman as her explanation really makes me feel like I am a new member to an already existing team. She then suddenly starts on something else and with a smile on my face; we spend the rest of the time waiting for our meal making small talk. Urmila does take the bowl out of the microwave halfway through to quickly mix the food and give it a good stir, but then she sets it back and lets the rest of the timer run its course again.

And once we have our food, a thought occurs to me. "So Sly knows about the theme of the party, huh? Does he know that there's going to be a model of me?" Urmila giggles, both at the tone of my voice when I mention the model and just in amusement as she says: "Oh no, Cheri. Though I ordered Bentley and Murray to hint at this." This confuses and worries me and the woman explains: "By doing so, they increased Sly's need to be surprised.
If I know those two, Cheri – and I do – then Murray probably said something along the lines of while we were leaving Urmila, I could have sworn I saw something that resembled Inspector Fox. Then Bentley will have probably mentioned the article of you retrieving my collection and Murray then argued how often Sly has me design something for you. He then muttered something and seeing what date is –. And that falter will make it sound as if he just spoiled my surprise.
But Sly will have taken Bentley's suggestion of it being an enlarged version of the photo of that article into account and would have been like no, don't tell me another thing. We are not discussing this anymore. I don't want to know if Murray was right or Bentley until Saturday. And with that they will have guaranteed his surprise, but also ensured that he won't go snooping." By now I have trouble biting down on my food as I am just laughing too hard.

"They did not!" I can't help but gasp and once I have regained my breath, Urmila strangely enough moves her hand to a small spot on her head as she says: "A moment, Cheri. And please, do not make a sound in case Sly can hear." I raise my eyebrow in confusion and Urmila seems to tap something as she asks: "Bentley, can you hear me, Cheri? Are you alone?" But while it shocks me that she might have some kind of communicator, I hold my breath when I hear an actual voice.
"Not yet, Urmila. I'll head for bed now. Goodnight, sis." Sly's smooth voice sounds from the device and I try not to breath or make a sound, lest he hears me. A few minutes pass and then Bentley's voice sounds from somewhere atop of Urmila's head. "Yeah, he's gone now. Sorry Urmila, we just finished a bit of a game before bed." And while I breathe a sigh of relief and release the breath I was holding, Urmila gently tells him:

"No problem, Ma Cheri. I have Carm –.""Wait! Not another word. Let me get to my room so we can speak in private." Bentley interrupts her and Urmila and I hold quiet for a few minutes more. I do hear him panting and even hear the boosters on his wheelchair working. I realize he must be somewhere with a staircase or something and I wonder why their Hide Out doesn't have a lift for him. A few more pants and I hear a door close and a button being pressed.
I hear metal apparently sliding over something and when this is done, Bentley sighs and says: "Okay, I got my privacy screens up. And I don't think Sly will be too weirded out about this. He'll probably think that I want to be cautious with not spoiling his birthday party." This notion makes me giggle and I ask: "Bentley, did you and Murray really hint at whether or not there was a life-sized model of me in Urmila's place?"
But Bentley seems to misunderstand me or perhaps he's deaf to the humor in my tone as he screeches: "You agreed on that." I share a look with Urmila, who like me shakes her head and she says: "You misunderstand, Cheri. The Inspector isn't against the idea, she's just curious as to how you managed it. I told her my version of how I believed you had pulled it off and that's why I'm calling. The Inspector wants to know if I was right or not."
I actually hear Bentley release a breath of relief and he then seems to regain his sense of humor as he jokes: "Statue or enlarged picture of the article?" I gape at the woman and her upraised finger as she jokingly asks: "You told Sly that and then had Murray pretend to feel embarrassed as he thought he might have revealed my surprise to Sly, non?""You got it." Bentley replies and I actually burst out in giggles at hearing this.

"Oh wow, that – that is – that is something else." I pant as I have laughed so much I feel out of breath. Then a thought strikes me and I ask: "Ehm Bentley, you do know that my parents and a close friend of mine are going to be here tomorrow as well, right?" And while I can hear Bentley gulp loudly, he says: "Yeah, I'm aware. But I also know that you deserve to have them there during the party. And if they're all like you, I know they're the right deal."
At this I can't help but think: "You have no idea how right you are with those words, you crazy turtle." And Urmila seems to spot this as she says: "Thank you for confirming my beliefs, Bentley. Now you go rest up so you can be right as rain tomorrow. We will see each other at 10.50. Now Inspector Fox and I will have to go as we need to prepare her outfit for tomorrow." Bentley acknowledges this and bids us goodnight before Urmila lowers her arm.

Yet I can't help but feel curious and ask: "How did you do that?" And the woman answers: "An ear communicator, Cheri. I might not have ears as I am a reptile, but I stick it between a few of my scales and this allows me to make use of it. I frequently paint it with nail polish to make it blend with my scales. That way, no one can even see that I have Cooper tech on me." This really impresses me and we quickly finish dinner before she guides me out.
We head for the door to the left of where we just were and when Urmila opens this one, my eyes widen for a second time in a short while. A faceless mannequin stands in the center of the room, a long curly wig on top of her head and an outfit on her form that looks similar to Coopers, yet different at the same time. And with a start I realize that it's more than just the colors that are different, it's the fact that there is a jacket on top of the shirt and a skirt over the jeans as well.
The shirt also seems to have slits on the sides and the skirt reaches just above the mannequin's hips. There is also a pair of heeled boots with peeping toe-hole on the mannequin's feet and there is a belt with a strange symbol on the buckle and with two holsters on the sides of the hips. And to my shock, I notice that the cap isn't a cap, but a barrette. I also can't help but feel like there is something strange about the jacket, but can't really spot it.

"What do you think, Cheri?" Urmila asks, clear excitement in her voice. I smile at her and whisper: "It's perfect, Urmila. If this had been for an Interpol job or even just something personal, I would have loved to have you make it for me. Though, what's with the coloring and the jacket and the Barrette? I'm not complaining, just curious." Urmila grins at me and says: "The coloring is to help you blend in with the shadows, Ma Cheri.
The barrette is because you have a much fuller head of hair than Sly, who can simply comb his fur in such a way it holds his cap in place. And the jacket is my own personal favorite." The snake heads over and pulls the jacket open. And suddenly I realize that there are buttons on the inside and that they seem to hold some kind of folded up fabric. Urmila undoes the buttons and the whole jacket turns into a long coat that reaches down to the ankles of the mannequin.
"Voila. Now you can wrap this around you and really blend with the shadows. Isn't it just marvelous? Especially considering your recent decision?" At this I can't help but whisper: "I almost feel like today, I was just meant to receive all kinds of signs from the universe or some other deity or – whatever. Signs that – that pointed me down the path of my – of the decision that I made." Urmila nods, a huge grin of pride on her face.

Wow, that happened!
Okay, so I didn't do the next morning, that is going to be next chapter. But to be honest, I do have quite a bit of content planned for the few hours before the party starts, so I guess it's only for the better that I didn't include it in this chapter. Also, I am debating between whether or not I should delete the original story from my account or leave it on for you guys to read. Personally I'd rather get rid of it as it's not even half as good as this one.
You decide,

Venquine1990