Getting It Together

The Gala Part One

"Okay, open your eyes!"

Giovonnie's eyes slipped open and he stared at himself in awe in the mirror. He had been dressed in a dark purple gown with silver and gold glitter, and a longer skirt in the back than there was in the front.

"Ahh!" Squealing, Giovonnie flaps his hands in excitement, jumping into Pascal's arms. "I love it, daddy!"

"I shouldn't need to do any more adjustments before the party." The woman that had made the dress tells Pascal, playfully poking Giovonnie's stomach. "As long as you stay off the sweets!"

Giovonnie giggles, hiding his face as Pascal spun him around, the glitter glinting and twinkling from the glow of the expensive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"Do you like it Kai?" Giovonnie squeaks as he races over to his older sibling and jumps into her arms.

Kai stared at him for a long time, making Giovonnie squirm uncomfortably, before they finally quietly said, "Yes. I do. You look beautiful, Gi-Gi."

Kai's gaze wandered back up to the woman, images and films flashing through his head.

"Gabriella Baker, gone missing two years ago."

"-disappeared from the school yard where she was-"

"Now nineteen years old, she may look-"

"-seen or heard anything please don't hesitate to call-"

"Kai?"

Kai shook their head, clearing the thoughts that zoomed through.

Gabriella Baker, gone missing two years ago.

Found her.

"How does it feel sitting down?" Gabriella asks. "The outfit? It's not poking anywhere?"

"It's fine." Kai says politely. "It feels fine."

Do you remember your parents?

Did they call you Gabby? Ella?

What do they call you here?

"Thank you so much for this, Andrina!" Pascal gently hugs the girl.

Were you angry when they first called you that?

Did you feel like you were going crazy?

Maybe this is all just a dream...

Wake up, Kai...

"I should be all set for the suits and everything, but it was so lovely seeing you again." Andrina smiles gently. "Come back anytime, Giovonnie. I'll let you try your hand at my sewing machine!"

"You might have competition." Pascal teases, holding his arms out to Giovonnie, who returns to him like a loyal puppy. "Let's get you to bed, Gio. The party's going to end really late, and I want to clear out some of those bags under your eyes."

Kai stands as the two head out the door and Andrina moves to give her a friendly goodbye hug.

"Goodbye, Gabriella." Kai says softly, her eyes trained on her.

Andrina tilts her head in confusion. "It's Andrina...Never got that one before! I get my name is rare but most of the time I get an Adrianna or Arianna."

"Sorry." Kai stares down at the ground. "Must've spaced out or something."

Heading outside, Pascal immediately grabs her arm tightly as the three begin to walk down the sidewalk, Giovonnie skipping a little ways ahead.