Without A Trace

Twenty-Eight

The next evening I sit there staring at my dress hanging in the closet. I had come home a few hours ago to help Anna get ready for the party. The boys were gone on business per usual but would meet us at the party when it starts. Anniversaries aren't really a thing to us which is why we celebrate them at the milestone anniversaries. Not to mention it always gives us something to look forward to.

Anna comes in and smooths out the bodess of her dress, "What do we think? Too flashy?" She does a small spin causing Ivy and I to smile at her. Her elegant rose gold dress formed her body beautifully and sparkled in the light.

"Just the right amount of flashy. Lewis might have to change his pants so you might want to bring him an extra pair after he lays his eyes on you," Ivy says taking a puff of her cigarette.

"Alright Anna come here," Say standing up and motioning her to sit at the vanity. She takes a seat and takes a deep breath looking at herself in the mirror.

I open a necklace box and pull out a beautiful old gold necklace with a single pearl that dangles off the middle. I wrap it around her neck and clasp it resting my hands on her shoulders, "This necklace was the boys's mothers. Thomas gave it to me to wear for our five year anniversary gala, so I thought it would be fitting for you to wear it for yours," I say taking a step back.

She touches it softly, "Its beautiful Cora," she looks in the mirror back at me and smiles, "Thank you. Now get your fat ass ready, we have to leave soon and you're the only one that looks like they just rolled out of bed."

I smack her softly with a grin before grabbing my dress and walk to the changing window before hanging it up and start to pull my hair up out of the way.

"Are you nervous to see Tommy?" Anna asks while she helps Ivy adjust in her gorgeous velvet deep blue dress.

"Anna todays about you and Lewis, not me and Tom," I say cutting the conversation short. I slip on my silk pleeted burgundy dress. I look in the mirror and come out letting my hair back down.

"Alright lets get going, Anna I'll bring the car around to you because I don't want you dragging it across the rocks," I say walking out the door.

Ivy helps Anna to the door as I pull the car around. I get out and open the door for her and her and Ivy get in. I shut the door and get back in the drivers seat and pull away.

"Fuck I'm nervous now," Anna says taking a deep breath, "What if he thinks im ugly?"

I laugh, "Anna that man wakes up next to you with your bed head and dinosaur breath, I'm sure he will drop his jaw when he sees you."

"Maybe they'll be a new little Shelby on the way after tonight," Ivy says winking at Anna before pulling out a flask and handing it to her.

"In both of your fuckin dreams," Anna says scoffing before taking a big swig out of it.

Ivy snatches it back from her, "The fuck are you doing? We can't have you stumbling before we fuckin get there, Christ." She says screwing the cap back onto the flask.

"You ladies have your leg holsters on right?" I ask in a serious tone, glancing at them in the mirror.

"Yes we both do," Ivy replies.

"Good. I don't want to worry you Anna because tonight is going to be a beautiful night to celebrate you and Lewis, but you can never be too prepared," I say pulling up to the gala steps and parking the car.

"Im gonna fuckin hurl," Anna says taking a deep breath.

"Not in my fuckin car you're not, get out," I say grabbing her hand and helping her out. We walk up the big marble stairs and to the big entrance.

Her eyes meet Lewis's and the biggest genuine smile spreads across her face. Lewis walks over to her with just as big of a smile and pulls her in close. "You look absolutely fucking ravishing my love," He says bringing her hand up to his lips kissing the back of her hand softly. He takes her hand and escorts her away so they can both greet their guests.

Michael walks in and grabs two glasses of champagne from the waiter, handing one to me and Ivy each. "Ladies, you both look stunning as usual. Especially you," he says as his eyes devour his wife, "Mrs. Shelby," He says with a smile snaking his arm around her waist. "I ever tell you how stunning blue looks on you?"

I sit there tapping the side of my glass lightly as I scan the room slowly, listening to everyone's conversations but also trying to spot Thomas. My stomach was in knots thinking about not having seen him yet.

"He's here somewhere Cor, I promise." Michael assures me.

I flash him a small smile before noding for him and Ivy to go enjoy themselves, especially since they were kid free for a formal event like this one. They deserved to let loose for a night.

I take a sip out of my glass walking by one of the round tables before stopping in my tracks. My eyes meet his icy blue gaze. He stands there with a group of people, unfortunately with Grace there next to him but she looks like she had one hell of a fuckin event happen considering her massive black eye that makeup couldn't even cover. I glance over at Ivy and Anna and the boys who are sitting there at the table looking like they're about to burst at the fuckin seams.

I look back over at my husband as my face grows warm and my heart starts to pound in my ears. Thomas briefly says "Excuse me," to the group hes with and makes his way across the floor to me. Its like in slow motion. Its only been a handful of days, but I craved being with him. My soul aches for his presence to be near me. All of the noise stops around me and in that one brief moment, its like its just Thomas and I. Its like the first time I saw him when nothing else mattered except him and I.

A smile spreads across my face as he approaches me. He places one of his hands on my waist and the other under my ear, using his thumb to gently stroke my cheek, "I've missed you too," His husky smooth voice spreads through my ears before he places a kiss on my lips.

I sigh into it before wrapping my hands around his neck, pulling him into a hug, "I'm sorry my love," I whisper to him. Just indulging in the warmth of his skin against mine. "We'll talk later though," I say smoothing out his tux jacket. "We have a very special couple to celebrate today."

"You look absolutely beautiful Cora. You're even more beautiful now than the first day I met you," He says leaning down and kissing my cheek. I take his hand and walk back to the table and take a seat.

"Thats a fuckin relief eh boys?" Aurthur says throwing his drink back. "I was worried we would have to walk on eggshells forever."

Michael smacks his brothers chest before shooting him a look to close his mouth and Aurthur catches on before sulking in his seat slightly.

"A toast," Thomas says raising his glass, "To my brother Lewis, and my beautiful sister Anna. May you love each other more every day, every moment of every second."

We all raise our glasses to them, "Cheers to Lewis and Anna!" We all say clincking our glasses together and taking our drinks from them.

"Anna," I say leaning back in my seat and resting my hand on Toms knee. "You better sneak away with your husband before he rips that fuckin dress off of you at this table."