Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

33

"You look stunning." I grinned, as I did a quick twirl as I entered the kitchen. The other two already dressed up. Gray had on a sharp navy blue suit with a deep grey tie, my mother had on a sheath style dress what was the same color as Gray's tie.

The two once again beautifully matching.

"You both look wonderful." I complemented sliding my feet into my heels.

"We've got a few minutes before we have to leave. Pictures?" Gray and I shared a panicked look but there wasn't any use. If she wanted her pictures, my mother would get her pictures.

I went with a braided crown for my hair, a few purple and light blue flowers tucked into the red strands to add extra pop. I had minimal make up on, just enough to cover the bruising and highlight my structure.

Jewelry was probably the easiest, I wore silver dangling earrings, a silver rose necklace and a matching silver rose bracelet. I had on two silver rings; one chevron style on my right middle, an infinity on my left middle.

I wore my black heels from the new year's ball. The thicker heel a life saver when it came to moving around.

The dress was the hard part. They were all three very beautiful. But at the end I picked a faded purple sheathed dress. The one shoulder sleeve ran like water over my left shoulder down to my feet. The fabric close to my skin but breathable enough that I could move and not worry about sweating. My left leg had more freedom as there was a slit in the material just above the middle of my thigh.

It was gorgeous.

In light of everything that has happened, getting away from everything for a few moments was gonna be nice. And I was doing it for Gray and my Ma.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Okay, so we just go in, show face, have some champagne then we can go." My Ma coached holding Gray's hand supportively as we stood in a line staring at the large building.

"Okay, then let's do this." I put a hand on Gray's arm to show he had my support as well.

"God you two are amazing. Thank you both for being here." He pat my hand then leaned over and gave my mom a kiss.

"Gray!" We all looked up to the porch to see Ward Cameron making his way towards us a large medal hanging around his neck. "Gray, glad you could make it. Lovely to see you Marie, Xena." He nodded politely in my direction as I gave him a smile.

"Thank you for inviting us." My mother said politely, her and Gray linking arms as I stood to the side. "Where's Rose?"

"She's inside with the kids. We're about to make our overdramatic entrance." I laughed, putting my hand over my mouth to try and be polite.

"My apologies, Mr. Cameron." I sheepishly rub my neck as Ward gave me a bright smile.

"You're all good, it is kind of funny. Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you three join us?"

"Oh, no, that's okay." Gray scrambled trying politely to get out of it. "It's your entrance."

"No, please. I insist. Gray not only have you been a huge asset with the company but Xena had been a big help with Wheezie. Wheezie used to hate school and now she's asking when Xena is coming back over. You raised a good daughter, Marie."

And that's when I knew he had my mom right where he wanted her.

"Oh, alright. We will walk in behind you."

"Wonderful."

I couldn't help but frown as we followed Ward inside. My gut telling me that there was something going on that I didn't know about.

"There you are. Everyone's waiting. Oh hello Gray, Marie lovely to see you both. Xena, you look stunning." I smiled my hand discreetly clenched in my right pocket. Rose's hot pink dress was beautiful but the headpiece, it was ridiculous.

"Rose, I convinced these three to join us in our entrance." A look passed between the two before Rose grinned widely. The two beginning to walk through the hall and towards the back.

"How wonderful. Gray, Marie you two can walk beside us. Xena you'll be with the kids right behind us." Rose instructs as we walked closer to what I assumed was the back door.

"Xena? Is she here?" I laughed as I heard Wheezie before I saw her. She popped her head around the wall and beamed as I waved at her.

"Hi, Wheezie." I called politely as we finally made it to the back foyer. "You look lovely." I complimented as she pulled me into a surprise hug. Her flowery dress swishing behind her.

"You look gorgeous, Xena." Wheezie spoke as she pulled away her eyes alight.

"She's right. You're stunning." I laughed as Sarah joined the conversation stepping towards us. Her white dress complementing her silhouette.

"You are beautiful as always, Sarah." I remarked, a soft thank you left her lips. I stared at her for a moment, something was off. I couldn't figure out what, but she didn't look thrilled to be here.

I heard a scoff come from behind the girls as I made eye contact with Rafe. A smirk pulling at my lips as I saw the new marks on his face.

"You clean up nicely, Rafe." To the others it was a compliment but for him it was a taunt. He had a pastel blue suit with a dark blue bow tie. The urge to poke fun of the little bow nearly won over as Ward cleared his throat. All Rafe did was glare, his arms crossed as he ran his tongue over his teeth behind closed lips.

"Yeah, alright." He murmured to his dad as Ward gave him a look. "You look good, Xena." My smirk grew as he practically choked the words out.

"Now that we've got that out of the way, let's go." Ward spoke politely. I watched everyone fall into place, a perfectly practiced movement. I couldn't help but scoff at how fake this looked.

Gray and my mother fell in beside the Cameron's, as I hung to the back. I felt Wheezie tap my arm making me look down at her.

"It's all just for show. Just put a soft smile on and you'll fit right in." I chuckled softly at her advice.

"Thanks, Wheezie. I'll keep that in mind." I didn't really need the advice, my father had his fun parading my mother and I along when I was younger, but I guess hearing it again made me less apprehensive about the whole thing.

Just before we started moving, I watched Rafe step backwards and stand beside me.

"Try your best not to make us look bad." He whispered in my ear, my heels making us almost the same height. I kept my gaze pointed forward as the doors opened, a soft smile on my lips as I refrained from elbowing him.

"You may want to tell that to your cute little bow tie. Should I hold your hand, so you can feel that you'd be able to handle me if I get, Pogue-ish?" I mocked, knowing he'd never take me up on it.

But then again, Rafe Cameron had a few tricks in his bag.