Resilient Hart

The Preparation

Saturday finally arrived, and Viviene woke up early with a knot of excitement, nerves in her stomach, and her heart pounding with a mix of enthusiasm and anxiety. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft glow through the curtains of her bedroom, but sleep had been elusive. Her thoughts had been consumed by the upcoming evening, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the nervous energy that had taken hold of her.

She sat up in bed, running a hand through her tousled hair as she glanced at the clock. It was still hours before she needed to start getting ready, but the anticipation was almost unbearable. For the first time in years, Viviene was going on a date—an actual date with someone she had connected with on a deep, emotional level. It felt surreal.

As she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, Viviene's mind raced with a thousand thoughts. What should she wear? How should she do her hair? What if Regina didn't find her attractive? The doubts crept in, gnawing at her confidence, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity.

Viviene caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror and stared at herself for a moment, her hazel eyes scanning the familiar features. She had aged since the last time she had been on a date, lines of worry and exhaustion etched into her skin. The years of being a single mother, of working tirelessly to provide for her children, had taken their toll. She looked at the dark circles under her eyes, the way her hair seemed to lack its former luster, and she felt a wave of doubt wash over her.

"What am I doing?" Viviene whispered to herself, leaning on the sink as she tried to steady her breathing. "What if I'm not good enough? What if this is a mistake?"

The weight of her insecurities threatened to overwhelm her, but she knew she couldn't let them win. Regina had seen something in her, something that had sparked a connection between them, and Viviene couldn't afford to let her fears ruin this opportunity. She needed to push through the self-doubt and find the strength to believe in herself again.

The day seemed to drag on as she went about her usual routine, trying to keep herself occupied with chores and errands. The anticipation was nearly unbearable. She found herself glancing at the clock more often than usual, each passing hour heightening her anxiety. By the time the afternoon rolled around, Viviene was both eager and anxious.

After a long, hot shower, Viviene felt a little more grounded. The steam had relaxed her tense muscles, and the familiar routine of washing her hair and cleansing her skin had brought a sense of calm. She wrapped herself in a towel and padded back to her bedroom, where she began to rummage through her closet.

Her wardrobe was a mix of practical clothing for work and casual wear for running errands and taking care of the kids. She didn't have many pieces that screamed "date night," and the thought of having to dress up made her nervous. She pulled out a few options, laying them on the bed as she considered her choices.

A simple red dress caught her eye—a piece she hadn't worn in years. It was elegant but not overly formal, with a flattering cut that hugged her curves without being too revealing. Viviene held it up to her body, glancing at herself in the mirror as she imagined what Regina might think.

"This could work," Viviene murmured, turning from side to side as she assessed the dress. It felt right, like a blend of confidence and comfort, and she decided it would be the one.

Next came the question of how to style her hair. Viviene had always kept her dark hair in a sleek bob, a practical style that was easy to manage given her busy life. But tonight, she wanted something different—something that would make her feel special.

She sat down at her vanity, plugging in her curling iron as she studied her reflection. Should she leave her hair straight and polished, or should she add some soft waves for a more romantic look? After a moment of deliberation, Viviene decided on the waves. She carefully sectioned her hair, curling each piece with precision as she worked to create the perfect look.