Then There Was You (AMBW)

The Last Night

Dakota

   It was our last night in Minnesota and Angela had the idea of spending it together as a huge family. She thought it would be a great idea to have dinner at Wildfire, a restaurant here in town. It was 7:30PM and Alice was helping me with my makeup, even though I told her that I didn't need her help. Alice wasn't having it though, she insisted that she do my makeup, so I let her.

   Alice smiled and sighed, putting the brush down and handing me a smaller mirror. I stared at myself in the mirror trying to find the words to describe how beautiful I am. I picked up a red lipstick and put some on.

"Gorgeous." Alice whispered. She stood up and grabbed my dress from the box on the bed. Holding it out to me Alice said, "Now, we have only fifteen minutes left. Get your sexy ass up and get dressed." I laughed and stood to my feet, grabbing the dress and walking into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes and got dressed in the white cold shoulder ruffle trim asymmetrical hem dress. I paired it with diamond earrings and a diamond necklace. I put on some white stiletto heels and started on my hair. I did my hair in a half up half down style and left a few strands out.

   Beauty at its best. My grandmother's voice echoed in my head. Taking a deep breath, I opened the bathroom door and stepped out and waiting for me were Alice, Shayne and Jace. "You look amazing D." Alice smiled.

    Shayne took a few steps towards me and grabbed both my hands in his and kissed them while staring in my eyes.

"Beautiful." Shayne whispered. A knock sounded on the door and Ava's voice called out to us. "Are you guys coming!"

   I grabbed my bag and my phone and wrapped my hand around Shayne's arm and the four of us walked out of the room and downstairs where Ava and Phoenix waited for us. The two of them smiling brightly. "Now that's what I like to call perfect for each other." Ava smiled. We followed the two of them out of the guest house and met the rest of the family in the front yard. The couples drove together while Ava, Andrew, and Phoenix rode together.

   Fifteen minutes passed and everyone pulled up to the restaurant. Shayne got out of the car and walked around to my side and opened the door. He held out his hand and I took it, stepping out into the cool December air. Shayne closed the door behind me and took my hand in his, the both of us crossing the street to the brightly lit restaurant. Clarence was talking to the hostess, and she showed us to a private sitting area. The men, being the gentlemen that they are, held out the seats for the women and then took their own seats.

  The hostess, Amelia, took our drink orders while handing each of us a menu. Once she took our drink orders, she disappeared out the door.

"So, Dakota will you come back and visit us for Christmas?" Phoenix asked. I didn't know if coming back at Christmas was a good idea, but then again what could it hurt? I had bad memories at Christmas time, especially because I spent most Christmases in the hospital. I guess one Christmas in a different place would be okay. I agreed and the smile Phoenix gave me was blinding, but it made me happy to make her happy.

  "Are you sure that's okay. I mean being a lawyer is hard work and the workload can be overwhelming and I'm sure Phoenix wouldn't want you to be stressed out because you missed a lot of work." Ava asked, staring our younger sister down.

"Ava, trust me it's fine. I can handle a few days of missed work. Like, I know as soon as I get home, I'll have a lot of makeup work to do so trust me I'll be okay." Ava nodded and turned back to Andrew and started talking.

"When do you plan on coming back?" Shayne asked.

  "I don't know. Maybe two days before Christmas and then leave a day after." Shayne nodded. Everyone conversed among themselves, and my phone vibrated in my bag. Bethany's name appeared on the screen. I pressed the silent button and put my phone away. The hostess appeared with our drinks and handed them out. I took a sip of my red wine, and she took our orders then disappeared.