The Vines'

***The Vines' - Fifth View

"Red!" Natalie said with pride.

I couldn't decide between the red and silver pair of heels. I held my babies high and glanced at both of them for what seemed like an eternity!

Natalie grabbed the silver pair. "For heaven's sake, Alayna! Your nails are red! It makes sense. So please, go get dressed!"

I stared at my red coffin shaped nails. I feel like a damn Beyonce on her way to some glammed up event. Let me give you the low down quickly! My body has never been this relaxed. We've decided to cut my hair. Yes, I am flaunting a pixie do and no, your judgement is not needed! I have never looked this picture perfect!

The spa day turned out to be a two hour session. A glorious two hour session, mind you! I spoke to my mom and bawled my eyes out. I miss my son! Oh, then I expressed some milk for the sake of getting rid of these engorged watermelons! Motherhood. Now I have exactly 30 minutes to get ready!

"Luckily for you, I have no time to argue! Quick! Help me with this zip, please!" Natalie rushed over to where I am standing, which is in front of my oversized full length mirror and offered her assistance with my dress.

I slipped my tiny feet into my red heels and voila! Okay, no not yet! "Where is my shimmer powder?" I reached for my clutch only to find Natalie brushing the translucent powder all over the exposed parts of my body.

I turned to Natalie and smiled. "What would I do without you?" I grabbed both her hands in mine.

"I am sorry but you are stuck with me for life!" Natalie squeezed my perfectly manicured hands. "I guess now you will never find out!"

"You've been amazing. You are amazing, Natalie." I turned my back to her and looked in the mirror. "I still can't get over how brilliant Miss Marmalade is!"

Miss Marmalade is the very prim and proper, over the top, life of the party, chatterbox, dramatic make up artist who gave me... another face. I literally just shrugged. He is amazing. He is as lit as a mother... beep!

My face resembled the perfect art of contouring, a beautiful glow (with compliments from dear highlighter), a deep red shade of lipstick on my succulent lips and mascara that makes my hazel eyes pop!

The dress was a perfect fit. Thank God for the gym! My post-pregnancy body screamed: "I've never given birth! In ANY of my lives!"

Natalie stood back and admired the final product. "Are you...crying?" I turned to Natalie, fifty shades of concerns flooded my face.

"It's nothing. You just look so... happy. I haven't seen you at peace in a long time, Alayna. I promise, these are tears of joy!"
I leaned in for a hug in an attempt to console her. Instead she took hold of my shoulders and smiled through watery eyes.

"We need to get going. I will drive you to the venue. You will let me know when you are done and I will fetch you. Okay? Then we can have a pajama party, eat snacks, smoke a blunt, eat more snacks. All right?"

"Smoke a blunt? Okaaaay. Sure. I suppose that just... escalated?" I have never been this confused about my life! That's a lie. I just said that for dramatic effect.

"You are not coming with?" Disappointment gleemed in my eyes.

"You will be fine! I will see you later. I promise!" Natalie gently pushed me towards the door.

We were about to leave when my eye caught the little box on the kitchen counter. I completely forgot to open it! I rushed over to it and removed the little red ribbon. I gasped at the sight of the delicate necklace!

"Natalie! This is beautiful! The design, the glitz, the delicacy! You really need to stop spoiling me! Thank you!"

"That is not for you! I am merely borrowing it to you. Your neck is as long as a flamingo's. Come here!" I laughed at her silly comment while she helped with the clasps of the necklace.