Hours later… She was running late and she didn’t like it one bit. Ceaser had called to inform her that he wouldn’t be able to pick her up. She had insisted on driving herself but he said he already sent Patrick for her and Ivy.
Jules was pacing the living room when she heard a car in the drive way.
“Let’s go honey” She said as she picked Ivy up and balanced her on her hip, carried Ivy’s bag and her clutch. She left the house and was glad for the automatic lock Ceaser had.
“Good evening Jules. Let me help you with that.” Patrick said, smiling.
“Thank you, Patrick.” She said handing him Ivy’s bag.
“Pa-chic.” Ivy said.
“Yes Ivy, Patrick.” Jules said, heading to the car.
Patrick smiled as he opened the car door.
“Thank you.” He handed her the bag after she got in with Ivy in her lap.
They were on their way and she started to get nervous. She was starting the New Year with Ivy, Ceaser, his parents, Sofi and Andy and a lot of other people she didn’t know.
“Thank you.” Jules said minutes later after Patrick helped her out of the car with Ivy’s bag with him. Her phone rang. “Yea?” She answered.
“Where the heck are you?” Sofi’s voice blared from the speaker.
“Outside. I just got here.”
“Okay” she said “We’re coming out.”
Jules hung up and made her way up the stairs to the entrance. She walked through the double doors into the hallway leading to the hall which Andy and Sofi came through. They stopped when they spotted her.
Jules walked towards them.
“What?” She asked.
Silence.
“Wow.” They both said.
Jules’ gown had a thin strap and a v neck dipping a little low with a thick bodice that fitted her perfectly before it fell to the floor from her waist, a slit ran from her ankle up till her thigh.
“You sure it isn’t too much?” She asked.
“Na-uh.” Sofi said.
“We are going to break hearts tonight, including you Ivy.” Andy said “And Ceaser’s going to fall in love with you all over again.”
Jules blushed.
“Well let’s get in there.” Andy took Ivy from her and as Jules reached to take the bag from Patrick, Sofi beat her to it.
“Give me that.” Jules said to Sofi “You guys are meant to have fun tonight and not be on baby duty.”
“Ivy is fun to be with.” Sofi said.
Jules couldn’t argue with that but tonight was different.
“Besides we rarely get to play with her” Andy said.
Jules’ brow rose at Andy.
“Ok, maybe we do but we want to be with her tonight.”
“Let’s go find your man.” Sofi said.
Jules smiled at them as we all walked into the hall.
“Thanks.”
Then it all happened in slow motion. As they stepped into the hall, all eyes turned to them and Jules wanted the ground to open up and suck her right in.
How many people were here?
“Is it just me or is everyone staring?” Sofi asked.
“Yea. Well who can blame ’em” Andy said “Jules just walked in.”
“It can’t be me” Jules said “It’s one of you guys.”
“Oh shush.” Sofi said “You don’t see either of us wearing something that stands out.”
“Wh-what?” Jules turned to them “You guys told me it would be fine.”
“Well, you shouldn’t listen to everything we say.” Andy smiled at her.
“Ugh.” Jules rolled her eyes.
She was like a wolf in the mist of sheep.
“Oh goodness.” She mumbled “I think I’m going back home.” Jules turned back to leave.
“Whoa” They both stopped me “Let’s get you something to drink.”
Ivy cooed and Jules smiled at her in Andy’s arms. It made her forget everything for a second as they pulled her through the ocean of people towards the open bar.
“We’ll have one glass of stork club and two island breeze.” Andy said to the bartender.
“Coming right up.” He said and got to it.
Jules scanned the crowd for Ceaser or anyone familiar.
“Here you go” The bartender said a moment later placing the drinks in front of them.
“Thanks.” They said and began drinking.
“Feel better?” Sofi asked.
“Maybe after a few more glasses.” Jules smiled.
Jules stayed till she finished her drink.
“I got to go look for Ceaser.” She said.
“Sure.” “Alright.” They said.
She placed a kiss on Ivy’s cheek before she left making her way through the crowd.