The Rising Of The True Warrior Queen

Chapter Four

Louella

I was sitting in the third dress shop for the day already, and Dawn had talked about wanting to get her nails done before going home tomorrow. I was already so tired, and just Dawn and Ally and the men had fitted some clothes on, seeing that I didn’t like the dress I saw at the other shops, and pure Lia felt like nothing fit her and her baby bump.

"So, I guess we will have to start looking for a dress here. I will help you find something nice if you will help me. What do you think?" I said this while looking over at Lia, who was sitting next to me and looking just as tired as I was, maybe even more so. "Let’s split up and meet back here in 5 minutes." Lia said, looking as if she couldn’t wait to find a dress and get back to the B&B.

As Lia and I got back with two dresses each, Dash and Jasper came out of the dressing room, looking dapper in their black and white bow ties. "So, what do you guys think?" Jasper asked us, but Lia was just staring at Dash with an open mouth and drooling at him like she wants to rip off that suit and take him right there in front of us. I just gave her a slight push to get her back to the present. "I think you both look quite handsome." I said I was trying to make the s****l tension in the air go away. "Here you go, Lia; here are the dresses I found you. I think this emerald green dress would fit you nicely," I said. I was handing her the two dresses; one was emerald green and the other was silvery grey. As Lia took her dresses and handed me the ones she picked out for me, Dawn and Ally stepped out of the dressing room. Dawn wore a beautiful, simple royal blue dress with a low-cut V-line. This dress was made for her; it complimented all her curves and made her ice-blue eyes stand out perfectly. Ally wore a high-low maroon dress with half shoulders and a sweetheart neckline. This dress looks absolutely stunning on her; it makes the little bits of red in her brown hair stand out along with her dark blue eyes and tanned skin. "Wow, you guys look amazing in those dresses." Lia said, looking hopeful about maybe finding her dress here. But as Lia said that, I noticed Ally looking down at the price tag of her dress, looking sad. Just before Dawn and I left Calgary, Ally told us she was selling the house because she couldn’t afford the upkeep alone and she wanted to use the money from the sale to finish paying for her student loans. That was a week after I bought my first apartment building with the money my biological parents left me. Yes, I am kind of rich; they left me a bank account full of money, way more than I know what to do with, and they left me a hotel chain. My dad and Omar, my biological father, Beta, and the new alpha of the new Moon Pack, helped me a lot with the business while I was studying. I will be joining them soon and starting to run things from Calgary. After Ally told us, I said she could pick any flat in my building and just pay rent because I knew she would never want to stay for free. So, she picked a one-bedroom flat on the second floor, and Dawn picked the two-bedroom flat next to her, which, as my flat is on the top floor, and it has three bedrooms. I know they also want to be on their own somehow, but I have no idea what I am going to do with myself in such a big place on my own.

"So, I forgot to tell you guys what I want for my birthday this year." I said, and everyone looked at me, waiting to hear what I wanted. "While it is kind of a two-part deal, and we all know the birthday rule," I said, looking everyone in their eyes so that they would know that I was being serious. "Go on, then spit it out already, Louella." Dawn said, looking impatient to know what it was. "Okay, Dawn, the first part is that I will be paying for every individual’s outfit they pick today, and I already arranged for a make-up artist and a hair stylist to help us women get ready for the day of the ball. And before I forget, I booked us women at a spa for tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM to get pampered and have our nails done. I added the nails to the package just for you, Dawn, so that we can do everything in one place. The second part is that everyone must have fun on my birthday." I said this while everyone looked at me in shock, because they knew that even though I have money, I do not like flaunting it in front of people, and I always remember the little guy and how hard they work too. As I looked over to Ally and saw how she was opening and closing her month, I wanted to say something but ended up saying nothing because the birthday rules in our friend circle are that no one may argue with the request of the one whose birthday it is.

"That is so kind of you, Louella. Thank you." Lia said to me, giving me a half-huge smile as I saw her holding the two dresses I picked out for her. "Thank the Goddesses, I know Dash and I took over dad’s and uncle Kash’s construction company, and we are doing great for our third year in the business as the new owners, but dam this suit is quite pricey if I must say so." Jasper said, bursting out laughing. I know he is just saying that to make the atmosphere go back to normal after my big request. "I love you guys, and I rarely get to spend time with all of you together, and just so you know, don’t get used to it." I said I was giving them a playful smile that told them I was just fooling around with them and making everyone laugh. "So, let's go fit our dresses, Louella; I think you are going to love the short silver dress with the beads." Lia said, taking my free hand and pulling me past Dawn and Ally.

As I got into the dressing room, I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered why I kept feeling like the next few days were going to be so important. I also looked at my long, light brown hair that is curling out of control today, but the curls show the bits of darker brown that are hiding in my hair. Somehow, it complements my fair skin tone and makes my already noticeable dark green eyes with bits of amber stand out even more. I turned around and looked at the dresses Lia had picked out and decided to just wear the silver dress because the black dress would just make me stand out more with my skin tone, and I just had this feeling that the ball was not the place to be standing out this time.

"Louella, here is a pair of shoes; I took the black wedges for you because I know you won’t like any other high heels." Dawn said. She stuck her hand with the shoes through the curtain. "Thank you, Dawn; you know me so well, but I hope you didn’t get high heels for Lia." I asked Dawn while looking at the shoes. She really does know me because I was looking at this pair of shoes when we just entered the shop. "No, I didn’t; I got her sandals with a slight heel, and they are also black. I know both of you, and she is my sister-in-law after all." Dawn was irritated that I had even asked.

As I fitted the dress, I could see why Lia said I would love it. The dress is knee-length and fun, with a bit of volume in the skirt, but what makes me love it is the top part, which is a v-line cut that is covered in silver and black beads, making the dress a statement while still not taking away from how simple it is. The shoes bring my whole style together. I walked out of the dressing room to show everyone, and as I walked in, I saw Lia also showing off her dress to everyone. I knew the emerald-green infinity dress I picked out would fit her perfectly. The emerald green lights up her light green eyes and complements her tanned skin tone and her blond shoulder-length hair in all the great ways I thought it would. Just seeing how happy she is that she found her dress makes me glad I helped make it happen.

"There you are, Louella." I love this dress you picked out for me, and the best part is I can wear it again in a different style." Lia said she was so excited that I think she forgot how tired she was. "It is only my pleasure, Lia; I just knew when I saw it that it was your dress." I said as I went in to give her a quick hug. "I see you didn’t do that bad yourself picking out Louella’s dress, Lia." Ally said as everyone looked at me after Lia moved aside after the hug. "Ally is right on that one. I love this dress." I said as everyone shook their heads, agreeing with what I said. "Seeing we have all found what we wanted, can we please head back to the B&B and start the braai? I am starving, and I want the same meat." Dawn said as she was rubbing her stomach dramatically to show how hungry she was, making all of us burst out laughing at her yet again today.

***time lapse***

We are all sitting around the open fire, talking and telling all sorts of stories and jokes. I am enjoying every minute of being back home; it has been two years since we had a good old-fashioned "braai". Do not get me wrong, I love the barbecues we have back in Canada, but there is nothing quite like a South African "braai". "Sorry guys, I know it is only nine thirty, but we have to get up early tomorrow, and this baby of mine makes sure I know it if I don’t get my beauty sleep." Lia said as she stood up with her hand on her baby bump. "Good night, everyone. Let me get my beautiful wife in bed for your spa day tomorrow." Dash said, pulling Lia in and giving her a small kiss on her head. "I think that is a great plan you got there, Dash." Jasper said he also looked tired after today, but I think there is something else going on with him. "Good night. I will wake you up at 6 a.m. and make sure I have a cup of coffee for you, Lia." I said, giving her a small smile. It is now just Dawn, Ally, and I sitting around the fire.

Ally is way too the dress shop is quiet. "You are mad at me for paying for your outfit, aren’t you, Ally? “I mentioned looking into the flames that were getting smaller. " Maybe I know the birthday rules, but I know you only did so because you knew I was struggling now, and I hate feeling like the friend in the group that always needs money. " Ally said she was also looking at the dancing flames. " Nonsense, "Ally, you are a nurse practitioner now, and you worked hard to get to where you are, girl Louella, and I know if the roles were reversed you would do the same things for us in a heartbeat." Dawn said as I shook my head in agreement. " Dawn is right there, but Ally, you are not our friend; you are our sister, and family looks out for one another." I said I was standing up and walking to her to give her a big hug. Dawn followed my lead and did the same, and we sat there having a group hug. About twenty minutes after all the talking, we all went to bed so that we could get up early again tomorrow.