Finding Grace

Chapter One - Picture Perfect

The sun shined brightly in through the giant window of the luxurious masters sweet on the second floor. Opened just slightly to let the light breeze through.

The day was warm and beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky and everyone seemed to be in cheerful spirits. Even Mrs Williamson was in an amazing mood. Ready to begin the day's festivities.

Standing close to the open window, she could hear all of the sounds coming from the workers and staff who were preparing for the party. The whole estate was lively and a buzz with all sorts of noises. She couldn't help but feel everyone's excitement and joy.

The band was just setting up, and she heard the soft jazz melodies coming from the piano and saxophone as they did their sound check. The sound was beautiful and added to the elegant decor surrounding them.

The band had been set up in the charming white wooden gazebo that overlooked the small pond behind it. Looking out of her window she loved how all of it was coming together.

It was their annual 4th of July barbecue and firework show. Mrs Williamson had spent the whole day preparing everything. Even helping put up the decorations around the entire mansion. Everything had to be flawless.

She was often in charge of throwing spectacular events, and they were always the talk of the town. From the food to the music, even down to the decorations. Everything was always so magnificent. She enjoyed the looks on her guests' faces. Their happiness and joy made all the stress of putting them together worth it to her.

It would be any moment now that their guests would be arriving, and Mrs Williamson was in her bedroom finishing getting ready before checking in on everything downstairs.

As she finished putting on her lipstick, a ruby red color to match the color of her nails. She also finished taking out her hair rollers and finished pinning up her hair.

Looking into the full-length mirror that stood beside her dresser, she did a small twirl. Checking herself out to ensure that everything was in place and looked perfect.

She was wearing the dress that her husband had bought her just for this special occasion. A stunning white 1950's inspired pencil skirt dress with a sweetheart neckline. Hugging her every curve. With her hair done up, she looked like she belonged in the old 50's Hollywood movies.

That's how Grant preferred it.

He was always going on about his beautiful wife. His prize and he made her play her part. At first, she disliked the lavish parties. Feeling overwhelmed every time her mother-in-law would volunteer her help without even asking if Amara was even willing to or not.

It didn't really matter though. What ever the Williamson's wanted they got. And they wanted her to be the perfect hostess, so that's exactly what she became. At first, she tried using party planners but soon got so good at it that people often tried to convince her to start a business with her talents. But every time Grant would joke and take over the conversation. She was far too busy being a wife and mother. One of those titles, of course, being more important in his eyes than the other.

Grant loved his daughter, but he'd made it clear from day one as to what he expected and that was to always come first in his wife's eyes. Something she couldn't promise then or now. She knew of the love her mother had for her growing up and one of Amara's biggest dreams as a child was to be an amazing mother, just like her own. She knew her love for her child would always be greater, but she did love her husband to the fullest degree. Though he could be overbearing and unkind at times, she loved him thoroughly.

He was a perfectionist, and Amara did everything to please her husband. For so long, she was so crazy about him that she would have done anything just to please him. Now she knew no other way but to be the perfect Stepford wife for him.

To do any and everything her husband asked of her. Just as a doting, loving wife always should. She tried so hard to be the perfect wife and companion for him. It was times like these that she truly succeeded in doing just that.

In truth, it was always her husband, Grant, that she tried to impress the most with these lavish parties. She knew how much they meant to his business and how much it helped him for them to look, act and be a perfect family in front of all of those people. Even if it was just for show, she enjoyed the moments that they got together. It was the only time he touched her with such affection.

From start to finish he would play the part of the handsome, successful and doting father and husband. Dancing with Grace on top of his shoes every now and then. Amara would hear the awes and compliments from all of the on-lookers around them.

He would whisk her away for a dance or to give her a quick supportive kiss as she talked with their party guests here and there and from the outside, they looked and seemed to be so smitten and happy. Amara loved every second of his attention. It always reminded her of what it was like when they first got married. He used to love her so much. It was intoxicating the way he would look at her. It would make her knees weak in an instant. Even now his intense stare had its way of making her weak. The way his hands would delicately stroke the back of her neck. Sending shivers and causing goosebumps all over. They looked perfect, but not only did perfect come with a price, but looks can also be deceiving.