Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Moment

The moment Ace and I swing open the front door, Katelin is standing there, waiting with a tissue box in her hands. She dabs at her eyes, sniffling.

"Katelin? What's wron-"

"THESE ARE TEARS OF JOY!" She exclaims, throwing her arms around me and embracing me in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you."

She clings to me like a baby monkey, and Ace has to pry her off of me. "I prefer to have my fiance alive and not drowning in your tears." Ace says.

Fiance.

I like that word.

I really like that word.

"So you knew about the proposal, Katelin?" I ask.

"Yes, I did! Ace needed help and he was so nervous and-"

"Any way, I think it's time to go now." Ace says, cutting her off. But Katelin pays no attention to him.

"And Ace! I'm so proud of you you've grown up so much." Katelin cries, "And the ring is beautiful!" She proceeds to blow her nose and wipe her tears away with the back of her hand.

"Let's go, Dakota, before Katelin drowns us in her tears."

I laugh and agree, and of course, I immediately call up my friends and my mom to deliver the exciting news.

And so as the weeks fly by, Ace and I plan our wedding. We want it to take place relatively quick, there's no point in waiting. The wedding will take place next month, so both Ace and I are constantly on the phone contacting caterers and places of interest for the wedding to take place.

In the meantime, though, it is time to buy the wedding dress.

Gathering my friends and my mom, we go to the bridal store nearest to us.

Entering the shop with my friends and family, I can't help but feel grateful. Surrounded by those who care for me, it's starting to feel like a real family.

I was kind of like a little kid in a toy store when I saw all the dresses, but who could blame me?

What girl has't dreamed of their wedding? I know I sure as heck did!

As a little girl, lying alone and bruised in bed, I've always dreamed of such things. The pretty dresses, the food, and of course, the prince charming. I've always dreamed of the one who would sweep me off my feet and come save me, save me from the hurricane I called life.

And so I waited.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months and months into years.

I grew up.

I became a teenager, and my hope for my prince to come save me was dying, just as I was.

Nobody head my cried for help, my pleading for life.

Just as I had lost hope and was breathing my final breaths, he finally came.

My prince finally came, in the most unexpected way ever.

He wasn't riding a gallant horse, nor was he clad in royal clothes and a crown. He didn't come with a double edged sword, but with a gun instead.

Not all princes wear a crown, not all princes ride upon strong horses. The one thing they do have in common, however, is slaying the dragon. Of course, I'm not talking about an actual dragon, with its scaly skin, sharp large teeth, and massive wings.

No, I'm talking about my tormentors. My human tormentors whom he rescued me from.

And now, with confidence, I can say that I am free.

I am free from the past that once chained me.

I wipe the tears of joy from my eyes, and scan the rows and rows of wedding dresses. People assist me and take my measurements, asking me what exactly I'm looking for in a wedding dress and what's my budget and such.

Just because I now have money, I feel like it wouldn't be reasonable to spend a few hundred thousand dollars on a dress I would wear once. So, I keep it at a reasonable price.

And so the day continues.

I try on several wedding dresses and show my friends and family. Each member of my family and friends have their own likes and opinions on each dress, making it hard to please everyone.

But either way, it was great fun, and after several hours of laughing, talking, and debating.....we've narrowed it down to three dresses.

Each one is beautiful in their own way.

One of them is lacy with short sleeves and a ruffled skirt.

The other one is a chiffon mermaid dress, and the last one is a fluffier one that flows beautifully.

The group I invited makes me try on all three of them several time. Their input is greatly appreciated, but ultimately, it's up to me.

"I love them all, so I'll be happy for you which ever you pick." My mom says.

"Agreed." Katelin and Shontell reply.

And so finally, after hours of trying on dresses, I make my decision. I go for the lacy dress with the short sleeves and ruffled skirt, and I couldn't be happier.

We also order light blue, knee length bridesmaid dresses while we're there.

And everything is going wonderfully.

* * *

"Really, here again?" I ask as I look around the lingerie shop, unamused.

"What?" Shontell asks, "After the wedding, ya'll go on honeymoons so...."

I take the time to glare at her. I am uncomfortable but she finds this...amusing. I am not amused however....maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea? Treat Ace to something special when the time comes.....

"Enough!" Katelin interrupts, "You two can go shop for your lingerie, I don't want to be here while you talk about my brother's sex life."

Shontell laughs and Katelin sighs. "If you need me I'll be at the clothing store across from this....place."

Katelin starts walking away, but Shontell calls after her. "You'll understand too one day when you get a man!"

"But Shontell, you're single." I point out.

She shrugs. "A girl can dream."

When she finds a guy he will be lucky to have her.

"Look at that lacy one over there!" Shontell exclaims excitedly, pointing to a beige lacy lingerie set hanging on a rack. She zooms past me, and I jump back, startled at her sudden burst of speed.

Damn, someone needs to get themselves into track. All they have to do is dangle a fancy set of lingerie across the finish line and she'd beat everyone.

"Get over here! Ace wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of you in this!" She shouts.

I'm not only as red as a tomato, but I'm pretty sure the entire store just heard that.

Groaning, I trudge my way over there and slowly pick through the racks. I'm not amused at all, I'm more awkward than anything. I've never done this sort of thing before so this is all new to me.

Shontell is having a grand ol' time, though.

She gathers many lingerie sets in her arms with a radiant smile on her face. "You are trying these all on!"

I suck my bottom lip in, imagining what Ace's reaction will be if I carry on with this plan. My mind drifts to having kids with him. We had talked about it, and he said that he really wants to be a father when the time is right.

He told me it's not just because he needs an heir, either.

He just really wants to be a father.

I wonder how many kids he wants? Personally, for me, it would be nice to have a larger family, because I love it so much. I missed out on a family growing up, and for me, that's something that means a lot to me.

Maybe Ace and I could meet in the middle.

"Hello? Earth to Dakota?"

"Huh?" I ask, dazed.

"You completely zoned out on me there for a second! Were you thinking about your sexy time with Ace?"

"What? No!"

"Mhmm. Very well then. So what do you think of this one?"

And so I try several sets of lingerie on. Some of it's ugly, some of it's itchy, while some of it is....showy. I know it's meant to show skin but it's odd for me.

"You look so hot!" Shontell says, throwing back the curtain of the changing room.

"How many more do I have to try on?" I ask, my tone bored.

"I brought you more!" She exclaims.

"Remind me why I'm friends with you again?"

"Uhm...because you love me?"

I roll my eyes. "I suppose you're right."

At the end of the day, I've picked out three sets of lingerie. A black pair, a red pair, and a pink pair. They were the most comfortable ones, but Shontell insisted that "I should pick the more uncomfortable ones that are a bit more showy, it's not like I'm going to be wearing it for long."

So the experience was interesting to say the least. I'm happy we're done shopping, though, because my feet are killing me.

Something about the mall hurts my feet and my mind, and it's like when I step foot in the mall, I can't wait to leave.

The thought of college drifts to my mind. I do want to attend college even though I really don't have to. I've got money now. But, I don't really want to mooch off of Ace all my life. I like to have a sense of independence where I don't have to depend on somebody for everything.

Because, what if something happens to the person I'm depending on? It's a grim thought but....it's a reality I have to think about.

I also don't mind working. It keeps me busy and helps keep my mind off of things.

So, wandering through the house, I look for Ace to discuss this topic with. I at least want to know his opinion and what he thinks.

So I check the kitchen, the laundry room, and the living room for Ace, but he's not in any of those places.

The bathroom is empty of him too. "Well, he's not in here! That's a good thing, too, considering he could have been naked." I say aloud. Hmmm.....but then again, would that have been a bad thing?

Stop thinking like that! I scold myself as I rush out of the bathroom.

Lastly, I check his office.

And finally I have found him.

"No! I want you to check those shipments immediately, and if those shipments aren't there, then you know what to do!" Ace shouts angrily into the phone.

His back is turned towards me and his gaze is facing the window which overlooks his domain. He hangs up the phone, and runs a hand through his hair, his breathing is loud and he is clearly irritated.

And then he turns around.

"Oh...Dakota...how long have you been standing there?" He asks, folding his arms over his chest. His eyes still flicker with anger from his previous phone call.

Maybe now's not the right time to ask him?

"I uh, I just got here."

"Mhm."

"Is now the right time or uh, are you busy?"

"Oh no no, I'm not busy." Ace says. I can tell he's trying to get over his angered state.

"Okay, well I wanted to ask you if I could go to college? I'm nearly graduated from high school and now is the time to start thinking about the next step in my life."

Ace raises an eyebrow. "But you know I can provide for you, right?"

"Yeah, I know. But I'd like to be a little more independent and not take from you all the time. Making my own money gives me a sense of satisfaction in myself, I guess."

"As much as I'd like to provide for your every need, I understand. Yes, you can go to college."

I run into his arms, hugging him. "Thank you so much."

"Mhm."

And so, that's what I did. Graduation came, and it went perfect! Well, almost perfect, considering I tripped and fell on the stage in front of everyone while walking up to receive my high school diploma.

But besides the fact I wanted to crawl in a small dark space and die after I fell, everything went perfect!

Next, was college. I searched for the college that I believed would be right for me, and I found one close to home. I'm now taking art classes and exploring the medical field. I actually got a scholarship for art, and so far, it's pretty great.

And finally, last but certainly not least, my wedding day came.

I had asked Shontell to be my bridesmaid, as she has been with me through nearly every step in my life. She was more than thrilled.

And so, looking into the mirror, I gaze at my reflection with pride. Joy dances in my eyes, on display for all to see.

My hair is tied into a fish-braid that flows down my right shoulder. A simple silver necklace adorns my neck, and I smell sweet thanks to the perfume I was given. My white, beautiful dress falls down to the floor in perfection, and my makeup is professionally done, yet it is natural looking.

As a child, this was my dream.

And my childish dream is now a dream come true.