Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

My mouth drops, “I-is this the entire dress shop?”

“Yes dear, your fiancé said you were a little nervous about other customers in the shop seeing some burn scars, so he paid for me to close the shop for the day and bring everything here. That way you're in the privacy of your own home. Who am I to say no if Bronx Mason personally calls says he is getting married? This is a beautiful mansion by the way, So many employees!” :

“Oh, thank you, ma’am. They're like family. I can't imagine what we would do without them,” I say still in awe as I look around my living room. She is clearly human, so we can't let on that we're werewolves. I'm not sure why she is so impressed by Bronx personally calling but he is well aware that i don't care anymore if people see my scars. It's just a cover story. |i am more comfortable with my body nowadays. But it is such a sweet gesture by him. Now I don't have to have anxiety over the real reason | was worried about going to her shop. | i don't even want to think about how much it cost Bronx to have this sweet woman move her entire store inventory to my living room.

"No need to call me ma'am, dear. I'm Sheila. These are my assistants Lisa and Suzel,” she smiles at me as she points to the younger women standing beside her, "Let's get started. Suzel will help the bridesmaids select some styles for us to look at while Lisa and | help you find your perfect dress.” Sheila turns to my three bridesmaids, “ Lenora, dear, are you due before or after the wedding?"

"Oh, before. In five weeks actually,” she responds, holding her plump belly.

"Perfect. We should be able to have all three of the bridesmaids wear matching dresses if that is what you prefer, Miss Latmus. Now," she turns back to me, "my paperwork says your name is lokaste but you go by Kas. So unique, what's the origin of such a pretty name?"

"It's Greek. My parents were both from there. It means violet."

"That's beautiful! Steeped in tradition, I'm sure."

"Oh, yes ma'am. I mean Sheila. Deeply steeped in tradition. Also, please just call me Kas," I hear the girls giggle beside me.

"Alright then, Kas. We are going to have a good time today. Let's get started!" Sheila says in a sing song voice. She seems like the type of woman that likes to give hugs to strangers, "Now, what type of dress did you have in mind? What do you imagine looking like on your big day?"

"I'd like to look like a goddess, Sheila. I have some clippings from magazines," I pull out my binder and start flipping through. To my surprise, she didn't bat an eye at my statement. I thought for sure it would come off sounding conceited.

Sheila nods and taps her lips with a couple of fingers as I show her my ideas and even a couple of sketches i did on my own. Suzel and Lisa also look over our shoulders murmuring about style numbers, neck lines, and fabric choices.

are no price tags here today. Just choices.” I roll my eyes slightly at Bronx's power move. That sneaky snake. I look over to my bridesmaids who are all avoiding eye contact with me. Okay. Now I know where he got the idea from. A whole room of sneaky snakes. « Sheila turns her attention to her assistant, “ Suzel, I think open backs for our statuesque bridesmaids. Empire style will look beautiful. It will go with the godess theme we are creating here."

at the girls with a genuine smile, "I agree. We should all look like the

bridesmaids, who all giggle,

picks up a clipboard and takes Lenora, Ashley, and

and leads me behind a partition to undress. While Sheila pulls the dresses

a fire?" Lisa says

lucky to survive. No need to apologize. I've gotten used to them now that I'm older," | say, "Everyone who will be at the wedding knows and I kind of want it to be a badge of honor, so if we can find a dress for me

is a wedding dress wizard," she smiles just as Sheila comes around

agrees, it is just not the one. The second one doesn't flatter my figure. But the third one, feels different. Like it is meant for me,

whispers as she makes some

step out from behind the partition and onto the little platform. I look in the mirror at the women behind me. I see Lenora gasp and then let out a sob. I see Suzel hand her a tissue. Ashley has her hands covering

it look like a long, sheer, pleated cape. The fabric extends to the floor creating a beautiful, long train. The back of the dress comes to a V near the small of my back. The front also has soft pleats starting at the shoulders and forms a deep V that stops just above my navel. A silver belt that looks like a delicate rope is wrapped

if you say no to this dress, we're

like | was always meant to wear this dress.

in my mind as Lisa and Suzel pin the bottom of the dress for

real until now, Lex. It was

look so

"Who? My mother?"

mean, she is taller and she is blonde with blue eyes, but you can see the similarities in your bone structre and skin tone,"