Elora's dress looked like a black and white flower print. It hugged her curves tightly and was almost a halter like neckline. The right side of the halter strap wrapped back behind her right shoulder while the left came down over her chest. She looked stunning.
"Thanks, Phoebe," Elora put on the mask. It was a silver mask covered in black lace, clear crystals on each side with black feathers extending out of the right side. It complimented the dress really well.
"Oh, Elora, you look absolutely stunning," Anne gushed over her. "James won’t be able to keep his hands off of you."
Elora blushed.
"Oh my..." Viola said softly. "Elora you look beautiful, as always."
"Thank you, Viola." Elora headed to the table of food. I followed.
I poured her a mimosa.
"Drink up. It will make you feel better." I smiled wide. Elora hesitated and then the glass was out of my hand. Anne stood holding the glass, a scowl on her face.
"Elora will not be drinking." Anne grabbed a glass of water and handed it to Elora. "Here, my dear."
"I'm sorry...I didn't.—" I tried to apologize.
"It's fine, Lilli, really. The truth is… I just found out I'm pregnant—"
"That's right. Elora is with child." Anne announced proudly. "Looks like Aidan should have chosen a fertile wife." Anne smiled and sipped the mimosa.
With a disgusted look at Anne, I clenched my hands around the champagne flutes. "How dare you..."
"Anne!" Elora hissed.
Viola cleared her throat and appeared by my side.
"Anne, please apologize. We don’t know anything about Aidan and Lilli's personal affairs, so I think that we should mind our manners."
Anne snorted.
"If Elora had been his wife, we would be on our way to an heir and secure in the fact that we would not be losing the family company." She eyed me sternly.
"You know nothing about—" this time Viola squeezed my shoulders and interrupted.
"Please apologize." Viola demanded.
"I apologize, Lilli." Anne cleared her throat. "I simply worry about AIS a little too much and let it get the best of me." She walked away from the table and went to sit down.
Phoebe, Celia and Maggie were at my side quickly, pity and concern written on all of their faces.
"I'm fine." I forced a smile. "At least now I know why she despises me so much." I forced a chuckle, sucking down half of my mimosa in one gulp.
"I am so sorry, Lilli." Elora stood on the verge of tears.
"Oh hush, you are having a baby. Congratulations!" I hugged her tightly.
"You have to let me plan the baby shower!" Phoebe bounced.
"I'll babysit!" Maggie added and for the next fifteen minutes we talked about pregnancy and babies. Even though they didn't realize it, I felt more like crap as the conversation continued. I truly was jeopardizing the security of AIS. I just wasn't sure that I could provide a child and feel okay about it. I was starting to wonder why Aidan hadn't chosen someone else who was more willing when Phoebe pushed Celia into the changing area.
I sat in the chair farthest from Anne as we waited for Celia to appear.
Now Celia, being her swimsuit model curved to perfection self, was in a tight halter gown with a black and white pinwheel effect. The neckline plunged to just below her sternum where a group of crystals and beading formed and flared slightly at her hips until it reached the floor. She wrapped the unattached black satin sash around her arms and stood in front of the mirrors.
"Gorgeous as usual," I said in a teasingly sarcastic manor.
"Thank you, thank you," Celia did a little turn and swayed her hips at me. I laughed.
"Good lord you have a body!" Viola blurted out to Celia. I started to notice the familiar glaze in her eyes.
"Uh oh, here comes naughty Viola," I shouted out with a giggle.
"If I had these curves I would run the world!" Viola giggled. We all laughed. "Dixon is definitely a happy, happy man, I'm sure." She winked at Celia.
"You know it," Celia winked back.
"This mask is perfect for your dress," Phoebe was trying not to giggle from Viola's behavior.
Celia's mask was half black and half white satin. That was all there was to it. It was simple and not extravagant; but Phoebe explained that with curves like Celia's, she didn't need anything extravagant on her face. She was right.
"Okay, Mrs. Iverson..." Phoebe looked at Anne as she spoke to me, "your turn."
Madeline handed me my dress and I went behind the curtain to change. Once I had slipped off my clothes and zipped myself into the dress, I walked out to the mirrors.
"Oh, Lilli," Viola gasped, giving me the same prideful look she had given Maggie.
“I knew this dress would be perfect! All it needed was the small altercations.” Phoebe bounced with excitement as she circled me.
My dress was a very fitting column dress, entirely black except for the wide solid wide stripe down the front and the red ribbon around the empire waist, turning into a small bow under my left breast.
I had to smile at my own appearance. Phoebe was right, it really did compliment my figure and the slit to just above my left knee gave it a hint of sexiness.