Interlude: Getting the girls ready for the ball

Sandra's POV

It's always exciting when your daughter takes another step toward adulthood. Tonight Elodie was going to a high society ball. Rosa was still working so including Fien, I had three girls to make pretty for tonight. At the same time, I was looking forward to spending some alone time with Rosa tonight, with three kids in the house, it isn't always easy to find time for ourselves.

The girls had been given dresses and shoes by Thea Tralic. It was still hard to believe my baby girl was now an apprentice from the famous Thea Tralic. She sure had made a path for herself and made some very good contacts. It seemed like she had a bright future ahead.

Even though I wouldn't sacrifice the happiness I found with Rosa for Elodie and Eline, I still felt a little guilty about putting them through this predicament. I knew it would not make up for it, but I decided to go all out to make this night as memorable for our girls as I could. In my excitement, I had even gotten them some extra make-up that would fit the colors of their dresses, and I had gotten Eline and Elodie matching necklaces, with the date of their first ball engraved on them. Even though my initial motive might have been a guilt trip, along the way I had gotten super excited about making them pretty for the ball myself. I wanted to do my best to give them a beautiful memory.

For Fien on the other hand, I had gotten a silver tiara. I knew it would look cute on her golden locks. She and I had grown really close over the time she lived here, I felt a little sad that she was going to go back.

While I was preparing everything so the girls could get ready as soon as possible, after their rehearsal, the landline rang. When I picked up, I heard Charlotte's voice. She sounded like she was in a panic.

“Calm down sis, and begin from the start. What happened?”

“B-ball! Fien is going to a ball tonight!” Charlotte sounded like that was a disaster on the same level as a level 7 earthquake on the Richter scale.

“What about it? I am preparing everything for them at the moment. I even got her a cute tiara.” I said with a little dreamy voice.

“Y-you don't understand. She got a personal invitation to accompany Maura Lyst tonight. She has a date with the daughter of one of my bosses.”

I was really glad Fien wasn't home right now. Charlotte would probably have messed up her mood for the entire thing.

“You mean little Maura, she came by the other day. She was really friendly, and I had the impression that both of them got along great. They both go up completely into those cute books our Elodie reads. I'm sure everything will be just fine.”

At least it wasn't some rich boy. Those pesky brats can't be trusted. I would rather die than entrust a cute girl like Fien to a boy like that.

“B-but they are both girls. Fien shouldn't be like that. This is all Mark's fault for buying her those stupid books. I knew I shouldn't have let her go and sell that stupid fan story she wrote.”

Now I felt offended. Charlotte knew about my wedding plans. Unfortunately, getting mad here, wouldn't help Fien, so I said:

“Now listen Charlotte, you raised Fien to be a strong and smart girl. I've seen her make pretty responsible decisions in the time she was here. Shouldn't you trust her? I am sure she wouldn't do anything she doesn't want to do, and it is not like she is going alone, Elodie was invited too.”

I heard Charlotte sigh.

“You know that if she messes up, it could cost me and Mark our careers. Everything we worked so hard for.”

Now we were getting to the true heart of the matter. Charlotte and her precious career.

“I am sure we can trust Fien. She has a lot of good friends she can trust.”

While I was saying those words, Fien entered through the front door, followed by Mia, a tough-looking delinquent type of girl. Even though she had been here, and had been very nice, I knew of her reputation. Why were these two suddenly acting like the best of friends?

“Thank you for teaching me all that stuff on how to interact with Maura tonight!” Fien said to Mia.

My jaw dropped. I just reassured Charlotte, but trouble seemed to be on the horizon. I needed to check what that is all about this instant!

“Sandra, what is going on? Is that Fien I am hearing?”

I can't tell her what just happened. I need to solve this myself.

“N-nothing to worry about. I will call you back later.”

I put down the phone and made my way to Fien and Mia. Mia greeted me politely and said “Thank you for the other day. I promised Fien to help her get ready for the ball.”

I looked worried at Fien, but she seemed really happy at the prospect. Fien must have noticed my worry and said.

“Don't worry. Mia might look tough, but inside she is really sweet. She is always helping people! She also helped Elodie and Eline make up by talking to Elodie. She's one of my best friends.”

The tough Mia suddenly looked really shy at all the praise Fien was giving her, and I could see a different kind of character in her.

“You really did that for my Elodie?” I asked Mia.

Mia nodded and said a bit shy “It was nothing really. I couldn't bear seeing her like that anymore.”

I felt a little tear rolling down my eye, and said “Thank you.” I took a step forward and embraced a completely surprised Mia. “You don't know how much that little gesture means to me. Whatever other people may say, you are always welcome in our family.”

Mia stood there blushing heavily at my compliment, it was clear to me she was not used to being thanked. I noticed a little smirk form on Fien's face, and then she said “Wanna go to my room, big sis?”

Mia staggered and said “S-so cute!” Fien took Mia by her hand and dragged her along to her room. When and how did Fien become such a player? If what I just witnessed was anything to go by, it wasn't Fien we should be worried about tonight, but Maura.

When a couple of minutes later Eline and Elodie entered, I had no choice but to put my worries about Fien to the side for a while.

These two were enthusiastically talking about the ball, so I called them over to give them their gifts.

When they saw the matching necklaces their eyes opened wide.

“You can open them, I engraved your names and the date on the backside, and you can put a picture inside. I wanted to take your picture once the two of you got dressed.”

Eline had a little tear in her eye and then embraced me.

She said, “Thank you, it's beautiful... m-mom.”

It was the first time she called me that. Just a simple word, but it meant the world to me. Eline was really doing her best to accept me as her stepmother. I was pretty sure I would remember this moment for the rest of my life. I couldn't be happier.

Elodie then hugged the both of us and said “Yes mom, it's fantastic. You shouldn't have.”

When they noticed all the make-up I got them, to match their dresses they became even more elated.

“Just promise me you will let me help you put it on.” I looked forward to dressing up my girls for their first fancy dress night by themselves.”

“Of course mom!” Elodie said.

But first, all of you will have to take a shower to wash away the sweat of the day. Tell Mia and Fien, when it is their turn.

The excitement I witnessed caused a lot of chaos in the house, but it was a nice kind of chaos.

When they came back from the shower, we started doing their makeup, before putting on their dresses, so that we would accidentally make spots on those beautiful silk dresses.

When I finished making Elodie pretty, I was surprised. I could no longer see the little child I knew, instead, there stood this pretty and impressive young woman in front of me, and with the way she looked at Eline, I could tell she was madly in love.

Eline also looked pretty and a lot more powerful with makeup on. Those two really complimented each other in every way.

After I put the finishing touches on both of them, they turned around and with a smirk on their face, they said together.

“Now it's our turn, mom”

Before I could protest, I was sitting in the chair, getting my make-up done. Eline said with a bright smile on her face”

“We know you are looking forward to a night alone with mom tonight. We will make you extra pretty for when she gets home.”