Chapter 180: Have a Ball: Hannah
The next two weeks passed much better than we thought they would.
We found a lovely little rhythm that made things much more bearable with not being able to leave the house.
We kept our work routine from before, waking up early to work out, eat, shower, and dress.
We would go our separate ways to work, then would meet up for lunch and spend our evenings together. We bounced between date nights of making dinner together and watching movies, and having more quiet nights with Geoffrey preparing dinner and curling into bed together with work or reading.
It honestly wasn’t so bad, especially with frequent visits from our family. It helped break up any monotony that we may have started to feel. Same with business meetings for Roman, and my twice weekly therapy with Tara.
For what it was worth, I felt better about it all than I had really anticipated being. There was a sort of calmness about it all and I was grateful for it. It was definitely routine and family keeping us sane.
Before I knew it, it was the night before the gala.
Once Lori and our brothers set up the art, they all came over with Lauren to spend the night and prep for the big day. We were hesitant to still have it, but Marcus and Ed were meant to be back the day after; and we had just about as many security guards as we had guests going. So, it was still on. It was exciting and nerve wracking all at once.
We had a family dinner before piling into one of the family rooms. Lori took to placing curlers into my hair, ones that were foamy and comfortable to sleep in, while Lauren braided Lori’s hair. Freddy and Edward resumed their usual argument about what to watch. It was cute and somehow comforting.
It was so normal, even when things felt anything but. I promised myself to make the most of the gala. It was something we had all been looking forward to and it was the debut of my charity.
In the midst of it all, Roman entered the room with a huge box in hand.
"What’s that?" I asked.
"Oh, a little something that came in the mail," he informed me.
My interest was piqued, but I couldn’t move as Lori had me in her grip.
I watched as he unfolded something, and Freddy and Edward moved to help. They all moved to turn it around, and I gasped.
It was a massive banner with the charity name and logo on it; something I had just nailed down two days ago.
Women Helping Women, with five of the female symbols interlocked and a single twig of forget-me-not looped around it in a circle. The five symbols represented: safety, shelter, resource, healing, and support. I had worried that it would be too busy, but the artist made it look so clean and simple. It was perfect.
"When did you order these?" I asked, finally getting out of Lori’s grasp to go over.
"I overnighted them," Roman winked.
"There’s business cards with all the social medias you set up, email, and phone number. Keychains, mugs, pens, that sort of stuff. In the other room are about five thousand napkins and coasters with it on there too. Once you approve it, neon signs will be crafted for the building."
I grinned and gave him a kiss. "You’re too good to me. This is a perfect surprise," I breathed to him.
"Get a room," Freddy huffed.
I rolled my eyes and hit him playfully. I kissed Roman again and took the box of merchandise to sit down with as Lori finished my hair.
I couldn’t believe he had managed to get all if that prepared in just a day. It would be fantastic to be able to give out at the gala to help spread the word. Maybe
I could go around and leave some of the pens at the local banks and businesses. That would be a great way to spread the word and start gathering a reputation.
My only hope was that in a matter of weeks, the charity would be up and running. We still had to finish up the apartments and finish gathering all the supplies and staff. We were so close to the finish line, though. It was just a matter of a few formalities.
"I’ll take some wine in one of those mugs," Lori giggled.
Lauren leaned forward as I held out a mug for Lori, and splashed some of the wine from her cup.
"When did you get wine!?" Lori asked in a fit of laughter.
"When don’t I have wine?" Lauren giggled.
"Well, thanks for FINALLY sharing," Lori teased.
"Hey! What about us?" Freddy and Edward asked in unison.
"I’ll go get some drinks," I announced once Lori put in the last roller.
Standing back up, I moved out to the kitchen. I grabbed down a serving tray and loaded it down with a couple bottles of wine, a few beers, and a variety of snacks leftover from the last movie night. Pizza was still on the way. It was so fun and different to have a little sleepover before a big event. It was exciting.
"You are adorable," Roman mentioned as he came in behind me. He grabbed my hand and twirled me around. I laughed as he swung us into a little dance.
"I am officially your old lady," I joked, feeling a bit foolish with rollers in my hair and pajamas on.
I knew that Lori had been rather upset that we had to cancel our salon appointments, but it wasn’t the end of the world. We all knew enough about hair to still be stunning. Besides, nail technicians would be there in the morning to give us manicures and pedicures before the event. It was something else I was looking forward to.
"I wouldn’t want any other old lady," he grinned.
We continued our little dance to no music, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I loved the way that we could have all the worries melt away into the background and still have a good time. It was nice to pretend that things were normal and as if we were just choosing to stay in. And honestly, in that moment, there wasn’t anywhere else I would rather be.
"I love you," I breathed.
"I love you too," he grinned.
"I’m so happy for you. Tomorrow is the first stepping stone to the future of your endeavor."
"I know," I smiled.
"Are you sure you’re okay with it? Do you think we’re safe?"
"I think so," Roman nodded. "There hasn’t been any developments here. Wanna call Ed and Marcus and ask if they have any reservations?"
I nodded. "I think it’d be good to have their blessing."
Roman pulled out his phone and dialed one of their numbers and put it on speaker.
"Everything okay?" Marcus asked as he picked up.
"Yeah, we just wanted to check in. The gala we have is tomorrow. Wanted to make sure it was okay."
"I mean..." there was a pause. "We haven’t heard anything on our end. Hasn’t been any new developments ... While that means that our guy hasn’t been caught, no news is good news. So long as you have security tight and plentiful, I say have a ball." The tone of his voice indicated he thought he had made a pun.
"You do know galas and balls are different, right?" Roman asked him.
Marcus cleared his throat. "Well, have fun. We’ll be there day after tomorrow."
"See ya," Roman snickered and hung up the phone. He tugged me by my waist. "Well, well, well. I guess we get to have our fun."
"I can’t wait," I grinned.
"I can’t wait to see your dress since you’ve been keeping it secret," he said with narrowed eyes.
I rolled my eyes and stuck out my tongue at him. "Help me with this tray."
We carried it together into the family room and smiled at our little family. Things might not have been perfect, but damn it if they didn’t feel that way. We settled in and passed drinks and snacks around as we waited on the pizza. Chatter and laughter filled the room constantly. There wasn’t any place I would rather be. Even with all going on, it felt like the happiest place on earth.
There was a thought that ran across my mind as one of the guards brought in the pizzas; Roman had ordered enough for the security team as well. Where was Kristen? Would she be joining us tonight? Would she be at the gala?
Our last talk ran through my mind, but I tried to shake it. Wherever she was, I hope she was okay. I worried we should have invited her shopping. Would she come? Had Lori heard from her?
Worrying would get me nowhere. I could hope the best for her, but my thoughts needed to be on the gala.
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