Playing With Fire

My hand gripped tight around the handle of Kyler's carrier and I held my jacket up to shield myself and Kyler from the rain. She was sound asleep and I was grateful. All last night she was waking up every hour for no reason. Once inside the building I shook my jacket off and hung it up on the hook. Val was at the counter talking to the lady that was there.

"We are here for an appointment for an Everleigh Glosen," she smiled at the lady and the lady looked through the computer and smiled.

"Alright, follow me. Stephanie will be with you shortly," the lady said after she led us to the showroom.

"Did you pick out your dress?" Val asked.

"I did, but it wasn't a final decision, so I am looking at a few options today," I answered and unbuckled Kyler.

"Why didn't you leave her with Brian?" Val asked.

"Because Brian told me last night that the studio wants to get as much recording and editing done before the wedding and everything as possible, so they are recording again today," I said.

"That is every day this week. Matt is already exhausted as it is," Val sighed and crossed her legs.

"Well the new album isn't gonna record itself," I laughed.

"It's a 'resurrection' of their first album, how much do they have to record?" She rolled her eyes and I smiled. I picked up Kyler from her carrier and put her on my shoulder. She was still asleep and I hopefully will keep it that way.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry I am late!" I heard Eric call from behind us.

"It's OK Eric, Stephanie hasn't even come in yet. Who else is gonna be here?" I asked.

"Me," I heard from behind me and I turned quickly. Shannon was standing there.

"Hey, I didn't know you were coming," I said as I stood to give her a hug. She wrapped her arm around me carefully and we hugged for a second.

"I wanna be there for my baby sister's big day," she smiled and sat down next to Eric.

"Well thank you," I said with a smile. The sound of heels clicking on the floor came from the hallway and then Stephanie was standing in front of us.

"Good afternoon everyone. We're here for a final dress fitting slash dress decision?" She looked at me and I nodded.

"Let's go start with the one you tried on before this little one was here," she ran her finger along Kyler's cheek. I smiled and carefully handed her to Eric before walking out of the room.

"So who's here with you today?" Stephanie asked.

"My maid of honor Val, my best friend Eric and my older sister Shannon," I answered and she smiled.

"How come your sister isn't your maid of honor?"

"We were estranged for a long time and we are just now reconnecting. I am closer to Val so," I said and she handed me the underdress and I changed into it.

"Ok, I know we are going to have to fix the middle part, since you were like six months pregnant when you tried this on but we will fix it," Stephanie mumbled to me and helped me get into the dress. As she pulled it up I felt the overwhelming emotion of happiness and awe. I can't believe I am actually getting married. I thought I would be a wild, partying, single lady for the rest of my life, but I met Brian and, well now I'm getting married next month.

"If we pull it here," she pulled on the dress and the corset and fit it to my body and clipped it to hold it.

"It's beautiful. Let's go show your people," Stephanie smiled and helped me carry the back of the dress to the room. When I walked in they all stopped talking and I heard a variety of gasps.

"Oh my gosh Ever, you look beautiful," I heard Eric say quietly.

"I don't know if I want to try another dress on," I said as I looked at myself in the mirrors.

"So is this your decision?" Stephanie asked and I stared at the mirror for a second before nodding.

"I think so," I said and she smiled.

"Alright, let's go get the measurements and such," she pulled me from the stand and back into the room. I took off the dress and she got to measuring my stomach, my hips, my bust, my arms, and my height.

"How tall are you going to be in your dress?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, how tall are your shoes?" She asked.

"Oh, the heel is a six inch heel," I said and she nodded while writing down the number.

"Alright, we will get the dress fixed and the right size for you. We recommend coming in at the most a week before the wedding to get the final final fitting," she set the notebook down and I nodded.

"That's fine. I'll probably come like two or three days beforehand to get the final fitting," I told her and she smiled.

"Alright, well I know you are gonna look beautiful on your big day. Are you getting the bridesmaids dresses today as well?" She asked.

"No, that appointment is one friday. One of my bridesmaids isn't in the state today," I said. She nodded and we walked out of the room and back to my group. Once back out by them I grabbed my purse and the carrier.

"Am I carrying Kyler?" Eric asked.

"Why not," I said and we all walked out of the building.

"Are we going back to my place or are we done for the day?" I asked.

"I have to get back home to my daughter, but I will be here Friday," Shannon said her goodbye and left.

"I'm gonna come chill at your place," Eric said as he put Kyler in the carrier and then into the car.

"I should probably go get River before they all go recording stuff," Val said and left.

"Ok, I'll see you at my place," I told Eric as I climbed in my car and left.


Once back at my house I saw an unfamiliar car in the driveway next to Brian's. I parked my car and got Kyler out of the car and walked into the house.

"Brian?" I called and then Brian appeared from the family room.

"Hey Ever, so there is someone here to see you," he said.

"Who is it?" I asked as I set down my purse on the table.

"Your brother," Brian answered and I felt my jaw drop. My brother?

Notes

Ok, so I am sorry for the non-update yesterday. I went to my uncles birthday party and was there all day and I got tired last night. Sorry. But in the next chapter you get to meet Ever's brother. His name is Christopher. I named him after my brother. Yeah, hope you like it. I changed my mind and I am giving you all like eight more chapters. The wedding chapter(s) is going to be a three part thing. Part one is the night before and Ever getting ready on the day, part two is the actual ceremony and the pictures, and lastly part three is the reception and the awesome stuff. So I am excited! I hope you are too!

~Dallas