Instead, I change the topic. "How are you?"

She hesitates. "I'm better... I finally told Calvin about the baby and he's ecstatic that we are going to be parents."

"See, I told you, he'd be happy," I remind her. "You're not alone in this."

Raven surprises me by saying. "Yeah. You have people who love you and who are happy to welcome your baby into the family."

Piper smiles, and for the first time since we all reunited, it's a real, genuine smile.

I take her hand and squeeze. “Seriously, Piper. You're not alone."

Her eyes water. "Thank you."

After a beat, and without really thinking, I ask, "Do you want to get ready with us?"

She looks surprised. "Really?"

"Really."

She nods quickly, wiping under her eyes. "Yes. I'd like that."

Raven clasps her hands together dramatically. "Perfect. Three women. One ball to survive. One ex-best-friend redemption arc. And one emotionally traumatized Luna- in-progress who is not allowed to hyperventilate on my watch."

I throw a brush at her. She ducks.

We settle into an easy rhythm. The three of us sitting together takes me back to the days when Piper would do my makeup and hair and force me to go to a party.

I held on to my resentment for so long, but if I were being honest, underneath that resentment and pain, I missed her. She was like a sister to me, and it pained me that our bond shattered because of betrayal.

Slowly though, I'm starting to heal. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I think I'd like her in my life. Having three best friends doesn't sound all that bad.

Raven starts curling my hair, muttering about volume and goddess energy. Piper assists with makeup, and I'm not even surprised at how good she is... She was always good, unlike me, but now it seems she leveled up over the years.

Aspen, who came to find me minutes after Piper came, sits on the bed, swinging her feet, watching us with her big curious eyes.

"Mommy looks like a princess," she announces. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs FіndNovel.net

Heat floods my face. "Thank you, baby."

She squints seriously at Raven. "Are princesses allowed to fight monsters?"

"Only the prettiest ones," Raven says without missing a beat.

"Why do you ask, Ash?" Piper asks her.

She answers with a shrug, “Because I want to be a princess and fight monsters."

"Then that's exactly what you will be, my love."

Aspen beams. “Just like Mommy?"

"Just like Mommy," She replies with a soft smile.

After they are done, Piper unzips the garment bag carefully, and my breath catches.

The dress is stunning... Elegant, soft,

and regat. Not overly revealing but shaped perfectly to my body, a shimmering shade between pear! and moonlight.

"You okay?" Piper asks quietly.

I swallow. "Yeah..."

Raven gestures wildly. "Put it on before you faint."

I step into the bathroom and slip it on, and when I come out, all of them gasp

"Oh my Goddess,” Piper whispers, hand over her mouth.

Raven whistles. "If Alec doesn't pass out, I will."

I stare at myself. The dress hugs my curves perfectly, the fabric catching the light like liquid silver. I don't look like the broken girl from a few nights ago or the tomboy 1 look powerful beautiful and elegant

A faint smile finds its way to my lips. "Okay... maybe I like it."

"Of course you do," Raven says,

applying the final touches to her net

“This dress is amave

eyeliner

“Anyone feel like this is prom, only without the shitty music or the terrible boys?" Piper asks.

Raven snorts. "Yeah. Just three traumatized women... what could go wrong?"

We burst into laughter.

It feels nice. Strange, but nice.

Just then, footsteps sound outside the door.

A knock follows, then a familiar voice.

"Sadie?" King calls. "Can I come in?"

Raven grins wickedly. "Our royal bodyguard has arrived.”

I roll my eyes but feel warmth bloom in my chest.

"Come in," I call out.

The door swings open and King freezes when he sees us.

"Goddess," he murmurs. "You all look incredible."

We grin at him, and after saying goodbye to Aspe, King asks to accompany us to the ball. We say yes.

As we make our way downstairs, I can't help thinking just how interesting this night is going to be.