17
E leanor wished she could sleep in, but already her phone was ringing. Yesterday had been a whirlwind. Aside from fielding questions about the ballroom dancing dome (she had yet to speak to Christopher), she managed a welcome booth at the hotel for the judges and dancers from out of town.
She also checked in with the band, the caterers, the Snowflake Sugar Shop, Caleb, the local TV station, a ballroom dancing YouTube channel, and made sure the banners for the sponsors were ready.
All Eleanor required now was a week off. Instead, she answered the phone.
“El, it's Viv. I'm back from my daughter's, so put me to work.”
It was such a relief to hear her friend's voice. “Will do. I actually need your help with assigning partners. As you know, the professional couples are going to stay with their partners, but for everyone else, we are going to assign partners randomly. I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but it's what the committee wanted.”
“Sure. Do I need to worry about the food in my fridge? How long was the power out?”
“Only over night.”
“Okay good.” Vivian paused. “So are you not even going to mention the giant dome?”
“It wasn't me. It was Christopher and Martin's workers, I assume. No one was more surprised than me, but it works, so I'm not complaining.”
“Wonderful. See you soon. Oh, and I'll bring my gown so we can leave together.”
Hanging up, Eleanor entered her guest room. She gazed at the dress hanging there. Eleanor had scoured the internet for the perfect dress and knew this was the one from the moment she saw it. The fabric, a deep midnight blue, seemed to capture the essence of a star-studded night sky.
She ran her fingers along the bodice, which, made of luxurious stretch velvet, would hug her torso comfortably, providing support and allowing freedom of movement. It featured a sweetheart neckline, tastefully accentuating her decolletage without being overly revealing. Delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves made of sheer mesh added a touch of graceful maturity.
From the waist, the skirt flared out dramatically, perfect for twirls and spins. Layers of chiffon in varying shades of dark blue created depth and movement reminiscent of ocean waves under moonlight.
But the true magic of the dress lay in its embellishments. Silver and crystal beading, meticulously hand-sewn, adorned the bodice and scattered down the skirt like a cascade of stars. They would sparkle brilliantly under the ballroom lights, creating a mesmerizing effect as she moved.
The overall effect was one of timeless sophistication, exactly what she had wanted. So why was she so nervous?
Eleanor picked up a picture of Carl. “Am I making a fool of myself?”
***
Eleanor and Vivian arrived at the dome two hours before the competition began, carrying the large whiteboard listing the dance teams. And while Eleanor knew what the decorating team had in order, nothing prepared her for the interior of the dome. It was as if she and Vivian had stepped into a different world.
The dome's interior had been transformed into a breathtaking night sky. Thousands of twinkling lights mimicked a blanket of stars, while a full moon, an ingenious projection, cast a silvery glow over the entire space. The effect was mesmerizing. It was as if the roof had disappeared altogether, leaving the ball open to the heavens.
In the center of the dome stood the town Christmas tree, its towering presence both grounding and awe-inspiring. But unlike the Thanksgiving decorations it had donned yesterday, the tree was covered with cascading strands of silver mistletoe and delicate, crystalline moon and star ornaments that caught and reflected the artificial moonlight. The overall effect was a shimmering, ethereal vision that bridged the gap between the town's Christmas tradition and the ball's celestial theme.
Surrounding the tree, the town square had been converted into an elegant ballroom. Caleb had laid a smooth, polished surface that gleamed like ice under the faux moonlight. Tables draped in midnight blue linens were artfully arranged around the perimeter, each centerpiece a miniature representation of the grand tree, but sculpted sugar and draped in edible mistletoe and tiny, moon-shaped chocolate ornaments.
Eleanor grabbed Vivian's hand and moved further into the space. They noticed how the light shifted and changed, sometimes bright as if illuminated by a full moon, other times dimming to create the romantic atmosphere of a moonlit garden. The interplay of light and shadow added an element of mystery and allure, creating an ideal setting for a night of dance and, perhaps, romance.
The dome's transformation was so complete, so magical, Eleanor noted that everyone inside it spoke in hushed tones, as if afraid to break the spell of Moonlight over Mistletoe.