Chapter Thirty-Four Sophie
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sophie
"Almost done..." Sasha says, gently dusting my face with powder to set my makeup as I try not to fidget on the bathroom vanity bench.
When Bailey and Sasha had gotten here, Sasha had shaken Callum's hand and winked at me in approval as he helped her carry her bags of magic into the ensuite bathroom. Bailey demanded that Callum stay in the living room and get changed by seven sharp.
"Yes, General Banks, ma'am," Callum had saluted Bailey, kissing me quick and warm before leaving us to our girly chaos.
The butterflies in my stomach have become a wild storm since Sasha started my makeup. My hands tremble with restless energy, pink-tipped fingers twisting the robe ties and spinning my gold ring in nervous circles.
Bailey is applying a lotion that's making her skin glow from within.
Her Hollywood-style curls are pinned to perfection, and her makeup is flawlessly applied by Sasha—featuring gold shimmer on her eyes, sculpted eyebrows, and a bold berry lip that complements her dress.
She looks like she belongs in old Hollywood, the kind of beauty that can stop traffic.
"Bailey, you look incredible," I tell her, sincerely.
She beams and winks, "Just wait till Callum sees you."
"And... done," Sasha says at last, setting down her powder brush and handing me the mirror. "What do you think?"
Sasha delivered exactly what I asked: glowy skin, dusty rose lips, light winged liner, my familiar lashes, and natural-looking brows. My wig is curled and pinned, framing my face and highlighting my shimmery shoulders.
I smile, "You're a miracle worker, Sasha."
"No miracles," Sasha says, tossing a piece of hair over her shoulder, looking satisfied with herself and her work. "I just have the most beautiful canvases to work with."
Bailey and I pull our dresses out of their garment bags, and I smile when I see mine. Right now, I feel a little like Cinderella—only with no curfew and a bigger and better Prince Charming.
Sasha assists Bailey and me with our dresses and zips them up for us.
Bailey's dress is a rich berry pink with a sweetheart neckline that showcases 'the girls' in a very flattering way.
The dress is absolutely stunning, with rhinestone detailing on the bodice that shimmers whenever Bailey moves.
It clings to her waist, showing off her hourglass figure, and then gently tapers down to the floor with a high slit up the right side.
The matching sky-high heels make her legs appear a mile long.
For jewelry, she opted for gold pieces that adorn her neck and wrists, with her engagement ring glittering on her finger.
As for mine, it's a dusty rose color with an off-the-shoulder neckline. I almost opted for a high neckline to cover up my port, but then I figured that one place I could feel comfortable would be in a room full of people who have walked this same road in one way or another.
The structured bodice fits me like a second skin, hugging my hips and then cascading into subtle, layered ruffles that end above my ankles.
An open part on the left side showcases my legs and nude colored high heels.
The moonstone around my neck fits just right and actually matches the dress—and even if it didn't, I would wear it anyway because it's from Maeve and it gives me strength, confidence, and comfort.
The fabric is soft and comfortable, neither scratchy nor restrictive.
I'm all about comfort with my clothes these days.
The dress just feels romantic, sweet, and timeless—a classic Grace Kelly vibe.
I smile when I remember how Bailey had cried like I had found my wedding dress when I tried it on, and said it was the look on my face—a quiet confidence blooming the more I twirled in it.
A rush of gratitude overwhelms me—I feel beautiful, happy, and acutely aware of how precious this moment is. I owe it to the girl beside me, to Sasha and her generosity, to Michael for the invitation, and to his brother for making our weekend so special.
And most of all, I feel grateful to the man I love, waiting patiently outside for us to finish getting ready.
"Pictures! I need pictures," Sasha says, pulling out her phone and positioning Bailey and me like we're going to prom. Bailey and I pose together, smiling and giggling, blowing kisses at the camera before taking some more professional shots that Sasha can post on her Crown Craft social media page.
This moment, laughing with Bailey and Sasha as we take silly mirror photos, feels like pure girlhood, and I'm just so happy to experience this with these wonderful friends.
Grabbing my phone, I quickly send a picture to Tess, though she'll probably see it tomorrow morning when she wakes up.
Bailey sends a picture of us to a new group chat with our friends, excluding Callum, only because she wants us to have a first look moment in private.
We receive an immediate influx of texts.
Atticus: You guys look great! Have fun and be safe tonight!
Jane: Stunning!
Parker: bark bark bark bark bark
Tonya: ladies, remember: if your men don't treat you right, I will! (I know they treat you like the queens you are)
"Alright, angels. Have a wonderful time tonight," Sasha says, packing up the rest of her tools in her travel cases.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Bailey asks, hugging her tightly. "I'm sure Michael could get two more tickets."
"Girl, it's date night with Mr. Graham," Sasha laughs, the taller woman quickly adjusting a stray piece of Bailey's hair. "There's an eight-oz filet calling my name at Avenue."
Bailey says she'll walk her downstairs, but before she goes, Sasha hugs me and whispers, "Tonight is all about fun—no cancer, no worries. The battle will continue tomorrow, but tonight is all yours, Sophie."
"Thank you, Sasha," I say, forcing my tears back because I refuse to mess up this makeup she worked so hard on.
Sasha smiles at me, grabbing her two bags as Bailey follows her out, telling me that she'll meet us in front of the doors in fifteen minutes. I can hear them saying goodbye to Callum, and I take a moment to look in the mirror.
The woman staring back at me is beautiful.
There's no cancer, no sickness, no betrayal tainting her.
She's just a beautiful woman in a lovely dress about to have a fun-filled night with the man she loves.
She's getting the fairy tale—for tonight at least.
"Baby?"
His voice calling through the door has me smiling widely; the butterflies fluttering in my stomach slow to a halt.
It's as if my body just knows: Callum is here, all is well.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door to the bathroom and step into the bedroom. Callum stands at the foot of the bed, pulling lightly at the black tie around his neck, but turns when he hears me.
And freezes.
"Hello, handsome."
The look on his face is something I will remember for a long time.
He blinks, once, twice, as if he can't believe what he's seeing.
His mouth drops open, and I am so glad he didn't shave completely.
He trimmed and shaped his beard, but that gorgeous scruff that always tickles me is still there.
His hair is combed, and he has applied some pomade to keep it in place.
He's wearing a black suit and a bow tie that fits his large body perfectly.
I know he had gone to pick one out earlier this week while I was working, taking Atticus, Jane, and Bailey with him for approval.
"Sophie..." His voice cracks, and he clears it, trying again, but it cracks once more. "You..."
Twirling in my place, I hold my hands out and ask, "Do you like it?"
"God... you take the breath right out of me," he places a hand on his chest, walking closer to me.
Holding out his hands, I place mine in them, and his eyes melt over me from head to toe.
He exhales a little shaky, "Beautiful. So damn beautiful, and I don't even feel that's an apt word to describe how you look right now. "
"You look very handsome, my otter," I smile, before dropping my voice and teasing. "Very... Bond."
Callum ducks down to meet my eyes, lifts my hand to his lips, and asks in an exaggerated British accent, "Will you be my Bond girl, darling?"
"Always, Mr. Rhodes," I reply in a decidedly awful British accent, and it causes him to laugh and pull me into his embrace.
He holds me in his big arms for a long moment, and my eyes close at the feel of him, the smoky scent of him.
Comfort. Safety. Home. The two of us sway back and forth, enjoying this moment of peace and quiet.
Leaning down to kiss my forehead, he grins. "Come on. Bailey threatened bodily harm if I didn't get you downstairs in time."
Grabbing my pearl-colored clutch, I place my phone and ID in it, while Callum grabs his wallet and our room key.
"I feel like we're going to prom."
"I actually never went to my prom," he smiles, reaching out for my hand as we exit our room and walk toward the elevators.
"Really?"
"Jack, Oliver, and I decided to skip and went camping that weekend instead," Callum admits, smiling fondly at the memory.
"Jack had already enlisted and was leaving right after graduation, and Oliver was going across the country for college, so it would be one of the last times we were together for a while. "
I smile and rub my thumb across his knuckles, "That actually sounds like a lot more fun."
Callum laughs, "That was actually the first time I got drunk. Jack brought a handle of whiskey, and we all passed it around and just talked... about the future, our hopes and dreams—what we were going to do, who we were going to be..."
We reach the elevators, and I press the down button, curiosity blooming. "And... do you think you've achieved the future you hoped and dreamed for?"
Callum pauses, his expression flickering as he looks faraway. Then his lips curve into a slow smile, his eyes soft and shining as he looks at me.
"Not even my wildest dreams could have anticipated you, Sophie."