Lisa's P.O. V.
We have everything slowly going towards Calliope's adoption. We were just waiting on the court date now. I don't understand why it's so damn hard to adopt a kid. Still, I'm trying not to complain, because I have a daughter now. She's mine, my sweet girl.
"Calliope, are you ready to go?" I called up to her in her room.
Calliope's tastes in fashion have become more bold and girly. She's been coming out of her shell more and more, especially after opening up to us. She still sees her psychologist and therapist once a week, and she's doing brilliantly at school.
"Ready, Mommy."
She stood at the top of the stairs, a picture of utter perfection. She had on a sweet pink floral dress and her favorite pink shoes, that didn't really match the style of the dress. No way am I denying her favorite shoes.
"Let's go buy me a wedding dress." I smiled at her, having her grab my hand when she was on the last step.
She jumped with an excited smile. I have been having her help me with the planning of Davis and my wedding. We decided it wouldn't be as grand as Lucas and Liv's, but still beautiful. There was a spot in New York a little ways away that was just perfect. Great views, beautiful reception area, lovely nature feel for the ceremony area too. It was just perfect. We went and looked at it all together and decided it would be the place.
Today we are meeting my mom and Liv to shop for dresses. There was a small boutique with a seamstress that made the loveliest gowns. She wasn't as well known as the name brands, but I fell in love with her dresses years ago. I always pictured her making my dress. When I called her the day after Davis proposed, she was excited and told me she would pick out some options she thought I would like and design a dress for me as well. So today we'll be looking at those. I don't need a shop with a million dresses, just a seamstress that knows me well enough to give me 3-4 amazing options.
Calliope skipped along the sidewalk as we walked from the subway station. She enjoys taking the subway more than my car, so I've become a more frequent subway traveler now. This will be the first time she's meeting Mom, Liv and Lucas. Lucas will only be staying to meet Calliope then he's leaving. They've been dying to meet her, but I was worried about introducing her to the family too soon. Everything is going so smoothly here lately that I feel now is the perfect time.
"Are you ready to meet my family?"
"Yes. I've never had an uncle or aunt or grandma before. Or a cousin!" She skipped merrily as she spoke, sounding excited about the whole thing.
"Well you do now. They are going to love you. Also Lucas may have tattoos, but don't let it fool you, he's a softie." I winked at her as I opened the door to a hidden gem of a shop. It wasn't large, but it wasn't miniscule either. It was the perfect size for her and her dresses.
"Lisa!" Avery greeted me with a smile and kiss on the cheek. "I am so excited for you! I just finished putting the dress I designed for you together. I will lay all the choices out for you to try, but I won't tell you which one I designed. I don't want you to feel influenced to choose it. You're family is waiting for you back there."
"Thank you, Avery."
"Oh, and who is this?" She asked, placing her hands on her days and leaning forward to be
more on Calliope's level.
"This is my daughter, Calliope."
It was the first time I had uttered that sentence and it made me so completely happy. The joy I felt was unlike any other. She's my daughter.
"Your daughter?" She questioned.
"We're adopting her."
"That's so wonderful! Congratulations to you two, on more than one occasion."
We headed to the back with the largest smiles on our faces. Mom was sitting on the couch, holding Abi, making faces at her to try and make her laugh. Rose was sitting on the other end, watching them with smile, while Lucas sat on the arm of the couch beside hee with his hand on her small baby bump. He looked tired and I was sure it was his worry for her health that was keeping him up at night.
"I see my niece is still getting all the attention." I alerted them all to my presence. "I'll dote on my new niece the way you dote on our Abi," Liv assured me. "Everyone, meet Calliope, my daughter."
I really like saying that.
"Hi, Calliope, I'm Liv. I was crazy enough to marry into this family." She spoke first, smiling sweetly at my girl. "You're so beautiful, and look we both have curly hair!"
"I like your hair, it's a pretty color," Calliope complemented her, being kind as usual.
"I'm sure she's told you lots of things about me, probably all untrue, by the way. I'm Lucas, her brother, your now uncle." He smiled at her, slightly bowing his head. "I'll be the one you annoy
and prank people with. Don't worry, I will make sure you have a wild strong spirit like my girls." He winked at Rose with that, making her smile and roll her eyes as usual.
"I'm your grandmother, Sarah. It's so nice to finally meet you Calliope. I have been dying for time with my granddaughter. It's not fair your mother had been hogging you this whole time. Don't worry we'll fix that." Mom said with her dazzling smile. There's no resisting that smile of hers.
Calliope got shy as they all spoke to her. It was a lot of people, but when the focus shifted back to dress shopping, she relaxed again. Lucas left, taking Abi, with a promise of stealing Calliope for a playdate soon. I don't think he meant with Abi either. I can just picture the shenanigans that he's going to get into with her. She'll love every minute of it, I'm sure.
Avery had laid out 4 dresses for me. 2 were A line dresses and the other two were mermaid dresses. She knew I hate poofy and frilly. They were all a silky white material with variations in style and embroidery. They were all beautiful. I knew it was going to be hard to choose.
I tried on one of the mermaid gowns first. It had a court tulle train that flared out at the bottom. There was v-neck but it wasn't too deep that it was deemed slutty. It was elegant and had long lace and sheer sleeves. It fit me so perfectly, like it was made for me. Was this the one she designed with me in mind?
"It's lovely," Mom gushed. She had been misty eyed the entire time. "My only daughter is getting married!"
Next was the A-line dresses. This one was interesting as it had a court train but then it also had this almost cape I would call it. It was attached at the off shoulder sleeves, falling down over the dress as a second train almost. It has lace sleeves and bodice. The only remarkable thing about it was the cape like thing.
"Which one, this one or the one before? I kind of like this one more," I said, running my hands along the material over me.
"I agree." Liv nodded, staring at my reflection in the mirror as I looked at myself, too. "You look very pretty, Mommy."
"Thank you my love."
I tried on the other mermaid dress next. This dress took my breath away with its beauty. It had thin lace straps that lead to a stunning lace bodice. The material hugged the curves of my body just right. The intricate lace detailing is delicate and feminine, adding a touch of romance to the overall design.
The bodice was fitted, and flared out into a full skirt, creating a flattering and timeless look. The skirt was made of luxurious satin fabric that draped beautifully, creating a soft and flowing effect. It featured a court train that added a touch of drama and sophistication to the overall design. The train is long enough to make a statement, but not so long that it becomes difficult to manage.
I didn't even have to look at the last dress. This was the one, I just knew it. When I stepped out and saw everyone's eyes, I knew they were feeling the same way. Calliope smiled so brightly at me that I nearly cried. I loved seeing her look at me that way ...with love.
"Oh, Lisa," mom cried with misty eyes as her emotions got the better of her. "This is the dress, isn't it?"
I nodded my eyes feeling a strong wave of emotions pass through me. It was hard to put into words, but it was like everything was just falling into place. I had somehow managed to get a man I didn't even know I needed. He is my dream come true, a manifestation of a perfect man catered just for me.
"You've always looked good in white." Liv smirked at me, but I didn't miss the twinkle in her eyes.
"This is the dress."
I am marrying my dream soon.