Three

It's been three weeks since Lacey had been working for the Hespsters. The loved her and she loved them. She was excited as schools were to go on holiday soon. Sydney would be busy with her modeling and Lacey was not looking forward to staying alone during the break. Her job was saving her from that. 

She wore a big smile when she walked in. She arrived around eight in the evening. She had to help Syd with her last minute trip. Syd was staying with her parents for the weekend and she refused to pack earlier. She was surprised to here shuffling. The house was normally quiet. 

"Dear!" Merinda attacked her in a hug, "I'm so glad you're here. The boys need help". "Of course" Lacey smiled before moving upstairs. "Whoa!" She paused. Their rooms were messes. Suit jackets, pants and ties were everywhere. "What happened here?" She asked them. They were both in Nathan's room. "Mom!" They announced like it was rehearsed.

Lacey grabbed the maroon jacket and gave it to Josh, "this is your color", she said, "how about we find the shirt and tie. I'll get back to you Nathan". Nathan nodded as he continued digging through the piles. Lacey and Josh picked a dark blue button down shirt, and a maroon tie. Lacey picked out his fanciest black covered shoe. She had no idea why they were dressing up but it seemed pretty important.

She gave Nathan a dark blue suit jacket with a black shirt and a blue tie. "You guys go down", she said once they were dressed, "I'll clean this up. Your Mom...can you stop tugging the tie, Josh?" "It's strangling me!" He whined. Nathan and Lacey burst out in laughter. "Boy?!" Merinda yelled. Lacey looked panicked. "You do not want me to come up there!" She yelled again. 

The boys ran down as Lacey tried to tidy the room. She was almost done when Merinda entered the room. "We'll be on our way shortly", she said, "Josh managed to pull it off. Can you help?" "Sure" she smiled as they both walked out. "Little troublemaker", she chuckled, "I'll make it loose this time". "You are more than a lifesaver". Merinda hugged her, "to the car boys". 

They scrambled out. "Goodness! I must be delaying you", Merinda frowned, "I was so caught up with my own needs that I didn't think twice". Lacey raised her brows in confusion. "You did bring your dress, right?"

"I am so lost. A dress? What for?"

Merinda gasped. "The ball, of course".

"I'm still not following".

"The royal ball for the Prince's birthday. We've been invited and so is every elite young lady in England".

"That's a lot of people and I had no idea". Merinda gasped again. "We can't have that", she said, "you're part of the family. Do you have a formal dress? I can make arran..." "I have a dress in the flat", Lacey cut her short. She would never forgive herself if she let Merinda stress for a ball that she would not be attending. 

Merinda was a great mother and she read in between Lacey's words. "If you do not show up", she was stern, "you can forget about my kind nature. I would scold you badly". "I promise". Lacey gulped. Merinda smiled and hugged her. "You'll be perfect". She whispered to Lacey's confusion.

Lacey waved them off. She contemplated going back to the flat but Syd was gone. "Hello Gal" Sydney yelled after she picked up the phone. "Are you high again?" Lacey rolled her eyes. "Most certainly not! You would be on your way to the morgue by now". Sydney laughed.

"I need your help".

"With what?" Syd became serious.

"Merinda is making me attend the royal ball that I had no idea of and I need a dress".

"Poor you! We actually got an invite but my parents are worried that I would get drunk and embarrass myself. That's why I'm not going".

"The dress?"

"Right! Sorry sweetie but I threw out all my ball dress. Highly uncomfortable if you ask me". "You did what?!" Sydney's mom screamed in the background. "Tartar sauce! I've got to go, Lacey", Sydney apologized, "I have another boring speech waiting". "I heard that!" Her Mom yelled before she hung up. 

"Great! I made a promise to go to a stupid ball and now, I have no dress". She complained to herself.  She kicked the trash can in front of her in frustration. A can of Reezes (a blackcurrant soda) peaked its head. It reminded her of her Granny. Granny would condemn it each time she bought one. She threatened to never hug Lacey if she kept drinking it. 

Lacey smiled at the memory before it clicked. She got a cab and was on her way. She payed the driver and knocked on the door. When she got no answer, she knocked again. "I heard you the first time", her granny's nagging voice said, "I'm certain it's those nosy neighbors again. Always bothering me with tasteless cakes. Cannot even serve a decent cup..." She paused once she realized that it was her granddaughter.

Lacey found herself trapped in a bone crushing hug. "My dearest!" Granny Vee was excited, "come in! You'll catch a cold". Lacey smiled at her. She hadn't visited in months. She didn't want Granny Vee to find out that she was struggling. The old lady was better off without stress. "Before you offer me anything", Lacey went straight to the point, "I need a dress for the royal ball and I'm pretty much late. Merinda is forcing me to attend".

Granny Vee gave her a big wrinkled face smile. Lacey looked around to find what was making her so happy. "Come with me". Was all she said and Lacey obeyed.  On the woman's bed was the most beautiful dress Lacey had ever seen. It was grayish white cloud dress. "How did..." She couldn't even ask her question. The shock was holding her breath. "I didn't", Granny Vee shrugged, "the dress fell out of my closet this morning and I have been awfully busy to put it away". 

Lacey changed into it quickly. She loved everything about it. Granny ordered her to take a seat. She styled Lacey's brownish blonde hair into a tight bun. She added a few butterfly clips to her hair. She also applied a little makeup to her face. "Gorgeous! Open your eyes". Granny stepped back to admire her work.

Lacey swallowed her words. She looked amazing. Lacey never cared about 'looking good'. Guys weren't her priority. Ever. "This is fantastic, Granny", she finally found her voice, "thank you". She was about to run out when Granny Vee coughed. "Aren't you forgetting something?" She asked.

Lacey traced her eyes to her feet. "Oh!" She smacked her forehead when she noticed. "I am starting to believe that this was your destiny". Granny went to her closet. "Please. Don't tell me you believe in all these fate and soulmate shit?" "I do believe in them", Granny turned around, "that dress mysteriously fell out today. I haven't laid my eyes on it in over fifteen years. The same with this".

She revealed the glass heels to her. "It's a bit old", she blew the dust off, "but it was a Piranha in Africa in those days. Best 10 pounds I ever spent". Lacey slipped it on. "Like a glove" she commented. "Don't thank me now", Granny shushed her before she began, "you have to go. A black cab is parked outside. He owes me a favor or two". Lacey checked her phone. She had spent an hour. Merinda must be worried.

"Don't stay too long!" Granny yelled. "Trust me, midnight won't meet me", Lacey chuckled, "thanks Granny. Love you!" She ducked into the cab. "Where to?" The driver asked. "The Palace please". Was her reply