Chapter 3: Winter

After spending about thirty minutes in the tub, I decided to get out and get ready for the party. I went into the walk-in closet and sat down to start my make-up. I decided to go with light colors because I don't usually wear a lot a make-up. I used little eyeliner and mascara to make my emerald eyes pop and red matte lipstick. Once my make-up was finished, I started on my hair. I decided to just go with soft curls with one side pinned up.

I put my dress on and I loved how it fit every curve of my body. My dress was maroon velvet with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves. The gown was floor length and had a slit up the right thigh. I felt gorgeous. I finished the look with three inch black stilettos, silver snowflake earrings, and a small black clutch.

"Winter, are you ready?" I heard my mom yelling for me signaling it was time to go.

"Yes, I'm coming mom." I opened my bedroom door and walked out of my room. My mom was grabbing her purse when she turned around and saw me descend the stairs. Her jaw dropped and her eyes lit up.

"Oh Winter, you look absolutely stunning," she said softly. My cheeks turned red at the compliment. "Thank you momma, you look beautiful too." I retuned her compliment and meant every word. She wore a black silk dress with a v-neckline and long sleeves. Her dress came just above her knees and wore matching black pumps. Her hair was in a low bun with a loose strand of hair on each side curled to perfection.

We grabbed our jackets, linked arms, and walked to the car. Thank goodness there was salt on the walkway to melt the ice. I'd hate to fall and ruin my dress.

The drive to the party was only about five minutes. When we reached Mr. and Mrs. Conners home, which turned out to be a mansion, I was speechless. I have never seen anything like it before in my life just in pictures and movies. The outside was decorated accordingly. There were two sets of curved stone steps that led up to the front door. You would think royalty lived here. When we pulled up to the front of the steps, mom and I got out of the car and a young man approached my mother. She handed him the keys and he went and parked the car. "Fancy," I whispered to my mom who just smiled and winked at me.

Linking arms again, we made our way inside. Once inside there was a massive Christmas tree in the middle between two grand staircases covered in lighted garlands and red bows. The tree had to have been at least 20-feet. I have never seen a tree that big besides in a mall. I noticed white marble flooring all through the foyer leading back to I assume a hallway. I didn't get to look around much as my mother pulled me into a living area where a few people were mingling. There were a few ladies off to the side that kept looking at me and whispering. I just smiled and continued to follow my mom. We reached two men talking with each other. One had shoulder length hair that was wavy and the other had a clean cut with his hair slicked back.

"Excuse me, honey?" my mom said while gently touching the man with wavy hair's arm. The man turned around and gave my mom a loving smile. "Darling, this is my daughter Winter. Winter this is Jared," she introduced us and to say I was shocked at this man appearance is an understatement. He is sexy. Aside from his chestnut wavy hair, he has piercing blue eyes, nicely trimmed facial hair, a smile that could make a girl wet, and a body of a God. Go mom! "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Winter. I've heard a lot about you," Jared said while holding his hand out for me to shake. I grabbed his hand and gave him my best smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Jared. I haven't seen my mom this happy in a long time. Thank you for that," I said politely to him. My mom snuggled up in between his arm and chest and just smiled at him. "No need to thank me Winter, I haven't been happy in a long time until I met your mother." I could hear the sincerity in his voice when he spoke about my mom. "Winter", he continued, "This is Al-Mr. Pierce Conners, he's the...mayor of our little town." Mr. Conners was also a gorgeous man. He couldn't be more than 30 years old. Mr. Conners held his hand out for me to shake as well and I took his hand with the same smile I gave Jared.

"Winter, it's an honor to meet you. Welcome to Snow Storm!", Mr. Conners joyously said while shaking my hand. "My wife will be here in just a few moments. She went to make sure things are moving smoothly in the kitchen." The way he spoke about his wife and the tone he used made me jealous in a way. I could feel the love for his wife radiating off him and the love radiating off of Jared for my mother.

"Thank you for allowing me entrance to your community to be with my mom for the holidays. It is very kind of you. Your community is very beautiful." The sparkle in Mr. Conners eyes told me he is proud of the community they have.

"You will always be welcome here. Especially now that your mother will be officially a member of our town after her wedding." I could tell this man was very genuine. Before I could respond to him, he turned his head and his face lit up. I followed his gaze and was met with a very gorgeous woman. She had blonde hair with half up in a French braid and the rest was wavy around her shoulders. Her dress was a strapless sequin red with a sweetheart neckline and black heels. Mr. Conners held his hand out to her and she took it with grace. "My love, this is Winter, Donna's daughter and Jared's soon to be stepdaughter." As Mr. Conners introduced me, Mrs. Conners smiled at me and did something unexpected, she hugged me.

"It is so wonderful to finally meet you, Winter. You are as beautiful as your mom described." Mrs. Conners voice was so smooth like fine wine. "Welcome to our home." These people were so nice. I hope they let me move here.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Conners. I was just thanking Mr. Conners for allowing me into your community to spend Christmas with my mother. And to also be here for her wedding." I expected these people to be weird because my mother told me they don't like outsiders, but I can tell they are genuine.

"Nonsense, there's no need to thank us, dear. We are happy to have you here and we do hope you enjoy your time here as well."

After a little mingling, I noticed a bar and made my way over to it. "Can I get a champagne please?" I asked the bartender who only smiled and made my drink. When I got my drink, I took a sip and noticed another gentleman talking with my mom, Jared, and Mr. and Mrs. Conners. My mom waved me over, so I did as she asked. When I got closer, I got a whiff of the sweetest scent of cinnamon and apples. My favorite scents.

"Winter dear, this is Blake. Pierce and Gloria's son," my mother had a mischievous smile on her face when she said who he was. When he turned around, dear Lord, I about creamed myself. He is drop dead gorgeous. Short black hair, striking blue eyes, sharp jaw line, with neatly trimmed facial hair, and the muscles bulging out under his blazer was enough to make a girl cum. When he smiled and reached his hand out, I nearly had a heart attack.

"Pleased to meet you, Winter. The descriptions your mother have given of you do not do any justice." He said with a smile that stopped my heart. When I reached for his hand to shake it, an electric shock coursed between our hands.

"I am so sorry," I was embarrassed, way to go Winter, "it must be my dress that caused the static. It's very nice to meet you as well."

As much as I love this dress, I'm regretting wearing it because I just made a fool of myself.