Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Three Months Later

"Sebastian! I have to run over to Gladrags with Anne. It's the last fitting. Can you watch the twins?" I yelled upstairs to him as Anne and I were getting ready to go out the door.

"Yes, love. Take Ernie with you." He called back.

I rolled me eyes. "Yes, dear." I sarcastically remarked. He always reminded me to take a guard with me even though I could never forget our new rules. Always take a guard. The only time I didn't have to was if I was with Seb. And not allowed to leave Hogsmeade without him either.

But the guards followed regardless. Anytime, I left the house, with or without Seb, they just automatically followed.

"But REALLY watch them!" I called back, resuming our conversation. The twins were moving everywhere. Standing now and pulling themselves around on the furniture. Plopping down on their bums.. Giggling loudly.

But there was almost a tumbling down the stairs on a daily basis that I had to thwart. I hope Seb knew that...

"Ok, Anne, let's go so we can get back before he lets them fall down the stairs or something." Anne laughed loudly and grasped my hand.

We made our way up the street, our arms linked. Ernie followed behind us casually. "Oh, Anne, the weather is beautiful! What a great spring this is! Your wedding is going to be amazing! The flowers are being delivered from London tomorrow and I'll arrange them all. And here we are, getting our last dress fittings! Oh, I'm so excited!" I talked on and on as we walked.

"I am too." She smiled softly but I could tell she was hiding her nerves.

"Hey, it's ok to be nervous, you know. I was freaking out before my wedding! Remember?" I told her.

"Ha! Yes, I remember. I yelled at you. Not to stand up my brother." She winked at me.

"Yes. Yes, you did. And I will do the same thing. Omi is the sweetest. And he loves you so much. You can do this! You're going to be so happy!" My smile was broad and she finally echoed it.

We entered Gladrags where Mr. Hill greeted us warmly. The mannequin was front and center with Anne's dress on it. It was flowing to the ground in long, white silk. It looked so perfect!

"Anne. It's stunning! You need to put it on right now!" I pushed her forward and she giggled a little. Mr. Hill took it off the mannequin and handed it to her. She took it, her hands shaking slightly as she stepped behind the divider to change.

"Mrs. Sallow, I have yours almost finished. I just need to hem it." He bustled over and his magical measuring tape did a quick round of my body, measuring as he wrote things down. And then he went to a mannequin in the back that held my gold dress on it.

I only waited a few minutes when Anne called, "Rach, come lace up!"

I bustled around the divider where her back was to me and began running the crisscrossing ties through her dress and pulling it tight. "How does it feel?"

"Good, I think it fits. Just need the length adjusted I think." She said, her voice a little shaky.

I finished lacing her and I stepped out. She followed me slowly heading toward the mirror.

Her dress was stunning! It hugged her perfectly and the white silk set off her warm eyes and dark hair, making her look ethereal, like an angel. "Anne." I said, softly. My eyes filling with emotion.

"Is it... good? Do you like it?" She turned to herself in the mirror and gasped slightly.

"You're gorgeous. I love the soft neckline." Her dress was off the shoulder, showing all of the top of her chest and the soft skin there, with long silk sleeves. And it trailed to the ground delicately, trailing behind her in soft layers of silk.