**Ch 291: Perfectly Matched Costume

Fairly quick, I got my costume on. I decided to be the corpse bride for the party. Although, my gown was long and flowy because it was a real gown altered into a costume to match the one in the movie. Even the leg slit and the blue dye came to a close match to the dress in the film.

Also, Rose, Mia, Darlene, and Sharlene did my makeup perfectly to blend with the blue streaks in my hair. I didn't overkill it by putting too much blue dye in my hair. Instead, I colored a few front strands around my frame. It came out gorgeously with my blonde hair, and the bridal veil enhanced the look. Overall, I looked mature, and the bridal gown looked exceedingly sexy and soignee on me even for being pregnant.

Kai was supposed to dress up as Victor, but he skipped the makeup. Although he did wear a similar suit to the one Victor wore in the movie, so I guess it was better than nothing. Halloween is new for him, so I knew he wasn't thrilled about any of it, but the fact that he made an effort to dress up was suitable enough for me.

Moments later, we arrived at the swish hotel. The party was on the fourth floor from inside this swanky gallery, where the parties are usually held. Once we got off the elevator, I saw the glass doors were shut, and the room was pitch black.

"Hasn't anyone arrived?" I mentioned. "Wasn't the party starting at 8:30 pm?"

"The guest must be running late," Mia replied.

"Shouldn't everyone else be here?" I still questioned. "Chester and Zoey left before us. Plus, Mr. and Mrs. Collin left hours ago to set everything up with their friends."

"They must still be shopping," Sharlene added with a giggle.

Something wasn't adding up because everyone from the mansion should be here. Even the food should be cooked because Mr. Collin invited other business industries to attend. Not everyone he did business with were vampires. Plus, stores would be closing soon, so they couldn't be shopping.

"Since everyone is late, why don't we head in and start setting up before the guests arrive," Kai suggested.

"That's probably a good idea." Ace agreed, and none of us could argue with that logic.

Ivan was the first to fly open the doors as he says. "Mia, can you get the lights?"

"Sure thing," she replied before the lights flickered on.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I jumped out of my skin as a loud uproar of whistling and clapping rang out my eardrums from all the shouting. Colorful confetti sprinkled on us from the gallery's second floor. Most of Kai's family, including his parents and siblings were at the front, and everyone else gathered around from the first and second floors.

"Did we surprise you!" Coraline hopped up and down excitedly before she gave me a big hug around my knees.

"You did!" I kneeled, hugging her. Sure I knew about the party, but what I didn't know, is that it was a surprise birthday party for me.

"Yay!" Coraline skipped off toward her parents. "We surprised Aunty Victoria!"

"You knew about this?" I suspiciously eyed Kai after hugging Coraline.

He kissed my lips. "I had no idea," Kai claimed, but I saw right through him.

My eyes glanced at the crowds that started to mingle after everyone was done clapping and saying happy birthday to me. Nora came up from standing with Mrs. Collin and her sister Mrs. Nasberry. Instantly my eyes gaped at her costume. Nora was wearing a onesie sheep costume that looked ridiculously cute on her. Her big round glasses didn't help either. Everyone, including me, had to bite our tongues from laughing.

"I think I'm starting to approve of your friendship with Nora," Kai chuckled a whisper in my ear, and I knew what he meant since Nora was covered from head to toe. Other than her neck and her hands, not an ounce of skin was showing on her body. If Kai could have his full way, he'd dress me in a onesie lamb costume for the rest of my life. I, however, like showing a little skin, but I don't overkill it like Samantha, his ex, or half those young ladies he feeds on, which I should probably bring that up if he ever complains about my wardrobe again. I mentally noted that thought as Nora opened her arms out toward me.

"Happy birthday!" she raved, giving me a huge hug.

"You knew about this too?" I questioned her too, after hugging her.

"Mia told me," Nora admitted, blushing in guilt.

"Everyone knew but you!" Mia giggled within our group.

"That was a killer!" Rome griped as he eyed his friends, holding out his hand. "Now where're my fifty bucks you all owe me for keeping quiet!"

He had us laughing since we knew Rome was like telling a child to keep a secret. I cracked up harder whenever I saw everyone except for Alice, Ian, and the vampiresses gave him fifty bucks from out of their wallets.

"Sweet!" Rome raved as Kai was the last one to place fifty bucks in his palm. "The next guy's night out, I'll buy the drinks."

"I hold you to it, Rome," Glenn said, giving him a firm pat on his shoulder.

Afterward, he and Alice went off in different directions to go socialize. Ian also left with the new friends he's made in the Coven. Other than missing his human family and Lily, he's been faring relatively well with his new life as a young vampire.

"You can also pay for our next girl's night out too," Sharlene told him.

Rome teasingly laughed. "You got it. I'll wear my best dress."

As always, he had us cracking up. I'm sure most of us could imagine him dressing up like a female to hang out with us for a fun night. Of course, he was only joking about the dress part. But he would pay because Rome isn't greedy.

After laughing, Sharlene ventured away, along with Jack, who was trailing behind her like a lost pup. I had a feeling he didn't like what she was wearing because she was carrying his offspring. Still, he was trying to suck up to her, but Sharlene was more refractory than an ox, in my opinion.