Three weeks later The sunset left the ocean burning in soft waves of red and gold. The evening calm swept along the beach and wrapped around her. She let the soft music cover her in a warm cloak and looked up at the darkening sky. Birds stopped flying overhead hours ago and now she could see the first stars of the night coming into sight. The waves spoke quietly and she felt the warm sun rays beginning to slip off her face. The children's laughter echoed from just down the beach and she closed her eyes. The two had really settled into a life here and she tried not to think about placing them in the upcoming days. The laughter drew closer and she slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the two trouble makers, she sat up and watched them approach. Trevor brushed his clothes off and Kara silently waited for her to stand. When she stood holding her blanket rolled up, she looked them over and smirked. "All right. Hurry in if you want to eat before the guests arrive." She watched them exchange looks at the mention of the party and held in a sigh. They were told by Abigail a week ago they could attend if they didn't cause any trouble. Unfortunately for her they didn't act up and now were expected to enjoy themselves at the ball. Silently she followed them down the beach and felt some of her calm slipping away. They entered a rather noisy kitchen and she found Oric about to strangle one of his aids. "How difficult is it to arrange the table?!" She winced at his tone and took a deep breath. The poor woman was terrified of the angry man and she stopped the children from advancing. She handed Kara the blanket and crossed the battleground. Quietly she found the dinner waiting on the stove and made up a tray. She carried the tray out of the kitchen and heard the two follow quickly behind. The noise from the kitchen disappeared behind the door and they were surrounded with excited housemaids. Rolling her eyes, she carried the tray through the first floor and climbed the stairwell. They disappeared into the West Wing and she had them eat in Trevor's room. She stood at the window watching them enjoy the food and guess about the ball. A knock came from the door and she watched Grace enter the room. The woman smiled down at the two and said "I hope you two don't fill up too much. The food will be amazing." Trevor looked over at Eve and asked "Is that okay?" She slowly nodded and watched the boy place the tray on a table across the room. He walked over to his wardrobe and pulled it open. Silently she gathered Kara and took the girl to her room. Grace followed quietly and they shut the door behind them. Kara took a seat on her bed and Eve walked over to the dress waiting by the child's bathroom. Abigail had seen to outfits for both of them and made sure she understood she wasn't escaping this event. Glancing at Kara, she knew she would bare it with her head held high. The girl needed this party more than anything else she could offer her. Maybe she would be lucky and find some people willing to take the two in. "Are you excited Kara?" "Very! Eve?" She looked back at the red head and smiled. Grace helped her out of the clothes she wore and Eve assisted her into the clean dress. She brushed the red locks loose and looked in the mirror. The child really did look stunning for her age and she pulled back the top half of her hair, giving her a very regal look. Kara looked up at her and she nodded with approval. The child smiled and asked "What are you wearing tonight?" She held back a sigh and said "I don't know yet." Grace laughed and said "Then let us assist you." The two pulled her from the room and guided her down the hall. They drug her into her room and shut the door. Locking it, Grace turned to the blonde woman and shook her head. "Go get cleaned up and we will have everything ready when you get out." She studied the two and shook her head. Dragging her heals in making a decision on her outfit had seemed like a possible way out. Keeping her groan inside, she slid into her bathroom and closed the door. She stripped out of her clothes and boots. Slipping into the warm bath water, she relaxed and took a deep breath. Quietly she washed her skin and hair, letting the soap float in the water around her. Rinsing herself off, she stood and stepped into her robe. As she tied the belt around her waist, she left the bathroom and found the two waiting. Kara was sitting on her master bed with a big smile and Grace was standing in front of the selected piece. Slowly the woman stepped aside and revealed a navy blue dress that would rest at mid leg. "You will look wonderful in this outfit." She held her tongue and Grace pointed to the waiting clothes on the bed. Quietly she loosened her robe and Grace assisted her with the dressing. Kara waited for her to sit on the bed and ran the brush through her soft locks. The child hummed the lullaby she had taught her many nights ago and she smirked. Grace produced a pair of shoes to go with the outfit and she slowly slid them on. Kara finished brushing her hair and she walked over to her mirror. Seeing herself in a dress was a new light and she felt like she was looking at someone completely different. Grace laughed and came up behind her. The woman worked her hair up onto her head and pinned it. A few shorter locks fell framing her face and Grace applied a little of her make up. "What are you doing?" The woman laughed and said "Just bringing out your beauty. This way the men will have someone else to stare at." She sighed and heard Kara laughing. Glancing at the girl, she found her smiling and shook her head. "The guests should already be arriving. We better head down." She felt her stomach tightening at those words but kept it behind her mask. Kara caught her hand and they walked out of her room. Trevor stood waiting in a black suit and shined shoes. He smiled broadly when he saw them and wrapped his hand in her other hand. Grace smiled and led the way down the hall. They stood at the top of the stairwell listening to the ball downstairs and she felt the children squeezing her hands. They were as nervous as her. She knelt down and they both looked at her. "When you two are ready to go we will." They nodded and she silently stood. Grace had already descended the stairs and was mingling with some of the guests. Holding her mask in place, she walked with the children down the stairwell. The music filled her ears and she skimmed her eyes over the large amount of regal looking guests. Leon stood at the bottom of the stairs and smiled when he saw them. "No one would think you were just guests." She offered him a smile and he patted Trevor's head. "Just enjoy yourselves tonight." The children laughed and slowly slipped from her hands. She watched them slowly be pulled into the crowded place and felt some of her tension return. "They will be fine. We will all be watching them." She looked back at the butler and smiled. He nodded with a crooked grin and glanced around the room. Some of the young bachelors had already spotted her at his side. He knew the woman wasn't very excited about attending but she wouldn't disappoint by all means. Slowly he found the man he was looking for and watched the man's roaming gaze settle on the beauty at his side.