The next day was absolute bliss. Sophie felt like floating off the ground every time she thought of Fitz - his proposal, his smile, the date they would have later that night.... It was almost as everything else had dissolved, just for now. There were no rebels and no worries, just her, Fitz, and the date they would both have that night. Sophie's heart beat faster and faster at the very thought of it.

"Sophie!" Edaline's voice called from downstairs. "Della is here to take you shopping!"

Shopping? Sophie thought as she walked down the stairs.

Della was anxiously waiting underneath the Leapmaster, the excitement practically shining from her eyes.

"I'm so proud of his choice!" Della said, wrapping her arm around Sophie. "You two will be great together."

"We're only going on a date," Sophie said, nervously fidgeting with her Cognate rings. "He can't choose yet, can he?"

"I suppose not technically, but considering his choice for a first date wasn't on his list, his intentions are pretty clear," Della said, giving Sophie a wink that made her blush.

Edaline squeezed Sophie's hand and gave her a quick kiss. "Have fun in Atlantis dear!"

Atlantis was bustling and full with elves rushing to and from places. Thankfully, Della preferred walking to taking the coach with the weird scorpion-like monsters. Sophie remembered her first time in the underground city. It was one of her first experiences in the elvin world, and she had Fitz right at her side...

"Here we are!" Della announced. "This is the best store in all of Atlantis for beautiful dresses."

More like expensive, extravagant, and extra dresses, Sophie thought as she walked among racks of dresses, the next one more detailed and flourished than the last. Sophie couldn't - and didn't - want to imagine herself in any of them, not to mention wear one.

"Hello Ms.Vacker," a kind woman said from behind the counter. "What brings you here today?"

"I just came for some dresses for Sophie Foster here," Della said, gesturing to Sophie.

The woman's eyes lit up. "Ah yes, your son's date. My my, she's been the talk of the day! Here, I think there's some dresses her size this way..."

The woman led the way through the mazes of dresses to an even larger Junior's section, full of sparkling, frilly dresses that made Sophie sick just to look at. As soon as she retrieved a large handful of dresses for her, the woman went back to the counter and left her alone with Della.

"What does she mean by I'm the talk of the day? I didn't think one date would be such a big deal," Sophie asked Della as they made their way to the changing rooms.

Della gave her a gentle smile. "I'm sure now you understand how I felt when my husband first asked me out. The Vackers are so renowned, that any affiliation with them is spread throughout the world before you know it. It can be a little troublesome, especially when you have jealous competition."

Sophie nodded, knowing who Della was referring to - Dame Alina. She used to be the principal at Foxfire until she ascended as a councillor. It was pretty much common knowledge that she attempted to stop Alden's wedding to Della - and that she could have too, with her rare ability as a Beguiler, which had more power to sway actions than a Mesmer. Sophie shivered at the thought of how many girls would be jealous of her. Who knew the untold amount of girls she had angered when she accepted to date Fitz. It's just one date, she reminded herself. No need to get ahead of ourselves...

Yet, as she pulled on dresses of every color, design, and fashion to find one of Della's approval, she couldn't help feeling as if she were showing off possible wedding dresses to a future mother-in-law.

After several exhausting hours of trying on a multitude of dresses, Sophie collapsed on the couch next to Della. "There's so many of them," she said. "I don't know which one to choose."

Della laughed. "Why not just get them all?"

Sophie laughed at the thought of buying so many dresses she would never wear. "I could, but then I don't know which one I'd wear."

"I think you look really pretty in red," Della offered. "But I also think that the one teal blue dress with the rhinestones looked beautiful on you."

Sophie held up the turquoise dress. It was one of the dresses Sophie had liked the most. It had waterfall fold and dotted with rhinestones around the neck and side, and it was much simpler than most of the dresses she had tried on.

"I think I'll get this one then," she said with a smile.

"Here, why don't you put it back on while I go pay for it?" Della asked. "It'll be my treat to you."

"Thanks," Sophie said, wondering why Della wanted her to wear it now instead of later when she got home to get ready. What time is it? She thought. Surely Della wouldn't keep her out so long that she would be late for her date with Fitz....

She put her worries aside, and focused on how the dress matched Fitz's gorgeous, bright teal eyes as they walked out of the dress shop.

"Where are we going?" She asked Della as she followed her away from the exit of Atlantis.

"Well, you've got to get your hair done too!" Della said. "They have sorts of wonderful elixirs in Atlantis! It's a shame I haven't taken you to one before."

"Thank for all of your help today Della, but I don't think I need my hair done for tonight," Sophie said, hoping she wouldn't offend Della and her courtesy.

"Nonsense!" Della said. "It's your first date! You're going to need an amazing hairdo to match that amazing dress! Don't worry, it won't take long. I know something you'll like."

Della placed a blindfold over Sophie's eyes. "I want it to be a surprise. Wait here."

Sophie bit her lip and swallowed an objection. Even if she didn't like Della's choice, it was only for one night, right?

"Okay, take this elixir first," Della said as Sophie felt a cool glass bottle slide into her hand. With a single gulp, Sophie downed the elixir. Della handed her a few more, which she downed, a little more anxious to see her appearance after each one.

"So... what do you think?"

Sophie opened her eyes and gasped.

She was beautiful.

Her hair wasn't too complicated or overdone - soft curls fell against her chest and back, brushing up against the edge of her dress. Makeup had been applied to her face as well - she was surprised by how much older she looked with mascara on her eyelashes and blush on her cheeks.

"I think it's wonderful," Sophie said, twirling in front of the mirror. "Thank you."

Della beamed.

          "Anything for you Sophie. I believe that I'm supposed to take you to meet Fitz now that you're all ready."

The date. Sophie felt butterflies in her stomach flutter and swirl into a storm. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," she grinned.

Della pulled out a light leaping crystal as soon as they made it to the surface and took Sophie's hand. "Havenfield!" She shouted, and they were swept up in a rush of light toward their destination. Toward the date. Toward Fitz.

AN: Ahhh! Gotta love dress shopping! Only one more chapter...