Randomly dedicated to

Three days later...

Julia: Girl, so we'll pick you up at 8 okay?
Grace: Yeah, sure sounds great.
Julia: And please wear something a little out of your element. It's a bachelorette party for Christ sake. Jeremy would understand a little skin exposure.
Grace sighs*: Julia geez I know. The theme is Out & Wild. I just hope you guys don't get too wild.
Julia chuckles*: Yeah, we all know you've been tamed.
Grace laughs.
Grace: Okay, I need to finish getting ready. See you in a hour.
Julia: Alright, bye girl.

Grace's P.O.V

I ended Julia's call with a slight shake of the head. Tonight was definitely going to get wild. I could feel it.
My friend Annie was getting married in a month and tonight was her bachelorette party. To be honest, I didn't want to go at first. I was the only one out of the five of us friends who was married and had a child. I felt so out of place, like my responsibilities as a wife and mother were all there was to me now. My friends had talked me out of it when I voiced my concerns. None of them saw me any differently. I was still sensible Grace and they wanted me there with them especially Annie.

I glanced at Levi in his crib before making my way to the bathroom. He was fast asleep. I was extremely proud of myself at completing such a task before the babysitter arrived. Much easier on all of us if he didn't see me leave.

Quickly, I put on some make-up. Just the basics: foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. My dark hair was pulled up into a high bun with only a few curled strays framing my face. I was wearing the sapphire studded earrings Jeremy had gotten me last Christmas. They went well with my dress.

Stepping back from the mirror, I did a quick twirl admiring myself. I loved the white details on the dress and the way it hugged my frame. I looked sexy if I should say so myself. Not too much out, not too much covered. Just right for me.
I looked at clock. It was 7:30. I had enough time to just relax.

"You got all dressed up for me?" Jeremy's voice filled the room. His hands wrapping around my stomach in an embrace. I turned to face him.

"No silly. I thought you were working late tonight babe?"

"I changed my mind. Where are you off to?" his inquiry seemed strange to me.

"Annie's bachelorette party, remember? I've been telling you about it for weeks. If you're going to be home then I can cancel the babysitter or -"

"I don't remember telling you that you could go," he interrupted.

I stared at him. Was he being serious right now?

"I don't recall needing your approval to go anywhere Jeremy," I rolled my eyes at him and stepped into the bedroom.

"That dress is too short," he countered following me.

I stood before the full body mirror and looked at myself. The dress stopped right below my knees. Wasn't that reasonable length?

"I don't think it is," I replied.

Jeremy's gaze hardened as he looked me over.

"You don't know what you're saying. Anyways, it's too tight as well. I don't like the way it frames you. I should be the only one allowed to see those delicate areas and they're printed for all Jack, Dick and Harry to see,"

I blushed. His gaze was heavy on me, but still hard.

"I like this dress," I mumbled, "it's a bachelorette party Jer. I have to look good at least. This dress makes me feel good. I just -"

"No Grace. Take it off. You're not leaving here in it," he was sounding impatient now.

I swallowed the lump that was already forming in my throat. I looked at myself again in the mirror. The dress framed me so perfectly. Nothing was on show. What was he seeing that I wasn't? I couldn't see myself wearing anything else. I had bought this dress specifically for tonight. Why was he trying to mess things up?

I heard his footsteps quickly behind me. I didn't even have time to turn around. His hands grabbed at the straps so hard that they tore. He pulled the dress down so violently that his knuckles bruised my skin. I broke out in sobs.

"Shut up!" he shouted straight in my ear.

"This garbage," he stated holding it up to my face, " is not for a married woman. Not my woman. Either you find something else to wear or you stay home tonight," his voice was gruff.

I was trying hard to quiet my crying.

Just then, my cellphone rang.

Jeremy reached for it and answered on the second ring.

"Hey Julia. Yeah, everything's fine. Grace just changed her mind at the last minute when she found out that I'll be home. Guess she wants to spend as much time with me as she can. You know, family life," Jeremy chuckled.

"Yeah sure I'll put her on," he passed the phone to me. I reached for it slowly.

"Julia, girl I'm sorry. I can't make it tonight. Sorry to ditch at the last minute, but you know how Jeremy's schedule is. I have to take full advantage of any downtime he has. Have fun tonight. Tell the others I send my love bye."

I ended the call and immediately broke down again.

"I'll be downstairs. Come down when you're finished," Jeremy said before leaving the room.

I just cried even harder.