Not too sure how I feel about this, but I wanted to draw a lil' pregnant Fawn content. Look at her cute lil belly.

She isn't quite showing yet in the story, but I couldn't resist.

Also there are mentions and allusions to racism/discrimination in this chapter. Just thought I'd go ahead and say that since I forgot to put that with my warnings at the beginning of the book.

Fawn's POV

My fidgeting was endless as I observed my appearance in this full length mirror.

The dress I chose was long, reaching down to my ankles. It's color was a soft, shimmery purple that brought out my eyes.

The neckline was a sharp V and reached just to the top of my sternum, exposing only a slight amount of modest cleavage.

As much as I dislike wearing dresses, Alastor informed me that Thomas most likely lived among the "upper class" and I needed to present myself as such in their presence.

When he spoke of them, his tone was just slightly sour...so I asked him why, because...well, as far I know, he is the upper class.

HA!

He'd laughed, ruffling out my hair affectionately as we picked a dress from Edith's shop.

**

"My dear, they do not care about people like me! You give them far too much credit, just because I have money does not mean I am accepted, my dear," he chuckled as if I'd said something funny.

My brow furrowed and I looked over at him, lifting my arms for him as he smoothed down the dress I'd chosen to try on.

He was focused on his task, humming softly.

"Why not? I thought people around here loved you," I asked him, curious as to what he could possibly mean.

His movements faltered, and his smile actually...looked a bit sad.

I panicked, not meaning to have hit a sore nerve, and prepared to backtrack.

Until he actually answered me.

"My darling, look in the mirror for me..." he started softly, standing up to his full height and looming behind me in the reflection before us.

"Take a good look at the both of us, my love...do you see the answer to your question?"

My eyes narrowed, and I tilted my head.

There wasn't anything I could really pinpoint that would tell me why they wouldn't accept him.

Shyly, I shook my head, looking up at him a bit perplexed.

I watched his eyes widen slightly, only barely noticeable. Then his smile softened, and he gently turned me towards him and took my arm in his hand.

He held up my forearm, and then put his own next to mine.

In that moment, it clicked, and my eyes widened as a deep, heavy sadness weighed on my heart.

His skin...

The warm, brown toned skin that I love so much contrasted harshly with my own. I was rather pale, especially compared to him.

"Oh..." I let out quietly, the disappointment in my tone clear as day.

Somehow, I'd forgotten that this era wasn't all good...everything has its rotten quirks.

"My color has given me grief quite literally since the day I was born..." he began, "the whites never truly have looked at me as one of their own, only accepting my voice over a few signals and frequencies."

He sighed, not meeting my eyes as he fiddled with the collar of the dress, situating it properly on my chest.

"My own father was from the area we'll be visiting tomorrow evening...ha! what a scandal it was when he got my young mother pregnant at the ripe age of 16. He himself was rather golden in the eyes of the land until that fleeting moment, and he sure did love reminding dear mother and I of what we "stole away" from him."

His voice was sour, and hardened when speaking of his father. The more he talked, the more my heart hurt.

"After word got around that he'd fertilized a colored lady, well...you can probably just assume. He was shunned, belittled by the community that called themselves his friends. From there, he may have stayed with us, but he was never truly a man nor a father. He blew all of his money on alcohol, fueling a fire that would eventually burn our entire lives to ash."

I noticed the darkened look in his eyes, and the way his lip curled in disgust. Whatever his father did to them left a scar on his soul, and that's something I don't even think I could ever truly mend.

Like a switch he turned back into the sweet man I know and love, looking at me with affectionate eyes.

"But that is a rather grim story so close to the holidays, my dear! It's in the past, and what's past is past is past, my love," he nearly sang, spinning me around quickly, facing me back to the mirror.

"Voila! Is this one to your liking?" He said, any sour notes being extinguished as his tone turned more upbeat.

The small shocked expression on my face from being manhandled so effortlessly faded into a soft smile.

I glanced over the dress, and nodded.

"Yes...it's beautiful," I admired it briefly, then turned back towards him.

That topic was clearly a sore spot, and though he's trying hard to hide it, he can't really hide much from me anymore.

Looking up at him, we shared a silent moment of eye contact where I noticed that his eyes, although bright as usual, were slightly misty.

Wordlessly, I hugged him.

He stiffened, but returned the gesture after only a second.

"You are perfect..." I whispered into his chest, "nothing could change that in my eyes. I am proud to call you mine."

I know my words do little to help something that's been so deeply rooted in his person since the day he was born...but I hope I can bring him a little comfort.

He took a deep breath, snuggling his face into my hair further.

When he pulled away, his eyes were downcast, "that means a lot to hear, my love...it's one of the reasons I love you so. Thomas as well...he's one of the only upper class white men that hasn't treated me like a prize instead of a human."

Like a friend.

He chuckled then, "why do you think I run all of them out of my studio, hm? All my bosses before just couldn't handle me or my pranks, I was a little sad when I realized I actually liked the man and would no longer need to pull such jokes," he said, and I let my serious attitude break with a little giggle.

With that, he and I continued our shopping.

**

The memory was fresh in my mind.

It made me appreciate Tom in a new light...because, in my mind, the basic human respect he was giving to Alastor and I was normal.

But it just made me realize he truly could've just been so much worse.

Which is why I want to look spic and span for tonight, and I don't want even a single hair out of place on my head.

I will look proper, and try my best to act the part of a perfect lady on the arm of a perfect southern gentleman.

Alastor has his part down to a T. He's not even acting...he's just truly a gentleman.

Me, however...I wasn't exactly raised in a society where being a "lady" was a value taught. In fact, the entire idea was quite frowned upon to teach your daughter, being seen as "controlling" or restrictive.

Which is exactly why I'm worried. I wouldn't want to embarrass Tom, or embarrass Al...

As I was applying more powder to my face to erase my pores, Alastor came into the bathroom.

"My dear, are you nearly—"

We both looked at each other, and I nearly dropped my powder. He'd been down the hall, getting ready in the other bathroom, so this is the first I'm seeing of him.

I gawked, giving him a once over before doing it two more times, a steady heat rising to my face.

He was wearing a deep, blood red tuxedo paired with a white dress shirt underneath. His bow tie was tied to perfection, the black silk adding a bit of shine to the outfit.

The suit fit him perfectly, and although it wasn't overly extravagant, he looked beyond amazing......He looked downright expensive, utterly wealthy.

His hair was as it usually is, but slightly more tame. It looks like he put some sort of gel or pomade in it.

I couldn't find my words, just staring at him. He was doing the same to me, but he was far more prepared to comment on my appearance.

A wide smile split his face, and he approached me slowly.

"Goodness me...you're a sight to behold..." he breathed, taking in my entire appearance.

I felt small beneath his gaze, looking down at my feet that were contained within little white kitten heels.

"Oh Al, you should see yourself...you look fantastic. I look..." my eyes lifted towards the mirror, and I winced at my reflection slightly.

"Like this..."

There was the immediate feeling of fingers against my chin and he pulled my face back to look at him. His brows were furrowed, and he tilted his head.

"Like what?" He questioned, and my cheeks heated up.

"Y'know...mediocre. I don't look like...I don't know, I just want to be a proper lady for you tonight, I know you don't exactly get that from me a lot...but I felt like I should at least try not to be such an embarrassment—"

"Fawn."

My lips sealed. The blush on my face deepened when I realized I'd been rambling, getting lost in my worry.

I looked up at him shamefully, tears beginning to prick my eyes. As of late, I've been very...reactive...to my more intense emotions.

If I get too happy, I'll cry. If something inconveniences me, I'll cry. If something frightens me, or gives me a start, I just might fucking cry. Basically, if I get worked up over something, I'll cry or get unreasonably angry.

So far, it's my least favorite pregnancy symptom.

However, I could not let these tears spill and ruin all the hard work I did on my makeup.

But the look on his face right now isn't helping, he looks angry. This expression didn't last long, though, once he saw mine.

Upon noticing the water pooling at my bottom lash line, his hard look softened and he cupped my cheeks tenderly.

"Baby, don't cry...you're alright, don't get upset. I'm not mad at you, I promise," he reassured.

He most likely assumed that was the cause, seeing as I ask him ten thousand times a day if he's angry with me because my hormonal brain convinces me I've done something wrong if he's being just slightly quieter than usual.

All this, and I'm not even showing yet.

I can only imagine how much worse it's gonna get.

He held my face gently, tilting my head up so I'd look him in the eyes, "I only felt a bit annoyed that you feel uncomfortable, my love. You are the most exquisite, beautiful woman I've ever had the honor to look at. Oh, I don't even deserve to gaze upon your beauty at all!"

He said that last part dramatically, looking away in a theatric fashion, undoubtedly trying to make me laugh.

And it worked.

I giggled softly, the emotions building behind my eyes slowly diffusing without having ever stained my face.

He peeked one eye open, wearing a triumphant smirk before looking back to me fully with softened eyes.

"Your beauty and manners are outstanding...you've nothing to fear...and I don't want to ever hear you call yourself an embarrassment to me ever again," he said gently, but seriously.

His finger hooked under my chin, and he pulled my head up, "chin up. I couldn't be more proud of you...you are my pride and joy, I want that to be very clear."

I nearly got choked up again, but managed to keep myself under control.

Silently, I nodded. There was a soft smile on my lips and a new confidence in me that only Alastor could bring out.

"Now, are we ready?" He said, smiling excitedly, "tonight will be fun! Trust me, my dear, I have been to parties with people far more important and proper than the ones you'll meet tonight. Don't worry about how you carry nor deliver yourself...just be you," he assured me with a soft pat to my cheek.

I took in a deep breath, "ok...yea, that sounds good. Yea, I'm ready, let's— oh wait!"

My sudden outburst made his eyes widen slightly and he tilted his head.

I turned back to the sink, and began fumbling around in the drawer, searching for my finishing touches.

When I finally found them, I smiled widely, pulling out the emerald earrings.

"I knew I'd have a use for you one day!" I said to the pretty gemstones, then quickly took them and put them on myself.

Once they were on, I turned my head side to side, admiring how they glittered. Swiftly, I faced Al.

"What do ya think?" I asked him, shaking my head slightly so they would bounce back and forth.

He chuckled, "they're positively lovely, my darling. Now, let's get a move on! Thomas asked us to be 30 minutes early, and if we leave any later than," he checked his wrist, which didn't have a watch on it, "right now! Then we will be late!"

I giggled, rolling my eyes as I took his arm and we began walking.