A Baccano Love Story

Decisions, Decisions

They went to the printer's next and Charlie placed an order for the invitations with the message she wanted. She picked lettering that was formal without being too stiff or too frilly.

Then they went to a bridal shop. There wasn't one within the Gandor's territory, so they went to the one where Kalia got her dress. (Kate had worn her mother's dress and veil.)

'Wow..." Charlie said, looking around the small shop. It was filled with white dresses made in all sorts of styles and fabrics. There were also some dresses that had color. Charlie assumed these were meant for the bridesmaids.

A woman who appeared to be in her late thirties was standing behind the counter, and she greeted them with a smile.

"Mrs. Kalia." The woman clearly remembered her. "How was the wedding."

"Beautiful, thank you."

"How can I help you?"

"I need a wedding dress," Charlie said. She thought the answer was a bit obvious, but she said it anyway.

"Of course you do. Amanda!"

The woman behind the counter called for someone.

A bespectacled young woman close to Charlie's age came out from the back. She had a measuring tape draped over her shoulders and pincushion with needles strapped to her wrist.

"Does someone need a fitting?"

"Help this young lady find a dress and then tailor it for her."

"Yes, Mrs. Herschel."

"Right this way."

Charlie, Kate, and Kalia stepped deeper into the shop until they were standing in front of Amanda, who went to the went to the first rack of dresses.

"Do you know what style you would like? What material? Lace? Satin? Rayon?

"Uh, I'd like something simple but elegant. I'm open to suggestions for material."

"I see. Let's start with these, then. And keep in mind, if you want to make any alterations, I can do that for you."

Amanda showed Charlie several dresses, but it wasn't until the fifth one that she met her match. Amanda pulled out a dress that was a snowy white satin with a bias cut, a high neckline, and long, flowing sleeves that were fitted closely around the wrist. Charlie thought it was perfect.

"Oh, Charlie. You look so beautiful," Kate said.

"I think we have a winner," Kalia said.

"I'll take this one," Charlie said, admiring her reflection in the mirror.

"I'll hem it for you, then. And maybe take it in a little around the waist?"

Amanda started taking the hem up a little so Charlie wouldn't trip on it.

"I think the waist is fine. I don't want it too tight. I'd like to be able to eat at the reception."

"Good point," Kalia said.

"What about the veil?"

"You can borrow one of ours."

"It can be your something borrowed. Now you just need something old, something new, and something blue."

"Well, my dress is new. And I already have a pair of white shoes, so I guess they could be 'something old.'"

"Oh, no. Your new thing should be lingerie."

Kalia made the bold statement with a sly smirk.

"Don't you want to treat Luck with a surprise?"