Cole & Jamie

Chapter 16

The preschool pick-up line was moving slower than usual, but for once I didn't mind. Sitting in the line of sticker-adorned mini-vans gave my mind ample time to wander. I've been so consumed with work, the baby shower, and Cole. It's been hard to get time by myself. And even in this short bit of solitude I found myself still thinking of him.

What would Cole and I's kids look like? Would they look like me or look like him? I hoped it was an even split. Who would be on pick-up duty? Cole would have to most days since his schedule is more flexible than mine unless he starts working more again. I'm sure Destiny and Melody could cover the store for me for a few hours while I picked them up they should have everything down pact by then. I could hire someone new and we could– what the hell am I talking about?

Kids. Carpool. I have officially gone too far. We've been dating for a few weeks and I'm already planning our perfect suburban life together. I ran a hand down my face; I'd lost it.

I was with Tony for almost nine years and I never, ever, thought about what our kids would look like, and here I am fantasizing about who will be sitting in the pick-up line at pre-K with someone I haven't been with for sixty days. But unlike with Tony, I could see a future with Cole, a future I would love.

My musings were cut short as dismissal began. I watched all the littles be directed to their cars with a smile, they were all so precious. I recognized several from Michelle's class including Tracy's daughters who ran to her a few cars ahead.

Escorted by her teacher, Michelle finally arrived at my car. "Lovebug!" I greeted her. No matter how many times I picked her up from school I would never get over seeing her smiling face.

"Mimi, you came!" Michelle exclaimed, climbing into her booster seat. I'd already placed a chilled juice box and a pack of her favorite cheese crackers into the cupholder.

"I told you I was coming to pick you up." Joe and Trish were at one of her last doctor's appointments before the baby comes so I volunteered to pick up Michelle. It will be good for us to spend some quality time together before the baby gets here. "We're going to hang out at my house while your Mom and Dad go to the doctor."

"Can we get Mcdonald's?" she asked immediately.

In a desperate attempt to get the award for World's Best God Mother, I said, "Sure." I knew that she was going to eat one chicken nugget and maybe two fries before the whole meal was abandoned for the toy at the bottom of the box. Pizza and cupcakes were the plans for dinner so a little mid-afternoon snack will do for now. "We have to be quick though. I have a dress fitting this afternoon."

"A dress?" She asked, her voice laced with excitement, "Am I going to get one too?"

"Not today, Love Bug. Maybe next time." I realized too late that I had just put myself on the hook to buy her a new dress. The girl had the memory of an elephant. "You can help me pick mine out though."

"Okay," she replied, cheerfully, "I hope you get a pretty one."

I looked at her through the rearview mirror. She swung her legs so her little feet hit the bottom of the seat. In sparkly shoes and a poofy skirt, she belonged on the cover of a children's book. Her round cheeks were rosy and still had a remaining layer of glitter from arts and crafts. "With your help, I'm sure I will."

"Now let's go get you a happy meal!"

Cole's stylist arrived on my doorstep shortly after Michelle and I got back to my house. Rose was only a few inches taller than me but her platforms gave her some extra height. Her fire-red hair was cut in a short pixie style, and I couldn't tell if her brown skin was perfected by makeup or the best facialist in the world.

I don't know what I was expecting but the woman that arrived was not it. Rose was cheerful, and bubbly, and talked even more than I did. Which was a feat.

"Jamie, I'm Rose." She wrapped me in a hug as soon as I answered the door. She squeezed me. "It's so nice to meet you."

I gave her a polite pat on the back. "Yes, it's great to meet you too. Cole has told me a lot about you."

"And he has told me about you! What a sweet little surprise you are." 

She pulled an expansive rack of garment bags behind her as she made her way into my living room. Michelle turned her attention from her cartoons to us from the couch. "Michelle, we have a guest."

Rose smiled brightly at Michelle. "Hi, my name is Rose. It's nice to meet you, Michelle."

"Are you the lady with the dresses?"

"That's what some people call me," Rose laughed, "I'm going to help Jamie find a dress today. You look like a girl with good taste, can you help us?"

Michelle nodded vigorously. "I can. I really like dresses."

"I can see that," she replied, "You know I think I have a dress just like that."

Michelle giggled putting her arms down at her sides her little hands getting lost in the tulle.

I leaned on the back of the couch watching Rose set up. She walked me through the entire process as she unzipped each garment bag. Each bag revealed a dress more beautiful than the next my palms itched to touch the satins and silks she revealed. I couldn't wait to try everything on.

Rose turned on her heels clapping her hands together. "Let's get started, Ladies."

***

"This color would look great on you," Rose said pulling an off-the-shoulder navy gown off the rack. I stood in the living room in nothing but my undergarments. We had gone through a couple of other dresses and none of them fit what we were going for. This has been the most fun game of dress-up I've ever had. 

She pulled another dress from the rack this one a light shade of pink with lace cap sleeves. "This one would look nice too."

She had made me try on the strapless navy dress, but we both agreed it wasn't what we were going for. We'd decided on something elegant, fun, and sexy, within reason of course. The pink wasn't what we were looking for either. Looked too much like I was preparing for a coming-out party.

"Try this." Rose handed me a bright red strapless dress.

I spun around in the mirror to get a better look. The dress was everything we were looking for it was equal parts elegant and sexy. It fit like a glove hugging all my curves, and the sweetheart neckline fit me tight enough to avoid wearing a bra. The red silk made my skin look radiant, paired with a matching pair of gloves that went up to my elbows I felt like a queen in this dress.

"This is the one," I announced, turning around to admire myself in the full-length mirror I'd pulled into the center of the room. "Michelle, what do you think?" She had proven to be quite the little helper; she didn't mince words and was not afraid to give her honest opinion.

"I love it," she squealed bouncing up and down. "Mimi, you look so pretty!"

"This is a great color on you," she adjusted the front of the dress to give me more cleavage. "Cole is going to die when he sees you in this."

Michelle gasped, gripping my hands. Distress was written all over her face, as she cried, "Die? Cole's going to die. Mimi, you can't wear it. You'll kill him."

I knelt down to comfort her. "He's not going to die, Lovebug. She's just kidding."

Rose had conveniently turned back towards the garment rack her shoulders shaking with laughter. Thankfully she had the decency not to laugh in Michelle's face because that would surely send her into a tailspin.

Rose cleared her throat. "Let me take your measurements and we'll finish up here."

"Then we'll have pizza and cupcakes," Michelle announced.

"Pizza and cupcakes, wow you girls know how to party."

"You can stay if you like," I offered. "We have more than enough to share."

She looked down at her sparkling watch. "Okay, I have some time. I'd love to join the both of you." 

I'm challenging myself to post more this month, so the chapters may be shorter but they will be more frequent.