The Fitting

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No screaming. For the first time in three years, I wasn’t woken up by Ella screaming for me to get her. A little suspicious, I threw on my dressing gown and pinned my hair out of my face before walking out of my room. Emma’s room was empty and my heart sank. Quickly, I rushed to the living room to find Ella asleep across Sebastian’s chest on the couch. Quietly, I picked Ella up and took her back to her room. When I arrived back to the living room, Sebastian sat up as he stretched across the couch. “good morning sleepy head” I teased, walking back into the open kitchen. Sleepily, Sebastian follows and says, “she was crying this morning, so I got her to fall back asleep right before I fell asleep.” “so how are you?” I grabbed two mugs from the cabinet for coffee. “I’m dealing with it. She realized I wasn’t home last night and texted me. I just told her I stayed out late and got a hotel. If she found out I was here she would have killed me.” He answered. “you never answered my question last night” I poured the coffee. He looked at me quizzically. “so you love her? Scarlett- I mean” I handed him a mug. “Yeah, I mean, I’m marrying her. I should love her, shouldn’t i?” It took me a minute to see if his question was rhetorical. “that’s why you get married in the first place, isn’t it?” I laughed. “did you love your ex-husband?” he instantly went wide eyed, regretting asking that question. “I’m sorry- I shouldn’t have asked that question” he finished. “No it’s fine. I haven’t talked about him since it…happened.”  I breathed. “you put up with me all night last night, I think the least I can do is listen to you” he smiled.

            We sat opposite each other, both on our second round of coffees. “I met Ella’s father in Paris when I was studying ballet. He was an English man studying French politics. Johnathan gave up everything when we moved to New York City. I’m originally from the city, but he had a bit of a hard time adjusting, but he eventually married me. Soon after, he got elected something high up in politics and we bought this house. John always wanted kids, and for two years I tried really hard to give him one, but I couldn’t.” my eyes became teary-eyed as I continued with the story. “it started to tear our marriage apart When the divorce was finalized, I realized I was three months pregnant.  He stayed with me all the time, for the sake of the baby. On the day she was born,” I paused...collecting myself. Sebastian reached across the table and took my hand into his. He still listened silently, allowing me to vent. “John died on his way to the hospital on his way to see his daughter.” I finished. Sebastian gently squeezed my hand a and gave me a reassuring smile along with a sympathetic look in his eyes. “looks like we both have relationship issues” I laughed, wiping a stray tear from my eyes. The baby started crying again and I stood up and stated, “I got her this time.”

            Ella rested on my hip as I reentered the kitchen. “What do you two want for breakfast, you two sleepy heads” I wiped a stray curl out of Ella’s face.

“Oh I totally forgot, I’ve got a tux fitting today!” Sebastian breathed.

 “What time Is your appointment?” I took a juice box out of the fridge.

“noon” he checked his phone.

 “Do you have any friends going with you?” I asked.

 “no, just me and the creepy man taking my measurements.” He laughed.

“Ironically, my father is a tailor, I could take you by his shop if you’d like” I placed Ella down in a chair and gave her waffles.

“That would be great” he smiled.

“it gives me an opportunity to see my dad. Just as long as you don’t mind if I bring her” I gestured towards Ella who had waffle syrup all over her face.

            After my shower and Ella’s bath, I tied my hair into a tight bun before putting on black skinny jeans and a cream colored sweater. Ella ran out of my room and into the living room in a dark purple dress with a black sweater, her curls bouncing as she ran.

“Come here princess, let me clean your face” Sebastian picked her up and began to wipe the syrup off her face with a napkin.

“Are you two ready to go?” I asked, extending my arms to take Ella from Sebastian.

“I can carry her” he smiled at me, then at Ella which made her giggle before she put her head on his shoulder.

            As we walked down the New York City street, the fall breeze cooled me down. “Dad? Are you here?” I asked as the bell above the door rang. “There’s my two princesses” my father exclaimed as he walked out of the back of the shop. He kisses my cheek, then Ella’s who is still in Sebastian’s arms. “And who’s this?” my father questioned. Sebastian stuck out his hand and shook my fathers, “I’m Sebastian Stan, and it’s great to meet you” “He’s looking to get a suit made for his wedding” I put emphasis on the word ‘wedding’ trying to convey the fact to my father that I had no relationship with Sebastian. At least before dad could ask me.

Ella played with her barbies while Sebastian was getting fitted. After a while, he came out in a slim black tuxedo. “So?” Sebastian eagerly awaits my approval. Slowly, I stand up and look at him.

“Can you dance in it?” I question.

“Test it” my father said as he walked to the front of the shop to help another customer. Quickly, Sebastian pulled me close to him and began to waltz me around the shop.

“How’s it feet?” I ask.

“Great, now if my dance partner was as good as you, I’d be set” he laughed as my father walked towards us.

“so are we getting the suit?” my father asked cheerfully.

“Yes, that would be great” Sebastian stopped dancing with me to look at himself in the mirror. He walked to the dressing room to get changed and I followed my father to the register. “Dad, let me pay for his suit” I said, fishing in my purse for my wallet.

“Why, can’t he afford it?” Dad raised his brow.

“His fiancée is a gold digger; I want to help out as much as possible.” I took out my wallet.

“He doesn’t realize that?”

“apparently not”

“Okay, well then I’ll give you the suit for half off. I still need to make a living” My dad ran my credit card.

“He’ll ask to pay for it, just tell him it was free because he was with me. Tell him to pick it up on the day of the wedding” I smiled to my father.

My father just breathed deeply before saying, “anything for my little girl.”

            “Dad’s at the front of the store” I said as I picked up Ella and followed him to the front of the shop. “Sir, I insist that you let me pay for the suit” I heard Sebastian pleading with my father. I slipped my arm through Sebastian’s and pulled him to the front door. “Thanks dad” I yelled as I walked out the door.

            “Why wouldn’t he let me pay for the suit?” He asked looking down at me; his hand was placed over mine that rested on his arm.

 “Because you’re my friend, there was no way he was going to make you pay” I smiled.

            Loudly, Ella yawned and signaled for me that it was time for her nap. “I have to get her home, she needs to sleep” I said, gesturing towards a sleeping Ella in my arms.

            As Sebastian was about to turn to leave, he stated, “I just realized that I forgot my clothes at your house. I’m in ones that I borrowed.”

            My phone buzzes and a text from Gabe splashes across my screen. ‘Dawson and I are at your house, when are you coming back?’. “Um, how about I text you my address and you stop by a little later. I’ve got company at the house right now. I’ll text you when they leave and you can stop by to pick up your stuff, Plus your fiancée probably wants to see you” I stated as I gave him my phone number.

            Sebastian quickly kissed my cheek then Ella’s before saying, “Thanks so much. For everything” and turning to leave. 

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