The Fashion of Love | Adult F/M Romance [COMPLETE]

ch. 60 - December

Sora dipped onto the sofa beside Imogen where she was using her protruding stomach as a table for the plate of Christmas-themed sugar cookies she was devouring like a scourge.

"Good cookies?"

She swallowed her latest mouthful. "Carbs have never tasted this good. What is this baby doing to me?"

"Making you glow from the inside out. You look great. Your hair, your skin, your smile; you're glowing from head to toe."

Imogen fingered her hair self-consciously. "You think so? I'm the size of Mercedes."

"I've never seen a Mercedes wear Elie Saab like you do. I didn't know they did maternity wear."

Imogen smirked. "They don't. I altered it myself. What do you think?" She preened.

"You look radiant. You'll have to talk to Narsi about heading up a maternity line at Misra."

Imogen screeched to a halt mid-cookie. "I could so do that."

"Yup. Or even a Mommy & Me collection." Imogen squeaked and dragged Sora into a tight sideways hug.

"Oh my god! That's perfect! Ravi Misra, marry this woman! She's brilliant."

Ravi excused himself from a conversation with Ishir and Manendra to join Sora and Imogen on the couch. Sora smoothed her skirt in an attempt to disregard everyone else discreetly listening in. "What's this about me marrying Sora?"

Imogen was finishing off another of Pam's delectable desserts. "She just pitched a maternity and Mommy & Me collection for Misra. We have to do it."

"You throwing your hat in the fashion ring?"

Sora raised her hands. "It was just an idea."

"It's not unfeasible. Let me have my assistant do some market research and we can talk about it more after the New Year."

"Sounds great. I wanna get some ideas down before I get too big to hold a sketchpad. I've gotta tell Narsi and the moms." Imogen rose from the couch with some difficulty to find her husband. Sora envied the spring in her step that followed. I wasn't that energetic when I was carrying Tommy.

"Making your mark on the company a little bit at a time."

"It was just a thought."

"I don't mind, I like it. Just 'cause you're my muse doesn't mean you can't be anybody else's inspiration. I'm not that greedy."

"You're a little greedy."

"I've got you. Who wouldn't be?"

"You're laying it on thick. Am I going to open my Christmas gift and find socks?"

"Cashmere socks are no laughing matter."

"Please be joking."

"I never joke about fashion."

Sora laid her head on his shoulder. They stayed on the couch until it was time for carols, when they stood side by side holding hands.

...

Later that, night, Sora reached out for the warm body that usually slept beside her, only to find an empty space cooling. She cracked an eye to verify her findings. No Ravi.

She peeked into each of the boys' rooms to find their beds empty as well but messy as though they'd just risen to get a drink of water and not yet returned.

"Okay, where have my boys gotten to?"

Sora crept downstairs. The lights in the front room were still dim, yet the fireplace glowed where a fire lit and warmed the house.