by Amy DeMeritt
“I love you too, darling.”
After she hangs up, she wraps her arms around Lana, sighing deeply, and plants her lips firmly on Lana’s neck, just below her ear. She gives Lana a few nipping kisses and rubs her hands up and down Lana’s back.
“Thank you for your help these past couple of weeks. Are you still enjoying working in the shop?”
“Yes, I’m loving it. Even when I do struggle. I feel like I’m finally being challenged again. I haven’t been this excited about something in a really long time.”
Elli smiles against Lana’s neck and trails soft kisses across her jaw to reach Lana’s smiling lips. “Good, I love having you here. The next couple of months are going to be very busy, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to spend your entire sabbatical here. If you want or need to…”
Lana kisses Elli’s lips, cutting her off. “If something else comes up, I’ll let you know. But this is where I want to be.”
“Okay, Sunshine. How about we take a lunch break?”
“Lunch sounds great.”
Lana caresses Elli’s cheek while she kisses her lips, then releases her to lock the door and turn the closed sign with the adjustable paper clock to show they’ll be back in an hour. They walk hand in hand up the spiral staircase to Elli’s apartment and Lana leads Elli to the couch in the living room.
“You rest. I’ll fix something for lunch.”
Elli sits down with a deep sigh and rests her head against the back of the couch, unable to argue or offer to help. Lana leans over to kiss her lips, then she squats to take Elli’s shoes off. Elli watches her with love and affection growing hot in her chest. Lana pulls a square ottoman over and props Elli’s feet up, and as she’s walking away, Elli catches her hand and tugs her back. Lana laughs as she stumbles and Elli guides her unstable momentum to cause her to land on her lap.
“Fancy going to the ball with me in August?”
“Would that really be allowed? Ms. Whitmore didn’t seem to like me much.”
“The contract is for two seamstresses. Ms. Whitmore is a bit of, well, let’s just say, complicated. Her family is loaded and very much the center of posh society around here. They get on with society’s wealthiest, from the business types, government officials, and celebrities. Thus, her image is very important to her. She can come off a bit like an ice queen, but she also has her moments of genuine kindness. The previous two years we received the job for the ball, Mum came with me. But I would really love to take you this year. It’s quite a nice event. I think you might enjoy it.”
“I would love to go with you, but what if something goes wrong with a dress? Wouldn’t your mom be more helpful? Ms. Whitmore probably wouldn’t like you bringing a novice.”
“I will run it by Ms. Whitmore tomorrow. If you’d like to learn more, I’d like to have you assist with all or most of the alterations for the ball. It could help if something does go wrong. The past two years, we only had a few minor issues, mostly caused by clumsiness while dressing or forgetting to lift the skirt of the dress before taking a step up the stairs.”
“If she is fine with it, I would love to learn more and to go with you. What would we have to wear to this?”
“Formal gowns. This is a very fancy event. We’ll have to go shopping. But no worries, it will go on the shop dime. We can write it off as a business expense. We don’t generally have any other reason for such high-end formal attire, so the past two years, we have resold the gowns and put the money back into the shop.”
“Sounds exciting. I haven’t worn a formal gown since prom in high school.”
While Elli begins absentmindedly running her hand up and down the side of Lana’s thigh, she asks, “Did you go to prom with a girl or a boy?”
“By myself, actually. A few of my friends and I were single and decided it would be more fun to go as a group than to settle for dates we weren’t interested in.”
“And was it? Did you have a good prom night?”
“For the most part. We danced together as a group during fast songs and paired off for slow songs. It was fun. I was the only lesbian in the group and my friends thought it would be funny if I was the stand in date for all of them for the couple’s photos.” Lana laughs as her cheeks blush a little. “I have six photos from senior prom holding my friends from behind like I was a player or something.”
“That’s adorable. What parts weren’t so fun?”
“The after-prom party at a friend’s house. Everyone got wasted and people started randomly pairing up and skulking off to different parts of the house to hook up. It was a disaster. I ended up calling a cab and going home.”
“So, no hook-ups for you on prom night?”
Lana laughs and pinches Elli’s sides, making her laugh and squirm. “No, I didn’t join in the debauchery. How was your prom?”
“I went with my girlfriend. It was a long time ago, but from what I remember, it was a fun night.”
“Did you get up to any debauchery with your girlfriend?”
Elli laughs and tickles Lana’s sides, making her laugh as she firmly kisses Elli’s lips. “Aye, we concluded the evening with a bit of love making in her bed.”
“What happened with the girlfriend? I mean, how long were you together?”
“Oh, not too long. About a month after graduation, I was preparing to move to England and she was preparing for college in Texas, so we ended things. We kept in touch for a bit, but we eventually drifted apart.”
“Did you love her?”
Elli shakes her head as she squeezes Lana closer. “No, we got along well and had fun together, but we didn’t have anything particularly special. I’ve never been one to fall in love easily.”
Lana smiles really big as her eyes mist over. She presses and parts her lips with Elli’s, pulling her into a slow passionate kiss. As she pulls away, she caresses Elli’s cheek and traces the rim of her ear with her thumb.
“I’m going to make you some lunch now. What would you like to drink?”
“Water, please.”
“Okay, coming right up.”
Lana gives her another kiss on the lips, then gingerly stands up, leaving Elli’s lap. Elli watches her walk out of the living room and when she’s out of sight in the kitchen, Elli leans her head back with a content smile curling her lips. She closes her eyes and savors the warm affections burning in her chest.
The past few weeks have been the best days of the past six years. She hasn’t been this happy since before Isabell died. She had nearly lost all hope of being able to experience these emotions and beautiful moments ever again.
“Here, babe.”
Elli opens her eyes and accepts the glass of ice water. “Thank you.”
Lana smiles, and as she starts to walk away, Elli catches her hand again, making Lana laugh. Elli leans forward and kisses the top of Lana’s hand, gives it a small squeeze, then releases it.
“I love you, Sunshine.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty
“Good morning, darling!” Maggie embraces Elli and gives her kisses on both cheeks, then turns to face Lana with an even wider smile. “Good morning, dear. So good to see you again!” Maggie embraces Lana and gives her a kiss on both cheeks as well, making Lana feel warm inside.
“Good morning, Maggie.”
Hudson leans in to give Lana a quick hug with one arm and lightly kisses her cheek. “Good morning, Lana. Are you going to put me to work?”
Lana laughs a little as her cheeks blush and she looks to Elli to answer, who is wearing a look that says she couldn’t be happier.
“I need to prepare for Ms. Whitmore to arrive soon. Can you show Mum and Dad what we have on the schedule for pick-up tomorrow?”
“Okay, I can do that.”
Lana takes a deep breath as her heart rate quickens with her nerves increasing from the sudden pressure to show what she has learned thus far. After Hudson sets a drink carrier of coffees down with a box of pastries, he and Maggie fol
low Lana to the front of the shop. Elli puts her seamstress apron on, grabs a sewing box with additional tools and pins, and as she starts to walk to the front of the shop, the bell above the front door jingles.
“Good morning, Ms. Whitmore! Lovely to see you, dear.”
“Mrs. Voss, it’s been too long. How are you?”
“Wonderful, dear, but I need to ask your forgiveness of me.”
Elli scrunches her brow in confusion and hangs back in the work studio to wait for her mother to continue.
With sweet kindness in her voice, Ms. Whitmore asks, “Oh, whatever for? Please tell me you didn’t send Elli off to London at a time like this.”
“Oh, no, dear, of course not. It’s the ball. I won’t be able to attend. Hudson and I have a prior engagement.”
“Oh, well, that is a bit of an unexpected disappointment. Not that I don’t think Elli can handle the job on her own, but it is always more comforting to know there are two sets of expert hands on site to put out any flames if need be.”
“I haven’t asked her yet, but Lana has been training under Elli and I believe she’d be more than capable to assist on the night of the ball. If she is available, of course.”
Ms. Whitmore eyes Lana up and down with a forced smile. “The girlfriend, right? What is your background? What is your true profession?”
“I’m a financial analyst, but I’m on a personal sabbatical to explore my options – maybe change careers.”
“Couldn’t cut it or lost your passion?”
Lana reins in her frustration and forces her voice to remain steady. “The latter. The job isn’t challenging anymore.”
“Interesting. So, in the financial world, would you say you are the best of the best?”
“In my company, yes.”
“And how would you rate your skill set in your new endeavor to learn how to work with your hands?”
“I’m still learning, but Elli has been pleased with my work so far.”
“I’m sure. Lana, is it? Listen, I only employ the very best and the Voss family is the very best. So, if you attend the ball representing the Voss name, do so only with the confidence that you can be the very best. Do you understand?”
Elli suddenly walks in, and with a teasing smile, she asks, “Ms. Whitmore, do you not trust our judgement?”
“Oh, Elli, you naughty girl, hiding out and spying on my personal business.”
Elli releases a small laugh and shakes her head. “Thin walls. There are no secret business affairs in the shop. Are you done giving my girl a hard time?”
“A hard time?” Ms. Whitmore waves a dismissive hand as her cheeks lightly spring with a bit of pink and she flashes Elli a genuine smile. “Nonsense, Elli, dear, I’m just getting to know her. If she’s going to attend my esteemed ball, I think it’s only fair that we understand each other.”
“Have you decided if you understand Lana?”
Ms. Whitmore puckers her lips as her nose raises towards the ceiling and she tilts her head to appraise Lana, who is watching with a patient, unaffected expression.
“She would look lovely in a gown.” Elli makes a disapproving clicking sound with her tongue and cheek, making Ms. Whitmore smile in a proud way. “Oh, alright, Elli, she has a backbone and I appreciate the honesty about her prior work experience. Okay, here is the deal, I approve of you bringing your girlfriend, but she is not to just be a beautiful piece of arm candy. She needs to be able to put the fires out independently from you. Understand?”
“Of course, Ms. Whitmore. Now, are you ready for your fitting?”
“Yes, let’s get started. I have a very busy day today.”
“The fitting room is open. Please let me know when you’re ready for me.”
Ms. Whitmore throws an intrigued sort of smile over her shoulder in Lana’s direction, then walks to the fitting room at the other end of the front of the shop. Elli waits for the door to close behind her, then walks over to the counter to stand in front of Lana.
Very quietly, Elli asks, “You okay?”
“Yes, I’ve faced much worse.”
“Good.” Elli leans over the counter and gives her a kiss on the lips.
“Have fun with her. Just, not too much fun.”
Elli and her parents laugh a little. Elli shakes her head and playfully pinches Lana’s chin.
“You have nothing to worry about, darling.”
The term of endearment causes a flutter of joy in Lana’s stomach and chest. She wants to pull Elli into her arms and kiss her deeply, but she just smiles and watches Elli walk across the shop towards the fitting room. The fitting room door opens and Ms. Whitmore’s hand pops out with two fingers curling in a beckoning way. Elli disappears inside and Lana exhales as she turns to face Maggie and Hudson.
“I guess we better get to work, dear.”
Maggie squeezes Lana’s arm in an encouraging way, then pulls the day planner over to review the projects they need to work on. Maggie picks a project each of them can work on individually, then they pick a work table to get busy. While Hudson works on replacing the soles on a pair of boots, Maggie works on making a replacement leather shoulder strap for a leather messenger bag, and Lana works on hemming a few pairs of men’s slacks.
“How has Elli been getting along this week?”
Hudson’s sudden question startles Lana and causes her to jab herself in her thumb with the sewing needle. She winces and sucks on her thumb to get rid of the small bead of blood and soothe the pain.
“She’s amazing. I don’t know how she gets through as much as she does. The past week and a half have been very busy, so she’s been pretty tired, but she never complains. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Was the shop manageable when the two of you ran it together?”
Hudson and Maggie stop what they’re doing and give Lana their full attention. They don’t want to read too much into Lana’s question, but they are cautiously hopeful that her time working in the shop has made her major career decision much clearer – hopefully leading to the decision that she’ll want to work side by side with Elli instead of returning to being a financial analyst.
“After Maggie and I were married, she began working in the shop with me. The beginning was much like it is now with you working with Elli – learning on the job. The first year, we still depended on my parents to help every so often till Maggie got the swing of things. Then we were able to manage pretty well on our own. We’d have periods that were very busy with us working long into the night, but for the most part, we were able to handle the shop together. How have you been getting along here?”
“Oh, it’s great. It’s hard work, but I’m loving it. I’ve never really worked with my hands like this. I never realized how rewarding it can be. Watching Elli is… well, she’s amazing. Some of the things she can do just blows my mind.”
“Elli had the rare opportunity to learn under the apprenticeship of the most talented members in the family for half of her life. She has far surpassed what we are capable of. You have the best possible teacher to learn from if you’re serious about learning our trade.”
“I don’t expect to ever be able to match what Elli can do, but I hope I can get good enough to pick up enough of the slack that Elli isn’t so overwhelmed.”
Maggie and Hudson share a brief look, both of them feeling their hope for Elli and Lana’s future growing.
“The desire to learn and be a valuable partner to the one you love is exactly the drive needed to succeed. Before Hudson and I were wed, I could barely hand stitch a hole in the toe of a stocking or sew a button back on a blouse. It takes time and love to learn and prosper.”
“How did you handle vacations? Did you have to close up the shop if you wanted to leave town?”
“My parents didn’t go back to England till after Elli was about twelve-years-old. While they were still here, they ran the shop while we were on vacation. After they moved back to England, things required a bit more planning. If
we were only taking a few days, we just closed the shop. If we were taking a week or longer, we arranged for a couple of family members to come in from England to cover for us.”
“Wow, so, the family really flies back and forth to help manage the shops?”
“Yes, this is a family business. A giant ocean doesn’t keep us from supporting each other when it’s needed. Even Elli has to return to London on occasions. All of us hold dual citizenship so we can freely travel back and forth as needed.”
“That’s amazing. It sounds like the entire family is very close.”
With a gruff laugh, Hudson says, “Oh, the family has their fair share of differences, but everyone tucks those away when the business requires it. The business has actually helped keep the family together during some difficult situations.”
The bell above the front door jingles as a customer walks in. Lana stands up first and Maggie and Hudson glance at each other with an approving smile, which does not go unnoticed by Lana.
She walks out to the front of the shop and greets the woman with a friendly smile, saying, “Good morning. How can I help you?”
“It’s kind of embarrassing.”
The woman looks around to see if they’re alone, then parts her jacket, revealing a paperclip holding her pants together where a button should be.
Lana smiles kindly and nods, saying, “I can fix that for you.” Lana reaches down and pulls a clean folded robe out from under the counter. “Someone is being fitted in the dressing room, but you can use the bathroom right there to change out of the pants. It should only take me a few minutes to fix.”
“Thank you so much!”
While the woman goes to the bathroom to change out of her pants, Lana writes the repair into the day planner to be ready for finalizing the transaction after she makes the repair.
After the woman comes out tightly wrapped in the robe, she hands Lana the pants.
“Do you have a preference on the style and color button?”
“The original button was plastic and gray that matched the pants. That’s fine with me. I don’t need anything fancy.”
“Okay, go ahead and take a seat. This won’t take me long.”