Fitting

*Henry* 

I watched as the woman got out each dress. They were all covered so I couldn't see what Sophia and Sandra had chosen. I hadn't been to a real wedding before, not that I could recall. Maybe a few back in my foster days, but nothing that left a lasting impression. I couldn’t wait. I knew the brothers would make fun of me for being excited, but I really didn't care. I loved my brother, and I have watched him for some time live and breathe the brotherhood. Otherwise, he did nothing. He sat in his office and rarely spoke to us. Never about anything real personal. When his brother Mason was killed, he was a whole new monster. He was going to take everything from Ryan before taking his life. When he saw Sandra, when he noticed her bruises, he softened. When he realized who she was, he softened even more. Over time, through everything they have faced, her almost dying, him almost dying, losing others, her killing Ryan, her figuring out the definition behind Smoke, and fighting the Italians, yet, still their love has grown so strong. The Italians were mostly my fault, because I wanted to save my beautiful Takara. She deserved better. I will give her better. Hopefully one day we can love each other the way I know Joseph loves Sandra. “You don’t have to stay Chef.” Sandra said bringing me back to the present. I smiled at her and leaned in towards where she was seated. “I want to see.” She smiled and I chuckled. She shook her head at me, in disbelief, and I put my finger to my mouth as if to tell her to keep it a secret.  

Once the woman had everything set up in the dining room, it had mostly turned into a dress shop. All the dresses hung on a silver bar connected to a sewing station. A set of stairs sat in front of a white and lace lined mirror. She even had a nice sized stand-up changing station available for Sandra to put the shapewear on before trying on the dresses. The woman spun around and smiled way too dramatically at her. I knew my sister would be annoyed by her very quickly and forced a laugh down. I had already heard her sigh deeply a few times. Sophia, on the other hand, looked like she might jump out of her chair and take control of the situation. “Henry, how is the dress shopping going?” I jumped, startled, I had forgotten about the comm in my ear. “Going good, boss. Getting ready to start trying them on.” I said quietly enough that only the comm should have picked up my voice. Sandra glanced over at me telling me she must have one in her ear as well. The things are nearly invisible, unless you know someone has one in. “Okay. Let me know if she needs me.” I assured him I would let him know and watched as the woman measured Sandra’s curves. “Hmmm... okay... perfect... Great.” The woman kept saying random words as she worked. She wasn't easy, pulling and tugging on the measuring tape as she worked. She reached a bundle of shapewear and undergarments to Sandra and led her into the changing station. She closed the curtain and stood guard in front of it, which I appreciated.  

Sandra pulled on the curtain and the woman moved so she could step out. She sat a small round step stool on the ground in front of her and asked her to stand on it. “Are you planning to wear stilettos? Pumps? Blocks? Loafers? Wedges?”  Sandra looked like her head was going to spin. “Probably something simple, small heeled. I don't want to fall.” She sounded almost shy, which was unlike her. Was this dress lady making her feel inferior? “Rock the stilettos Sunshine.” I commented, attempting to lighten her mood. She shook her head no, “No, Chef, I don't think so. Maybe some pumps.” She said looking at the woman with more confidence now. The woman nodded and made a note on a clipboard she had sitting on the folding table beside her. “Well, *Sunshine*, what do you say we pick a dress?” The way the woman said Sunshine was almost sarcastic like she knew that wasn't Sandra’s real name. Sophia’s eyes shot up at the woman. “Do we have a problem?” Her spicy tone made me smile. I know I shouldn’t allow this to start, but I couldn't help but enjoy the show. “No, ma’am. I don't think we do.” The woman placed a hand on her hip. “Why did you say her beautiful name in that tone?” Sophia asked, Sandra looked at Sophia with her eyes wide and her mouth gaped open. “It’s fine, Soph.” She finally managed to say after the woman took a step backwards. “I didn’t mean anything by it, lady. I just assume that isn't a real name. In a place like this, I would say real names are quite secret.” Sophia walked towards her. “What do you mean by places like this?” She was offended, her voice sharper now. “Okay... Soph, let's just try on the dresses.” Sandra said deescalating the situation, or attempting to. Sophia looked to Sandra and nodded, backing down. “I didn’t mean anything bad by what I said.” The woman said looking at Sandra as well. “Just show me the dresses.” This time Sandra’s voice was sharp. The woman nodded and grabbed the first dress off of the cart.  

I looked over to Seven, who also looked amused. At least it wasn't just me who enjoyed a good battle of the queens. I shrugged and he shook his head no slowly as if to tell me to cut it out. When I looked back at Sandra, she was lost inside a large ballgown dress. White and fluffy, with a bit of red around the top and running up from the bottom and the train. It was beautiful, but on her it was breathtaking. I could tell she loved it by the way she looked in the mirror. “Wow, sis, you are definitely meant to be the queen.” I watched her cheeks flush some before she gave me a very sweet middle finger response. I had embarrassed her, I’m sure. “Oh darlin, you are beyond Bonita. Beyond hermosa. Perfecta.” Sandra didn't speak she just stared at herself in the mirror while Sophia boasted about how good she looked. “Sunshine, this is the most perfect dress, I don't think you need try on the others. If you would like to, of course, I will get the next one ready to go.” Sandra shook her head no. “I had my heart set on this one. I just wanted to see how I looked in it.” The woman nodded and started to pin the dress in the places that needed took in, or let out, or whatever it is the seamstress does to the dress. “Boss, you are going to die of a heart attack when you see her in this dress.” I said into the comm, causing Sandra to turn red again. “I don’t doubt it, brother.” Joseph replied. He knew how lucky he was. She saved him just as much as he saved her. 

After the dress was finished, Sandra stepped out of it and the woman put it back into the garment bag. She wrote down some more notes before she started to load things back up. We sat and watched as she gave Sandra the Veil and garter that matched the dress. “You can hold on to these. When you plan your makeup and hair, you may wanna know what the veil will look good with.” Sandra nodded and thanked her. Some of the guards started helping her carry her things back to her car. Once everything was packed back into her trunk, we walked her to the door. Once at the door, she reached and shook the hands of the people surrounding our future bride. “It was nice doing business here with you all.” She smiled. When she pulled in Sandra to hug her goodbye she spoke softly in her ear. “Tell Joseph I said I sure hope his marriage is everything he wants it to be.” She squeezed Sandra and let go before rushing out the door. I didn’t even process what she said until I heard Jay in my ear. “Who the fuck is that? How did she know his name?” I heard in my ear and saw Zeus and Jay running towards the front door.  Sandra just looked dazed, “I knew it was too good to be true.” she started to tear up and walked off towards their room.