Chapter Forty-two

Bram couldn’t remember enjoying ever playing hooky from work as much as he was now. Overall, Devon and Izabella had an amazing day. Though Bram was tired, not having slept well the night before, he was happily exhausted. Devon and Izabella had a lot of fun shopping for the kids. It amused him to no end that she was a coupon and savings shopper. Even knowing he had the money to put out, she was all about saving the almighty dollar and he found it adorable.

Silently, he had to praise Tyler for his attention to detail. He hadn’t even thought of transporting all the bedding they were buying. He’d called Tyler half in a panic about what to do. Within five minutes after his purchase, there was a truck outside and three men were hauling their goods for them. Tyler informed him that there was a group of people already set aside that would be wrapping the seventy different bedding sets they’d bought and that the drivers would deliver the gifts to the orphanage, where the lady of the house would keep them safe until Devon’s party. Nothing got by his friend and he was grateful.

Tyler had sounded stressed though. When Bram had tried to figure out what he was dealing with, Tyler simply informed him that he had it handled already, and just needed to finalize his decision, though he sounded like he knew what he was going to do. As usual, he wouldn’t talk to Bram about it until he had the whole plan laid out and ready to move forward.

Bram had asked about his time with Gavin, but he couldn’t tell how Tyler felt about it. He seemed confused, which was a very odd place for him to be. Split decision making was something he excelled at, and that he was taking his time deciding anything, meant that whatever it was, had an ability to go south and he wasn’t liking the odds. When Bram had asked if he wanted to join them for dinner, Tyler had declined, telling him just to enjoy his small bought of freedom for now.

Bram decided that was the best thing he could do. After their expedition to the bedding store, they went to lunch. Stopping again at Uncle Ronnie’s. Bram got that delicious burger again and decided that this would likely become a new stomping ground for them. Izabella liked seeing people she knew, and Bram enjoyed the nostalgia that wrapped around her while they were there. She just seemed, happy.

Clothes shopping had been a fiasco. Bram had worn a suit out, because really, he rarely went into public with anything else. But the second Devon and Izabella were told they could pick out clothing for him, they were all over it. Izabella had even insisted that he change into something more casual, but Devon had practically been rolling on the floor with laughter the entire time. Her eyes were filled with mischief, and he knew they thought they were pulling the wool over his eyes. They’d insisted though, and he was secure enough in himself to not care what anyone else thought. If they were going to have this much fun making a fool of him, he’d let them have it. He’d never seen Devon laugh so hard and it really made him feel good to see it.

After he was all set, and laden with more bags than he cared to be carrying, they moved off to the women’s department. Bram quickly found an available employee that he bribed to get the bags down to his car. The guy was happy to go on his break and make an extra hundred bucks to ferry Bram’s things outside. Once free from the baggage, he insisted on doing the same for Izabella. She looked sheepish, trying to convince him she would by clothes when she got paid.

He was kinder to her than she was to him. Though nearly every piece of clothing they picked out had red in it. If he chose something without it, she immediately told him she wasn’t interested. “You need a little more color in your life. I’ll wear red every day if it means I stand out in a crowd or add some flair to your life.” Every decision she made, she took into account how it made those around her feel, and he loved that about her.

“Here, go change into this one. I think I should be able to pick what you wear home since you picked out my clothing.” It was a really cute dress, a bit on the short side from what Izabella usually wore.

“Did you see how much this dress cost?” She asked, blinking up at him. “It’s made entirely of silk and has a built-in petti in the skirt.

Bram rolled his eyes, “I don’t care how much it costs. I like it and would really like to see you wear it.”

“To be fair, ma’am.” The woman working at the dressing rooms smiled at them, “I’ve been listening to you both, and you did dress him like a flamingo. It’s only fair you let him buy you such a lovely dress and wear it home for him too.” Her eyes sparkled at Izabella, winking at her.

Izabella blushed furiously as Bram raised a questioning brow at her and Devon started to giggle uncontrollably. “I… I…”

“I already knew.” His finger went under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “You do realize that pink is a shade of red. The paler the color, the less of it I can see, but flamingo pink is still in the range.” Bram smirk, loving her embarrassment.

“You knew along and just went with it?” She asked in exasperation.

“You were so amused; I didn’t want to ruin it.” He shrugged. “Go put the dress on.” He said firmly. She squeaked at him but went into the changing room without further argument.

“Oh, you’re a keeper. You remind me of my husband when he was younger.”

“Well, I hope I’m half as lucky as him in the future.” Bram smiled, and the woman swooned at him, batting her eyes. When Izabella came out of the dressing room, she was nearly as red as the dress. It was fire engine red for the most part, a slight poof to the skirt. There was a shiny black belt high on the waist and the red fabric tied around the back of her neck in a bow. The breast portion was black with little white polka dots and covered just as much as a bra would. The spot between her breasts was deliciously bare, and a small dark gem was nestled in between where the fabric met. The red skirt split in the front, showing another layer of that black and white polka dotted fabric underneath.

Bram was sure everyone in the store could hear the hammering of his heart as he looked at her. “It’s really pretty… but I don’t have anything that goes with this. What kind of shoes does someone even wear with it?”

The woman working, who had supported him in the dress a moment ago started to glow as she came over, taking Izabella’s arm in hers. “Oh, I have just the thing for it. You’ve got such nice color, there’s no point in hiding those legs with nylons or leggings, but just look at the shoes. You can do red, black, or white. I would personally opt for the red.” She winked at Izabella. Bram and Devon followed behind, and Izabella put one of each on. “Bram… they’re over four hundred dollars for the shoes! I can only wear them with this dress…”

“No, you got a few outfits with red. Besides, you now have a whole walk-in closet at home that we’ll slowly fill for you. And the four hundred will be nothing compared to the other accessories this lovely lady is hopefully about to show you.”

“What other accessories are there?” She stared between them, clearly feeling overwhelmed.

“Jewelry.”

“Oh, no… Bram. I can’t let you—”

“Oh yes you can.” The older lady gave her the other red shoe and snagged the box. “Put that on and we’ll head over. When a handsome young man like that decides to shower you with gifts, enjoy it and take it. We do enough for them, this is how they make sure we’re happy too.” Bram bit his lip as she looked at him, her eyes begging him to stop. He shook his head and shrugged.

“You have a jewelry box, right?” He asked.

“Stop it, Bram.” Her face was beet red. He would have stopped if he thought she was angry, but he could smell her excitement. He didn’t take advantage of her last night and had decided that this was a way to do it harmlessly.

“How can a girl not have a jewelry box?” The woman sounded surprised.

“My father passed away a little over a year ago. I’ve basically just been getting by. I have a suitcase of clothes, and little else.” Izabella buried her face in her hands. Bram knelt in front of her slipping the heal on her foot and buckling it. The woman stood, giving them space and bouncing over to speak with Devon while they took a moment. Pulling him over to look at the kids shoes. “Bram. I’m so embarrassed. That woman is going to think you’re my sugar daddy.”

“So?” He looked at her with confusion.

“Do you know what that even means?” She only opened her fingers enough to peek between them at him.

He nodded, his hand resting on her ankle. “Really though, who cares. Let her think you’re sleeping with me. Hell, I kinda hope you decide you want to. But that’s not what this is about. You are so excited. You have no idea how you are just glowing right now. It’s making both Devon and I really happy just to watch you. I know you’re not used to this kind of treatment, but I’m getting the chance to exchange monetary value, which I have mountains of, for your happiness and joy. I’m not asking to be your sugar daddy. And I don’t have any expectations of how you can pay me back other than making sure Devon is happy. I know this dress cost more than your prom dress did, and that’s making you uncomfortable. But you look amazing, and I want to see you have the whole shebang. I’ll rip up the same amount of money and throw it in the trash. It literally has no value to me, because I can’t give it away fast enough. Let me exchange it for some smiles. Please?” His fingers played in her hair, and those green eyes landed on his lips.

When she opened her arms to him, he got up from his knees and sat beside her on the bench. “Thank you. I’m sorry. This is all just so… much.”

“I know. Devon had a hard adjustment at first too. But, hey, look at him now. A year later and he tells me what I have to buy him.” Bram and Izabella laughed together, her arms around his neck and him holding her around her waist. “Come on, just don’t look at the prices. If you argue about me getting you a set of jewelry to go with your dress, I’ll make you go to Tiffanies with me and I’ll pick out the most expensive, gaudiest thing in the room. Understand.”

“Is that a flamingo dad’s promise?” She giggled.

“You can bet your polka dots it is.” He winked at her.