Just then, Alex's phone rang. "Ah my love, I must take this call, but I will be right back," Alex spoke kissing my forehead.
   
     "Alright," I replied as he took off.
    
     Katerina first led us over to an area with child-sized gowns. Clarissa began to leaf through the dresses, every so often stopping at one she liked. "Do you see any that you like?" I asked her, but she didnt respond. She was mesmerized by the gowns.

     I felt so grateful that Alex was able to give her this experience because it was something that I would never be able to give her. "Tabitha?" She asked quietly as her fingers moved through the different fabric.

     "Yes Sweetheart?" I replied.

     "Is this real?" she asked and I let out an awkward giggle. To be honest I wasn't entirely sure it was either.

     "Yes, this is real," I smiled at her.

     "May I try this one?" she asked holding up a dress with a black velvet top that had long lace sleeves. The bottom part of the dress was a deep plum color with mauve tulle over it and black velvet accents.

     "That is a wonderful choice!" I exclaimed. As we pulled her size from the rack. We also grabbed a pair of black tights for her to wear with it.

     As she walked into the dressing room, I stayed just outside the door, finding myself just beside the lingerie section. "I hope this dress fits," Clarissa called out.

     "I'm sure it will sweetie, it's perfect for you," I smiled. I glanced up at the various bustiers and wondered what sort of thing Alex might like. I was drawn to a lacy black bra and underwear set with teal satin accents. It also had a matching babydoll top.

     I pulled the hanger off of the rack and Katerina winked at me. "I can hide these with your things for today if you'd like so they can still be a suprise," she smiled.

    "Yes please," I spoke nervously handing it to her. She smiled and scurried off to.the desk.

     "Tabby, please help me zip it," Clarissa spoke softly opening up the door. I zipped up her dress and she spun around. Her brown curls bounced as she turned, she looked like a princess in her dress and tights.

     "You look gorgeous!" I exclaimed excitedly leading her to the mirror off to the side.

     "It seems that all you need are these,"  Katerina smiled handing Clarissa matching black dress flats. She slipped them onto her feet and gave a little twirl.

     "Thank you!" Clarissa yelled out happily. She rushed back to the dressing room to change into her normal clothes.

     "Now me must find you something, my dear," she spoke to me.

      I glanced around the boutique and found myself drawn to a rack a bit farther back. As I approached it I found a teal floor length gown with black velvet swirls all over it. The sleeve and chest areas had a black sheer fabric that would be just enough to hide my scars. Matching black heels rested at the bottom right of the mannequin.

     As I picked up the gown to carry it to the dressing room, Alex reentered the shop. I quickly hid the dress behind my back and rushed back to the fitting room. "Clarissa baby, if you still want your dress to be a suprise. Leave it in there. Alex just came back."

     "Okay," smiled darting out of the dressing room as I darted in. I quickly changed and once ensuring the dress fit, I hung it back on it's hanger. I changed back into my clothes and poled my head out of the dressing room. "Katerina, may I have two dress bags?" I asked.

    She hurried them over to me and I hid the gowns inside, careful to leave the tags out so she could scan them. Then I gathered the two show boxes and went to the counter.

     Alex paid for our gowns and we left.