Kira - Chapter XVI - Mother/daughter shopping trip.

PART I - Kira talks to her mother.

Mother showed us that she hadn't forgotten how to tell stories either. She told us of an exceptional child who had a heart of gold and only wanted what was best for others. Then she looked at me, gave me a hug, and told me how wonderful and precious I really was.

"You know what I am thinking? That maybe you and I, Kira, should go shopping, and let me buy my daughter a nice dress and some shoes. Would you like that, Kira?"

"Yes, mother, I would really like that. I have always dreamed of what it would be like to go clothes shopping with my mother, and try on this outfit and that one. I have dreamed about this for so long. We could make a day of it, and have lunch and just talk, and have a good time. Maybe too, we could actually go to a movie together." I giggled, and mother wanted to know what I was giggling at. "I was just reminded of the old Rolling Stones song Mother's Little Helper, but instead of a little yellow pill, my mother's little helper is her daughter. A daughter's love is the best drug there ever was.

"Ever since I was very little, I have dreamed of the day that my mother would fuss over me, and get me nice things to wear. Mom, would you like to help me make the dinner tomorrow?"

"I would love to," she smiled and rubbed her nose against mine.

We had mother back, and maybe daddy and she will get married again. I hope so, because then we could be one happy family again. Being a family isn't whether or not the parents are married, or just living together, but is in the love that is in each one's heart. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives, and we are going to make sure that this family stays together. I didn't plan for any of this to happen, but I was hoping it would. I'm like Haley Mills and Lindsay Lohan in both Parent Trap movies. Except I did it by myself.

When I was telling daddy, Danny and Katie my wishes, even they had their doubts, but I made it all come together. Now mother is back with us, and we are going to be happy. That of course, is not to say, that there won't be trying times, because there will. But even during those times, if we all pull together, we will weather the storm.

Daddy looked at the clock, and said we should all be getting to bed, because he had to be in his office by eight thirty. We all said our goodnights, and gave each other hugs, and went to get ready for bed. Sometime during the night, I had went in mother's room, and laid down next to her. When we both woke up, we were happy that the other was there.

"You haven't slept in my bed since you were six years old, Kira. But I am glad you did last night, though."

"Mom, I just wanted you to know that this isn't a dream. You are actually home, and this time, we are going to be a true family. This time."

"You know, since all this began, I have seen you in court and you looked like you were so sad. Let's leave all this sadness behind us now, and start all over again. Honey, I want you to know that I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me."

"Mom, you can repay us by being our mother. Even daddy still loves you. I was really sad seeing that faraway look in his eyes everytime he felt he couldn't make you see. But you see now though, and that is what counts. We are a family, and we have love."

"Oh my, child. Where have you been all of my life?"

"Right in front of you, mother. Katie, daddy, Danny and I, will always be right in front of you."

"Well, I smell bacon and coffee. Let's get breakfast."

We both went in the kitchen, singing "we are family" to which everybody joined in. I went and got out my juice and milk, and sat down, because Danny was making breakfast. When mom and I had finished breakfast, we told everybody that we would clean up. Well mom told them, and I was glad she did, because I wanted more time to bond with her. When everybody left the kitchen, mom and I talked.

"Honey, daddy and I have decided that we are going to get married again, and this time, we are staying together. How would you like to be my flower girl, and Katie can be my bride's maid?" I gave her a big hug.

"I'm a little too young to be a bride's maid, mom, but I would be honored to be your flower girl."

"Well, as soon as we can get the marriage license, we will make the plans. What do you think? Do you think my gown should be rose or a hot pink with rose brides maids dresses?"

"The brides maids dresses should never overshadow the bride. So I think you should wear the hot pink gown, and the rest of us can wear a light rose gown. That way you will stand out as the bride. Besides this will the be the first time I get to see daddy and Danny in a tux."

"Well, when we get the marriage license, I want to talk to you and Katie, and your father can talk to Danny. But we're not getting it for a few more weeks yet. Your father and I have agreed that I need to settle in first, and get used to having a family again. But you know, Kira, I am looking at you now and all I see is a pretty girl growing into her womanhood. Come on, the men may think we disappeared." We hugged, and went out to the living room, and saw they were starting to watch the pre game on television.

"Dear, may I have some money so I can take Kira shopping?"

"I will do better than that. I will let you use my credit cards, and give you a letter of permission so that you can use them." He went in his bedroom and came out a few minutes later with the cards and the letter. "I have called Trilby's to let them know you are coming and that you have my permission to use my cards."

Trilby's was an exclusive store that sold only the best clothes and shoes. It was located in one of the suburbs of the city. The city is about thirty minutes away by car. So mom got her purse, I got mine, and we left. Katie stayed behind this time because she knew how important it was for me to be with mom. On the way, mom and I talked again.

"Honey, I looked in your closet, and you have a lot of wonderful clothes. Is there something special you would like me to buy you?"

"I'm not sure, mom. But if there is, I will know it when I see it. Also, I want Katie, you and I, to all go out and make it a girls day out. We can have a lot of fun looking for that mysterious bargain we don't know exists til we see it."

"Do you like things that are on sale?"

"Mother, I'm a girl, I just live for shopping and sales." We both giggled.

When she had stopped in Trilby's parking lot, she gave me a hug, and whispered that she was sorry for causing me a lot of undue misery. I just told her all that is forgotten, and we are starting all over again.

"Well, anyway, we're here, so let's go shopping."

PART II - The shopping trip.

A girl's second home is the mall, but today it is Trilby's. Trilbys is a very impressive building with seven stories of nothing but clothes for little girls all the way to grown women. There is a basement where they have nice bric-a-brac that people collect. They also have real porcelain dolls here too that are imported from all over the world. I thought to myself that it would be so nice if mom could buy me a nice porcelain doll for my birthday, maybe. We will see because that is a ways off yet.

On the first floor are magnificent gowns for all occasions, including bridal gowns made to order. The second and third floors are from two years old and up to twelve year old girls, and the fourth and fifth floors are for teens and young women in their twenties. The sixth and seventh floors are for older ladies and even has plus size clothing. The offices were also on the seventh floor.

But Trilby's is were everybody came to get that special something or other. We started in the basement, and I went over and looked at the porcelain dolls. There were so many in period costumes from all over the world. There were even african porcelain dolls too. As I looked and dreamed of having one, mom broke my spell.

"Would you like a nice porcelain doll, honey?"

"I was actually thinking about one for my birthday, but that is a ways off yet. They are all so pretty though. Oh look! They even have baby porcelain dolls too." We looked at all the dolls, and my eyes fixed on one that was dressed as a bride. I looked at the price tag and rolled my eyes. Porcelian dolls sure are expensive. But yes, I did want one or two, maybe a dozen here and there. I giggled out loud.

"What are you giggling about now, sweetie?"

"I was just thinking how many porcelain dolls I wanted and I thought that maybe one or two or maybe three maybe even a dozen here and there, then I giggled. These are all so pretty and in bright costumes too."

"Well, for what it's worth, dear, I love porcelain dolls too. Tell you what, I will talk to your father, and see if he will let me buy a few. Then we could put them in a display case, so they don't get dusty."

"That would be great, mom. Then they wouldn't be mine or yours but ours, the whole family's."

"Yes, dear. I think that it is time our home had a few bric-a-brac to show our company and guests. Why don't you go up and see what kinds of dresses they have and see if there is anything you like. I want to stay here and look around a bit."

"But mom, we should do this whole store together. I want time to spend with you."

"Kira, will you please go upstairs and see if there is a dress you would like."

Mom had something up her sleeve or in her stockings, but whatever it was, I obeyed her and went to look at the dresses. I was there maybe ten minutes when mom showed up carrying a Trilby's bag. But when I looked in the bag, all I saw was tissue paper covering whatever it was that she bought. We looked around for that elusive dress that I wanted to get but didn't know what style, material, or cut it was, unil I saw it.

"Well honey, did you find anything you like?"

"No, mother, I am still looking. You know, I have a closet full of clothes, but I can always use more. I saw one that maybe I would like, but I need another pair of eyes."

"Well show me, dear. I'm sure that whatever you pick out will look very good on you."

I took her over to the dress I was looking at, and took it off the rack. It was full bodied with a slim bodice that hugged me to the waist. The Skirt part fanned out, and wrapped around my legs with every move. It was turquoise gingham with a square neckline, and an invisible back zipper. It came to about two inches above my knees.

When I had stepped out of the changing booth, mom's hand went right to her mouth to stifle a gasp. "Honey, that dress was made just for you. It hugs your curves very well, and makes you look slightly older. I can see why you needed another pair of eyes. I would have been unsure myself, thinking such a dress couldn't exist. You could actually wear this to school, out for a date, or at a dinner party. In fact, sweetie, you could wear this dress any where, any time, for any thing. If you want this dress, honey, you can get it."

"Thanks, mom." I went back in the changing booth and got back in to my regular clothes. I draped the dress over my left arm, and we went to look at lingerie.

Anytime a girl buys a new dress, or skirt outfit, she has to buy the lingerie to go with it. Since this was turquoise, I figured maybe turquoise or light, powder blue lingerie would do. We looked, and I had asked mom what she thought I should get for lingerie. She said that the light, powder blue would work the best, because it was slightly darker, and would stand out from the turquoise color. The lingerie we got was a bra and panty set that had lace on the waistband and around the leg openings. The bra had lace between the cups. We also got a half slip that had lace around the waistband and the hem. Now I was ready to get a new pair of shoes and stockings to go with the dress.

But you know something though? I was thinking how lucky guys seem to be. They don't have to worry about makeup, or coordinating an outfit, or making sure their hair stands the public scrutiny of the day. They don't have to worry whether their nail polish matches their lipstick and their purse. Guys may wear suits when they work in an office, but I have seen those same guys in jeans and a "T" when they aren't working.

"...to Kira."

I snapped out of my train of thought. "I'm sorry mom, I was just thinking."

"About what, honey."

"I was just thinking that guys do actually have it easier as far as clothes go. They just jump into a pair of jeans and a "T" and off they go. While we have to make sure that our clothes match, our makeup is perfect, and that we carry ourselves with the approval of others. Why can't people just be people and accept things for what they are?"

"You know sweetie, the thing with guys is this. They are always in a hurry to go nowhere. It's like when we have a girls night out or something, we just do it to have fun. But guys think a guys night out is going to their favorite bar and hanging around with everybody day after day.

"I didn't know how lucky I was to have this family, until I saw the love you all gave me when I was going through ...". She trailed off and started crying.

I held her and told her that she didn't need to think about that now. I told her that we were always a family and that is why we said what we said in court. I told her that if she didn't think about it, that everything would be better, and we could actually have fun as a family. The same kind of fun we had when we were all together. She smiled a weak smile, and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

Before this thing happened, she never did that. She always used a tissue. I hope that she can break any bad habits she learned when she was in jail.

"You know, Kira, that you are an angel. Right? When I look at you now, I can see that you were sent to me, to be my child, my friend, my confidant, my guide. I am so lucky to have you for a daughter."

"Thanks mom. We need to go to the ladies, because your makeup is a mess. You look like Rocky Rococco the racoon."

We went in the ladies room, and I did what I had to do, and then after washing my hands, I went in the lounge part and saw mom fixing her makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror, and saw that my lipstick needed a touching up. After we were both done, we decided that our shopping trip wasn't over. Mom said we had to go to the mall, because she wanted to get me something special. She wouldn't tell me it was, but said I would be surprised.

When we got to the mall, mom had to park quite a ways from the back door on the second level of J.C. Penny's. This mall was always busy and if you wanted a good parking place, you had to get here an hour before they opened. We walked through J.C. Penny's out in to the mall proper. Mother just kept going until we got to a jewelry store. And not just any jewelry store either, but Kay's. Kay's is one of THEE most expensive jewelry stores in the world.

"Mom, what are we doing here?"

"Come sweetie, this is way overdue."

We went in Kay's and the man behind the counter had a grin like the Cheshire Cat who ate the canary. He wasn't really tall, and his hair was receding.

"Yes ladies, may I help you find something?"

"Yes, thank you. I'm looking for something special for my daughter," mom looked at me and smiled. "Something in a nice necklace and earring set."

"Yes, I can help you with that. Come over here." We followed the man to another glass case. "These are our very best sets. This one here," he opened the case and took out a necklace that had diamonds on both sides of the diamond pendant. "Is one of our best sets. In every set, the diamonds are different." Of course there was no price tag attached to it. What was that saying, 'if you have to ask you can't afford it'? Mom put the necklace around my neck to see how it looked, and then she asked for the earrings. She put them in my ears, and stepped back to look at me.

"Look in that mirror, honey, and see how they look."

I looked in the mirror and gasped. The diamonds on the necklace and the earrings sparkled in the store lights. I looked at mom, and she just smiled.

"Honey, that look was all I needed to see. I'm going to get you these for all the birthday presents I missed over the years. You look like such an angel."

The man behind the counter was still smiling, only this time he had his hands clasped together. "Shall I wrap these, ma'am?"

"No, she is going to wear them." Mom handed the credit card to the man, and he swiped it through the machine. A minute later it came back approved, and mom signed the slip.

"Take very good care of those, young lady. They can be worn to almost anything, except the movies and school. Thank you for your patronage and please come again."

We left Kay's and walked out in to the mall. My diamonds were just sparkling as we went through the mall. As we walked through the mall I saw Marla with her mother. I told mom that this was one of my dearest friends. We caught up to them.

"Kira! OMG girl! It is so good to see you. We hugged. "Who is this?" She asked looking at mom.

"This is my mother."

"OMG!"

"No, Marla, eveything is alright now. We got the judge to let her come home with us. She is my mother, and she was going through a bad time. But families stick together through the good and the bad. Something mother didn't realize until just a few days ago. But the past is forgotten and we are starting all over again. Mom and daddy are getting married again, and I am going to be mom's flower girl and Katie is going to be her Bride's Maid. Hey! Would you and Jessica, Josie and Darlene like to be in the wedding procession too? Mom, can they? Bring your parents too, there is going to be a nice wedding reception after they say I do and before they go on their weekend honeymoon." I looked at Marla's mother. "It's a free meal, and I would really like to have Marla there."

"Well, young lady, I don't see why she couldn't be. And it depends on what is being served at the buffet, because I am on a heart diet."

"Goody, then we can all be a part of the wedding group picture too. It is because of Marla, Jessica, Josie and Darlene, that I have this attitude today."

"Well, all I can say is, you are everything Marla said you were. Are those real diamonds?"

"Yes ma'am. Mom just bought them for me at Kay's Jewelers. I'm taking them off as soon as I get home though. But I will wear them when mom and daddy say I do for the final time. I'm only fourteen years old, but I would love to have a baby brother or baby sister to help look after."

"Oh you would, would you. Is that supposed to be a hint, young lady?" Mom hugged me, because she saw for the first time how anxious I was for her and daddy to really make a go of this marriage...again. Maybe if we had another baby in the house, their marriage would be more closer than it was the first time around.

"Well, yes, mom, kinda." I smiled and gave her a hug. Just then Marla wanted to talk to me alone.

"Is this the same woman that thought you were a guy and slapped you?"

"Yes, Marla. But see, sometimes when you look deep in to someone's soul, you can see the sadness there. Mom was having a bad time, and she just kinda took it out on me. We have had a good day of shopping and bonding as mother and daughter. She bought me this necklace and these earrings just a few minutes ago. I'm going to wear them for her wedding."

"So everything is alright then?"

"Yes, Marla, it is. But I am grateful for your concern. I have all of your addresses, and this wedding is going to be by invitation only, because we only want certain people there. But mom has really been like so apologetic towards me, and I keep telling her that the past is the past. What we need to do now is go forward. So, we're going forward."

"Well, it is good to see you bonding with your mother, anyway. She seems relaxed. Look at her talking to my mom. She's happy and animated. That is the sign of a happy person. But, I'm jealous though. You got a nice necklace and earrings that must have cost a fortune. Those are real diamonds; right."

"Yes. But I am not going to wear them to just go to the mall, I am going to wear them for special occasions. Like at mom and daddy's wedding."

"That is so cool. Hey! By the way, what are you doing this weekend? I'm having a party/sleepover starting Friday night and ending Sunday evening. I want you to come."

"I'd be only too happy to come. Besides with all this court thing and the rest of family trying to get mother to be at home with us instead of a nasty institution, has taken a lot of my time, and I really wasn't in the mood for company. But that is all over now. The only thing left to do for me, is having my whole family back."

"You are really something, girlfriend. I have never seen anyone so forgiving, and only wanting what is best for others, even if they harm you. Come on, let's join the old folks." We giggled, and went back by our moms.

"Well honey," mom said with her newly acquired infectious smile. "Shall we get something to eat at the food court? I'm famished."

"Can they come to, mom. That way Marla and I can talk a little more. Mom, Marla invited me to a weekend party/sleepover she is having starting Friday night and ending Sunday night. Is it alright if I go?"

"Kira, are you asking me for permission?"

"Yes, uhm you are my mother, aren't you?"

"Oh honey, you have made me the proudest mom in the whole world. Yes, of course you can go to Marla's party/sleepover. Someday I would like to tell you about the sleepovers I went to when I was a little girl.

So, the four of us went to the food court for a nice lunch. But we didn't really want McDee's, BK, or Taco Bell. We wanted something with a little more substance to it. Applebee's was in the mall, so we went there. We got a booth, and settled in. The waitress brought our water and menus, and mom told her we would like a few minutes to see what we wanted. This was such a good shopping trip, and the next time, Katie has to come with us.