As requested by Starly910. Hope you enjoy it, sweetie.

My style is a bit different to Cynthia's. I write thoughts in italics and I got half way through this before realising that she writes in first person! -My bad. I changed it over, but I left it in past tense, because I hate present tense, which, if I remember correctly, is what she uses. I am also using Australian (UK) English, so there will be differences in the spelling. eg; harbour/harbor, as well as terms; car park, -You use parking lot in the US right?
***

I stuck my hand out as I walked down the aisle of dresses, my fingertips brushing against coarse tulle and delicate chiffon.
"Can we get coffee now? You said you were almost done when I rang. I would have brought the stroller if I knew you were going to take this long." Angela sighed and shifted Web to her other hip. "You're getting heavy, little man," she told him, shaking her head.
I gave her an apologetic glance. "Sorry, it'll only take a minute."
"What about this one?" she asked, holding up a peach coloured dress with ruffles.
Although it would look nice on some people, the shade would blend with my hair and skin, making me look washed out.
I screwed up my face and shook my head.
"Come on, Clara. Just pick one."
"I want something nice."
"Did Chris say where he was taking you?"
I held a sky blue dress against myself. "No idea."
Angela snorted. "I wish Phen would come take me somewhere."
"Have you heard from him lately?"
"He said he'd come visit next weekend," Angela said, feigning interest in an orange frock.
I gave her hand a gentle squeeze for reassurance. Phen hadn't been into the whole being a dad thing at first, though he had come to accept it. Being a grey wing, he spent a lot of time in hell and couldn't always be around, but he did care about Angela and Web and he was at least trying to be part of their lives. His visits had become more and more frequent over the past year.

When I turned into the next row, I froze. My eyes instantly went to a green satin dress with a gauzy gold overlay. It was mid-thigh, with a strapless sweetheart neckline and a tulle underskirt that made it flare out.
It was stunning.
I closed my mouth and moved towards the dress, unblinking. I fondled the fabric, stroking it and holding out the skirt.
"That one?" Angela asked.
"Oh, yeah. This one," I replied, freeing my size from the rack and making my way to the fitting room.

The next evening, I stood in my room, putting the finishing touches to myself. I was already wearing my new dress and had piled my hair in a mess of curls on one side of my head. I slipped my feet into silver heels as I fastened a chandelier earring in place. Then I turned to the mirror for the full effect and smiled.
Gorgeous.
I gave a little twirl, making the skirt of my dress rise like a pancake tutu around my waist.
"Clara, you ready?" Christian called from outside the door.
"Coming!" I yelled as I grabbed my clutch and went to meet him.
I stepped into the hall, a cheeky grin plastered on her face. Christian's eyes widened when he saw me.
"Wow, you look amazing!"
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," I said, taking in his dress pants and grey shirt.
He gave me a quick kiss and took my hand, leading me down the hall.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked when we got to his car.
He smirked. "You'll find out when we get there I don't want to ruin your birthday surprise."

By the time we exited the Cabrillo Highway, I suspected he was taking me to a restaurant overlooking the water, but he turned off before we reached Crab Landing and parked the car in the Harbour car park.
What was he up to? The Ketch Joanne Restaurant & Harbor Bar might be nice, but it was a casual place. And despite the fact that we were a little overdressed, it wasn't the kind of place I'd had in mind.
As I got out of the car, I narrowed my eyes at him, my lips forming a hard line. He grinned in a devilish sort of way, his eyes shining in the dark and produced a basket from the back seat.
Instead heading towards the restaurant, he tugged me the other way, out into the Pillar Point marina. The dark shadows of moored boats surrounded us, moving up and down on the water. My heart beat faster with the sheer creepiness of them and uncertainty of Christian's plans.
He turned left, pulling me down between the boats and coming to a stop behind a cruiser.
"All aboard," he said, holding out his arms.
"We're going on a boat?"
Way to state the obvious.
Christian smiled. "We are. Oh, and you might want to take your shoes off to climb in."
I kicked up my feet to remove my heels and grabbed his hand as I stepped over the side. He handed me the basket and then climbed in. He managed the feat in a much more dignified way, which I'm sure I could have done too if I was his height and was wearing pants.
"How did you get a boat?" I asked, taking a seat on the couch in the cabin.
"I hired it," Christian said, unfastening the moorings.
He started the motor and drove the boat slowly out of the marina. I came to stand behind him, and rested my head against his arm.
"I didn't know you knew how to drive a boat."
He turned his head and kissed my hair. "I do now. Go up the front, it's more fun."
With one hand on the side of the cabin and the other on the railing, I walked along the narrow gap to the bow of the boat and sat down. I gripped the rail tightly and dangled my legs over the side. Once out of the breakwaters, Christian floored the engine and I squealed in delight as we bounced through the glistening ocean into the inky night.
***

There's another chapter coming. I thought I'd keep it PG, Unless you really want a lemon?

Forgive me if I get the geography wrong. I'm using Google maps. I'm afraid I never got to visit San Fran when I was in California. I have no idea if you can take boats out of Pillar point at night, or what the sea is like there, but it was the only harbour anywhere on that part of the coast. This is inherently the problem with writing about a place you haven't been to.

Take care
Rose