Hey guys! FINALLY a chapter! LOL sorry about the lack of Kibbs, here, but the next chapter...when i get round to it...see if you can pick up on whats going to happen! LOL
30 minutes later, they had finally left the change rooms, fellow fathers and men waiting in seats for their significant others, sympathized with Gibbs, while the women gave Grace small understanding smiles, as she dragged him towards the shoe department, looking for fashionable slip on sandals that Gibbs didn't see the point in buying. Nevertheless, to avoid a long-winded explanation, clarified through pure exasperation by his slightly annoyed teenage daughter, he sat down and allowed the sales clerk to 'sell' his product, silently wishing a cup of coffee into his hands. He sighed, his last coffee was 2 hours ago, and Grace refused to let him have any more until she was satisfied with his sandal and tuxedo choice.
Gibbs was getting fitted for a dashing tux when Grace slipped out of the store to answer her cell.
"Hey Grace!"
"Abs! what's up?"
"Abster requests your aid in choosing Miss Caitlin a smashing evening gown."
"Evening gown? I knew dad had to get a tux, but I didn't realize it was that formal!"
"Well not a gown-gown. Just a really super cool dress-"
"Wait a minute. Are you telling me that she hasn't got a dress?"
"Kate, am I telling her that you don't have a dress?"
"No! I have a dress…I just need-"
Grace grinned as she heard Kate in the background,
"Right let me guess, now that dad is going, she needs a new dress."
"Yup. I am in total agreement with you. Katie here just says she needs to find a new one, because the original dress she was going to wear no longer fits her."
"Uh Huh, sure…"
"Denial!" came the dry jab from both Abby and Grace.
"Ok well, there is a little boutique section next to where dad is getting his tux – um… the pale blue shirt with the cream suit, and the striped satin tie next please, oh! And that err, pink tie with the white shirt. – and its got some nice dresses that Kate might like. The store is called Joi Boutique."
"Gibbs is getting a suit!"
"Yup. I'm trying to decide between the 'looks like a business suit but formal' one, or the 'black tie' one or the casual but chic suit ensemble."
"Wait you also mentioned Gibbs in pink."
"You'd be surprised, it could actually work."
"Yeah, on those poncy, preppy guys you seem to favour."
"Oh come on, even you said they looked good! But I suppose that we could always ask Kate for her input."
"Ooooh I like the way you think! We'll be there in 5."
Grace grinned, and took a seat on the sofa, and waited for Gibbs' cry of disgust when he saw the suits she had picked out for him.
"Arrg! Gracie! I am NOT buying a yellow and pink suit!"
"It's Cream dad! And the tie is salmon. Just try it on!"
"Abby where are we going?"
"To some place called Joi Boutique. Grace said it has some really nice dresses there."
Abby purposely left out that the store was in the same vicinity as where Gibbs was being fitted. The whole scenario sounded quite fun to her, but no doubt, Kate would have panicked. Oh well. They'll just have to deal with the wrath of Kibbs later. Abby chuckled to herself. Kibbs. That's cute!
"Grace I am a Marine –"Gibbs started off. He was sitting on the ledge in his change room, in yet another suit that the assistant had foisted on him, staring at the pink tie in disdain.
"Retired Marine dad. I just want to see what it would look like. I mean, who knows you might like how it looks." Grace wheedled from outside the room.
"I don't care what it looks like. I'm not putting it on."
"Fine don't try it on," Grace gave a well rehearsed sigh, "It's just a shame, because just the other day Kate mentioned how much she liked the new look of guy's wearing salmon colored ties."
Gibbs grumbled, 'Way to pull the Trump card Gracie' he thought to himself as he begrudgingly finished of the knot.
He stepped out of the small room, and found Grace perusing the new season dress rack.
"Ahem," Gibbs looked at her as if to say 'We're not here to buy you any more dresses.'
"I think that I'm entitled to browse through the rack. I believe that I'm entitiled to a bit of a reward for putting up with your grumpiness all day." She groused at him playfully.
"Yeah… that tie really doesn't work. Try the cream suit with the blue shirts please."
"I don't see what is wrong with my wearing what is already in my wardrobe at home."
"It doesn't fit you anymore. Besides, do you really want to be wearing what you wore to dinners with your last 'lady friend'? If I were Kate, I wouldn't like that. But I'm not, and I still don't like that."
She sent him on his way, and turned to see that Abby and Kate had arrived at the store.
"Hi guys!"
"What's going on?" Kate asked her wearily,
"Yeah, what's going on?" Abby herself didn't really know what was going on, and she saw the glint in Grace's eyes.
"I'm just glad to see you! Today has been exhausting, but suddenly I've this newfound energy and I'm ready to help you find a new dress."
"You. Help me? I'm not sure if our tastes are well – " Grace's jaw dropped in offence,
"I can't help it if you're into conservative crap, besides…there is an age difference here!"
Kate rolled her eyes, as Abby stepped in between them, "Now, now girls, no hair pulling. Besides Kate, if you don't like Grace's selection, I know this awesome store that- "
"Uh thanks Abs, but I think we'll be okay. I'm not sure my parents would like it if I rocked up in all black." Abby wasn't offended, Kate didn't really look all that hot as a Goth anyways.
Kate took in a deep breath before regarding her friends, she really could use the help, and Grace did know what Gibbs liked. 'Doh, was I just thinking that? God I'm going to Grace for advice on what kind of look her father likes'
"Okay, lets get this over with."
tbc
lol hope you enjoyed reading! please dont forget to tell me what you think on your way out!
i have a new hounder on my mailing list...so that probs means i'll be writing more frequently!
Prinnie