Chapter 399: Beaulieu Manor
Wednesday, February 8th, Evening
This was the last night of this, the last measurements and fitting. Tomorrow, the items will be altered, cleaned, packaged, and on their way to New York City. Like every year they cut things so close to the wire, a misplaced breath would make them miss it.
Brooke, as always, walked through the fitting room, looking at the two models being fitted. Brooke looked at Ellie as they pulled and pushed along her body with the clothes. Brooke nodded and would make a few comments about where the adjustments to be made.
Next, Brooke walked over to the other young woman being fitted. Brooke smiled and looked at Brett. Nodding at the redhead, Brooke smiled and talked with the tailor. After a quick exchange and a few directions, Brooke walked away.
Taking a seat next to Sam, her assistant, Brooke smiled. "I think we're going to pull it off again," Brooke said.
"Did you have any doubt?" Sam asked.
"Normally, no, but it's always good to have doubts; keeps your edge sharp," Brooke said.
"You said, normally, you have doubts this year?" Sam asked.
Brooke nodded, "Yes, because this year we have the Banríon show as well. This is the first year we had two shows," Brooke said.
Sam nodded. Brooke looked over towards the tailor working with Ellie. The tailor and Ellie looked at Brooke.
"Everything is ready, Brooke," the tailor said.
Brooke nodded, "Thank you," she said and looked to Ellie, "Ellie, how does it feel?"
Ellie nodded, "It feels good, Aunt Brooke," she said.
Brooke nodded, "Okay, you can get changed, and you're all set," she said.
"Okay, Aunt Brooke," Ellie said.
Brooke looked at the tailor, "Help her get out of the outfit," she said.
"Yes, Brooke," the tailor said, and the two women walked out of the fitting room for one of the changing rooms.
Sam nodded, "Well, that dress looks good on Ellie," she said.
"That's why I chose that for her," Brooke said.
Sam nodded, "You've always had a great eye for matching the person with the clothes," she said.
Brooke chuckled, "The secret of my success," she said.
"So, what else do we have to finish tonight?" Brooke asked and looked around.
"Just getting Brett finished up, and we're done for the night," Sam said, looking at the punch list on her tablet.
Brooke nodded and yawned. "That's good; I'm going to need some sleep," she said.
"I can see it in your eyes," Sam said.
"What are you trying to say, Sam?" Brooke said.
"That you might be burning the candle at both ends," Sam said.
"I've always done that this time of the year," Brooke said.
"But 'til they get this close?" Sam asked.
"Maybe, you're right, I'm not as young as I use to be," Brooke said.
Sam nodded, "Also, you have no successor as a designer named," she said, pointing out a detail the board worried about.
"Right now, I would assume they would go with Bobbi," Brooke said.
"But she doesn't carry the Davis name," Sam said.
"Playing devil's advocate, Sam?" Brooke asked.
"Isn't that part of my job?" Sam asked.
"I guess so," Brooke said.
"Well, that's what's the board thinks," Sam said.
"Well, most of my children chose not to go into the business," Brooke said, "The one that did, went only went on the business side."
"That leaves, Keni," Sam said.
"Yeah, well, that's Keni," Brooke said with a sigh.
Sam nodded, "So, just Bobbi," she said.
Brooke cocked her head, "There might be another," she said.
"Okay, Yoda," Sam said.
Brooke looked over to Brett and her tailor. "We're ready, Ms. Davis," the tailor said.
Standing up, Brooke walked over to where Brett stood. Slowly, Brooke looked over Brett and her outfit. Nodding, Brooke looked at Brett.
"How does it feel, Brett?" Brooke asked.
Brett moved around a bit. Finally, she nodded and looked at Brooke.
"How does it feel, Brett?" Brooke asked.
Brett moved around a bit. Finally, she nodded and looked at Brooke.
"It feels good, Aunt Brooke," Brett said.
"Good, get changed," Brooke said.
"Okay," Brett said and started to head away, with the tailor following her.
Brooke turned back to Sam. Sam looked up at Brooke. "So, who is the other?" Sam asked.
"Why the sudden interest?" Brooke asked.
"You brought it up," Sam said.
"I did, but I'm not going to tell you," Brooke said.
"Oh, no fun," Sam said.
"Don't worry," Brooke said.
"Right," Sam said.
Brett stepped out of the changing room and looked at Brett and Sam. "Is there anything else, Aunt Brooke?" Brett asked.
"Yes, one more," Brooke said, "Well, a few more things."
"Okay, what would they be?" Brett asked.
"That's great English," Sam said.
"Well, have your bags packed and ready to go Friday," Brooke said.
"Why?" Brett asked.
"We're leaving for New York after school," Brooke said.
"Okay," Brett said.
"Bring your homework with you," Brooke said.
"Really?" Brett asked.
"Yeah, school comes first," Brooke said.
"Did this…." Brett started to say.
"Yes, everyone before you had to do homework," Brooke said.
"Alright," Brett said.
"Most of all, have fun," Brooke said.
Brett smiled, "Okay, Aunt Brooke," she said.
"Good, now get home," Brooke said.
Brett nodded and left. Finally, Ellie came out of her changing room. Brooke looked at Ellie.
"Are you ready?" Brooke asked.
Ellie nodded, "It's not my rodeo," she said.
"Good, and don't forget to settle up while you're in New York," Brooke said.
"Yes, Aunt Brooke," Ellie said, trying not to sound like a teenager.
"Good," Brooke said as Ellie left. Brooke nodded; her work here is done.
