Promises Forgotten
Chapter 53

I looked at myself in the mirror. It had been a while since I was in a full three-piece suit and tie. It felt uncomfortable. I looked like my father. Sighing, I asked to see another tie. The associate disappeared and I wondered where Stacy was. Usually, she was my style compass when it came to these sorts of things. All I wanted to do was to wear the jeans and button up shirt that I had gotten used to lately.

“If that’s what you are going with, I wonder if anyone will take you seriously.”

My eyes widened and I whipped around, watching Evie walk toward me. She was smiling brightly at me and I nearly dissolve into tears right there. Wearing dark jeans and a shirt with a band I didn’t even know; her usual combat boots on her feet. Her hair pulled up in a ponytail, no makeup, she looked like the goddess I knew and loved.

“Dad!” Elliot came running up and jumped into my arms. I caught him and planted a k**s on his cheek. He was wearing jeans and a dinosaur t-shirt with a backpack, his hair looked like he rolled around in a blanket and then left the house like that.

“Well, this is the best surprise. I thought you weren’t going to make it ‘till after the press conference.”

Evie shrugged. “I’m not one to wait around. The Long Beach airport had to figure that out the hard way. We made it, though.”

I reached out to her and pulled her into a hug. Capturing her lips with mine, I let myself drown in her scent for a moment before I broke contact. Her usual smirk was plastered on her face. There were a few gasps and stares from the associates who knew me. This location had been my regular tailor for nearly six years. Stacy was smiling as she watched us.

“Miss us that much, Mr. Anderson?”

“I felt like I was dying without you. So, yes.” Turning back to the mirror, Elliot beaming in my arms, I looked at the suit. “It’s not that bad, right?”

Evie cleared her throat, looking at the racks behind me. “No no. It’s fine. You look like you’re ready to step into Wall Street.” She paused for a moment. “While matching suits with your father.”

Stacy snorted and turned, looking away.

Sighing, I knew she was right. “Fine, smart a*s. How would you dress me up?”

Evie looked at me with a gaze that I couldn’t quite place. Turning, she pulled one of the associates aside. “Can you bring me everything in his size? We don’t have time for alterations, so we will have to make do with what is off the rack.”

The associate disappeared before coming back with a full rack of suits. Evie brushed her hand over them before inspecting each one. She moved two away before choosing a maroon set. Coming over, she handed me the pants, placing the vest and jacket on the couch.

“Change. Leave the white shirt on.”

Nodding, I went into the changing room and changed into the maroon pants. I tucked in the white shirt and came out. She was looking me over and nodded to herself.

“Stand here.”

Stepping up on the raised platform, she stared at me. Shaking her head, she called the associate over. He disappeared again and came back with a new shirt in black. Coming over, she started undoing my buttons with one hand and quickly removed the shirt.

“This one. Stacy, can you bring that black and white tie you were looking at earlier?”

Stacy nodded and went over to the case, grabbing a black tie with small white polka dots. I watched as Evie adjusted my collar and then started to tie the tie. I was shocked as she expertly tied it with one hand.

“One of my physical therapy exercises was to tie something that you would normally need two hands for. Most people go for shoes.”

“You don’t tie your shoes, though.”

She smiled at me. “Exactly. Here, put this on now.” She had the maroon vest with double breasted buttons.

As I pulled it on and buttoned it, she disappeared into the store only to come back with a tie clip, a collar chain and a chain for the jacket. She put on the clip and collar chain before handing me the jacket. Pulling it on, I started to turn around, but she stopped me.

“Elliot, can you grab your Dino square for your dad?”

“Sure!”

Elliot went to the couch where he had placed his frog backpack and dug around before I saw a black piece of fabric. He ran over and handed it to me. I looked at it and saw it was a piece of black silk. It was embroidered with his initials as well as a dinosaur on the corner of it.

“It’s a stegosaurus. My favorite. It’s good luck.”

Smiling, I folded it gently and put it in my jacket pocket, letting the corner peak out. “I will keep it safe and give it back after the press conference.”

“Hold still.”

I felt a comb going through my hair and I froze. Evie was combing my hair back and it was already long enough to go down my neck. I kept meaning to get it cut, along with the beard, but never had that time. She pulled it back, and I felt her use a band on my hair. Humming, she pulled me back a little and I felt her breath on my neck.

“I was right. You do look good with long hair. Your goddess is impressed by her champion.”

Snorting, I laughed. “And the beard?”

“I would say no longer than this. This is nice, though. You look like a man.”

“Oh? And I didn’t before?”

She chuckled. “You don’t want me to answer that, Zachary Anderson. Trust me.” I felt her step back and move away. “Alright. Turn around.”

I turned and eyed my reflection. Blinking, I adjusted my jacket and turned from side to side. It was shocking, but I looked good. Normally, I didn’t do as many bells and whistles, but this was going to be a large press conference.

“How?”

Evie smiled. “I used to do my dad’s wardrobe. He was a professor and a very prominent one at that. He would need to go to functions and if left to his own devices he would have worn khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt to every single one.” There was a grin even with the sadness reflected in her eyes. “I used to study fashion magazines, go into men’s haberdashery shops and have them teach me different ways to tie a tie. I even picked up embroidery and tailoring.”

My hand went to Elliot’s handkerchief. She nodded, blushing slightly, and continued. “He was nervous a lot of times because he sometimes would be the center of attention. So I decided to make a game out of it with him. We would judge how good an outfit was based on the amount of women’s numbers he came home with.”

Stacy snorted on the couch. Evie chuckled. “Suddenly, it became a game and my dad enjoyed it. He was smoother as he talked and less nervous. My mom died when I was two, so I never knew her, but he said that he refused to marry someone else. Making him the eye of many women. Smart, handsome, kind, and unmarried; my dad was the complete package.”

“I thought Ron said he was glad you took after your mother?”

Grinning, she nodded. “You getting your memories back now is weird. You remember shit that happened three years ago at the drop of a hat. But yeah, he did. Shows you how hot my mom was.” She winked at me.

“What was the record?” Stacy asked, happily holding Elliot in her lap.

“Thirty-two. Not counting the parents who called later to try and set up an official courting session. It was a charity event and I spent a month altering his vest. I worked in the neighborhood and bought the gold thread myself, embroidering it by hand. He was so excited to wear it when I showed him.”

Stacy bounced Elliot on her knees. “No other events could compare?”

“Actually, it ended up being the last event he was able to attend. He got sick a few weeks later and died after eight months.” Her smile was sad. “It was his best and last. He always said he had the most fun and was actually able to enjoy it.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry!”

Stacy looked horrified, but Evie shook her head, laughing. “Don’t worry about it, Stace. It was memorable for the both of us and that’s what matters. It also is the best memory I have of my dad before he got sick. I got to see him at his very best. Whenever I picture him, I picture him in that suit and his professor glasses.”

“You were…sixteen? Seventeen?”

Evie nodded quietly. “I was sixteen when he got sick. It progressed faster than the doctors realized. It was hard, but we had a great support system. I miss him a lot, but I know he’s throwing books at me telling me that I’m too uptight. I need to relax.”

Smiling, I pulled her to me and kissed the top of her head. “I’m just glad I managed to snag his daughter. He may be pissed you’re the adult in our relationship, but I know he would be proud of you. Especially with Elliot.”

Grabbing her hand, my ring knocked against something. I looked down at her hand. My eyes widened, I saw her ring sitting on her finger. Her hand let go of mine and snaked around my waist. I felt her nuzzle into me. My heart felt at peace with her in my arms. The nervousness and the anxiety I felt was gone. Replaced only by determination and happiness.

“I guess this is what I’m wearing. I can’t say no to my dear wife.”

“You better not, you look phenomenal. You’re lucky she was here.” Stacy added. “You would have gone out looking like your father and you take after your mother!”

Evie looked at Stacy and then back at me. “You take after your mom?”

Nodding, I got down off the pedestal and handed my card to the associate who scurried off. “I have my mom’s black hair and blue eyes. Even her slimmer build. Adrian looks like the spitting image of our father. Blonde hair, athletic built. He is a little shorter than I am, but it’s still mind blowing sometimes.”

“Is he coming to the press conference?” I could see the hesitation in her eyes.

“Yes. He’s on the board of directors and he is getting replaced as chairman.”

Evie threw her head back and laughed. “Serves him f*****g right.”

“You can’t murder him with all the press around, Evie. I’m serious.”

“Oh, my dear husband. Don’t be silly. You wait until he gets to the car garage. Haven’t you seen any action movies? I mean, honestly.”

The grin on my face and hers matched. Elliot came over and I picked him up, resting him on my side. “What do you say, little man? Ready to see Dad make a fool of himself in front of a bunch of reporters?”