“Yeah. Ooh, you can make an appointment for the doll lab, and she can create a custom doll. You come and have tea, do a little shopping, then go get your doll,” Riley suggested.
“That sounds fun. But other siblings might be jealous if she comes back with a fully custom doll,” Grace said softly, plucking another treat off the tray.
“Probably just her twin and the little one. You can pick out dolls for them together. Oooh or make sister dolls.” Riley took a picture of her drinking out of the doll cup.
“That sounds expensive; this place is insane.” Grace looked around the crowded dining room.
I squeezed her hand. “I think it would be a fun treat, and a nice way to make some memories with your sister.”
After we finished eating, I paid the bill, and Riley took us back into the shop. The store had many levels, each one divided into different areas. We dropped off Grace’s doll at the doll spa.
“Oh, you have Gracie,” the omega doll stylist cooed. “Original outfit and everything. I’ll get her hair fixed up and perfect for you.”
Riley got a skate smash outfit for her doll as well as some other things. Grace just quietly took everything in, clutching a basket as she wandered around.
“Let’s look at the accessories, maybe they have a motorcycle.” Riley pulled my elbow.
“Where’s Grace?” I looked around.
“Spencer. Look.” Grace held a pink foil, crystal-studded box, with a blonde doll wearing a crown, a pink dress, and gloves.
“Would you like another doll?” I asked her. It was clear from her face that she did.
She nodded. “The one from Bren is really special, and apparently so is the one from the professor. I think I’d like just a doll so that Tru and I can play dolls together. It was hidden behind some dolls in another section. She’s adorable. Look at her dress. Even the box is pretty.”
“The one from the professor isn’t special, she’s just old, and you can’t buy her anymore. They do that a lot, so people willbuy more dolls thinking they’re collectable. I mean, go amass a doll army if it makes you happy, but it’s not going to fund your retirement island.” Riley looked at the box. “But she’s really pretty. You’re getting her that one, Spence?”
“You can choose another doll if you’d like, Riley. That doll is lovely, Grace. Of course I’ll get it for you.” I hugged her to me. Anything for her. Between my knife wound and her getting ill, I just wanted to give her everything.
“It’s so silly, but I absolutely want to make up for never having dolls like these as a kid. And, well, the toys I had that she gave away.” Her peach scent went salty with sadness.
I kissed the top of her head. “I’ll get you as many dolls as you wish.”
We went downstairs where there was an entire selection of transportation options for your dolls–from cars to horses to bicycles–even remote-control trains.
“Spence, do you want me to distract Grace when you pay?” Riley whispered. “Not sure how one of those ended up on the main floor. Pink foil boxes mean limited special-edition, and they’re kept in glass cases in a room on the first floor. That one isn’t just foil, itsparkles.I only know this because girls on my floor in the dorms collect these fuckers. Anyhow, Grace might want to put it back if she knows how much it costs, and she should have the fucking doll. Honestly, we should take her to Stuff-A-Stuffie, too. Let's buy her all the toys.”
“I agree. That’s a wonderful idea, though we might need to do that another time if we’re still going dress shopping. Wes and Evan are making dinner tonight,” I reminded her. Last night it was her and Jett.
Riley made a face. “And that’s a good idea,why?”
I laughed. “They’re trying.”
We finished shopping, Riley adding a remote-control doll motorcycle to the basket.
“Look, they’re having cookie decorating. Let’s make a cookie while Spencer buys our stuff,” Riley said as we saw a bunch of people sitting at small tables.
“Are you done looking? We haven’t seen everything, though I’m okay with making cookies and checking out,” Grace replied.
Riley nodded. “Yeah, we can go through the doll museum and look at the fancy dolls another time.”
Grace glanced over at me.
“Go on. Make a cookie for me.” I kissed her and got in line for the register.
“Oh wow, we still have these? Someone is very lucky,” the omega at the register said as he rang up my items.
“I’m the lucky one.” As the price flashed up, I saw what Riley meant. But honestly, it was nothing in the scheme of things.
