"She's usually a size 8 but after pregnancy she went up to a 10, and she's been losing some weight recently so you might want to show me options in both sizes."
The saleswoman nods and leads us to a section of the store with evening dresses in various styles and colors.
"She doesn't like anything too tight," I say while flipping through the rack. "And nothing with too much embellishment since she prefers clean lines."
I pull out a deep green dress with a flowing skirt and hold it up. "This color would look good with her hair but the neckline is too high, she likes something that shows her collarbones."
The saleswoman takes the dress back and pulls out another option, a burgundy dress with a v-neck and a subtle slit up the side.
"This one is very flattering on most body types," she says. "The fabric is silk so it moves beautifully."
I examine the dress closely, feeling the fabric between my fingers. "The color is good but the slit is too high, she won't be comfortable in it."
"Papa," Anya says while tugging on my hand. "What about that one?"
She is pointing at a dress on a mannequin near the window, a soft champagne-colored gown with thin straps and a draped neckline that flows into a full skirt.
I walk over to examine it and the fabric is light and airy and the color would look stunning against Iris's skin.
"This one," I say to the saleswoman. "Do you have it in a size 8 and a size 10?"
"Let me check."
She disappears into the back and returns a moment later with both sizes in hand.
"We have both available," she says.
"We'll take them both, she can try them at home and return the one that doesn't fit."
"Would you like to have them altered?"
"No, my wife can handle that herself if needed, just wrap them carefully."
The saleswoman takes the dresses to the register and I pay while Anya leans against my leg with her eyes half closed.
"Tired, princess?"
"A little."
I scoop her up into my arms and she rests her head on my shoulder.
"Did we do good, Papa?" she mumbles.
"We did very good."
"Mama is going to be so happy."
"I hope so."
"She will be." Anya yawns. "We picked the best stuff."
I carry her out of the store and Viktor is waiting with the car door open. The trunk is already full of bags from our shopping trip and I make a mental note to have everything stored in the east wing where Iris never goes.
"Viktor, take the bags home and put them in the storage room in the east wing," I say while sliding into the backseat with Anya still in my arms. "Make sure no one touches them and make sure my wife doesn't see them."
"Yes, sir. And after?"
"Come back and pick us up, we'll wait at the cafe across the street from my wife's office."
