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Gloria went to the mall with one objective in mind— to take her minds off from the fact the her little boy doesn’t want her around on his basketball game anymore.
So it’s actually nice because Lily is with her, she long to have a daughter of her own, that’s why she dressed Manny with beautiful dresses and told everyone he was her little girl for the first year of his life.
It’s actually more nice when she accidentally ran into Claire, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it yet, but there’s just something about her that makes Gloria instantly smiles when she sees her.
“Hola, Claire.”
Claire throw a quick hello by kissing her on the cheek and immediately went to lily. The sight of it makes Gloria’s heart sunk, she quickly shake off the feeling, she did not need this today.
They decided that Lily needs some dresses and shoes. Gloria doesn’t remember the last time she had this much fun going shopping. Well sure, shopping on her own is good and sometimes Manny joins her too and while it’s exciting, this time it feels.. different. Perfect, almost.
She doesn't know how Claire knows so much about Fashion. Maybe that's naive of her and partly her fault. She’s seen her wearing sneakers and flannel and what she thought was Luke’s old clothes and thinks nothing better of it.
Gloria knows everything else, though, like for one, that Claire is beautiful. Beautiful in her own way that even when she doesn’t wear beautiful clothes or expensive jewelry she’ll still look fine. It makes Gloria jealous sometimes, and though she doesn’t admit it to everyone, not even to herself, she also admires her. Claire is.. Claire. She doesn’t try too hard and do whatever as she pleases.
It was odd seeing her gets so excited over a dress, maybe it’s because she never went shopping with her, or for the fact that she doesn’t wear dresses often, but it’s a nice change from Jay who usually just throws things at the cashier.
“Gloria, look! this one has a twirly skirt, it would look so cute on Lily!” And yes it probably does, it’s blue and covered in bright yellow sunflowers all over it. The dress has fluttery sleeves that are like little wings. The skirt will flares out when Lily run and spin.
She can picture it then, just the three of them, out in the sun, and they’re having fun and laughing and she can see Claire chasing after Lily wearing the dress, and she can almost hear Claire’s laughs and— she stops her mind from going any further, but yes, Claire is absolutely right, it would look so cute on Lily.
“Let’s get it then.” Gloria answers with a smile, not from the fib she was just imagining, but from seeing the genuine excitement from Claire who just showed her the dress.
Just then, Lily stirs awake on the stroller and stretching out wanting to be held. Naturally, Gloria lifts her into her arms and soothing her with a gentle sway. Claire rushes towards them, when their hands meet, as she reach out to support, they smile at each other. It’s going to be a long day, Gloria thinks.
“Lily, it’s time to buy you beautiful shoes.”