180
The studio lights hummed softly overhead, bright and warm against the polished wood floors. Three different music speakers were accidentally playing at once one with soft RB, one blasting early 2000s hits, and one that Danielle had connected to for "creative vibes only."
Fabric was everywhere pinned on mannequins, draped over tables, scattered on the floor. Rolls of chiffon, satin, crepe, and organza leaned against the wall like a colorful army.
Amanda rushed inside, breathless and focused.
Danielle was already in her zone, hair tied up messily, a measuring tape around her neck.
Samantha stood in the corner with two phones one personal, one work already deep in scheduling calls.
"Finally," Samantha said without looking up. "Okay, yes... thank you... I need the flower wall moved to 10 a.m. tomorrow. Not Saturday. Yes, TOMORROW. No, she didn't get cold feet she's married already. Long story. Just move it!"
Click.
Amanda grabbed a sketchbook, flipping pages fast. "Okay, Danielle we have four hours to finish this dress. Let's lock in."
Danielle cracked her knuckles. "Let's make your woman look like she's the star of Milan Fashion Week."
Amanda spread out the sketches the dress she designed weeks ago but kept hidden until today. A fitted bodice. Off-shoulder sleeves. Slit up the thigh. Soft pearl beading along the neckline.
"She's gonna look like a dream," Danielle said under her breath.
Amanda swallowed. "I hope so."
Danielle pinned fabric to the mannequin while Amanda cut a panel with practiced precision.
For the next hour, it became a rhythm:
?? Amanda cutting
?? Danielle pinning
?? Both sewing pieces together
? And Samantha barking orders like a wedding general
"Hello? Yes, reschedule the photographer too. I don't care if he's booked PAY HIM."
"Yes, I need the lights set up by sunrise."
"No, we CANNOT do Sunday. She's pregnant, not dying."
"...Actually scratch that. Add snacks."
Amanda snorted mid-stitch.
"Girl, focus," Danielle said, half laughing.
When Danielle stepped aside, Amanda added something to the inner lining.
A small, delicate patch embroidered in white thread:
"My forever — A E"
A secret only Ericka would find later.
Danielle caught it and gasped. "Aww, you're disgusting. I love it."
Samantha carried in the black suit garment bag that Amanda had custom-ordered weeks ago.
Danielle unzipped it.
Both women froze.
"Holy shit," Danielle whispered. "This is... sexy."
Amandas suit was fitted. Sleek. Midnight black with a satin lapel.
And the lining?
Amanda custom-printed it with tiny sketches she drew of Ericka over the months — her handwriting, little notes, tiny hearts.
Danielle grabbed Amanda's arm. "She is going to MELT."
Amanda smiled shyly. "I just want her to feel adored."
Samantha chimed in without looking up from her phone.
"She will. You're gonna make her cry so hard she's not gonna hear the question."
Hours passed. The dress was done. The suit steamed. Shoes chosen. Jewelry selected.
Amanda collapsed onto a stool.
"We did it."
Danielle threw herself onto the rug dramatically. "I'm emotionally exhausted and physically stunning."
Samantha hung up the last call and sighed loudly.
"Everything is moved. Flowers, lights, videographer, drone operator, the venue... all of it. Tomorrow is happening. And it's gonna be INSANE."
Amanda stood and hugged her tight. "Thank you, Sam."
Danielle sat up. "Okay boss lady — what's next?"
Amanda grabbed her phone and logged into Ericka's calendar.
One tap.
Another.
Delete.
Reschedule.
Push meeting.
Cancel briefing.
Move call.
She whispered as she worked:
"Tomorrow belongs to her."
The calendar pinged when she was done.
Ericka: "Why did my whole day just disappear?"
Amanda smiled.
She typed back:
"Surprise day off. You deserve it."
Amanda turned to Danielle, suddenly serious.
"Hey... I need a favor."
Danielle stood. "Anything."
"Can you let your parents know what's going on? Not everything but enough. They're going to be a part of tomorrow. I'll send a car to pick all of you up. They'll be taken care of."
Danielle blinked. "Like... the proposal?"
Amanda nodded, her throat tightening. "I want them there."
Danielle's eyes softened. "Yeah... I'll tell them. They'll be over the moon."
Amanda exhaled — finally.
"Okay. Good."
Samantha grabbed her bag. "Then let's go. You need to check on your wife."
Danielle grabbed the garment bags with the dress and suit.
"Tomorrow," she whispered, grinning huge, "is gonna be LEGENDARY."
And the three of them stepped into the elevator — mission complete — ready to make tomorrow the beginning of everything.
Sunlight crept slowly across the penthouse, warm and gold, spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city outside was still waking up — street noise muted, air crisp, sky pale with the first hints of dawn.
Amanda was already awake.
She had slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb Ericka, who slept in her usual curled position one hand tucked under her cheek, hair scattered over the pillow like silk. She looked peaceful. Soft. Almost glowing.
Amanda stood there for a long moment just watching her, feeling her heart grow full in her chest.
"Today's the day," she whispered to herself.
Then she leaned down, placed the gentlest kiss on Ericka's temple, and slipped into motion.
Amanda carried the garment bag into the bathroom.
She turned the shower on low heat just long enough to fill the room with soft steam.
Warm air drifted up, relaxing the delicate fibers of the dress.
She unzipped the garment bag slowly.
The dress unfurled like a dream:
A soft ivory satin slip silhouette—
hand-sewn detailing along the neckline—
a back cut low, delicate but daring—
and the slightest shimmer that caught morning light like it was made of sunrise.
Amanda stepped back, chest tight with pride.
This was the first piece she had ever made specifically for Ericka.
A dress sewn with every emotion, every moment of their story stitched into the seams.
She hung it on the bathroom door, smoothing the fabric with gentle fingers.
Then she placed a handwritten note on the sink — cream paper, soft corners, Amanda's looping handwriting steady despite the nerves in her hands.
Ericka,
Wear this for me today.
We're going somewhere special.
The car is waiting downstairs.
I'll see you soon.
— A.
She set it right where Ericka would see it the moment she walked in.
Amanda peeked into the bedroom again.
Ericka shifted, brow softening as she hugged the blanket closer. She looked so serene it made Amanda's heart ache with love.
Amanda leaned down, brushed a kiss across Ericka's shoulder, whispering:
"I'll see you soon, love."
She grabbed her phone and keys, slipped out the bedroom door, and double-checked the dress was perfectly displayed.
Before leaving completely, she stuck a tiny sticky note on the kitchen island:
Don't overthink it. Just get dressed. You're perfect.
Then she walked to the private elevator.
She would meet Ericka at the location — separately — just like PR recommended, just like the photographer needed, and just like the moment deserved.
Today had to be perfect.
The morning air was cool and crisp, brushing against Amanda's cheeks as she stepped outside.
A sleek black SUV waited at the curb — her ride to the proposal location.
The driver gave her a polite nod. "Good morning, Ms. Parker. Everything is ready at the venue. They're just waiting for your final approval."
Amanda exhaled, steadying herself.
"Perfect. Let's go."
She climbed inside, clasping her hands in her lap — her heart drumming.
Her phone buzzed.
Samantha:
"She wake up yet?? I'm refreshing my phone like it owes me money."
Amanda smirked and typed back:
"I left the dress + the note. She'll be awake any minute. I'm headed to the location now."
Samantha:
"You better not faint before she gets there."
Amanda laughed softly, leaning her head back against the seat.
She whispered to herself:
"Please like the dress... please like everything..."
The driver pulled away from the building, city streets passing by in a blur. Amanda stared out the window, imagining the look on Ericka's face when she saw the dress.
Imagining her walking down to her own car — in ivory satin, hair soft, eyes shining — not knowing she was about to step into a moment that would change everything.
Amanda tightened her grip on her phone.
"Come on, baby," she whispered to the quiet car.
"Hurry and find me."
The soft glow of morning filtered through the curtains, brushing warm light across Ericka's cheek. She shifted slightly, reaching instinctively across the bed — but her fingers touched only cool sheets.
Her eyes opened slowly.
"Amanda...?"
The bedroom was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ericka sat up, blinking away sleep. The clock glowed 7:01 AM. Amanda was never up before her unless something was happening.
She slipped out of bed, stretching lightly, letting her feet touch the cool floor.
Ericka stepped into the bathroom still half-asleep, rubbing at one eye, expecting to see steam or maybe the robe Amanda always left out for her.
Instead...
She froze.
The dress hung there like it had been waiting for her.
Emerald silk.
Deep, saturated color that seemed to glow on its own.
The kind of green that whispered royalty... but also danger.
The bodice was structured and sculpted, hugging the upper body with clean architectural lines that screamed CEO.
But below the waist?
The silk softened into luxurious draping, flowing like water, like movement, like the version of Ericka only Amanda got to see.
Power and softness.
Leadership and intimacy.
Boss and goddess.
All in one dress.
A little note was pinned to the hanger in Amanda's handwriting:
I made this for you.
Meet me this morning.
Get dressed.
Your car is waiting downstairs.
— A
Ericka pressed the note to her chest, eyes closing for a moment, breathing in.
Amanda made this.
For her.
By hand.
She ran her palms down the silk and felt it warm under her touch.
She whispered into the empty bathroom:
"She made this... for me."
Her phone buzzed on the counter.
She picked it up, thumb unlocking the screen.
A message from Amanda's number scheduled to send:
"Don't overthink anything today.
Just get dressed.
You're perfect."
Ericka smiled slow, tender, emotional.
Then another buzz:
Danielle:
"GOOD MORNINGGGG! Do I get to hang with Amanda today?? ????"
Ericka rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "Of course she's up already."
Before she could reply, the phone buzzed again:
Samantha:
"Morning sunshine. Don't worry. Everything today is GOOD.
Just follow the plan ??"
Ericka typed back:
"What plan???"
Samantha read it but didn't respond.
Ericka blinked. "Oh no..."
The bodice hugged her shape perfectly when she slipped it on — tailored to her curves, her posture, her presence.
The draping fell around her hips like liquid emerald.
She looked in the mirror...
And for a moment she didn't see "Ericka the CEO" or "Ericka trying to balance work and love" or "Ericka under pressure."
She saw the woman Amanda loved.
The woman Amanda fought for.
The woman Amanda wanted to spoil, protect, cherish.
She breathed out, soft and shaky.
"Okay, Amanda," she whispered to herself. "Whatever this is... I'm ready."
She slipped into the heels Amanda picked out — sleek gold straps that disappeared under the dress but made her legs look like they went on forever.
Her hair fell in long curls over one shoulder.
Jewelry?
Amanda had left a simple gold necklace on the counter.
A thin chain with a tiny emerald stone.
Ericka clasped it around her neck.
The whole look came together like magic.
CEO at a board meeting.
Goddess stepping into a temple.
A woman about to have her entire life changed.
She grabbed her small handbag, checked her reflection one last time.
Her fingers brushed her lower stomach.
The baby.
Amanda's child.
Their child.
A soft smile tugged at her lips.
She whispered to the bump, "Okay. Let's go see what your mom made for us."
She stepped into the private elevator and pressed the button for the lobby.
As the doors closed, the nerves hit.
Butterflies.
Excitement.
Wonder.
When the elevator opened, the building concierge lifted his head instantly.
"Good morning, Ms. Mathews," he said, eyes widening at her dress. "You look absolutely... incredible."
Ericka smiled shyly. "Thank you."
He gestured toward the entrance. "Your car is waiting outside."
"Car?" she echoed.
"Yes. Ms. Parker arranged everything."
The lobby doors opened automatically, and Ericka stepped out into the mild morning breeze.
At the curb waited a sleek black SUV — identical to the one Amanda had taken earlier.
A driver stepped out immediately.
"Good morning, Ms. Mathews. We're ready whenever you are."
Ericka paused on the sidewalk. "Where are we going?"
He smiled politely. "Ms. Parker said you'd understand when you arrived."
Her stomach fluttered.
She climbed into the back seat, heart pounding as the door closed behind her.
The car pulled away from the building, and Ericka stared out the window as the city rolled past, her fingers clutching Amanda's note.
Something in her chest warmed — anticipation, love, and a quiet certainty.
Whatever Amanda had planned...
It was going to be unforgettable.