Natasha walked, arm in arm with her son, as the two of them walked down the streets of Manhattan- Clint, Wanda, and Pepper tailing her.
“Are you ready?” Steve asked.
“It's just dress shopping.” Natasha said. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
From behind her, Pepper gave her arm a smack. “Not that big… Don’t you want Bruce to light up when he sees you coming down the aisle?”
"I could wear a burlap sack and he would do that.” She said sarcastically.
“The point is, you deserve to feel beautiful, and finding the dress that will make you feel that way is a huge part of the day. It doesn't matter how much you spend, it's about how you feel.” Pepper reminded.
"Since we don't have to worry about paying for a venue or a makeup artist, I guess we can afford to spend a little more, but still, I just feel a little ridiculous. It's about the love, not the dress.”
“And even though you’ll deny it, you want him to love your dress.” Clint shot back, and Nat gave him a look.
“I just know it doesn't matter all that much to him. That’s all."
“Then you can let it matter a little to you.” Said Wanda with a little smirk, and Natasha rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Together, the five of them walked toward their destination- Kleinfeld Bridal. Despite not often watching TV, Natasha did occasionally deign to indulge in some shows, one of them being Say Yes To The Dress. And when she'd realized the proximity to the tower, she’d mentioned it to Pepper. Always one to pick up on subtext, she’d booked her friend an appointment, thanks in part to her boyfriend’s connections.
As she looked at the shop, Natasha paused for a minute, feeling as though she was stepping into an episode of the show. And even though she'd gotten an appointment off of the show, the magic was still there for her.
And then, she went in through the doors.
The entrance was as beautiful and grand as she might have imagined. As they went to check in, Natasha felt her heartbeat quicken with excitement. Her engagement had felt like a dream, but this was the moment it sank in that all of it was real. As the three of them went into the salon, they took a seat, and waited for a consultant to find them.
“This is really happening." She said to no one in particular.
“Did you think it wasn’t?” Clint asked, raising his eyebrows.
“This is just the first moment where it really hit me.” She said. “I'm getting married."
“It took you this long to adjust?” Steve asked.
“Like you have already?” She raised her eyebrows.
“I was sold on this long before you two even started dating. My head is wrapped around it.” He said, and she playfully scoffed at him.
“Show off.” She said, but bumped his shoulder a little, and he grinned at her.
After a few minutes, a consultant and and intern approached her.
“Hi!” Said a very familiar voice, and Natasha found herself a little starstruck to see Randy Fenoli in the flesh. “My name is Randy, I’ll be your consultant today. And this is my Intern Hayley. Which one of you is Natasha?” He asked, and Natasha obligingly raised her hand.
“That’s me.” She said, and smiled.
“Hi.” He said, and the two of them hugged. “It's amazing to meet you.”
“It’s amazing to meet you too. Congratulations.” He said.
"Thank you.” Natasha smiled.
"And who did you bring with you today?” He asked.
“This is my wedding planner and bridesmaid, Pepper, My bridesmaid Wanda, My best friend and Man of Honor Clint, and my son Steve.” She said, as the lot of them shook hands with him.
“Good to see some more supportive men in the shop!” He said, and Steve and Clint laughed. “When's the wedding?”
"April seventeenth.” Natasha answered.
“Excellent.” Randy said. “Why don’t the two of us head back to the dressing room, and we'll get started?”
“Okay.” She nodded, and smiled, leaving her purse with her son, who seemed utterly giddy to see what she would pick.
Randy took her back to the dressing room, and the two of them sat down.
“So, tell me about your Fiancé.” Randy said, crossing his legs with a smile.
"My fiancé’s name is Bruce. He is kind, compassionate, very smart, and the best man I’ve ever known. We met in India when I came to his work to recruit him for a job, and we ended up falling in love, and adopting our son together.”
“That's wonderful.” Randy said. “How did he propose?”
"He gave me my perfect day at home, and then he made a trail of rose petals to a balcony of ours and proposed in the middle of it, with all of our friends and family."
"That sounds romantic. He sounds like a keeper.” He smiled. “Where’s the wedding?”
“It’ll be on a small island, on the beach.”
"A beach wedding, I love it! Can you tell me what you’re looking for in a dress?”
“I’m actually shopping for two dresses today, one for my wedding and one for my reception. But between them, there is one thing that I need to happen. I don't know how often you might get this but, I don't want a white dress." She said.
“No?” Asked Randy.
Natasha shook her head. “It doesn't feel like me.”
“So what color would you like?”
“Red or Black is preferable. I want to feel like myself at my wedding."
“Alright. And what about a style of dress?"
“For the ceremony dress I'm looking for a ballgown. I want to feel like a princess. Sweetheart Neckline, lots of sparkle or beading. And for the reception, I want something sexier that feels more like me. Anything goes with that as long as it's form fitting.”
"And do you have a budget in mind?"
“I don’t want to spend more than ten thousand for both.” She said. “I'd prefer it be less than that, but that's the top of our budget.”
“Okay. Let me see what I can do.” Randy said, standing up. “You get changed into that robe, and I’ll be back with some dresses for you to try on.”
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” Randy said, before heading out to find some dresses for her.
Natasha took off her red dress and flats, worn specifically for being easy to change in and out of, before throwing on the lilac colored robe and tying it shut. Smoothing it out a little, she sat down, and waited with a cocktail of excitement and nervousness fueling her blood.
It seemed a near eternity for him to return, but finally, Randy came back, carting a few dresses with him.
“Okay, so we have a few dresses here for you to try.” He said, and hung them up on the hanger. “The selection might be a little slimmer because you're looking for a colored dress, but we’ll make it work.” He promised, and she smiled.
“Okay.” She said, and looked at the options on the hanger. A ruby red ballgown covered in floral lace caught her eye first, and she held it in her hand. “Let's try this one.”
“Let's go.” He said, as Hayley helped her get into the dress.
When the back had been zipped up, she looked at herself in the mirror. The floral lace detail moved to wrap around her shoulders in a very good nod to Cinderella, with a sweetheart neckline that billowed out into a tulle skirt, with just a hint of jewels creating a sort of belt to separate the top and bottom of the skirt.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in!” She called, and Randy entered, grinning.
“Wow!” Randy said looking her up and down. “Cinderella's dress got a red makeover!” He said. “How are you feeling?”
“I really like this dress.” She said, nodding.
“Tell me what you like about it.”
“I love the Tulle, and the color is beautiful. I’m just a little worried about how the lace looks.” She said. “It might just be the lighting in here, but I feel like it isn’t showing enough.”
“Do you want to go out and show everyone?” He asked, and she nodded, smiling. She'd seen enough of the show to know that sometimes that changed your feelings about a dress, and she knew every person she'd brought here today would be honest with her.
With help holding the dress from Hayley, she went out to her friends and son.
As soon as they heard her coming, every head swiveled to see her.
“Oooh that's beautiful.” Wanda said.
“I love the lace.” Pepper said.
Natasha stood up on the stool and looked in the mirror. The lighting had definitely made a difference, and she'd definitely liked it more.
“Boys, what do we think?” Randy asked.
“She doesn't love it.” Steve said, shaking his head. And Clint nodded in concurrence.
“It's really pretty but if she really loved it, she would be smiling.” He pointed out.
“The question is if you like it, not if I do.” Natasha said, rolling her eyes and putting a hand on her hip as she turned to look at them.
“But if you don’t, it's not even a question.” Steve said.
“You’re supposed to feel beautiful, and it would show on your face.” Clint said. “I've seen the way you get when you get a new pair of boots and you feel awesome. This should be that times ten.”
Randy nodded, tilting his head to one side. “Alright. I think it's time to try another dress.” He said. "Do you agree?"
Natasha nodded, smiling. “Let's try some more.”
The pair of them shuffled back, Randy carrying her train, as she went back into the dressing room. Looking at the dresses pulled, a black one with a much better lace detailing caught her eye.
“I want to try this one.” She said.
“Alright, let’s get you in it!”
As Hayley zipped her into the dress, she felt an immediate affinity to it. It was form-fitting, with a bit of a plunging neckline, And lace spaghetti straps that gave an almost nude illusion beneath. When it was zipped, she grinned. It fit like a glove.
When Randy came in again, she was smiling.
“Your face is glowing right now. How do you feel?” He asked.
“This is definitely me.” She nodded. “I love the color and the fit, and the lace is beautiful. And the illusion is a great touch.”
“Are you ready to show it off?” He said.
“Definitely.” She said with a grin.
“Take two!” He said, and carried her train.
The four people seated on the couch all audibly gasped when Natasha arrived in the room, as though several vortexes had opened at once to suck things away, as she stood up on the pedestal.
“That’s what I was waiting for.” Clint said. “You’re finally smiling.”
“I really love the dress.” She said. “It feels much more like me, and it’s comfortable.”
“That’s always important.” Pepper said.
“I love the way it looks almost sheer.” Wanda added.
“Me too.” She said, and turned to Steve. “What do you think, Honey?”
“You look beautiful.” He said sincerely.
“You think Daddy will like it?“
“I think if he doesn’t it’s time to get his eyes checked.” Steve said, and the comment made her laugh.
“It sounds like I’m hearing a lot of positive feedback on this one.” Randy said. “Natasha, are you saying yes to this dress?”
Having a small internal conniption over the fact that those words had been directed to her, she grinned and nodded. “Yes!”
To a smattering of applause, Randy helped her off of the pedestal. “Alright, we’re halfway there!” He said. “Let’s try and find your second dress.” He said, and helped her back to the dressing room. "The good news is that one is on the lower end of your budget so we can pull a few others now that we have one.” He said, and she'd nodded.
The next gown she tried on was an immediate no. While she hadn’t had one yet, the maroon chiffon gown looked like somebody had colored an old prom dress with red wine. The ruching hadn’t been of interest to her and though the skirt was sparkly the layers in it weren’t something she’d pictured for herself.
“No.” She said, shaking her head.
“What don’t you like about this dress?” Randy asked her.
“The layered chiffon isn’t something I like, and the color isn’t flattering. It feels like a prom dress reject to me.”
“Alright. Go try on the other one. I’m going to pull one more I think you may like.” He said, and Natasha nodded.
The fourth dress was black, with a sweetheart neckline, satin skirt, and heavily beaded bodice, With large jewels accentuating the neckline and waist.
When the knock came, Randy took a look at her. “Wow, you look beautiful!” He said, and put the next dress on the hanging rack. “Tell me how you feel in this dress.”
“I like it.” She said.
“But you don’t love it.” Randy said matter-of-factly.
“I'm just not having that moment that I did with the other dress.” She said.
“Do you want to show them this one?” He asked.
“I don't think so.” She said. “This one feels a little too flashy for me.”
“Alright, then we’ll see the next dress.” He said. “I don't want you to go out in it, unless you love it.”
She nodded. “Okay. Dress five then.”
Hayley helped her into a red dress with a satin skirt with elaborate beading at the top, and a floral designs made with glitter at the bottom. She studied her reflection in the mirror in this one. The color was a deep red she appreciated, the bodice glittery and the skirt not over the top but still holding it’s own. She wanted to like it more than she did.
“How are you feeling about this dress?” Randy asked, when they were safely inside.
“I want to like it more than I do.” She said. “I think it hits everything I’m looking for but for some reason it just isn’t really wowing me.”
“Do you think it would change your opinion if you showed them?” He asked.
“It might.” She admitted. “I can really see the potential in the dress I’m just struggling more to see myself in it.”
“Alright. Well let’s go see what everyone thinks.” He said, carrying her train for her.
When she came out again, Pepper and Wanda quietly gasped at the dress.
“That is gorgeous.” Pepper said approvingly.
“You think?” She asked, looking in the mirror.
"The color is very you.” Wanda nodded.
Turning on the pedestal, she looked to Clint and her son. “What do you think?”
“I think it looks great.” Clint said, nodding.
“What do you think, honey?” She asked, looking at Steve.
“I think you're trying to convince yourself that you like it.” He said, and Clint nodded in concurrence.
"I think I'm more worried about the moment not being exactly like it was with the second dress.” She admitted.
“The moment might not be the same but you knew right away that was the one. That wouldn’t change regardless. You're too opinionated for anything else.” Clint said, and Steve nodded.
“I think so too.” Steve said.
"Then I think we’re going back to the drawing board.” Randy said. “We'll be back!”
When Natasha went back into the dressing room, she really got a look at the other dress he'd pulled, and her heart skipped a beat.
“I want to try that one.” She said.
“I had a feeling you might.” Randy smiled. “Let’s get you in this dress.”
As Hayley got the bodice laced around her, an obscure instinct told her that this would be a dress she liked, and maybe even loved. But until it was done up properly, she refused to look at herself in the mirror. When Randy knocked, she let him in.
“How are we feeling?”
"I haven't looked yet.” She said.
“Well you need to because you look absolutely beautiful!”
At those words, she looked up, and felt her breath still in her throat.
The black ballgown glittered all over, a thick line of beading creating the sweetheart neckline she wanted, with an inverted triangle of space creating a peeping effect that she found both beautiful and unique. The tulle skirt billowed around her like a sparkling cloud, and it somehow felt both bold and understated all at once.
“Oh wow.” She said, without really thinking about it.
"Is this a good wow or an “I-need-to-take-this-off-right-now” Kind of wow?” Randy asked.
“It's really good.” She said, nodding and smiling. “Can we show them?”
“Of course we can.” Randy said, picking up her long train.
When she came out again, she was grinning ear to ear.
“That's what you look like when you like a dress.” Clint said, as she stepped onto the pedestal.
“I love the bodice.” Wanda nodded.
“And it's simpler in a way that's more reflective of you.” Pepper added.
She nodded, and turned to Steve. “What do you think?”
"I think if Dad sees you in this, he's going to cry.” Steve said, nodding.
“Really?” She smiled, and he nodded.
“How do you feel in this dress?” Randy asked her.
"I love it. I think it feels more like me than I thought it would. I just feel like it's missing something.”
“Hold that thought." Randy said. “I think I know exactly what it needs.”
Hurrying off to grab a few accessories, Randy enlisted Hayley's help to find a black veil while he pulled a hair clip and crown from the accessories department.
Going back to Natasha, Randy pulled her hair into a quick twist, as Hayley placed the veil underneath, before Randy put the crown on her head. At the sound of Wanda and Pepper's twin gasps, she looked at them.
“Oh my god.” Pepper muttered.
“That is the dress.” Wanda said.
“Really?” She asked, and Clint and Steve nodded.
“Look for yourself.” Steve said, and she turned around, where her breath caught in her throat. The black veil kissed her shoulders, while the crown made her look like the princess she'd wanted to feel like. It was subtle and understated, and yet somehow it gave her that feeling of being in a fairytale. Somehow, without her permission, a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
“You look beautiful.” Hayley said, and she nodded, smiling.
“I feel beautiful.” She said, grinning, and wiped her eyes. "I didn't think I was going to cry today."
"You're making me cry.” Pepper said, and they all shared a laugh.
Randy looked at his intern and leaned in toward her. “Should we ask the question?” He asked, and she nodded.
"Natasha, are you saying yes to the dress?” They chorused, and she nodded, grinning.
“Yes!”
To the uproar of applause from her family and friends, she grinned. Finally, she had gotten her chance to say yes to the dress.