#(I overheard she was gifted a gift card; but who gifts a Ulta gift card to a little girl)

[beatingheart-bride]

"I think things are going to turn around once we make it to California," Philippe replied, not a hint of doubt in his voice as he and Susannah walked down the street, taking in the sights of the town. As unfair as it was that his love had never gotten the appreciation that she deserved for all of her hard work, he had a feeling that was bound to chance. Once she was no longer stuck under Mickey's employ and was able to sell her pieces under her own name, things would be different. She'd finally get the credit for all of her time, effort and skill.

"Things are going to be different once we leave Louisiana. You and I will be able to start a new life together, and we'll have our dearest friends along for the ride. We'll buy a little house, you'll be able to open your own haberdashery...and who knows what else the future will bring?"

Subconsciously, Philippe patted his pant pocket at the mention of the future, all the while linking his other arm with Susannah's, mirroring countless other couples who were similarly making their way up and down the street. Even if there was no way of knowing everything that the future would hold, he knew that it would be a bright one, and there was no one else he'd rather see it with than Susannah.

@beatingheart-bride

"That would be such an honor."

As they left the theater arm in arm, Susannah elaborated a little further on her feelings regarding the idea, saying, "I don't see people wearing my work very often, but when I do, when I see them wearing my hats and bonnets out in town...there's nothing like it. It gives me a-a sorta...a feeling of pride, I guess you'd say. A job well done."

Of course, no one knew the name of the maker of the hat; all who made them were anonymous. Those who shopped and bought from the haberdashery usually just cheerfully told their friends, "Oh, I got it from Mickey's!" giving no thought to the people who really made them. But even so, when Susannah saw her work out in the park, people donning her top hats and sunhats and the like, and to see others compliment her handiwork without knowing it was hers...it put a little smile on her face.

"I know they don't know it's mine, but...it still feels good, knowing they're so happy with it," she smiled softly, cheeks pink as exited back out onto the street. "So to think about people seeing my work on a stage night after night and loving it, admiring it, actually knowing that it's mine? It...it would be nothing short of an honor to me."