The Next Step

As much fun as Julie was having with Mike, she was still giving a lot of thought to his suggestion about finding a career in fashion.  She wasn't sure she could really picture herself starting out in some generic retail environment.  So, as Julie often did when faced with a conundrum, she decided to talk it over with Heather.

"Hey Heather, you remember talking about finding something I really enjoy?" Julie asked during their mid-afternoon lull.

"'Course, sugar," Heather replied.  "You been having some sexy thoughts about your future?"

"Yeah, well, when Mike and I went shopping a couple weeks ago he mentioned that it seemed like I was really good at putting together outfits and stuff.  And you know me, I love clothes and fashion."

Heather bit her lip, knowing that both she and Susan had said similar things to Julie before.  Heather thought it was more funny than anything and hoped that Mike realized how much his opinion meant to Julie.

"So . . ." Julie continued.  "I'm just not sure where to begin, y'know?  Do I just go to a place like Curvature and apply for a job?  Do I have to go back to school or something?"

"That's a good question, hun.  Why don't you talk to Susan about it?  I'm sure she could at least get you started in the right direction."

"That's a good idea," Julie mused.  "I'm pretty sure I have her business card, I'll give her a call this evening."

A few days later Julie met Susan at a local cafe for lunch.  

"I'm so glad you called me," Susan said as they were seated at their table.  "Since your first trip to the store I knew you had a real gift."

"Thanks Susan, that's really nice of you to say.  I guess I'm just at a loss about where to go from here.  I don't really know the first thing about getting into the fashion industry."

"Tell you the truth, I really didn't either," Susan confided.  "I was a bank teller when I first met my husband.  He's a financial advisor and does quite well for himself, so there was no need for me to keep working after we got married.  I didn't like it at the bank, so I took a little time off and thought about what I'd like to do with my life.  I've always been a bit on the plumper side, especially after getting married, and I was frustrated that it was so hard to find flattering outfits in my size.  I thought it would be fabulous to open up a little shop that specialized in providing nice, affordable clothing specifically designed for larger women.  My husband and I agreed that I'd work for a while in a plus-size store to get a feel for things, and we'd save up to get the store started.  We're actually really close to being ready, but we really need two things.  First, we need to find just the right space.  Ideally something kind of small but with lots of foot traffic.  Secondly, I really need a partner.  Would you be interested?"

"Um, ah," Julie stuttered, a little taken aback by the amount of information that had just been dumped on her.  "Well, I really don't have that much money.  I don't think I could be a partner."

"Oh, no, we're not really looking for more money.  As much as I enjoy clothes and helping people find good outfits, I don't have a tenth of the ability that you do.  You would provide the expertise and be our main buyer, I would run more of the administrative side."

Julie's head was swimming.  She was completely blindsided by the offer and unsure how to respond.

"Are-are you sure?" she asked.  "I mean, you barely know me."

"I feel like I know you well enough.  Plus, Heather stopped by the other day for a pair of pants and we ended up chatting for like an hour.  She obviously thinks very highly of you and she's filled me in a little bit with everything you've gone through lately.  Don't think you have to give me an answer now.  We're still in the preliminary stages of all of this.  I haven't even given my notice at Curvature yet."

Julie agreed to think it over.  The two women had an enjoyable lunch together, getting to know each other better as they made their way through their respective entrees and split a pair of desserts.  Julie went home with both a full belly and a full head, resolving to sleep on the matter and talk it over with Heather the next day.

"That sounds like a wonderful opportunity, Jules!" Heather exclaimed the following morning after Julie filled her in on what had happened.  "Are you super excited?"

"Um, kinda," Julie waffled.  "I'm more, like, nervous.  I guess I didn't expect to start with something so . . . so big.  It just seems like a lot of responsibility."

"I'm sure you'll do wonderfully," Heather assured her.  "Plus, it sounds like this is something that Susan has really been preparing herself for.  I'm sure you'll be able to ease into it a bit and learn as you go along."

"So you really think it's a good idea?"

"What do you think?  This is your life, you have to figure out if this sounds right for you or not."

"It . . . it actually does.  It seems almost too good to be true, and it's all happening a lot sooner than I expected . . . but I think I want to do this."

"Yay!" Heather cheered, wrapping her friend in a hug.  "I'm so super sexy excited for you!  Ooh, I just had the sexiest idea ever!!"

"What's that?"

"Well, remember how we were trying to think of what to do with the rest of the space after we expand the bakery?  What if we rented out to you guys?!"

"Heather!  That would be amazing!" Julie shrieked.  "We could be right next door!  Ooh, ooh, I gotta call Susan!"

Susan was very happy to hear that Julie was on board, and was quite excited at the prospect of moving into that space.  She agreed to come meet with Julie, Heather, and Kevin to hammer out some tentative details.  Julie's head was swimming from everything that had transpired, she could barely believe that she could be so incredibly blessed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the midst of all the planning for Susan and Julie's store and the bakery's expansion, it just so happened that Julie's birthday rolled around.  Of course Heather insisted on a big bash to celebrate.  They decided on a beach party with all Julie's closest friends.  

On the morning of the party, Julie made Mike wait out in the living room while she picked out a bikini to wear at the beach.  She had recently picked out a couple new suits, as she had slightly outgrown her other options.  After putting on a somewhat daring two-piece, she examined her reflection in the mirror.

It was almost humorous to her now that this very reflection would have caused her to go into conniptions just months ago.  She had once considered her body something to be overcome, to be molded into the ideal form through sacrifice, self-discipline, sweat, blood, and tears.  

How extraordinary was her transformation, she mused.  As she now looked at her softer, rounder, heavier form in the mirror, she felt content and confident.  The pounds she worked so hard to keep off were now seen as a lovely adornment.  Instead of ruining her figure, they enhanced it.  She wondered how she had been so blind to true beauty for so long.

Feeling a bit naughty, she struck a seductive pose in the mirror.  Looking over her shoulder at her reflection, she admired the pert roundness of her wonderfully full derriere.  She reached behind her to grab and knead the soft globes of sexy flesh, barely concealed at all by her bikini bottoms.  Julie liked the way her thick thighs had avoided dimpling as they expanded with fat.  Impulsively, she shook side to side, watching her backside jiggle fetchingly.

Turning to face the mirror again, she rested her hands on her widened hips.  Grabbing plump love handles in each hand, she marveled at how soft and smooth her flesh was.  Her hands moved towards her belly, one hand beneath to cradle her paunch and the other sliding out to her furthermost point.  Holding her gut, she couldn't help but momentarily reflect on all the wonderful food she had eaten that had contributed to its incredible growth.  

A knock at the door interrupted her reverie.

"Hey Peaches, did you find one yet?" Mike asked.  "It's not nice to tease a guy with the image of his super hot girlfriend in a tiny bikini then not show him."

Julie laughed as she opened the door.

"Ta-da!" she sang, striking a pose.  "Is it everything you hoped for?"

Julie stood there before him wearing a purple two-piece with "Diva" written boldly across the top.  Her purchase had clearly been influenced by Heather.

"Wow," Mike breathed.  "So, um, how long do we have before we leave?"

"We have a little bit," Julie told him with a mischievous smirk.  "What do you have in mind?"

"Well . . ." Mike began.

Julie backed away from him toward her bed, crooking a finger at him as he followed with a smile.  As she neared her bed, her heel bumped against something hard and she looked down to see a corner of one of her scales peeking out from underneath.

"Huh, I haven't weighed myself in a while," Julie commented.  "Now I'm kinda curious . . . let's see what I weigh."

Mike was understandably skeptical.  In his experience, women weighing themselves (especially after substantial weight gains) did not end in amorous activities.  He wasn't even sure how her mind had gotten from a roll in the hay to stepping on a scale.

"C'mon, you can't say that you're not a little curious," Julie persuaded, sensing his hesitation.  "I promise, I won't freak out.  I really like how I look right now and no number is going to make me feel bad about myself."

"Alright then," Mike agreed, still steeling himself for the breakdown.

Julie fished out a scale from where she had stashed them months ago and stepped right onto it.  

"Wow," she murmured, looking somewhat shocked.

"You look beautiful," Mike reassured her, trying to head off any emotional crisis before it could get started.  He leaned forward to give Julie a long kiss, not even glancing down to see the scale.  

After the kiss, Julie sighed in contentment and smiled.  "I really do, don't I?"

She stepped off the scale and took another look in the mirror.

"I never would have thought it before," she continued.  "But I really do like how I look.  And I'm really happy you like the way I look too."

"I certainly do," Mike replied, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her soft form.  "I think I've proven that a number of times, if memory serves me."

Julie giggled.  "You certainly have."

They stood silently for a moment, both examining her reflection.  Then Julie started wiggling her rear a bit, pressing against Mike in a way that was quite stimulating.

"So, big fella, aren't you curious what I weigh?" she teased.

"Only if you want to tell me," he said.

"I weigh . . . 216 pounds," she announced.  "What do you think about that?  I weigh more than Heather now!"

Mike pulled her tighter.  "I'm not sure you can call me big fella anymore," he chuckled.  "You weigh more than me, too."

Julie turned within his embrace so her boobs and belly squished into him.

"So, what's your plan for 216 pounds of woman?" she asked him.

"Let me show you."

Needless to say, Mike and Julie got to the beach slightly after they expected.  Heather and Kevin were already there and setting up.  Michelle and her boyfriend Troy had been invited, as well as Stephanie and her husband Jeff.  Also, Julie had called Tori to invite her.  Tori had surprised her a bit by asking if she could bring a guest.  Lastly, Susan had said she wanted to come, but unfortunately she and her husband were going to be out of town that day.    

They brought blankets and chairs, beach games, supplies for grilling, coolers filled with food and drinks, and boxes and boxes of baked goods.  Fortunately, Kevin knew a little stretch of beach that was rather under-visited, so they were able to claim a good stretch for themselves (along with two grills).  

Shortly after everything was set up, Stephanie showed up with her husband and little Howie.  Jeff was introduced to everyone, and then Kevin handed him a beer and the men went to get one of the grills ready for lunch.

"Thanks so much for inviting us," Stephanie said.  "I just love the beach, and of course so does Howie.  I am a little nervous, though, this is my first time wearing a bikini since having a baby.  I'm certainly . . . well, a different shape than I used to be."

"Don't worry, I'm sure you look super sexy," Heather told her.  "As a matter of fact, it's getting quite warm out here in the sun.  How about a quick dip before lunch?"

The three women peeled off their outer layers, each revealing a two-piece bathing suit underneath.  Julie's of course was the purple "Diva" bikini while Heather opted for a multi-colored print.  Stephanie, wearing a pink ensemble, felt a bit less self-conscious around Heather and Julie, both were noticeably larger than her.  Still, she felt a little weird baring her soft, bulging belly for all to see.

Julie noted to herself that Stephanie was certainly looking the part of newly chubby young mother.  With all the trips to the bakery, it seemed that her post-baby weight was actually increasing instead of decreasing.  Her thighs were pale, smooth, and plump, rubbing together whenever she walked.  Her hips were rather wide, love handles spilling over the waist of the swimsuit bottoms.  Her rear threatened to escape the rather modestly cut bathing suit.

She couldn't be called a pear, however, as her generous cleavage filled out her top.  She had clearly put on a cup size or two since her pre-pregnancy days.  More than anything, though, it was her plumply protruding pot belly that bespoke of a recent pregnancy.  Having been stretched out from carrying a child, it still retained a perfect roundness and it stuck out just slightly further than her breasts.  

"I always thought that as soon as I had a kid I'd be right back at the gym getting my old body back," Stephanie confessed.  "Honestly, I had always judged those women who stayed chubby.  I thought they just had no self-discipline.  But now . . . I dunno.  It just doesn't seem as important.  Being a mother is so fulfilling, and of course I just can't stop coming to the bakery.  Plus, Jeff hasn't seemed to mind as much as I thought he would.  Instead of feeling fat and frumpy and unattractive, I just feel . . . built for comfort."

"You look sexy comfortable," Heather told her.  "Isn't that right, Jules?"

Julie laughed.  "You look beautiful, Stephanie.  It took me a long time to learn that it's good to be comfortable with yourself.  Once you start realizing what's actually really important, it doesn't seem worth it to stress out about a few pounds here and there.  Or, in my case, a few dozen pounds."

"If you got, flaunt it!" Heather giggled, smacking Julie's rear.  "Now let's go.  Last one in the water doesn't get dessert!"

The women ran down to the water, their plush bodies jiggling with each footfall.  They splashed each other a bit and laughed at Howie's antics as he crawled around in the sand.  It wasn't long before Michelle and Troy showed up.  Troy joined the men in a game of horseshoes by the grill and Michelle went down to the water.

Wearing a white bikini, Michelle looked like she could have been on the front of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.  At least, maybe 15 pounds ago.  While she still maintained a classic hourglass figure, working at a bakery was starting to have a slight effect.  Her hips and ass may have been a bit fuller, and she certainly filled out the top of her bikini well.  However, her narrow waist and flat stomach now looked just a little softer.  It wasn't much, but Julie found herself wondering if it was a sign of things to come.  As much as she was loathe to admit it to herself, she was a little intimidated by Michelle and was secretly rooting for her to pack on some pounds like the rest of them.

Lastly, Tori showed up with a somewhat shy, slim, blonde-haired young man named Josh.  Julie gave her a great big hug, noting that if anything Tori seemed to be even slightly larger than before.

"I'm so happy you could make it!" Julie cheered.

"Me too!" Tori told her.  "I've wanted to talk to you again for a while.  About a month or so ago I met Josh, and it's like my life has just gotten so much better.  All those things you talked about . . . learning to accept myself, being comfortable with who I am, not worrying about what other people say about me . . . he's helped me finally realize what that was all about.  I never thought I could get a great guy like him looking like this, but he's told me that he loves how I look and doesn't even mind if I . . . y'know, get a little bigger."

"Aw, I'm really happy for you," Julie replied.  "You deserve someone great, and I'm glad you met a guy who makes you feel as beautiful as you are."

"I've never felt so confident," Tori stated, then lowered her voice to a whisper.  "I never thought I'd enjoy wearing a bathing suit in public, especially at my size."

Tori wore a gray one-piece that showed off her smooth, tanned thighs while clinging to her rounded belly.  Julie thought it looked quite adorable and was glad that Tori seemed to be celebrating her curvaceous figure.

"Well, this is the place to be curvy and comfortable," Heather interjected.  "Speaking of which . . . my nose tells me that we have some hamburgers and hot dogs ready.  Who wants some lunch?"

A pair of picnic tables were filled with chips, fruit salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, ambrosia, watermelon, and more.  Each person would take their plate to Kevin at the grill, and he would give them a hotdog or hamburger (or in most cases, a few of each).  

After a nicely filling lunch, they spent most of the afternoon playing volleyball, snacking, swimming, snacking, sun bathing, snacking, more swimming, and of course, snacking.  

It was getting close to five when Heather told Kevin to get the grills going again for supper.

"Hey Peaches, you'll be ready to eat soon, right?" Mike called to Julie.

Julie looked up guiltily from the picnic table, her mouth crammed full of pastry.

"Sure," she called back after a big swallow.  "Dinner sounds great!"

"Peaches?!" Heather guffawed, turning to her friend.

Julie blushed.  "He says he calls me peaches because I'm so sweet and juicy."

Heather roared in laughter, her body jiggling from head to toe.  Julie was glad she didn't tell Heather the other reason he called her that.  Mike teased her that her ripe, luscious rear reminded him of a pair of the juicy fruit.  Occasionally he'd chase her around the apartment, threatening to take a bite out of her, until Julie finally could take no more.  Exhausted, she'd fall onto the couch, unable to stop Mike as he grabbed and jiggled her plumpness.

Julie rubbed her stomach was already heavily rounded from her constant eating.  She didn't think she'd be able to do much running in her state.  But it was her birthday, and that was certainly no time to count calories.  For dinner there was steak, ribs, chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, and more.

Julie, Heather, Tori, and Stephanie sat together during dinner.  Each of their respective men made sure to refill their plates for them as soon as they were empty.  Nothing was said out loud, but each woman seemed loathe to be the first to quit.  

"Ooh, that's it, no more for me," Stephanie finally groaned.  

She leaned back, her greasy fingers massaging her swollen paunch.  Julie, Heather, and Tori each did two more plates before stopping.

Julie just managed to keep a huge belch from rumbling up, she felt incredibly heavy and bloated.  When she looked over at Mike she saw him staring at her in rapture.  She knew that seeing four scantily clad plump women gorge themselves must have been a dream come true.  Julie gave him a sly look as she decided to press some of his buttons.

"I think my belly is bigger than yours now, Heather."

"Prove it," Heather challenged, getting to her feet.

They stood next to each other, trying to determine who stuck out the furthest.  Both women boasted truly impressive figures.  Heather still carried a good amount of her weight in her lower body.  Her large, creamy thighs melded together, flaring out into substantial hips.  Behind her, a well-cushioned rump bubbled out quite fetchingly.  Not that her upper body was trailing too far behind.  Her plush belly oozed out over her bikini bottoms by a couple inches.  Lastly, her top did a nice job of highlighting her generously round cleavage.

Julie had maintained a rather sleek shape even as she gained.  Her legs could not be called skinny, especially with the way her thighs rubbed together a bit as she walked, but they were still shapely.  Her hips and rear had grabbed a number of pounds for themselves, giving her a sensual roundness without looking flabby.  Julie seemed to hoard a higher percentage of her extra weight in her midsection.  Her pot belly stuck out proudly, flanked by impressively plump love handles.  While she occasionally groused that "her girls" weren't expanding as quickly as the rest of her, there was no doubt she was blessed in that area as well.

However, without a tape measure to actually measure the bountiful beauties, it was pretty much impossible to tell who truly owned the biggest belly.

"I think it may be a tie," Tori said after a few moments.  "Although you both have some work getting to my size."

"Better watch out," Julie giggled.  "At this rate I'll even bigger than you by next year."

"Haha, good luck with that, skinny," Tori retorted, patting her pillowy gut.

"So, are you ready to put your money where your mouth is, Jules?" Heather asked.  "Kev, go get the birthday cake from the trunk."

"Oh, I'm too full," Julie protested.

"Nonsense," Heather teased, poking Julie's middle.  "You've got a lot of work to do."

Julie reluctantly acquiesced.  The birthday cake turned out to be a beautiful strawberry layer cake that Heather had made herself.  The cake had "Happy Super Sexy Birthday Julie!" written in frosting.  Mike was asked to cut up the cake after Julie had blown out the candles.  He grinned at the birthday girl as he handed her a ridiculously large piece of cake that practically filled up the whole plate.

Fortunately for Julie, the cake was so delicious that it fit nicely even into an already full stomach.  After she was done, she felt stretched tight and drowsy.

"Ooh, help me up, babe?" she asked Mike.  "I need to . . . go lay down."

Mike helped Julie rise to a standing position, supporting her as she slowly staggered to her blanket on the sand.  Laying flat on her back with her domed gut rising above her, Julie felt like the very definition of a "beached whale".  

Everyone else also relaxed for a while after the large meal.  Mike and Kevin were cleaning up the grill area while their significant others relaxed on the beach and tried to digest their massive meals.

"Ain't nothing like it, huh?" Kevin remarked with a grin, noting that Mike was staring at the recumbent Julie.

"Huh?  Uh, oh yeah, right.  Sorry, got distracted for a minute."

"Haha, they'll do that to you.  It's good to see Julie looking so . . . healthy."

"I'll say," Mike chuckled in agreement.  "She gets healthier by the day.  As a matter of fact, she's about to healthy her way right out of that bathing suit."

Kevin laughed.  "I know Heather was worried about her for a while, they kinda had a rough time for a bit.  But I'm glad she's doing so well now.  And I know you have a lot to do with it."

Mike shrugged.  "Maybe.  But I think she's stronger than most people give her credit for.  I have to admit, I never saw things working out like this.  I mean, you know I was attracted to her ever since I met her, even though on the surface we probably weren't a great match.  There was just something about her, y'know?  But now . . . it seems almost too good to be true.  Can't believe how lucky I am."

"You guys are great together," Kevin opined.  "I'm glad things are working out so great."

"They definitely are.  Don't tell anyone, but last weekend I was running a few errands and stopped by a jewelry store to look at a couple rings.  Just looking right now, of course, but I really think we're headed that way."

"Well, I won't breathe a word.  But I'm sure if that's how it ends up going, you'll make two women very, very happy."

Kevin looked at the two curvaceous friends laying there on the beach, chatting as they rubbed their tautly full stomachs.

"Yeah."   

Before too long the sun was sinking down to the horizon, and Tori and Josh announced that they needed to get going.  Julie had Mike help her to her feet so she could hug Tori goodbye.

It was quite a sight to see the two women embrace, barely able to get their arms around one another with their sizable bellies squishing between them.  

"It was so wonderful to see you," Julie told her.  "We need to get coffee soon.  Or go on a double date!"

"That sounds perfect," Tori responded.  "I can't wait."

Michelle and Troy left soon after and then Stephanie and Jeff said they had to go home because Howie was about to pass out.  Heather and Kevin stayed to watch the sunset, but then they started packing up to leave.

"Thank you so much for the most wonderful birthday ever," Julie thanked Heather.  "I can't think of a more perfect day."

"Of course, sugar.  It was tons of fun for me too.  Sun, water, food, friends . . . what else could you want?"

"Absolutely nothing," Julie replied, hugging her best friend.  "I'll see you Monday at the bakery."

After Kevin and Heather left, Julie and Mike laid down on their towels and stared up at the stars and moon.  They were the only people as far as the eye could see.  

"I never thought I could ever be this happy," Julie breathed.

Mike rolled onto his side to face her, his hand gently resting atop her rising belly.

"I'm just glad I get to be part of making you happy," he said to her.

She turned her head to look at him, her eyes huge and reflecting the moonlight.  The space between them shrunk as Mike moved closer to kiss her.  Julie felt a thrill travel down her spine, to the very soles of her feet, as his lips pressed against hers.

Soon they were intertwined, feeling bold beneath the cover of darkness.  Julie tried to stifle any sound as Mike knelt between her thighs, kissing the crest of her belly, his lips trailing down as he untied her bikini bottoms, her thighs parting to welcome him as he explored her in a way that was more intimate than any other experience in her life.  

Her fingers dug into the sand as her soft whimpers traveled along the shore.  Although she was able to contain her cry of passion as he gently led to her a sweet release, she could not dam the tears from spilling out and trailing down her soft cheeks.

Mike held her tenderly as they laid together under the expanse of the starlit sky.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Summer transitioned into fall, although in southern California this wasn't as much of an extreme shift as other regions in the U.S.  The Sweet Spot was putting the finishing touches on its expansion, and Heather had hired a pair of younger girls fresh out of college who were having some trouble finding a job in the difficult economy.  Susan had given her notice at Curvature and had been working hard with Julie to prepare for the opening of their store.

As much as Julie had thought she would be overwhelmed by the task, she soon found that it was actually quite enjoyable.  Most of her job consisted of reviewing clothing from various manufacturers and helping Susan plan how to best organize the shop.  Since shopping and decorating were a few of Julie's favorite things, it turned out to be much less stressful than she anticipated.

Soon they had the place carpeted and painted, fixtures arranged to display the clothing that had been ordered.  During the set-up process, Heather made sure to come over at least twice a day with some snacks to "keep their strength up".  Julie wasn't sure if she would gain weight working next to a bakery quite as fast as she had when actually working there, but she suspected that she would find out.

Finally, the fateful day had arrived.  The merchandise was set up, they had done a little bit of tasteful advertising throughout the city, and Heather put up signs that every bakery order that day would be 50% off with a receipt from their shop.

It was almost eight in the morning and Heather and Julie were standing just outside and looking up at the new shiny sign.  The store, and a new chapter in Julie's life, was about to open.

"Sexy Comfortable," Heather read.  "I can't think of a better name for your place."

"Thanks for letting us use it," Julie told her.  "It just says everything we want to say, y'know?  I mean . . . I can't believe how much my life has changed, and how much better it's become.  And I know I owe it all to you.  Without you, I don't think I would have ever felt sexy or comfortable.  Thanks for always being there for me."

"Sugar, I am so proud of you.  I know it wasn't easy, but this was really all you.  It's been such a pleasure for me to see you realize how sexy wonderful you are.  Now open up that store and kick some plus-sized ass, y'hear?"

Julie laughed and embraced her friend.  With a racing heart and trembling hand, Julie unlocked the front door and pulled it open.  Sexy Comfortable was open for business.

A few moments later a plump, young Latina with a two small children entered the shop.  

"Ooh, I've been looking forward to coming here," she said when she entered.  "Wow, all this clothing is beautiful.  I never thought I'd be able to wear these kinds of outfits again."

"That's why we're here," Julie told her.  "Women are beautiful in every shape and size, and it's about time there were clothes that said that.  Here, have a cookie while we look around."

Julie held out one of the many plates filled with treats from next door.  Heather had been only too happy to donate them for the shop's opening.

"Oh, I really shouldn't," said the young mother, her hand on her substantial pot belly.

"Of course you should," Julie smiled.  "Here, I'll have one with you.  My best friend made these and she's the best baker in the world."

"Oh, alright, maybe just one," she capitulated, taking a walnut chocolate chunk cookie.  

"See, aren't they sexy delicious?" Julie asked, putting her hand on the young woman's shoulder.  "Now c'mon, let me show you around."