Authors: Theresa Troutman
“Don’t get your knickers in a knot,” she replied, jogging down the marble stairs.
“I only have an hour before I need to get back downtown to pick up Tess.”
“Okay, it won’t take that long.”
They strolled into the sitting room and sat down. Sigourney poured tea from the service set out on the coffee table. She sat back and took a leisurely sip. Sebastian’s patience was wearing thin.
“So why was I summoned?” he asked.
“What are the honeymoon plans?”
“I’m taking Tess to Europe for a few months. I told you that already.”
“How are you going to pay for that?”
“We’re getting a Euro-rail pass.”
“You’re slumming it?” she asked, disgusted by the idea.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not exactly in the position to shower Tess with five star accommodations and first class train tickets. Have you forgotten?” Sebastian let the tea cup go cold and walked over the sidebar to pour himself a finger of scotch.
“I’m handling this poorly,” Sigourney admitted. “You both deserve a wonderful trip. You’re starting your married life together. I want to give that to you as my wedding gift.”
Sebastian placed the empty glass down the sideboard. “I can buy my wife a wedding trip,” he rebuked, his ego wounded.
“Of course you can, darling, but Tess deserves grandeur and romance!”
“I’ll have you know I’m very romantic. Honestly, if you just called me here to berate me, I have better things to do,” he warned.
“Sebastian, you didn’t see Tess’ reaction when we went shopping for the wedding dress.”
“I know her reaction. It was similar to having a root canal. She’s not comfortable in that type of situation and I’m surprised she even agreed to go along with you.”
“It started out that way, but when we left the bridal salon and started browsing the couture gowns, she became an entirely different girl,” Sigourney told him, beaming with pride.
Sebastian took a seat on the chair across from his sister and cocked an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Tess didn’t tell you anything about our shopping trip?” she queried.
“She said she had a nice day and she found a dress. I reckon she just picked something to stop you dragging her from one shop to the next.”
Sigourney laughed aloud. “Tess was playing coy! She found the perfect dress and it’s a Chanel.”
Sebastian quietly studied his sister. Surely they weren’t both talking about
his
Tess Hamilton. Tess all but begged him not to buy her a fancy dress on their first shopping trip. It didn’t seem possible that conservative, thrifty Tess would spend money on a couture wedding gown.
“Did you buy her the dress?” he asked.
“No, I was fully prepared to—it was perfect for Tess. Her mother had saved some money for the wedding reception, and she said Tess should use it to buy the dress, since you’re having the ceremony at home.”
Sebastian shook his head in disbelief. “She used the money to buy a dress?”
“Your appreciation for designer clothes is rubbing off on your fiancée.” Sigourney grinned. “And that is why I want to give you both a honeymoon trip. Even if it’s just the first week—let me lavish you in luxury.”
“So what exactly did you have in mind?” Sebastian asked with curiosity, leaning back in the chair and crossing his legs.
“Two tickets on the Concord and a week at the George V.”
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open at the suggestion. It was a truly generous offer, worth thousands of dollars—and something he would love to do for Tess, but couldn’t afford to do. He wanted to respond, but she had left him speechless.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“It’s too much, Sigourney. You’ve stunned even me.”
Sigourney stood from the sofa and walked over to her brother and sat on the arm of his chair. “It’s not enough after what Mummy did to you,” she said in all seriousness. “Anywho, I get a portion of your inheritance, so just think of it as me spending your money on you.”
Sebastian laughed aloud. “When you put it that way, I have no reservations whatsoever in accepting your gift.” He thought for a moment than added, “Please feel free to throw in the first class Euro-rail passes while you are at it.”
Sigourney swatted his arm, then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m so very happy for the two of you. I’m glad you accepted my gift.”
“Can you keep it a secret? I want to surprise Tess.”
“She’ll need a trousseau. How will she know what to buy?” his sister inquired.
“Whoa, slow down. How are you going to keep it a secret if you drag her on another shopping spree?”
“Sebastian, she can’t fly on the Concord and eat at the George V in jeans and a sweatshirt,” Sigourney admonished.
“Yes, I know. We need a plan, though. Let me think about it. Maybe if we get Kate involved,” Sebastian reasoned.
“Okay, thinking caps on.”
Sebastian glanced down at his Rolex. “I have to get going.” He stood and hugged Sigourney. “You are brilliant, darling sister. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s have lunch next week at Sardi’s and we’ll plan some more. Ring me with your schedule.”
“I’ll do that,” Sebastian agreed.
Sebastian made his way back downtown and found Tess in the NYU library, books piled high on the table in front of her. He was so excited about Sigourney’s gift that he could hardly contain his delight, grinning like a fool.
“What are you so happy about?” Tess asked, looking up from her book.
“Everything,” he replied with enthusiasm.
“I know that look,” Tess warned. “You’re up to something.”
“I’m sworn to secrecy.”
“Then that must mean Sigourney’s involved.”
Sebastian steered the conversation in a different direction, lest he get too exhilarated and reveal his sister’s grand plan. “How much longer will you need? When can we go home?”
Tess studied her notes and then looked at the books stacked in front of her. “I probably need an hour.”
“Okay,” he agreed without argument. Sebastian reached into this backpack and pulled out a notebook. If Tess had to study, then he would make notes regarding their honeymoon. Sigourney was right: Tess would need a trousseau. He knew her sizes, so all he had to do was list the items she would need. Making the list of lingerie and outfits while letting his imagination contemplate Tess in various stages of being undressed was the most enjoyable time Sebastian had ever spent in a library.
* * *
Tess was grateful for Sebastian’s silence. Actually, she was stunned. Sebastian was acting out of character and she wondered if Sigourney had spilled the details to him about her wedding dress. He was scribbling away in his notebook with the most blissful look on his face: his sapphire colored eyes dancing with delight, his square jaw relaxed, lips upturned. What was he thinking about? As much as she enjoyed watching him, she had to get back to work. The paper due by the end of the week wasn’t going to write itself, so Tess reluctantly averted her gaze and continued her work.
When they stepped out of the library, snow had begun to fall. The iridescent flakes covering Washington Square made it look like a picture-perfect post card. The snow was always pretty when it first fell. It wasn’t until later, after salt, cinders, and footprints made it dirty and slushy, that the beauty lost its appeal.
“I’m hungry. Can we grab dinner before we catch the ferry back?” Tess asked.
“Let me guess—McDonald's?”
She gave him a big toothy grin. He really must have had a great day if he so readily agreed to the fast food joint.
“You’re in luck. There’s one on the next corner. Imagine that!” Sebastian ribbed with jest.
Tess wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned into him. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, darling,” he replied as they reached their destination and he held open the door.
They sat at a table in front of the window, watching New Yorkers pass by while they ate their cheeseburgers.
“I was thinking we need to buy you some luggage for Europe,” Sebastian said as he sipped his coffee.
“How much luggage could I possibly need? If we’re going from city to city, I don’t want to drag around a lot of bags. Don’t you have something I can use?”
“You’ll need a few nice outfits for when we go out to dinner. I love you, but I’m not traipsing through Europe and only eating at McDonald's,” he replied, taking her hand in his.
Tess’ eyes lit with excitement. “I love that idea. I could write a travel log of the McDonald's throughout Europe—talk about the different items on the menu that pertain to the locale.”
“Give out Michelin stars,” he playfully interrupted. “Yes, I’m sure it will be a best seller,” Sebastian replied, deadpan.
Tess loved provoking him, especially about fast food restaurants. It felt so good to be with him like this—carefree and lighthearted. Finally, they were falling back into their old habits. It was a relief and Tess was so thankful that they were able to get over her indiscretion with Dan Miller. She would honestly give Sebastian anything he desired because she wanted to prove to him that she was committed to their relationship.
“Where would you like to go to buy me luggage?” she asked.
“Macy’s?”
Tess was pleased with his response: maybe her thriftiness was wearing off on Sebastian. No—who was she trying to kid? Sebastian would never be thrifty. He was most likely just learning to pick and choose his battles. Tess did need the luggage, so it seemed like a good idea.
“Okay, Macy’s it is. Do you want to stop and look before we head back home?”
“Perfect,” Sebastian agreed.
Sebastian was watching the early morning news while Tess was in the bathroom getting ready for class. Breaking news came across the bottom of the screen, and he read it with great interest.
When Tess joined him in the living room, he was staring at the painting above the fireplace, lost in thought.
“Hey, are you okay?” Tess asked gingerly, stepping up behind him.
“Andy Warhol just died this morning in New York Hospital,” he whispered in disbelief.
“Why was he in the hospital?”
“Gallbladder surgery.”
“You shouldn’t die from routine surgery.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” he agreed. “That painting just increased its value tenfold,” Sebastian said in a subdued voice, pointing to the oxidation painting.
Tess chuckled until she realized he wasn’t joking. “Seriously? That much?”
“I never joke about art. I told you it would pay for our children’s college education one day. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.”
“I’m sorry this makes you so sad,” Tess said.
“The world lost a great artist today.” He looked down at his watch. They had to be leaving if they wanted to catch the ferry. “We need to get going.”
They rode on the ferry in silence, and then switched over to the subway to get to NYU. “I’ve got to meet with Sigourney today after class, and then I have work at the gallery. Are you okay to make it home on your own? I don’t know how late I’ll be.” Sebastian always escorted Tess, but today he was out of sorts.
“I can take care of myself, Sebastian. I don’t need a bodyguard,” Tess reassured him. “Go do what you need to do.”
“Thank you. Ring me at the gallery when you arrive home safe, so I don’t worry.”
Tess kissed him goodbye. “I will.”
After his class, Sebastian met Sigourney at Bloomingdale's for lunch. They were meeting to discuss a bridal shower for Tess. Even though their ceremony wouldn’t be traditional, Sebastian wanted Tess to experience everything a normal bride got to experience.
Sigourney had her planner and pen at the ready, while Sebastian perused the notes he had jotted down in his notebook. “I think we should have it at the brownstone. You can tell Tess I’ve invited you both to dinner.”
“That will work. I need to check with Kate to make sure she can get off work.”
“I’ll take care of the invites, just give me the info. I know this is a small affair, but is there anyone else you want to invite? Any old school chums that Tess might have?”
Sebastian pondered the idea. Tess hadn’t kept in touch with Jordan or Courtney. All of her time had been devoted to NYU and Sebastian. He had to admit he liked it that way, even if he had to vie for attention with her class work. “She has an Aunt that lives in Florida. You can ask Kate about that. I’ve never met her.”
The waiter brought the siblings’ soup and salad and placed it on the table. Sebastian picked up his spoon and took a sip of the asparagus soup. “Oh, and add Penny Stanton to the list. If she can fly in, I know Tess would like that.”
“Tess knows Penny?” Sigourney inquired, then took a bite of her salad.
“Yes, they met last year when Penny visited Edgewood.”
“Wonderful, consider it done! It will be so nice to see her again.” They continued eating lunch while each one of them individually made additional notes in their books. “What about the trousseau?”
“I have a list. I thought we could purchase what Tess needs after lunch.”
“Let me see your list.”
They passed each other their respective notes. It was the odd brother/sister dynamic they shared. Sebastian appreciated that Sigourney was on the same wavelength: it kept her quiet. God knows she was chatty, and he really enjoyed when they could spend time together without talking.
When they had finished their meal, Sigourney placed thirty dollars on the table and they made their way to the women’s clothing floor and spent the next hour shopping for all the items on Sebastian’s list. He had Bloomingdale's deliver the items to Sigourney’s address, since they were bridal shower gifts for Tess. He knew it was unusual for the groom to buy his bride a shower gift, but Tess didn’t have many friends or extended family, so he was determined to do this for her.
Fiona was on the phone when Sebastian stepped foot in the gallery. She gave a little wave as he made his way to the back room to hang up his coat and scarf.
“How are things today?” Sebastian inquired, stepping onto the sales floor.
“Crazy—I’ve been fielding calls from clients looking to get their hands on a Warhol.”