Life's What You Make It: Love's Great Adventure Book 1

by Troutman, Theresa

  Alice gently took Sebastian’s hand to comfort him. “Are you sure you don’t want an autopsy?”

  “What’s an autopsy going accomplish? It won’t bring her back. She died in her sleep. Does it really matter how?”

  “No, it won’t bring her back, but some people like the closure from knowing the cause.”

  Henry walked in shortly thereafter with a business card in hand. “Doctor Wexler gave me some information. He said if you didn’t want a service you can do a direct cremation. That means we can take the body to the crematorium and get the cremation permit. The doctor will provide a copy of the death certificate. If you’ll sign an authorization form, we can probably get this taken care of quickly.”

  “Good, I want it done today,” Sebastian instructed in a slow monotone voice. “Lily can’t know. If you tell her, she’ll take over. There will be hideous flower arrangements and a fancy coffin. She won’t honor Nanny’s last wishes.”

  “Okay. Let me make the call.”

  Alice nudged Sebastian. “Come with me.”

  Sebastian had no energy to fight back, so he just let her guide him along.

  The cold breakfast sat uneaten on the kitchen table. Sebastian took a seat as Alice moved away the place settings so Sebastian could have some room. She handed him a cup of tea, which he took with a word of thanks but did not drink. He laid his head on the table and closed his eyes.

  “In the top drawer of her bedside table you’ll find a manila folder. Can you get it for me? I need to ring her solicitor and make an appointment. I’m the executor of her will.”

  Henry got on the phone and arranged for the cremation. There would be no funeral service per Nanny’s request. Once he finished the call, Henry sat next to Sebastian. “You’re in shock right now. Let me call the lawyer for you.”

  “I need to make this call on my own, Henry.” He was focusing on what he had to do rather than thinking about his loss. It was going to be the only way to get through it.

  “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

  “I know.” Sebastian got up from the table and made his way back to his bedroom.

  Sebastian slid to the floor and sat on the plush carpet with his back leaning against the side of the bed. He grabbed the phone cord and yanked the phone to where he sat. Opening the manila file, he found the solicitor's information and punched in a long number. Sebastian waited while the phone rang with short, brief English tones.

  “Rupert Hume, here,” the voice on the end of the line responded.

  With all the restraint he could manage, he cleared his throat and began to speak. “Mr. Hume, this is Sebastian Irons. I’m calling to inform you that Martha Jones has just passed away and as executor of her will I was hoping you could meet with me as soon as possible to sort out the necessary paperwork. I’m living in The United States at the moment, so I will need to make some travel plans.” He took shallow breaths. His stomach was clenched in knots and he had a raging headache pounding through his temples.

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Irons. Will you please hold while I look at my calendar?”

  “Of course.”

  “I have an opening at ten o’clock on Monday morning of this coming week. Will that give you enough time to make your travel arrangements?”

  “Yes, I appreciate your sense of urgency. I’ll see you Monday morning.” Sebastian hung up the phone as tears uncontrollably streamed down his face. He buried his head in his hands and sobbed. Why was this happening to him now? Who was going to be his rock? Who was going to give him sound advice? Thoughts were running through his mind at such a rapid pace as he was overwhelmed with fear and grief. Sebastian frantically wiped the tears away with the palms of his hands and took a few deep breaths. He picked up the receiver again and called Tess. Thankfully, she answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

  “Tess,” he began in a shaky voice. “Can you come over straight away?”

  “What’s wrong?” she asked in a panicked tone.

  “Please just get here as soon as you can,” he muttered quickly before being overcome by tears again and hanging up the phone before waiting for her response.

  * * *

  It was only half an hour, but the drive to Edgewood seemed like an eternity. Tess burst into Sebastian’s room unsure of what she would find. His hand was still gripping the phone as he sat cross-legged on the floor. He wasn’t crying, but his eyes were bloodshot and puffy and the tip of his nose was red. Tess fell to her knees in front of him. “What’s happened?” she asked frantically.

  “She’s gone,” Sebastian whispered.

  “Who?”

  “Nanny. She passed away in her sleep last night. I found her this morning.” He choked out the words.

  Tess placed a hand over her mouth to hide her gasp of shock. There wasn’t anything she could say to comfort him—she knew this from her own personal experience. He wanted her here and right now that was the most she could do for him. Tess took Sebastian in her arms and held him tightly as he began to cry again, wet tears seeping through her cardigan sweater. She tried to quell his shaking body with soft caresses.

  “How do you go on?” he needed to know.

  “You just do,” Tess replied softly. “Every day it gets a little easier, but it’s been three years since my dad died and I’m not over it yet. You’ll think of her every day, but it really does get easier. I’m sorry I can’t say something more comforting,” she admitted as a few tears ran down her cheeks.

  “All this money and I couldn’t do a damn thing to save her.”

  “It was her time, just like it was my dad’s time. It’s never fair,” Tess reasoned, pulling away. She handed him a tissue then sat on the floor next to him, holding his hand. Silence passed between them.

  “Do you have a passport?” he randomly asked. There was a sudden clarity in his eyes, as if he were compartmentalizing things, just as she did.

  “Yes,” she replied with confusion. “I got one so I could take a semester abroad when I go to NYU.”

  “I need to take her ashes back to England. It was her final wish. And I need to see her attorney and settle her estate. Please come with me?” he asked in desperation. “I can’t do this alone.”

  “What about Sigourney?”

  “I need you. You’re the only one who really understood what Nanny meant to me and what I’m going through now.”

  “Okay,” she acquiesced. She could not refuse him when he was overcome with grief and she did understand exactly what he was going through.

  During the course of the day Alice, Henry, and Tess cared for Sebastian: Alice made sure he ate; Henry set about arranging their air travel and London hotel; Tess held his hand and gave morale support. The sun began to set and Sebastian let out a yawn. The day had exhausted him.

  “Come on, you should try to get some sleep before we fly out tomorrow,” Tess encouraged.

  “Fine.”

  She walked him up to his bedroom, trying to support him as they climbed the stairs together. “I’m going to head home. I need to talk to my mom about this trip. I need to make sure she’s okay with it.”

  “Don’t go. Just lay with me like Nanny used to when I was young so I can fall asleep.”

  “Sebastian, I really don’t think it’s a good idea,” she gently told him, even though he was utterly defenseless and could cause her no harm.

  “I need you tonight. Please, Tess. I promise I won’t try anything,” he pleaded his case earnestly. “Call your mother. Try to explain.”

  She gave a heavy sigh and nodded her head. She wanted to be out of earshot so she went back into the hall to make the call. She dialed home. “Hi, Mom,” she greeted in an exhausted voice.

  “Tess, what’s wrong?”

  Her own stomach was in a knot as she laid out the details for her mother. “It’s Sebastian. Nanny Jones died last night. He’s so upset, Mom. It’s like going through Dad’s death all over. He’s been crying all day. Alice, Henry, and I have all been here, b
ut there just doesn’t seem to be anything we can say to help.”

  “In times like these, all you can really do is be there for him. Remember how your Aunt Karen came and stayed with us when your dad died?”

  “He wants me to go back to England with him to scatter her ashes. He’s so devastated. I couldn’t say no. Would you be okay with that?” Tess asked, unsure of her response. “Sebastian will pay my airfare.”

  “Tess, you’re eighteen years old. I trust you. I think you might be one of the few people who have actually experienced what he’s feeling right now. He needs a good friend like you. You have the week off from school. Do what you need to do,” she encouraged. “I can pack a bag for you, if you like. How long will you be gone?”

  “We’ll probably be gone four or five days. I guess it depends on how quickly he can get everything in order.” Then Tess smiled. “You know you’re a totally awesome mom, don’t you?”

  “And you’re a totally awesome daughter. You should stay at Edgewood tonight. I don’t want you driving home when you’re so exhausted, and Sebastian will feel better knowing he has a friend close by. Give him my sympathy.”

  “I love you, Mom. I’ll be over tomorrow to get my bag on the way to the airport.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Tess hung up the phone and noticed Alice approaching. She was carrying a small silver tray with a glass of water and a small blue pill. “Has he fallen asleep yet?” Alice asked.

  “No, not yet. I’m going to spend the night here. I’m worried about him.”

  “Do you want to take this to him? It’s a sleeping pill. And make sure he drinks the whole bottle of water. He needs to stay hydrated. Oh, and make sure he’s not mixing this with alcohol.” Alice was so sweet and knew all his tricks and still cared for him anyway. Just like Tess did.

  “Alice, you and Henry were amazing today. I know Sebastian appreciates it more than he can verbalize.”

  “We’re quite fond him, Tess. You need anything, just call us. Goodnight.”

  Tess bade her goodnight and walked back into Sebastian’s bedroom, closing the door behind her. He was under the covers wearing his T-shirt and she assumed he had stripped down to his boxers as his trousers were in a ball on the floor. She handed him the tray. “Alice said you need to take the pill and drink all the water. You haven’t had any alcohol have you?”

  He shook his head no and did as instructed while Tess kicked off her sneakers and removed her cardigan to reveal a short sleeved gray T-shirt. With some hesitation, she took off her jeans and quickly got under the covers, sitting up against the headboard. Sebastian handed her the tray, which she placed on the bedside table.

  Sebastian took a pillow and laid it on her lap then placed his head upon it, extending his left arm over her knees. “Is everything all settled with your mother?”

  “Yes.”

  His face was long and drawn. His eyes were puffy. There was sadness emanating from them, which forced her to look away in pain. “Sebastian, you’re breaking my heart.”

  “Mine’s already broken,” he murmured as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  She sat there for the longest time watching him sleep. The pill had done its job. He lay still and was sleeping soundly. She worried that he might be prone to nightmares like she had been after her dad died, but they did not invade his sleep this evening. Eventually, Tess dozed off, too.

  During the night, they changed positions, ending up sleeping on their sides. Tess curled up around his back, enveloping him like a cocoon, keeping him safe and warm.

  The light streaming through the window woke her. She was unsure of the time. She tried to strain her neck to see the clock.

  Sebastian instinctively held onto her arm. “Don’t go,” he said in a hushed voice, still groggy from the sleeping pill.

  “Did you get any sleep last night?”

  “Yes, what about you?”

  “Not really, I’m worried about you.”

  “As long as you’re here with me, I’ll be okay.”

  Tess kissed his cheek and then placed her chin on his shoulder. “I’m hungry. Do you want me to bring you something?”

  “I’ll come down with you,” Sebastian replied. “I need to see how Henry made out with the travel plans.” He rolled onto his back and looked up at Tess. He gently touched her cheek with his hand. “Thank you for staying last night.”

  “You’re welcome,” she replied, placing a small kiss in the palm of his hand. “I have to use the bathroom before we go downstairs,” she told him, hopping out of bed. She grabbed her jeans and cardigan off the floor and dashed across the room, closing the bathroom door behind her.

  Tess washed her hands and splashed some warm water on her face. She noticed his toothbrush holder contained two brushes: one was Sebastian’s, the other was hers. He had given it to Tess the night he took care of her after the drinking fiasco at The Jug. Sebastian had left it there all those months. It made her smile as she gratefully grabbed it to brush her teeth. Finally sneaking a peak at herself in the mirror, she wasn’t too horrified. She smoothed down her hair using his hairbrush before stepping back into the bedroom.

  * * *

  Sebastian didn’t bother to dress—he simply threw on a maroon robe and patiently waited for her on the bed. When she returned, they walked to the kitchen together. Alice smiled when she noticed them and handed Sebastian a cup of coffee. They sat at the table and two plates of scrambled eggs and bacon promptly appeared in front of them. Tess poured herself a glass of orange juice from a carafe and turned down the offer of a hot drink. Sebastian eyed the plate with suspicion. His appetite hadn’t returned and he wasn’t sure he could keep bacon and eggs down. Alice saw his face and offered him a plate of toast with a fine coating of butter and cinnamon sugar instead and he took it with relief and appreciation.

  Henry stood next to Sebastian and placed his hand on his shoulder. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’ve been better,” he replied with a halfhearted smile. “Were you able to make the arrangements?”

  Henry studied the notes he’d made on a yellow legal pad. “I booked you on a British Airways flight leaving Philadelphia today at one o’clock. I was only able to get business class,” he said apologetically. “You have a reservation at The Savoy for this evening. I rented a car for you to pick up on Monday after you meet with the lawyer so you can drive home. You’re scheduled to return on Friday. If you need more time, you can always call the airlines and change the ticket.”

  “Thank you so much, Henry. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

  “I arranged to collect Mrs. Jones’ ashes this morning. When I return, I can take you and Tess to the airport.”

  “We’ll need to stop by Tess’ home to get her suitcase,” Sebastian reminded him.

  “Can you be ready by ten thirty?”

  Both Tess and Sebastian nodded in unison. “We don’t have much time. Tess, do you want to shower?”

  “I don’t have any clean clothes.”

  “Oh, I’ll take care of that,” Alice offered. “Come on, you can hop in the shower and give me your clothes to wash.”

  “That would be great,” Tess agreed appreciatively.

  Sebastian pulled out an overnight bag and began to pack while Tess took her shower. He packed his Paul Smith suit, an assortment of shirts, a jumper, and the pair of jeans Tess had made him buy.

  He heard the water turn off. Tess cracked the bathroom door open and popped her wet head out as clouds of steam surrounded her. “Can you hand me something to put on until Alice comes back with my clothes?”

  He went back to his closet and grabbed the first thing he saw and handed it to her. A few minutes later, Tess walked into the room wearing his navy pinstriped shirt. It was oversized on her. The cuffs hung down, covering her hands—they were longer than usual because they were made for cuff links. Her damp curls cascaded over her shoulders. She looked spectacular and Sebastian was lost for words. Tess sat o
n the edge of the bed where he was packing and rubbed her arms up and down, feeling the extra soft fabric.

  “This feels amazing. Where did you get it?”

  “My Savile Row tailor. It’s custom made with a blend of cotton and cashmere.”

  “It’s very comfortable.” Then she observed, “You’re packing light.”

  “The last time I took an impromptu trip, I didn’t even take a bag,” he said, absentmindedly zipping the top compartment.

  “Where did you go that you didn’t need a bag?”

  “Spain. I sort of left England in a hurry.”

  “What were you running away from?”

  “Everything: my mother, my future, death.”

  “That’s oppressive.”

  Sebastian silently nodded. There was a knock on the door and Alice entered the room carrying Tess’s clothes. “Here you go, Tess.”

  Tess took the warm clothes from Alice’s arms and ran off to the bathroom to get changed, the sleeves billowing as she moved.

  Henry returned home from his errands at 10:30 a.m. to find Sebastian and Tess waiting for him in the foyer. Sebastian was wearing his black suit in mourning. Henry took Sebastian’s bag and the three of them walked out to the car together.

  Sebastian opened the back door for Tess. He walked to the other side of the car and got inside. A small box made of satin rosewood with a golden hinge sat on the backseat. Sebastian picked it up and placed it on his lap with loving care. He felt tears beginning to well in his eyes, but quickly blinked them away. He looked at the box for the longest time, then ran his fingers across its top. So this is how it ends. Seventy years of life on Earth and you end up in a small wooden box. We’re taking you home, Nanny, he thought to himself.

  Henry pulled up to Tess’ home about thirty minutes later. She and Sebastian exited the car and went into house while Henry waited outside with the car running.