by Paula Kay
Arianna put her seat back so that she could close her eyes for a quick rest, noticing that Blu had done the same, taking advantage of the fact that Jemma was quiet for the moment, seemingly mesmerized by what she was seeing out her window.
It seemed only moments later that the flight attendant was beside Arianna, gently putting her seat back up and letting her know that they were getting ready to land. She looked out her window at the view she’d known since she was a child. You could make out the stretch where the white sandy beaches met the ocean for as far as the eye could see, and then the city buildings of San Diego, which seemed to appear out of nowhere. Arianna was excited to finally be taking Blu and Jemma to the beach house that she’d told them so much about. She knew that they were going to love it as much as she did.
The landing was smooth, and Jemma was chatting away with excitement for having seen all of the sand out her window. The trio was greeted by the driver that Arianna had hired to pick them up, and soon they were headed towards La Jolla, where Arianna’s home was located.
Arianna had always referred to it as the “beach house,” and now she was feeling slightly embarrassed as she realized that Blu might be expecting some cool bohemian-themed flat on the beach. It was really anything but that, and one of her father’s many extravagances, to provide a certain type of lifestyle for her and her mother. She did have fond memories of playing on the beach with Gigi when she was younger. Her parents referred to those times away as family weekends, but Arianna remembered it being like any other weekend at home in Sausalito. Her parents were always playing golf or tennis, or attending local parties. But she’d had Gigi, and Gigi was family to her. She had been the one steady comfort in Arianna’s life, and she was so thankful that she had her support, even now—especially now. She had invited Gigi to come down for the weekend as well, but she’d declined due to a previous social commitment.
“So, about the beach house,” Arianna said, knowing that she sounded a little funny.
“Yes? I can’t wait to see it,” Blu said, and Arianna could hear the anticipation in her voice.
“Well, I realized that I may have downplayed it a little, and I’m not sure what you’re expecting.” Arianna laughed.
“We’re expecting just to have a fun time, right, Jemma?” Blu nodded to her daughter, who nodded back in silent agreement, her eyes glued to the window and everything that was happening at the beach next to the coastal road the driver had taken. Blu looked at Arianna’s face. She laughed. “I’m sure it will be amazing and, knowing your parents, quite spectacular.”
“Okay, yes, I guess you could say that.” Arianna laughed.
They continued the drive up the coast towards the home located at the top of a small hill at the southern part of La Jolla. The beach house was a six-thousand-square-foot custom home that her father had had built from the ground up and as they pulled into the driveway, Blu could not hold back her surprise.
“Wow. Ari, you were not kidding. This place looks amazing.”
“Just wait till you see inside. And the view in the back.” Arianna winked, knowing that they would make full use of the pool, outdoor barbecue, and outside sitting area. She’d called the local service that she used when she was here, and they were to have sent over her favorite housekeeper and a new chef that came highly recommended, to prepare for their arrival and see to it that there would be a nice dinner for their first evening.
As they walked to the door, followed by the driver with their bags, the housekeeper stepped outside to greet them.
“Hello Maria.” Arianna kissed her cheek in a warm greeting. “This is my friend Blu and her daughter Jemma,” she said, making the introductions.
“It’s good to see you, Miss Ari.” Maria reached out to shake Blu’s hand. “And a pleasure to meet you, Miss Blu.” She bent down to shake Jemma’s hand. “And you, Miss Jemma.”
Jemma giggled and threw her little arms around Maria for a big hug. Maria laughed, seeming delighted. Arianna was pleased, because she hoped that maybe Blu would feel relaxed enough to let Maria stay with Jemma one evening while the two of them had an adult night out. She knew that they were few and far between for Blu, and Arianna was hoping that she could get her friend to let loose and relax a little bit.
They followed Maria into the enormous foyer, greeted with a huge bouquet of fresh-cut flowers sitting on the center table and accented by the low lights of the beautiful chandelier hanging above. Arianna could already smell something wonderful, so she motioned her guests to follow her as she made her way to the gourmet kitchen to introduce herself and Blu to the chef.
They stepped inside and she heard Blu gasp at the ocean view that greeted them from every window of the room. Jemma ran across the space to the window screaming that she wanted to go to the ocean. Arianna laughed as she stuck her hand out towards the chef, who she did notice was quite handsome. “Hi. You must be Chef Parker.”
“At your service, and please call me Chase. It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Sinclair.” He grinned widely, displaying perfect teeth as he reached out to shake Arianna’s hand.
“And you can please call me Arianna—or Ari.” She motioned towards Blu, who seemed a little tongue-tied. “And this is Blu.”
Chase reached his hand out to shake the one Blu offered him, and Arianna thought it lingered a bit as he did so. “It’s lovely to meet you, Blu. I hope that I can treat you all to some delicious food while you’re here.” He flashed a big grin, and Arianna didn’t think she’d seen Blu smile so broadly herself in quite some time.
Chase made his way over to Jemma at the window and crouched down beside her. “And who might you be, princess of the dark night in your lovely tutu?”
Jemma giggled and did one complete spin for her new friend. “My mommy made this for me. Do you really think I look like a princess?” she asked with wide eyes.
“I would never suspect otherwise,” Chase teased with obvious delight.
Blu made her way to Jemma, smiling at what Arianna thought was the cutest exchange ever. “This is Jemma.” She tapped Jemma lightly on the back. “Jemma, shake Chase’s hand and say hello.”
Jemma stuck out her little hand towards Chase, saying, “I’m six. Can you give me a piggy-back ride now?”
They all burst into laughter as Chase looked towards Blu for approval before scooping Jemma up and placing her on his shoulders.
Arianna and Blu followed Chase with Jemma on his back out onto the expansive terrace which surrounded a big infinity pool and hot tub. A big stone fireplace sat in the center of a beautiful eating area that had a table set for a dinner and an outdoor sofa placed near the fireplace. The ocean view went on for as far as one could see; it was what Arianna loved the most about the house. Virtually every room had the same incredible view from any of the house’s many windows.
At Jemma’s insistence, Chase put her down so that she could explore more easily. “Mommy, I want to go to that sand,” Jemma said, pointing towards the ocean.
“J-bean, let’s get settled and I’ll take you for a walk in a little while, okay?” Arianna said to the little girl, who could hardly contain her excitement. “And I have a surprise for you that will happen after dinner. When it’s dark,” she added with big eyes. She knew that there would be a weekend fireworks display that they’d be able to see perfectly from the terrace.
“Ari.” Jemma looked at her. “Is it scary?”
“No, bean. Not scary at all. You’re going to love it.” Arianna reached out her hand toward Jemma. “Now come on, let me show you where your room is.”
Chapter 14
Arianna looked towards Chase and Blu, who seemed deep in conversation across the terrace, and decided to leave them alone for a few minutes. The wheels were going in her brain, because she was always trying to set Blu up with someone and so far she’d shown zero interest at all in meeting a man. In fact, more often than not, she seemed very anti-men, something that Arianna had given up pressing her about lately. She figured that Bl
u had her reasons; and Arianna knew, maybe more than anyone, what it felt like to have someone prying or trying to pressure her to talk about something when she wasn’t ready. The fact that, at least for now, Chase and Blu seemed to have taken a liking towards one another, made Arianna feel insanely happy.
She led Jemma up the spiral staircase towards the second floor. There were five bedrooms in total, one on the first floor, three on the second, and the master bedroom that she’d taken over on the third floor.
She was feeling so pleased at the moment that, for whatever reason, her mother had not redecorated her childhood room, instead moving her into one of the other rooms when she outgrew the youthful decor. Arianna guessed that maybe she thought she’d have a grandchild to put in that room one day. She felt a quick pang of intense sadness, but it was quickly replaced by the excitement over the delight that she knew Jemma would be expressing shortly.
Arianna opened the door to what would be Jemma’s room, feeling pleased as the child squealed in surprise when she saw what was beyond the door.
“This was my room when I was a little girl.”
Jemma dropped Arianna’s hand, running across the carpet to the hardwood floor and the ballet bar that she’d spotted as soon as they entered the room.
“Ari, were you a ballerina too when you were a little girl?” Jemma said, lifting her little foot up to the bar, like she’d been taught in class.
“No, not really. Mostly just for fun. I wasn’t serious about it or nearly as talented as you are, my little ballerina bean.” Jemma giggled as Arianna reached down to give her a little tickle as she spoke.
She remembered when her mother had had the room decorated. She didn’t think she’d had much say in the room, and looking back she thought her mother just filled it with everything typical of a little girl. There was the ballet bar with a full-length mirror that ran the whole length of that wall. A canopy bed with big fluffy pink pillows and huge stuffed animals took up one other side of the room. There was a big wooden dollhouse complete with every small doll and piece of furniture that could possibly belong in the little replica mansion.
Seeing the dollhouse brought back a memory of Arianna playing here one rainy day after being sent to her room for mouthing back to her mother. All she had wanted was for her mother to play dolls with her, and instead she got in trouble because she wasn’t listening the first time when her mother had said that she didn’t have time to play that day. Arianna had run up the stairs, and shortly after Gigi came to her, kicking off her shoes and sitting down to play house with her. All of her best childhood memories in this house included Gigi, not her parents, and Arianna thought that it was very sad.
She watched Jemma as she started pulling things out of the playhouse now, obvious wonder and excitement on her face. You’ll never have to worry about not feeling loved, J-bean, she thought to herself as she helped Jemma to pull out everything so that she could get a look at all of her options for filling the interior of the house. She’d never known a mother who was more loving and attentive than Blu. She envied them their relationship, and she couldn’t help the tear that silently fell down her cheek as she thought about it and everything she had lost.
“Why are you crying?” Jemma looked up with a worried look on her little face.
Arianna brushed her hand across her face quickly. “I’m not crying. I’m just so happy that you like your room. Do you like it, bean?”
“I love it.” Jemma stood up quickly and took off towards the door. “Mommy. Look at Ari’s old room she’s giving me.”
Blu laughed as she entered the room. “Honey, she’s not giving it to you.” She winked at Arianna as she scooped Jemma up into her arms. “But is this where you are sleeping? What a lovely room. I can’t believe that there’s a ballet bar for you, kiddo.”
Jemma nodded as she put her head against Blu’s chest and yawned.
“Are you tired, honey? I think you should have a little nap before we walk down to the beach.”
Arianna laughed, because Jemma’s eyelids had already closed. It would actually be a good opportunity for her to have a little chat with Blu about Chase. Arianna was curious to know if her impression about the two was correct and that there had been a little spark she’d seen flying between them.
Arianna went to the bed, pulling down the covers so that Blu could tuck Jemma underneath. On their way out, Arianna reached up to switch the button on the intercom system. “We can hear her from any room when she wakes up. I don’t want her to feel scared not knowing where she is,” Arianna said to Blu. “Come on, I’ll show you your room and then we can have a nice chat about Mr. Gorgeous, downstairs.” Arianna winked.
“Oh, stop,” Blu said, following her down the hall to the room next to Jemma’s.
“This was officially my room, once I outgrew the other. Honestly, Blu it’s so nice having Jemma in there. I think that room was created for her and not me.” Arianna laughed.
Blu looked around the room with obvious pleasure. “I can see your taste. I love it, Ari. Everything is so beautiful.” She went to sit on the king-size bed with the big white comforter and plush pillows in a variety of pretty pastel colors. Arianna sat on the bed next to her.
“So?”
“So, what?” Blu responded.
“So, spill. What’s up with you and Chef Cutie-pie?” Arianna teased. “Is he adorable, or what? God, I had no idea they would send over such a handsome guy. The last chef they sent me was in his sixties, I think.”
“He’s twenty-eight and recently out of culinary school. Which he did in San Francisco, by the way.”
Arianna noticed a blush creeping up Blu’s face.
“You’re blushing. You like him,” Arianna teased.
“Ari. Stop. Seriously.” Arianna could tell that Blue was trying to keep herself from grinning. “Is he handsome? Yes. Very.” She laughed. “Am I in the market for meeting anyone right now? No.”
Arianna looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “But, Blu—”
“Please. I’m just not.”
Arianna sighed. She really didn’t get it. Blu was obviously attracted to the guy. She’d drop it for now and let things unfold at their own pace.
“Okay. Okay. If you say so. But some day I’m going to get to the bottom of this huge aversion you have towards men or anyone that remotely shows any interest in you.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Blu winked. “Now how about if you show me the rest of this palace.” She laughed, slugging Arianna playfully on the arm.
Arianna took Blu upstairs to see the master bedroom, which was pretty spectacular. It had its own sitting area with a fireplace and a huge balcony where she loved to sit and listen to the ocean while writing in her journal. Each of the five bedrooms had big attached bathrooms and walk-in closets, but the closet in this room was as big as any normal-size bedroom. Arianna seemed slightly embarrassed as she opened the door to show it to Blu, revealing the wall-to-wall carpeted space that every girl would dream of. There were rows of jackets, blouses, and formals, and stack upon stack of shoes, each in its own individually labeled container. There were two chaise lounges in the middle of the room, a large vanity table and a full-length mirror in one corner.
“I still haven’t cleared out my mother’s things.” Arianna said, aware of the worry lines that were probably appearing across her forehead. It had been on her mind to do so for a while, but so far she hadn’t felt that she had the energy for the task.
Blu came up beside her and put her arm around her shoulder. “I can help you with this, ya know.”
“Thanks. It’s okay. I don’t want to think about it this week. I’ll ask Gigi to come down here with me again to help, or maybe she’ll want to come down for a week on her own. I really do just want it boxed up and donated somewhere.” Arianna sighed. “Anyways, I’ve just been using the dresser in the bedroom. Even I don’t have enough clothes to fill that huge closet.” She laughed and shut the door behind them.
“Are your sewing
things upstairs here or still down in the foyer?” Arianna asked Blu as they walked back down the hall.
“Oh, I asked Maria to leave them downstairs, because I wasn’t sure where you wanted me to set up the machine. But now that I see how huge and lovely my bedroom is, I’ll grab everything and put it in there.”
“Nope. We’ll get them now when we go downstairs. I have a great idea for where you should set up shop.” Arianna smiled. She couldn’t wait to show Blu the sunny room off the breakfast area downstairs. She knew it would be the perfect place for her friend to work.
Chapter 15
Arianna grabbed the bag of sewing supplies and materials and Blu carried the sewing machine, following her through the kitchen where Chase seemed hard at work doing his prep for the evening meal. He quickly came to help them. “Let me help you with that, ladies,” he said and Arianna turned and gave Blu a look, mouthing the words “so nice” as she led them through the breakfast room just off the kitchen to another room nestled on the other side. The windows faced the ocean as well, and the view was equally as grand as the view from the kitchen. A large desk faced the window and two comfortable chairs created a little sitting area in the corner.
“I thought you could set your sewing machine up here on the desk and be able to enjoy the view while you work on your masterpieces,” Arianna said with a huge grin on her face.