Once Within A Lifetime

by Rose, Phyllis Georgina

  “Well, I don’t know. I have been giving it some thought and realize that, as you say, with a short time, it would be very difficult. I really hadn’t previously given it much thought. I certainly do not want to push the wedding day back any. I have not selected a style yet and wonder if I should choose a color rather than the traditional white to make it my special time. There is a store in a town near here where I could look at some and get ideas. We would have time to go and look at some now if you would like. Then we can decide once and for all about making or buying. It’s been a dream of mine to do it and I could have done so but I have had other things on my mind. Maybe we can call Dirje and ask her for some ideas there.”

  “Fine, let’s get ready and leave now. Are you all ready to go or do you need to get something from inside? I’m ready and can wait for you if you do.”

  “Yes, I do need to go in for some things. I have some ideas in a file that I have been saving. I think I will take a quick look at some of them. It will not take long,” she said. She ran inside, got the file and brought it back out. She had some marked that she had been considering for some time, just in case. They looked at them together. She brought out at least three that were very nice.

  I wonder if I should have a street length gown since it will be in the garden, instead of having a large, full one down on the ground with a long train.”

  “That sounds very sensible,” he remarked. “Let’s take these pictures along and have a look around. We can go back if we don’t have enough time today. After all, this is a very special part of the whole thing, isn’t it?”

  “Oh, yes, it is, and I do so want to have just the right thing so I can look as pretty for you as I possibly can. It is every girl’s dream to have a gorgeous gown for her wedding. I am ready let’s go.”

  They walked out to the car, he got in to drive, and off they went to do some looking.

  “It would be unusual to find just what I am looking for the first time. But it could happen,” she thought nervously.

  The more sure you were in your own mind, the easier it was to know when you had found something. It took about a half hour to get to the store and they went inside to look around. One in the middle of the arrangement caught her eye and she went over to look at it.

  “This is very nice,” she told him, holding the skirt out to one side to see how far it reached. “It is a good length and a pretty color, not white.” She continued to look around to see if there were some others. One more looked pretty good, not as good as the first, but nice. She talked to the sales clerk regarding the one she saw first and liked.

  “Is there any danger of it being gone if I look around some more?”

  “No, we have plenty in stock,” she told her. “Would you like me to hold one back for you? It won’t be a problem, really. We know that you want your wedding to be very special and we are here to help you in every way we can.”

  “Maybe for a while,” Triessa said, “I do not want to hold up any sales for you. I will let you know soon how things are going. We must leave for lunch now. May I have one of your cards so that I will know who to ask for?”

  She reached for it as the clerk passed one to her.

  They left and went down the street a few blocks, took a turn to the right, and went for a ways until they came upon a small country-style restaurant set back in the field. It had a large array of wild flowers around it and looked like a country cottage. They drove down the lane toward it, pulled up in front, and the valet took the car to the parking lot. They went inside and a waiter took them to a small table near the window looking out on a beautiful garden and small pool set up with a little fountain in it. The place was still quite empty so there were lots of available places open and they were led to the better seats since they were available. They were seated; the waitress brought a menu and asked if they’d like something while they were waiting. They ordered a glass of Chardonnay and she left to bring it back to them while they were looking over the menu.

  “It will be a while yet before my folks come in and we can sit here and enjoy the view unless you have another place to go,” said Todd.

  “We will not really have a lot of time after we eat. We have to go back toward my house. The airport is in the other direction. So, let’s just eat and go back. I want to get hold of Dirje and have her find something really special. I would like to go and look at them. We can spare a few days, can’t we? We can still be making plans, and in the meantime, things can be done here if need be while we are gone.”

  “I am sure we can work it out, my dear,” he replied. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head over it; I want you to enjoy your planning so the whole thing will be a joy to bring back to mind later on.”

  “Of course, Why did I not think of it right away? I will contact some of the buyers I know. They have all the facts on such things.” Then, startlingly, she added, “Of course, what about Phylicia? She wants to help and this will be a great opportunity for her to help us out. After we eat, let’s go home and make a few calls and then we can be free to meet your folks and have all this off our minds so we can give them our undivided attention.”

  “Sounds great,” he replied.

  Their meal was brought and they began to eat and talk some more about plans.

  “My folks are going to want to help all they can. We may be able to stay with them when we go back to look for your dress. I am sure they will love it. It is settled. We may be able to fly back with them when they leave. I shall call to see if I can get reservations for us all a few days from now. We will have to get right at it so we can get back to get ready. While you are shopping, I will be able to go to my place and pick up the things that I want to bring back with me. Wow, I feel like we are making some progress.”

  They finished the meal, then left to go back to the house and make some calls. He called to make reservations and could get something for the four of them the second day after his folks arrived. It would be perfect and timely. Then she called Phylicia and told her what she wanted.

  “Leave it to me,” replied her friend. “I know just about what you want and can do some scouting around before you get here and save you a lot of time. I am so thrilled to be able to help you. I have been a cupid in this affair. I am pretty pleased, you know.”

  Triessa was so relieved. “That sounds truly wonderful. We need all the help we can get. I should have been more in tune with these things. I did not think of it before I met Todd, then afterward we just wanted to spend a lot of time together without even thinking, at least out loud. Thank you so much. We will see you in a couple of days.” She told her when they would arrive and that she would call when they arrived and get right at it.

  “Let’s wait to call Dirje after we tell my parents. Since we have not told them yet, we do not want to spring it on my sister this way. After all, they will be arriving soon and we can see how best to handle it later. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds fine to me,” stated Triessa, “Let’s get ready to go to the airport. I am excited but a little nervous meeting them for the first time.”

  “Please, do not be, my darling. They will love you just as I do. They will not be able to help it.”

  CHAPTER 9

  They went to the car, drove to the airport, and went to the gate where his parents were to arrive to wait for them. It was easier waiting for someone else than it was for each other. After about fifteen minutes the plane came in and taxied up to the ramp at the gate.

  About a half dozen people got off, then he looked and said, “There they are.”

  Triessa looked and saw a tall, slim gray-haired man, very handsome, much like his son, Todd, and a tall lady with graying hair, a beautiful lady, very well-dressed and erect.

  “What a handsome couple. No wonder you are so perfect and handsome.”

  They came into the room, saw Todd, and came over to where they were standing.

  “Mother and Dad, how wonderful to see you again, especially here. This is Triessa Barre
tt. We met a few weeks ago in Monaco when we were both there on sales meetings and have been spending as much time as possible together. That is why you have not seen much of me lately. I was visiting her here and thought it would be great to have you both come here to meet her and spend a few days with us. I felt you would enjoy this part of the world since you had not been here before. You will adore her marvelous home.”

  “Hi, Dear. It is great to be here and we have missed you. You are right, we have not seen much of you lately and had wondered what was going on,” his mother chided. Yet he noted something about her that he had not seen before, a coolness came over her. She seemed cautious and aloof to a degree. He felt she must be tired and thought no more of it now.

  “So, this is your friend, how adorable she is. I can see why you fell for her. Hello. My name is Esther and this is my husband, Spencer. We are delighted to come to see you and Todd. We love to travel and this was a perfect opportunity to see Todd and your area. We have never been to this part of the world before. It is just beautiful. I do hope we can see some of the area while we are here.”

  His dad walked up to Triessa and took her hand, “How pleased we are to meet you and are looking forward to getting to know you much better.”

  Todd started toward the baggage pickup saying, “Let us get your luggage and go on to Triessa’s house. We are having a lovely dinner there then we will show you around. You will love it.” Todd and his dad stowed the luggage in the trunk. Lucky they were traveling light for the car was small and they could barely get it in.

  “Sorry,” said Triessa. “Oh Todd, we didn’t think about the size of the car. It will be a little tight.”

  “It is fine,” they said together. “We can fit in fine.”

  “It is a short ride, luckily,” Todd encouraged. “We will soon be there and you can get out and stretch. Next time we will get a larger car.”

  They soon arrived back at her home and drove up to the front door. Todd got out, helped his parents out and then helped Triessa.

  “What a gorgeous place,” exclaimed his mother. “It is fantastic and I have never seen such a lovely garden. Can we go see it?”

  “Yes. We will get you settled in and I think dinner will soon be ready. You will want to freshen up a bit. How about going out after we eat?” asked Triessa. “We will be free and can take more time to look around.”

  “Alright, then,” replied Esther, “As long as we get to see it before dark. I could not possibly wait until tomorrow.”

  “Yes,” added Spencer, “It is a lovely place and the house is delightful. Who helped you design and build it, my dear? I am very interested in architecture and design, you know. Has Todd told you anything about me?”

  “Yes, sir, some,” she replied. “I gathered ideas over the years and had my dream. My dad and I got together, came up with some plans and had this built. It was a fun project, as you may well understand.”

  Oh it must have been truly a delight for you both,” he replied. “Makes me wish I had been in on it, too. I am looking forward to meeting this marvelous man.”

  They opened the door and went inside. Todd and his dad carried the luggage.

  As they stepped inside, his mother gasped in amazement. “How lovely, I can hardly wait to see the rest of it.”

  “I will show you around as soon as you have gotten settled.” She took them upstairs and got their luggage into the room. She showed them where to put everything and where the bathroom was. “You take your time and get settled and freshened up. Come down when you are finished and we will take a small tour and see more tomorrow.”

  Esther walked to the window and looked out and exclaimed, “This is gorgeous. I understand how hard it would be for Todd to explain this to us if we asked. It is truly indescribable and wonderful. What a lucky lady you are.”

  “Thank you, I will leave you here to get refreshed and when you are ready, come down stairs and we will show you around some before dinner. It will be a quick tour but we can fill the rest in later with more time to explain and answer your questions. After dinner we will look at the garden.”

  She and Todd went out, closed the door, and left them to get settled in and went downstairs to wait for them. Soon they appeared and Triessa began by showing them the living room, then went upstairs to see her bedroom and office. They loved every bit of it. Lastly she took them up to her studio and explained that this room was truly her favorite and showed them where she spent a lot of her time. Once they went inside they could understand why.

  Esther looked around in utter amazement, “It is very conducive to planning and designing. It is delightful and so cozy. Look at the garden out this window.”

  She called Spencer over to see it and he was overwhelmed. “This is truly marvelous; it is going to be a wonderful place to visit.”

  They went downstairs and Triessa checked with Nancy. It was nearly time for dinner so they went into the dining room and waited. She seated his dad at the head of the table, his wife at his left, Todd at the other end of the table, and she sat on the side opposite his mother.

  Esther admired the table settings, “Where did you get such gorgeous place mats? They’re so special with the lace around the edge and the lace pocket on the right side in which to place the napkin. What a neat and clever idea.”

  “I made them after picking up some Belgian lace on one of my trips. I thought they would be very pretty and useful at the same time.”

  Nancy arrived and served a delightful French Onion Soup. Triessa introduced her to Todd’s parents and told them she was very fond of Nancy, her cook.

  Soon Nancy returned with a delightful vegetable salad with special dressing and a nice red Claret wine. She let Spencer taste it.

  He gave a hearty nod of approval and Todd asked, “May I pour?” He took the bottle and began to pour wine into his parents’ glasses, then Triessa’s, then for himself. Nancy went back to the kitchen and returned with Filet of Beef a la Béarnaise, French-Cooked Green Peas and Potato au Gratin, the main meal.

  “It looks simply wonderful,” exclaimed Esther, “I am really hungry. As they ate they talked about the area. Triessa told them she grew up near here and bought this place after she finished school and began her career. By the time they had finished dinner it was still light outside.

  Todd arose, helped Triessa up and said, “Let’s all go out to the garden and then come in and have dessert and coffee afterward. Is that all right?”

  “Great, I’m eager to see the garden.” Esther was ready to go. Spencer helped her up and they all went out to the garden. They walked slowly through the path and by the swans and lilies. “How splendid,” Esther exclaimed. “What gorgeous birds these are and the lilies are a perfect backdrop for them. Truly magnificent plan, my dear.”

  “I like swans very well, also,” replied Spencer. “They are very graceful and smooth, so regal-looking.”

  They went over to the Rose Garden and stood in the center of the garden and looked around. She pointed out various types and explained how she got them.

  Todd took Triessa’s hand and said, “Mom, Dad, Triessa and I are planning to marry in this very spot soon. Don’t you think it is a perfect spot?”

  They looked at him and at each other, a little surprised because they knew they met only a short time ago.

  “I am really a little surprised,” exclaimed Esther, “But, yes, this is a great wedding spot. You could have tables in here and still have plenty of room to move around. How many are coming?”

  “We have not yet completed our guest list,” replied Triessa. “My folks are working on some ideas and we’re hoping you will be able to help us also. We don’t want a huge crowd but anyone in the family with relatives and close friends. Please let us know when you have a list ready.”

  Spencer replied, “Of course, we are very pleased and want to help all we can.”

  “Wonderful,” exclaimed Triessa, but Todd noted a strange look again on his mother’s face and hoped Triessa did not see i
t. Luckily she hadn’t.

  “We’re very much in love and cannot bear to be apart so we want to marry as soon as we can so we can always be together and do everything together. Surely you can understand how difficult it is for us to be so far apart after coming all this distance.”

  Esther went over to Triessa and took her hands, “Yes, we can and both of us are so happy for you for finding such a lovely girl to wed, Todd. What a marvelous surprise and what a gorgeous place to wed here with all these magnificent flowers. You certainly won’t have to order any. I will get together with Matt and Dirje when we go back and see what they want to do. They will be so pleased with this news also.”

  Triessa was pleased to have this part of it done, “Great, shall we go back inside for dessert and coffee? Do you drink coffee? Maybe we could have it on the patio. It is a warm and so lovely out there and we can sit there and talk a while.”

  They went back to the house and Triessa went in to tell Nancy they were back and asked if she would bring the dessert out to the patio with some coffee. They went out and sat to wait for the coffee. Soon Nancy brought out the dessert, Mini Cream Puffs with Mint Ice Cream and some delightful coffee. They enjoyed it very much and at dusk the lights decorating the arbor came on making the scene very romantic and pleasant.

  After a while Todd took them down to see his cottage where he was staying. They loved it and were pleased that he had his own place to stay. After being shown around they went back to the house. Before they went inside, after his dad had already gone in, he looked at his mother and asked if everything was all right.