Once Within A Lifetime (50 page)

“
Oh, this is magnificent,” she exclaimed. “How lovely, we will definitely have to come here more often in the future.”

They
sat down to order and she was amazed at the menu. It was filled with names she did not understand, but he helped her with it. They ordered a nice meal and sat to enjoy the atmosphere while they waited for it to arrive. She ordered some hot tea for a change, and when it arrived, she sipped it, finding it very enjoyable. It really hit the spot. He had ordered coffee and they talked about the places where they had just been and the lovely little shops.

Lunch
arrived and they began to eat right away; they were hungry and it tasted very good. It was not elaborate food but very satisfying and tasty. Some of it was new to her and she was really pleased with the new flavors. They planned to linger so they could enjoy this lovely setting and take some more time afterward to go to some more shops on the other side of the street.

“
I am so glad we came here,” she exclaimed as he helped her into the car. “This will definitely become one of my favorite places when we’re here.”

They
went to pick up the items Marjolaine would need for dinner tonight and started back so she could have them in time to begin the preparation.

They
got back and took the items to Marjolaine. Triessa looked around and smelled the air.

“
How wonderful everything looks and smells. I definitely would like to have some cooking lessons in the future, if you are willing to do that.”

She
nodded and assured her that she’d be only too pleased to do so. She would be proud to pass on her skills, especially to Todd’s lovely wife. She’d like for her tradition to continue here in this wonderful family. They all liked her very much.

She
went out to tell Todd how wonderful all the things were in there.

“
It is going to be fun to learn to do all these things one day. I am eager to do it and make some lovely meals for you myself occasionally.”

“
That will be very nice. I am sure you could do so now. I think I will go up and change before my folks come; how about you?”

“
Yes,” she replied, “I would like to shower and change my clothes. I want to look really nice when I meet my in-laws. Before they were your family now they are mine also. Isn’t it wonderful? We each have two sets of parents. That is a blessing plus.”

“
Yes, it truly is, my precious princess,” he replied. “I know they feel the same way and like you very much.”

They
showered, dressed and went downstairs to wait for them to arrive. They soon heard them driving up out front and went to meet them at the door. They all exchanged hugs and greetings and went back into the living room. It was great to be all together again.

“
You are looking well, Mother. We are so relieved to see that,” Todd told her as he hugged her.

The
children rushed up to her and called her “Auntie Triessa.” She was pleased and gave them special hugs and talked to them. She had Todd get the box with everyone’s presents in it. They passed them out and everyone was overjoyed with their gifts. Most of them came from Paris and were special items that fit the personality of the recipient. The children had toys and some clothes and were very happy with all this. It was something to occupy them and keep them interested and busy.

Everyone
thanked them profusely and they settled down. They began to ask questions.

“
Where did you go? What special things did you see? Do you have pictures to show us?”

Todd
said, “Wait a minute, please, I know you are excited and we will cover it all one day.” He recounted some experiences for them. “We took lots of snapshots, video shots and have a wonderful collection of memories to show you when we’re all done and have them developed and ready. We will all get together and see them so we will not have to go over it too many times. We spent some time in Paris and saw a lot of sights there. From our hotel we could see the Eiffel Tower. It was just awesome. We went to Vienna and saw many wonderful sights there and enjoyed the countryside and the Lipizzaner Stallions. They are elegant animals. I may even consider getting a couple horses one of these days. We went back to Monaco and spent some time there in the most beautiful setting you could imagine. You will have to see it to believe it, I can assure you. We have been here a couple days and went to the restaurant where we got engaged on the first month anniversary and had a marvelous evening.”

Marjolaine
called them in to dinner. They talked as they ate and discussed some of the marvelous things they’d seen and done. The meal was a huge success and the family retired to the living room after it was over to wait a while before having dessert and coffee.

“
What a splendid evening,” exclaimed Todd’s mother and the whole family agreed with emphasis that it had truly been splendid. They talked longer and looked at the clock; the time had really whizzed by. It was ten-thirty.

“
We really must be going,” his parents exclaimed.

“
We did not mean to keep you up so late but it has been so exciting. There are so many things to talk about and we are so happy to see you. Will you be going back home soon?” Esther asked Triessa. “I am sure you are eager to get back after being gone so long. This is a total change from your usual schedule.”

“
Yes, we are planning to return there on Friday if we can get travel arrangements scheduled to do so. I am anticipating getting back to see my Rose Garden. I am sure it is just exquisite now. After our visit back there we will need to come and spend more time here. Todd will be homesick, too.”

They
all hugged and kissed each other as they parted and Dirje said to her, “I am glad to have a sister now. We must get a chance to spend some time together in the future.”

“
We certainly will,” said Triessa. “I feel the same way.”

After
they left, Todd and Triessa went up to bed. It was a welcome sight.  It had been a busy day and they were ready to get to bed. It would really feel good to them. They got ready and got into bed, and as they lay there, they began to talk about the trip back to her place day after tomorrow. It was hard to believe. They both fell asleep talking about it.

Thursday
was a nice day, just right in temperature and clear and bright. They had to call about the tickets. They left them open ended and it should not be a problem, but they were a little concerned until they found out for sure. They had some coffee and then he called to talk to them about their arrangements. He told them that they had been on their honeymoon and it had been hard to nail anything down too closely until now. Things happen that are not planned and time gets taken up in great chunks. They talked a while and he learned that there was one flight out, but it did not leave until about twelve o’clock They would arrive at her home town very late evening.

“
That is all right,” he told her.

They
set it up and made all the arrangements. He told her he had pick up the tickets there when they arrived. He hung up and went to tell Triessa. She was a little disappointed that the flight was later in the day but it was understandable. They would be back home and she could easily wait until the next day to see the Rose Garden. The temptation would not be as great after dark and it would be best to do it the next day.

She
smiled and he knew she was getting a little homesick. Most of the area they had covered was more familiar to him than it was to her. It was natural to be homesick, after all, this was a whole new life for her. They both were going to have to make some changes and had not talked about it that much. It was hard to just decide such things. It could not be done all at once. This would become part of living as they went on. They could not foresee events ahead of time and relate to them.

“
Well, that is settled. Do you want to drive over to my folks place for a while? Then we can hang around here a while tomorrow and go in early so we can have some time before the flight. Can you believe it? It is all over. We are heading back to the special Rose Garden and closing a gap. We have been gone five weeks on Sunday. It does not seem possible but we really have done a lot.”

“
You are so right. It has been full and wonderful and gone by too fast. Yes, I would like to go see your parents for a while. Maybe you should call to be sure they will be at home.”

He
called. They would be home and delighted for their visit. They would leave as soon as they could get ready and spend some time there with them. Cord was working but maybe Dirje could come over. They arrived and drove up front. His parents met them at the door. They were so happy to have them here.

“
Please come on in and we will sit and talk some more.”

They
went into the living room and talked a while, going over some ideas on how to handle their future. They respected the advice of older folk who’d had lots of experience and knew how to think and plan many things. They could listen to all the advice. It may guide them, though the decision would have to be theirs and it would not happen overnight. They had plenty of time to deal with it. They could possibly get it all settled before they started a family. There was plenty of time for that.

They
heard a doorbell. Dirje arrived and they were happy to welcome her into the discussion.

“
All of you have been married for a while and have lots of advice, though each of us has a different situation.”

They
went into the dining room to eat dinner and continued to talk about various things they were planning to do after they got back and got settled. They were going to have to think about a work schedule soon and get some plans made. Especially for Todd. It may not be necessary for Triessa to get back into it too soon. I will depend on what’s expected and whether she gets some calls and show options.

After
dinner they went out into the back yard. The flowers were beautiful. It was August and soon things would be changing for the fall season. Back home the chill of fall that came in New England would be arriving. The beautiful colors of the foliage would be making many changes at that time of year. They truly must be there at that time to capture all that. It would be a new thing for Todd. She was so eager to introduce him to so many things she’d taken for granted until she thought of sharing them with the one she loved. As she showed him, she had see them all in a new light and that would be very good.

Soon
they decided to leave. They started their packing so they would  have time tomorrow to do what they wanted after they got to the airport, checked in their luggage early and wandered around a while. They arrived and went upstairs to get things together. Even with the things they bought, they did not have too much luggage. They left on the light side to have room for extras they would pick up. It took them about an hour and a half to get it all together except for last minute things. They laid out what they would wear tomorrow.
Tomorrow
, she thought,
How
could it be possible?
Tomorrow she would be going back home with her husband. A totally new situation and a very pleasant one at that.

Tomorrow
was Friday and then it was Saturday, five weeks from their wedding. It was the day they would first see the Rose Garden again and come to a full circle. Their honeymoon officially would be over but many things could last all their lives.

They
went downstairs. It was about time for dinner. She went in to watch Marjolaine; she liked to watch her cook and make arrangements for the dinner. Maybe she could help some. They would be having corned beef and cabbage for supper, a wonderful dish, especially when it was done by an Irish cook.

The
cook told her, “It has been wonderful to have you both back here for  a while. We are so glad to see Todd so happily married and know you will be around here often.”

Triessa
replied, “It is been wonderful for me. I had never been this far in this part of the country before, though I have been in Monaco many times. It is a beautiful country and I love the shops in town. We went to a wonderful little restaurant there yesterday. It was just delightful.”

She
recognized the place and commented on cooking there. “In fact, at one time, I had worked there. That is where Todd found me.”

That
was hard for Triessa to think of, for she thought of her as always being here, but that did not happen until a few years ago.

At
last dinner was ready and she helped carry it in to the table.

Todd
was there and said, “Hey, what do we have here? A cook’s assistant?  How nice you look doing that, my precious.”

They
sat down and began to eat. The meal was delightful. This was a familiar meal for Todd. Triessa was used to New England boiled dinners which were similar. Her mother had always made it in a special way and she learned to do it the same way. She also learned to make her own mincemeat from venison and it was truly wonderful. She would introduce him to it this fall.