Summer 1991
Chapter 1 - Something So Strong
Tess walked into the condo to the smell of chicken roasting in the oven. She found Sebastian sitting on the sofa with Mattie, reading a children’s book. “Hey, you two,” she greeted, dropping her briefcase on the floor.
“Mummy!” Mattie exclaimed, jumping off the couch and running to hug her mom.
Kneeling down to Mattie’s eye level, she asked, “How was your day?”
“Great! Daddy is teaching me to read.”
“I hope he’s starting you out with something good.”
Sebastian walked over and kissed Tess on the cheek. “Just something light—War and Peace.”
Tess laughed aloud while Mattie cocked her head and gave her confused look. “What’s so funny?”
“Daddy made a joke.”
“It wasn’t funny,” Mattie replied. She ran back to the sofa and grabbed her book, picking it up to show Tess the cover. It was Dr. Seuss’ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.
“You’re starting her off with poetry?”
“Well, it’s not Keats.”
“She’s four years old, Bas. Cut her some slack,” Tess chided.
“Ah, this from the valedictorian of St. Alexander’s High School and graduate of NYU with honors.”
“I’m going to change,” Tess said, ignoring his comment.
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes.” Sebastian turned to his daughter. “Mattie, go wash your hands before we eat.”
After dinner, they tucked Mattie into bed and Sebastian read her a bedtime story: A Bear Called Paddington. At least he tried to read her the story, but Mattie kept interrupting.
“Do bears really like marmalade?” she asked.
“I don’t see why not. The next time I run into one, I’ll ask him.”
Mattie giggled. “Daddy, where are you going to run into a bear in New York?”
“The Central Park Zoo.”
“Oh, yeah,” Mattie agreed nodding her head.
“Your daddy used to live in London a long time ago,” Tess added.
“Have you been to Paddington Station?” Mattie asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Yes, I have.”
“I want to go! Maybe we can find Paddington Bear there.”
Sebastian glanced over at Tess with a look that said see what you started? Tess simply smiled and took a seat in Sebastian’s lap. “I want to go, too,” she chimed in.
“Enough for tonight—time for bed.” He closed the book and set it on Mattie’s bedside table. Then he leaned over and kissed his little girl. “Love you, darling.”
“’Night, Mattie,” Tess said, also giving her daughter a kiss.
Sebastian turned off the light. He and Tess left the room before he closed the bedroom door.
It was blissfully quiet once Mattie fell to sleep. Sebastian and Tess curled up on the couch together, enjoying some time alone. Since graduating NYU, Tess had gotten a job with the Associated Press. Sebastian continued working at Fiona Ashford Gallery in Chelsea on a part-time basis while raising Mattie. They had settled into a happy, calm existence. It was a welcome change of pace for the couple. The first few years living together had certainly been bumpy, but they’d survived and become stronger people for it. Now they both had everything they’d ever wanted.
YOU ARE READING
London Loves - Chapter 1
Romance“You never know what the future holds.” Tess Hamilton Irons is excited about her new job prospect overseas. Her husband Sebastian has second thoughts. He acquiesces to his wife so she can have her dream job in his hometown of London, a city bri...
