Authors: Theresa Troutman
“Tess, do you know what the best Christmas present would be?”
“What?”
“Setting a date for the wedding.”
Tess looked up at Sebastian. This time she had no qualms or hesitations. “Okay, let’s set a date,” she agreed.
Sebastian picked her up off the floor and spun around in a circle, planting little kisses all over her face. Tess giggled as he gently returned her to the floor, slightly dizzy from the spinning.
“May twenty-seventh and then a honeymoon trip to Europe—please say yes.”
She didn’t understand his fixation with the date, but she willingly surrendered. “I’ll do it if you promise not to buy me a Christmas present this year. We’ll save the money for Europe.”
“Deal,” he agreed, leaning in for a proper slow, romantic kiss.
Tess pulled away and opened her eyes. “I have one more request.”
“Name it.”
“I want to get married right here in the condo, with Manhattan as our backdrop.”
“You don’t have to be frugal. We can have the wedding anywhere,” Sebastian reassured.
“I want it here—in the place I love, with the people I love. We’ll keep it small and intimate: just you and me, Henry and Alice, Mom, and Sigourney.”
Sebastian pondered her request. The city would certainly be a magnificent altar. He wasn’t a religious man, so a church seemed a bit over the top, even by his standards. It was the perfect solution. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. Let’s do it.”
Sebastian and Tess hosted Christmas Eve dinner at their condo. They were joined by Henry, Alice, Sigourney, and Kate.
“I love the tree,” Tess’ mom said in admiration.
“It was so thoughtful of you to send Tess the ornaments. I’m really glad you were able to come tonight. Tess would have been miserable if you weren't here,” Sebastian said.
“Dinner is ready,” Tess called from the kitchen.
Everyone took their seats at the table. “Before we start, I want to thank you all from coming this evening. Tess and I are so happy to spend the holiday with you in our new home.”
Everyone raised their glass to toast. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to announce that Tess and I have set a wedding date for May twenty-seventh.”
Sigourney let out an audible gasp. “That’s only five months away. How can I book The Plaza on such short notice?”
Sebastian chuckled, but everyone else remained silent. “We’re having the wedding here at the condo and we want to invite all of you.”
Sigourney looked at Tess, an alarmed expression on her face.
“It was my suggestion, Sigourney. What could be better than getting married with Manhattan as our backdrop?” Tess asked.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Kate said, placing her hand on top of Tess’.
“To Sebastian and Tess,” Henry announced, raising his glass.
The group enjoyed their meal, sharing conversation and laughter. After dessert, they retreated to the living room where they opened gifts while Christmas music played on the stereo.
Tess and her mom were taking empty glasses to the kitchen when Sigourney cornered them. “Tess, you have to allow me to take you shopping for your wedding dress. Kate, you must come along.”
“Sigourney, it will have to be an off-the-rack dress—it’s all I can afford.”
Sebastian’s sister gave a little pout. “I was going to take you to Saks. They have an amazing bridal salon. We can make a day of it. What do you say?”
Tess looked at her mom, who gave a brief nod, and then caved to Sigourney’s request. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be buying a dress. We’re just looking, right?”
“Absolutely!” Sigourney agreed, clapped her hands with delight.
Later, after everyone had gone home for the evening, Sebastian and Tess lay in bed together.
“That went well, don’t you think?” Sebastian asked.
“It was a nice evening, although Sigourney cornered and begged me to let her take me shopping for a wedding dress.”
“Oh, goody,” he razzed.
“You have to talk to her, Sebastian.”
“Let her have her fun. God knows when she’ll ever get around to getting married. Go try on some pretty dresses with her. Who knows? You might just find the perfect one.”
“I guess there’s no harm in looking,” Tess agreed. She reached over to the bedside table and turned off the light. Nuzzling into Sebastian’s arms she whispered, “Merry Christmas.”
Tess and her mom met up with Sigourney outside Saks Fifth Avenue. Sigourney was wearing a fur coat and leather pumps, while Tess and her mom were dressed in simple cotton skirts and blouses.
“Hello! I’m so excited,” she announced, hugging Tess.
Tess was filled with doubt: she knew her future sister-in-law meant well with her offer to help her shop for her wedding gown, but she dreaded the consequences. If Sigourney was half the shopper Sebastian was, it would be an expensive shopping trip.
The three ladies entered the department store and took the elevator to the bridal salon. Sigourney had set up an appointment with a bridal consultant, so she walked over to the desk to chat with the woman.
Tess’ mom smiled as she looked upon the dressed mannequins. “I can’t wait to see you try these on,” she told her daughter.
“Mom, we can’t afford this,” Tess fretted.
“I have some money tucked away for the wedding. Since we don’t need to find a venue for the reception, I want you to use the money to buy the dress.”
Sigourney and the consultant joined them. “Welcome to Saks. Are you ready to find the perfect dress?”
Tess gave an apprehensive smile. “I guess so.”
“What style do you like?” the consultant asked, trying to determine where to start their hunt.
“I want something, simple and elegant—nothing big and puffy,” Tess managed to say. It was the ‘80s and everything seemed big and puffy as Tess looked around the showroom.
“What about something by Armani or Calvin Klein?” Sigourney suggested. “Something with sleek lines.”
The consultant nodded. “Follow me.” She escorted the ladies into a private sitting room and offered them beverages. Sigourney joined the consultant in the storeroom.
“You might think Sigourney was getting married. She’s so excited about this,” Tess whispered to her mom as they sat on the blue silk tufted settee and awaited their return.
“I think it’s sweet she wants to help. I’m so glad she and Sebastian maintained their relationship after what happened between him and his mother.”
“I know. I guess I just always envisioned you and me going to the Bridal Shop back home when it came time for me to get married.”
The consultant and Sigourney returned, each holding two dresses. “I brought these out to see if any of the styles appeal to you,” the consultant began. “First, we have a Calvin Klein silk.” She held it up to Tess to examine. It looked like a slip—flimsy white fabric with spaghetti straps. It certainly was simple and sleek, but Tess couldn’t see herself looking very good in it. She was only five-foot two and had curves. The dress was wrong for her body type.
“Not that one,” Tess said.
“Next, we have Ralph Lauren.” The consultant held up the white cotton dress. It had a country feel to it, with long sleeves and a high-neck lace collar. It looked like something a cowboy’s wife would wear.
“Sorry, I don’t care for that one, either.”
“How about this one,” Sigourney jumped in, “it’s Armani.” The gown was white satin with an ornate beaded bodice and short sleeves, and a long column skirt.
“You’re getting better,” Tess admitted. “Let’s see the last one.”
“The last one is Diane von Furstenberg,” the consultant explained as Sigourney held it up for inspection. It was a variation on the wrap dress—white jersey with a fabric belt, plunging neckline, and long sleeves.
“The neckline is too low,” Tess stated, although she did like the style of the dress.
“We can always alter it,” the consultant explained. “Why don’t you come back with me and we’ll try these two on?”
Tess stood in the dressing room while the consultant pulled, prodded, and pinned her into the dress. The Armani, while beautiful, was just too over-the-top for their simple wedding. The von Furstenberg, while simple, was too sexy. She tried on a few more gowns after that and played fashion show for her mom and Sigourney. After an hour and a half, she was no closer to finding a gown than she had been when they first walked through the doors. Tess was getting cranky and hungry and just wanted to get back into her own clothes.
They left the bridal salon and had lunch at the café in Saks. The food made Tess feel better. “I appreciate that you made the appointment, Sigourney. I’m sorry I couldn’t find anything I liked today.”
“No worries. We can always try Bergdorf’s or Bloomingdale's,” she replied, unfazed.
“I don’t think I’m up for that today,” Tess admitted.
“Then we’ll just window shop. Kate did make the trek into the city. We can’t end the day so early.”
“I’d like that,” Kate agreed.
Tess was overruled, so she tried to take it in stride and enjoy the day. Maybe in a few weeks she could quietly head back to Pennsylvania and go to the little bridal salon with her mom and find a two-hundred-dollar dress to suit her taste.
They walked along the couture floor, passing Dior, Yamamoto, and Céline. Tess couldn’t help herself and stopped outside the Chanel shop. In the window there was a mannequin dressed in a floor-length gown in the palest pink color—it was almost nude. The skirt was tulle, simple and flowing. The bodice was silk with a sweetheart neckline. The short sleeves were beaded with white seed pearls.
Sigourney and Kate continued to walk down the aisle, deep in conversation, not noticing that Tess had stopped. When they did, they doubled back.
“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen,” Tess breathlessly stated, in awe.
“Well, let’s go try it on,” Sigourney prodded.
“Yes, I want to try it on.”
The three women walked into the boutique, and Sigourney approached the sales associate and pointed to the dress in the window. Soon Tess was swept away to the fitting room, while the sales associate collected her size from the storeroom.
The saleswoman helped Tess into the dress and carefully zipped up the back. “Let’s step outside and show your friends.”
Tess walked onto the boutique floor and stood on the platform in front of the three-way mirror.
Kate was beaming at her beautiful daughter.
Sigourney sighed. “Perfection.”
“It’s a little long, but the tailor can adjust the length for you,” the associated informed Tess.
“I love it. This is the one, Mom. Don’t you think?” Tess asked, all the worry over cost forgotten.
“It is.”
“Okay, let me call alterations and we’ll get this fitted for you. When do you need the dress ready?”
“Not until May. This is my wedding dress.”
“Congratulations! You made a splendid choice.”
“Thank you. Do you mind if I have a word with my mother before the tailor arrives?”
“Certainly, I’ll go fetch some champagne.”
The sales associate left the women as Kate and Sigourney approached the platform. Tess lifted her arm to show her mother the price tag. “Please don’t faint, but this dress costs two thousand dollars.”
“I told you I had some money saved. It’s yours. You look so beautiful I’m going to cry,” her mother said.
“No, please don’t cry. You’ll make me cry,” Tess pleaded.
“I think that’s a steal,” Sigourney interrupted. “Just look at the craftsmanship. Lagerfeld’s done wonders for the label since he took over the helm. It will be money well spent because you can wear it more than once.”
“You still need a veil,” her mother chimed in.
“No, I don’t want a veil. It’s perfect, just as it is.”
“She’s right, Kate. I think Sebastian’s sense of style is rubbing off on Tess.”
The sales associate came back with a silver tray containing three champagne flutes. Her co-worker was holding three boxes of shoes.
“You’ll need to know what shoes you’ll wear on your wedding day so we can get the length right. I have three different heel heights here. Try these on and tell me which one feels the most comfortable. Once we determine heel height, we can get your dress ready and go to the shoe department to find a pair you like.”
It was a bit of a whirlwind—that morning she couldn’t find anything she liked; that afternoon, she found the dress in fifteen minutes. She did feel a pang of regret for spending so much money on the dress, but Sigourney had a good point: Tess planned to wear the dress more than once. She had done it with the dresses Sebastian bought her at Bergdorf’s, and this would be no different. She could even have it cut down to a tea-length to give her more options later on.
Tess was thrilled with the purchase. Maybe living with Sebastian was rubbing off on her, because she couldn’t believe she’d just agreed to spend so much money on a dress.
An hour later, she thanked Sigourney for the company and escorted her mom to Penn Station. Then she headed back to the condo.
Tess walked through the front door of the condo holding a Saks shopping bag. She found Sebastian sitting on the sofa reading an art magazine. She put down the bag and walked over to her fiancé.
“How was your shopping trip?” he asked as he closed the magazine.
“I survived,” she said, taking a seat next to him. “It actually wasn’t that bad.”
“So was it a successful trip?”
“I found a dress,” Tess replied nonchalantly.
“Were you just settling to stop Sigourney from pulling you all over New York City in her quest for the perfect dress?”
Tess leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “I didn’t settle. I found a dress I’m very happy with, and I’m not going to talk about it anymore. You’re not to see the dress until I walk down the aisle.”
“There is no aisle,” he reminded her.
“Don’t be difficult. You know what I mean,” she pouted.
Sebastian took her in his arms and pulled her on top of him as he lay down on the couch. “I can’t wait to see your dress—and more importantly, to be your husband.”
Sebastian entered Sigourney’s brownstone and looked around. The place was quiet. “Sigourney,” he bellowed from the bottom of the staircase, “Where the hell are you?”