Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lucas
The gentle whir of the jet's turbines faded as we approached Teterboro Airport. I glanced at Bess, whose small hands clutched the armrests, her eyes wide with excitement. Ella shifted beside her—it was all part of the quiet anticipation that came with landing somewhere new.
“Are we in New York now?” Bess asked, bouncing slightly. “Can we see the big buildings?”
I smiled at her enthusiasm. “Almost. We’re landing in New Jersey first, then driving into Manhattan.”
She barely registered my response, her gaze glued to the window as the city skyline came into view in the distance. Beside her, Ella leaned back, smiling, though a trace of wariness lingered in her eyes. The city had a way of bringing excitement and apprehension in equal measure.
“Are you sure Anthony’s okay with this?” she asked again.
I chuckled. “More than okay. He’s excited to help.” I let her curiosity simmer before adding, “And no, I’m still not telling you which Chagall he’s loaning you. It’s a surprise.”
She shook her head, but her lips twitched upward. “You love doing this, don’t you? Keeping me in suspense.”
“Guilty as charged.”
The plane eased to a stop at the gate, and Bess squealed, clapping her hands. “We’re here!”
Her joy was infectious. Ella laughed, brushing a strand of hair from Bess’s face. For a moment, the weight she carried seemed to lift. I watched them both, reminded of why I’d planned this trip in the first place. It wasn’t just about the art exhibit—it was about giving them something to hold onto, memories to shape their future.
Before the door opened, Bess pressed her forehead to the window. “I see cars moving! And buildings!”
Ella reached for her hand. “You’re going to love the city, sweetheart.”
“I already love it!” Bess said with a giggle.
The flight crew gave us the go-ahead to disembark. I stood, grabbing our bags, and as we stepped off the jet, the crisp morning air hit me. The sounds on the tarmac buzzed around us—engines running, voices giving instructions, the distant honk of traffic already moving beyond the airport. Bess darted ahead but stopped short of the airport staff guiding us toward the waiting car, her excitement contained only by the knowledge that she was in a new place with new rules.
I shot Ella a smile, hoping to ease her lingering tension. “Welcome to New Jersey,” I said. “Next stop: Manhattan.”
Ella pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders as we approached the SUV. “I just hope she remembers this trip for all the right reasons.”
I placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back. “She will. And so will you.”
Bess climbed into the car, her legs swinging excitedly as she buckled herself in the car seat. “Can we see the big buildings from the car?”
“Just wait,” I said, settling into the driver’s seat. “You’re about to get the best view yet.”
The drive toward the city was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As we merged onto the highway, the skyline rose ahead of us like something out of a dream. Bess pressed her hands against the glass, her little face filled with wonder.
“Look at that one!” she exclaimed, pointing wildly. “It’s so tall!”
Ella chuckled. “That’s the Empire State Building, sweetheart. It doesn’t touch the clouds, but it comes close.”
I glanced at Ella as she spoke, catching the flicker of nostalgia in her expression. I knew she had mixed feelings about this city, but something told me that this trip would rewrite those memories into something better.
As the Lincoln Tunnel swallowed us into its depths, Bess let out a gasp. “Are we underwater?”
I laughed. “Kind of. The tunnel runs under the Hudson River.”
“This is the best trip ever,” she declared, leaning back in her seat as the lights of the tunnel streaked past.
Ella turned her gaze to me, her eyes searching. I reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s only just beginning.”
We emerged on the other side, and suddenly, Manhattan stretched before us in all its chaotic, vibrant glory. Bess let out a squeal as yellow taxis zipped by, people hurried across crosswalks, and the sheer scale of the buildings dwarfed everything else.
Ella exhaled slowly. “Well, here we are.”
I smiled, watching the way the city reflected in her eyes. “Yeah. Here we are.”
When we finally arrived at the Met, the grand facade seemed to loom over us, a monument to art and history. Bess clutched Ella’s hand as we made our way through the bustling entrance, her eyes darting to every sculpture and painting in sight.
Inside Anthony’s office, Ella paused, looked around, and smiled wistfully. “The last time I was here, I met up with you and the others at that art auction,” she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. It feels like another lifetime ago.”
I chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. “If I remember right, you outbid me on that Degas sketch.”
Ella turned to me with a smirk. “Fair and square. You snooze, you lose.”
Anthony entered then, his warm presence filling the room as he extended a hand toward Ella. “It’s good to see you again, Ella. Lucas has told me all about your upcoming exhibit.”
Ella shook his hand, her smile growing. “Thank you so much for agreeing to this. It means the world to me.”
Anthony waved off her gratitude with a chuckle. “It’s not every day someone with your passion comes along. I’m more than happy to help.”
In the corner of the room stood an easel draped with a cloth. Bess’s curiosity immediately zeroed in on it. She tugged at Ella’s hand, already moving toward the easel.
“What’s under there?” Bess asked, craning her neck to get a better look.
Anthony smiled kindly, crouching to her level. “That’s a surprise for your Aunt Ella. But how about this—you can join some other kids in our Creative Kids Room while she looks at it? You’ll get to paint or make something out of clay.”
Ella’s smile faltered slightly, her hand tightening around Bess’s. “I’m not sure?—”
“It’s perfectly safe,” Anthony assured her. “And Zoe,” he said, motioning to his assistant, “will stay with her the whole time. Right, Zoe?”
Zoe stepped forward with a reassuring smile. “Absolutely. We’ll have a great time, won’t we, Bess?”
Bess’s enthusiasm won out. “Can I, Aunt Ella? Please?”
Ella hesitated a moment longer before finally nodding. “Okay. But you stay with Zoe, alright?”
Bess beamed. “Okay! Thank you!”
“She’ll be just down the hall, Ella,” Anthony said with a kind smile.
As Zoe led her away, Ella watched her go with a mix of reluctance and fondness. “She’s never met a stranger she doesn’t like,” Ella murmured.
I touched her arm lightly. “She’s in good hands. Now, are you ready to see what’s under that cover?”
Her nervous energy shifted into anticipation as Anthony moved toward the easel, pausing dramatically before pulling the cloth away. The vibrant colors of The Circus Rider filled the room, and Ella gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
“It’s stunning,” she whispered. “I never thought... I never dreamed I’d have this in my exhibit.”
Her gaze lingered on the painting, and then she laughed softly. “You know, I feel like the circus rider myself—caught in this surreal, almost dreamlike moment. This is... unbelievable.”
“You’ve earned this,” I said, my voice low. “And your audience will see that.”
Anthony smiled, clearly pleased by her reaction. “We’ll get the painting crated and ready for the art courier to pick up tomorrow morning. Everything will be handled professionally.”
Ella nodded, still staring at the painting. “That’s perfect. The museum’s insurance will only cover it that way.”
As she remained absorbed in the painting, I turned to Anthony and asked, “How have you been?”
He hesitated just for a moment before answering, his usual composed demeanor slipping slightly. “Still working through it,” he admitted. “Grief doesn’t move in a straight line. Some days are fine, others… not so much.”
I nodded, understanding the weight behind his words. “I can’t imagine how hard it’s been. If you ever need anything, just say the word.”
Anthony offered a faint smile, though his eyes carried the quiet grief of a man still learning how to live with loss. “I appreciate that, Lucas.” He exhaled, then straightened. “Work helps. This exhibit—it’s given me something to focus on.”
I clapped a hand on his shoulder, knowing words wouldn’t fix what couldn’t be fixed. “If you ever need a distraction, come visit.”
Anthony let out a low chuckle. “I’ll take you up on that.”
Ella turned back to us, curiosity lighting her features. “What’s next?”
I grinned. “A surprise. My mother invited us to stay at her townhouse in Chelsea tonight. She can’t wait to see you again—and meet Bess.”
Ella’s eyes widened in surprise. “Elizabeth? Really? I haven’t seen her in years.”
“She’s looking forward to it,” I said. “She always liked you.”
Ella’s cheeks flushed faintly, but her smile widened. “I always liked her, too.”
This trip was shaping up to be everything I’d hoped it would be—a perfect blend of work, family, and a touch of magic. And judging by the way Ella looked at me just then, she felt it, too.