Originally posted September 9, 2008
Croatoa had been the first choice.
"Tis loverly, Tristan," Siobhan sighed, looking out the large bay windows. "Jist loverly."
"It's haunted, Shiv," said the older man.
"Charming."
"There's a pumpkin headed… 'thing' right down there and that," he added, pointing out the window, "That looks suspiciously like a werewolf."
"Local color," Shiv beamed.
Tristan sighed, raising a hand to his chin and shaking his head. The girl was smitten. He hadn't seen a smile this big on her face since she first stepped off the plane from the UK, eight years ago. They grow up so fast.
He looked around the empty room. It hadn't taken much time to find an available condominium in this area of Paragon. Regardless of what Siobhan thought, ghosts did not bode well for property values. The spacious two bedroom unit with a modern kitchen and huge bath had gone for a song. Looking out the windows the old spy had to admit, it certainly was pretty. "Let's sit down, Siobhan. I need you to sign a few things."
Shiv turned to him, smiling. They walked a few steps back from the 40th story window and sat on the floor. Siobhan did not expect Dr. Thomas to loan her Tristan when she asked for a personal assistant. The three of them spent the night talking about the details and the ex-CIA agent took less than a day to pull the actuals together. Siobhan watched as Tristan pulled a clipboard out of his satchel and handed it to her.
"It's all as you described."
"The decorator?" Shiv had agonized over furnishing the place. In the end, she had decided to retain one of Paragon's top interior designers to help when called.
Tristan nodded.
"The fund?"
Tristan nodded, pointing to a section of the clipboard.
"Di ye reckon t'will bae enough?"
"Shiv, it would take considerable imagination to drain that fund."
"Oh. Ye must think mae quite mad," she giggled as she began signing papers. She swayed back and forth, humming a tune as she put pen to paper, handing over sheets one by one. Tristan took the sheets, placing one copy back in his notebook, folding the other and placing it in a plan manila folder. When Siobhan finished, he fished another item from his satchel. He held a black, titanium credit card out for her to examine.
"Oooh, shiny"
"You know, Shiv. There is a minimum amount of spending required to keep this level of card. They will need to go through at least $250,000 a year."
Siobhan chucked. "Ye ever seen a cyborg's medical expences?"
"Good point."
He placed the card in the envelop. He dug out a key ring and held it up. Siobhan raised an eyebrow. "Two sets?"
Tristan tilted his head. "Presumptive?"
Siobhan nodded and grinned. "Hopeful."
A smile spread on Tristan's face. Indeed, the girl's hopes had infected him. "Yes, two sets." He placed the ring in the envelop then sealed it. He held it in his hand for a moment.
"Siobhan, are you sure about this? I mean, that's a lot of money."
"Viscountess." Shiv grinned, turning up her head to lift her nose high into the air. "Ye'll refer tae mae properly while we discuss mae money."
"Well then, My Lady. Are you sure about this? Once you hand this over, it's gone. These funds, this place will be completely out of your control."
"That's the way tis got tae be, Tristan. There cannae bae any strings. Tis a gift, free and clear. Ah dinnae want tae give the impression of any obligation."
"This is very, very sudden, Shiv."
"Tristan, 'ave ye ever known mae tae bae implusive, tae make a decision on the spur of the moment?"
"No. You've always been very careful and sensible."
Siobhan chucked. That's what she had called her, "Sensible Shiv."
"Tristan," she said carefully. "Ah'd like tae try it, ah ken. Ah'd like tae go with mae gut this one time."
He smiled. This was a different woman than he knew a year ago in Chicago.
She turned head to one side. "Does this affect mae net worth?"
Tristan nodded. "A little. You won't be going hungry anytime soon. You have a lot of money that you have never, ever touched, Sh… My Lady." Siobhan giggled.
Tristan handed the envelop over to Siobhan, who took it in both hands and held it to her chest. "Thank you, Tristan. This is important. She is important to me. Besides," she added with a wry grin. "It's been four years. Ah'm feeling a wee bit randy."
The older man dropped his jaw in mock shock. "Four years?! Are you sure it all still works?"
They shared a laugh, an honest laugh between people that trust and care for each other. Shiv had forgotten how laughing like that felt. She stood, still clutching the envelop in her arms. She would have to dress it up a bit, but it would make a wonderful birthday present.
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