Duncan was gone all afternoon and evening trying to track down Connor. Tessa got through the night relatively unharmed as there wasn't much new to discuss. But Odette had been very excited when it came to designing her gown for the wedding.

"Oh, Tessa!" she breathed, flipping to the second sketch. "I love this one, so simple, so elegant…"

"You really like it?"

"I love it."

"I was thinking maybe a shawl, like in this one," she flipped back to the other page. "At first I was thinking silk, but chiffon would probably be best."

"Maybe a bit of tulle under the skirt?" Odette suggested.

"Of course!" Finally someone was excited as much as she was. "What do you think of these?" she asked, flipping to the wedding gowns she had sketched.

"Oh! Why didn't you become a designer?" her sister asked. "These are so lovely."

"I'm just so excited; I've been working so hard on these. Which do you like best?"

"I can't choose. They are all so lovely."

"You have to help me choose. Look again."

"I like this skirt…" She flipped the page. "but with this bodice it would be… I don't know the right word. It's less intricate and I like that more. With less detail, it seems more elegant and refined."

"What a good idea." Tessa took the book and flipped back and forth between the pages picturing the separate pieces together. "I like that." She took up a pencil and set to work sketching out the new gown.

Duncan quietly crept down the corridor and into his bedroom. He hadn't planned on being out so late, but when he got a hold of Connor, they had talked for quite some time. He opened the door to the bedroom and was surprised to see Tessa sitting on the bed reading, next to Richie who was fast asleep and curled up on his side.

"What are you doing in here?" he whispered.

"I wanted to see you before I went to bed," she whispered back.

"Sorry it took so long." He took off his coat and slung it over a chair and sat next to her.

"Did you find Connor?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask you…"

"What?" she asked as they settled down against the headboard.

"Would you mind if I stole Richie for a few days and took him to Scotland?"

"You are going to get him a kilt?"

"Try to."

"He already agreed to it."

Duncan looked at her. "I wasn't aware that I had asked him."

"I did. And he agreed."

He smiled. "I should sic you after him when I need him to help me clean graffiti off the alley."

"Odette and I decided on our gowns tonight," Tessa changed the subject.

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"Can I see?"

"No."

Duncan laughed. "Then why did you tell me?"

"You can't see it because it hasn't been made," she smiled. "It's hard to put on a gown that doesn't exist."

"I'd be willing to use my imagination," he nuzzled her neck suggestively.

"In front of Richie?"

"How about your room?"

"My niece is in there," she sighed. "She had a fight with her sister."

"She can go in with her parents."

"They are probably a bit busy…"

Duncan sighed and leaned back. "This isn't as easy as I thought it would be."

"Oh?"

"I miss you."

"I'm right here…"

"No, I miss you." He kissed her neck, then cheek, then lips.

"Richie…" she moved his face away.

"I'm Duncan."

She laughed. "He's right here," she inclined her head toward the sleeping teen.

"He's used to it by now."

"Numnot," Richie slurred, startling both of them.

"Go back to sleep," Tessa whispered. They waited a few seconds and his breathing regulated. "You woke him," she accused.

"Come 'ere," he hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "I suppose this will have to do."

They sat leaning on each other until they fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Duncan woke up. Tessa was asleep on his shoulder, a slight smile on her face. Her hair was a little dirty from not being washed yet, but she still looked great. He adjusted his position as gently as he could to not disturb her, but get a better view. She nestled easily into the crook of his arm, sighed quietly and continued to sleep.

It wasn't easy to wake up next to Tessa and be highly restricted as to what he could do. He could think of several lovely ways to wake her, none of which would be acceptable to her parents or appropriate in front of Richie. He had to content himself with a soft kiss and loving whispers. He couldn't wait to marry her. He had never intended to marry anyone in all his 400 years; he had loved women in the past, but none like he loved Tessa. He doubted he would love anyone like he loved Tessa ever again.

As a boy, he had been taught he would love the woman his father chose for him. No crush was to be acted upon. He was not allowed to court anyone. He fell into a young lustful love once… not only did the girl end up dying, his father had been very angry with him and thrashed him a bit when he found out they had been caught kissing in the woods.

A groan brought Duncan back to the present as Richie began to stir. He rolled over, now facing Tessa's shoulder and opened his eyes. After a few moments of fuzzy mindedness, his eyes focused and he froze, his mouth open and cheeks red.

"Sorry, Rich," Duncan whispered. "We just fell asleep."

Richie regained his composure and rolled out of bed quickly taking his leave to the bathroom so not to be found by anyone else in bed with Tessa wearing only his bright red, tighter than usual briefs. Duncan felt Tessa shaking at his side and look down to find her eyes shining brightly up at him. He found himself smiling broadly at her, then they both started laughing quietly.

"I better go," she whispered. "Don't want to embarrass him anymore than he already is. And I have to shower and change before breakfast."

Duncan kissed her. "See you in a bit."

A little less than an hour later, the entire adult membership of the Noel clan plus two were gathered around the large polished oak dining room table waiting breakfast to be served.

"Did you reach your cousin?" Tessa's father asked after the food had been placed on the table.

"I did," Duncan answered. "As a matter of fact, Richie and I will be meeting him in Scotland for a few days to make some preparations for the wedding."

"We are?" Richie asked.

'I was going to tell you after breakfast."

"Oh."

"What preparations?" Madame Noel asked.

"Kilts," Richie answered, making a face.

"Kilts?" she repeated.

"Scottish tradition," Duncan explained.

"I don't suppose you would be getting a hair cut?"

Duncan frowned in automatic response and quickly tried to make his face neutral. "I wasn't planning on it."

"I like it long," Richie spoke up.

"I do as well," Tessa added.

"What about you?" Madame Noel looked at Richie, who ran his fingers through his hair self-consciously.

"What about me?"

"Maybe a trim later," Tessa cut in, "but there is nothing wrong with their hair."

"They look so unkempt…"

"It's the style, Maman," Gaston interrupted. There were murmurs of agreement from around the table. It seemed Tessa had started a small revolt among the residents of the château. Madame Noel was loosing her position as the undisputed head of the household.

"I think it would be inappropriate for a wedding,"

"How do you intend to pay for this wedding?" Monsieur Noel asked.

"I am," Duncan answered, a bit confused.

"That little store of yours makes enough money?"

Duncan bit at his cheek before responding. "It does surprisingly well."

"I suppose a small ceremony won't cost too horribly much."

"We aren't planning a small ceremony," Tessa said. "I am going to our church tomorrow to talk to the priest about scheduling."

"Why would you rent the church?" her mother asked. "Who do you expect to come?"

Tessa sat up stiffly in her seat, Duncan's jaw clinched, and Richie's hackles went up.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" the teen demanded.

"Richie," Duncan and Tessa scolded him at the same time.

"Mac and Tess got friends, you know."

Duncan grabbed his arm. "Quiet."

"But… "

"I said quiet."

Richie set his face in a stern glare and sat back in his chair.

"And cut that out," Duncan hissed at him.

"Can I be excused?" Richie asked rudely.

"I think that may be the best idea. Go calm yourself down," Tessa answered.

Richie got up from the table, his food barely touched and walked out of the room at a fast clip.

"I'm sorry about that," Duncan apologized. "Richie can be rather protective."

"That was rather disrespectful."

"I know it was," he agreed. "But, he… he doesn't like it when people insult Tessa."

"I did not insult my daughter. I merely meant that not many people will come to a wedding for a couple that has been living together for twelve years. Besides, do you even think it appropriate to marry in a church?"

"It is how things are traditionally done," Tessa answered. "And I want a traditional wedding."

"You can't marry in a church whose teaching you ignore."

Duncan sucked in a breath. "I'm sure we can discuss that with a church authority. I doubt it will be a problem."

"Perhaps a bit… tacky?" she suggested.

"Maman!" Tessa was shocked.

"Perhaps this is something better discussed in private," Monsieur Noel suggested.

"I should think so," Tessa agreed.

"I think I'll go check on Richie, make sure he's not… " Duncan didn't finish his sentence, but excused himself from the table and the room.

Richie was upstairs in their room seething out the window. "Who the hell do they think they are?" he asked.

"Richie, you're taking that rather hard. It wasn't that rude of a comment…"

"It's not just that. All that woman seems to do is pick on you an' Tess," Richie turned to look at him. "And what is with you guys letting her? Since when are you a couple of wusses?"

"It's difficult, Rich. It's not a matter of taking it; we are just not letting it bother us."

"Well, I can't promise I won't let it bother me," Richie said. "I can't stand people like that. It drives me insane."

"Just hold your tongue, alright? For Tessa."

Richie sighed, and nodded. "I can try."

"Okay," Duncan accepted the attempt. "Maybe Connor wouldn't mind a roommate and tour guide while he's here."

"I thought we were meeting him in Scotland?"

"He's coming back with us afterward. And it's been a few decades since he was in Paris last. He can scratch your back and you his."

"That could be doable…"