CHAPTER FIVE
"Let me see if I understand this. Part of your Christmas shopping today included presents for all of us." Nora said.
At Starr's insistence, they'd all had an early dinner. The kids were in the back playing in their rooms, and Starr had led Nora, Evangeline and Alexis into the living room.
"I've got it all under control." Starr answered. "These are very special presents."
"But you can't tell us." Evangeline said.
"All you have to do is follow my instructions. It's all good." Starr insisted. "Most of this trip has been about you all taking care of business and then taking care of the kids."
"That's why we decided on coming up here together." Nora reminded her.
"Well, it was really nice of you Nora, and even nicer that you included me and Jack, too. I just wanted to do something really nice in return. " Mentally she rolled her eyes. Lawyers. She should have known that these women were going to be stubborn and hard to convince. It had been easier to put everything else into place than to get them moving. Starr decided to go for a pout and put a hurt feeling into her gaze as she looked around at each of them.
"I really put a lot of work into this. I wanted to thank all of you for being so nice to me and my brother, and all I've done is try to make things really special for you while you're in New York. Something special for each of you."
Starr looked around. Nora still looked a little unconvinced, but Evangeline looked like she was coming around. On cue, Layla walked in.
"Layla will tell you, you'll love it, won't they Layla?" Starr said.
"We put some work into this...and trust me, you won't forget what's in store for you. Everything is wonderful, really. It's something special for each and every one of you."
"What can it hurt?" Alexis said suddenly. For some reason, all of a sudden, she was for it. Here they were in NYC, and maybe it was time for a little adventure. She reached over and cupped Starr's face in her hand.
"This is very nice and thoughtful of you, Starr. Just tell us what you want us to do."
"Great!" Starr said, jumping up. "Now, here's the deal…"
Thirty minutes later, they met back in the living room. As each woman entered, she looked from one to the other and laughed. Whatever it was, they were definitely not all headed in the same direction. Starr and Layla clapped in delight as each woman made her entrance.
Evangeline was first. She was dressed in casual, sporty chic. Jade-green cashmere sweater with black pants, and a matching jacket. Low soled boots completed the outfit.
"Well, I don't know where I'm going, but at least my feet won't be hurting in the morning." she said.
Alexis was next. She was dressed in red and cream. Red silk blouse, fastened with loops and a high collar, looking very Russian in style, with cream-toned pants tucked into creamy, butter soft leather boots. She looked at Evangeline. "Well, I think it's a sure bet that we won't be spending the time together."
"No, you won't." Starr said. "That's the point. Each surprise is for you, and you alone."
"Very interesting, young lady." Alexis said with a smile. She ran a hand along one sleeve of the heavy, sensuous silk. I feel like a cat who has all the cream."
"Then I guess I should just dance the night away." Nora said. She stepped into the room in a long, deep amber silk dress, 1920's style, shot through with embroidered deep golden threads. "Pretty hard to do that by myself." She cast a questioning gaze on Starr first and then Layla.
"Just go with the flow, Nora." Evangeline said to her.
"Easy for you to say, you're not decked out like the Statue of Liberty."
Before Nora could make any more protests, Starr and Layla began moving them towards the door. For each lady, they had a coat. Evangeline's was hip-length and very fitted, green to match her top , with a flowing matching scarf that Evangeline flung dramatically around her throat.
For Nora, it was a full-length chocolate brown mink coat. Her eyes widened in spite of herself as she slipped into it. Alexis was handed a cream colored coat with a lavish white fox fur collar and a matching hat to match.
Starr and Layla snatched up their own coats and led the ladies downstairs. They stepped outside into the brisk evening air. At the curb waited three carriages.
"Here's the deal." Starr announced. "Each driver knows his destination. Don't ask – he won't tell. I paid him enough for that."
"Once you are at your destination, your driver has an additional present for you." Layla also explained. "It will be a clue to you as to what the evening entails."
"And you guarantee this is something we'll enjoy?" Alexis asked.
"I can guarantee that you won't forget it." Starr said. She was excited, thinking of all the surprises they were all about to get. "You have no idea how far we went."
"They'll see soon." Layla said to her, giving her a warning nudge. "Think of it as a little bit of Christmas magic."
"So you two are Christmas Angels now?"
"We're earning our wings." Starr said; her expression showed that she was very much pleased with herself.
"Didn't we just say at breakfast this morning that we needed a new York City adventure?" Alexis took a deep breath. "Well, there's only one way to find out what this adventure holds, and that's to jump right into it." She hugged Starr and then Layla. "Thank you very much for whatever it is I'm about to do." She turned to the others. "Ladies, I will see you later."
"In one piece, I trust." Nora said. "All right, I won't say another word. But all of this," and she made a motion that gestured from head to toe. "….had better be worth it." She walked off towards her carriage without another word.
"Well, there's nothing left to say, but to say I'll see you later. Unlike Nora, I'm looking forward to this." She thanked them both and went to her own carriage.
"I hope she thanks me later." Layla said nervously, watching as the three carriages pulled away from the curb.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Starr said.
"Don't ask. You don't have to live with her." Layla said. "I do."