Charlottesville had never looked more peaceful. The late summer sun dipped low casting a warm, golden glow over the quiet streets. Rebecca adjusted her dress as Nick helped her out of the car, both of them standing still for a moment outside La lumiére verte, one of the most luxurious restaurants in the area. Candlelight flickered through its tall windows, and the soft hum of piano music drifted into the warm air.
"Wow," Nick said, slipping his hand into hers. "Your mom really doesn't do low-key, does she?"
Rebecca chuckled. "This is actually her version of low-key. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a harpist hidden in the shrubs."
Nick chuckles softly.
They walked in together, guided through a softly lit hallway to a private corner table overlooking a flower-lit courtyard. Elizabeth was already seated, dressed elegantly in navy silk, a diamond pin glinting at her shoulder. Her cheeks had color again. Her smile was vibrant. She looked…herself and even better.
"Rebecca, sweetheart." Elizabeth stood to hug her, then turned to Nick with warm affection. "And my very tall, very charming son-in-law."
Nick laughed. "It's good to see you looking so well, Elizabeth. You're glowing."
"Oh please, it's the wine," she said, gesturing for them to sit. "And maybe the fact that I'm no longer dragging around an oxygen tank."
"You look beautiful mum" Rebecca said.
"Thanks sweetie " Elizabeth's eyes shone.
They sat, as a bottle of deep red wine was poured.
"This place is beautiful," Rebecca said, looking around. "I don't think I've ever been here."
"That's because it's obscenely expensive," Elizabeth said, waving a hand. "But tonight calls for it."
Nick raised an eyebrow. "Are we celebrating something?"
Elizabeth took a long sip of wine before answering. "Life," she said. "Health. You two. And… some news."
Rebecca leaned forward. "News?"
Elizabeth smirked. "Patience. Let's enjoy the first course meals. They make a risotto here that could change your religion."
They laughed. Just as Elizabeth was swirling the last sip of her wine, a tall, impeccably dressed waiter approached the table with the kind of grace that made it clear he'd been trained to walk on marble in silence.
"Good evening," he said with a warm, polished smile. "Welcome to La Lumière Verte. My name is Sébastien, and I'll be your waiter tonight."
Rebecca glanced around and raised an eyebrow at the name. "La Lumière Verte," she echoed softly. "The Green Light?"
Sébastien beamed. "Très bien, madame. Inspired by the romantic aura of Parisian nights and the hope that flickers just across the bay…like Gatsby's green light," he said with a wink.
"Oh, we've stepped into a F. Scott Fitzgerald fantasy," Nick muttered, grinning as he looked at the menu.
Elizabeth gave a soft laugh, clearly charmed. "How lovely. We've been looking forward to this."
Sébastien nodded politely. "We have an exquisite seasonal menu tonight. May I interest you in a few of our house specialties?"
"Please do," Elizabeth said.
"Well," Sébastien began, folding his hands. "For starters, our Lobster Velouté is a customer favorite,its silky, with a hint of tarragon. We also have a truffle-infused mushroom tartlet with aged Gruyère."
Rebecca and Nick exchanged glances, already sold.
"For mains," Sébastien continued, "the Filet de Boeuf au Poivre peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin with cognac cream....is divine. And if you prefer something from the sea, the Chilean Sea Bass en Papillote is delicate and aromatic, served with a saffron beurre blanc."
"Oh my God," Rebecca murmured, lowering her menu. "I think I gained three pounds just hearing that."
Nick smirked. "Do we even need to see the dessert menu?"
Sébastien gave a short, theatrical bow. "I do hope so. Our Chocolate Mille-Feuille has been known to cause... emotional reactions."
"I love this place already," Elizabeth whispered, eyes twinkling. "Let's go big tonight."
"I'll have the mushroom tartlet to start and the sea bass, please," Rebecca said.
"Same for me," Elizabeth chimed in. "But I'd like a glass of your Sauvignon Blanc French, if possible."
"Certainly, madame."
Nick leaned back, looking indecisive. "I'll be different. Lobster velouté to start and... you know what? Let's go with the filet. Medium rare."
"And to drink, sir?"
Nick looked at his wife with mock solemnity. "Would it be ridiculous to order bourbon in a place like this?"
Rebecca raised a brow smiling. "Nick."
"Fine," he laughed. "A glass of your Malbec. Surprise me."
Sébastien scribbled their orders quickly with a knowing smile. "Excellent choices. I'll have everything out shortly. And please, enjoy the music.....tonight's pianist is a local prodigy."
As he walked away, the faint sound of jazz piano began to play from the far corner of the restaurant, melting into the clinking of glasses and soft laughter around them.
"This feels like a movie," Rebecca whispered, lifting her water glass.
"A very fancy one," Nick replied, tapping hers in a toast.
Elizabeth watched them both, smiling in that quiet, satisfied way mothers do when their children are happy. "You two look very nice tonight," she said.
Rebecca grinned. "It's your fault we dressed up."
"Well.....the right occasion calls for dressing nice" Elizabeth said.
They laughed and chatted easily as their orders came. They talked about Nick's job, Rebecca's work in the family business and her personal business. Then the subject shifted naturally to Jace.
"I wanted to call him last week," Elizabeth said softly, swirling her wine. "but then I remembered you said he was going to take some time for himself."
Rebecca exhaled slowly. "Yeah. He's been… quiet. I spoke to him after the whole Amy situation. He's trying, but you know Jace. He folds everything in and photographs the pieces."
Elizabeth gave a sad smile. "He's always been like that. Even as a kid, when things were too much, he'd just go take pictures of shadows on the wall or raindrops on the windows."
Nick, ever the quiet listener, added, "I think he's doing the only thing he knows how to do. Working his way through the pain."
Rebecca bit her lip. "Do you think… she still loves him?"
Elizabeth gave a knowing look. "I don't know..... But love isn't always enough. Timing matters. So does healing."
Nick added, "Maybe this break is what they both needed to find their way back to themselves. And then maybe… to each other."
A silence fell between them for a beat, not heavy....just thoughtful.
Then Elizabeth clapped her hands once, startling both of them. "Enough melancholy! I invited you here for a reason beyond fancy food."
Rebecca raised a brow. "Okay…?"
Elizabeth reached into her purse and pulled out a sleek white envelope, sliding it across the table toward them. "Post-wedding gift. I know it's a little delayed. But I was busy trying not to die, so… forgive the timing." she joked.
Rebecca opened it slowly and pulled out two neatly folded documents. Her eyes widened.
"Wait....what!....this says…" She looked up at her mother, stunned. "Santorini?"
Elizabeth smiled like she'd been holding in a secret for weeks. "Ten days. Private villa. Ocean view. Endless wine. Greece, baby."
Nick looked over Rebecca's shoulder, jaw dropping. "Santorini? As in actual white buildings and blue domes Santorini?"
Elizabeth nodded smugly. "You two deserve some uninterrupted time together. You've been through a lot after the wedding,illnesses, family drama, endless Jace-related phone calls. And if either of you dares try to postpone or refuse, I will fake a relapse."
Rebecca blinked, still speechless. "You're insane mum."
"And generous. And possibly tipsy."
Nick reached across the table and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "Thank you. Really. This is…wow."
Elizabeth winked. "You'll find a little itinerary in there too, and a voucher for a couples massage at a spa that overlooks the caldera. I checked. It's not too sappy, but just enough."
Rebecca laughed, finally finding her voice again. "You're ridiculous....this is too much."
"I know," her mother said proudly, raising her wineglass. "To Santorini. And to escaping reality for a little while."
Rebecca and Nick clinked glasses with her, the clatter echoing gently off the walls of the elegant restaurant.
"OMG!,we are going to Santorini babe" Rebecca squealed as she kissed Nick.
Elizabeth simply smiled at them feeling satisfied.
Outside, fairy lights twinkled across the courtyard trees, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt light again.
As the night deepened, the wine flowed, and their conversation wandered...stories about Jace as a child, Nick's attempt at fixing a leaky sink that nearly flooded their kitchen. There was laughter, warmth, and a deep, steadying joy.
And somewhere between dessert and their final glass of wine, Rebecca leaned into Nick's shoulder and whispered, "We needed this."
He nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
And miles away in the city of New York, Jace stood in his darkroom, watching one of his new photographs emerge under the red light, slowly forming like a memory taking shape. None of them knew what the next chapter would hold, but for now… there was light.