“And if I let you guys go on with this, I may end up paying for the reconstruction itself!,” he laughed. 

To reinforce his point, he thumped the table with both hands, and pulled a fountain pen out from his breast pocket.  His assistant came out of nowhere then put a small ink bottle by his hand, took the pen from him, and quickly refilled it. 

Tina sent Bette a quick text in all caps: “OURS!!!!” soon after Luke told his lawyers he’d decided to take their offer.  She was bubbling over with excitement, but sought to keep a cool exterior, sitting next to Sarah, who was reviewing the papers one last time as Luke signed them, before handing them to Tina to initial or sign. 

Sarah kept her word in not charging for her services to Bette and Tina, even if Luke had already agreed to pay for all closing costs, including all related professional fees.  Luke looked at her, as one of the lawyers did a quick run-down of costs with him.  He raised his hand to interrupt the lawyer running the numbers down, raised his eyebrow in Sarah’s direction.  Sarah shrugged her shoulders, in response, turned to smile at Tina, and then at Luke, “What can I say?  Yes… nothing for me.  It was a New Year’s resolution to find a place for Tina and her small family.” Tina drew her into a side hug, smiling and rubbing her arms lightly. 

“Now that is a good friend, Tina,” he smiled also, looking at Sarah and Tina. He reflected, I don’t think that I have that type and quality of friendship in my life.  Hmm…and Tina seemed a warm person, had a pleasing, charming personality, and was apparently able to hold friendships such as Sarah’s. 

“You don’t know the half of it,” Tina was saying, as she looked at Sarah, tears springing to her eyes unbidden, on remembering, again, Sarah’s help during the difficult time she had giving birth. 

Luke sat back, a thought occurring to him: hmm…maybe I should ask if I can swing by the duplex sometime, once all the work Tina’s described is completed.  Wouldn’t hurt.  And Tina would likely say yes.  She seems genuinely committed to restoring, even improving the mansion, and its structure, to its former standing.   Grandfather would be so proud.