Bois de Boulogne

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

The Bois de Boulogne is Paris' best park. Over twice the size of New York's Central Park, the Bois de Boulogne is filled with various attractions including a lake filled with rowboats and waterbirds, a horse-racing track, a small amusement park (complete with a menagerie of exotic animals), and a carousel. Of course, there are also verdant lawns and tree-shaded paths for your recreational pleasure. Just be wary of the park at night...

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Aryeh Feldman

It had been years since Aryeh had visited the zoo. Nadine had been sixteen then and the zoo had much more appeal in that time. It seemed as if the animals, few as there were, were just as disinterested in being there as he was. It was almost lifeless there, uncharacteristic of a zoo, and Aryeh was almost surprised how it mirrored his own life. In fact, the most lively, boisterous thing there was Madeleine, the woman who had "adopted" him, and she wasn't talking. The concerned, tired look on her face troubled him. He loved her the way he loved Evelynne or Nadine: as a father, a protector... But Madeleine was somehow different than his two daughters. There was no obligation to set a good example, to be a guidance. Their relationship was more than just father and daughter-- it was friendship first and foremost.

The animals slept in the summer sun today and Aryeh passed Madeleine the popcorn. She made it worth being there, sad and grief stricken as she was. He nudged her softly, playfully. "They're awfully quiet today," he said, flicking a surprisingly swift, agile piece of popcorn into the cage at the slumbering animal. "So are you, come to think of it. Don't tell me I have to throw food at you, too."

[The Exodus]

Madeleine de Chandon

Madeleine actually hated zoos. They were too much like real life. You had your dumb gorillas, hulking in their cages. And then there were the herd-mentality antelopes that were skittish and cliquish. And then there were the lovebirds that mated for life and went insane when their partners died or that fell in love with their own reflections to avoid grief. But, hey… It was Aryeh. And when he asked that they go out to the Bois de Bolougne and the ended up in the zoological gardens… Well… What else was she supposed to do, besides follow him with a bright, fake smile? Now that they were in the zoo, Madeleine was back to being miserable. She could afford to be right now. Aryeh was distracted by throwing popcorn at the monkeys. He surely wouldn’t notice her glum face.

"They're awfully quiet today," said Aryeh. "So are you, come to think of it. Don't tell me I have to throw food at you, too."

Madeleine smiled at him half-heartedly and took the popcorn bucket from him. Instead of eating it, she picked up a piece or two and rolled it between her fingers.

“Ha,” she muttered. “No, thank you.”

If Myron hadn’t disappeared, Aryeh would be throwing rice or something at her in a few days at themixed Catholic-Jewish ceremony. He would have been watching her parading around in cockatoo white and preening like one. He would have given her away, the proud father of a little girl he’d adopted just in time.

“You should try to aim for its face,” Madeleine suggested monotonously, offering the bucket back to Aryeh. “It’ll wake up then.”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Aryeh Feldman

"Ha. No thank you," came Madeleine's unenthusiastic reply. The saddened, pre-maturely lined face she had on was uncharacteristic of the lively Madeleine he knew and loved.

Aryeh's mouth formed a straight, concerned line as he looked at her and her slumped, shrunken and depressed form.

“You should try to aim for its face,” Madeleine suggested monotonously, offering the bucket back to Aryeh. “It’ll wake up then.”

Aryeh accepted a piece of popcorn and tossed the puffed corn with shocking agility at the the slumbering monkey's face. It twitched, but nothing more-- as did the corners of Aryeh's lips as it did so.

"You know, your face is beautiful, there's no need for you to stretch it out; a long face just isn't becoming on you," Aryeh said, grasping his veiny, age-spotted hand around her soft, smooth one.

He stuck his cane through the bars of the cage, jabbing at the monkey. "Get up, you," he said, but it merely flopped over with a human-like snore. "If I wanted to sleep animals sleep, I would watch Animal Planet at night." he jabbed again and it sat bolt-upright, angered and awake. Aryeh smiled.

"And that, Mommellah is how you wake an animal up... Works for some people, too, I've noticed," he said with a nudge and a wink. "But now that my problem is solved, tell me what's on your mind."

[plantnerd92]

OOC: For Lori and Xavier! BIC:

Linnea Hepworth

Always up with the hustle and bustle of things, Linnea found it nice to take a relaxing walk in the park, getting some exercise while having the chance to unwind. It was a lovely day out, and Linnea rather enjoyed the sunshine after recuperating from the past couple of graveyard shifts she had worked at the Moulin Rouge. That's what happens when you work at night clubs, however. You often get what you work for.

Just as she finished up that particular musing, she suddenly saw a strikingly familiar man in the park with two small children, and she stopped dead in her tracks, a smile suddenly coming to her lips. It was someone she hadn't seen in years!

"Benjamin Peace! Is that you?" She couldn't remember if he went by is first name or his middle name anymore, but she was happily surprised to see him.

[blueeyeddevil]

Xavier Peace

It had just been too nice of a day to stay indoors. When had told Rose he was going to take the kids and go to the park for a while, she had given him a long kiss and cried out her thanks before disappearing into their bedroom, presumably to take a nap. Their two little rascals were running her ragged and she certainly deserved a few moments of quiet.

He was having a wonderful time just playing with Cally and Dimitri. He'd (lightly) toss a ball to them and they would squeal happily, hurrying to try and throw it back to him. Cally, being a good big sister, would often let Dimitri have the ball and try to help him thow it back. He was only one and didn't exactly grasp the game even though he seemed to greatly enjoy chasing after the ball.

Dimitri had the ball the ball now and had come toddling up to him, holding it out to him. Xavier laughed, taking the ball and swinging his son up into his arms. Xavier signed the word 'thank you' to the small boy. Both he and Rose (and Cally too) were all trying to learn sign language and teach it to Dimitri who was born deaf.

"Benjamin Peace! Is that you?" came a slightly familiar voice. He turned, eyes widening when he saw Linnea Hepworth standing there. "Linnea?! My word, look at you! You're all grown up..." he sad with a fond smile. He was shocked to see his cousin here in Paris.

Cally came running up, slipping her tiny hand into Xavier's. "Daddy, who is that lady?" she asked, green eyes taking Linnea in. "This is daddy's cousin...you know, like mommy and uncle Jake." His looked at Linnea now. "This is my son Dimitri and my little girl..."

"Cally!" the little girl piped up. "I'm Cally! I'm four...you're pretty!"

Xavier chuckled softly. "What are you doing here in Paris, Lin," he asked with a smile.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

Linnea could tell Ben received quite the shock when he saw her. To be honest, she was rather surpirsed to see him herself. She hadn't seen him since she was seven years old when his father walked out on the family. Linnea could sympathize with him, considering her own parents split up when she was eleven. But her father lived on the opposite side of London from the Peace family, and when she stayed with her mother, Mum never really kept in touch with Aunt Renee. It was a sad situation, considering the fact that she loved playing with Donnae and Selena.

”Linnea? My word, look at you! You’re all grown up…” Ben said with a smile. Linnea grinned mischievously and nodded.

“Well, I could say the same thing for you, Ben. What are you? Forty?” she teased as an adorable little girl came running up to them and grabbed Ben’s hand.

”Daddy, who is that lady?” she asked. So Ben was a father now. Strange, though not really surprising.

”This is daddy’s cousin… you know, like mommy and uncle Jake,” he explained to the darling child before turning back to her and motioning to the baby in his arms. ”This is my son Dimitri and my little girl…” Ben said, though was suddenly interrupted when his daughter suddenly spoke.

”Cally! I’m Cally! I’m four… you’re pretty!” she said, making Linnea laugh.

“Why thank you, Cally. You’re a pretty little dear yourself,” she said with a smile, laughing again when Cally smiled and bashfully hid behind her father’s leg. Ben chuckled softly, looking back to her.

”What are you doing here in Paris, Lin?” he asked with a smile, and Linnea just shrugged her shoulders with a grin.

“Oh, you know. Escaping parental drama as usual. What about you? I haven’t seen you in years! Now here you are, married with two children! Krike, mate! Where has the time gone?” she laughed, shaking her head emphatically.

“You must give me an update. How is your family? Aunt Renee, Donnae, and Selena? The last time I saw all of you, we were all children!” she exclaimed, genuinely curious about what had happened to him and his family over the years.

[The Exodus]

Lucian Michaud

The weather had taken a turn for the bitterer, if not for the colder. The wind rustled through the Bois de Bolougne, making the trees whisper, as though they were in on Lucian’s little secret. It was like every breeze that made the slowly-changing leaves chatter carried with it the message: Today is the day. But it was high time Lucian stopped toying with the ring in his pocket and he gathered the courage to propose to Ashton.

They didn’t talk of his failed proposals to her and since the day she tried to leave him, they hadn’t talked about her accusation that he was only marrying her for their baby’s sake. They’d both been unintentionally and uncharacteristically cruel that night however many months ago and it was behind them. They had instead moved on to discussing plans for their baby shower and the workings of the vineyard and Ashton’s budding career as a local jazz singer. They talked about Damien’s ludicrous new career path and about Ashton’s adorable four-year old nephew. They still flirted and made love and discussed art and politics and whatever else they happened to be passionate about at the moment. In fact, to an unsuspecting observer, everything between Lucian and Ashton was normal. Nothing had fundamentally changed to prepare them for marriage, or even engagement.

But Lucian had finally gotten the ring cleaned up. It was polished and shiny and some kindly, offbeat Good Samaritan had paid for the polishing. That was really what had changed Lucian’s outlook. He wasn’t a big believer in signs, but there was something reassuring that there were some couples—like the old man and his wife—that took the phrase “til death do we part” seriously. Lucian’s own experience hadn’t given him that comforting notion, and perhaps Ashton’s hadn’t either. But true love was out there. Commitment did happen. And who was to say that Lucian and Ashton couldn’t have a golden anniversary, anyways? It wasn’t probable, but it was possible if Lucian stopped hemming and hawing long enough to ask.

They walked hand in hand through the Bois de Bolougne, making their way to the pond for an afternoon of what Lucian had promised Ashton to be worth her while. He’d left her with the impression that they’d be renting a rowboat and having a picnic. But what he had in mind was a little bit more personal than any of that. He smiled over at her, his lips twitching up nervously, and he brought her hand up to place a soft kiss on the back.

“I can’t believe it’s only been nine months since our first date here,” he said. “If you count the ice skating fiasco as a date… Which I do.”

Retroactively, of course. It hadn’t been intended as a date, but, there was really no other word to describe it. They’d come out to the Bois, held hands, and glided over the frozen pond together until they’d started an awkward shouting match. It sounded like a date when you factored in the unspoken want in the frosty air that day and the way Lucian felt looking back on it.

“I don’t think either of us would have guessed then that we’d be starting a family together,” he continued. “Now I can’t imagine any other outcome.”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

As September drew to an end, and November began to implement itself into every leaf, every gust of wind, and every shop window, Ashton was could feel the days until February 26th tick ticking. But time had slowed for today as she and Lucian walked hand in hand through the Bois du Boulogne. Ashton wouldn't have guessed it this morning when she woke up, but autumn had more changes planned than just the colour of the leaves on trees. This didn't occur to her even as she absently plucked a green and brown spotted one off a nearby tree as she and Lucian meandered through the park. It didn't even occur to her as the whipping wind send just a hint of Lucian's cologne towards her.

Ashton was oblivious.

“I can’t believe it’s only been nine months since our first date here. If you count the ice skating fiasco as a date… Which I do.”

In hindsight, Ashton supposed she had, too. The frosted air that day was heavy with hormones and the threat of a kiss, Ashton remembered that well. The pond had been glossy and frozen, unlike how it was now. She remembered she had watched a young family walk by and she felt a wave of sadness thinking she would never have that. Ashton rested a hand on her pregnant belly habitually. She would have that now, and there was nothing to be sad about.

“I don’t think either of us would have guessed then that we’d be starting a family together. Now I can’t imagine any other outcome.”

Ashton smiled. "Me neither." She could picture taking their son to feed the ducks and telling him that part of their story. Not the entirety, granted, but certainly what the story meant to them, and what it was at face value.

She tried to wrap her mind around it. Nine months ago, she had resigned herself to being in a lonely marriage (to Damien, no less!), childless, and sad for the sake of her art. But now, she found herself in a wholly devoted relationship, starting a family with the man she loved, and living a version of the life she had always dreamed for herself. Life tasted sweet.

[The Exodus]

Lucian Michaud

Lucian half-wished he’d proposed to Ashton on the same breath as his little nostalgia-fest. But she was so blithely unaware , so content in walking and smiling, that Lucian was sure he could have dropped down on one knee, serenaded her with a Shakespearean sonnet, and pulled out a ring to make the Princess of Wales envious, and Ashton would have just continued to walk along, smiling gently. This was going to be harder than Lucian anticipated.

"Me neither," was all Ashton had to say on the awe Lucian felt at their life together. And then she resumed her silence, which made him even more nervous than before. Lucian bit his lip.

“You know,” he said, a certain coy slyness edging into his voice. “We should go down by the pond. You know, make some memories that don’t involve ice skates.”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

“You know,” Lucian started. Ashton knew that voice, that gently suggestive tone that Lucian used when he had a plan of action that involved some sort of pleasurable reward. Ashton smiled.

"We should go down by the pond. You know, make some memories that don't involve ice skates."

Ashton gave way to the pressure of Lucian's guiding hand like a horse followed the directions of its rider's reins. "Certainly! I'd love that!" Ashton said cheerfully as Lucian led her to the pond where ducks lazily drifted about as children tossed bread to them. Ashton smiled their way. She looked forward to when their kid threw bread to the ducks with her. And Ashton's mind was transported back to that day under the opera house as they dropped crumbs to the hungry fish below in that eerie lake.

She looked around. They had their first Valentine's Day here. Lucian had given her a cow and a beautiful necklace. She still had them, of course. She wore that necklace now, and on Sundays when Lucian was away at the vineyards, Ashton would cling tightly to that stuffed cow to cope with sleeping without him.

Ashton eased herself onto a bench carefully. Though once agile and energetic, Ashton had slowed just a bit now that she was in her fifth month of pregnancy and needed a break.

She held his hands and rested her head on his stomach, taking in the wonderful scent of him and of his cologne. She breathed in deeply and let out a breathy and sincere "I love you."

[The Exodus]

Lucian Michaud

Ashton enthusiastically agreed to go down to the pond. For a moment, Lucian wondered if she knew what was on his mind, or if she had misinterpreted and expected him to canoodle with her behind the green veil of a weeping willow’s branches. If that was the case, Lucian was certain that he’d never get a word in edgewise to propose. But once they reached the pond, Ashton opted for a bench and she sat down, resting as though the walk had taken quite a bit out of her. Lucian wasn’t used to this new Ashton yet. The Ashton he knew would have rushed to the water’s edge and sat down on a hollowed log, dangling her toes in the water. That Ashton would be back by this time next year, no doubt, once their son was born. Either way, though, Lucian couldn’t help but be a little captivated. Whether she was some ethereal sprite, tugging at him and teasing him to give into reckless impulse or she was the mother of his unborn child, Ashton was always Lucian’s love. He looked at her now, breath-taken, much in the same manner he had been when she appeared in his doorway months ago in a gauzy nightgown. It was like he was seeing her clearly for the first time. And Lucian loved what he saw. Ashton slid her hands into Lucian’s own, giving his fingers a little tingle. She leaned forward, resting her head against his abdomen contentedly.

"I love you," she breathed. If Lucian hadn’t been so raptly fascinated by her, he would have missed it. He smiled and squeezed her hands.

“I love you, too,” he told her. “Which is why I wanted to bring you here today.”

His voice was resolute, unwavering and he was surprised at its strength. Lucian was a man who faked convictions during his professional career. He had become an expert at discerning his core beliefs from those he pretended to hold to gain popular favor. He hadn’t heard his voice go like this—soft and sturdy—since he told Damien that he would love and accept him, regardless of his sexuality. And even then, that had been a new tone, one Lucian was a little unnerved by, if just for its unshakable honesty. He swallowed hard and smiled.

“When I met you,” Lucian continued. “I had no idea what I was getting into. I was aware of you—acutely aware of you—and it took ages to pinpoint why. I think the first time I realized that I loved you, was when I realized losing you was a very real possibility. I don’t know if you remember, but we were standing in a bridal boutique and… It just hit me. I didn’t just want you; I needed you. And, I’ve honestly never felt that way about someone before. I’ve never loved someone that way before.”

Lucian paused and he let one of Ashton’s hands slide from his grasp as he reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out the little, black velvet box. Dropping to his knees, he propped it open to reveal theengagement ring he’d been carting around for two months.

“Ashton Rae Greene,” he said, looking up at her and realizing how hot and sticky his eyes felt. “Will you marry me?”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

Lucian squeezed her hands and she felt a warm, contrasted from the bitter, whipping wind, shoot up her arm and hit her square in the chest. The feeling never got old and Ashton found it new and exciting each time.

"I love you, too." And those words, so pure and genuine never seemed to lose their shine. Each time Lucian said it, it felt like the first time, it elicited that same rapid heartbeat, that feeling of trust and safety; it sparked a lust, a hunger, not only for Lucian's physical being, but for his soul.

"Which is why I wanted to bring you here today." Ashton's interest was piqued. Were there presents? A guitar serenade? Lucian always kept her guessing, and Ashton always (with the exception of the teal jaguar) loved the outcome.

“When I met you, I had no idea what I was getting into." That was definitely true. When they met, Ashton expected Lucian to be nothing more than Damien's father. But he became her ally, her best friend, and eventually, her lifetime lover. Ashton was a loud and abrasive free spirit; Lucian could never of expected that. And Ashton never expected Lucian; kind, compassionate, protective Lucian, who put all other men to shame with his chivalry and wit.

I was aware of you—acutely aware of you—and it took ages to pinpoint why. I think the first time I realized that I loved you, was when I realized losing you was a very real possibility. I don’t know if you remember, but we were standing in a bridal boutique and…"

Oh Ashton remembered. She remembered the foreign and startling chills that ran through her core as he laced up her dress, his fingers brushing her skin ever so lightly. She remembered the way her heart leapt and her panic when she realised how right it felt.

"It just hit me. I didn’t just want you; I needed you. And, I’ve honestly never felt that way about someone before. I’ve never loved someone that way before.”

Ashton wished he'd said this earlier. All those months ago when she accused him of loving her solely for the baby's sake was, in hindsight, reckless, panicked thought. It was the farthest thing from the truth. And Ashton felt her lip tremble and her eyes sting as a smile fought its way to her face.

Lucian released one of her hands and knelt down, procuring a small black box from his pocket. Ashton's face lit up as the beautiful ring glittered up at her, sparkling just as brightly as her smile.

“Ashton Rae Greene. Will you marry me?”

Ashton thought she'd be terrified. Ashton thought she'd want to scream and tell him to put the ring away and to get up off his knees. Ashton thought she'd tell him to think rationally, to not speak of this again.

But that didn't happen. Ashton was no longer scared. All Ashton could think of now was them growing old together (Lucian a little sooner than her), their current and future family and being introduced proudly by Lucian as 'my wife'. After two rejections out of fear and disbelief, Ashton finally nodded, her eyes wet and spilling over with tears onto a flushed face. "Yes. Of course I'll marry you!"

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

It was surprisingly warm for winter in Paris, but even still, Ashton put a hat on Gregory’s head, her grandmother’s little sing-songy voice coming to mind. ‘A hat on the head keeps a child out of bed.’ Ashton had laughed then as her eighty year old grandmother held an infant Calvin. But Ashton understood now. A hat may have looked ridiculously out of place for the current weather forecast, but it was a preventative measure. It was a lovely day in all, though, and Ashton took Gregory out in the buggy to the park so he could hear the birds and feel the sun. It was the little things like that that would leave a subconscious impression on him.

She took him out of the buggy, smiling at him, his blue eyes, Lucian’s eyes, wide in wonder at the park around him. Ashton laughed as he cooed, scooping him close, singing wordless notes to him, dancing around the bench. It was moments like these she was going to remember forever, that she would tell Gregory about later when he was older. But for now, she would experience it with him, dancing around joyously, because there was nothing to be upset about.

Really, it was amazing that just a week ago, he worked his way into the world, and just before that, he was a faceless, surreal body inside her own. She rocked him to and fro, reveling in this thought, singing.

Actually, today was better than just ‘lovely’.

[blueeyeddevil]

Reese Cordova

Reese was walking through the park with some of her ballerina friends, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and unseasonably warm weather. It was amazing how you tended to not take little things like nice weather for granted when you had spent two month cooped up in a rehab clinc. And thankfully there had been a few friends (like those walking with her now and a few others) who had stuck by her and gotten her through. She didn't think she would be here now enjoying the day if hadn't been for them.

They were all laughing and talking as they walked along the path, arm in arm. Suddenly Reese caught sight of a familiar head of golden hair and paused. She looked closer and sure enough there was Ashton Greene! Reese smiled happily and quickly told her other friends that she would catch up to them later. They nodded and waved to her as they continued on their way, telling her to meet them for dinner later.

Reese bounded over to where Ashton was, beaming as she suddenly saw the tiny little bundle in her arms. Ashton had the baby!! "Ashton!! It's been forever!!How have you been," she asked happily, hugging the other girl carefully. "Do I even really need to ask?! Look at him! He's absolutely perfect!!" Reese couldn't help the completely adoring look that everyone got when gazing at a baby. "When did you have him?!! What did you guys name him?!! Was Lucian just thrilled?!" She paused. "Sorry...one question at a time!"