Sugarplum Bakery

[The Exodus]

When you first hear the name "Sugarplum Bakery", it's a wave of Americana that either makes you nostalgic or queasy. This is Paris, surely a slice of the US of A is the last thing anyone wants, right? Well, the expatriate American owners and the French patrons of The Sugarplum Bakery would beg to differ. The tables are filled with locals and tourists alike, who enjoy the sweet aromas from the kitchen and the free wifi the Sugarplum Bakery has to offer. Besides, who can resist a well-decorated cupcake?

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

There was something enchanting about this little bakery that Ashton had never noticed before. Maybe it was the way the cupcakes were decorated today with little gumdrop people. Perhaps it was the way the triple chocolate truffle cookies looked as if they would melt in your mouth and dissolve in seconds.

Or maybe it was the fact that Ashton would be coming back here with Lucian to try out the cake they would feed each other at their wedding. It was reconnaissance mission, scoping out the small American bakery, surveying it's integrity and credibility before they made such an important decision. Plus, there were little goodies Ashton good snack on and possibly take home to Lucian if she liked it.

Ashton nestled herself down into a cafe-style table and nibbled away at her tray of miniature cupcakes, admiring the way the sun bounced off the diamonds in her engagement ring. She hummed softly to herself a happy tune of nonsense as two things happened at once.

Her baby gave her a good kick in the gut and a little hand reached up and snagged a cupcake. Ashton gasped at the violent, internal movement and glanced around for the source of the giggle. She bent down to see a little girl beneath her table licking green and pink frosting off the chocolate baby cake.

"Oh hello!" Ashton said. "Mind if I join you? It sure looks cozy down there!" And Ashton, with a bit of difficulty scrunched herself up to fit beneath the small table beside the small brunette girl. "I'm Ashton. Who are you?"

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

Edie was hungry. Valter's mind went everywhere trying to think of what a five year old girl would want. They didn't like steaks or giant juicy burgers or sushi or any of those things. They liked sweets and pastries, chicken fingers and french fries. Where would you find chicken fingers in the middle of Paris? It was too hard to figure out, pastries and sweets it was! And what better place than the Sugarplum Bakery? Something so overtly American that surely his little girl would be at home.

Valter and Edie walked into the bakery, the little girl looking around curiously. It was a quiet day in the shop and Valter was lost in thought as he made his way to the counter, letting go of Edie's hand and figuring that she couldn't possibly get into trouble in a nearly empty bakery. What could go wrong? He walked to the counter, his sweet tooth taking hold as he looked over all the delicious options. Americans knew how to eat sweets, that was for sure. He decided what he wanted and turned to ask Edie what she would want but, she was nowhere to be found...at least in immediate line of sight. Upon closer inspection he saw his little girl, underneath a table, cupcake that he had not purchased in hand and who else was under the table with her but the beautiful and ever more pregnant Ashton Michaud. He'd never actually met Ashton but really, what other very beautiful, pregnant, young blonde would it be?

"Edie!," Valter cried, "Get out from under the table, and don't go stealing other peoples' treats. I'm happy to buy you your own."

Valter crouched down, meeting her at eye level and extending his hand for her to take it.

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

Ashton reached up to retrieve her tray of sweets. "If you wanted one, sweetie, you could have just asked. I'm happy to share." Ashton plucked up a small cupcake and licked the frosting off. "What's your name, love? Where are you parents?"

But both of Ashtons questions were answered when she heard an urgent masculine voice yell "Edie!"

Ashton looked up curiously for the source. Valter Gottfrid, Lucian's friend, was the speaker as he bent low to place his face beside hers. "Get out from under the table, and don't go stealing other peoples' treats. I'm happy yo buy you your own."

It didn't take long to put two and two together. "Valter? Valter Gottfrid, right? Lucian never told me you had kids!"

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

"Valter? Valter Gottfrid, right? Lucian never told me you had kids!"

Yup, this was definitely Ashton. He'd neglected to see how wonderful she was being to Edie and offering her sweets. Granted, his daughter now looked like an orphan scrounging for food off of other people's plates. She was no street child, no, she was just being cared for by her clueless father. And yes, Valter really was clueless. He had never had children, he'd never been close friends with anyone that had children, he hadn't exactly planned on having a child. Of course, it was fortunate, for both Valter and Edie, that Edie wasn't an infant. If that had been the case they would both be screwed. No, she was a five year old girl and was relatively self sufficient. She could walk, talk, ask for things that she needed, entertain herself if need be. It wasn't half as hard to be the dad of a five year old as to be the dad of an infant or a teenager.

Valter took Edie's hand as he sat on the floor, pulling the girl onto his lap. It hadn't yet occurred to him how odd it might look that two grown adults and a small child were sitting on the floor of an establishment that had plenty of chairs.

"Ashton, right?" he asked as he extended a hand to Ashton, his other arm wrapped around Edie. "I don't think Lucian knows about Edie, mostly because up until a day or so ago I didn't know about her either."

Valter looked down at Edie, noticing some frosting on her face and rubbing it off gently with his thumb. This little girl was quite a mess in terms of personality. Just the right mix of girly girl and tomboy so far, he could handle this. Edie kept eating the rest of the cupcake that was still in her hand, clearly pleased with it. "Is that a good cupcake?" Valter asked her, Edie nodding in return with a mouthful of food. Well, now Lucian would know about Edie, which meant Damien would know about her, which meant the information would be everywhere in no time. "Playboy turned SuperDad," the headlines would read. It wasn't that he didn't want to have a daughter, he hadn't expected it but it wasn't a negative thing. It was more that he had gotten to really enjoying his drunken sex filled way of life and now that would have to take a staggering detour. There was a whole new set of expectations to learn. He would get over it though, it wasn't like he really had a choice.

Valter looked over at Ashton, he'd known she was pregnant but not just how pregnant. Might as well ask, better to distract from his having a child he didn't know about for five years. "How far along are you?"

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

"Ashton, right?"

Ashton smiled and nodded. "It's-" Ashton started, but Valter continued, so her polite comment on how nice it was to finally meet her fiancé's friend was never uttered (which was unfortunate. It really was nice. Plus, Ashton loved saying that Lucian was her fiancé and looked for every opportunity to do so.).

"I don't think Lucian knows about Edie, mostly because up until a day or so ago I didn't know about her either."

Ashton felt her mouth fall agape and her eyes widen as they flitted between Valter and Edie. And she realised weight of her own former situation. If she had really followed through on leaving Lucian all those months ago, if she had really let him take sole custody of their baby while she married Damien, this could have easily been Lucian sitting on the floor with his illegitimate kid and an almost stranger. She counted her blessings: she and Lucian stayed together through that patch of confusion, there child would be born into a loving household with two biological parents, they could start their life and family together freely... the list went on.

But along with the wave of relief came a wave of disgust with Valter. That he didn't take responsibility for his actions, that he let the woman leave. But Ashton surmised that there must have been a reason for the mother to leave. Ashton couldn't remember a time when she didn't trust Lucian enough to keep her pregnancy from him-- because she was never given a reason to.

And then she felt a disgust for Edie's mum. If there was a reason for her to leave him, why bring her back? What kind of a parent would put their child into a painful game of hot potato with an ex in which the child was the potato?

She closed her mouth politely and watched Valter's pleasant interaction with his daughter. Ashton hoped he was good with her, or else that poor girl would live a sad existence. She pitied the young girl. It wasn't her fault.

"Is that a good cupcake?" And Edie nodded in her father's lap, lapping up the colourful pastry. Ashton smiled. She really was adorable.

"How far along are you?" Valter asked, pulling Ashton out of her thoughts.

"Oh, um, about five months. Give or take. I go in three weeks for an actual "set number", if you will."

Ashton looked down at the young girl who was smiling up at her. Ashton waved back. "Hello, Edie. Would you like another cake?" She looked back up at Valter as Edie reached for a pink cupcake on the tray. "Don't worry about it," she assured him. "Lord knows I wasn't going to eat all of them. He," Ashton motioned to the bump on her abdomen, "will be up all night if I have any more sugar any ways. And Lucian wouldn't-- or rather, shouldn't-- eat them. She can help herself."

With half instinct, half conscious decision, Ashton reached out and played with Edie's hair. She always wanted a daughter. Not that she was disappointed that she was having a boy-- she was indescribably thrilled-- but knowing that Lucian, too, had wanted a daughter at some point, Ashton could use this as a valid point in her argument for more kids should Lucian protest.

"You have such lovely hair," Ashton said to her, pulling it into gentle plaits down her back. Ashton could remember being her age when her mother would tie her wet hair up before bed. She remembered it being the most relaxing feeling of her youth, and she pitied the girl for not having that on a regular basis now on in without her mum. Ashton missed that feeling; and though she loved it when Lucian ran his hands through her blonde locks, he could hardly braid or style it.

"You can help yourself if you want," Ashton said, nodding at the remaining cupcakes. "On me. As a gift."

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

Valter could seek the shocked look on Ashton's face the shame slowly creeping onto his, sweet Edie oblivious to it all. It wasn't as though Valter didn't want to be a part of Edie's life. Had he known he would have been there every moment...at least he thought he would be. Learning that you have a child is one of those really sobering moments. Maybe that's why they say that men don't become fathers until they see their children. Men just needed the visual verification. It didn't matter now though, he was going to be a father to his little girl and there would be no exceptions to that. Valter had lost five years of Edie's life and he was sure as hell going to make up for it.

"Oh, um, about five months. Give or take. I go in three weeks for an actual "set number", if you will."

"Wow, congratulations...," Valter half whispered, awed and still stuck in his own shame.

Five months? Valter couldn't help but wonder how far along she had been when he'd met Lucian. Not because it really mattered so much as Valter had recently found himself in some sort of Land of the Lotus Eaters time warp and had finally broken free. Five months was more than halfway, Lucian must be getting more and more excited by the day. He was definitely a family man. Maybe Valter would make Lucian Edie's godfather or something. Was it too late to do that? Valter didn't know, he wasn't up on the common religious practices of the day.

"Hello, Edie. Would you like another cake?"

Valter's face quickly changed to one of apology and appreciation, trying to interrupt before Edie had eaten all of Ashton's sweets. "No, you don'-" Too late. Edie already had another one.

"Don't worry about it," she assured him. "Lord knows I wasn't going to eat all of them. He," Ashton motioned to the bump on her abdomen, "will be up all night if I have any more sugar any ways. And Lucian wouldn't-- or rather, shouldn't-- eat them. She can help herself."

Valter watched carefully as Ashton played with Edie's hair, trying to remember every finger movement and placing as the little girl marveled in this new found heaven. She had food, comfort, attention, what more was there to a young girl?

"You have such lovely hair," Ashton said to her, pulling it into gentle plaits down her back.

Edie did have beautiful hair, beautiful hair and Valter's lanky build, a sweet face and eyes that told you she knew more than she cared to let on. Edith was a smart girl, smart as a whip and just as quick. Valter was lucky. She was definitely more him than her mother and that was fortunate for all involved. Cheryl wasn't the kind of woman that should have a child. She was selfish and hateful and full of herself. Edie couldn't possibly thrive in an environment like that but, here with Valter, here in this loving place she would surely excel and exceed all expectations given to her. This girl would be something great and Valter would gladly help her on the way.

"You can help yourself if you want," Ashton said, nodding at the remaining cupcakes. "On me. As a gift."

Valter shook his head, "As much as Lucian shouldn't be having them, I shouldn't be either. I'll let Edie have some of them though, she seems to have quite the sweet tooth." Valter looked back his little girl, admiring her some more. Life was so simple as a child, so beautiful and full of wonder. When did humans begin to lose that appreciation for everything? When did we stop yearning for the simplest things in life. He ran his fingertips over Edie's back in slow circles as she continued to enjoy herself.

He turned to Ashton, "You're going to be a wonderful mother you know, you're great with kids."

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

"As much as Lucian shouldn't be having them, I shouldn't either." Ashton laughed andoffed Valter a skeptical look. He had a great body, well toned and kept. It wasn't that Ashton didn't appreciate Lucian's body. In fact, she relished in every imperfection of it, was awed by every inch. Lucian was hardly a body builder like Valter which contributed to Ashton's irrational health concerns for him. Valter needn't worry about such things. 90 percent of his body was muscle. A few cupckaes wouldn't impact him.

"I'll let Edie have some of them, though. She seems to have quite a sweet tooth."

Ashton was certain that couldn't be healthy. But she had room to judge. For one, this wasn't her kid, for two, her own mother liked to indulge Ashton's hankering for chocolate, she would have been a hypocrite other wise.

"You're going to be a wonderful mother, you know. You're great with kids."

Ashton smiled. She surely hoped so. She had some sort of experience from babysitting her nephew. She wathed her sister, thought about how her mother dealt with her. Ashton, was at an advantage. She was in tune with her maternal instincts now, and her natural love for children helped with that. Years ago, in her rough patch of relationships, she had resigned herself to a childless life, perfectly contented. And though she loved her nephew, she pitied her sister for being tied down. But then she met Lucian and the life she envisioned for herself was forever morphed. She wanted kids. She wanted as many kids as her figure could withstand. She wanted her and Lucian's love to form. Something beautiful.

"I surely hope so. I'm excited, but after seeing how Damien turned out, I have some big shoes to fill."

She looked down at Edie, whose hair was now twisted into a complicated and intricate rope. ""Do you like it?" She asked her.

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

Valter couldn't help but be jealous of Ashton's parenting skills. She knew how to do simple affectionate, girly things with Edie that Valter didn't have a clue about. It was unfortunate then, that Ashton wasn't having a girl, she seemed to know all the things a little girl needed or wanted, things Valter was utterly clueless about. It was good though, that Valter would have Ashton around via Lucian to help with Edie, to teach by example and to give answers should Valter have any questions about young impressionable little girls.

"I surely hope so. I'm excited, but after seeing how Damien turned out, I have some big shoes to fill."

Damien had turned out quite well from what Valter knew, he vaguely remembered Lucian saying something about Damien being involved with art and the proud look on Lucian's face when speaking of Damien told volumes. Ashton would definitely have big shoes to fill, but it wasn't as though she wasn't going to fill them, in fact she might make an even bigger imprint.

"You'll do so much more than fine, I'm sure of it," Valter spoke, a tinge of jealousy for her ability on the tip on his tongue.

She looked down at Edie, whose hair was now twisted into a complicated and intricate rope. ""Do you like it?" She asked her.

Valter looked at Edie's freshly plaited hair. It was beautiful, something that Valter didn't know how to do and something that Edie probably wouldn't have done again anytime soon. He was really starting to feel like he might be a failure as a father to this little girl, or else she'd just turn out to be "one of the guys" and never find a husband and then she'd feel like she was a failure, become a librarian, never see the light of day, adopt stray cats and live in her one room apartment with not but her cats for family for the rest of her life. Okay, so that might be a bit of a grim outlook but that's the way it was seeming.

He watched as Edie smiled up at Ashton, "Yes, thank you!" She said, still seeming like the happiest child in the world.

What was Valter going to do? He couldn't possibly give her everything she needed or wanted or should have. He turned back to Ashton with a look of guilt and vulnerability on his face, pleading he said, "Ashton, do---do you think, that--you know, maybe, you-might-be-able-to-help-me-with-Edie?" He quickly backtracked, feeling ashamed for having to ask for help, "I mean, I'm not asking you to be her mom or anything, or to go out of your way, but, you know, if I have questions, could I ask you them?" Valter sighed deeply as Edie played with a penny she'd found on the ground. "I don't know the slightest thing about little girls...."

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

Edie looked truly grateful when she thanked her and Ashton nodded with a wide smile. She was a sweet girl, polite. So her mother must have done something right by her.

"Ashton, do---do you think, that--you know, maybe, you-might-be-able-to-help-me-with-Edie? I mean, I'm not asking you to be her mom or anything, or to go out of your way, but, you know, if I have questions, could I ask you them? I don't know the slightest thing about little girls...."

Ashton's jaw went slack again for a moment, taken aback by the request. She looked to Edie and then back to Valter. How would he plait hair; pick out nice, feminine clothes? Those were the concerns for now, which were small. But what about when it came time for Edie to wear a bra? Who would explain to her how menstruation worked and why it was a beautiful thing? To whom would she turn when boys were discovered? Certainly not Valter; strong, masculine, play-boy Valter. Edie would need a strong female in her life, especially if this was a permanent arrangement, and surely, Valter's one night roll in the hays didn't really count because they wouldn't develop a trust with Edie, would be gone before she ask questions.

Ashton nodded. "Of course. If you ever need anything, you give me a call. Having a mother, or at least a constant female presence is incredibly important to a girl." Ashton knew that first hand. She lost her mother when she was sixteen and her sister was off at university. And that was the lowest point of her life. She had felt lost, confused, and resentful of her clueless father. She would never wish that for anyone, especially for them to go through that their whole life.

"I mean, she's the sweetest thing here." Ashton said with a laugh. That was saying quite a bit since they were, after all, in a bakery. Ashton began stroking at Edie's dark brown locks and back.

"As far as food goes, you might want to call Lucian, though. I don't know the first thing about feeding kids past foetus and infant stage."

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

"Of course. If you ever need anything, you give me a call. Having a mother, or at least a constant female presence is incredibly important to a girl."

Valter hadn't really thought about it that way, but it was true. How would Edie handle having no mother? Would she be willing to come to her father to talk about boys or ---girl things? It was possible, if they were really close that she would mention something but it wasn't as thought Valter would even know what to do. It dawned on him then, how fortunate he was to be friends with Lucian and Ashton. They were so good to him and he was sure they would never let him lead this little girl astray.

"I mean, she's the sweetest thing here."

It was true! Valter looked down at Edie, extending his not bandaged hand, "High five, kiddo!" Edie turned, high fiving him gently, her little hand dwarfed by his large one. She was adorable and Valter was very glad that she was his, despite any worries and regrets he was glad. He wrapped his arms around her tight, squeezing her gently, "Edie Mae, I'm gonna squeeze you till you pop!" The little girl giggle and squirmed in his arms, a playful "Noooo!" Fighting it's way out of her giggling lips.

"As far as food goes, you might want to call Lucian, though. I don't know the first thing about feeding kids past fetus and infant stage."

Valter looked back up at Ashton, his arms still wrapped Edie, who had settled down now that he had stopped squeezing her. "How do you think he's going to take it?" He wasn't quite sure what Lucian would do, but he was sure that no matter what it would be a good response. Valter wasn't sure that Lucian knew how to disagree openly with something, at least not in a way that upset the person he was disagreeing with.

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Ashton Greene

Ashton watched again as Valter interacted with Edie. It was better late than never that he was taking responsibility for the little person he'd created. And he was doing better than she would of thought he would-- he was good with her.

"How do you think he's going to take it?"

"Who? Lucian?" Ashton asked with a small giggle. She was still giddy every time she said his name. She hoped that never went away. She took a small pause of thought. How had Lucian handled every other big blow of news in life? When Ashton told him they were pregnant, he was excited but, given the circumstances, kept a level and head and they calmly talked it out. When Damien came out to him, he accepted it as if Damien had told him he was wearing socks-- no big deal, I figured. News like this shouldn't be a heart stopper.

"He'll take it well, I'm sure. He has a knack for remaining calm, and in turn, keeping everyone else calm in the process. He'll be happy for you, I'm sure." Ashton said sweetly. Lucian always wanted a daughter, and having no siblings, had no nieces (even with their marriage, he'd be getting a nephew), so Valter's and Edie's presences in their life would be a blessing, a way for them to have that young girl role filled in their life. Until they had a daughter, that was.

Because no matter what Lucian says, we are having more kids...

[Deleted]

Valter Gottfrid

"Who? Lucian? He'll take it well, I'm sure. He has a knack for remaining calm, and in turn, keeping everyone else calm in the process. He'll be happy for you, I'm sure."

It was true. Valter was sure that that had been why Lucian was successful in politics, he was able to keep a level head and have everyone under control in pretty much any situation. At least, this was what Valter theorized, Lucian didn't talk much about his political career and Valter had no real interest in pressing. It wasn't all that important and probably would never come into play in Lucian's life anymore and would likely never come into play with Valter's life.

Valter looked down at his beautiful girl, noticing that she was looking a tad bored, on the edge of cranky and those two things together meant she was probably ready for a nap. Valter shook his head as he realized this, not really sure how he would know but assuming that it was an instinctual knowledge thing.

He looked to Ashton with a nod towards Edie, "I think it is time we go, she's looking sleepy and probably could use a nap."At that Edie perked up, "No naps!" she cried. Valter smiled at her, picking her up in his arms and beginning to stand before she could begin to refuse. "Yes naps, silly girl. Then maybe we can play a fun game, yes?" Edie seemed much more pleased with the promise of more fun to come and that sealed the plan for the day. Valter turned to Ashton again, extending his hand to help her up from the ground, "Here let me help you up. I'll have to bring Edie by sometime so that Lucian can meet her. Also, let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I am more than happy to help a friend's pregnant--" Valter paused, cocking his head as he noticed the ring on Ashton's ring finger, "--Ah, fiance," he finished, not entirely surprised. Lucian hadn't told him about this fine new development? Oh well, they were both busy men and they would have to catch up soon.

Valter smiled, calling back to Ashton as he started to walk towards the door with Edie still tucked in his arms, "Have a great day, Ashton!"

[Deleted]

Simone Perry

OOC: Raaaaaaaamblings sorry, Deanna... My brain wanted to word vomit tonight, apparently...BIC

Free days were a love/hate thing for the redheaded Brit. For one thing, she didn't have to work, and it gave her an awful lot of free time to explore or do whatever she so pleased. The downside to having a lot of spare time meant that she tended to dwell on bad memories. She tried to stay as busy as possible on those days.

...It was one of those days. After a few long hours of unsuccessful attempts at distraction, she gave up. There was no way she could stay cooped up. She rooted up a winter coat and pulled it on over her jeans and teeshirt/buttonup layering, threw a pair of scuffed up chucks on, then gratefully abandoned her abode for the day. The air was chilly, and nipped at her cheeks, leaving them a glowing pink after only a few minutes.

She drew her coat closer around her, flipping the collar up out of habit to protect her throat. Her shoes made very little sound as she walked, going in no particular direction. It was on these sorts of outings that she let her feet lead her, this way and that, getting lost on occasion. Today, her feet must have been listening to her stomach, because her stomach was plaintively crying, and would not be hushed.

Food was on the agenda, apparently, and as she turned a corner, she saw a little bakery that she had passed on numerous occasions, but never been to. It looked like as good a place as any, and the name was rather quaint, if only that. With a shrug, she decided to give it a go, and pulled open the door. The overwhelming smell of coffee and baked goods hit her like a wall, and she blinked as her senses adjusted to the various spices and warmth.

"Table for one, Mademoiselle?" asked a thickly accented voice from in front of her. For a split second, she didn't know how to reply; hearing English was not what she expected in the little bistros in France. "Oh...umm," Typical tourist reaction. It had been too long... "Yes, thanks." The waiter showed her to a table by one of the windows and handed her a menu, from which she promptly ordered an Americano and a white chocolate and raspberry scone.

Simone slipped out of her coat and glanced around the little shop as she waited for her order, silently observing its patrons. It was a cozy little establishment, filled with just a smattering of people, as it was an odd time to be out. There was an elderly French couple at the counter, speaking animatedly to each other over a breakfast roll. The Brit smiled a little, looking to the next occupied table, which contained a small American family. She promptly moved her gaze onward, to a dark haired young man, who she studied discreetly for a little white. His face was obscured by the angle at which he was sitting, but something about him seemed vaguely familiar...

A moment later, her staring was interrupted by the arrival of her steaming drink, fresh scone and the inquiry if she would require anything else. "Non, ce sera tout pour aujourd'hui, merci." she replied in the negative, as she waved the now astonished waiter away with a smile and concentrated on flavoring her coffee.

[The Exodus]

Alexander Sokoll

Sometimes, Alexander thought he was a bad man and a bad father.

He’d hired a babysitter this morning to watch Jules and Serena because he had a throbbing headache and a freakishly familiar itch to have a moment alone. He couldn’t recall wanting to be away from the twins since the day Esperanza put them in his arms, but he supposed things changed just a little bit once your wife died and you were left not only to grieve, but to corral the kids into a new apartment and to singlehandedly ensure that the world was still turning. But even then, Alexander couldn’t recall wanting to shout at his children, tell them “Shut up! Daddy has a headache!”, or thinking for a minute that maybe he wasn’t cut out for this whole thing. Until today.

Something snapped in him when Jules threw up sticky, half-digested packing peanuts on an already grumpy Serena. The babysitter arrived twenty minute later just as Alexander finished bathing Serena. She cooed over the children, as if they weren’t The Terrible Two, and bid Alexander adieu, sympathetically eyeing his beard and sleepless eyes.

He’d been out on his own for half an hour and he didn’t know what to do. The bakery was just a place for quiet reading, he supposed, since he hadn’t had that opportunity in what felt like years. But the words in his book weren’t sticking in his head. Something about a cop. Or maybe it was a guy on the run from the cops. He couldn’t remember. His headache was ebbing away as he sucked down his second cup of coffee. That was something.

Still, the less in pain he was, the worse Alexander felt. He’d never snapped. Why now? He hadn’t even snapped at Esperanza’s funeral or on the way back to Paris or while the Passepartouts gave snooty advice about parenting. Displacement, maybe. But at his kids? Had he really said “shut up”? God, what kind of dad did that?

A single dad running on three hours of sleep while job hunting, apparently.

He put the book down and cupped his head in his hands. Jeez, was that all he was now? A jobless, single father of two? He used to be Danseur Noble. He used to be married. He used to be friends with about a zillion people. He didn’t want to be Mr. Sob-Story, but where were half those people now? It was just Ray and Jen. No Julietta, no Maureen, no Pieter.

No Esperanza.

No hope.

He sighed and looked up. Sleep deprivation would do his head in.

He busied himself instead with people watching. He used to love doing that. The old, French couple at the counter inspired tender jealousy in Alexander; the American family did, too. There was only one other person in the bakery and she, like Alexander, sat alone. He studied her a moment as she poured flavors into her coffee and stirred it. Something in his chest gave a floppy, half-hearted jump as he realized who he was staring at.

Simone.

He wondered if Ray knew she was here. Probably. Rafael’s little sister flitted in and out of Paris as much—maybe more—than Alexander himself did, and like Alexander, the thing to tether her to the city was Ray. It was good to see a familiar face in the city, which now felt so foreign to him. A smile, however tired, wiggled onto Alexander’s face and he gathered his things, rose, and crossed to her.

“Excuse me, miss,” he said. “Is this seat taken?”