Amelie Beaulieu had managed to motivate her children to work cooperatively and clean the whole house on Saturday morning. Cath even spent a good amount of time finding all the residual mud from the mess Taffy had made the day before. But a party was a good motivator for everyone and they all adored Greyson Page. He was 50 years old today. 50 years of Grey. The jokes had begun mid week with much cringing from anyone old enough to get them. The party was meant to be a surprise but a few slip ups over the week had made Grey corner Amelie and Felix and confront them and Amelie had cracked. She should have let Felix do the talking. His poker face was better. So now it was just a party and he was very touched nonetheless.
The birthday party planning had also given the older Page girls a good chance to get to know Lisette a bit better as they worked together with Amelie and Felix. After the house was clean Sasha and Paige began to drop off drinks, both alcoholic and non for all ages, groceries for the party food were delivered as was a lovely cake from Earthcakes. And as the afternoon sun burned brightly many hands worked in the kitchen to prepare finger foods. Since the surprise was no longer a factor it was a come and go party anytime after 4pm. By 3:30 they had little bruschettas, pitta and hummus, veggies and dip, a fruit platter, artichoke dip, salsa and chips and guacamole, mini quiches, sweet and sour meatballs and a lovely charcuterie of cheese and crackers and deli meats and pickles. There was a pitcher of iced tea and one of lemonade as well as wine, canned soda and bottled water.
Amelie was not being a kitchen hog at all any more and had both her daughters and her son prepping food today. Since Rene was so good at salads she had taught him her bruschetta but had Gen toast the little baguette slices for him. Cath had made the fruit platter and Gen had artfully done the entire charcuterie. Felix had made quiche, endless tiny tasty quiches. Now they were wiping down counters and cleaning up from their work “You are all amazing.” She said to her family and smiled. She was wearing her brown flowered sundress that Lisette had given her with a little peach t-shirt under it. Her hair had been up for cooking but then she had let it down and brushed it out.
Cath looked proudly at the fruit platter “Merci Maman,” She was so happy to be given such a big job. Today she wore a green and white striped dress. It was short but no one was saying mean things about that since they moved. She had stood in the bathroom looking at the ladies razors in the cupboard and strongly considered shaving her legs. She’d never shaved before and she was quite blonde. You could barely see the hairs but lots of girls at school shaved now and her mother shaved. She was pretty sure Gen did too. It was an ongoing dilemma for Cath, these womanly quandaries. She hadn’t done it today but every so often she’d run a hand over her legs and feel the hint of basically invisible downy hair and wonder. Her hair on her head was pulled back by a soft green headband.
Felix had been, in many ways, relieved when Amelie broke under Grey's questioning. It made planning the party much easier. He'd helped in the cleaning, but stayed out of the kitchen after making his quiches. This was Amelie's time to not only shine, but teach the kids to shine as well. Once his part was done, he went upstairs and changed into beige chino pants and a blue polo. Now he settled into arranging the tables with the food that would be laden on them.
Rene had happily made the bruschetta, then spent ten minutes between Google and grilling his mother and Gen about eggs in baguettes. Once he was satisfied there was none, he set the bowl on one end of the table and then casually shifted foods with eggs and foods without eggs to separate places to avoid contamination without letting his family know he was doing it. He was in a nice pair of cargo shorts and a clean and simple t-shirt. He took a break in the organization to lean over and tell Taffy what was happening and how he had to be a good puppy. The dog seemed entirely too excited to listen and Rene expected that he had just wasted his breath.
Gen was so happy to be helping her mother in the kitchen. Everything was perfect, except for Rene who got on her about eggs in baguettes for some insane reason. She stopped every time she could to pull out her phone and input what happened into a note for Dante. She promised to document as much of it as she could since he couldn’t be there. The descriptions of the foods might drive him absolutely insane, if his description of the prison food was any indication. She also explained that she was wearing a long broomstick skirt with a lightweight sweater that showed off a nice amount of her tattoo without being slutty. WHen she looked at her sister, she noticed that her skirt was short while Gen’s top was a bit revealing. Not that it mattered. They looked great and that’s all that mattered.
Greyson Page was overwhelmed by the love of his beautiful Lisette, his family and his friends who all wanted to throw him a 50th birthday party. He’d never really been thrown a party before, His parents were so freakishly religious it didn’t go beyond family dinners and in his later school years he had gone out drinking with university pals but then when he settled into married life and had children they focussed on the children’s birthdays and he requested no fuss over his. So this was a big deal. People he hadn’t expected had started saying “See you Saturday…” John Reinhardt as he passed the factory “Have a nice morning John.” “See you Saturday Grey.” What? Then Iris had gotten super excited about a sale on soft drinks by the case. She didn’t even drink soft drinks. And then the old woman at the bakery had casually remarked that he didn’t look 50. Something was up. They had tried to surprise him but sniffed them out. Now he had gotten into the idea and dressed up a little in a pair of black slacks and a nice light blue dress shirt with a black tie with grey stripes. He had on his usual black oxford shoes. He was arriving at the door now to his own party with Lisette, Aislinn and little Thea. Once he had learned of the party officially he had requested no gifts. He was just honoured to have the time with everyone.
Thea Page was a fancy pirate today. She had compromised. She had on her captain’s hat and a black vest over a little green party dress with purple leotards and little black Mary Janes. After much convincing she had agreed to disarm for the occasion and heard a rumour there might be a foam sword waiting for her care of Amelie. She also carried a backpack because she was going to get to sleep over. She had started out holding her daddy’s hand as she walked but then switched to holding Lisette’s hand by the time they got to the door.
Aislin was wearing a very nice pair of slacks and a blouse. She'd taken one of her father's ties She walked a little ahead of her father and Lisette, who were taking turns holand figured out on the Internet how to tie it. When the door opened, she went in and slipped off her shoes with Thea and headed straight for Cath, all excited.
Lisette adored walking with Grey and little Thea. She swung arms with Thea, hoping to console her because she could not be a complete and total pirate today. Whenever she could, she snuck a look at Grey. He'd told everyone that he didn't want a present, but she had one for him anyway. She'd been sitting on it for a week now. Once they got to the door, Amelie opened it and let the girls in. She held up her hand. "Hold on, Amelie." As Amelie shrugged and closed the door, she hugged Grey's arm and moved him back a bit. Amelie might hear a few words. "Grey, I know you said you didn't want any presents, but I have one for you..."
Grey sees Amelie has his girls and is curious about Lisette wanting to talk to him. He had decoded the surprise. He feels her hug his arm and then she says she has a present and he turns to Lisette as the door closes and clicks and takes her in his arms “Lisette, you in my life is present enough. I love you. I don’t need a thing...what’s this present.” He chuckled a bit searching her face. He didn’t want to kill her joy in whatever it was either.
Lisette smiles as he takes her in his arms. “Well … you remember that stomach flu from last week, right? Well … I should be much better … I couldn’t believe the doctor when she told me.” she gives a slightly nervous laugh realizing she’s stalling. After all, Grey was 50. “Grey … I’m pregnant…”
Grey tilted his head as she talked about the flu and the doctor. He had a flicker of panic but then he was momentarily perplexed as she laughed. But then the breath left his body in shock and his jaw dropped when Lisette said three powerful words. Grey, I'm pregnant. He stared at her dumbfounded at first and then his eyes water and his face breaks into a giant grin “You’re pregnant?” He pulls her closer and looks down at her “I thought you couldn’t…” He licks his lips and then grabs her in a hug “Oh my god…” He sort of rocks her a bit as he hugs her and laughs “Oh my god!” He pulls back from her and then looks deeply into her eyes “This is by far the best birthday present in the world. I love you…” He just marvels at her for a moment longer and then kisses her passionately and holds her tightly.
Lisette was a little anxious, but Grey’s reaction put her immediately at ease. “I thought so too … apparently it was Brendan, not me.” she laughs as he hugs her. “Well, you can’t unwrap it for a few months but … I love you, too.” she kisses him again lost in the happiness that her present gave him.
Seamus was at the edge of the Beaulieu property with Katie hanging from one hand and Iris on the other. “So this is one of the bennies of getting older? Kissing on the porch in front of everyone?” he teases, because for him there was no age limit to teasing.
Colleen was close behind her son and granddaughter. She speeds up a little and pokes him in the back. “Yes, Seamus.” she mock chides him. “You’re just an old soul.” she steps back and hugs John’s arm. She gains the steps with them. “Happy birthday, Grey. I hope you don’t mind us crashing. After how wonderful you were with John, you have a special place in the family.” she looks at John, resplendent in the glasses she made him wear.
Katie held onto Daddy’s hand and watched the nice lady Lisette kissing Iris’s dad and heard her daddy tease them. Katie looked up at him and then over at Iris. They did that a lot too. So did Grandma and Grandpa. And Uncle Logan and Kurt….and all her family here. Where she came from there was no kissing but this home….grown ups kissed all the time. But they seemed happy about it. She was wearing a blue sort of sweatshirt dress with pink and red striped leggings under it. She still had on her same old crocs that she arrived with.
Iris squeezed Seamus’s hand and laughed “When has age ever been a factor for us Seamus?” She teases “Happy Birthday Dad. Hi Lisette.” She was in a green and blue retro dress with a pair of short black brown boots. She had her usual tortoise shell glasses on and her hair was done up in a sort of roll at the back with tendrils cascading.
John adjusted his wire frame glasses. The shape of them on his face with his mutton chops and moustache made him look like a bit of a 70s cop character from a TV show. He wore clean black cotton work pants and a red and black bowling shirt with black runners.
Grey was still reeling from the news of a baby coming into their lives and now that they’d been busted rejoicing he wasn’t sure they should blurt it out. He looked a little sheepishly at Lisette as they didn’t even have time to talk about when to tell people. He was still grinning at her nonstop though. “Hey it’s my birthday I can kiss wherever I want.” He shot back and then smiled “Thanks everyone. John, those look great on you. Iris….” He beamed at her and then smiled at Colleen and then squatted down a bit “Hello Katie. Thank you for coming to my birthday. Thea’s here tonight and I bet she’d love someone to play with.” He saw Katie’s smile and then stood back up again.
Amelie opened the door again “OK all of you...come in please. It’s going to get too chilly to bring the party out there.” she beckons them all.
Cath had reached out to hug Aislin as she came in and tried to answer Thea’s questions about Davy Jones locker. “Isn’t it the place where the bad pirates go?” She didn't want to say the word hell in front of a 6 year old. Then as the others came in she called out “Happy Birthday Grey! Have some fruit! Bonjour Lisette!” She blushed a little as she saw Seamus but less and less these days. Her crush was waning and as he looked her way she found she just smiled and he and Iris and at little Katie.
Paige arrives moments after the door closed. She was excited to see her father not only because it was his birthday, but because he'd been so incredibly happy for the last 6 weeks or so. She just loved seeing his happiness. She's in her usual long skirt, which was an autumn yellow with little leaves on it, plus a brown turtleneck sweater. She glanced across Sasha to look at Annette, who dressed very much like she did, which she loved.
Annette held onto Ira's hand and grinned across at Paige. The young lady had been happy to take her order for a few new skirts and this one was a dark brown with deep pockets. She wore a thin long sleeved sweater, but also a cloth shawl over it in the same coloring as her skirt. She'd been a little worried about coming to this party, but she shook it if. Her aunt had a new boyfriend and a new life and she was in the mood to celebrate her boyfriend's birthday. She felt a camaraderie with her aunt, as they both had boyfriends several years older ... and neither of them considered that a bad thing. She entered the house and sees how their family was growing. "Bonjour everyone." she called as she slipped out of her shoes with Paige.
Rene smiles as more guests arrive, trying not to look like he was waiting on his own guest. He saw little Katie Reinhardt and Thea and smiled at them. “Bonjour.” he greeted them specially, because he could still remember being the kid at the party full of adults. “You ladies look wonderful this evening.” and by that he included all of the women … even his own sisters.
Sasha waited on Paige and Annette to stuff his shoes into the shoe mat space “I think we need another shoe rack here..” He chuckled as he piled his trainers one on top of the other. He had matched his shirt to Paige’s brown but his was a plaid button up he had on with a nicer pair of jeans than his usual old worn ones. He beamed at the ladies after Rene turned on his charm “Well my brother beat me to it...how embarrassing.” He grinned and then moved from the show rack to Paige and headed towards Grey to wish him a happy birthday. He and Lisette had moved into the livingroom.
Ira backed up a bit as there was a bottleneck of people at the door. He was used to being the big guy in the way a bit so he tried to at least compensate with manners. He was in black jeans and a black t-shirt with a white button up shirt open over top of it and open. He took off his black trainers which he usually thought were huge but there were actually two other pairs of shoes close to his size. He slid a hand to Annette’s back and peeked into the rest of the house. He recognized Seamus and then another big redhead guy, older but looks related to Seamus with glasses and a moustache. “Nice…..I’m not the only giant.”
Tristan had fussed a bit at home getting ready. He had actually semi styled his hair which was something he usually only did for special occasions and maybe school picture day. He even put a bit of product in it as he sort of shaped it more to one side. He put on black cotton dress casual pants and a deep red button up shirt which he intentionally left untucked an with one button down from the top. Then he wore his usual sneakers and headed out after minimal scrutiny from his mother “You’re going to Grey’s 50th? As Rene’s guest….well that’s nice honey….do you need a card? You should give him a card…..you could take him some wine from us.” Tristan had dismayed her finally with the legal ramifications of his age and walking through town with wine. She had been half kidding but when it came to wine it was hard to tell. He debated telling his parents everything about his feelings for Rene and that they had become romantic but he hesitated. Was it time yet? Because that would change how they treated Rene too and it might out him more than he was ready...although he knew they’d be discreet out and about. Especially his dad. Now he was at the door with a card in his hand and poised to knock when he heard two people walking up the steps behind him and turned “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.”
Lauren and Stuart were both in their funeral director suits and smiling at Tristan. Stuart reached his hand up and knocked “Hello Tristan. Small town small world…”
Lauren looked at Tristan’s clothes and hair “Look at you so grown up.”
Amelie answered the door again but she was clearly multitasking and just swinging by to let people in “Come on in….hi Tristan. Rene’s in there somewhere….Lauren…. Stuart...welcome…..yes shoes where you can fit them. The mat’s full, use the other side against the wall…”
Tristan took off his shoes and then stepped in and looked around. He saw Rene and grinned and waved to Cath and Aislin and little Thea. Then he saw a bunch of his own family and remembered how many connections the Beaulieus had made in their short time here. He smiled down at Katie and then gave his cousin Seamus a smile and a nod as well as Iris and then his aunt and uncle “Uncle John you’re wearing glasses?” He couldn’t help but notice. Then he slowly made his way to where Rene was standing trying to look casual about it.
Stuart and Lauren made a beeline for Grey and Lisette as well and Lauren began by reaching out to shake hands with both he and Lisette “Hi we can’t stay long. We have an evening service to run...but we just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday...and very nice to meet you Lynette is it?”
Felix sees the house filling up with people and is pleased that the party is starting out right. He raises his arms. "There's drinks for everyone!"
Rene heard his mother talking to guests and saw Tristan enter. He smiled, but not too much around all of these people. Enough to let anyone know he was glad his guest had arrived. Tristan makes his way over to him and he nods, trying not to look as happy as he is. "Do you know everyone?" he asks and realizes that he probably does, at least a little bit. Small towns and all.
Gen watched the wave of people entering and pulled her phone out to write about who arrived and even what they were wearing. Dante wouldn't really care so much about that if he were here, but where he was, he wanted to know just about everything. Already the letter was long. She planned to print it out for a change and maybe write something by hand that was more personal. Nothing sexual, just her handwriting. Possibly apologizing for the novel this party turned into.
Lisette shakes hands with the Petersons. "Lisette." she corrects the pronunciation. "It's nice to meet you, too."
Seamus saw and heard Ira and laughed. "Nope. So there's plenty of us to reach the high shelves." he grins. "That giant is my father John and his seeing eye person, my mother Colleen." he looks at his parents. "This is Ira, another town tall person." he sees Tristan. "And another Reinhardt." he waves and then motions towards Sasha. “Hey ... we made it!”
Colleen smiles at Ira and shakes her head at Seamus. "Your father has his glasses now, Seamus. He doesn't need a seeing eye person anymore." she jokes, taking John by the arm anyway. Then she sees Tristan and waves to him and then laughs when Tristan point out John's glasses. "See John. You look great!"
Sasha sees Seamus and walks over to him and gives him a back slapping hug if he can “You made it….” Work and life with a kid meant SEamus was less available and Sasha missed his buddy “Sorry Iris I swear I’m not coming onto your man...yet.” He jokes.
Iris had been put on wine pouring duty and was handing her father a glass of red “Yet? Just text the pictures…” She teases Sasha and then winks at Paige “You might need to keep an eye on your Frenchman.”
“Hey may I have a glass of that please Iris?” Sasha requested.
Iris pretended to take a hard line “Photo ID please.”
Sasha stuttered “I...uh...i left it in my other pants…..but I’m French...how about a note from my mother?” He looks back at his mother and she’s laughing and waving Iris on. He had had wine at home before since he was 16, not to excess with his family.
Iris poured glasses for Sasha, Seamus if he wanted and Paige and then started to make the rounds “We don’t have any of the cop Reinhart people here do we?” She looked around jovially and spotted Tristan “You’re way too connected kid but you won’t talk right?”
Tristan zipped his lips and laughed. He knew the Reinhardts gothanded beer or wine at parties from about 15 or 16 on too so none of this was shocking. He answered Rene “I know everyone but two people...and I just heard him introduced as Ira….so the woman is your cousin right? The bicycle thing?”
Thea had engaged Katie and they had found Taffy under the dining room table and were under there with him now giving him belly rubs.
Grey makes conversation with the Petersons for a few minutes but he can’t stop stealing glances at Lisette. Was she glowing? Maybe he was? He felt absolutely elated. Before he could count them he was on his third glass of wine and had chatted with all kinds of people, opened cards, gotten a face time call from good friends from Victoria Anne and Stephen Gibson. He had held up the phone and told everyone to say “Hi Anne and Stephen.” At that point he was starting to feel the alcohol a bit. The Gibsons knew his kids. His older girls had gone to school with their kids even. They were very happy to meet Lisette.
In the kitchen Amelie turned to Felix “This is a great party. We should make sure Grey eats something...he’s starting to look a bit tipsy.” She giggles.
Felix grins at his wife and then kisses her. "I will feed the birthday boy. Don't you worry." he loads up some mini quiches on a plate and brings them to Greyson. "Dinner before dessert, young man." he teases and stays with his friend chatting and laughing as people begin to graze.
Rene laughed about the alcohol and then turned his attention to Tristan. "Oui. My cousin Annette. Ira is her boyfriend. They had planned to move here later, but then changed their minds and stayed after the ferry shut down. And oui .. they are the bicycle people. Our strange little town." he smiles. "I put the non egg foods apart from the egg foods, over there." he points them out and leads him to the safe food where they can talk about innocent things while the party rages around them.
Aislin watched Thea and Katie playing with Taffy. Part of her thought they should have brought Toffee, but seeing all of the people around she realized that it was already crowded enough without adding another hyper puppy. She gets them food ... even for the puppy, since this is a special occasion and she can't see how to separate little girls from puppies without causing a fuss, so she doesn't even try.
Seamus returns the hug with a hardy back slap in return. "Ha! Don't lie!" he grins. "Katie is around here someplace." he looks around and shrugs. "Around other kids, which means I am nobody." he moves to hug Paige. and then winks at Iris. "It's all harmless ... we aren't leaving you for each other ... tonight." Seamus takes a glass of wine and takes a small sip. He doesn't plan to do a lot of drinking. It wasn't that kind of party. His father's next birthday, it might be a whole other thing. Then again with Katie in his life now, he realized he was calming down ... and he loved it. He finds food, however and tucks right into it.
Paige laughs and hugs Seamus. Then she winks back to her sister. "I had him chipped ... like Toffee. I even have an app..." she looks between Seamus and Sasha with a mock warning look. She takes her glass of wine and sips. "Merci, Iris." she begins to mingle, sampling food here and there and enjoying the company.
Sasha had quipped back about Paige having him chipped “It’s great actually….now she can find me anywhere for a quickie.” He had instinctively ducked after and laughed as he got pulled into another conversation with his father and Felix with John and Seamus on the edge of it. They were talking about how the Stanley Cup playoffs were going, the injuries that took Winnipeg out of the running and how well the Vancouver Canucks were still doing so far. John was happy about the Canucks and grinned at Seamus about it. Sasha and Felix conceded and Sasha sighed “Well since we live here now I suppose we could cheer for Vancouver…..actually that would still annoy Elise so yes!” They soon realized that Greyson was tuning them out a bit when they talked about sports. He was polite about it but he was not a sports guy.
Tristan gave Rene a sweet look “Oh thank you. That’s super cool of you Rene.” He was very touched by the trouble Rene went to and followed him to the foods he pointed to and put some on a little plate. He ended up trying the bruschetta with a spoon and loving it “You made this? This rocks. See….you can cook..” He encouraged.
Cath walked by Tristan and Rene as they chatted and said “Oh you didn’t get any quiche….Papa makes the best...I’ll get you some…..”
Tristan gently stopped her by grabbing her elbow lightly “Nope...I’m seriously allergic to eggs but thank you.”
Cath looks at Rene with a look of dawning “That’s why you’ve been on about eggs….OK I get it.” She stepped away from them but put a hand on Tristan’s upper arm as she did since he was closest to her. From across the room it might look like Cath and Tristan were more connected than they were but really she was sort of just reaching out to Tristan more because she was supporting him and Rene and she knew. Afterwards she crawled under the table with Thea, Katie and the puppy and beckoned Aislin back if she had left or sat with her “I love puppy parties.” She smiled. Soon there was a big redheaded moustached face peeking under at them.
“Katie…..time to go home to bed pumpkin.” John said sweetly. He squatted down to be at her level as she looked resistant. “I betcha you could come back and see this nice puppy tomorrow?” Katie had finally become comfortable with him and he was so glad. With his gruff voice it had taken longer with him than with others but in some ways it made their connection all the more special.
Cath nodded “You can come see Taffy anytime Katie.”
Katie leaned down and hugged the puppy and got a face full of licks as she giggled. Then she hugged Thea and both Cath and Aislin before she went to her Grandpa and he picked her up just as she let out a great big yawn.
John tipped her towards both Seamus and Iris to say goodnight and then she waved at Grey. However Lisette got a little hug from Katie. Despite Grey being another sort of Grandpa she didn’t know him quite as well and the Reinhardts never forced children to hug or kiss people goodbye so a wave was Katie’s choice. And then Katie John and Colleen were off home for stories and bedtime. Amelie had offered to do the cake before they left but then all the adults agreed that sugar right before bed would be a cruelty to the grandparents trying to get her to sleep.
The Petersons had made their exit after half a glass of wine each and a bit of food and lots of socializing since they knew everyone there but Ira and Annette. But they had introduced themselves and welcomed them both to the town saying as they usually did that they hoped neither of them had need of their services as morticians. Then they were off to do their needed work.
Ira had been highly amused by the Petersons as well as John and Colleen. He put his arm around Annette and happily sighed “We chose the right island. I love it here and I love you.”
Grey wasn’t trying to get drunk by any means but people kept refilling his wine glass and toasting him for his birthday. He had been eating enough that it was balanced. He was just a little red nosed and extra giddy, and as well he was very affectionate to Lisette both because he had no inhibitions and because of the news she shared earlier.
At about 7:30 Amelie called Felix into the kitchen to help her with the cake. She had bought candles in the shape of numbers and joked to Greyson that 50 single candles on his cake would be a fire hazard as she lit the two. They brought the cake over with the candles burning and everyone sang happy birthday.
Grey blew out one candle and then looked at Lisette “Well I do have a girlfriend and I already got my wish.” Then he blew out the other one and everyone cheered.
Amelie started cutting up the cake and called Sasha and Paige over to hand out plates of cake with forks, the first went to the birthday boy of course. Tristan said no thank you to cake which made Amelie pause for a moment. What teenage boy didn't want cake?
Felix enjoyed his own mini quiche while ht talked with Sasha, Grey, John and Seamus about hockey. He noticed Rene talking with Tristan and assumed it was cerebrial. Not that Rene was smarter or even bad at hockey, but when Rene was playing hockey in their old home, he would talk more about the stories behind the players rather thna the game. It was always entetaining, but very different than with Sasha. It was good, he felt because it kept him from feeling he had the same son twice. Soon, John was excusing himself to take little Katie home.
Rene is flattered by the compliment. "As long as there ar eno fire or eggs involved, I do rather well ... now." he admits. Cath tries to foist quiche on Tristan and learns why he's been so anti-egg lately. It sort of helped that noe, two of his family knew about him.
Gen made the rounds, phone in hands and thumbs typing madly. SOme gave her specific messages of encouragement to pass onto Dante and that made her feel very connected to supporting him.
Aislin grinned at the hug from Katie. She made a note to put her house on the path of Toffee walks, since Katie liked Taffy so much.
Lisette was a little bit surprised to get a hug from Katie on her way out of the door, but very happy to see this little girl was pleased with her family. It was such a step up for the little girl.
Seamus gave his daughter a hug and kiss goodnight and actually stopped himself from approving cake for Katie, since he would be home after she fell asleep. It told him a bit more about his own maturity since becoming a father.
Colleen watched Seamus interacting with her son with a warm heart. Her fears had all turned out to be unfounded, and now they had this lovely little granddaughter. She headed home with her and gave Seamus some time with his friends.
Paige helped pass out cake with a smile. She was ofter the shier Page, but Alexandra had cured her of a lot of that with its acceptance. Now, she wore her long skirts because she enjoyedlong skirts, not to hide anythine.
Annette leaned into Ira when he put his arm around her. "We did ..." she agreed. They'd found the most adorable tiny apartment to live in. It had its own bedroom, if they needed a moment alone from the other, but they were finding they did not.
It was around 8pm now and the sun had set. The darkness outside was illuminated by the warmth and light of the party inside. Amelie had put on some of Felix’s favourite jazz on the stereo on low volume and conversations and refreshments still flowed. But now little Thea was yawning and getting just a bit cranky. Greyson offered to put her to bed as was his habit but when he stood up unsteadily Amelie insisted he sit again and she’d do it. But then Paige offered and Amelie took her up on it for two reasons. She figured Paige was missing her little sister now that she had moved out, and she was still one of the main party hosts as it was their house. They had set up a camping cot in Gen and Cath’s room for Thea so she could sleep earlier without being woken by the party. Amelie showed Paige a little basket of books she’d saved from her own kids. “There's quite a few about otters and I’m sure you can guess who’s those were…..” she laughed. She had grown to love Paige like she loved Dante. “But Rene went through a little pirate phase so there’s a few in there I think Thea might like.” She left them to it and came back downstairs, beginning to gather some of the dishes up from the cake. From somewhere across the house she heard her phone “Cath can you find that please?”
Cath scurried around and then spotted the phone on top of the microwave and grabbed it to hand to her mother but in a way that accidentally answered it. She was great with computers but still a bit new to phones. It was a face time call from Tante MC and she jumped a bit when she saw her aunt’s angry bull like face “Tante MC…..hello…..”
Amelie almost dropped all the plates she was carrying “Merdre…”
MC heard music and chatter and dishes and looked curious “Cath…..are you having a party? What’s the occasion?”
Cath had had a birthday that had passed in August but she liked small celebrations and chose to just go to a movie with her girl group to acknowledge turning 12. So she likely couldn’t lie now and say it was a belated party for her. But after the last time MC called and her mother told her off she felt like she shouldn’t have to lie. “It’s Greyson’s 50th birthday. Lisette’s boyfriend…..Paige, Iris Aislin and Thea’s dad and Papa’s best friend.” She listed all the ways they were connected to the birthday celebrant but MC clutched onto one.
“Lisette’s BOYFRIEND? Give me to Lisette…..” MC looked very disapproving.
Cath looked nervously at Lisette and Grey now. They had been having such a good time. “Maybe she could call you back when it’s not so…..loud?”
MC was not dismayed “I can hear you just fine. Pass me Catherine. Pass me now.”
Cath gulped and walked the phone over to her younger and much nicer aunt mouthing I’m sorry as she handed it over.
In a moment of drunken affection, Grey had just pulled Lisette right onto his lap a minute before and was speaking softly into her ear. Now all of a sudden a phone was coming there way with a formidable woman’s face scowling at them. He just smiled at the face “Hi…….it’s my birthday.” He had heard about MC but had never seen a picture of her so he had no idea who this was yet.
Ira pulled Annette a little closer to him and grumbled “Oh your poor aunt….” as he watched to see what would transpire.
Tristan had been casually sipping on a soda and saw Cath’s reaction answering the phone. Rene had of course told him a bit about this aunt and he pursed his lips watching the scene unfold.
Iris had no idea who was on the face time call but could tell from the energy of the room and those who knew it might not be a good thing. She exchanged a look with Seamus and then looked at Sasha.
Both Sasha and Amelie looked poised to grab the phone and edn things if they had to and then Sasha looked and Iris and Seamus and made a face “We have a relative a bit like our town’s Mrs. Norris.” He figured they’d understand that one.
After Cath handed Lisette the phone she retreated a bit to stand beside Rene. They had a solidarity about their evil aunt but now she suspected it went a layer deeper for Rene.
Felix had relaxed quite a bit and stayed near his best friend when the phone rang. He heard his sister in law's name. "Mon Dieu..." he murmured.
Rene heard who was on the phone and blinked. "Fuck..." he murmured, very quietly. Tante would not hear him, but soon she was demanding to speak to Tante Lissette. He groaned. He didn't know how it would go, but with Tante MC 'bad' was always a safe bet. He was tempted to stay exactly where he was. Out of sight out of mind. Cath came to stand with him and Tristan and he was glad. he moved behind Tristan and Cath, placing a hand on Cath's shoulder.
Gen was typing about the little sleepover in her and Cath's room when Tante MC called. She sent that quickly, murmuring in French the whole time.
Aislin looked on with wide eyes when Cath answered a call from the loudest woman she'd ever heard. Cath looked uncomfortable and she headed towards her. Plus, she was curious who this loud woman was.
Seamus arched his brows when the phone rang and a loud harsh voice came from the other end. He wondered if Amelie had a hearing problem and so had the volume on her phone turned up to 100. Then Sasha mentioned Mrs. Norris and he whistled low, suddenly glad his daughter was at home.
Upstairs, Paige had begun to read a pirate tale to Thea. It had been so long and she really missed it. Then she heard a commotion from downstairs. She could only make out one word. Boyfriend. But she did not falter in her reading.
Annette turtled into herself and pressed herself into Ira's side when she realized that her mother was on the phone. It was little consolation when MC demanded to speak to Tante Lisette. She rested her head into him, nodding. Her poor aunt, indeed.
Lisette had started when she heard her sister's voice and winced when sweet little Cath spilled the truth of her having a boyfriend. She took in a breath and smiled. She was happy, damn it and MC wasn't going to ruin it. "Hello, MC. How are you?" it seemed inane, but it was all she had.
MC eyed her sister sitting on this “boyfriend's” lap like a harlot. “I’m a little shocked. Didn't you just bury your husband? And now you’re sitting in a 50 year old man’s lap and claiming he’s your boyfriend? Control your urges Lisette.” She scolded.
Grey had been taking another sip of wine and choked on it at MC’s words. Then he got snide. “So you’re the sister who’s the bible thumping bitch then? Nice to meet you, I'm Greyson Page. And you….MC right? Don’t get to tell Lisette how long she’s supposed to grieve or when she’s allowed to date again. And yes I’m 50, old enough and wise enough to know what I want and I love your sister beyond reason. I also lost my wife and Lisette and I understand each other better than any two people I could imagine. So we don’t feel the need to control our urges. We give into them...well and often. Might cheer you up a bit if you tried it.” Then he looked lovingly at Lisette “You gave me the best birthday present of all my love…” And then as if he’s just remembered they’re in a room full of people he beams around at all of them like he’s just won the lottery and shouts “WE’RE HAVING A BABY!”
Amelie and Sasha almost tripped over one another lunging for the phone after MC’s words but then Grey dealt with her so impressively that they both just stood there trying not to laugh out loud but clearly silently cracking up. And when Grey announces, shouts that they’re having a baby Amelie’s hands fly to her mouth and she looks at her younger sister with happy tears.
Sasha cheers like the Winnipeg Jets have just won the Stanley Cup “Wooooo! Congratulations!”
Iris had shuddered about the Mrs. Norris comment and scowled at the back of the phone as this sister of Lisette’s was way out of line. Then her father lit into her like she had never heard him do to anyone and she laugh gasped at him. When he then yelled out that he and Lisette were having a baby she looked at the two of them with her hand over her heart and got weepy “Dad...Lisette….that’s beautiful. Congratulations…”
Tristan just looked both shocked and impressed by Greyson and then grinned at the baby news “Awesome. Congrats.”
Ira grinned from ear to ear at Grey’s dress down of MC and muttered “I like this guy...drunk or sober.” And then when the pregnancy is announced he holds up his wine glass “Mazel tov!”
Cath had patted Rene’s hand on her shoulder when she felt it there and then her jaw just dropped at Greyson’s words. But when he told everyone he and her aunt were having a baby she jumped up and down “Hooray! Congratulations”
Felix sighed deeply as MC wasted no time digging into her sister. He isn't sure what to do when Amelie and Sasha both move, then Grey not only handles MC like a pro, but announces that they're having a baby! He laughs. "Congratulations! Oh that is wonderful news!"
Rene cringes at first, then looks impressed at Greyson and then happy with the news. He claps. "Wonderful!!!!"
Gen could kiss Grey for how he handled MC, and the news of the baby makes her both laugh and cry. "Congratulations!" she cheers, thumb typing all of it, but especially the news of the baby into her document.
Aislin hears about how much her father loves Lisette, as if it wasn't pouring out of his eyeballs. Then she hears about a baby ... and she sniffs, running to her father and hugging them both. "A new sister!!!" her father this happy only makes her happier. But ... she looks at her father. "The baby sleeps in Thea's room." she announces. Then she looks at the screen and the red faced woman in it. "Hi, I'm one of the baby's siblings. You can just ..." she pauses and realizes maybe she should temper her words. "Have a nice night."
Paige finishes the story and puppy play must have exhausted Thea. She was curled up and asleep. Then she hears cheers from downstairs and comes quietly down after kissing Thea, moving to Sasha and putting her arm around his waist.
Annette closes her eyes and sighs when her mother does what her mother does. But then Grey handles her sharpish and announces a baby. "Oh!" she looks at her aunt and around at her family. "Oh ... Congratulations!"
Lisette is straightening to tell MC off, but Grey beats her to it and makes her smile, especially at the suggestion that MC needed to get laid. Then he shouts that they're having a baby and the room bursts into cheers. She herself is beaming. "We are." she kisses Grey square on the mouth. "I'll be right back." she tells him, standing and moving the phone into the dining room. "You are welcome to stay at the party MC. Enjoy it." she leaves the call on and moves back into Grey's arms.
Sasha side hugged Paige as her arm went around his waist “Did you hear from upstairs? Lisette’s pregnant…” He beamed at her and then at Grey and Lisette.
MC just looks like she’s been hit by a train at the baby news and then everyone’s so happy and loud she can’t get a word in edgewise. Finally she’s about to retort when she’s shunted off the the table “You can’t do that...I wasn’t finished. You’re just going to have his baby! Are you getting married?” She’s a little drowned out by party chatter again as many people walk up and hug Grey and Lisette still expressing their joy.
Grey happily hugs everyone back who offers hugs and reassures Aislin “You will not have to give up your room my dear.” He laughs and then since he had heard MC for a moment he trunks to Lisette and asks casually “Should we get married?” As casually as if he was asking should we have chicken for dinner tonight. At least an entire bottle of wine is in him and he has zero filter.
Amelie cracks up as she walks away from hugging them and hugs Felix after “Talk about a 50th to remember.”
Tristan didn’t know them well enough to hug so he shook both Grey and Lisette’s hands and then walked back, passing MC on the dining room table.
MC can see the room and she’s trying to pick people out that she’s related to and squinting her eyes. She calls out a few names as people pass her “Amelie….Amelie I know you can hear me!” And then Genevieve who seems to be typing madly into her phone “Genevieve! Genevive!” But she was just madly typing. She saw some women with black hair who looked like the little girl who greeted her and told her to have a good day with a rude tone. They must all be Greyson's children then. How many of those did he already have? 50 years old...She’s sure she can see Annette and Ira in the other corner and tries to call out to Annette. Suddenly Ira is pointing at something out the window and distracting her like there was some important tree in the yard that was more urgent than speaking to her own mother. Then a Chinese boy walks by and she frowns at him. Cath walks up a moment later and just reaches over her to take a mini quiche and starts eating it.
Cath looks down at her Tante MC and shows her the quiche and then pops it in her mouth and gives her a thumbs up. Aislin had been amusing, very amusing and now Cath was feeling a bit cheeky because of it. She turns back to her aunt and Greyson curious if this casual questioning was an actual proposal or not but MC barks at her looking behind her to Tristan and Rene who were standing a little close together talking.
“Who’s the Chinese kid talking to Rene?” she says way too loudly.
Tristan hears it and raises a brow, turning around.
Cath panics when MC zeros in on Tristan and Rene. She had promised to keep their secret so in her quest to do so she says something completely unexpected “He’s…..uh Tristan’s my boyfriend.” She steps back and grabs Tristan’s hand and yanks him forward “This my Tante MC.”
Tristan lets out a little eep sound as he’s named as Cath’s boyfriend and pulled forward.
MC narrows her eyes again and looks him over “So you’re dating Chinese boys now?”
Tristan, despite his surprise, reacts to that comment “Actually I’m Japanese and whatever the hell my bio dad was...Scottish I think from the last name.”
Now MC crosses herself “You don’t know your own father? Cath what kind of guy are you getting involved with? And you’re just asking for it in that short skirt missy.”
Lisette rolls her eyes at the angry voice from the dining room table. Then Grey asks very casually if they should get married. She considers it as she shakes Tristan's hand. "Maybe after everyone is completely sober." she jokes. "That seems like a legal discuaaion for another time." MC seems to be moving on to Tristan and she gapes. "I seriously ....." she loks like she is considering getting up.
Paige looks at Sasha. "No! Oh my goodness!" she covers her mouth, happy tears forming. Then from the table comes an angry voice and she blinks. And this woman ... continues. "Is she ... real?"
Rene heard Tante MC notice Tristan and labels him Chinese. Before he can say anything, Cath claims Tristan as her boyfriend. Well ... it could be worse ... like MC now jumping on Tristan about not knowing his father and Cath's skirt. He steps forward. "Tante MC..." he tries to deflect his aunt.
Sasha had been hugging Paige again when he heard MC get both racist and skirt length shaming and his face went beet red as he cursed out loud in French, very out loud. The string of swears directly translated word for word sounded like someone talking about the church, the tabernacle….but in the French Canadian cultural context they were some of the most offensive words a French Catholic could hear or utter slithing the church while insulting a foe. “Esti de câlice de tabarnak, c'est pas possible comment que t'es cave ("Jesus fucking Christ, there's no way you can be this stupid").” He started walking for the phone but his mother grabbed it before him as she crossed herself. Then he looked surreptitiously between Rene and Tristan. “Tristan is dating Cath?” He questioned and then looked at Cath.
Amelie was horrified by her sister MC but then floored by the words out of her oldest’s mouth. She snatched the phone from the table though and glared at MC, who looked like she was having a possible heart attack “What he said. I’m blocking your number. Au revoir.” And she jammed her thumb to hang up, shot an unreadable look at Sasha and then blocked the phone number and turned on Cath “Tristan is your boyfriend?” she blinks and looks down at their hands still held.
Tristan had no idea what Sasha had yelled but clearly it was offensive since his mother crossed herself after. He gulped at Amelie’s questioning and let go of Cath’s hand. His palm had been getting kind of itchy in hers and he really needed to scratch it. But he didn’t look at it and notice that a single large hive was forming. He had shaken Grey’s hand and hand Cath’s and they had both been touching quiche.
Grey grins stupidly at Lisette “Ok my love….sober. Am I drunk?” He asks innocently. “I feel fine…” Self awareness is gone. Then MC asks if someone’s Chinese and Sasha is yelling something incomprehensible in French “Wow….”
Iris giggles at her father and looks sympathetically at Lisette. He was very drunk. Then she makes a face at both the racist and skirt comments “What a bitch…” She whispers to Seamus. “I think she’s worse than Mrs. Norris.” Then Sasha has some kind of Francophone freak out and she stares at him and then Amelie “OK I went to French immersion right to grade 12 and I don’t think the direct translation of that is what it means….”
Cath had physically jumped at Sasha’s words and was glad for his dake that their mother had mellowed a lot since they moved here and her parents worked things out between them. Because if this had happened back in St. Pierre he’d be at the kitchen sink while she threatened him with a bar of soap. But now she had to answer for what she had said on the spot “Um…..yeah?”
Felix gives Sasha a look, but it is not an angry one. "You know better than that, Sasha." he murmurs and looks at Amelie as Tristan handles it like a champ. She hangs up on her, also blocking MC. She looks at Cath also and moves to his wife, putting his arms around her from behind. He looks over her head
Rene blinks at his brother and then shrugs, because he believes as his father does. Then his mother and brother ask if its true that Cath is dating Tristan. There are so many people in the house. Not just his family. His eyes drop to the table and he picks at it, not saying a word in any language.
Gen stops typing as things get really bad. She hears her aunt say horrible things and Sasha reply. Her mother blocks her and she shakes her head. "About damn time.
Paige is horrified at this woman who couldn't be more unlike Lisette. Then her father begins to act silly and she laughs.
Annette facepalms when her mother manages to get herself blocked. "I am so sorry .... everyone." she looks a Sasha. "She can be, cousin. Believe me ... I know." and then she looks at Cath and Tristan. "Oh well ... congratulations to you also."
Lisette is horrified and then relieved when Amelie blocks their sister. "Merci." she proclaims and then looks at Grey with a giggle, which turns into a laugh. "Just a little bit mon amour."
Seamus had been suit up until now. Once Amelie blocks her sister, he sighs. "Sorry but that woman reminds me of my grandfather..." he almost says more, but is distracted by the reveal of Cath and Tristan dating. He looks at them, then at Sasha.
Cath is so in the hotseat now she doesn’t even know what to do. She swallows and then smiles at her parents “Well I wasn’t sure you’d think I was old enough to date so we kept it a secret. And Tristan is Rene’s best friend so I …..you know I’m all new to this..” She’s spinning and she knows it but then she reaches for Tristan’s hand again and he’s scratching it like crazy so she doesn’t take it but looks at him “Well…...now they know…”
Tristan is scratching his hand. Maybe he’s just nervous and twitchy. Cath just put him in the worst spot. How would he and Rene work up to telling people now? He blows out a breath and looks around the room a bit. His cousin was here….and then he looks at Greyson and hopes the man is as drunk as he seems. That’s his family’s neighbour and his mom loved to chat over the fence. This was going to spread like wildfire. He forced a smile “Yep….I’m her boyfriend.” He stretched out his hand opening and closing it and inwardly screamed. He wanted to be Rene’s boyfriend. This would be a lot to untangle.
Sasha narrowed his eyes at Tristan like he wasn’t totally buying it but then tried to look casual. For whatever reason this was their story. He’d interrogate whoever he could later “Alright then...have fun kids.” He looks at both his parents about his total blasphemy “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t take her.” He looks at Annette too after who had agreed with him and gives her a little smile and then moves back to Paige and looks at Seamus, wondering how close he is to Tristan and how quickly they can find out the real deal.
Amelie looks between Cath and Tristan “You’re old enough to date but I don’t want any more secrets. And here I thought Tristan was just hanging around all the time because of Rene. Not that friendship isn’t beautiful….but it turns out he was romancing Cath….just take it slow ok? Don’t give me more grey hairs.” She leans back on Felix and laughs “Mon dieu.”
Grey hears grey hairs and chimes in “I’ve got grey hairs…” He laughs and laughs and if Lisette wasn’t anchoring him he might tip over.
Iris had heard Seamus say MC reminded him of his grandfather and winced. “No wonder you weren’t sad….” She doesn’t finish and says when he died because she doesn’t want to be that blunt in front of the woman’s daughter. Annette seems so kind and reasonable compared to her mother. She just gives Seamus a little kiss on the cheek instead. Then she looks at her dad again and sighs, smiling “I think we should make you some coffee dad…..”
Ira just leaned with his head on one side of Annette’s head and his arms around her “This family doesn’t do small arguments…” He laughs a bit. “No tiny digs or guilt trips, just pull out the French machetes and have at it.” He smiles at the two young kids trying to explain their first relationship. Poor things.
Felix looks a bit surprised. "Well ... Its not that I thought you were too young, I just didn't think you were interested in boys yet. But Tristan is a solid choice, I think." he nods his agreement with Amelie. "Well now we know, so no surprises."
Rene is looking at the table and at what he hears, closes his eyes a second, since no one can see him. So this was what life in the closet was like? He hated it with a passion already. Then his parents remind him of the no secrets rule and he bites his lip. Surely his father at least might get how scared he was.
Gen looks up at the mention of Cath dating Tristan. "Really?" she is surprised. "I would have sworn you were like pansexual .. or maybe gay." she hufs. "Who knew. Well congrats you two."
Paige smiles at the new couple. "Oh the night is just full of good news." she smiles and then her eyes move to her father and she can't help but laugh. "Oh my god, my father is the most adorable drunk ever." she nods at Iris. "But yes .. coffee."
Annette is able to smile when she hears about Cath and Tristan. They are an adorable couple. But honestly ... Grey is cuter, she has to agree with Paige. Ira .. as always ... makes her laugh a bit.
Lisette grins at Gray as he tips into her. "Oh love .. you need coffee. Strong French coffee." she agrees.
Seamus nods at Iris. "Yea ..." and then he looks at Ira. "Hey, it won't be boring man. And you have that sweet bird's eye view."
Tristan is a little unseated by Gen and reels in place, thinking she’s talking to him because he’s right beside Cath. She was good. He takes a tiny step towards honesty and looks at Gen “Actually I’m….” It looks like work for him to say the words “Bisexual so you’re not far off the mark.” He blows out a breath. He was 100 percent sure he was as gay as they came but it was a hint at reality. He lifts his hand to run it through his hair and sees his palm and the hive “Oh shit...hive….” He looks at the quiches and then his hand realizing this was the hand that had held Cath’s now and she had eaten quiche. “Eggs…” He comments “Excuse me I need to wash my hands. I’m allergic.” He saw the immediate irony of having an allergic reaction to Cath while she named him as her boyfriend. It would be funny if it wasn’t so depressing. He jogs up the stairs to the bathroom on the second floor to wash.
Cath looks apologetic “You’re THAT allergic to eggs?! I’m so sorry…..sweetie.” She awkwardly adds the word sweetie on trying to be convincing. Didn’t people call each other pet names?
Amelie now looks annoyed at Cath “You invite your boyfriend to a party with food and don’t tell us he’s allergic to eggs? Cath! We would have skipped making quiche. Poor Tristan. I agree with your father he’s a nice boy...let’s not poison him.” She doesn’t react to the news that Tristan is bisexual. She’s more concerned about the allergy.
Rene puts on his first ever serious poker face as Tristan declares himself bi-sexual. When he realizes that Tristan is having a reaction to the eggs and heads upstairs, he can't help but look concerned. Then he hears Cath call him 'sweetie' and he nearly cracks his neck looking at her. He heads for the stairs. "I'll make sure he's OK." he runs upstairs, goes into the bathroom and closes the door slftly, then looks at Tristan. "Are you OK?" he asks first thing. "Mon dieu I am so sorry ... I didn't think Cath would ..." he'll ait to see if Tristan is going to die on him before going on.
Gen looks at Tristan and points to Cath. "I meant her, but .. hell .. you do you." she goes back to thumb typing wondering if she will even be able to put the finished letter in a regular envelope.
Tristan had used his sleeves to turn on the taps. All these people had been eating quiche and at least half of them had used this bathroom for sure. He’s just wetting his hands as Rene slips in and shuts the door “I’m ok….but can you squirt me some soap because now I assume everything is covered in quiche and I’m paranoid. It’ll clear up once I wash in a few minutes. Apparently I’m allergic to girls…” He jokes and then sighs “This fuckin sucks Rene. I want to be YOUR boyfriend.” He just flat out says.
Rene squirts the hand soap on Rene's hands and steps back a little. He nods. "You ARE my boyfriend, Tristan. That isn't changing. And we'll tell them .. if we can get my family alone." he rolls his eyes but then moves forward, even though he hasn't been near quiche or the bathroom and kisses him softly.
Tristan looks comforted by Rene’s words and nods and then rinses his hands and before he can dry them Rene kisses him and he kisses back sweetly his kiss full of emotion as it increases in passion. The sound of coffee being ground downstairs layers over the party chatter and the music that’s still playing.
Rene kisses him back for many long seconds. Not long enough to make up for the hours they couldn’t but enough for them in the bathroom. He breaks it and hands Tristan a towel. “Yours.” he repeats. “And if you ever kiss Cath like that, I’ll beat her butt.” he teases. He hears the coffee grinder and sighs. “We’d better get back.”
Tristan gives Rene a melting look at the word yours and then chuckles as he dries his hands and then hangs the towel on a nearby rack “No sister beatings. I lied when I said I was bi...turns out Gen meant Cath anyways so I could have just shut up. You’re the only person I ever want to kiss.” He meant it. It baffled him a little but he did. He nods “Yeah let’s go before they think I’m dead or any other weird relatives call and ask to see my family tree.” Now he really laughs “Your aunt is scary….scary….” And if Rene’s ready he’ll walk back downstairs with him to the smell of coffee now brewing and be greeted by Amelie who dotes on him like one of her own kids.
“Tristan, are you feeling ok? I’m so sorry. If we had known we would have kept the whole house egg free.” She reaches out and rubs his shoulder but her hands are clean and she’s not touching any skin just his red shirt.
“I’m fine Mrs. Beaulieu….thank you though.” He looks a little self conscious.
“Please call me Amelie.” She insists as she starts getting out cups and pouring.
Cath had been sent by her mother to the sink to wash her hands too and in front of everyone Amelie had forbade her from kissing Tristan goodnight too which made her blush 5 shades of red at once. But that was thankfully before Rene and Tristan came back and now she looked at them both with a genuine expression “I’m really sorry.” She meant it about more than the egg exposure but only they would know that.
Sasha swung by the kitchen to grab a coffee for Grey and glanced over at Rene, Tristan and Cath with a look on his face that said he was suspicious. Then he took the cup over and took the wine glass from grey’s hand and replaced it with the coffee.
Grey looked at Sasha like he had performed a great magic trick “Coffee….how did you do that?” He looked at Lisette and then Paige “Sasha’s a magic man!” He sipped the coffee and made a face like a small child being forced to eat something they didn’t like “There’s no cream?”
In the kitchen Amelie cracked up at Grey “We have cream...ah mon dieu.” She took it out of the fridge and set it on the kitchen island “Someone please take that to Grey. If anyone else wants coffee come get a cup.”
Ira was very entertained “He’s a delightful drunken menace.” He chuckled and then walked back to the kitchen “I’ll have a coffee. Annette, do you want one?”
Iris just snorted “I had no idea Dad could be like this. It’s hilarious…...happy birthday Dad.”
Rene nods. "I know you were." he blows out a breath about his aunt. "Well maybe she'll disown us all. That, or she'll head a missionary expedition." he rolls his eyes and gives Tristn a quick peck on the lips then they can head downstairs where his mother dotes on Tristan. He's actually glad that it seems everyone but Cath forgot about the egg free kick he'd tried and failed to go on the month before. He rolls his eyes and heads back into the dining room, trying to give Sasha a look to say 'I'll explain it all later.'.
Felix also looks concerned about Tristan, but didn't quite fawn on him. But this is the first child's significant other she's known about from almost the beginning, so in a way he got why she was fawning.
Lisette feels she might die laughing at Grey. She heads for her sister and takes the cream and, once she gets to him, she can't resist. "Mushrooms, Poppies, Sugar and Spice. All those things are very nice. When combined, the proper mixture, makes a getting small elixir." she tells him as she nudges the coffee cup towards his mouth.
Annette nods and smiles. "Please love. No drinking and walking tonight." then Lisette quotes Alice in Wonderland and she laughs.
Aislin has remained mostly quiet, but she keeps looking between Cath and Tristan and then to her father. Her dad was a funny drunk, for which she was grateful. But Cath and Tristan surprised her and she wondered when it had happened. She thought back to the sleepover before school started, but most of what she remembered was Mabel fawning over Rene and the way Rene had kissed that pillow. Returning her attention to her dad, she decides she will have to talk to Cath about it later. But it made some sense. Cath was shy. Tristan was shy.
The party wound down after the coffee was served. After a cup or two Grey was lucid enough to walk home. Amelie and Felix both hugged he and Lisette and Aislin. They were the last to leave. Since Thea was asleep upstairs they’d get her home in the morning. As the trio walked off Grey could be heard singing show tunes as he walked down the streets of Alexandra,a happy 50 year old man and again father to be with a new baby on the way. Amelie stood in the doorway with Felix listening and laughing “He really does know all the songs in Grease...nice voice too.” She lets out a sigh as Felix makes the joke one last time “Yes he does. 50 Years of Grey.”
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