"Gabriel." Gabriel Dejardin felt someone shaking his shoulder gently. "Gabriel, wake up. You'll be late."
He opened his eyes to find his wife's gentle green eyes looking back at him. He smiled at her and sat up. "What time is it?"
"Seven o'clock. You've got just enough time for a quick shave and breakfast, and then it's off to work with you." She ran a finger along the end of his mustache. "Maybe you could consider shaving that thing off your face."
"Never." He lay back on the pillows and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, I wish it were Sunday."
"You say that every day except Sunday. And on Sundays you complain that you wish it were any other day so you wouldn't have to go to church. Now come on! How do you expect to feed this family by being a lay-about?"
He knew she had said it in jest. He got out of the bed and hugged her from behind. "Good morning, Madame Dejardin."
"Good morning." She turned around and stroked his cheek, and then kissed it and left him to dress. He looked at himself in the mirror. He needed a shave. He set to work on preparing the soap and brushing it on his face. As he sharpened his razor, he heard his children running down the stairs.
"Mama! Tell Victor to stop chasing me!" Amélie screamed.
"That's enough, both of you! You're scaring the baby!" As if on cue, little Madeleine started to wail. Gabriel smiled. They were loud. They were excitable. And they were his.
When he finished shaving, he cleaned up and went downstairs. When he sat down, Amélie climbed into his lap. "Good morning, Papa."
"Good morning, my angel. How are we this morning?" He reached over and took the baby's hand.
"Very well, thank you. You look rather handsome."
"Thank you. Victor, are you ready for school?"
"Yes, Papa." The eight-year-old didn't look enthused. Madame Dejardin came into the breakfast room. She put a loaf of bread on the table and sat down.
"Everyone ready?" They crossed themselves and Gabriel prayed over the meal. When he finished, he took the knife and started to slice the bread. "You look tired, Gabriel. Did you get enough sleep?"
"Yes, thank you."
"I feel as though you've looked tired a lot lately."
"I'm just fine." He took a last bite of bread and stood. "I have to go."
She stood and followed her husband to the foyer. She helped him on with his jacket. "Are you certain you're alright?"
"Mercédes, I wish you wouldn't worry about me so. I must go to work. I'll be home on time." He kissed her cheek and walked out the door. She pulled him back by his sleeve and kissed him fully. "What was that for?"
"Just because I love you." He smiled at her and kissed her again.
