I feel like this chapter's not written as well as I would have liked. It also came out pretty long.
"Can you feel them moving, Francis?"
"Oui! I think Alfred's kicking Mathieu, or the other way around?"
"Haha. Can you just imagine it? In four months, you'll be a father and I'll be a mother... I don't think I can handle even the thought of it."
"Don't worry, mon chérie. It will all be fantastic with you, me, Alfred, and Mathieu as one happy family..."
At age twenty-one, Francis Bonnefoy had everything the world could possibly offer to a wealthy, young man. He was the outstanding heir to one of Europe's most prosperous companies, had favorable social connections with every high-class family throughout the globe, enjoyed all the luxuries imaginable, not to mention have the most gorgeous woman a man could ever hope of being with. Indeed, the charismatic Frenchman had it all.
Growing up in his ever demanding household, Francis was lavished with his parents' love, moral support, and economic financing. Francis' parents had high hopes for their son and taught him everything in order to run the family corporation from business economics to social negotiating. Even from all this, Francis did not grow up spoiled as some would immediately conclude from his class and background. He became the perfect French gentleman, charismatic and all in all very charming. Although, he couldn't deny being somewhat of a chick magnet. Francis had been through more women in his life than he could possibly keep count. Some were serious, others were just for fun. Why not? He was a rich bachelor. There was time and money to kill. The spoils and riches of the worlds was his for the taking.
It was in the spring during his business trip, that Mr. Bonnefoy found what he deemed the perfect woman for him. The lady was born from an aristocratic family and was, like him, heir to the family's business and wealth. She had the air of importance, poise, and sophistication that no other woman possessed. Her pale, blonde hair never failed to look less than presentable. Rich, creamy white skin enhanced her more subtle features making her look like she came out from a painting. But her eyes – her eyes were one of the most wonderful shades of hazel no priceless gemstone could ever hope to compare to. However, it wasn't those traits that attributed to the young man's interest. No, those were merely an added blessing to her charm.
The maiden was a lovely being; compassionate and gentle as any sweet music was for the ears. Despite what any envious persons would say about her, the lady was kind, sweet, and most importantly loving to those who would approach her. Not only that, but she had ambition. She was adventurous, straightforward, and was also very talented when it came to business. One can appreciate that this would attract the heart of any man, wealthy or not.
Francis' parents were overjoyed to see their son bring home such a prize. The couple loved each other dearly, so much so to the point that they formed twins from their love. In hearing this, Francis and his early bride rejoiced and thanked the heavens. Their families were uncertain about having children so prematurely (and also just at the start of their new lives together) they whole-heartedly did their best to support their upcoming father was aimed on loving and granting his two sons everything he could possibly offer them. During the warm summer nights, Francis would kiss and caress his wife's belly while animatedly talking to the twins about his plans of taking them out to run, and swim, and play. He'd pecked his wife's forehead lovingly, as they both excitedly readied the nursery that would soon house their beloved boys. Oh, the couple could just imagine and anticipate the twins running around the house, their little feet scampering noisily chasing each other.
The enthusiastic father wanted the first boy to be named Alfred. He found it quite an amusing name and his wife did say that she wanted him to pick something simple and easy to remember. As for the second born, the couple compromised on naming him Matthew. Although Francis was persistent on spelling it M-A-T-H-I-E-U. The mother could do nothing but laugh at his husband's fussiness and agree with his antics. The name's perceived meaning was "gift of god." And indeed, the child was a gift from the heavens. No one would have imagined that fate had something different in store for the babies and their parents.
About twenty-six weeks into the pregnancy, the couple discovered that their beloved twins were both at great risks. The doctor stated that the two fetuses were sharing a single placenta, thus the donor twin who supplied blood to the recipient twin could possibly die from a decrease of blood volume. Or vice-versa in which, the recipient twin could die from the excess amount of blood which can strain it's heart. Either way, it would have been an amazing feat – a miracle even, for the two to come out alive.
The mother, keen on saving her boys, did everything and anything she could to keep them both healthy. She prayed away the days, read countless books on raising kids, inquired and tested every remedy in the Earth no matter how exotic they may be, drank potions, medicines, cures, protein shakes – anything to counter this ailment fate was so insistent on impelling upon them. But if anything, she refused to use anything having to do with risking the immediate death of her child. Fetoscopic laser ablation had always been an alternative to separate the two, but she bared her teeth against anyone who would even dare propose such things. Francis was nonetheless loyal to his love; comforting and reassuring her that everything was going to be fine.
The day of the twins' birth was both tragic and miraculous. Much to their horror, the first fetus who was also the recipient twin, died so close in attaining birth. It was later confirmed that Alfred perished from heart failure inside the womb. His intake of blood and amniotic fluid was far too much for his own good. As for the other twin, it was a true phenomenon that the donor fetus had sustained itself well enough and made it through alive. The boy who survived, Matthew, was like a flicker of relief and joy to Francis. He was trembling at the sight of his living, and healthy boy. Though he felt unmeasurable pity for the other, he was holding his son. He was holding his one and only boy. Francis remembered crying every day from that day on.
Unlike his grateful husband, the lady of his dreams was miserable and depress. She refused to hold, let alone see the child that she had successfully brought into the world. She locked herself in her room rejecting food, moaning and weeping for her lost child. All day the young woman sat in her chair tears streaming down her once cheery face. She blamed herself for not doing enough for her son. It was all her fault why the other couldn't and hadn't made it. Her health was deteriorating by and by, madness sweeping her into mournful screams in which Francis rushed to her bedroom at night consoling her with a crying baby in his arms. The damsel who was once so lively and perfect was now driven to insanity; wrecking and shattering paintings and furniture, and most importantly his husband's heart.
It was only a matter of time until she was shipped to a mental asylum far, far away to lament her loss and insanity by herself.
The maiden's family looked down on Francis and the boy. They blamed the miscarriage and the boy for their only heir's lunacy, accusing the baby for all the hapless fortunes it caused to the failing business. As humans, it's normal for people to look for a scapegoat. In a short matter of time, her company ceased away into bankruptcy and debt. The Bonnefoys, fearing the same fate for their company, urged Francis to carry on and take over the corporation. With the newborn baby aside, they argued that this wasn't a suitable excuse for putting off his pre-destined career and persuaded that they boy could be taken care of by a hired nanny. Francis had no choice but to obey his parent's wishes but demanded not to be separated from his angel and have ample amounts of time to spend with him. They were a bit hesitant to comply with such terms (after all, they expected more than 'the best' from their son running a multi-million company), but they did not want to test Francis' resolution. It was agreed that Matthew was to stay in the Bonnefoy's estate living amongst his grandparents.
Balancing his job as the head of the company and coming home everyday to baby Matthew was a tough and exhausting job for the Frenchman. Nevertheless, he strived to be there to hold and tuck the boy every night, singing an occasional lullaby to the baby during one of those sleepless nights a parent without a nanny have to endure. But he insisted on taking care of Matthew even when help was offered. Francis continued planning future vacations and leisure activities with his son while keeping up with the merciless meetings and persistent phone calls. He always dismissed the maids and Matthew's nannies right when he got home so he could attend to the child's whims entirely whenever he called for one. The entire household was amazed and idolized Francis' commitment to the young master and wondered how on earth the man could possibly uphold such a standing.
One of the few things that struck Francis odd, however, was Matthew's lack of development; both socially and mentally. The toddler never once babbled or even cooed a "papa" no matter how many times he enforced words on him. Sometimes Francis would find the boy lying by himself in the middle of the room staring blankly up at the rotating ceiling fan, other times the maids would report of him in the laundry area idly watching the clothes spinning around from the clear glass. Not only that but the blonde, little tot never bothered to look at him straight in the eye, the reason for why people were unable to distinguish his eye color. Francis had an especially hard time to get the boy to even look at him with a smile on his face. And then there was the bear.
It was an odd little thing, white and furry, and most certainly delightful. Ever since the toddler caste his sight on it, he never left it unguarded. The stuffed white bear hid and was found all over the house in peculiar places. It even went as far as to reach the maids' chambers and the chef's oven. Matthew would throw a huge tantrum; kicking and biting the person who dared touch his beloved Kumajirou, as it was later named.
It wasn't until the summer, a typical warm day without a single breeze blowing, that Francis began to worry for his son's health. The boy was outside with the maid enjoying the weather when he suddenly began hyperventilating. The maid, seeing this panicked and rushed him into the house where he fainted, unconscious. Francis came home that evening terrified at the sight of his beloved son, surrounded by all the maids and the family doctor looking over for the cause of his ailment.
After countless tests and visits to many distinguished pediatricians, it was confirmed that the boy was indeed diagnosed with autism and CIPA. Upon hearing this, the Bonnefoys insisted and even forced arguments that it was not so. Matthew didn't display most of the symptoms associating with the disorders, thus it wasn't possible for him to have them, and at such a young age, there was no doubt that he could change as he develops. They had more reasons dealing with the matter and shunned away all the experts speaking for their grandson that he was perfectly normal.
Despite all this, the issue about Matthew's condition spread like wildfire. Everywhere, businessmen and agents gossiped about the young master's disability and how it was such a heavy burden for the head of the corporation. The talk grew so much so, that Matthew's grandparents would hide him away into rooms whenever their friends or company came to visit the house. They were undoubtedly ashamed and would hurriedly change the subject whenever it mentioned something (concerned or scorned) about their grandson. Francis witnessed all of these and grew furious with his own flesh and blood for being humiliated by their own grandchild.
"Francis, my son, the solution to all this is very simple. You merely need to send the boy away. Far, far away into one of those mental institutions in Asia, maybe even Japan! He can join his mother in recovery and I'm sure they'll take better care of him there and the best part is that you can focus on your work without any hassle from the little one," his father implored him one day, accompanied with his mother.
"How dare you suggest such a thing for your own grandson! Are your pride and social lives honestly more important than my little boy who never dreamed for this misfortune to come to him in the first place. Even now, I don't understand why you're not happy about the fact that he miraculously lived. You grieve for the other, but do not see the gift god has left you instead," Francis shouted with rage and did whatever he could to bring some light to his family's strong judgement.
"That boy, you call a son, has no promise; no future. All he is and will make is trouble and bring many more misfortunes to its father. And haven't you once thought of us? The father and mother who raised you, cared for you, made you the successful man you are now with all the riches in the world at your whim. Do you not care that we are being made fools of because of that retarded child's being?"
Francis was about to lose it, launching himself with anger at his own father, if it wasn't for his mother clinging and crying onto his neck. In the other room of the house, Matthew's wails could be heard amongst the maids and butlers attempts to console the child. His mother's cries mixed in with the boy's drove him crazy. His father, flushed with disgrace and frustration, glared at him expectantly, as if awaiting his son to make a rational decision.
With a deep breath and a reckless ambition, Francis eerily calmed and unlaced his weeping mother's arms from his neck. He strolled into his chambers, calling the maids every now and then ordering to fetch things. His movements could be heard downstairs in the family room where his parents were waiting in anticipation. The blonde master of the house strolled down the sophisticated staircase carrying a sleeping Matthew in his arms and behind him was one of the house maids who carried two very large suitcases.
The couple's faces lit up hopefully, assessing the maid to the door and even calling the chauffeur to fetch the car. Mrs. Bonnefoy called on one of the maids to get into the black sedan and take the boy all the way to the other side of the world and make sure he never came back. The woman, with promises of money and more, did as she was instructed and tried to get Matthew, however Francis refused to let go and with one menacing look, she backed away instantly.
Mr. Bonnefoy smiled and attempted to take the boy. "Where are you sending him off to, dear?"
Francis snatched Matthew who was still sleeping and placed him in his car seat. "We're going to the nearest airport. I don't want my son growing up in this kind of environment with people like you looking down on him like this. He doesn't deserve to be treated in such a way, and as his father, I am not going to tolerate it."
"But the company! You can't-"
The door slammed shut and locked with their baggage stored in the back.
"So be it, if you don't accept and love him as he is, then with all due respect, please do not consider me the heir of the company you fancy so much." And with this he signaled the hesitant driver to go. Francis Bonnefoy didn't bother to look back at his mother; running to catch up to them in vain, begging for his son to come back to the life he was meant to live in - without the cursed boy.
Author's Notes:
1. Thank you once again for your comments. I am considering them into the plot and I will try to include more things for future chapters. If you don't mind, I'm actually looking for a person who can translate words into French. I'm taking classes soon but for now, I only know a handful of phrases. I don't trust Google Translator.
2. Anyways, the complication with the twins' birth is a real thing called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion. As briefly explained, two fetuses share one placenta and have problems proportioning blood supply and other nutrients. It's rare for the twins to be born healthy, or even be born at all. In Matthew's case, it's extremely rare for the donor twin to live since it gets much less of the supply.
