"I still don't understand why we are in France Ivan. Last I knew the country was staying out of the war issues completely like the US." Lily complained.
She heard him chuckle, "You'll find out soon enough. Be patient, moi podsolnechnik."
Lily shook her head, looking back at the country side of France as Ivan drive to their destination. She had to admit, it was breathtakingly beautiful, especially for autumn. Passing vineyards and small towns, it gave her a small nostalgia of England during its better seasons. The rolling greens was one thing she missed dearly.
"Almost there. You can see it now." he stated.
Lily's head snapped to the front only to gaze upon the large building. There was no way they were going there.
"This is a meeting right, we're not staying here are we?" she asked.
"Why not?"
"Ivan!" she exclaimed, "This place, if I'm correct, is practically a historical building. Hear me, historical. This was the summer home of Marie Antoinette. No one lives here."
He gave her that damn smile again, "That you know of."
Now she was just plain lost with all of this. There had to be a joke along the lines somewhere, but finding it was getting harder as he pulled up to the gorgeous building. Her eyes widened in awe, Petit Trianon was beautiful. She was half afraid to ender the vast palace, so many pieces of history laid within there.
"Fair warning, my friend is quite, how would you say, flirtatious." Ivan said opening the door for her, bags in hand.
Lily could only nod at him as she took in everything around her. This had to be a joke, they couldn't be staying here.
"Alright Ivan, where are we really staying and what business do we have?" she asked.
Ivan only smiled at her as he walked to the building. A door swung open and to her amazement, no higher up came to greet them, just a normal looking man.
"Bonjour! Bienvenue chez moi." the man yelled from the door.
"Dear god, it's a true French frog." Lily muttered under her breath.
Ivan paused, it seemed like he was holding back laughter as he turned to look at her, "You English all think the same of the French?"
"I've had my share with one and he was enough." she retorted.
Finally making their way to the door, Lily finally saw the man in full. Bright blue eyes shined down to her with a bright smile adorning his face. His blond hair was tied back, fair loose strands hugged his face as stubble graced his chin.
"You made it, glad to see you both." he said holding his hand out to them.
"Pleasure." Lily said, shaking the hand.
Ivan stood there cold, giving the man a knowing glance. The Frenchman gave a nod, realization donning on him and Lily at the same time. Russian superstition number one: never shake hands, hug, kiss, or anything through the threshold. It brings bad luck. The man stepped out of the house, hand out to Ivan which he gladly accepted then.
"Your silly superstitions are sometimes a pain in the ass, you know?" the man said.
"Da."
"So, this must be Lily then. What an honor to see such a beautiful woman. I am Francis." he said taking her hand again and placing a small peck to her knuckles.
Lily swore at that moment she heard a low growl of warning emit from Ivan. Looking over, his eyes said it all. She was shocked he didn't sucker punch the Frenchman right then and there.
"How is Brie?" Ivan said, getting the Frenchman on something else besides her.
Francis smiled, a look of peace crossed his face, "Ah, she is well. Both my girls are."
"Keeping you busy?"
"But of course." Francis said, "Mademoiselle, Ivan and I must speak freely about the oncoming issues at hand. I do understand that you are a part of this however this is between him and I. You are more than welcome to speak with my Brie. She is out in the garden, shouldn't be hard to find her."
Was this man serious? Ivan came to her side, placing a small kiss to her cheek, "Do not worry. I'll be back soon and tell you all about it. We'll discuss more later. I really believe you need to talk to Brie."
Lily looked at Ivan, his smile gave her the comfort she needed to even move into the home. With a nod, she followed Francis within. Glancing at the lovely rooms and French Revolutionary trinkets around the home, he opened the large glass doors to the garden.
"We will be back soon." Francis said.
Turning back to the garden, Lily gasped with awe. It was massive and yet beautiful. Flowers of every sort were placed within it, vibrant reds, golds, violets, and blues scattered the area like an artist pallet. She could've just sat there in the French sun, just taking in the garden. The gentle autumn breeze gave light goosebumps to her skin but she didn't care.
Small giggles caught her attention, a child, no a baby's laughter. Another voice came out, fluent French and motherly laughs joined the giggling. Making her way to the other half of the garden, Lily found the source. There within the flowers was a woman, kneeling within the grass. Her hair in a loose ponytail, brunette tresses blew in the breeze that fell from the tie. Her white dress made her look angelic like, the blue sash tied around her waist the only color Lily could see. Within her arms, she saw a baby, nearly shy of a year. A fluffy purple dress with flowers adorning its hems made the little one sparkle in the sun, the white ribbon in her chestnut locks giving her a cherub look. Mother and daughter, Lily presumed. Such a darling sight.
The little babe looked right at Lily and began clapping with a bright smile, as mother turn to see what caused her excitement.
"Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to intrude on your afternoon together." Lily said.
"Oh non. Do not worry." the woman said, lifting the little girl in her arms, "You are Lily, non?"
"Yes, that I am."
"Pleasure to meet you." she said, holding her free hand out, "I'm Brie."
"Pleasure." Lily said, taking her hand. "And who might you be, little one?"
Bright blue eyes smiled at Lily, a toothy grin nearly melted her heart in cuteness. "Say, my name is Jeanne."
"Hello, Jeanne." Lily said taking her little hand. "You are absolutely adorable."
"Merci. That is her father coming out of her." Brie stated.
"Francis?" Lily laughed.
"Oui. She is papa's little girl. Never let him tell you otherwise." Brie laughed, "Only thing of maman she had is her hair. Everything else is papa."
Jeanne laughed at her mother as she placed her down on the ground. She scooted away from the women, attempting to grab a butterfly.
"Don't wander far, petit papillon." Brie spoke to the crawling baby.
"Little butterfly, yes?" Lily asked.
"Oui, très bien. Francis's name for her. He barely calls her Jeanne." Brie said, watching her little one.
"Sounds like he's more of a handful than the baby." Lily stated.
"That is all men." Brie replied.
Both burst into a fit of laughter. Lily hadn't laughed like that since Vera and Viktor's passing, it felt good really.
"Ah oui. Men are something special." Brie said following her daughter.
"That they are." she agreed, "Have an idea what they're talking about?"
"You."
Lily's head shot to Brie, "Me?"
"Oui, you." Brie smiled. "Tell me, honestly, how do you think Ivan thinks of you, views you?"
That wasn't something she was expecting, yet knowing Ivan and Francis were talking about her behind her back set of a firework among the warehouse full of them within her.
"Alright. I think most of the time he sees me as a partner in the work field. Someone reliable and trusting to get work done. That there is nothing more than that." Lily started.
"However?" Brie added.
"However, there are times I think he thinks more of me but won't go far. A bad past as he stated to me. But that shouldn't hinder him, do you think?"
"Ivan has had a painful past from what Francis has told me along with the others." Brie said to her.
Lily heard Ivan speaking in her head about his one love. How it had holes within the story. Lily looked over at Brie, the woman's eyes shined at her, hinting to something that Lily needed to find out.
"What aren't you telling me Brie?"
Brie chuckled, "It's something you have to fully figure out on your own. But I will guide you as best as I can."
"How do you mean?"
"Tell me, do you have nightmares? Visions? Hearing things?" Brie asked, "If so, tell me of them."
Now Lily was curious, how could she know? "Fine. Well for the dreams, the first one I'm lying in a bed, there's a fireplace in the corner, enough to illuminate the room. I'm chilled even though I have all sorts of blankets. The only part of me that's warm is my hand and that is due to the man holding my hand. He's sad, doesn't want to accept what is happening. He starts crying, just a gentle cry at first. Then it changes to a corridor, long and cold. It seems so out of place. There's two people within it discussing a train and a family. Then a booming voice demands about the family and then it fades. Only thing that ensues is the crying. Goes from a light, gentle, sad cry to a painful, hurtful wail."
Brie nodded to her, "Anything else?"
"Whispers," Lily said, "For years I had whispers of 'Find him, Love him, Saint-Petersburg, Moscow.' Once I got there, it was just find him, love him."
"And?"
"That's it." Lily said. She didn't want to frighten the woman any more than she had to.
"Is that why there are bruises upon your collar and shoulder? I am guessing they are all over your body as well. A nightmare causing them."
Lily stopped and glared at the woman, "How on earth?"
"Ivan doesn't know, does he?" Brie asked, all Lily could do was give her a nod, "I thought so. I saw them when we shook hands."
"I'm not self-harming."
"I never said that Lily." Brie smiled at her, "You are not alone in this."
"What little you know dear." Lily muttered.
"Oh, I know you are not. I was like you." Brie said.
She looked at her, "How so?"
"At the age of four I dreamed that I died, but not just any death. Being burned at the stake. It was to the point in my life that I gained burn patches on my skin and occasionally rope burns upon my wrists and ankles. It wasn't until I came here that I gained something knew, a long cut to the back of my neck. And in that dream, was death by guillotine. They were all very real to me, each giving me a mark as proof. So now that I have explained mine, it's time for yours."
Relief washed over Lily, someone did understand her issue to a point. She wanted to cry in happiness over it but it could wait.
"I'm in a white room with a bunch of people. I believe they're my family. The boy asks if it's our last picture together, and the man nods. Just then a group of soldiers enter the room and a man, the man seems familiar but I can't see his face. At that moment, they raise their guns to us and fire. I feel it, the pain, the numbness, the heavy sensation and coldness of death. I look up and the man I know is standing over me, he says something in Russian that I can't quite make out. He holds the barrel to my head as I scream the only comforting name I know. And then there's nothing." Lily explained, letting her tears fall. "Sorry."
"No." Brie said, rubbing Lily's arm, "This is what I wanted to hear. It's easier to let it out than bottle it up. It'll drive you crazy."
"Already labeled that."
"That is done by society and that can kiss our asses." Brie stated, "But these dreams and whispers are all important. They are guiding you to your proper place. You just have to figure out who you are."
"Who I am? I'm Lily Chelsea Connelly, a diplomat of England and Russia and states affairs of each country. Who else can I be?" she stated, nearly shouting in frustration.
"True, however there is another part of you that you must awaken. I did it. And when I did, all the nightmares and burns went away." Brie explained.
"Can't you just tell me what I need to know?" Lily asked.
"Non, I cannot. It will be confusing for you however if I explain it or even tell you, it will be a total loss for you."
"You're talking in riddles."
"To you I may be, but soon it will make sense. Just have to find the piece for you to finally see yourself." Brie said to her, rubbing her shoulder, "You said you visited all the locations the whispers asked you, non?"
Lily nodded at her, "I went to them all. Nothing."
"Where else do you hear them, and I don't mean a simple 'find him' like you've told me. More detailed. This way, come here manner more or less."
"I honestly believe you dug into my mind and pulled everything out of it before I even shook your hand." Lily said, "Only one place. There's a room at Ivan's house that is always locked. No key in sight and if it is, it's on his person twenty-four seven. Toris told me to avoid the room at all cost. It's Ivan's private place, no one is allowed in there. Not a soul. But it's the one place the whispers call to me the loudest."
"Go in it."
"Are you mad?!" Lily exclaimed, "And suffer under Ivan's hand?"
"I highly doubt he'd harm a hair on you. Plus, there is reason they are calling you in there, it lies behind that door. You must find out or listen to the whispers eat at your mind."
"You don't know Ivan very well. He'd know the moment I opened the door." Lily said, watching as Jeanne made her way up the stairs to the large doors.
"Quite the opposite Lily, you don't know him well." Brie said as they followed Jeanne.
"He called us as soon as he had an idea of what was going on. Practically demanding me to help you, to get you where you need to be like me. He wants relief for you. He doesn't want to see you suffer. He's watched from afar and kept his distance, waiting for the right moment to help you. He's rung our phone so much since you've been with him."
Lily was stunned, did Ivan really feel towards her like that?
"He does." Brie said allowed as she opened the door.
"What?"
"Love you." she replied, "It's written on him like a book, and the same for you."
"I barely know him."
"I barely knew Francis, yet I felt like I knew him for a lifetime and more. You'll see." Brie said, "Oh and to get to the door without disturbing him, try tiring him out."
Lily gave a questioning look to Brie, all the woman did was wink at her, "You better not be insinuating what I think you are."
Brie laughed as they made their way to the kitchen, watching as Jeanne crawled over to Francis's office space with the men.
"You need to relax Ivan, you're going to give yourself a heart attack if you continue." Francis chided him.
True Ivan was a wreck, he worried non-stop over Lily and what Brie would tell her. How would she handle the truth like that? Would she look at him differently? Would she feel for him like he does her?
"Brie is only talking nightmares, nothing more. Lily must find it all on her own. We cannot help them even as much as want to." Francis reminded him.
"Da I know, still." Ivan said sitting back down into the large chair.
"She'll be fine." he reassured him, "Now the bigger question is how many other women are out there with the same thing as Brie and Lily? We only thought it was Brie after Paris. Now, who knows."
"Alfred went off the grid according to Arthur, think he found his?" Ivan stated.
"Possibility." Francis shrugged, "If it is the case, I hope she calms his antics down."
"Da."
"So silent."
"Aren't I always?"
"What troubles you Ivan?"
Ivan sat there as the thoughts raced through his mind. There were so many things that plagued him, "War."
He heard Francis hum in agreement. It was something they all feared. He was hoping with Alfred new election coming up things would change up a bit with leaders and maybe safer deals yet he had a sinking feeling that even with the original Axis and Allies being civil towards each other, the threat wasn't of a country they all knew.
"Between Hercules, Mathieu, Jett, and Lien, the threat isn't a country anymore. It's more of an uprising of people and beliefs than a country itself." Francis stated.
"Pure intel or just observation?" Ivan asked.
"Both." Francis replied, "Arthur has sent some of his intel in to check, Ludwig was going to do the same as well. I was too. Best to have all of us on board just to be safe."
"You think it'll get that bad?"
"Non, but I would rather be ready for nothing than be caught unprotected. I have two reasons now to fight harder than I ever have."
Ivan smiled, he remembered seeing Jeanne for the first time after her birth. She was such a small thing, it was hard to believe she wasn't a doll and the radiant glow from Brie was enough to stop all the countries to awe at them.
"Francis?"
"Oui?"
"What's it like?" he asked, "Being a father? A husband?"
Francis sighed, peaceful and content. His features softened as he smiled to himself, head leaning back, as if he was looking at Brie and Jeanne, "Oh Ivan, it is the most magical thing in the world. I wouldn't trade it for a moment. I have the most beautiful women on the planet, and they really are mine."
Ivan watched him as Francis explained, a small laugh escaping the blonde, "There are times I have to pinch myself to fully realize I'm not dreaming. One day, Ivan. You will be like me."
Ivan laughed at his last statement. He never thought of children or a wife in any manner. True he had flings but nothing really took him to hold. He just never cared for the thought, yet when Lily crosses his mind, she's all he can think of.
A small tug caught to Ivan scarf caught his attention, looking down he saw Jeanne smiling up at him. Her eyes the same blue as her fathers as her mother's brown locks covered her small head. He was a little unsure of what to think of her. Jeanne's arms went up to him, fingers grasping air as she cooed at him. Ivan looked at Francis, hoping he's take the little one so he wouldn't embarrass himself more.
"Well, don't just gawk at her, she wants up in your lap." Francis said, smiling at him.
Ivan looked back down to the baby, hooking his hands under her arms and lifting her to his knee. She smiled at him and clapped her hands. She reached out for him, grabbing hold of his scarf and pulling him close. Ivan felt her give him a small kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head upon his shoulder. He on the other hand was frozen in fear. He had no idea what to do or anything, he felt uncomfortable and terrified he'd break her.
Francis's chuckle echoed the room as Ivan glanced at the man, all he did was motion for Ivan to hug her back. Slowly he wrapped his arms around the baby, her little heart beat against his body as she hummed to herself. As strange as the moment was, Ivan felt peaceful as well.
"Well, isn't this a Kodak moment." he heard someone say.
Ivan's eyes darted up only to be greeted with Lily's. She was smiling at him as Brie giggled at her comment. He let go of Jeanne, hoping to not upset her yet getting him out of the situation.
"Francis, help the poor man out. You've thrown him into the lion pit there." Brie chided the man.
With a small laugh, Francis walked over and took Jeanne from him, the baby's warmth still lingering against his shoulder. Lily made her way towards him, smiling down at him.
"I must say, that was a darling look for you." she said brushing his hair back.
Ivan thought for a moment, Lily as his and a child running around them. Maybe one day, he smiled at the thought, maybe soon.
