A/n: I would like to apologize for my absence. For one: writer's block sucks. For two: I had to prep for color guard tryouts that happened the last two days. (I can't move my legs without them hurting.) For three: I procrastinate things longer than I should. Especially my writing. So here it is, without further ado.

Zephyr: (n.) a gentle, mild breeze. It does not disrupt, nor cause chaos, it merely brings a pleasant sensation on a warm summer day.

Chapter 14

After I had washed up and changed into a clean dress, I did not know what to do, so I decided to write a letter to Jules. It had not occurred to me with all that had been going on, but I missed her terribly. I'm sure if I were not going all day without a break, I'd have realized this. Sitting down at my vanity, I retrieved a pen and a piece of parchment, and then began to write.

Dear Julianna,

I apologize for not writing again sooner. While I do enjoy working here, I rarely get time to breathe. That might be changing here, though, and I hope I will be able to write more. I hope I have not made you worry due to my inability to write you. If so, then I hope you will forgive me and spare me from an extra-long letter from you.

Time has flown by so quickly. I know that it has only been a few weeks, but it feels like I arrived here only yesterday. There was barely any time for me to think about how different it felt to be on my own. There is very little time for me to really think of anything, but I suppose it is for the best. I miss you and our parents very much. My heart aches to be with you three once again, but I know that I have a duty to fulfill here. Said duty cannot be explained, per request of my employer.

All is well with me. I am taking care of myself and would be making mother quite proud if she could see me. However, she would not be impressed with me sleeping without changing into a nightgown. She'd probably lecture me, if she knew. I long for springtime. The snow has not melted here and I pray that it does soon. I want to see the world become bright and green instead of the dull gray and white it is now. The warmer weather would also be much appreciated.

How are you three doing? I ask, only because I know my old job helped pay for food and sometimes rent. If you need money, I would not mind sending some along with a letter. Actually, I will send some with this one. Don't worry about me not having enough. What I need is all paid for by my employer and I am making way more than I thought I would be. If mother and father need it for rent, give it to them for that. Otherwise, take mother with you to the marketplace and surprise father with a wonderful supper.

I could go on and on, but I do have work to do still. Please write soon and tell me of anything and everything new in your life. Let mother and father know that I love them. I love you as well, Jules. I pray that we will be able to see one another soon. I will write and let you know if I get the chance.

With all my love,

Vivienne

"Mademoiselle Clerisseau?" My head turned to see Gustave standing in the doorway. His hair was still damp and was sticking up in every direction possible. That wasn't what caught my eyes first. The child was looking at me with the most heartbreaking expression in his eyes. There was little to no emotion on his face and I knew that there was no one to blame but his father. How harmful could a child be to deserve to be treated like this? All he seems to want is to be close to his father, to have some semblance of a family. "I am hungry."

"Alright. Let's get you dressed and go down to the kitchen." I left the letter on the vanity, knowing I would come back to it later. Taking the boy's hand as I passed by him, we returned to his room. Gathering each needed item of clothing, I helped Gustave out of his nightclothes. As I helped him into his trousers, I looked up at him with a soft smile. "What do you want to do after you eat?" He shrugged his shoulders, not answering aloud. "Do you want to paint again?"

"No." he said. I helped him into his shirt next.

"Would you like to play with your toys?" I asked while buttoning up the shirt.

"No, I don't want to play with my toys." Gustave answered. I sighed and glanced away from him towards the window. Was there nothing he wanted to do? I was sure he would get upset if I kept questioning him. It was starting to snow lightly outside and I got a brilliant idea. I finished helping him dress and we made our way down to the kitchen. The child barely touched his food despite saying that he was hungry earlier. I sat patiently next to him, hoping that my idea would work well.

Once finished, I asked him to wait in the kitchen for me while I went upstairs. He had no idea what was in store for him. Upstairs, I grabbed my cloak and looked through Gustave's closet for something close to a coat. There was one in the far back of it and I hoped it would fit him. Throwing my cloak over my shoulders, I headed back downstairs. With Gustave's father gone and the ability to break rules, I could go forward with this plan. I was going to take Gustave outside. The snow was falling and I couldn't remember the last time I had played out in it. I prayed that Gustave would enjoy it as much as I had at his age.

When I returned to the kitchen, he was still sitting in his chair with his half-eaten meal in front of him. "Gustave." I said, gaining his attention. He pushed his chair back and then walked over to stand in front of me. Holding out his coat in front of him, he looked at me confused. "Let me put this on you."

"Why?" he asked. "I'm not cold."

"You will be if you go outside like you are now." Gustave frowned at my words. Sighing, I pushed the coat forward even more. "Come on, Gustave. Don't you ever want to go outside? The snow is so much fun. You can build a fort or a snowman. We could just sit and watch it fall, if you wanted to."

"I've never been outside." he said, though I could have guessed that. "I've never been allowed to."

"There is a first time for everything." Gustave looked down from me to his feet, obviously thinking what to decide. After a couple of seconds, he turned around and allowed me to slip the coat onto him. Taking his hand in mine before he could leave my side, I led him to the front of the building. On the way, we passed Madame Blanchet who flashed a subtle smile in my direction. I smiled back, knowing she would keep her word as long as I kept mine. We arrived at the front door and I opened it.

Gustave stepped out in front of me while I shut the door behind us. The small snowflakes I had seen earlier were now large ones, covering the ground in a fresh white blanket. Gustave looked warily around as if he expected something bad to happen while outside. A gust of wind blew some of the falling snow into our faces, causing Gustave to reel back and into me. Turning around, he looked up at me with a cross look. "I don't like this."

"It hasn't even been a minute, Gustave." I said. Reaching down, I took one of his hands into mine. "Here. I want to show you something."

I led the child off the porch and to the nearest snow patch. Letting go of his hand, I laid down in the snow. This earned me a look of confusion, but I had a point to make. I moved my arms up and down in the snow, while opening and closing my legs. When I finished, I stood up and brushed the snow off me. Looking down at my snow angel, I smiled. "Gustave, what does it look like?"

"I don't know." he answered.

"Look harder." Gustave huffed and looked at the outline I had left in the snow. He tilted his head one way, while squinting his eyes. Then he tilted his head the other way.

After a few more seconds, he gasped in realization. Looking up at me, he answered with excitement. "It looks like an angel!"

"It's a snow angel. I can show you how to make one, if you want."

"Show me!" he said. I directed him how to make one and it was so worth it when he stood up and looked at his little snow angel next to mine. There was joy in his eyes and he proceeded to make a few more around the front of the manor. Not wanting to stop there, I taught him how to make a snowman, which we made three of. I believe he was the one to initiate the snowball fight we had.

The afternoon passed quickly and before the two of us knew it, it was getting close to dinnertime. Both of us were cold and wet from our activities, so I decided it was time to go in. Gustave put up a bit of a fight, but as soon as I promised a treat once inside, he gave up. I towel dried his hair and got him into some dry clothes. Madame Blanchet was kind enough to watch him while I changed into a dry dress myself. The maid also kept an eye on him while I went to the kitchen to make Gustave his treat.

I realized that I had not made anything myself in the kitchen since before I arrived. Cooking was one thing I enjoyed helping my mother with. Once able, Jules started to help. We'd dance around our small kitchen, doing just about anything we could to prepare the food. I looked forward to making this treat, thinking of home while doing so. The cook was so helpful in providing me with the needed ingredients, even though she was busy with dinner. It took barely any time and when it was finished, I poured the end result into two cups, one for Gustave and one for myself.

I set the cups on a tray and carried it up to the playroom. Madame Blanchet was sitting in the chair there, watching Gustave play on the floor. She did not say anything to me, but I could tell that she was already thankful for what I had done. Once she left, I set the tray down and turned to find Gustave looking up at me expectantly.

"Here we are. My specialty: hot cocoa." Taking one of the cups, I handed it to him and watched him smell the warm liquid before taking a sip. His eyes lit up and he took another sip, causing me to laugh. "You don't like it, do you?"

"I do!" Gustave answered, his upper lip covered with the chocolatey drink. I took a sip from my own cup, enjoying the warmth. It had been a long time since I had made it, but it seemed to taste better than the last time I recalled. As it passed over my tongue, I could taste the cinnamon and slight hint of vanilla along with the prominence of the chocolate. The creaminess was just about right and I hoped I would be able to replicate it the next time I made hot cocoa.

Gustave finished his after a few minutes and handed me his cup. "May I have some more?"

"I don't want to spoil your dinner." The child pouted, but I did not budge. "You may have some after dinner, but only if you finish everything on your plate."

Dinner came and went. As promised, since Gustave finished his food, I got him some more of the sweet drink. We were in his playroom once again, as dinner was ready earlier than normal. Gustave went between his toys and his drink until it was all finished. By that time, he was starting to look sleepy. It had been a long day full of stress and then play. He tried to stay awake to play, but his eyes would shut only to shoot open again. That is when I decided it was time to get him into bed.

Practically carrying Gustave to his room, I set him on the edge of his bed so I could get his nightclothes. I had grabbed them and turned around, confused at what I found, or what I didn't find. Gustave was not on the bed where I had left him. Looking around the room, I wondered where he had gone. I had not heard him leave the room, whether to the bathing room or into the hall. As I came out of looking in his bathing room, I heard a quiet snore come from beneath his bed. Kneeling down, I looked there and, sure enough, there was Gustave.

I pulled him out and set him back on the bed. As I went to unbutton his shirt, I paused at the sight of something held loosely in his hand. As gentle as possible, I slid it from his grip and looked at it. Immediately, I knew what it was and was surprised I hadn't guessed that it was the photograph of his parents Madame Blanchet had given him. A younger and less grumpy Monsieur Destler was looking into the eyes of his wife. Just the corners of his lips were pulled up into a small smile, but I could see the adoration of Madame Destler in his gaze. Madame Destler had cupped his cheek and all the love she held was directed to her husband by her eyes. Her smile was big enough for the two of them. No wonder Monsieur Destler was so affected by her...

"That is my mother and father." I looked up from the photograph to Gustave, who had just woken up. He didn't look me in the eye, but I could tell he was upset by me having the picture. I was quick to hand it back to him, feeling like I had crossed some boundary. He climbed down off his bed and slid it underneath his bed. "I never met her, but sometimes I dream about her."

"Do you dream about your father too?" It had slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

"Sometimes, but I don't care about him." Gustave said angrily. "He hates me."

"I don't think that's the case." I stated gently. "He's just... worried about you."

"Worried about me?" Gustave questioned.

"Yes. Worried." I repeated. "He doesn't want to lose you like he lost..."

"Like he lost my mother?"

"Exactly." I answered. I knew Gustave did not know what had happened to his mother, something for which I was glad. If he ever did find out, I would not want to see how he reacted. "He loves you so much, but doesn't know how to let that show because he's worried. What happened earlier is proof of that."

"What if we got my mother to come back?"

"Oh, Gustave." I cooed. "She's been gone a very long time."

"Then you can be my mother."

I could not speak after hearing Gustave's words. He did not know the meaning behind such words, but I did. While I thought Gustave was an amazing child, Monsieur Destler was a whole other story. He had good intentions by remaining distant and placing these rules. The man was a bit cynical and cold. A lot of it likely came from the death of Madame Destler as well as his own childhood. There had to be more to him, though. His wife had seen something in him that no one else had. Would anyone else ever be able to see the same thing? Could I see what she had seen in him? The thought frightened me, but before I could think more on it, Gustave gained my attention.

"Mademoiselle Clerisseau?" he said, looking up at me. "You could be my mother."

"That's not how things work, Gustave." I answered softly. "You will understand things better in time. Come, let's get you into bed." I was quick to get him into his nightclothes and tucked in. As I turned to go, Gustave stopped me.

"You won't tell anyone about the photograph, will you?" he asked.

"Of course not."

"Not even my father?"

"Not even your father. I promise."

I continued to leave and as I shut the door behind me, I heard Gustave say two words that I had never heard him say before. "Thank you."

A/n: Hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter. Let me know in a lovely review: the best motivation to write more for you guys!