I've decided that I will end the story at twenty chapters (I've already got a few chapters done or planned out). It seems fitting and I'd like to finish stories especially with my exams beginning and other life things going on so I won't deprive you of Frary/Jean moments etc. I hope you enjoy the next chapter as we get to properly meet someone and share a few moments of laughter and happiness.
"...You're a man," Marie says in confusion. "Sorry, do you know where my daughter is? She lives here or... I thought she did?"
Francis bites back a smile as he leans against the doorway. "And who might your daughter be?"
"Mary. Mary Stuart," Marie mutters, digging her phone out of her bag. "If I knew she was renting the place out, I wouldn't have dropped by. I'm so sorry-"
"You really don't recognise me do you?" Francis asks, slightly coyly.
Marie looks up from her phone in confusion. "I'm sorry, are you a fan or something? I don't sign autographs nor do I take pictures."
"Wow," Francis breathes out. "No, I'm not a fan but... you saved my life."
Marie's eyes widen and she almost drops her phone onto the ground if not for Francis's quick reflexes. "Francis Valois?" She asks in shock, taking her phone from him. "Dear God, you certainly grew up to be a handsome little one, didn't you?"
Francis blushes furiously. "Thank you. I never did get to thank you for saving my life. I wouldn't be here if not for you."
Marie waves him off. "A mother's love for her child," she replies. "Maternal instincts I hope my daughter will gain one day. But she doesn't see herself worthy of being a mother."
"She's a wonderful mother," Francis replies before blushing when Marie's eyes widen.
"I-I have a grandchild?"
"No," Francis quickly says. "She... She and I are together and I-I have a son who was born when I was seventeen - do you want to come inside?"
Marie nods and he leads her inside, she closing the door behind her. "You're Mary's new boyfriend?"
"Yeah," Francis says, suddenly shy under her gaze. "I-Is that okay?"
Marie starts laughing, looking up and down his frame. "She's overjoyed, and trust me, her happiness is all that matters to me. Now, I don't have to worry that he's not good enough for her. Where is my darling daughter?"
"Outside on a secret project," Francis explains before he hears his name being called from upstairs. "You can join her, Kenna and my son in the garden. I have to help my..." He pauses. "Kenna's fiancé out."
Marie furrows her brows. "Your...?"
"Friend," Francis says, heading up the stairs.
"Wait, Kenna's getting married?!"
Francis merely chuckles.
Marie shakes her head in disbelief, heading out into the garden through the kitchen. She spots the trio at the back of the garden, the women drawing and painting on something that's on the boy's chest.
"Mary!"
"Maman!" Mary cries out, Jean turning to face the older woman. "Mummy, what are you doing here?"
She heads towards her mother and Marie grins over at Kenna.
"Do your family know you're tying the knot, young lady?" Marie asks a flushed Kenna before her eyes land on the words on the boy's chest. "Jesus, and pregnant?!" Then her eyes widen. "'Big cousin'?"
Mary nods slowly, pulling her mother over. "Keep your voice down. Uh, so Henry Valois has a lovechild who is Kenna's fiancé and now, baby daddy."
Marie almost chokes before she pulls a face. "Actually, I knew it was bound to happen. The man's a lothario."
"Meet Francis's son, Jean," Mary says, giving the boy a quick ruffle of his hair. "Jean, this is my maman."
"Bonjour, Madame," Jean says, sticking his hand out.
Marie chuckles, shaking his hand. "Such a charmer like his father. Hopefully not like his grandfather."
"Preach," Kenna says lightly. "Right, Mary, you go and grab Bash and bring him outside."
Mary nods, turning to her mother. "Stay right here."
"I'll catch up with Kenna," her mother replies, shaking her head in disbelief. "Engaged and pregnant."
Kenna laughs softly. "I know. But soon, it's going to happen to Mary. Trust me."
...
"Why am I blindfolded?"
"Just shut up," Mary says lightly, pulling Bash outside with both hands around one of his as Francis steers him by his shoulders.
"Am I going to be killed already? I have to drive back to France in a couple of hours," Bash says.
Mary rolls her eyes with a smirk, leading him into the garden finally. Then she pulls him towards Kenna, Jean and her mother, her mother rising her phone up to film everything. She mouths a quick 'thank you' to her, making her mother shrug in reply.
Finally, she lets go of Bash and goes over to Jean, Francis undoing the blindfold from Bash. Bash squints and his eyes land on the writing on Jean's shirt.
"Awh, who's making Jean a big cousin?" Bash asks.
Kenna glares at him. "Are you serious?"
Bash starts laughing beckoning Kenna in for a hug. "I'm not stupid enough to know why you're rushing to the bathroom every other hour nor am I blind to not know what two lines mean on a period test."
Kenna receives some coy looks. "Well, I wanted to keep it a secret until-"
"I know, it's sweet," Bash says, kissing her softly. "Thanks, guys."
"Is that your reaction?" Marie asks. "Excuse me, your beautiful partner has just told you she's carrying your child. A little bit more enthusiasm would suffice."
Mary's eyes widen. "Mother!"
Kenna clicks her tongue. "She's right, Mary. Why aren't you on your knees, claiming I'm a goddess or some-"
Bash lifts her and spins her around. "Happy now?"
Kenna blushes. "Sure."
Mary turns to her mother in disbelief. "Let's give them some privacy. Jean, there's cake in the fridge."
She leads her mother, Jean and Francis inside, getting the cake from the fridge.
"So, is it serious between you two?" Marie asks Francis and Mary as she takes a seat.
Mary turns to Francis, a blush playing on her cheeks. "I guess."
"You guess?" Marie asks. "Jim told me you were bringing some guests for Christmas. Was the nannying job a cover story?"
"Sure," Mary mumbles, placing the cake down onto the table. "Maman, can we talk?"
Marie nods, standing and following her daughter into the living room.
...
"...It was nice meeting you three," Marie starts, checking an incoming text on her phone. "But I have to go now." She looks up. "Francis, walk me out?"
Francis sends Mary a nervous glance and he nods silently, following Marie outside with his hands in his pockets. He follows her and stands by her car, watching as she taps out a text before stopping to look at him intently.
"What are your intentions with my daughter?"
"I-I want her to be happy, Ms de Guise," Francis says softly.
Marie swallows hard. "Do you know...?"
"I do."
"And?"
"I still love her," Francis says firmly. "Nothing will stop me from loving her."
Marie sighs in relief, a wide smile on her face before she digs into her handbag and retrieves a ring box. "You're probably going to think I'm crazy..."
"I would never," Francis says cautiously.
She hands him the box, watching as he opens it. "Mary's father gave that ring to me when he proposed. I keep it around with me, even after twenty-six years since he died... It's collecting dust being with me so why don't you save it for me? For Mary?"
Francis's eyes widen as he stares at the ring and nods shakily. "Y-Yes, o-of course. But-"
"No, buts," Marie says. "Mary told me she loved you. That this is real and I believe her. I'm sure you understand if I have any reservations."
"I do. And I'm nothing like-"
"I know," Marie says softly, a smile playing on her lips as tears spring to her eyes. "Today has made me think a lot about my daughter's future. She's had to go through her friends being miles ahead of her and her picking up the pieces, day by day just to learn how to walk and talk again. But the joy she has with you and your adorable, little boy... You've brought my daughter back to me in more ways you can imagine. Thank you."
She takes his hand and squeezes it tightly, Francis blinking back tears himself.
"Her brother," Marie continues breathlessly as if she's in disbelief. "Said she planned the future. She's never done that, not since before everything. So for her to talk about cooking and hosting Christmas, it's a blessing. It's a miracle and it's because of you. People like you, Kenna, Jean-Philippe and Sebastian, giving her time and space and love and understanding. I hope you continue to give her that courtesy. Because she's goddamn worth the whole world."
"Can I hug you?" Francis asks, his voice breaking a little.
Marie laughs, nodding before she wraps her arms around him tightly. "I knew you were her future even in the past. Good luck and protect her heart for me."
"I will," Francis whispers. "I promise."
...
"What did you guys talk about?" Mary asks as they settle into her bed. They decided to keep Kenna company for the night until Bash returned the next day with Kenna's car.
Francis presses a kiss on her cheek, closing his eyes. "Nothing much. She just questioned me."
Mary chuckles softly, turning to look into his eyes. "I'm sorry for anything she said."
"It wasn't bad," Francis says, his voice becoming higher pitched. "It was... interesting."
"Right," Mary drawls out.
"I'm scared of her but I think she likes me," Francis replies.
Mary giggles, kissing his nose. "I think I had a lot to do with that," she jests. "I love you."
He cups her cheek, brushing his lips over her hairline. "I love you too. More than you could ever imagine."
Mary suddenly feels self-conscious and she mentally curses. "R-Really?"
"Yeah," Francis whispers. "Do you want to cuddle tonight?"
Mary shakes her head. "C-Can you show me how much you love me? I think I need a reminder."
Before she knows it, he presses her lips against hers, his fingers going to undo the buttons on her pyjama shirt. Her arms wind around his neck as she draws him closer to her, his hands sliding down to her lower hips.
"I love you," he whispers against her lips. "So much."
"I love-"
"Marry me."
Mary's eyes widen and she pulls away in shock.
Francis drops a bomb on Mary after meeting her mother. What will her answer be?