Odette lay in bed holding her son for a good portion of the early morning, silent tears rolling down her face. Today the two would walk to Paris where Julien would be given to the Jewish orphanage because Odette had no other choice. There was a moment when she thought sleeping with a man to feed her son would not be too terrible. Women did what they had to for their families but, she knew Julien would grow up to be ashamed of her and she wasn't sure that option would give him a better life.

"Maman?" Julien said in a sleepy voice. "Are you crying?"

"Oh." Odette said as she wiped her eyes.

"Papa will make you happy." He said as he pushed his soldier into her chest.

"Julien, do you want to go on an adventure today?" She asked, trying to hold back her tears when his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Oui!" he exclaimed as he began to jump up and down on the bed.

Odette readied the two of them, her lip and hands trembling as she pinned her hair back. Julien sat on the old wood floor playing with Papa and Odette paused, watching him, memorizing everything about this moment. The way his little hands moved and the small thump that Papa made on the floor as Julien pretended he was walking. Odette was just beginning to say something when she glanced toward the door.

There, at the base of the door, sat a white envelope that must have been delivered while she was readying Julien. Odette sighed, not wanting to be distracted from her final moments with her son. She walked to the door, picked up the envelope and glanced at it, ready to place it on the cabinet for later when she paused.

Her heart began to race as she looked at the stamps and the name on the return address. He had responded!

Odette tore the envelope apart, clumsily unfolded the letter and gasped when bills fell out of the paper and onto the floor. She stood frozen for a moment, not knowing if she should pick up the money or read the letter first. Deciding the money wasn't going anywhere, she began to read.

Odette,

It appears your letter had gotten lost many times before finally finding its way to me. I have enclosed money for you to use for food and travel expenses. I am having a room prepared for the boy now. Please telephone when you intend to arrive, and I will have a car waiting at King's Cross Station.

Alfie

Odette read the letter multiple times before hugging it to her chest. He was sending money for Odette to bring Julien to him, giving her a few more days with her boy that she will be forever grateful for. Bending down she picked up the money and counted it, shocked that he had sent so much.

"Maman! Our adventure!" Julien said tugging at the skirt of her dress.

"Right! Of course! The animals will not wait forever!" She said, choosing to spend some of the money on final memories.

Odette laughed and smiled more than she ever had as she watched Julien enjoy himself at the zoo, ending the day with an ice cream even though it was cold outside. When Odette had finished preparing dinner that evening, she found Julien asleep on the floor, too tired from the day's excitement to play with Papa.

"Julien." Odette said softly. "It is time to eat."

Julien grumbled before saying, "No, Maman."

"You do not want to eat?"

"No." He groan before curling up in a tight ball.

Odette laughed before picking him up and carrying him to bed.

"Sleep well, my angel. Tomorrow we go on a much bigger adventure." She said as she wiped the hair from his forehead.

Two days later, Odette led Julien by the hand off the train at King's Cross.

"Dad!" They heard a small girl yell before she ran and jumped into her father's arms. Her father held her with one arm to his side while she told him stories of her holiday.

Julien watched in fascination while Odette scanned the station for Captain Solomons.

She had been so pleased with the extra days with her son and the comfort they were able to spend them in, but now her stomach was in knots. She hadn't told Julien that he would meet his father, not knowing if that is what Monsieur Solomons would want or not, nor had she told him that he would be living in England without her. He had enjoyed every day of their trip; she couldn't bear to ruin all future adventures for him with such a hard concept.

Odette had called while Alfie was out and left a message with Ollie which disappointed Alfie for reasons he couldn't explain. Perhaps it was because he was still referring to his son as "the boy" because he didn't know his name. He had gotten the room ready in his house and renovations on the house across the street had just finished earlier this morning. Alfie checked his watch, eight o'clock. It was winter so the sun had well set by this point and taken the temperature with it. He stood by his car, watching the many travelers go in and out of the station.

After an hour of waiting, Alfie's attention perked. A petite woman with dark blond hair exited the building with a suitcase in one hand, a small bag on her shoulder, and a small boy holding her other hand. He watched her scan the lot before her eyes landed on his. Alfie's eyebrows pulled together as he examined her walking to him. Her high cheekbones stuck out of her hollow cheeks and her dress was loose, tattered, and too large. The boy however, looked healthy with new clothes and shiny new shoes. They looked like they were from different families and it was obvious to Alfie what the situation was. A selfless mother who gave everything to and for her son, just like his had.

His attention drifted to the boy who looked like his miniature. He walked where his mother led, his large dark blue eyes scanning his surroundings, taking in everything.

"Monsieur Captain." Odette said almost breathlessly when they reached him.

Alfie chuckled, "Odette, the war is over. Call me Alfie."

Her cheeks turned slightly rosy and she said, "In my head you have always been The Captain."

Alfie gave her a small smile before turning his attention to the boy.

"And who is this?" Alfie asked as he knelt to be at eye level with his son.

Odette knelt as well, and Julien looked at her. "Can you tell him your name?"

Julien looked at Alfie then back at Odette, then back at Alfie in silence. "Julien." Odette answered for him.

Julien. Alfie repeated in his head.

"Um, well," Odette went on nervously. "Actually… His name is Alfred Julien Solomons. I gave him your name in case he wanted to find you when he was grown. I-I… I'm sorry, I should have asked your permission."

A small bubble of pride started in Alfie's stomach at hearing that his name had been passed on to his son.

"Um, he doesn't know though. He has always been called Julien… I apologize Monsieur."

"Enough." Alfie said as he stood and Odette's eyes went wide. Alfie's face softened and he inclined his head to her. "You don't have to call me 'monsieur' or 'captain'. Just call me Alfie."

The gentle tone of his voice must have eased her nerves because her bony shoulders relaxed.

"Well, I'll take those." Alfie said as he reached for her luggage, which she handed over and motioned to his car.

"Maman?" Julien said, tugging at her hand hesitantly.

"It's alright, Julien. This is-" She stopped, unsure of how to introduce Alfie to his son. "Um-?" She paused, looking at him.

Alfie looked at the large eyes staring at him and said, "I'm your dad, Julien."

Julien thought for a moment before he released Odette's hand and lifted his arms to Alfie as the little girl had done in the train station earlier. Odette turned her head away, trying to stop the emotion from overwhelming her. When she turned back, Alfie was bending to lift his son. Alfie stared at the boy in his arms and Julien stared back, his eyes drifting up to Alfie's black hat. Alfie smiled and took off the hat, placing it on his son's head. The small boy grabbed the brim and looked at his mother for approval.

"Look at you!" Odette said, trying to hide the crack in her voice.

The drive to Alfie's house was quiet, the only sound being Julien's repeated whispers. "Dad…. Dad…." while playing with Alfie's hat.

Odette was full of emotion. She knew Alfie would have questions for her and she also knew that she would have to leave Julien, and she was not ready for that.

Julien yawned as the car slowed to a park and Alfie opened his door.

"Home sweet home." He said in his gruff voice and Odette scanned the streets of Camden Town before reaching for her exhausted son.

"Are you hungry?" Alfie asked when he opened the door and walked over the threshold of his house.

Odette's eyes went wide when she saw the gold frames and crystal candlesticks. She had been in France, raising her son on pennies a week while his father had clearly been doing well for himself. Julien had been wearing old, worn out shoes and tattered clothes all because of her selfishness.

"No. Thank you." She whispered, not meeting Alfie's eyes.

Julien had fallen asleep between the car and the front door and was now snoring softly on her shoulder.

"I'll show you his room." Alfie said as he turned to walk down the hall.

He pushed open the door to a large room filled with books, toys, a large bed, and nice wooden furniture. Odette undressed her sleeping son and put on his pajamas before laying him in bed and kissing his head. When she looked at Alfie who was standing in the doorway, he held her eyes and said, "Let's talk, shall we?"