Chapter 3 A Truce
The months passed by and Remy was a happy little boy now at two years old, nearing three, he and Lapin were lying in a playpen fast asleep, Lapin suddenly woke up and looking over at Remy he frowned and grabbed his cousin's blanket jerking it out of Remy's hold waking the little onyx eyed boy, Remy frowned and looked around his eyes narrowed a bit as he watched his red haired cousin cuddle up with the blanket, his blanket…Lapin was about to fall asleep again that is until Remy began screeching, nobody took his blanket without hearing him complain about it first.
Jacques and Jean-Luc were in the office beside the living room handing out several folders to the men within the room, as they explained the details everyone became quiet when they heard the screeching in the other room. Jacques and Jean-Luc quickly rushed into the room, the two little boy's were sitting in the playpen crying their little hearts out each had a hand on the blanket, "Oh mon dieu…" Jean-Luc sighed while his brother in law laughed, "Already two years old and dey starting ta fight…" he smirked as he picked up Remy, Jacques snorted as he picked up his son Emil whom he had nicknamed Lapin.
Both fathers held their sons to try and quieten them down, Remy sniffled as he cuddled up to his father and slowly closed his eyes, a fellow thief entered the room, "Don' mean ta hurry ya Jean-Luc but we don have much time…" the man chuckled at the sight.
"Alright…" Jean-Luc smirked as he walked back into his office, Jacques couldn't help but continue laughing while holding a pouting Lapin as he followed his brother in law.
XxXxX
A few days later Remy giggled as he ran in the hall Jean-Luc chasing after him, "Ey get back here…" he laughed tickling his sides as he pinned his son on the floor, standing he lifted his little boy in the air and hugged him close to his chest, kissing his cheek, "Ya dare hide from me petite?" he asked with a soft chuckle.
"Oui…again…" Remy giggled as he tried to get away.
"Again…I don' tink so…" Jean-Luc smirked holding him tightly as he rested his chin on Remy's shoulder, "Oooh I love ya…" he breathed giving him a tight hug. Then leaned back, "Ya love ya papa?" he asked.
"Oui…" Remy whispered and wrapped his arms around his father's neck and slowly closed his eyes.
"Tink it's time fo ya nap…" Jean-Luc smirked.
And for once the little two year old soon to be three wasn't about to start protesting, his eyes snapped open thought when he looked to the kitchen hearing a soft hum, "Bec…" he whispered pointing at the kitchen and rubbing a tiny fist at his eyes, Jean-Luc chuckled as he walked in the kitchen in search of Tante, Remy reached out to the old woman and repeated what he desperately wanted from her. "Bec…"
Tante couldn't help but laugh, "Oh mon ange wants a kiss from his Tante, den get ovah here chile Tante got a lot of kisses for 'im…" she chuckled as she grasped his cheeks and kissed each one then placed a small one on his forehead then seeing him pucker up she kissed his lips. "MWA…oooh I love ya mon ange…" she smiled.
"Love Tante…" Remy yawned.
Tante smiled when a chuckling Jean-Luc turned and headed upstairs, following them in the hall she sighed as Remy looked at the picture on the wall which was of Annie, running his small hand on it he looked to his father to get his attention. "Maman?" he whispered looking at the picture again which was the same one beside his bed.
Jean-Luc smiled as he nodded his head and kissed his son, "Dat she is…she would have loved ya very much petite…she da one who led me to ya…" he smirked and kissed Remy again then continued on upstairs to put him to bed. Jean-Luc pulled back the covers and watched as Remy sat in the middle of the bed. Jean-Luc tucked him in and snorted at the look on his face, "Let me guess ya want a story right?" he asked and chuckled when Remy nodded drowsily, lying down beside him Jean-Luc waited until Remy made himself comfortable and began to tell him about how a handsome master thief met a beautiful princess.
XxXxX
A few months later the LeBeau's were now in the Alps on a little vacation, staying at a sky resort, Jacques and his wife Janelle were wrestling with Lapin as they were dressing him up to go outside, Henri was tying up his boots while Mercy whom he had been dating for well over a year was sitting in a chair laughing at Jacques and Janelle as Lapin stood and was about to run away, Jacques frowned as he snatched him up and sat him on his lap, "Ey…five minutes Lapin, den we go outside…ya wanna turn into a popsicle?" he asked.
"Oui…" Lapin giggled as he kicked his feet.
"OUI…What ya mean oui?" Jacques protested as he tickled his little boy.
Jean-Luc smirked as he had just finished putting on his coat when Henri had fallen on the floor and began laughing his head off, Jean-Luc quickly turned to see Remy who now had a frown on his face as he wobbled forward, Tante had made sure that Remy wouldn't be cold so she had bundled him up to the extreme. Now Remy looked like a penguin with a scarf, mittens and a hat. The only one not finding this funny was Remy, "Alright alright everyone quit laughing…" Jean-Luc grinned as he kneeled down trying very hard to hold in his laughter, "Come 'ere petite…" he chuckled and snorted when Remy wobbled up to him.
Still hearing the laughter Remy plopped down to the floor and began to whimper, "Oh don' cry Remy…" Jean-Luc chuckled as he walked to him and picking him up hugged him tightly, "Come on let's go play outside alright, we still got a little time before da horses get here fo da sleigh ride…" At that Remy cheered up a bit.
As they were outside Remy watched as Jean-Luc began rolling some snow in his hand making a huge ball he then stacked another over the ball then another, sticking a few little rocks on the top of the snowball making a Remy sized little snowman, Jean-Luc chuckled as he looked to Remy whom had a huge smile on his face, he quickly looked behind him when he heard bells jingling. "Ohh horsy…horsy…" Remy giggled clapping his mitten covered hands together Jean-Luc smirked as he picked him up.
A few minutes later Remy was being held up by his father as he patted the horse's neck, "Pwetty horsy…" he giggled and jumped when the horses snorted, Jean-Luc chuckled as he walked behind the sled and got on sitting beside his sister Janelle who held a hyper little Lapin in her lap and draped the blanket on the boys. Henri sat with Mercy an arm around her shoulders, while Tante sat beside Jacques. Remy looked around at the other people sitting in the other seats and began giggling when the sleigh moved a little.
After the sleigh ride Jean-Luc was walking with Jacques and Henri in the snow smoking a few cigars, Remy and Lapin were walking ahead of them kicking at the snow. Jean-Luc smirked as he quickly made a snowball and threw it at his son hitting him on the rear end, Remy squeaked and turned around looking down wondering what had hit him, "What's da matter petite?" Jean-Luc asked.
Remy turned in a circle then continued to walk, Jacques bent down and made a snowball as Jean-Luc did the same, and on the count of three the two threw the snowballs hitting their sons on the rear. Henri couldn't help but bark a laugh as the two little boys turned around looking at the ground, seeing this from the window Mercy and Janelle both quirked an eye and quickly put on their coats heading outside, "Remy…Lapin…come ere…" they called out, the boys did as they were told and walked over to the women. As the men approached the women they quickly froze at the wicked smiles on their faces.
"Uh oh dis can't be good Jean-Luc…" Jacques slowly started to back off as did Jean-Luc.
"Eh Henri ya got a handle on dat woman of yours?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Are ya out of ya mind père…" Henri smirked as he followed his father.
Before it was too late and the men were out of range, Mercy and Janelle started their little assault and threw the snowballs they had hidden behind their backs at the men who quickly dodged and ran away.
All the while Remy and Lapin giggled and clapped happily.
That night as the little family slept soundly in their rooms, Jean-Luc ran his fingers through a sleeping Remy's hair as he lifted the covers on him and laid down beside his son, Remy immediately cuddled up to him. Jean-Luc had a small frown on his face as he was now deep in thought, it had been nearly two years since his wife's murder and they still hadn't found the person who had killed her, the only thing they had to go on was a peculiar looking knife that they had found underneath his wife. Annie had fought back apparently and had taken the knife a few moments before her husband arrived. Looking to his son again Jean-Luc smirked they would be heading home in a few days and figured he'd let the past dwell for the moment, laying a soft kiss on Remy's cheek and hugging him tightly Jean-Luc closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him.
XxXxX
A month later, Henri sighed as he entered the LeBeau house he chuckled as he heard the pitter patter of little feet and so quickly hid in the living room, seeing Remy pass by he smirked as he sneaked up behind his brother and scooped him up in his arms, Remy jumped then giggled as he was now upside down and was being led into the kitchen.
"What ya runnin' around da house for…ya misbehaving again?" Henri asked with a chuckle.
"Non…fly…" Remy giggled waving his arms.
"Ya wanna fly…alright…" He grinned as he lifted the three year old in his arms turning in circles.
"Ey if he throws up you cleaning it…" Jean-Luc informed, as he made his way to the fridge and poured himself a glass of juice then tweaking Remy's nose and returned into his office.
An hour later as Jean-Luc was now speaking to several of his men he looked in the hall where Remy was lying on the floor drawing in a coloring book. "Dey be a bit impatient at da moment dey don't tink dis be a good idea…" one of them spoke, "Dey won't stay dere for long…" he continued.
Jean-Luc nodded looking at the clock on his desk, "Alright, alright gimme ten minutes…" he ordered and headed into the hall with a small smile. "Alright time fo ya nap…" Jean-Luc informed walking to his son whom was still lying on the floor. Remy's eyes grew wide at the sound of his not so favorite word and so the little three-year-old quickly stood up. Seeing that Remy was about to run the master thief quickly scooped him up in his arms and headed upstairs.
"Non…no nap…" Remy protested as he tried to get free from his father's hold as he climbed up the stairs.
"Yes nap…" Jean-Luc smirked as he entered Remy's room and sat in the rocking chair laying his son to rest his head against his left shoulder.
"No nap…" Remy yawned as his breathing began to slow a bit, feeling a hand rub against his back mixed with the rocking of the chair little Remy LeBeau quickly found himself falling asleep and so closed his eyes and began sucking on his thumb.
"Oh alright you win my little thief…no nap…" Jean-Luc chuckled in a whisper at the sight as he kissed Remy's left cheek. "Love ya petite…" he whispered. Slowly standing Jean-Luc tucked Remy in his bed, placing a kiss on his forehead he sat on the bed and watched him sleep for a few minutes, gently running his thumb on the boy's cheek Jean-Luc took a breath and silently left the room.
Jean-Luc had a meeting with the elders, to talk about a possible truce with the Assassin guild knowing this would probably take a while, he so hated arguing with them.
XxXxX
A week later, Jean-Luc now faced Marius Boudreaux as they were discussing a truce amongst the guilds, after a few hours had passed, Marius called off his men he wanted to talk to the master thief alone, he sighed as he sat in a chair facing Jean-Luc. The Master thief quirked an eye and asked his men to wait in the hall the two guild leaders just looked at each other until the doors were closed and silence enveloped the room. Marius took a deep breath, "Ya ever find out who killed ya wife?" he asked, sipping his cup of wine. Jean-Luc slowly shook his head no, "You at least have a clue?" Marius asked.
"A weird lookin' knife…" Jean-Luc whispered trying to massage away a migraine.
Marius quirked an eye, "Weird wat ya mean weird?"
"Its curved at the edge, the blade has tiny saw like teeth scratched in it and the handle has three rubies at each side, remarkable craftsmanship…one of a kind…" Jean-Luc sighed not seeming to really care about the unique blade, not hearing anything from the assassin Jean-Luc glanced at Marius and frowned at the look on the man's face as he was deep in thought.
Marius looked to the thief with a sympathetic look, "Does the end of the handle have a 'K.G.' engraved on it?" Marius asked, Jean-Luc slowly sat up straight and narrowed his eyes at the Assassins Guild leader leaning his elbows on his knees, "In gold?" Marius continued.
"Ya bettah not be saying what I tink you saying?" Jean-Luc hissed.
"Keith Grey…" Marius frowned, "He went missing about da same time ya wife was murdered, he always carried dat stupid knife ya described wit him said it was a family heirloom…everyone in his family is named with those initials…"
"Tell me ya didn't send him?" Jean-Luc's eyes were now blazing.
"Non I didn't…I was about to release him from the Assassin's guild…he didn't have what it took ta be within our ranks, snobby arrogant little bastard…I figured since he disappeared that he'd just left thought not wanting ta face da trials…" Marius seethed.
"You mean that little shit came into my house and killed my Annie to prove himself to ya?" Jean-Luc growled.
"Maybe…" Marius sighed locking eyes with the thief, "Mon dieu…Dis be inexcusable…" he whispered and smirked when a thought popped up in his head, "Tell you what…" he grinned as Jean-Luc looked to the man and glared, "Since we be in a truce…and Keith havin' almost a three year head start…I'll help ya find the bastard…" he eyed the master thief before him and added, "All in good faith…no catch…" he whispered and extended his hand.
Jean-Luc thought about it for a moment as he stared at the man's hand then looked to Marius and nodded his head as he grasped his hand and shook it.
XxXxX
Fourteen months had passed and a four year old Remy was playing in the yard kicking a soccer ball around, Henri chuckled as he was washing his car, glancing over his shoulder whenever Remy ran passed him he'd spray him with the hose, Remy kicked the ball a bit hard and watched as it bounced against a tree and rolled down the driveway, Henri hearing a faint, "Come back here…" quickly turned around, his eyes widened as his little brother was running towards the street, Henri yelled out but Remy was focused on retrieving the ball. Running as fast as he could Henri was able to wrap his arms around the quick little four-year old and yank him back nearly missing getting hit by a passing car. "Jesus…" Henri breathed sitting on the ground and holding on to his brother for dear life, Remy frowned as he could feel Henri shaking, "Ya alright?" he asked.
Remy turned to look at him a bit annoyed and puzzled, "Oui…"
"Good…cause ya grounded…" Henri growled.
"What…nu-uh only papa can ground me an I done not'ing wrong…" Remy protested.
"Nothing wrong?" Henri turned his brother in his embrace so their eyes met, "Ya nearly got hit by dat car Remy…ya know not ta play so close to da damn road…" he yelled. Then suddenly pulled him into a hug, "Ya scared da hell out of me…" he whispered.
Remy didn't say anything as Henri stood up and placed him on his feet, "Get in dat house right now…" he ordered.
Remy narrowed his eyes, "But…"
"NOW…" Henri growled lifting his arm and pointing towards the front door.
Remy grumbled as he stomped his feet and entered the house mumbling to himself as he made his way to his room he noticed his father sitting in his office his hands holding his head up Remy frowned for a moment, as he slowly walked up to the door, his onyx colored eyes widened at what he heard… his father was crying softly, looking around a bit confused Remy slowly entered the room his hands at his chest, "Papa…" he whispered. Jean-Luc quickly looked up and wiped his tears, "Are ya hurting somewhere?" Remy asked.
Jean-Luc chuckled as he leaned down and picked up his son wrapping his arms around him in a big hug, "Ah ya papa's just tired is all…I'm alright now…" Jean-Luc smirked.
"Henri say I be grounded…" Remy pouted crossing his arms.
"He did…and why exactly did he say dat my little thief?" Jean-Luc asked amused.
"He weird…" Remy shrugged.
At that Jean-Luc barked a laugh, as he looked to the hall hearing the front door slam shut, "What did ya do now?" he asked Remy as he leaned back in his chair listening to his youngest son intently.
"He nearly got flattened chasin' a ball in the street…" Henri spoke up from the doorway.
Jean-Luc narrowed his eyes as he looked to his eldest son, "He chased after his ball in the street, had ta run as fast as I could ta get to him…I'm still fricken shaking…" he growled as he made his way into the kitchen.
"Remy…" Jean-Luc lifted the boy to sit on the desk as he looked him over.
"What I be alright…" Remy frowned.
"Remy ya know better dan dat…you could've been killed, mon dieu…" Jean-Luc shook his head with an unimpressed look on his face, breathing a small sigh of relief he pulled Remy to sit in his lap again and hugged him, "Ya only be four-years-old petite…" he whispered, "Don' want ta lose ya, it'd break my heart…" he breathed.
Remy frowned a bit and looked up at his father, "A heart can break?"
Jean-Luc looked down at his little boy, "Ahun…Mine got broken once, 'bout three and a half years ago…" he answered gently running his right hand through Remy's hair.
Remy's eyes widened, "It did…did it hurt?"
"Mhmm, I thought it would nevah heal…but den I found you and you da one dat fixed it…"
Remy frowned again as he thought for a moment, then looked at his father for half a second and launched himself on the man wrapping his arms around his neck, "I won't break ya heart papa, I promise…" Remy assured.
Jean-Luc couldn't help but chuckle at the child's innocence as he hugged him tightly and kissed the top of his head. "Oh you a good boy…" Jean-Luc breathed rubbing Remy's back and leaning back in his chair and closed his eyes.
"Am I still grounded?" Remy asked tilting his head back a small smile on his lips as Jean-Luc chuckled keeping his arms wrapped around the four year old.
"Yes…" Jean-Luc answered simply, and smirked when Remy began to whine.
XxXxX
A few days later Jean-Luc was sitting in the backyard of his home reading the morning paper keeping an eye on Remy and Lapin as they were playing in the grass wrestling with each other, a small chuckle escaped his lips as Lapin had yet again managed to pin Remy to the ground.
He looked up when Mattie stepped out with a fellow thief named Vincent behind him, Vincent sat beside Jean-Luc and seemed a bit agitated, Jean-Luc quirked an eye at the man waiting until he opened his mouth, "Marius sends word…he found Grey…" he whispered. Jean-Luc's eyes widened for half a second then he looked to the boys.
"When and where?" he asked.
"He says ta meet at midnight at Marshland road near the bridge…"
"I want a crew of seven with me…" he ordered the man who nodded and left the backyard to make the arrangements.
That night Jean-Luc was in his room getting ready Remy was lying on his bed playing with the pillows and hiding under the covers trying to make a fort of sorts, Jean-Luc glanced over his shoulder as he put on a black shirt and chuckled at his son who now had the comforter covering his head as he looked around the room, getting bored quickly he began wrestling with the blanket to try and free himself, "Papa…Remy be stuck…" he whined, walking over to the bed Jean-Luc laughed softly as he pulled on the blanket and snatched Remy throwing him over his shoulder, the four year old giggled as he was then dropped back onto the bed.
Jean-Luc chuckled as he plopped down beside him pulling the covers over himself hiding from his son, Remy began digging through the blankets, slowly lifting the blanket Remy peeked under the covers and found himself being snatched and pulled under, with an excited screech Remy laughed as he was being tickled, Jean-Luc laughed as he pulled the blanket away from their heads and settled the four year old beside him hugging him close, Remy always seemed to calm the eldest LeBeau when he had a lot on his mind, and at the moment Jean-Luc in deed had a lot on his mind, closing his eyes for a moment Jean-Luc enjoyed the peace he felt right now and took slow deep breaths.
Remy played with the silver chain around his father's neck as he listened to the man's heart beat, "Papa…" Remy whispered cuddling up to him.
"Hmmm?" Jean-Luc answered running his right hand in the boy's hair.
"How come ya gotta leave tonight?" Remy whispered.
"Cause I got a meeting…" Jean-Luc answered simply and quirked an eye, "Why ya ask dat?"
"Don' know feels weird…" Remy whispered.
"What feels weird?" Jean-Luc asked Remy only shrugged and leaned his forehead against his father's chest, "Remy ya know I sometimes have meetings late at night…dis be nothing new…" he answered leaning his son's head back to look at his eyes, "Don't tell me ya be worried…I'm not going alone…" he assured.
Remy frowned a bit as he thought about this, while Jean-Luc looked at the clock, "Alright…come on time fo bed…" he whispered shooing his son off the bed, Remy immediately began to whine and pout as he walked out of the room, with his father behind him, entering the boy's room, Jean-Luc turned on the light and hoisted his son on the bed, tucking him in, he then sat down beside him and told him a story after the story was told Jean-Luc leaned down and gave his son a kiss, "Bonne nuit…" he whispered and left the room.
A few hours later Tante silently made her way up the stairs to check on her little angel, slowly opening the door she peeked in and smiled as she entered, Remy was sleeping soundly, clutching his stuffed bear, "Sleep well my sweet…" she whispered kissing his cheek and laying a few pillows around the boy to make sure he wouldn't roll off not that he would...but just in case. She silently left the room and closed the door heading downstairs to finish cleaning up before getting ready for bed.