- Posting some drabbles from Tumblr - to keep them in one place...
set during 3x05
Mattie quickly removed the cake covered candles from Jean's cake. "Now, I think this will taste better than it looks," she laughed as she placed slices onto plates and set them around the table.
"I can't imagine how it would taste otherwise," Lucien scoffed.
"Hey! Enough!" Jean berated him. "She's worked very hard on this. Now, it's my birthday - so, I get it my way. Be quiet and eat."
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. Joke's over."
"So, Mum - what did you wish for?"
"I can't tell you that! Then it won't come true."
"Oh, you don't believe in that sort of stuff."
"That's just how it works, Christopher."
"Fine," he rolled his eyes. "Anyway, in order for the wish to come true, you must have a candle for each year you are old."
"I've never heard that." She pointed her fork at him. "And if this is a clever way for you to poke fun at my age…"
"Oh, Jean - you are not old," Mattie denied.
"Old enough to be a grandmother," she smiled.
"Only because you've both had children quite young," Mattie offered. "Anyhow, despite the horror at the theatre, I wanted to tell you I thought you performed well. And I liked the blonde hair!" Mattie complimented.
"Really, Mattie. You don't need to say nice things just because it's my birthday."
"I'm not!" she insisted. "It looked nice, didn't it Christopher?"
"Sure, Mattie," he shrugged. "I don't remember being appalled by it anyhow."
"Flattering," Jean scrunched her nose at him.
"I really did like it!" Mattie defended. "If you were a grandmother, it wouldn't look so smart."
"But I am a grandmother," she corrected.
"Not quite yet," Christopher reminded her. "But still, don't dye your hair Mum."
"I never said I wanted to," Jean grinned, amused at the direction of the conversation.
Mattie pressed on, "I think you could pull it off! Don't you, Lucien?"
"If she did, it wouldn't surprise me one bit," Lucien affirmed, setting his fork on his empty plate.
"See?" Mattie triumphed.
Jean didn't respond but tilted her head across the table at Lucien. "Really? It wouldn't surprise you if I walked into this kitchen and my hair was golden blonde?" she teased.
"Like Marilyn Monroe!" Mattie gleamed.
"Yes. Alright," Jean allowed while shaking her head.
"Well, I didn't say that," he tapped the remaining crumbs off his fork awkwardly onto his plate. "That would be a surprise.."
Christopher raised his eyes at Lucien, waiting for the elaboration they all felt hanging in the air. "but?"
Lucien cleared his throat. "It's just never surprising when a beautiful woman carries off a fashion trend."
Jean stared at her cake-filled plate as Lucien fumbled for the cake slicer, "Say, Mattie, this cake is rather good after all. I'd quite care for seconds, if that's alright?"
"Of course," she looked at him and then to Jean before standing. "I'm so tired. It was certainly a night to remember. Happy Birthday," she kissed the top of Jean's head before scurrying out of the room.
"I could use some sleep too before I go," Christopher realized. "I'm heading out soon."
"Please say goodbye first!" Jean insisted, rising out of her seat.
"I better say goodbye now, actually. You need your sleep and I really need to get going. Ruby is no doubt worrying. Happy birthday again," he kissed her cheek. "And if your wish had anything to do with the baby, well - just know, you'll be the first person I call."
"Oh, Christopher."
"Love you, Mum. Take care," he nodded to Lucien.
"Good luck," Lucien offered as Christopher disappeared from the room.
"I still can't believe that any day now, I'll be a grandmother," she sighed thoughtfully as she sat back down across from him.
"Neither can I," he agreed. Then with deliberation behind his words, he repeated, more slowly, "Neither can I." He looked across the table to meet her eye and much like when they made eye contact after she blew out her candles, his stomach jolted. "And really - bravo to you."
She felt her face flush. "Thank you. You know, it turned out to be a great birthday. Now, go. Get some sleep, Lucien. You need it. I'll clean this when I wake up."
"Oh, no. no. It's your birthday. I can't have that," he began moving the plates to the sink. "I better not find these clean in the morning. Sleep well, Jean."
"Good night," she paused. Lucien couldn't be sure, but he thought he detected a flirtatious lilt when she added, "doctor."