Author's Note: Not sure about the start of this chapter but I like the way it ends. Hope you like it too.

Vince Noir - Surprise Family Man

Vince Noir, the face of Jean Claude Jaquettie's hugely successful Unicorn Tears campaign which includes its own line of clothes, perfumes and hair products, is branching out it seems, and we're not just referring to his much anticipated first collection to be released at a fashion show in central Paris this Friday.

Noir has been known on the fashion scene for the last two years as the mysterious Lonely Angel. Always looking perfectly made up but rarely smiling and never showing an interest in the hoards of young and willing fashionistas who have surrounded him.

Some saw this as a ploy to protect his privacy and it worked. This publication have had little to report on the enigmatic Noir, except for his dwindling weight. Others dismissed Noir as simply boring, never doing anything news worthy despite being a regular party goer. But the Lonely Angel front seems to have been just that, a front.

On Monday evening Noir was rumored to have been seen at the Eurostar station, meeting his estranged partner and young child and yesterday those rumours were confirmed when Noir was snapped by our photographers with his previously unknown family, smiling and laughing during a shopping trip on the Rue Saint-Honoré in a way that was uncharacteristic but very charming.

Sources close to Noir were able to confirm that he is indeed the father of a girl aged three and that Noir now has sole custody of Blanche Noir (pictured below).

Noir's choice of partner was also a surprise to many. Howard Moon (pictured right) has none of Noir's fashion flare but seems to be a forerunner in the new Thrift Store Chic look (See page 98 for details).

Together they made a very sweet couple and doting parents. They were spotted holding hands, cuddling with little Blanche and even, as you can see here, sharing a quick kiss.

Does this mean that the days of the Lonely Angel are over?

And what does this mean for Jaquettie's Unicorn Tears campaign?

Noir certainly looked happier and, dare we say it, healthier, than he has in some time and if the word going around about his new designs is true, we might be about to see the start of something new and exciting from this model-come-designer.

And if his choice of outfit (pictured) is anything to go by, his career should be very exciting indeed.

Romance Spotting at the Le Grand Véfour

...Others among the Paris elite spotted at Le Grand Vefour this week were the mysterious and beautiful Vince Noir who was dining with a tall, dark and handsome mystery man. Noir, one of the city's top models and hot new designer, has been rarely seen out on a date but according to our sources it went extremely well, complete with champagne, the Vefour's signature desert and a kiss shared as the two left arm in arm.

This Blogger wonders how much of his meal Noir actually ate, having been criticized by some in recent months for his thin, almost gaunt, appearance. But if the rumours that Noir is parting ways with Jean Claude Jaquettie are true, then perhaps we'll be seeing more of Noir at restaurants like Le Grand Vefour, and his handsome stranger with him.

...

The online forums had exploded with gossip about the mysterious appearance of Vince Noir's child and lover. Some people said it was all a publicity stunt. Others were confused that he was dating a man but also had a child. Most comments focused on the fact that a smiling, happy Vince Noir was even more attractive (if that was possible) than a silent and aloof Monsieur Noir.

Ami had been keeping an eye on it all and by the time Vince entered the venue for the runway show that Friday morning there had been several write-ups (with photos) in tabloid publications and a whole lot of on-line articles, all speculating on Vince's past and his possible future away from Jaquettie.

Howard watched his best friend, now boyfriend, strut toward the gaggle of models, designers and staff with a real sense of pride. He knew how much effort it was taking to appear confident, how close he'd come to a panic attack that morning. The only way he'd managed to coax Vince out of the apartment was by digging up the younger man's rag doll. Howard personally found the old toy a bit disturbing but it had done the trick and when Blanche had seen it she had fallen in love with it which had given them an excuse to bring it along.

He sat in the back row with Blanche next to him, waiting in the background while Vince went to face his colleagues. They knew this would be a hard thing for Vince to do and Vince had been adamant that he needed Howard with him. Blanche had been equally adamant that she was coming too. She was happy enough to doze on the couch for a few hours with Ami but she didn't want to be away from her daddy for long. Or from Papa Howard either.

Howard had been speechless when he'd heard the title the night before.

Blanche and Vince had come up with it together, over ice cream. Vince figured that if she wasn't going to have a mum in her life, she could have two dads instead. He was going to be Daddy Vince, he explained, and Howard was to be Papa Howard.

Howard had tried to complain that the name made him sound more like a grandpa than a dad but then Blanche had crawled into his lap and Vince had nuzzled into his side and he hadn't really wanted to complain anymore.

Life had changed so much in the last few days. For all three of them, and they were still surprised by the changes and how good life was becoming. Vince had been stunned when people had written about him as an up and coming designer. He was suddenly the talk of the town and had been booked for several magazine interviews in the weeks to come.

Howard had been horrified when the stories of Jaquettie's bullying of his underlings and models had gone public through other people who had worked for him. He'd talked too many models into eating disorders and Vince was now being congratulated for taking a stand and wanting to be a healthy weight again.

Blanche had been amazed at her discovery of ice cream and the concept of three meals a day plus snacks.

There had been discoveries all round.

And now Vince was standing there in front of people who had ridiculed him and laughed when Jaquettie humiliated him, staring them down as they shuffled around. A couple of people apologised. Others thanked him for taking a stand and asked if they could go with him when he left. Some just walked away in disgust. It seemed that Vince had started a coup without even trying.

As Howard watched, Vince organized his models and rehearsed his part of the runway show, working with the stage manager until the whole thing was running smoothly (Who knew fashion shows had stage managers? Howard was impressed). He checked over every fabric creation and requested a few last minute alterations. Howard could see that a little of the coldness was still there in Vince's tone of voice and the way he stood but he'd been professional too and by the time he called break he was even smiling with some of the dress ladies who were taking it in turns to give him hugs and compliment his clothes.

Blanche had been enthralled by the clothes and the music and the lights and had been drawing away in a sketch pad Vince had dug out for her the day before. She was quite the little artist and even if the pictures were primitive he could tell easily which of the figures was Daddy Vince and which was Papa Howard. There were lots of pictures of her daddy. In one it looked like he was riding a unicorn.

He'd been so involved in looking at her drawings he hadn't even noticed Vince approach until a shadow fell across the sketch pad.

"Is that me, sweetie?"

Blanche looked up with a dazzling smile. "Yup!"

"Am I riding a unicorn? That's brilliant!"

"No," she told him, rolling her eyes in a near perfect imitation of Howard. "Is a horsey wiv one of those icy creams on it's face."

"Oh, right, of course," Vince nodded, taking his daughter's bizarre notion completely seriously. Howard just chuckled and Vince turned his attention to the sound.

"How you two holding up?" he asked. Howard nodded.

"We're fine, love. You?"

Vince looked a little strained but excited too. He could see the energy pouring off him but the small man was somehow keeping it contained, something Howard never thought he'd see.

"Nearly set, I reckon. All my stuff's ready. I've spoken to some of the front of house guys and they say the've had calls all morning from other designers, big names, Howard, who want last minute tickets. It's going to be packed, Howard! I can't believe it."

Howard went to tell him that he thought that was fantastic, that Vince deserved to have his work seen by the fashion greats, that he was proud. But he didn't get to say any of that because Vince's lips intercepted his and within moments his lap was full of excited model and there was a tongue begging entry to his mouth.

Howard still wasn't great when it came to kissing and all other signs of physical affection. He was trying his best but it was slow going. He was still processing what it meant to love Vince, let alone be in a relationship with Vince. It could be overwhelming at times, both the emotions and the affection being aimed at him almost constantly. Luckily Vince had been incredibly understanding.

They hadn't moved beyond the kiss yet. Vince said that was fine, that he respected that, and besides, Blanche was still sleeping in the bed between them at night. Three days was nothing, he told Howard. If they wanted to make this relationship work, they should take things at a reasonable pace.

There was also no need to rush through the snogging phase, Vince explained. Kissing was genius. Howard was inclined to agree. Kissing Vince was incredible. Vince was incredible.

He slid his hands up and wrapped his arms around Vince's waist, tugging him in closer. Vince shivered and smiled against Howard's mouth.

"God, I love you," he murmured and Howard let out a little moan.

They could have kept right on like that if it wasn't for a throat being cleared nervously nearby.

"Alright, Ami?" Vince said breathily, breaking the kiss but not turning around. He nestled himself into Howard's chest instead.

"Alright, Vince, Howard, Blanche," she replied and Howard looked up in time to see her smile.

"I didn't want to interrupt you two, it's just that, well, um..."

"What is it, Ami? Can't be that bad," Vince turned, giving her a reassuring grin.

"It's Jaquettie. He's here."

Vince nodded and Howard could see him taking a few deep breaths.

"Right then," he said. "This is where it all kicks off then, yeah?"

"Yeah," Howard agreed, ready with a speech about facing one's fears and the importance of being the bigger man in any argument but Vince had pulled him in for another passionate kiss. Howard could feel Vince's fear and hope in the press of his lips and he tried to give reassurance back but he wasn't quite sure how to send psychic messages through kisses yet, hopefully that was something Vince would teach him eventually.

Vince broke the kiss with a gasp and pressed his forehead against Howard's. He could feel Vince's heart beating in his delicate chest. He didn't understand how someone could be so strong and surprising and yet so fragile at the same time.

"You'll do fine, love," he whispered. "Do you want me to come with you? Be your back up, your wing man, your sidekick?"

Vince laughed. You've never been my sidekick, Howard. You're leading man material, remember?"

"But I'd happily be your sidekick."

"Be the Robin to my Batman?"

"Yep."

"WonderWoman to my Superman?"

"Um, no Vince. WonderWoman was never a sidekick."

"Will you still dress up as WonderWoman for me?"

Howard laughed and poked Vince in the ribs.

"Depends how well you behave," he growled. Vince squirmed in his lap but jumped up before it could get too embarrassing.

"Seriously though, will you come with me?" Howard creased his forehead.

"Really? What about Blanche?" Vince's face fell but he nodded. Howard hated being right sometimes.

"I go with Ami," Blanche piped up but Vince was still frowning.

"Are you sure, darling?"

"Yup. I need to go to toilet."

"I could take you?" Howard offered but Blanche gave him one of her serious faces.

"You're a boy. Ami's a girl. I'm going wi' Ami."

Ami agreed and Vince took another calming breath. Blanche gave both Vince and Howard a kiss and sent them on their way and as they walked toward the backstage area Howard took the initiative for once and put his arm around Vince's waist. Vince looked up at him with a look of delight and gave Howard a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Hips bumping together as they walked, Howard and Vince made their way to where they could hear Jaquettie laying into some poor model.

This was it, yes sir, and Howard was ready. Even if he didn't know what what it was.