A/N: I apologize in advance for the long wait between chapters; I just had a hard time getting things right. Anyhow this chapter coincides with Chapter 58 of "Forging Her Own Path" and Chapter 40 of "Rising Son". Hope these chapters were worth the wait!
A Matrimonial Interlude
Beers of the World Bar, Paris, France, 2291.139, 1927 hours. "So," Venn declared, "looks like this is the last beer of the semester, huh?"
"Looks that way," 'Tak replied. "Marie and I are headed out tomorrow."
Ollie nodded as he sipped his South American brew. "And I'll be gone before you get back."
"When will you guys be back?" Venn hesitantly asked.
"The last week in August sometime?" Ollie said, sounding more like a question than a statement of fact. "I'm not sure. Haven't made my plans yet. What about you, 'Tak? How long are you going home for?"
Se'tak wiped the foam off his chin with his sleeve. "8 days." He shot Venn a sly sideways glance. "Think you can stay out of trouble 'til I get back?"
Their Tellarite friend looked smug. "Actually, I'll be leaving the day before you get back."
This was new news to them. As of a week ago Venn hadn't mentioned having any summer plans other then working. Ollie set his mug down on the table. "Where are you going?"
"Florida. 2 weeks."
Se'tak and Ollie shared a knowing grin. There was only one reason for Venn to visit Florida and her name was Desiree.
San Francisco, California, 2291.140, 1111 hours. He and Marie arrived in San Francisco a day and a half earlier than what he'd told Mama and Sa-mekh. He was eager for them to meet Marie but also rather selfishly he wanted her to himself for a bit so he could show her around. Se'tak knew all too well how crazy his unconventional clan could be especially when there was a wedding involved. They needed those 36 hours to keep them grounded.
The transport station they landed at was chosen specifically because of it's location, on a ridge overlooking the city with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and the carefully reconstructed Alcatraz Island prison. After retrieving their luggage from the baggage carousel he gently guided Marie outside so she could get her first look at his hometown. She stood rooted to the pavement with eyes wide soaking in every detail.
He grinned to himself. "What do you think?"
"Cette est magnifique*!" she squeaked.
Se'tak hefted their bags off the ground, happy that his k'diwa was happy. Marie's joy was infectious—it was one of the many things he loved about her, and one day he'd find the words to tell her so—but for now all he could do was grab her around the waist and draw her in for a kiss. With eye half-closed and the feel of her in his arm all Se'tak could think was that this was going to be one of his best trips home yet.
They headed for the hotel long enough to drop off their bags before heading back out to enjoy the day. Marie's curiosity was insatiable and they made quick work of the city, criss-crossing it's streets in a giddy tourist frenzy. The Zoo, Lombard Street, The de Young Museum, the Academy—she wanted to see it all. As day turned to night they wound their way toward the wharf and eventually found themselves eating dessert in Ghirardelli Square.
"I don't know if this is such a good idea," Se'tak warned, eying the massive sundae the waiter was placing between them on the table. Chocolate sauce pooled at the bottom of the glass and mixed freely with the rapidly-melting vanilla and cookie dough ice cream that began to dribble down the side.
Marie plucked the cherry off the whipped cream mountain and held it between thumb and forefinger. "Why not?" She tilted her chin upward in defiance and took the fruit full in her mouth with a soft sucking sound. As it disappeared from sight his nether regions trembled.
As he mentally weighed the consequences of eating that much chocolate Se'tak knew he was doomed.
Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, San Francisco, 2291.141, 0935 hours. The next morning he awoke in their hotel room, naked and awkwardly half-hanging off the bed. Through bleary eyes he looked up in time to see Marie padding towards him, her short blue robe cinched tight around her waist, bearing a full breakfast tray in her hands. She had a half-awed, half-apologetic expression on her face the likes of which he'd never seen before.
"Pour vous, ma Petite Mort*." Se'tak pushed himself up and leaned heavily against the headboard; as he did so the room swam before him and he broke out in a cold sweat. He certainly felt like Death just now. Marie set the tray down on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the mattress brushing a smooth, cool hand over his forehead. "Take these," she said, plucking 2 light gray pills off the tray and dropping them in his hands. "They'll help."
"What are they?"
"Hangover cure."
Hangover? He'd been buzzed before but never to this extent. If this was what his human friends felt like when 'getting wasted' then Se'tak wondered if they shouldn't have their heads examined. The fact that they did this voluntarily and repeatedly made him shudder which then triggered his gag reflex, prompting last night's sundae to make a sudden reappearance. He barely made it to the trash can beside the bed before his stomach heaved violently.
"Hang on." Marie rubbed his back soothingly as the bile crept up his throat. When the heaving stopped she picked up the tablets again and pressed them into his hand. "Take these with water now. Trust me." Se'tak didn't delay and within 5 minutes was feeling a bit more normal.
She passed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks." Marie didn't reply, her head hung low. Se'tak screwed up his face. "What's wrong?"
"I'm so sorry, Mon Petit. I teased you into eating all that chocolate even though you knew it would make you sick."
Despite her earnestness—or maybe because of it—he had to laugh. "So what? It's not like you held a phaser to my head."
"But…"
"No buts." He brought he hand to his lips and kissed it. "Besides, I seem to recall us having quite a bit of fun before I got sick."
Now Marie threw her head back and laughed. "Yes, quite." She had the good grace to blush a little before admitting, "I didn't know 2 people could move like that."
"Neither did I…" he nuzzled the side of her neck and, feeling completely reinvigorated, pushed her back onto the bed. After all they did have 2 more hours until check-out…
150 Greenleaf Street, San Francisco, 2291.141, 1340 hours. Se'tak stood before the old front door and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Finally Marie smiled up at him and gave his hand a squeeze. Her excitement was palpable even without touch telepathy but still he hesitated. Why? Maybe it was because he'd never brought home a girlfriend, or maybe it was because things were getting really serious between them and he didn't want to jinx it somehow. Either way after this door opened there was no turning back. He wanted to savor the here and now.
Without warning Marie reached out and with lightning fast reflexes rang the door chime, breaking the spell and rendering the key in his hands useless. She giggled adorably in the face of his confusion while Mama's footfalls echoed down the hall.
She pulled the door open without hesitation, a limp kitchen towel still held in her hand, and the instant Mama spied him her face broke out in a wide grin. "Se'tak! You're home!" Despite the tomato pulp on her apron she drew him in a for a fierce hug, then turned to shout over her shoulder, "Spock, the kids are here!" Drawing her attention back to him she asked why he hadn't used his key. All Se'tak could do was shrug while Marie shook beside him with pent up mirth.
Deciding he'd borne enough scrutiny he introduced Mama to Marie while behind her he saw Sa-mekh emerge from the office with a half-folded blanket in his arms. Setting the coverlet down he re-emerged and approached at a normal, sedate pace then waited for Mama to finish her more effusive greetings before introducing himself. Marie did her best ta'al (which was a challenge since her middle and fourth fingers refused to be parted) before Mama hijacked the conversation again. While the two most important women in his life got better acquainted he and Sa-mekh picked up the luggage and brought it into the house. The front hallway was strewn with festively-wrapped wedding presents of various shapes and sizes. 'Tak came perilously close to stomping on one delicate looking purple box before Sa-mekh rescued him, grabbing hold of his elbow and helping him regain his balance.
"Thanks."
"You are most welcome, sa-fu." As the girls continued jabbering on Sa-mekh added, "It is most pleasing to have you home again."
His smile broadened. "It's good to be back."
Meanwhile Mama and Marie headed straight for the kitchen chatting away like old friends. The sight made 'Tak smile. So far, so good. He deposited their bags outside the office door before following them to the table.
"How was your trip?" Mama asked him as she filled some glasses with water.
"It was fine," he said, a sidelong glance Marie's way. His parents only thought they'd gotten into town an hour or so ago and he didn't want them thinking otherwise. Her green eyes glistened with mischief but she said nothing.
"Well I wish you'd let us come get you at the station. At the very least you could've saved yourself some credits."
"Mama, it's fine." He took 2 of the glasses from her and placed them on the table then returned to the middle of the floor. "It gave us the chance to see the city a little bit; besides, you guys must have a million and one better things to do before the wedding then pick us up."
She paused, the other 2 glasses held aloft, before saying, "I always have time for my kids—you know that."
Se'tak took the remaining water glasses from her and set them down. "I know," he said, trying to look-and sound-contrite.
"And we're going to be going to the station in another hour anyway to pick up T and Veren. We could've collected the 4 of you together."
He sighed. Against Mama there was literally no argument he could win. And he called himself a diplomat-in-training...ha! "Mama, I promise you that next time we come into town you can pick us up at the station. Happy?"
She smiled slyly at him as she reached into the stasis unit. "Yes…for now." Turning to Marie she asked if she was hungry and if she'd ever tried kachumbari.
"Oui," his beloved replied with a blush, "Once." 'Tak felt exposed as his cheeks burned green. The afternoon he made kachumbari for his beloved ended with them half-naked and covered in tomato goop on her kitchen floor. "Se'tak is a wonderful cook; however he says his dish cannot compare to yours."
Mama set the bowl down before her with a smile then went to the cupboard for empty plates. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
The four of them sat eating and chatting about everything: the wedding, the weather, Paris, school, work. Before they knew it Mama and Sa-mekh had to hurry to the flitter to pick up T'Alora and Veren.
"Do you want to come with us?" Mama asked as they all stood from the table.
"No," Se'tak replied, one arm drawn around Marie's waist, "I think we'll stay here, maybe take a nap before you get back."
"Alright." As he and Marie headed toward the office-turned-guest-bedroom he heard Mama start to clean up then abruptly stop. "Where are you going?"
He gestured toward the door before him. "The office?"
Mama shook her head. "Sweetheart, no, that's where Bibi's staying."
Oh no. Se'tak stopped still as a statue, his duffle gripped tight in his hand. Then that means…
"You'll be staying in your old room upstairs."
"You can't be serious!" Her expression told him she was and then he uttered the 2 most feared words any young man in a relationship could ever utter. "Bunk beds?"
20 minutes later…"It's fine, really," Marie said as she busied herself emptying out her suitcase.
"No, it isn't," he replied through clenched teeth as he pulled out his own clothes. They were standing in his childhood bedroom, with it's rock posters on the walls and action figures and old text PADDs on the shelves, while his parents left for the transport station. He couldn't believe they did this to him. He should've known.
Marie came over and tenderly rubbed his back. "It really is alright," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist, "It's only for a few days."
Even her warm embrace couldn't break him out of his funk. "Bunk beds," he griped. "Freaking bunk beds!"
She let him go as he angrily stalked toward the closet. "It is not as though your parents did this intentionally. Your Grand-mère cannot easily climb the stairs…"
"Then we should be in Selas' room! At least it has 2 twin beds we can push together…"
Marie eyed him coolly and went back to her unpacking. "Selas is staying in his room prior to his wedding; and your sister and her époux* will be staying in her room. There is simply nowhere else in this house to put us; your Père said as much when he told you your…" the unfamiliar word came out stiltingly, "…saum-eck-ahl was rooming at the Embassy."
Se'tak arched an eyebrow, his irrational anger dissipating in light of her logic as much as by her butchering of the Vulcan language. "You're right."
"Oui. I know I am."
Without warning her wrapped an arm around her waist and drew Marie away from the closet toward him. "You know…"
She bit her lower lip seductively. "Hmmm?"
"I've never had a girl up here before."
"Est-ce vrai?*"
"Oui." He kissed her on the cheek then proceeded to plant light kisses down along her neck as she wrapped an arm around and drew him closer. "Perhaps I should give you a quick little tour."
Marie didn't readily reply and instead emitted soft little mewling sounds as Se'tak's lips found the sweet spot on her neck; the effects of his exploration culminated with both their suitcases upturned on the floor and the sheets of the bottom bunk thoroughly mussed.
No sooner had they finished then the sound of the flitter parking in the driveway reached their ears. "You are terrible!" Marie exclaimed, pushing Se'tak off her and jumping up to rearrange her clothes and hair; he knew how important it was to her to make a good impression on all the family, not just his parents. He leaned on his elbow and watched her try and 'fix' herself.
"Am I though?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
She shot him a severe look then broke out in a smile as she teasing pinched his arm. "You are a beast! I should banish you back to Paris," she said with a wave of her hand, "Only I fear for the damage you might inflict on the jeune femme* there."
Se'tak leapt off the bed as she went to collect an errant earring off the floor, whispering, "All the women of Paris have nothing on you."
150 Greenleaf Street, San Francisco, 2291.244, 1425 hours. They loved Marie—the entire family absolutely loved her—but that also meant they hadn't had a moment to themselves since T and Veren were brought home from the station. The bunk beds didn't help. For the first few days 'Tak was fine with the amount of extreme clan togetherness but somewhere around day 3 he began to grow mopey and miss having even a private conversation with his girlfriend. It didn't help that they'd been roped into various, separate, pre-wedding duties.
Therefore he could not account for such behavior as the circumstances drove him to desperate measures.
Marie came trailing down the stairs with a roll of ribbon in her hand just as Se'tak was hanging around by the front door. "Want to go for a walk?" he asked with a charming little waggle of his eyebrows.
She kissed him on the cheek. "Oui, mon coeur*, I would love to but I promised to help with these." She held up a small mesh pouch filled with pastel colored candies tied with the same ribbon she now carried. Marie further related that they were favors for the wedding guests.
He could care less about the wedding guests and rolled his eyes. "Just a little walk, please?" 'Tak hated begging. Hated it. "15 minutes. 20 tops." Without waiting for an answer he took her by the hand and was just about to palm the front door open when Mama stepped out into the hall. "Se'tak?"
He ground his teeth silently and didn't turn around. "Yes?"
"Did you forget?"
"Forget?" What on Earth could he have forgotten? He ran through a mental checklist—grocery run, trash detail, suit pick-up, floral pick-up—but came up empty. "Ummm…" He finally turned around to face her.
She was staring at him with one eyebrow arched questioningly. "Your Aunt and Uncle? Wendy and Hikaru? Transport station? Any of this ringing any bells?" Her tone of superior maternal authority had been perfected over the years and employed mainly on him. It was that same tone that made him feel like a guilty 8 year old time and time again.
"Right! Right." He held tighter to Marie's hand and prepared to take her with him—he'd take even a 20 minute jaunt to the transport station if it meant having time alone with her.
Veren chose that minute to finish his call in the office and step out into the middle of the scene. Placidly taking in their varied expressions, he asked if he might be of assistance.
Mama flashed a cunning smile. "Why yes, I think you can. Why don't you go with Se'tak, make sure he remembers where he's going and who he's picking up?" she pointedly asked.
A confused glance passed from Veren to him while Marie used the opportunity to slip free of his grip.
"Will you take primary control of the flitter or would you prefer if I…?"
"I'll drive," 'Tak snapped, curtly cutting off Veren and snatching the control key off the table before marching out the front door. Could he and Marie not even get 2 minutes peace until this damn ceremony was over?!
Highline Hotel, San Francisco, 2291.146, 1815 hours. The clatter of silverware, conversation, and laughter filled the grand ballroom of the Highline Hotel, very nearly drowning out the background music meant to accompany the meal; and the epicenter of most (if not all) the merriment was definitely coming from the cousin's table.
"And then there's this…this…" Kyson was so breathless with laughter he had to pause to take in oxygen before he could continue the story, "This yellow alert, just comes out of nowhere—and I mean nowhere—and the security officers don't know what to do. Is it a real alert or just a drill? Do they head to their posts or keep up the chase? Either way they're disobeying orders. Meanwhile this one," he jerked his thumb in Sam's direction, "Keeps running down the corridor with nothing but a towel around his neck screaming 'Captain Nude-y reporting for duty!'"
At that almost everyone at the table doubled over shaking with laughter, while Sam pouted in his seat. "I was only 4!"
"You were almost 5," Lily reminded him, causing everyone to laugh even louder until they were practically bawling. 'Tak had almost forgotten about 'Captain Nude-y' and his catchphrase—looked like everyone else had too. Meanwhile Sam's face had turned beet red and he lifted his beer to his lips. "You guys need some new material."
"Why?" Dim fired back, "When your naked phase has kept us entertained for years!" This sent the cousins into further raptures and drew curious looks from outsiders at other tables. They could all live to 130 and Sam would never, ever, live this period of his life down. It made 'Tak happy to see them all together again and laughing considering the last time they saw each other was Uncle Pavel's funeral. His loss was still keenly felt but time was proving to be a great healer.
In the interim the cousin's table had grown to encompass more 'family'. There were the usual suspects, of course, but nearly everyone had a significant other now. Se'tak counted himself and Marie, T and Veren, Max, Sam…then there was Lily and her boyfriend Neal, Joanna and her husband Stephen, Kyson and his boyfriend George, Dimora and her fiancé Ryo, and Tabby and her boyfriend Joel. The first 5 minutes passed in a blur of introductions and polite chit-chat before they got down to reminiscing about their childhood and cackling like hyenas; besides, how could they not when the subject of Sam's naked phase came up (as it always invariably did)?
"I can't believe how…"
"…how weird we all are?" Dim said, cutting Neal off mid-stream. He was, by far, the quietest 'outsider' of the bunch.
"That's right, and damn proud of it!" 'Tak exclaimed, slapping the table good-naturedly.
Neal arched an eyebrow at them both in an eerily Vulcan gesture. "I was going to say how normal you all make it sound, growing up on a starship."
"I didn't," Max proudly piped up, "I was born in Paris after the ship was gone."
"I wasn't raised on her either," Jo added, "I was only on-board for a little while after my mom passed."
"Yes, yes," Kyson interjected with a smile, "But you're still one of us and you know it. You're Enterprisians in spirit." He turned to George with a curious look on his face. "Is that right? Enterprisians? Enterprisers? Enter…people?"
"How may drinks have you had tonight, love?" George teased. Kyson screwed up his face and stuck his tongue out before leaning over for a kiss.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway," Lily replied, an arm casually draped over Max's shoulder, "Like Ky said, we're all family."
"To the Enter-people!" Sam toasted, his beer bottle raised. He was only too happy to toast and move the conversation away from his pre-school hijinks.
"To the Enter-people!" they all echoed back laughing before sipping their drinks. Over the rim of his glass he locked eyes with Marie who grinned back at him, clearly enjoying herself. Se'tak was instantly on his guard. He knew that look-it meant mischief.
"So," she began rather demurely, "What was Se'tak like growing up?"
He gulped hard and glanced around the table with a pleading look to all his cousins begging them to keep their mouths shut.
If only they could.
"'Tak?" Kyson asked. Marie nodded.
"Our 'Tak?" Sam inquired. She nodded again. While T, Dim, and Tabby kept suspiciously quiet Kyson and Sam tripped over themselves in their rush to defend him.
"Well he was…"
"Um…"
"He was always very…"
"Polite…"
"…and nice…"
"Uh-huh. He was polite and nice."
They almost got away with this fiction too if it weren't for Max. All this time he sat next to Sam with his lips pressed tight together and his cheeks burning scarlet until he couldn't hold it in any more. His bark-like cackle set off a chain reaction around the table until nearly everyone was howling; even T'Alora smirked.
"Nice and polite?" Dim scoffed. "What about the time you took the heads off all our dolls and sent them out an airlock?" She glanced at Tabby who shook her head for confirmation. His cheeks burned green.
"Or when you used to pull chairs out from under people in the Mess," Lily reminded them.
"Yeah," Sam said, "And that only stopped after he pulled out Dad's chair in front of the whole ship."
Se'tak whacked his cousin in the arm. "Whose side are you on?"
Sam's eyes went wide. "Oh right, sorry."
"Se'tak used to steal into my berth and conceal himself inside the closet or under the bed so as to 'surprise' me," T'Alora told the table.
"Then there were the odd fights," Kyson added.
"Usually over a girl." Se'tak shot Kyson and Sam another warning look. "Sorry!" they both croaked out.
It didn't escape his notice that while all this was going on Tabby was especially quiet on the subject while clinging possessively to Joel's arm. She also avoided eye contact with him, but that was nothing new. She'd been avoiding him for the better part of a decade.
"A girl, hmm?"
Marie's question snapped him back to reality. Se'tak blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, growing ever hotter under her intense gaze. "It was really just the one time…"
"What, the fight or the girl?" Kyson asked. He looked to Marie. "Either way, he's lying."
"Seriously guys, whose side are you on?!" he cried, getting well and truly riled now.
"My my, mon couer, your past is so sordid..."
Se'tak rolled his eyes. "They're over exaggerating, honest."
"Everyone," Veren announced, his deep voice and calm, even tone serving to draw all eyes to him, "I believe we have been entertained enough by the past exploits of Se'tak. I suggest a new topic of conversation is in order."
Finally his brother-in-law came in handy. He shot Veren a grateful nod.
"Hear hear," Joanna seconded. "New topic."
The table was quiet for only a second before T piped up. "Tabitha, you have said nothing about your studies. How does your medical training go?"
For the first time all night Tabby smiled. "It's great! I'm interning at Mars General doing my OB/GYN rotation." She clung to her boyfriend's arm and gave it a gentle, if possessive, squeeze. "And Joel is a resident under Dr. MacArthur, the premiere cardio-thoracic surgeon in the Alpha Quadrant."
"Wow," Lily remarked.
Joel blushed. "It's no big deal."
Tabby squeezed his bicep. "It is a big deal, Sweetie." She glanced 'Tak's way as she finished speaking and shot him a significant look that went unnoticed by the rest of the table. Tabby clearly wanted him to know that she'd moved on to bigger and better since their adolescent love affair gone wrong and that was fine with him. It was about time too—he'd moved on a long time ago; and while Marie was no galaxy-renowned surgeon she made him very, very happy. Under the tablecloth he discretely took her hand in his and twined their fingers.
"It's why we have to leave right after the reception," Tabby continued, "Dr. MacArthur needs him to assist on a triple bypass on a Ferengi tomorrow."
Joel began to turn an even deeper shade of red, uncomfortable with all the attention. "Really, Tabs, you're embarrassing me…"
She began fawning over him some more and Se'tak watched in mute pity. Tabby wasn't treating Joel like a boyfriend—she was treating him like a trophy—and he felt uncomfortable on Joel's behalf.
Hopefully he'd figure that out for himself sooner rather than later.
"That is most impressive," T'Alora declared. "I hope that you achieve a successful outcome."
"Thanks," Joel mumbled before diverting his attention away with more sips from his beer. As the servers came to take the salad plates away he disdainfully tapped the side of his bottle to indicate another drink.
It was going to be a long night.
Talk moved on and the servers slowly re-emerged with the next course. Lily had Marie engrossed in a conversation about Paris fashion and that was when Max leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Se'tak?"
"Hm?"
"Does Marie, um, well…does she have a younger sister? Maybe, sort of, close to my age?"
He laughed in spite of himself.
Highline Hotel, San Francisco, 2291.146, 2020 hours. They were alone on the balcony nuzzled cheek-to-cheek, swaying back and forth as soft music played through the open doors. The moment was so perfect Se'tak never wanted to let go.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he murmured against her ear.
"No, you haven't." He felt Marie grin as she laid her head against his shoulder.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
She stopped swaying and gazed up into his face, her emerald eyes shimmering brightly. "No, you haven't."
"Then I've been remiss. On both counts." Se'tak kissed her gently in the middle of her forehead before seeking out her lips for a second slow, white hot kiss. He trailed a line of light kisses along the side of her throat. "I love you, I love you, I love you…"
They were each breathless when they parted and it was some time before they regained their composure. "You know," Marie began, "A girl could wait a long time to hear you say that, Se'tak."
What she said was true. He'd wanted to say it to her for a long time now but he'd hesitated. Maybe because he'd said it before without meaning it, maybe because this time it meant so much, either way it was a sorry excuse for keeping the love of his life at arm's length like that for so long.
"I know. I'm sorry. But that doesn't make it any less true."
She pressed herself up against him again and was quiet for several minutes. "No, mon cher. It doesn't."
They continued to hold each other close, turning in slow revolutions regardless of the music, until T'Alora broke the spell. She stood by the balcony doors and cleared her throat with a small cough.
"Uncle Christopher is leaving now. Mama has asked that you come in and say good night."
Se'tak sighed heavily but refused to release his k'diwa. "Alright. Tell her I'll be there in a minute." T nodded and disappeared back inside.
Marie kissed him softly on the cheek. "You know," she began, "I've enjoyed this time with your family very much, but part of me can't wait to go home and have you all to myself again."
Home. That word used to mean so many different things. First it was the ship, then San Francisco, but lately he'd begun to think of Paris as home-not because that's where he lived but because that's where Marie was.
G-d how he loved this woman!
"I know," he replied. "I can't wait to go home either."
* "Cette est magnifique!" = French, "This is magnificent!"
* "Pour vous…" = French, "For you, my Little Death"
* époux = French, husband
* "Est-ce vrai" = French, "Is that true?"
* jeune femme = French, young women
* mon couer = French, my heart