"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." - Ernest Hemingway
January
After Kurt has paid the cashier, he stuffs the new goodies in his messenger bag. He's bought dozens of postcards of the Eiffel Tower and a Christmas tree ornament of the monument. Even though he could buy these anywhere in Paris - probably at a fraction of the cost - it seems much more authentic buying them at the Eiffel Tower gift shop. The Eiffel Tower is even more impressive in real life than the photos he had flicked through back in Lima. The 360-degree panoramic view at the top is amazing, and Kurt promises himself he will return one evening to see the city of lights.
Kurt's life has certainly changed over the past two weeks, since he arrived at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Kurt's first modeling assignment at Dior starts early February. In the meantime, he's playing the tourist, visiting the top tourist attractions. He bought a Paris Metro travel card and is slowly figuring out the routes of the principal lines. Next week, he plans to buy a Paris museum pass and visit the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée d'Orsay. Of course, two days will be spent at the Palais Galliera, the City of Paris Fashion Museum.
Kurt walks across the bridge spanning over the Seine River to the nearby Place du Trocadéro, a public park with sculptures and an array of fountains. When he turns around, he can see the Eiffel Tower in all its glory and pulls out his phone to take photos. Trip Advisor was right – this is the best spot to view the iconic structure. His stomach starts grumbling and Kurt checks the time, and realizes it's way past lunchtime.
He heads to the 16e Arrondissement, a few streets away, the section of Paris where he lives. He loves exploring the area and its local shops - patisseries, sidewalk cafes, bars, and artisan food shops. He constantly has to remind himself that he can't explore the local clothing boutiques until he starts working again next month.
Kurt smiles when he sees the sign for La Petite Marquise, the bistro around the corner from where he lives. He enjoys the food and the atmosphere, and can't wait until spring so he can sit in the outdoor area. The bell jingles over the doorway as he enters the bistro, and Kurt immediately sits at his favorite table - the one that's by the window that lets him watch the passers-by. If it happens to be the table assigned to the cute male garcon – well, that's an added bonus. Kurt takes his French phrase book out of his messenger bag. His high school French has been useful, but it hadn't taught him enough of the practical phrases he needs to know in a bistro.
"Bonjour, Monsieur. You're a little later today than usual."
Kurt looks up from the menu and smiles when he sees the cute waiter. He doesn't know his name, but he mentally calls him Adonis, after the god of beauty and desire. Kurt has already mentally calculated that the slender man is an inch or two taller than him. He has wavy sandy-brown hair, which flows freely to the tops of his shoulders. His green eyes sparkle at Kurt, as he gives him a smile.
"Let me guess. Steak frites (steak with French fries) and a glass of rouge maison (house red)."
Kurt smiles and meekly nods his head. When Adonis leaves the table towards the bar area, Kurt face-palms. He'd really meant to ask for something else and be more adventurous, but he loves steak frites too much to vary his order. It has far too many calories and grams of fat, but once he starts work again, he'll go back to his usual diet. For now, Kurt loves the delicious flavors of the succulent steak and the crispy potato pieces. It's a simple dish, but it feels like comfort and richness all rolled into one. Kurt knows that, if he's honest with himself, the dish reminds him of Blaine.
Kurt fondly remembers his last birthday, when Blaine took him to a small French bistro in Manhattan. The things Blaine did that day to make Kurt's birthday special. Kurt misses spending time with Blaine and wishes his friend was here to explore Paris with him. Blaine has a way of making everything feel like an adventure. Kurt wonders if he has made the right decision in moving to Paris. Should he have returned to New York City and contacted Blaine instead? So many other factors play into their friendship - it seems impossible that they could make their way back to each other. Maybe in a year's time, when he returns to the US, but for now, he's going to enjoy Paris.
After finishing his lunch and giving Adonis a generous tip, Kurt heads back home, which is only around the corner. When Louis, his local agent, had arranged a room with his great-aunt, Kurt had no idea that he would be living in one of the most affluent and prestigious residential areas in Paris. The 17th-century town house has been in the family for generations. It's a three-story sandstone terraced house and it has the typical ornamental wrought iron black bars across the windows. When Kurt unlocks the front door, he can hear the footsteps of Louis' great-aunt coming to greet him.
"Kurt! Come sit down, mon petit. Your feet must be sore from your sightseeing. Come to the front parlor with me. Join me for a cup of tea."
"Merci, Madame," Kurt politely replies.
Kurt's hostess tuts and cocks her head to the side. "Madame… We are friends, n'est-ce pas (is it not)?"
Kurt smiles at her and nods. It's true, however far apart in age they are, they get along very well.
"So call me Emmeline. Madame, ça fait si vieux (Madame, that makes me feel so old)."
When Kurt enters the front parlor, he carefully sits down in an ornate chair, whose tapestry seat has seen better days. As Emmeline pours the tea from the antique china pot, Kurt looks at her, taking in every detail. He reckons that Emmeline is in her late 60s, maybe older, and judging from the framed photos scattered through the room, she was a beauty in her day. She obviously enjoys the finer things in life and is constantly reminding him that she was once the grande dame in Paris' high society. She's been a widow for years (maybe decades) and now she keeps to herself, enjoying outings with only a select few.
While they drink their tea, Kurt tells Emmeline in his best French about his day's outing to the Eiffel Tower and the Place du Trocadéro. Emmeline quietly listens, correcting a few faux pas in his French.
"Run along and get ready, mon petit. We can't be late for Giselle tonight at the Paris Opera Ballet. Of course, no-one can compare to Sonia Petrovna's debut performance. Did you know we were childhood friends?"
Kurt carefully climbs up two floors, using the old narrow rickety back staircase to get to his room in the attic. It used to house the servants, but it has long been abandoned. There's only enough room for a bed, a nightstand, a small wardrobe and a sink. The bathroom is one floor down and has an antique claw-foot bathtub. The porcelain layer is fading in places, exposing the cast iron hidden underneath.
Kurt's excited about attending the ballet this evening. He's never seen a ballet performance live before. Emmeline is doing her very best to show him a different side of Paris, one that she knows so well.
Before getting ready, he grabs his tablet and gets caught up with his friends on Twitter. Scrolling through the messages, he sees a photo of Blaine (Kurt's been meaning to stop following Blaine, but he always seems forgets to do so). On the photograph, Blaine and his father are standing in front of an old dilapidated house, with a sign reading 'Under Offer'. Underneath is written, The first Monarch House.
There's a link to a news article at the Lgbtqnation website, describing the Monarch Foundation and the purchase of the first Monarch House, located in Westerville. Kurt reads the article and learns that Blaine used his Christmas bonus to establish the Monarch Foundation. Kurt is very impressed with what Blaine has done. Places like the Monarch House are definitely needed in smaller towns in Ohio.
Kurt is not surprised that Blaine has done something like this. He has always been generous with his time and money. Part of Kurt wishes that he was back in New York, to help with Blaine's plans. On the other hand, Blaine looks pretty happy without him. He puts Blaine resolutely out of his mind, looks at the time and yelps. He'd better finish getting ready for the ballet, for Emmeline waits for no-one.
"I hadn't been to the Louvre in years, mon petit. Ack! – too crowded with tourists. Je déteste ça (I hate that). But you need to have seen the Louvre at least once in your life, so I was happy to show you its secrets."
Kurt is glad that Emmeline took him to the museum - she knows a senior curator at the Louvre. They were able to jump the queue to see the Mona Lisa, and the curator also gave them a personal tour of the most precious artworks.
Kurt and Emmeline sit down in the front parlor, for their now daily ritual of taking afternoon tea together. Kurt needs to start work next week, and he's almost relieved. Those three weeks of sightseeing and museums have really wiped him out. He only wishes to slouch on a comfortable couch and watch trashy reality TV… or maybe The Young and the Restless – Cooper's character is always good for a laugh or two. Kurt starts to think about those rainy days when he and Blaine liked nothing better than to hang out at home. He misses Blaine so badly and wonders if there is any way to get him back.
"Mon petit… I can tell you have a man on your mind, yes? And you think only he will make you happy, yes?"
Kurt slowly looks up at Emmeline. He knows her well enough by now to know there is something on her mind. He really doesn't want to discuss Blaine with her – it feels too personal and he's not ready to share – so he nods and looks away.
"Pah! You're too young to - how do they say this in English - put all your eggs in one basket? Now is the time when you should experiment. Try out a few men and find out who you like. What you like. One true love... Weeeell... I've never believed in that, you know. Love isn't something that magically appears and then stays with you for always. Love is what you make of it."
Emmeline wheezes and takes a sip of her tea before continuing.
"There are many men out there that could make you happy. In different ways, yes, but that is the beauty of it. I've had three husbands, and each one changed me. Profoundly. Because I evolved with them. We grew together. We built our relationship. We made it work. You need to learn how to do that, too. And this man? If he is really meant for you, you will find your way back to him. One day."
Later that night, when Kurt's in bed in his attic room, he thinks about what Emmeline has told him about love. He's never thought you could really love more than one person. He's always thought there's only one true love – a soulmate – out there for him. But maybe love isn't like that at all?
He certainly agrees with Emmeline's views about having to work at relationships. He's already learnt that in his friendship with Blaine. Maybe he could learn a thing from Emmeline and her experience with l'amour (love). She certainly seems to know a thing or two about the 'affairs of the heart', as she puts it.
Emmeline insists on taking him out for a special treat in the late afternoon on the last Sunday before Kurt starts working. Kurt wears one of his suits and Emmeline takes special care with her outfit, which comprises a dark gray wool two-piece suit and a red fox fur stole. After a ten-minute taxi ride, they enter Hôtel Meurice, the famous five-star hotel in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The lobby is opulent, from its patterned marble floors to its huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Kurt has never seen anywhere quite like it. Emmeline hooks her arm inside Kurt's and leads him to the Restaurant Le Dali for afternoon high tea. The maître d' quickly greets them and leads them to table set for three.
"Are we expecting someone else?" Kurt enquires, because he doesn't remember Emmeline mentioning more company.
"I've asked my grandson, Antoine, to join us. Yeeees, you wonder how a woman so young and beautiful as I can have a grandson already, eh? Weeeell, I started very young!"
Kurt fondly rolls his eyes as Emmeline cackles away. He's so appreciative of her liberal views towards gay men. Maybe her grandson is part of the reason, although he suspects she's seen everything in Paris' high society over the decades.
"I think you'll like Antoine. 'e will show you anozzer side to Paris than I can. Ah, here he is now."
Kurt stands up to greet Antoine. Kurt's polite smile becomes genuine when he sees Adonis – the cute waiter from the bistro – standing in front of him. Kurt and Antoine both start to laugh, and Emmeline gives them a puzzled look.
"You know each other?"
Antoine bends down to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Bonjour, mamie. Lovely to see you. Kurt and I have seen each other at the bistro where I work, but we haven't formally met."
When Antoine turns to face him, Kurt can see the twinkle in his eyes. "Enchanté (nice to meet you), Antoine."
Soon their high tea is brought to their table, and Kurt's eyes open wide at the offerings. There are finger sandwiches, toasted to perfection with a variety of fillings such as smoked salmon, pesto and mozzarella, foie gras, caviar and tuna… Scones with clotted cream and jams… Cookies and tiny cakes, as well as a wide range of French patisserie, each pastry a work of art and absolutely mouthwatering. After the waiter has poured the hotel's signature tea into their cups, they begin eating the offerings.
Conversation is kept light during the meal. They mainly discuss Kurt's adventures over the past four weeks. Antoine gives Kurt some suggestions on other things he might want to see in Paris. Kurt cringes every time Emmeline hints that Antoine should take him. Emmeline might be a wonderful lady, but subtle she is not. Kurt's surprised to find out that Antoine is an artist, working at the bistro to pay his rent. He lives on the Left Bank, in his art studio. Antoine seems passionate about making art and helping people.
"Excusez-moi, I need to use – comment ça se dit en anglais (how do you say in English)? - the little girls' room."
As soon as Emmeline has left the table, Antoine leans in close to Kurt. "Mamie is really something. No?"
"She certainly is."
"When mamie gets something in her mind, she makes sure everyone knows it. Listen, Kurt, I've wanted to find out more about you for weeks. I was hoping that you would make the first move. But never mind, it doesn't matter now that we've met. Next Saturday night, there's band playing in a small bar on the Left Bank. I think you might like it. Will you join me?"
"Like in a date?" Kurt asks, wanting to make sure he interpreted the invitation correctly.
"Yes, you can call it a date if you want to."
Kurt chews his bottom lip as he makes his decision. Antoine certainly is handsome and charming. Antoine definitely isn't like Sebastian, but Kurt doesn't know enough about him to compare him to Blaine. If he's in Paris to make a new beginning for his career, why not a new beginning for matters of the heart?
"Oui, I'd love to go."
Blaine giggles when he reads the tagline on Lips NYC sign – 'Every woman has a secret'. He opens the door for Unique to pass through. The club is busy for a Tuesday night. There are several bachelorette parties and large groups of friends amongst the usual crowd. When Unique talks to the host to try and wrangle a seat, Blaine pulls her back and whispers in her ear.
"I'm not all that bothered about seeing the show. I really came here tonight to thank the queens for the tips they gave me for the diva-off. Do you think we can head backstage?"
Unique nods and pulls him through the crowd until they get to a black unmarked door. The minder takes one glance at them and lets them in. After passing through several corridors, they enter the dressing room.
"If it's not the Queen Diva himself. You had me gagging during your performance, babe, you were beyond gorgeous," Mary D. Knight says, then gives Blaine a kiss on the cheek.
"You saw it?" Blaine tentatively asks. He's a little nervous about their feedback because what he did on the stage was nothing in comparison to their performances.
"We drew straws and Nova China had to go on stage while you were on TV. After we saw you, we had a good ole kiki. You walked the catwalk like your body was for sale and the rent was due that night," Rhea Listic chuckles. "You're not here to replace one of us?" she adds with a wink.
Blaine ducks his head and his cheeks redden at the thought of becoming a drag queen. "No, I'm not planning to quit my day job anytime soon. However, I enjoyed being on stage that night more than I thought I would. It wasn't anything to do with the attention, the applause or winning the competition. It was the feeling of being someone different… Being free of my usual inhibitions. The only other time I feel that way is when I'm songwriting."
"And now you know the reason why we do this night after night," Mary D. Knight utters softly.
"Unique, come help me beat my face into submission," Divine Intervention demands.
Blaine watches as Unique transforms Divine Intervention into a queen of beauty. He wonders why most women don't use these make-up tricks to enhance their natural looks. At that very moment, Blaine has a brilliant idea.
"How would you all like to be in a Vogue issue?"
Rhea Listic pops a hip to one side and narrows her eyes at Blaine. "You're not going to put us in women's clothes. We're not trying to pass as women – we're performers! It's just a character that we play like any actor, but she's also a version of ourselves."
"I wasn't thinking about women's clothes. I was thinking about an article about beauty tips. There's a lot that women can learn from you."
"Wouldn't that be pushing the boundaries for a magazine like Vogue?" Divine Intervention asks.
"Magazines like Vogue try to present cutting-edge fashion. Why can't Vogue push boundaries in other ways as well?" Blaine retorts.
Blaine thinks about this new idea and expands upon it. "There could be a whole issue that pushes society's boundaries within the usual content of the magazine. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking advice to women on how to find the right woman, iconic movies that made us question social norms of which gender wears which clothes, things like that."
"It sounds interesting…. But are you sure your readers will like it?"
"As long as it's tastefully done, I don't see why not."
Blaine quickly makes his goodbyes because he wants to focus on this new idea. Unique opts to stay longer and help with the queens with their make-up. He rushes out of the club and enters the Mercedes-Benz, which is waiting at the curb.
"You're earlier than I thought you would be tonight," Bentley comments.
"I just got the most wonderful idea. I want to think it over, expand upon it and make it really special."
"Thank god for that. I knew you would think of a way to get Kurt back."
Blaine quickly looks up at the mention of Kurt. "That ship sailed when Kurt moved to Paris. No, it's work-related."
"You're not going to headline at Lips NYC!" Bentley exclaims.
"No, my red feather jacket days are over…. At least in public."
"You must have better things to do on Friday nights than hang out with me," Wes remarks.
They are at the Bin No. 220 Wine Bar, their hangout place for their regular Friday nights. It's busy during happy hour, but Wes and Blaine have managed to find two bar stools to claim.
"Hey, I like your company. I can be myself with you."
"You could be yourself with many people, if only you opened yourself up."
"Not happening, Wes. I don't want to trend on Twitter again with another guy. Maybe if it's Kurt... Any news on how Kurt's enjoying Paris?"
"He's settling in nicely and renting a room from an old lady. He starts work next week for a Dior perfume ad campaign. He seems happy in Paris."
Blaine nods and takes a sip of his wine. Leave it to Wes to not tell him what he really wants to know.
"Has Kurt met anybody special? I can imagine that all the Frenchmen are flocking to him."
"He's not dating anyone exclusively, if that's what you're asking. Kurt's mentioned an Antoine, who's showing him around the Left Bank. Antoine's the grandson of his landlady, so I'm not sure what's going on with that. I don't pry into Kurt's love life."
Blaine hangs his head low with the news of Antoine. He knows it's only a matter of time before Kurt starts dating. How could the Frenchmen Kurt meets not want to be with him? However, even hearing the news of Kurt possibly dating another man is like a stab through Blaine's heart.
"God, I've lost Kurt forever," Blaine sighs.
"Blaine, you've got to find a way to get over Kurt."
"I'll never get over Kurt! He's my soulmate and the one true love of my lifetime."
Wes rolls his eyes at Blaine's statement.
"Blaine, do you know how overdramatic you're sounding right now? You're 28 years old, for god's sake, and you should know better than to drown in your own sorrow. You need to snap out of it. I see how men look at you…. Take a look around the bar tonight. You have options. Take the risk and start dating other men. It will make you feel better about yourself, and who knows, you might enjoy the other guy's company."
Later that night, Blaine crawls into his large empty bed, adding another blanket because he feels so cold. Sure, he's got new things going on in his life since Kurt left Vogue – photography, the Monarch House, and even his new friends at Lips NYC. He enjoys them, but it doesn't stop the lonely feeling deep inside. He hugs his pillow, wishing that Kurt was snuggling up to him.
Blaine knows he's become more reclusive since the Klainegate video went viral. That experience has given him more than enough of the wrong type of publicity to last him a lifetime. Deep down inside, Blaine knows he's scared to date other men. To lose the hopes and dreams of being with Kurt again.
Blaine knows he needs to do something to get out of this funk. He can't let the loneliness and heartache consume him, otherwise he'll spiral into depression, and that never goes well for anybody. Wes was right to call him out on it earlier tonight. Blaine can't put his life on hold until things are resolved with Kurt. After all, Kurt himself will be living the high life in Paris.
One thing that Kurt has taught him is that he can take the risk and let new people into his life. It might not be the everlasting love he's always dreamed of, but he can go out and have fun.
Amy walks through the living area with a basket of freshly laundered clothes. She spots Blaine lying on the couch, his eyes firmly gazing at the far corner of the room.
"Blaine! Are you just going to stare at that piano all day?... Or are you going to play it? I miss hearing you tickle the ivories."
"I miss it too. I haven't played since Kurt…. Umm… Since last September."
Amy puts down the laundry basket on the coffee table and sits down next to Blaine on the couch.
"There's nothing stopping you, Blaine. If you find it hard to start again, why don't you play some of your favorite songs first? I promise not to complain if you play Billy Joel over and over."
Blaine chuckles, sits up, and gets off the couch. "Okay. I'll do it."
Blaine sits at the piano bench and pulls up the fall board to expose the piano keys. He stretches and loosens up his fingers, and then starts playing simple piano scales. At first, he feels rusty and clumsy. However, after fifteen minutes of warm-ups, his fingers deftly play the keys again. He starts playing and singing 'The Piano Man' and repeats the song twice.
When Blaine doesn't hear a peep out of Amy, he decides to step it up a notch. He clears his throat before singing the next song.
Sadie, the cleaning lady
With trusty scrubbing brush and pail of water
Worked her fingers to the bone, for the life she had at home
Providing at the same time for her daughter
Amy immediately comes out of the back bedrooms with a smile on her face. "Very funny, Blaine. Now go back to Billy Joel."
Blaine bounces his leg as he waits impatiently in the Sherman and Myers Law Firm's reception area.
"Blaine Anderson?"
Blaine looks up and sees a young lawyer walk towards him.
"I'm Connor Murphy. Please come this way with me," the tall man says in a soft Southern drawl.
Connor leads Blaine into a small conference room. As Connor sets out the legal documents for today's meeting, Blaine takes a closer look at him. Connor is tall - at least six inches taller than him - and judging by his physique, he takes good care of himself. He has straight blond hair that is cut and styled in a slightly edgier way than most lawyers. Blaine knows that Connor's Brooks Brothers suit was released this season, so he obviously keeps up with fashion. He guesses that Connor is in his early 30s.
"I was expecting to meet with Mr. Sherman today."
"He's tied up in court. I'm a junior partner at the firm and I've personally looked over all the documents. The property purchase in Westerville is very straightforward, especially since there is no mortgage involved. You have the banker's draft for the cash balance?"
Blaine takes the check out of his messenger bag and slides it across the table. Connor gives Blaine a thick stack of legal documents, with sticky flags on pages he needs to sign. Blaine soon gets into a rhythm of turning pages, scanning the page, and signing.
"I was so happy when Mr. Sherman asked me to take over this meeting. I wanted to meet you in person, Mr. Anderson."
Blaine looks up and sees the lawyer's cheeks tinge pink with his confession.
"Why is that? And please call me Blaine."
"I really admire you for setting up the Foundation. I could have used somewhere like the Monarch House when I was growing up in Tate, Georgia. Back in high school, I didn't know anyone else who was gay. I would have killed for a place to meet other teenagers like me."
Blaine takes care to school his expression. This attractive lawyer has just confirmed two things to him. Blaine was right in detecting his roots in the South, and Connor is gay.
"I wanted someplace like the Monarch House as well. That's why I'm setting these houses up and using my hometown for the first place."
"If there is anything I can do to help with the Monarch Foundation, don't hesitate to ask. I'll even do the legal work pro bono."
"I'll take you up on your offer, Connor. I'd much rather use the money towards building Monarch Houses than paying legal fees. I think I've signed everywhere that I need to. Can you check?"
Connor quickly flips through all the pages of the purchase agreement and nods when he reaches the last page. "Congratulations, Blaine. You've just successfully bought your first Monarch House."
"Yes!" Blaine shouts, throwing his fist in the air.
"I won't keep you any longer. You must have big plans to celebrate tonight."
Blaine frowns, knowing that there are no big - or even small - plans for tonight. "Not really. I was planning to go home and call my parents to let them know."
"You can't stay home tonight, Blaine. This is a cause for celebration! I know this great Italian restaurant in the Upper East Side that would be perfect. Its veal dishes are to die for and it's pretty low key. So…. Umm… Would you let me help you celebrate?"
Blaine looks dumbfounded at being asked out for dinner. His initial reaction is to say no. But spending another lonely night at home by himself is also unthinkable. Connor isn't like the typical fanboy he meets or someone who has ulterior motives to get ahead. Connor seems like a person genuinely interested in the Foundation. Blaine thinks back to the conversation with Wes last Friday night. Blaine might find he enjoys himself tonight in the company of a new friend, and an attractive one to boot.
"Yes, I'd love to go."
Author's notes
Don't worry… this is a Klaine story after all :) I know it's tough with only one update a week, but I want to make sure you get the best chapters I can give you. The review and editing does take some time.
Song Blaine plays on the piano for Amy – 'Sadie, the Cleaning Lady' by John Farnham.
In my opinion, this chapter demonstrates how wonderful Lilyvandersteen truly is as a beta. She has lived in Paris and gave me insightful information about the City of Life. She came up with character of Emmeline - her best dialogue was from Lilyvandersteen; the worst was from me! I don't speak French and hate it when I can't follow foreign dialogue in stories. For French phrases that the typical non-speaker would not understand (me!), I placed the English translation in brackets. Please let me know if this worked because Paris will feature in future chapters.
Seeroftodayandtomorrow on this site is posting a new story, 'Love Lessons'. Blackrose1002 is also posting a new story, 'When the Wrong One Loves You Right'. I'm enjoying them a lot and recommend you checking it out.
Come visit me a Tumblr (HKVoyage) for the story artwork and my thoughts when writing this chapter.
Next up: Kurt starts work in Paris.
