Okay, so this chapter will complete the little "getting used to a new life" arc. From here on out, chapters will be uploaded as I complete them, so don't be surprised if you get one update where Katrina is twelve, then in the next, she's five.
In the current day, when Joe is 38, Katrina is 14.
A gentle snow was falling over the city; the perfect background for arriving at a new home. Joe, with Katrina in his arms, stepped into the entryway and looked around. Yes, this was absolutely the perfect home. As soon as he got the boxes out of the trunk, it would feel like he'd been there all his life.
He got Katrina into her baby carrier to go unpack the boxes from the car. There weren't very many, so he was able to get them all inside in only about ten minutes, without needing to put Katrina down anywhere.
He unstrapped Katrina from the carrier and sat down on the couch. He held up his hand in an attempt to teach her how to high-five. Like clockwork, Katrina raised her hand and booped it against his. Joe chuckled. "Bon travail, ma fille." (Good work, my girl.)
Katrina grinned and babbled. Joe engaged her by getting her to repeat certain sounds. "Pa-pa. Je suis papa". (Da-da. I'm Daddy.)
"Baba," said Katrina.
Joe shrugged. "Eh bien, c'est si proche." (Well, it's close enough.)
A few weeks later, it was December. There was much more snow, and Christmas would soon be there.
There was a knock at the door. Joe went to answer, and there was his mother and favourite uncle waiting.
"Salut, maman et oncle Gabriel," said Joe. Katrina stared at the visitors with awe in her eyes.
Amélie was overjoyed to finally meet her granddaughter. She scooped her up and cuddled her. "Oh, tu es la plus précieuse au monde! Oui, tu es tellement jolie!" (Oh, you are the most precious thing in the world! Yes, you are so cute!)
Uncle Gabriel, in the meantime, hugged his nephew. "Comment as-tu aimé ta nouvelle maison?" (How do you like your new house?)
"C'est parfait," said Joe. He picked up Katrina and herded his guests into the kitchen for dinner. (It's perfect.)
"Alors, ton travail c'est fait bien?" Uncle Gabriel asked Joe. (So, your job is going well?)
"Oui," said Joe, "mais j'ai quelques semaines pour être avec ma petite princesse." Joe gently tweaked Katrina's cheeks. Katrina squeal-giggled. (Yes, but I have a couple weeks to be with my little princess.)
The oven beeped, announcing that dinner was complete. Joe took a potholder and pulled out a tray of cheese gratin. He set it on the table and cut it up for everyone to eat.
"Joseph, je suis tellement fière de toi," said Amélie. "Tu as un bon travail, une belle maison, et la plus parfaite fille au monde." (Joseph, I'm so proud of you. You have a good job, a beautiful house, and the most perfect daughter in the world.)
Joe chuckled, beaming with pride. "C'est ma vie!" (That's my life!)
