With a weary sigh, the redhead pulled the blanket up to her oldest son's shoulder and kissed his forehead, grateful that he was finally able to rest after a eucalyptus steam bath followed by a cup of Delia's manglier tea. Days ago, Alexandre had come down with a nasty head cold he just couldn't shake.
Kitty climbed onto the chaise lounge and sank into the cushions, closing her eyes while wondering when the big man would get back to New Orleans. He'd taken Festus to The Oaks to get settled. She wondered if the repairs had been worse than Anne-Marie had described since Matt had been gone close to a week.
"Maman," Vivienne squawked from the doorway, sluggishly toddling into the suite with Cadeau at her side. She dragged her baby blanket across the floor and rubbed her throat, wincing as she coughed.
"Oh, Baby, c'mere," Kitty murmured. She'd had her suspicions during dinner that Vivienne had caught her brother's cold. The girl had pushed her food around on her plate and had gone straight to bed afterward.
Vivienne walked to the chaise lounge and tilted her head, knowing her mother was going to put her hand against her forehead. "Maman, do I have a fever?"
Kitty nodded, gently pressing around the sides of Vivienne's neck, ignoring her pitiful whimper. "You're a little warm, Honey. You didn't stay away from Alexandre like I told you. Did you?"
"I had to check on him."
The mother clucked her tongue, shaking her head. "Well, you won't be going to school tomorrow, Vivi," she warned before the child could protest. Kitty helped her take off her nightgown and opened the jar of herbal salve, spreading it over her daughter's chest.
Her freckled nose wrinkled. "Maman, it smells."
"And it'll help," Kitty said, smirking as the poodle barked. "See, even Cadeau agrees with me."
"He doesn't." Vivienne turned her head, watching the dog run to the door to greet Delia. She groaned at the sight of the porcelain teapot on the tray the maid carried. "Non," the child whined, fervently shaking her head. "Not manglier."
"You'll drink every drop of that tea, Vivienne Serena. Lift your arms," Kitty guided the flannel nightgown over her daughter's head.
The six-year-old snapped her mouth shut at the stern expression on her mother's face. She sweetly smiled at Delia as she climbed onto the chaise lounge. "N'oubliez pas le citron et le miel, s'il vous plaît."
"If it's not bitter, it's not manglier," the Creole chimed, snickering at the roll of the girl's eyes.
Within minutes, Vivienne held the mug in her hands, twisting her face with each sip of the bitter tea. She tapped her fingers on the side of the ceramic mug and dreadfully stared at the remaining tea, wondering how she could get Cadeau to drink it without being caught. Vivienne glanced at her mother as she washed her hands in the basin and slowly leaned over the side of the lounger, whispering to her dog, "Ici."
"Do not, Vivienne. Drink, young lady."
Vivienne grumbled under her breath, slumping into the tufted cushions of the oversized chaise lounge. "Did Alexandre drink his?"
"Without a single complaint," Kitty lightly swatted her daughter's knee. "Scoot."
The petite redhead moved over, trying to gulp down the horrible-tasting tea. She handed her mother the cup once she finally finished. Vivienne pulled her mauve blanket over her, cuddling into her mother's side.
Kitty stroked her fingers through her girl's auburn hair while smiling softly at her small hand resting on her belly. "Hold on, Vivi," she put her hand over her daughter's, guiding it to where the baby was kicking.
"Maman," Vivienne gasped in wonder at the feel of the kick underneath her palm. "That's her?! That's ma petite soeur?"
"Mmhmm."
"Bonjour, Quatre," she whispered. For several minutes, she didn't utter a word or move a muscle to feel every little movement of her sibling. "Maman, when's Maréchal coming back?" she yawned.
"Soon…I hope. You need to get some rest, Vivi," Kitty kissed her head, beginning to hum Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
The little girl ran her fingertip over the trio of rings on her mother's left hand. Vivienne lingered on the oval cut diamond of the wedding band. "Maman…are you gonna marry him? Le Maréchal?"
"He hasn't asked, Vivi."
The six-year-old puffed out an exasperated breath. She shifted, resting her head on her mother's chest while tracing her finger over the gold band entirely of diamonds. "You could ask him."
Kitty laughed softly. "Honey, it's a sad state of affairs, but girls just aren't supposed to do that. A man has to ask the woman."
"Oh," she murmured, covering her mouth as she coughed. "How'd Papa ask?"
"Well," the older redhead rubbed Vivienne's back and stared at the flames dancing in the fireplace. She couldn't tell her all the details of the proposal. "Your papa had asked me many times since I'd returned to New Orleans. I'd been away for a very long time. As soon as he learned I was back, he'd send a dozen red roses almost every day, and the card would say, 'I'll tell it rather simply. All I want is you for the rest of my life, Kathleen Russell.'"
"Très romantique," Vivienne sighed.
Kitty momentarily glimpsed at her dreamy eyed daughter, wondering where she'd heard that phrase. "It was the summer…during a thunderstorm. We were on the third-floor balcony of The Seraphine. Lightning danced across the sky. The thunder was so loud that it shook the hotel. He said, 'Marry me, Kathleen.' I finally told him yes, and we were married on the morning of June 30th. One day, you'll wear my dress, Vivi."
Vivienne beamed, turning her head to gaze at the wedding photograph on the bedside table. "Tu étais belle, Maman," she drowsily murmured. She'd have to tell the big man to buy her mother roses, especially since roses hadn't been in the house since her father died.
"Merci, mon petit amour. Try to sleep," Kitty pressed her lips to her daughter's temple, resuming her humming of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
She roused from the sensation of lips against her cheek, blinking the sleep out of her eyes until she focused on his handsome face. "Matt?" she rubbed her hand over her face, wondering how long she'd been asleep.
"It's me, Honey."
"What time is it?" Kitty slowly pushed herself up, rolling her neck from side to side.
"Almost midnight," Matt answered, glancing at his sleeping daughter. "I wanted to come up sooner, but Doc stopped me. He told me Alexandre's been sick." He wouldn't tell her how he'd received a lecture from Doc about proposing to her.
"Vivi, too. Put her in bed, Matt."
He carefully lifted the little redhead into his arms, holding his breath as she whimpered in her sleep. Matt made a face when Vivienne rubbed her runny nose against his sleeve. "Can you get the door?"
"No, Matt. Put her in our bed," she gestured to the king-sized bed while ignoring his disappointed frown. "There's enough room for all of us."
"Kitty, I wanted to…" He received a withering look, effectively shutting him up.
"Well, we all have wants, Cowboy." Kitty wandered into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Matt mumbled under his breath and gently placed Vivienne next to her brother. He stared at his children, listening to their congested breathing while placing his hands on his hips. The retired lawman had no idea what to do for sick children. He rubbed his jaw and decided to cover the twins with another blanket. He smiled at the sight of the crocheted antler of the stuffed white-tail deer tucked under Alexandre's chin. Matt spun on his heel at the noise of the door opening. "Luc, what are you doing up? You need to go back to bed."
The toddler rambled to the big man, looking up at him while holding his arms above his head. "Marshal," he grunted as Matt hoisted him onto his hip. Luc felt his stomach lurch, suddenly emptying the contents all over the giant's shirt and vest.
Matt sucked in a breath, glancing at the ceiling while awkwardly holding the three-year-old away from him. "Kitty!" He winced as tears immediately sprang to the child's eyes, and he powerfully wailed for his mother.
"What's the matter? Oh," Kitty eyed the scene before her. She darted back into the bathroom for a towel. "Come to Maman, Baby," she soothed, wrapping her son in the towel while he readily put himself into her comforting arms. "It's alright, Luc," she kissed his head while rubbing his back.
"Maman, I threw up," he mumbled.
"I know, Baby. I think you got most of it on Matt."
"Yeah," Matt drawled grumpily, watching her set the boy on the counter.
Kitty heatedly glanced at him. The man had tended to all sorts of wounds in his lifetime and was balking at vomit. "Strip," she ordered. "Luc needs a bath, so do you. You can get in with him."
"Maman," Luc croaked, "I don't feel good."
"I don't believe Sadie's new recipe agreed with your tummy, but you'll feel better after a bath. You can sleep with me."
Matt noticed how the toddler perked up at those words. He heaved a sigh, carefully peeling his soiled clothing off his body while being intensely grateful to the Frenchman for having a bathroom with hot and cold running water. He barely settled into the water before Kitty handed the naked toddler to him. He furrowed his brow as Luc hit his hands on top of the water, giggling with each splash. "Kitty, I—"
"For heaven's sake, Matt. Help him wash. He won't do anything but splash around if you don't. Will you be alright if I leave to get clean pajamas for him?"
The redhead didn't wait for his answer. She marched into the boys' room, rifling through the drawers for pajamas while wishing the lawman had more experience with sick children. He wasn't used to being a full-time father, and she blamed herself for that. She blew out a breath, sitting on Luc's bed to gather herself. Kitty slowly pushed herself off the chambray comforter to return to the master suite, wondering how long her night would be and if Matt had settled the toddler. She drifted to the bed, checking on the twins until she heard Luc crying and Matt unsuccessfully trying to calm him.
As soon as he set his eyes on his mother, Luc cried harder, pushing away from the clothed big man. "Non! I want my papa! Maman!" He rubbed his eyes and reached for his mother, trying to scramble out of the lukewarm bathwater.
"C'mere, Baby," Kitty lifted him before he could climb out of the tub. "What happened?" She looked at Matt as she toweled the red-faced, hiccupping toddler.
"He got soap in his eyes while I was getting dressed. I rinsed it out, but I didn't do it like his papa would have. I can't do a damn thing like he could," he muttered, upset with himself more than anything.
Kitty cut her eyes at him. "You don't have to stay, Matt."
"Wait a minute, Kitty. You need help with them."
"It's okay. I know this is something you're not used to. They're my responsibility."
"Kitty, hold on," he stepped closer to her. "Son, come here," he clapped his hands together, exhaling exasperatedly when Luc shook his head while he clutched his mother tighter.
"You can go, Matt. I think it's best for tonight," she whispered, grimacing at Luc's piercing cries for his father. "Oh, Sweetheart, I know you want your papa, but you have me," she kissed his forehead as his arms wrapped around her neck. Kitty carried him into the adjoining sitting room, easing onto the settee with him. "Luc, Honey, you have to calm down…please…you're gonna wake up the whole house."
"I want Papa!"
She sniffled, wiping the tears falling down her cheek. She spotted Henri's smoking jacket and handed it to Luc, closing her eyes as his crying slackened. "Baby, I know. I miss him, too," she whispered, rocking Luc against her.
Matt swallowed hard, pushing down his emotions and the words he'd wanted to say to her about staying. He turned on his boot heel and headed for the door.
From the cherry oak bed, Vivienne watched him, lethargically pushing the heavy blankets off her small body and ignoring Cadeau blocking her from leaving the bedroom. She pushed her beloved poodle away and stumbled down the stairs, following after Matt. She stepped onto the front porch, spying him at the gate through her slitted eyes.
"Maréchal! Stop!"
Her weak, hoarse voice stopped him in his tracks. He wrapped his palms around the iron of the front gate. He wanted to leave, retreat, and lick his wounds. He needed time to accept that he'd never measure up to Henri Broussard or to simply figure out how to stop comparing himself to the man. Matt tilted his head, blinking away the tears forming in his eyes. He inhaled deeply and turned, walking up the steps. "Vivi, Honey, go back inside."
She stubbornly shook her head. "Don't go, please. Maman loves you. She said she can't ask you to marry her. You have to ask her. And…" she took a breath, wheezing and coughing, "and since Papa left to help the angels…we don't have anyone to help us. We need a Daddy."
His heart cracked, slowly breaking into slivers. He wanted to tell her that she'd never truly lost a father. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Vivi!" His eyes widened as she swayed, falling onto the wooden porch. He scooped her into his arms, touching her hot forehead while rushing back inside with her, hollering for Doc.
The retired doctor was out of bed and meeting the lawman on the second-floor landing within minutes, listening to Matt's concise account of what had happened. He opened the door of the master suite for him, following him with Delia on his heels. "Delia, run a tepid bath then take Luc from Kitty," he directed, focusing on the redhead. "Kitty, she needs a sponge bath. Her fever's high."
Kitty stood at the foot of the chaise lounge, silently bawling at the sight of Matt with their limp daughter in his arms. She barely heard Alexandre frantically asking about his sister or felt Delia taking Luc from her.
The Creole could clearly see that her mistress was exhausted. She softly cleared her throat as she cradled the toddler against her. "Madame, go to Miss Vivi. She fainted with fever. Don't worry about the boys. I'll stay with 'em in their room if that's alright."
She barely dipped her head, startling at the noise of Vivienne crying. The stricken mother drifted into the bathroom and observed Doc tending to her sick child. Her heart squeezed in her chest at how tightly Vivienne held onto the big man's hands. Her little girl looked even smaller next to him.
"Maréchal…don't leave us, too," Vivienne huskily pleaded, weakly shoving the sponge away. "Too cold, Pépère," she whimpered, frowning as her grandfather ignored her. She returned her attention to the worried giant. "Promise, Maréchal? Don't leave. Promise…"
"Vivi, I promise," he pressed his lips to the crown of her head.
Doc smiled softly, wringing the water out of the sponge as he noticed Kitty hovering in the doorway. He resumed gingerly pressing the sponge to the six-year-old's heated skin. "Kitty, I'm taking Vivi to my room to keep an eye on her. I don't want to hear an argument about it. You need your rest, too. I can't have you getting sick."
"Alright," she mumbled, stepping into the bathroom while keeping her tired eyes on Matt, wondering what was going through his mind. She tucked an errant curl behind Vivienne's ear and kissed her head.
The petite redhead glanced between her mother and the marshal, feeling like it was partially her fault for their disagreement. "Maman, Je suis désolé."
"Baby, you don't have anything to be sorry for. I just want you to get better. Do what Pépère tells you."
Within the hour, the family doctor had reduced the child's high temperature and had her resting comfortably after a cup of tea and a bowl of hearty soup. He'd bolstered his friend's waning confidence, reassuring him that no one mastered being a parent. Doc clapped him on the back and sent him upstairs with instructions to make sure Kitty rested.
Matt lingered in the doorway, regarding her on the chaise lounge. Her elbow dipped into the tuft of the armrest while her hand supported her head as she lightly dozed. He became lost in how the flickering licks of firelight made her auburn hair appear a richer shade of red. He licked his chapped lips and wandered into the room, sinking onto the cushion.
She groaned as her hand shifted, jerking her awake. "Matt," she gasped.
Without a word, he slipped his arm around her, pulling her to him. He kissed her temple as she relaxed against his chest. "They're all sound asleep, and I'm supposed to get you in bed. Doctor's orders."
Kitty gnawed on her lip, trying not to entertain what was on her mind. She was too tired to start an argument, but she had to have clarity. She tilted her head to stare at him, gauging his mood.
He could sense her misgivings and anxiety as if they were cuddled on the lounger with them. He kneaded his fingertips into the small of her back, massaging the knotted muscles while meeting her eyes. "Say what's on your mind."
"Are you…" she paused, parting her lips as he hit a particularly tender spot. She shifted against his side. "Matt, are you ready for all this? I didn't mean to offend you by what I said earlier. It's the truth. You're not used to being a father," she felt him tense as she softly smoothed her hand over his chest. "It's nothing against you…just the way it played out because of choices we made. Most days are easy, routine, but then there are nights like tonight. There will be illness, homework, and discipline, but there's a lot of laughter and love. It's part of the package, Matt. I need to know that you're ready for the commitment."
"I'm not leaving my children again."
"Matt, there's gonna be a lot crying with the baby. She might keep us up all night, and we'll still have to get up and take care of the others and the businesses."
He locked his eyes onto hers. "Listen to me, Kitty…I want to learn how to be a father…the father they need me to be. I don't want to play at it like I did in the past. Understand that I'm not leaving my children."
Kitty leaned back, studying his serious expression. "I understand that. But very soon, four children will be living here, Matt. You can't just parent the twins. Are you willing to take on all four of them?"
"All four," he confirmed, sliding his hand over the curve of her belly while kissing her softly. He felt the ring he'd purchased in Baton Rouge in his pocket, but he'd have to ask her another day.