The elderly man skimmed over The Daily Picayune while sipping his café au lait. He'd journeyed to the St. Charles Avenue mansion before sunrise to see his grandchildren off to their first day of school. He'd eaten breakfast with his family and calmed frazzled nerves.
At the sound of footsteps, he folded the newspaper, putting it on the end table. Doc grinned at his granddaughter. Unlike her brother, Vivienne was excited for kindergarten.
"You're lookin' awful pretty, Vivi. Just like a filly in a field of buttercups," he complimented, taking in her black and white plaid smocked dress and black cardigan while she twirled in front of him. Her copper tresses were secured in a neat French braid.
"Merci, Pépère," Vivienne curtsied, frowning as the silver poodle licked her cheek. "Assis, Cadeau," she patted the top of the dog's head as he sat perfectly for her. "Pépère, regarde les coeurs rouges," the child pointed to the embroidered hearts on her uniform.
Doc scrubbed his hand over his mustache. "By golly," he hummed, speculating that the pint-sized redhead would be the smartest girl in her class. Throughout the summer, he'd introduced Alexandre and Vivienne to a classroom setting. He'd done his best along with Henri and Kitty to prepare the twins. The retired physician glanced at his surrogate daughter. He'd lost track of how many times he'd reassured her that it would be beneficial for the twins to be at separate schools. "How's Alexandre doing?"
Kitty shrugged her shoulders with a sigh, lowering herself into the chair next to Doc. "Henri's having a talk with him. He's nervous and worried about being away from Vivi. You know how they are, Doc. Two peas in a pod."
"He'll make friends. I'm sure of it," Doc said. So far, his oldest grandson had seemed effortlessly surefooted in anything he'd tried, reminding him of the Dodge City Marshal. But Alexandre seemed to be dealing with a mild case of nerves.
"I hope so, Curly," she murmured, hoping Alexandre would come out of his shell without his outgoing sister around to help him. "Baby, come here. Your shoe's untied."
"Maman, I can do it."
Doc cleared his throat, easing out of the armchair. He knelt down in front of his granddaughter, instructing her to tie the laces of her leather oxford into a double knot. "Good job, Vivienne," he praised, watching her hop up to run to her brother. He knew she could bolster the boy's confidence better than anyone else.
Henri lingered in the doorway, motioning for his wife. "Mon amour," he whispered as she came to stand in front him. "I know you planned on taking Alexandre to Holy Cross, but I think I should," he stole a glimpse at his children and lowered his voice, "Alexandre's more emotional around you."
The redhead looked over her shoulder, setting her eyes on her boy, understanding what her husband was trying to convey. She gently bowed her head. "Doc and I will walk with Vivi, but I want to pick Alexandre up this afternoon, Henri."
"Of course, Chérie. Have Galen escort you to Holy Cross," Henri requested. "I'll get Vivi and say hello to Mother Superior this afternoon." The Frenchman had made a considerable donation to both the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Holy Cross, his alma mater. He laced his fingers with his wife's, tugging her further into the foyer to be out of range of little ears. "Let's tell the children about Quatre soon. Perhaps tonight."
"Henri, stop calling her that…"
He plastered a mischievous grin on his face while he covered the slight swell of her middle with his large hand, brushing his lips against her ear. "Shouldn't we? Our Quatrième is making herself known."
Kitty chortled at the latest moniker, shaking her head as she rested her hand over his. "We'll tell them, but you have to stop calling her quatre and quatrième."
"If I don't?" he asked, running his fingers over the ivory lace embellishments on the sleeve of her shirtwaist.
"No faire l'amour," she boldly whispered, glaring at him as soon as a husky chuckle escaped his throat. "It's not a threat, mon beau. It's a promise."
He arched a brow and sank his teeth into his lip, "Either way…empty, mon amour."
"We'll just see about that."
"You'll give in long before I will," Henri confidently murmured against her ear, knowing his hot breath was sending shivers down to her toes as he observed her lashes flutter. He teasingly pressed his lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear. He was certain she'd be begging for him before the week's end if she lasted that long. "Are we making a wager, Chérie?"
Kitty swallowed hard, taking two steps away from her husband while nodding her auburn head. "You're on," she extended her hand.
With a roguish grin on his handsome face, Henri shook his wife's hand, pulling her to him, suddenly capturing her lips. He parted her lips with a gentle slide of his tongue, settling his hand on her nape while he tasted and savored her, breaking away as soon as she moaned against his mouth.
"Not fair at all," she softy rumbled while her spouse strolled away from her. Kitty drew in a calming breath and glanced in the mirror, delicately pressing her palm into the side of her updo. She put her gloves on, grinning as Delia came down the stairs with Luc in her arms. "Well, good morning, my sleepy ray of sunshine," she beamed, taking her youngest in her arms and kissing his face as he rested his head against her shoulder. Luc loved to sleep late just as much as his mother did. "How'd you sleep?"
"Bien," Luc yawned, rubbing his hands over his face. "Maman, I go."
"Baby, you're not old enough for school. You get to stay here with Delia."
Delia noticed the makings of a pout on Luc's sweet face. "Luc, you know what you get while your brother and sister are at school?"
The toddler shook his head while shrugging his shoulders. "What, Dee?"
"You get to have all your Maman's love and attention." The maid knew that would sell him on not making a fuss. The youngest Broussard had an independent streak a mile wide, but his huge heart wouldn't allow him to turn down the chance to have his mother's undivided attention.
Kitty met her son's hopeful brown eyes. "Delia's right. I'll be back home before you know it, and I'm all yours," she tapped his button nose, the only feature he'd inherited from her.
"Je t'aime, Maman," Luc noisily smacked his lips to her cheek.
"Je t'aime tellement, bébé. Now, go tell Alexandre and Vivi to have a good day at kindergarten," she instructed, putting him down on the hardwood floor.
As her son scurried off, Kitty wished she could bottle Luc's energy, especially since she'd only been plagued with relentless fatigue this pregnancy. She slipped into the midnight blue jacket of her walking suit, smoothing her hand down her waist.
"Madame, stop frettin'. You show quicker with each one, and it ain't that noticeable yet," Delia reassured, handing her mistress her elegant hat.
"Thank you, Delia," Kitty pinned her hat onto her head, smiling brightly at her husband and son. The doting mother walked up the few stairs and eased onto the bench in the nook at the landing, crooking her finger at Alexandre.
He eagerly climbed onto his mother's lap, snuggling into her, but careful not to wrinkle his uniform.
Kitty kissed the top of his tawny curls, sensing his remaining anxiety about his day.
"Maman, what if they don't like me? Vivi told me to be myself."
"Honey, she's right. That's all you have to do. Just be yourself," she said, rubbing his back while rocking him gently. "You are brave and smart. You are kind and strong. I want you to know how proud I am of you."
His blue eyes sparkled as he tilted his head to look into her eyes. "You are?"
"I am, and I'm so very lucky that you're my son."
Alexandre wrapped his arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. "I'm lucky you're my Maman," he murmured.
Kitty blinked away the tears lining her eyes while she held her boy close. "I know you'll have the best day, and I can't wait to hear all about it when Pépère and I get you this afternoon. Papa's waiting on you, and you don't want to be late," she kissed his temple before he slid off her lap.
Oh, Matt…don't you wonder what they're doing?
The petite redhead felt spoiled. She'd had a wonderful first day of school. Her father had taken her for beignets as a treat since Mother Superior had complimented her behavior. During dinner, Vivienne had learned that her brother was the tallest in his class, and he'd made a friend, James. She'd innocently fibbed, telling her family that she'd also made only one friend, but she'd actually made two friends. Her mother had let her have a bath in the gigantic clawfoot tub and let her use a bar of the French-milled soap that was purchased from a quaint shop in Paris during last year's trip to France. She let out a contented sigh as her mother brushed her wavy tresses. "Maman, I smell like roses."
"You do," Kitty kissed the top of her daughter's head and set the silver hairbrush aside. "Vivi, what's your other friend's name?"
"Caoimhe. She's Irish. Her eyes are verte, but she's une rousse like me," she answered cheerfully.
Kitty met her daughter's wide eyes as she slowly turned around to face her. She laughed softly at Vivienne's shocked expression while stroking her cheek.
Her brow creased. "Maman, how'd you know?"
"Baby, I know you. You're a little social butterfly. Why didn't you tell us about Caoimhe? You told us about Angélique."
"I didn't want to hurt Alexandre's feelings," she admitted, lowering her gaze. "He only made one friend today…not two, like me." Her ginger brows arched, focusing on her mother's abdomen. She poked her index finger into the rounding swell.
"Vivienne Serena, don't poke your petite soeur."
She lifted her head, sapphire eyes widening as her mother's words sank in. Vivienne gasped and jumped off the chaise lounge, happily bouncing around the room. "Petite soeur! Une petite soeur!" she delightfully squealed.
Kitty laughed heartily, "Vivi, get back here."
Vivienne scrambled onto the chaise lounge, throwing her arms around her mother. "Oh, Maman! Je suis si heureux pour nous!"
She hugged her little girl, whispering in her ear, "Vivi, your brothers don't know yet. It's our secret for now. Understand?"
"Oui, Maman," she faintly replied, grinning from ear to ear while rambling about all she'd do with her little sister.
Kitty pressed her lips to her child's forehead, motioning for her to turn around. "Let's braid your hair. What color rib—" she trailed off as her youngest zoomed into the master suite, naked as the day he was born except for bubbles covering his olive skin. Her mouth fell open in disbelief while the family canine bounded into the room not far behind the toddler.
Vivienne rolled her eyes and shook her head, watching her father slide through the doorway while shouting at Luc. "Garçon fou," she said, tilting her head back, catching her mother's bewildered eyes.
"Yes, Vivi, he is," Kitty replied, grateful she'd decided not to handle the boys' bath time. She hadn't been in the mood to deal with all the splashing or her youngest's attempts to delay bedtime. Luc was completely unbothered, running around the room, dodging Henri's attempts to catch him. She hoped it wouldn't become a regular occurrence.
"Henri Luc Galen Broussard! Mon amour, porte!" Henri shouted, swearing under his breath as Luc slammed the closet door closed. He flung open the door and leaned against the jamb since his energetic boy was running to the exit as he'd predicted.
"Sweetheart, let's help Papa. Call Cadeau," Kitty instructed over the poodle's barking, slipping off the chaise lounge. She walked to the door, closing it and resting against the wood. She noticed Luc was preoccupied with making sure his father wasn't after him. "Luc, slow down!"
"Maman!" Luc screeched, stumbling then slipping on the rug.
She caught him before he landed, hoisting him onto her hip. "Son, what am I going to do with you?"
Luc innocently grinned at her, shrugging his shoulders as he shivered. "Not sleepy."
"Obviously," she smirked, carrying him into the bathroom and placing him on the counter. Kitty took a fluffy towel from the cabinet, wrapping him up. "Baby, you have to go to sleep."
He flashed her a charming grin as he shook his head. "Non."
"Oui," she countered, tossing a towel onto his head. His contagious giggles put a smile on her face. "Luc, you know how Papa got big and strong?" Kitty dried his brunette hair.
Luc peeked out from under the towel. "How?"
"By going to sleep at a reasonable hour," Henri answered, winking at his wife as she stepped aside. He knew she had a difficult time being firm with Luc even if he kept everyone on their toes. Henri had to admit that his son had the gift of being naturally hopeful and bright, and Luc spread that energy everywhere. The Frenchman assumed that his wife never wanted to diminish that part of him by being too strict.
He ruffled his son's hair and dressed him in his pajamas. "You can stay awake until Maman is done braiding your sister's hair," he paused, glowering at the whining toddler, "and reads one chapter from a book of Vivienne's choosing."
"Papa, not tired," Luc whimpered, swinging his feet, swaying to the drum of his heels hitting the cabinets.
Henri lifted him off the counter, pointing to the doorway. "Bed, jeune homme."
Kitty watched her son slink out of the bathroom. She smirked at the racket of him running and jumping into bed. "Henri, you expect him to sit perfectly still for a portrait. I think Luc kicked more in the womb than the twins did."
Henri's cheeks flushed. He had planned the first sitting for a family portrait to begin on Saturday. His wife had not been in agreement with his plan. He cleared his throat, glancing at her. "Chérie, you may have a point."
"I may?" she scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. "I do have a point, mon beau."
"Kathleen, what would you prefer? A photographer?"
"Maybe," she answered, moseying out of the bathroom. Kitty reclaimed her spot on the chaise lounge, observing Henri pick up Luc and settle in the middle of the king-sized bed. She smiled at Alexandre as he strolled in with a book under his arm.
The five-year-old kissed his mother's cheek and handed the book to his sister. "Right?"
Vivienne nodded, thanking her brother for bringing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She watched him climb into bed, sitting perfectly still for her mother to finish plaiting her hair. "Maman," she whispered, pointing to Luc.
"I see him," she replied, eyeing her youngest who had fallen asleep at the foot of the bed. "All done, Honey."
As Kitty slipped into bed with her husband and children, she met his gentle brown eyes, nodding her head. She fluffed the pillows behind her and wrapped an arm around Alexandre as Henri announced the news, playfully rolling her eyes as soon as he referred to the baby as 'Quatre'.
The Frenchman looked up from the cigar he twirled between his fingers, focusing his eyes on his beautiful wife at the threshold of the sitting room. Her eyes were heavy, and her fiery locks fountained over her shoulders. He set the cigar in the ashtray and finished his cognac. "Goodnight, mon amour," he murmured as he propped his feet on the coffee table.
Her ginger brows wrinkled; lips curled with disappointment. "You're not kissin' me goodnight?"
He shook his head.
"You always kiss me goodnight."
"Not tonight," Henri cleared his throat and lightly pounded the middle of his chest, letting his voice rise an octave to mimic what she'd said earlier. "Your kisses are too tempting, mon beau," he concluded, unflustered by how she stormed toward the settee.
"I can resist temptation. Kiss me goodnight," she demanded.
Henri stood, hovering over her, gazing at her lips.
"Kiss me." Kitty rose into him, lips open and seeking as she gripped the lapels of his smoking jacket, pulling him toward her. His lips were warm and soft. Her tongue slid over his lips, tasting the cognac.
He stroked his tongue inside her mouth, slowly and teasingly while wrapping his arms around her back. Henri pressed her tighter to him, chest to chest, relishing the feel of her sensuous curves against him. He slid his tongue deeper. He heard the soft, tiny mewling sounds from the back of her throat. He felt her sharp nails raking over him, tugging his tailored shirt upwards, fumbling with the buttons.
He'd won the bet. She hadn't lasted a day.
She felt his fingertips dancing up her spine. His lips grazed her freckled shoulder as his palm curved over her hip, slowly traveling up her side until his hand closed over her breast. Her lips parted as she gasped, moaning softly as his fingertips massaged. "Mon beau," Kitty murmured, biting into her lip, placing her hand over his. She turned, resting on her back while looking into his eyes. "You are insatiable tonight," she purred, arching her back deeper into his touch.
Henri inched closer to her in the shadowy darkness. His dark eyes raked over her pale skin, still heated and damp with sweat from their previous round of lovemaking. He licked his lips, focusing on her hand as she stroked her neglected, swollen breast. "You make me feel like I'm seventeen again," he proclaimed, listening to her shuddering breath as his finger deliberately trailed between her breasts. Henri brushed his lips to her jaw. "Mon amour, making love to you is always like the first time…wonderful and new." His declaration mingled with the kisses to the hollow of her throat.
She threaded her fingers into his cocoa-colored waves, reveling at how his caresses and strokes seared her skin. "Henri," she panted at the sensation of his tongue flicking over her hardened nipples.
He lifted his head. "Do you feel as I do?" he asked, gliding his hand down her stomach, settling his hand in the juncture between her thighs.
Kitty drew in a ragged breath, chaotically gathering her thoughts as he lazily stroked his thumb over her center while waiting for her answer. She swallowed hard, dizzy from her rising desire. "I don't," she stammered, "Henri, I can't…think with you touching me like that." She groaned at the removal of his hand. "Put it back…now…"
The Frenchman dutifully obeyed his wife, whispering an apology. He nipped at her earlobe while cupping her sex, resuming his languid strokes. "Tell me, Kathleen."
"I always make love to you as if it's the final time."
"Oh," he faintly rumbled.
Placing her palms on his cheeks, she tipped his face to her. "I give all of myself to you that way."
Henri stared into her sapphire eyes, shining with honesty and passion. He speculated she felt that way from having loved a lawman for more than a decade. She'd never known if it would be the last time with her former lover. He kept his contemplations to himself as she pushed him onto the mattress and straddled him.