I flag down a carriage "To the Opera" I say thinking of the only place where I feel safe and happy.
When the carriage arrives at the Opera, I see Missour Barnard, walking down the steps in a top hat, dress coat, and tie, not the causal clothes he wears at rehearsals.
"Missour Barnard!" I call out excitedly.
"Gorgeous what are you doing here? Where is your Mama and Papa?"Missour Barnard seems concerned.
"My government is trying to teach me to be a woman. I don't want to be a woman!" my lip quivers.
"Walk with me, since a child can't be out on the streets of Paris alone at night" Missour Barnard takes my hand.
"What have you been doing since you left the Opera?" asks Missour Barnard.
"Studying to be a doctor" I answer
"Do you like it?" Missour Barnard probs.
"No, it's gross" I react honestly
"When did you decide you wanted to be a doctor?" Missour Barnard asks.
"When I was five" I reply.
"Oh I see, it was before you became my talented Travesty dancer" he smiles.
"This is the Palais-Royal I need to stop by the Watchmakers to pick up a present" explains Missour Barnard.
In The watchmaker's shop, Missour Barnard picked up a beautiful bejeweled gold watch with the initials M and G engraved on it after we walked to a cafe where Missour Gaillard was waiting.
"Gorgeous. Missour Gaillard is my husband" MIssour Barnard hugs him.
"I didn't know two men could marry each other," I say without thinking.
"We got married in the gardens here" explains Missour Gaillard "You can see Heaven and make your Vows before God easier when you can see Heaven," adds Missour Barnard.
"Sounds lovely" I smile. "How did you meet?" I ask the same question I asked Mama and Papa who met when Papa ran into the sea to fetch Mama's red scarf.
"I used to paint settings for the Opera, one time Léon made a suggestion of what would work better for his Ballet set, and we got into an argument in front of the whole Opera!" Missour Gaillard was blushing.
"I loved that you were willing to defend your art" Missour Barnard tickled some soup from under his husband's chin.
"You were right as always," Missour Gaillard turned to me "You know all about that don't you Georgus?"
"Yes," I giggle.
"How do you like your Ice Cream Georgus?' asks Missour Barnard.
" it's the most intense vanilla ever!" I answer.
" I don't know how you know that because it appears to be mostly on your face" chiles Missour Gaillard handing me napkins.
"Who proposed to who?" I asked I loved to hear about the time my Mama and Papa pretended to be betrothed when Erik proclaimed Mama was betrothed to him!
." Léon said he wanted my opinion on a Ballet he was choreographing and as he was dancing he pulled me into the dance and after clumsy I fell to one knee and I proposed." Missour Gaillard kissed Missour Barnard on the lips just like Mama and Papa do.
"Can I see your rings?" I clap eagerly.
They show me two matching silver bands.
"Why are they silver?" I ask because Mama's and Papa's are gold.
"A Silversmith down the road from here made them" answered Missour Barnard.
"I wanted them to be gold" pouted Missour Gaillard.
"Which is why I bought you this" Missour Barnard gave his husband the watch. Happy Anniversary my love" Missour Barnard kisses Missour Gaillard on the lips, just like when Papa gives Mama a present.
"Genevieve thank goodness we found you!" Papa suddenly hugs me.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THESE DEGINERITS? Screams my Governess, "Not to mention you stole your Papa's wallet!" she turns on the couple "You should be in prison!"
"Oh My gosh call Police Commissioner Mifriod!" Missour Barnard teases looking Papa in the eye.
"No need he thinks I'm a lunatic anyways, as in he wouldn't believe what I saw anyways." Papa shoots my Governess a sharp look.
"I'll contact Opera House management and get you both fired!" My Governess continues her threat.
"I will write a letter yo the Oper Ghos then" Missour Barnard's eyes flash angrily.
"Let's not make the Opera Ghosr angry with me again" Papa is now pleading with my Governess terrified.
"Your son should be able to choose his own path in life," says Gaillard.
"Thank you for keeping my daughter safe! Papa leads me away.
(Mama's POV)
"Missour Banatd is queer," Raoul says to me after putting my child back to bed.
"I know dear," I say calmly.
"How did you know?" asks my husband
"I was there when Missour Barnard and Gaillard fought ober the set, they reminded me of how you and I fought."
"We never fought when we were children" denies Raoul
I just laugh.
"He is close with Erik… is Erik….?"
"Honestly, because we're married, I don't know. One time Erik wrote a letter saying La Sorelli "Danced like a cow" Erik told me that he was shocked when he received such a fiery letter back from Missour Barnard defending his technique that Erik has great respect fo him, no one else ever stood up to him and they've been friends ever since."