As the sun rose over the Crescent City, the air was charged with anticipation for the start of one of the most beloved times of the year, Carnival season. Most New Orleanians were ready to become zealous marchers and overindulgers in the special time, but the girl nestled under the velvet pintuck quilt had other reasons for being delighted for the day. She was finally ten-years-old.

Vivienne smiled softly as she sat up in bed, reclining against the soft pillows while she received birthday licks to her cheek from her beloved silver poodle. "Bonjour, Cadeau," she whispered, smoothing her hand down his curly coat. She lifted an envelope from her pillow and instantly recognized her mother's script. Vivienne carefully began opening the letter until she heard a knock at her door.

Alexandre strolled into the room and climbed onto his sister's bed, relishing the quiet of her room. "Do you feel different?" he asked, settling under the plush velvet next to her. He'd expected an impressive change to happen once he reached double digits, but he'd discovered he felt precisely the same as the morning he'd turned nine.

Vivienne shook her head. "I don't. Do you?"

"Nah," her brother mumbled while he adjusted the pillow behind his back. "You got one, too?" Alexandre gestured to the envelope in her hands.

"We'll open at the same time, and start reading on the count of three." Vivienne waited for her brother to agree, eyeing him as she finished tearing the sealed seam. She unfolded the page. "Un…deux…trois," she counted and waited a moment before she began reading her letter since Alexandre read a bit slower than she did.

Mon Petit Amour,

It seems as if it were just yesterday that I held you in my arms for the first time, but it's been ten years. Ten whole beautiful years. A whole decade of loving you and watching you grow. You have blossomed into such an incredible young lady, one with so many remarkable talents and strengths. I am forever in awe of you for so many reasons.

You're wise beyond your years. Your compassionate heart bowls me over every single day. Your stubborn, willful nature is an awful lot like mine, as you know. Your strength and determination are admired by all that know you. You spread love and kindness into every room. You are beautiful inside and out.

On your tenth birthday, I want you to know I'm proud of everything you are, everything you choose, and everything you do. You're the daughter that at one point in my life I was sure I wouldn't ever have. You are the greatest gift I could have ever wished for, Vivienne Serena.

Love,

Maman

Vivienne inhaled deeply, fighting the tears stinging her eyes while she waited for her brother to finish reading his letter. She glanced at him, wondering what their mother had written to him since his blue eyes were misty like hers.

Alexandre,

You're the one that made me a mother. I wasn't living until I held you and looked into your eyes for the first time. Nothing prepared me for the amount of love that filled my heart that night. I've cherished every moment of these ten blessed years with you.

You're no longer my little baby. You're tall and lean. You're growing into a handsome soon-to-be young man, and I have no worries about the man you'll become. You have such a strong moral compass and a pure heart. You are so loving and gentle. You find purpose in the unexpected and take challenges in stride. Your unconditional love and beautiful smile are gifts to the world, Alexandre Matthieu.

On your tenth birthday, I want you to know that you, my sweet son, have made me the person I am today. You've helped me grow in love and kindness. You inspire me to be the very best mother I can be to you and your siblings. You have given me more than you'll ever realize. You are a wonderful boy, and you are the best son a mother could ask for.

Love,

Maman

The twins sat quietly side by side, reflecting on their mother's heartfelt words on the elegant stationery.

The adoring mother crept into her daughter's room, admiring the scene before her. She wasn't surprised to see Alexandre snuggled close to Vivienne. He always made his way into his sister's room on the morning of their birthday. She briefly listened to their conversation, guessing on what their tenth birthday would be like. "Happy birthday, Sweethearts," she crooned, stepping closer to the bed with a bright smile on her face.

Kitty joined them atop the velvet, gasping as her children hugged her tightly while thanking her for the letters. She kissed the tops of their heads, murmuring, "I still can't believe you're ten. I love you two so very much, and I wanted to tell you things that I somehow never seem to get the chance to say," she confessed, looking into their beautiful blue eyes. "I'd appreciate if the two of you would meet me downstairs in half an hour. We're going to La Boulangerie."

Vivienne cocked a brow. "A half hour? Maman, that's not enough time."

"It most certainly is, Vivi," she stroked her fingers through her daughter's long, wavy tresses, realizing what her children were thinking.

Alexandre lifted his head from his mother's shoulder. "It's not, Maman. Not for all of us."

She smirked. "The whole family isn't going to La Boulangerie. Just us three."

The weary father flopped into the oversized chair with the distraught toddler. Josephine had started bawling the minute her mother had left the house. She'd wanted to go with her oldest siblings. Matt kissed her copper curls and rubbed her back as she wailed. "Josie girl, I'll take you for croissants on your birthday."

She tilted her head to look at his face. "Chocolate?"

"All the chocolate croissants you can eat. How's that sound?"

"Bien," she murmured, curling into her father's chest.

He grinned. "You know when your birthday is?"

Josephine enthusiastically nodded. "Avril."

"That's right. What's this month? Février?"

"Non, Daddy," she giggled, twisting the button of his shirt between her fingers. "Janvier."

Matt beamed at his precious little girl. "Vivi's really been teaching you, huh?"

"Oui. Vivi's smart."

"So are you, Josie girl," he praised, placing a kiss to her temple. "You wanna go see how that fort Uncle Festus and Luc are building is comin' along?"

Within a second, the moppet was off his lap and hurrying into the den. Matt followed behind her, surveying the progress the pair had made. He put his hands on his hips as he watched Lark toddle toward her uncle sprawled out on the floor. "Festus, where's Luc?"

The visiting hillman groaned as the seventeen-month-old clambered onto his stomach. "Luc went t' get more blankets, Matthew. I been keepin' a real good eye on Lark," he assured, adjusting the redhead while she wobbled to the side. "I don't know what Miss Kitty was worryin' for."

"Well," he chuckled, "that's what mothers do." He'd understood Kitty's apprehension to an extent, but he could handle the trio, especially since she needed the time with the twins. Matt swore under his breath at the sound of a crash. He raced to the foyer and rounded the corner, spying the dark-haired daredevil. "Henri Luc Galen!"

The seven-year-old held the straps of the toboggan in his hands, staring at his concerned father towering over him. He gulped, regretting his idea of sledding down the stairs. He'd gained too much speed from the second floor and maneuvered the corner incorrectly. He'd smacked into the newel post, sending the sled sideways.

"Son, you alright?" His blue eyes examined the boy. Matt was thankful not to see any cuts or scrapes.

Luc gingerly sat up, grimacing at the sting in his shoulder. "Think so…but my shoulder hurts."

Matt knelt, unbuttoning his son's shirt to examine his injury. He gingerly ran his fingers over Luc's skin while clucking his tongue. "You're gonna have a mighty big bruise, Luc. You could have broken your arm." He heard a clatter from the den. "Festus, you alright in there?"

"Lark tried t' drink my cold coffee. Spilt it all over her dress," Festus shouted.

"I'll get her another when I'm done with Luc," Matt folded his arms over his chest, scrutinizing the boy. "You care to explain to me why you thought it'd be a good idea to sled down the stairs?"

"Well," Luc began his explanation, promptly cut off by his youngest sister's squeal. He turned his head. The boy's mouth fell open as the tot passed by, wildly tossing her diaper into the air.

The big man stared at his baby girl, blinking rapidly while her riotous giggling filled the foyer. He wondered how she'd managed to remove her diaper. "Hold it! Hold it right there!" he bellowed, grumbling as Lark clumsily ran faster.

"I got her, Matthew!" Festus hollered, chasing after the moppet. He slid across the floor in his socks as Lark unexpectedly turned into the sitting room.

Doc stepped into the mansion. His thick eyebrows rose in surprise at the sight of his naked granddaughter running out of the front room. "Lark Rebecca!" he shouted, scooping her into his arms as she ran toward him.

"Pép!" she happily squealed.

Doc hoisted her onto his hip. "Where is your maman?"

Lark flashed her grandfather a toothy grin as she waved her hand. "Bye bye!"

"Oh, I see," he mumbled, swiping his palm over his mustache while surveying his family. His eyes roamed over the broken sled on the stairs, Festus on the floor, and a flustered Matt. He noticed Josephine timidly peeking around the corner of the family room. "I don't understand why it's always a circus when Kitty leaves you in charge of these youngsters!" he chastised, observing the overgrown adult's cheeks turn red.

"Uh oh!" Lark raised her hands to her mouth, eyeballing the old man's face.

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Her grandfather blustered at the warm liquid soaking into his clothing. He narrowed his eyes on the adorable culprit as Festus doubled over with laughter. "Be quiet!" he barked at the hillman. "Luc, if you're finished with your antics, go up to my old room and set out a fresh set of clothes on the bed. Festus, get up from the floor, and Matt, by thunder! Take your youngest, wash her, and get a damn diaper on her!"

Matt stomped over to his dear old friend, taking his youngest from him.

"Uh oh!" Lark repeated, glimpsing between her father and grandfather as she was carried into the kitchen.

Matt kissed her head, thanking Josephine as she rushed to him with a clean diaper in her hand. "Thank you, Josie," he said, placing Lark into the sink for a quick rinse.

Doc shook his head while watching Matt pat Lark dry. "I've always known a simple fact, but it's certainly clearer on this fine, foggy morning," he said to the retired United States Marshal.

"And what is that?" Matt hesitantly asked as he secured the fresh diaper.

"I don't know what in the world you'd ever do without Kitty."

"Damn!" Lark squeaked while reaching for her father.

Matt snickered at his daughter's impeccable timing. He kissed her cheek in appreciation of how she'd caused her grandfather's cheeks to flush with mortification. "I'll let you explain to Kitty how Lark learned a new word," he stated, frowning as soon as Lark uttered the curse word again.

He'd only missed the twins opening their homemade birthday cards when he returned downstairs from putting the youngest Dillon to bed. He plopped onto the settee, slipping his arm around his wife's shoulders while brushing his lips against her temple.

His wife nestled into him. She'd had a wonderful morning with the twins at La Boulangerie. Kitty had cherished the uninterrupted conversation while eating chocolate-almond croissants and drinking hot cocoa. She breathed out a soft, wistful sigh. The whole day had made her nostalgic for her chubby-faced toddlers. She watched her oldest two unhurriedly unwrap gifts, smiling as Josephine settled between her siblings to help.

The toddler giggled as her sister stuck a bow on top of her head. She didn't understand why Vivienne was so thrilled over a library card from their grandfather or Alexandre's excitement over a slingshot from the hillman. Her eyes widened at the sight of a large, exquisitely wrapped box passing over her head. She scooted closer to Vivienne. "What's that?"

Vivienne glanced at her sister. "I have to open it to find out. Will you help me?"

"Uh huh," Josie murmured. "Oh!" she cried as Alexandre received an enormous, circular present. "I help," she offered.

Alexandre chuckled at the astonishment in the tot's brown eyes. "Help Vivi, Josie," he instructed, observing Luc had moved next to him. "Luc'll help me."

With Josie's assistance, Vivienne unwrapped her final present. She gasped as her fingertips touched the royal blue dupioni silk of the ball gown. The girl appreciated the handmade flowers adorning the conservative neckline. "Oh, Maman," she whispered, realizing all the fittings for new dresses had been a ruse for the gown. "C'est magnifique."

Josephine lifted the card peeking from silk folds of the skirt. "Look, Vivi," she nudged her.

"Merci, Quatre," Vivienne replied, taking in the unique and beautiful card decorated with figures of Greek maidens, scrolls, and wreaths of laurel and bay. She held her breath as she opened the card, pulling the invitation from the envelope. "Oh," she gasped, reading the invitation from the Mistick Krewe of Comus for their fortieth anniversary ball to be held at the French Opera House in March. Her eyes sparkled as she looked upon her mother. "I get to go?!" she squealed, placing the box next to her while scrambling to her feet.

Kitty nodded her head, placing her hand on her husband's thigh to warn him of his daughter's reaction. "You sure do, Baby," she murmured, smothering her amusement while the miniature version of herself bounced around the room, excitedly spouting French.

Vivienne hurried into her mother's waiting arms, embracing her tightly. "Merci! Merci beaucoup, Maman! C'est le meilleur anniversaire!"

"Don't forget your Daddy," Kitty reminded her pleased as punch daughter.

"Oh!" Vivienne cried, turning to hug her father. She pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you, Daddy."

"You're welcome, Sweetheart," Matt uttered with a smile as he squeezed her to him. Vivienne had always wanted to attend one of the many balls during the carnival season.

"Will you dance with me?" she asked hopefully. She knew the giant wasn't much for dancing, and he attended a handful of balls strictly for her mother's pleasure.

"Of course, I will."

"You better save some dances for me, young lady," Doc advised from the cozy armchair by the fireplace. "I'll be your escort for the evening." He viewed his quiet oldest grandson while he listened to Vivienne pepper her mother with questions about the upcoming ball. "Son, you're awfully quiet. What's in that box of yours?"

Alexandre cleared his throat, lifting the hat from the square box. "A Stetson," he held the butterscotch beaver fur felt hat by the brim, appreciatively gazing over the craftsmanship. The Stetson had the classic cattleman crown with a leather interior sweatband. Alexandre polished the three-piece sterling silver buckle on the hat band with the sleeve of his shirt as a grin spread across his face.

"You'll wear that when we go on our hunting trip," Matt informed his son.

"A hunting trip?" Alexandre's voice rose with surprise. He'd hunted a few times at The Oaks but never specifically taken a trip for the sole purpose of hunting.

Matt bowed his head. "I figure we can go to Grosse Savanne," he referred to the lodge owned by the Chalkey family. He'd made friends with the patriarch on one of his many trips to the area when the lumber mill had been under construction.

Alexandre stepped closer to his father, easing onto the couch to sit next to him. "Near Lake Charles?"

"We'll be in the heart of Cameron Parish for a whole week. I want you to know how good it is for a man's soul to sit around a fireside at night, listen to the sounds of a coyote, and wake up at first light. We'll catch fish for breakfast then do a little huntin'. If we get tired, we'll take a nap under the shade of an old tree and start all over again," Matt grinned, thinking of the experience he'd share with his firstborn.

"I can hardly wait!" Alexandre beamed, putting the brand-new Stetson on his head.

Vivienne gazed at her brother. "Alexandre, you look just like Daddy!"

Kitty tilted her head, glimpsing at her son as he took the hat off his head and fidgeted with the brim. She blew out a breath and thought of all the times she'd warned Matt that the day when Alexandre would have questions was coming sooner rather than later.

The boy sat across from his father with a checkerboard between them. Alexandre had been surprised that his mother allowed him and Vivienne to stay up past their bedtime. He'd been more shocked that Vivienne hadn't wanted to play checkers with him. Instead, she'd gone upstairs to read Little Women. Alexandre adjusted the Stetson on his head and thought about what Vivienne had said earlier. For a while, he'd noticed the similarities between him and the big man, but his twin sister acknowledging it had struck a chord within him.

"If you take care of that Stetson, it'll last you a lifetime, Son," Matt proclaimed, taking a sip from his whiskey glass while debating his next move. Once Alexandre had made his opening move, he'd realized that Kitty had taught their son a few things.

Alexandre slipped out of the armchair, walking over to the fireplace. He swallowed hard as he stared at the last family photograph with his papa. He recalled what he'd learned from his daddy during last year's horse breeding season. Matt had told him that the foals would have the traits of their parents. Alexandre intensely stared at the collodion print, searching for any likeness between him and his papa. He only saw similarity between his papa and his brother. Luc was a replica of Henri Broussard except for his nose. He glanced over his shoulder at the preoccupied giant that had raised him the last four years. The words were on the tip of Alexandre's tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He was terrified of the truth.

"Your move, Alexandre," Matt cradled the crystal in his hands, observing his son sink into the tufted leather and eye the board.

Alexandre gnawed the inside of his cheek as he tried to push down his feelings. He remembered all the times his mother had encouraged him to express his emotions. He tucked his hands under his thighs, whispering, "You're my real father. Aren't you?"

Matt sucked in a breath, wishing he'd heeded his wife's numerous warnings. Her latest had been when she'd pulled him aside as Doc and Festus called it a night. "What makes you say that, Son?"

"I-I remember what you told me 'bout the horses. If we bred Ruby to that red roan, the foal would be solid red like her or a red roan like the stallion. I don't look like Papa. I look like you," he sniffled, casting his head down while tears filled his blue eyes, "so you're…"

"I am," Matt patted his knee, beckoning the boy to come to him. He fell against the back of the chair as the ten-year-old launched himself at him and cried. Matt wrapped his arm around his son, pressing his lips to Alexandre's tawny-brown curls.

"I'm not a Broussard," Alexandre howled, burying his face while tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Son, listen to me, family's more than just blood. Your papa is still your papa. Henri Broussard will always be your papa. He was there for your first words and your first steps…I wasn't, Alexandre. He loved you with all of his heart and willingly gave you his name. You are a Broussard. You hear me?"

Alexandre lifted his head, wiping his tear-stained face. "Yes, Sir…but I'm a Dillon, too."

"You are," Matt studied his son's pensive expression. "Alexandre, I know you have questions, and you're not sure how to ask them," he assumed, feeling the nod of the boy's head against his shoulder. "How about I tell you the best way I can?"

"Okay," he sniffled.

The gentle giant cradled Alexandre against him. He breathed in, exhaling slowly as he hoped he could accurately explain. He rested his chin atop Alexandre's curls. "Your maman and I had been together for fifteen years. She'd stood by me through it all until I took a bullet stopping a robbery of the freight office in Dodge City," he paused as Alexandre straightened. "That bullet caused her to leave me. She'd seen me one too many times lyin' in the street with a bullet in me. When I was strong enough, I came to New Orleans to find her."

"Did you?"

He nodded. "An old love of hers had found her, too."

"Papa?" Alexandre asked, swiping at his nose with his sleeve.

"Your papa. Your maman would only come back with me if I gave her all that I'd denied her over the years. All that she rightfully deserved."

Alexandre chewed his lip, apprehensively asking, "What didn't you give her?"

"She'd always wanted marriage and babies, but I didn't believe I should have that life as a lawman. I never wanted to make her a widow or leave children without a father."

The boy sniffled, thinking of his papa. He was certain his papa hadn't wanted that either.

"I couldn't give her what she wanted. I wanted to, Alexandre, but it wasn't in me then. I told her to marry Henri Broussard since he could give her what I couldn't. I left New Orleans without knowing you and Vivi were in her belly."

Alexandre rubbed his face against his father's shirt, soaking in the information. His young mind whirled, twisting and turning more than when he figured arithmetic. He pushed himself out of the big man's lap, walking a line in front of the mantle.

Matt let his son pace until he believed the boy would leave a rut in the floor with his frantic pacing. He eased out of the oversized chair, tentatively approaching the child, dropping his large hands onto the boy's shoulders. "Alexandre, let it out," he coaxed.

Alexandre balled his fists at his sides, swiftly spinning on his heel, pounding against his father's torso. "You didn't love maman enough! You left her! How could you? Maman's the best! She…she," he spluttered, ramming his head into Matt's stomach while dissolving into sobs. "You left us!"

"Alexandre, I wish I'd known about you and Vivi…if I had," he cleared his throat, dropping to his knees to grip the boy's upper arms, "Son, look at me…I can't change the past. I always had the best of intentions when it came to your maman, but sometimes that only gets a man so far."

"You should have given her what she wanted. You should have been like Papa."

Matt soberly nodded, wiping Alexandre's face with his handkerchief. "I know, Son," he whispered, pulling the youngster into his chest. "Your papa was a helluva lot smarter than me. He always knew how special your maman is. Alexandre, it's a wonderful thing that he married her first. We have Luc and Josie. I couldn't imagine our lives without them. Could you?"

Alexandre shook his head, slowly sliding his arms around his father's neck. He had more questions, and he asked every single one of them.