A/N: Hello again, everyone! I hope you're all doing well and hanging in there—that's all anyone can do. It's that time I headed onto S12, but just before I do that, let's not forget that Spencer took his mother to Paris, so I wanted to do that before I dive into The Crimson King episode. As I said in the previous chapter, there was a time consistency; I know in The Crimson King, Rossi said the 13 serial killers escaped in May, and by September, it went down to 4-5. It's not exactly the best time consistency. But still…it's off to Paris! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. RIP, Pope Francis.
Spencer could feel the tickling coursing through his body. He was actually doing this. He was actually taking his mother on a trip to Paris.
With Élise's help and Tara's encouragement, Spencer prepared for his vacation to Paris with his mother. He checked his and her passports, visa requirements, and other documentation. Élise dug up her old French textbooks and gave them to him so Spencer could learn the language (Garcia and Tara helped him brush up on his French) and familiarize himself with the country's culture. He also studied the city's Metro stations during his free time.
Élise made good on her word and reserved a suite for Spencer and Diana at one of the best hotels in Paris: Hôtel Le Bristol Paris. For Diana's safety, she made sure not to book a suite with a balcony or a terrace; neither she nor Spencer can ever be too careful, and booked travel insurance.
Spencer spent the past week packing, ensuring he and his mother had everything he needed: comfortable and nice-looking clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories. He communicated with his mother's doctors about her medications and double-stacked them. He made an appointment with the bank to let him know he would be out of the country and studied everything about the city, from its history to all twenty of its arrondissements.
Spencer finished zipping up his large brown wheeled luggage and set it down on the carpeted floor of his bedroom. There was a double knock on the door before it swung open. It was Élise, in a cream pointelle hoodie and sweatpants, who slid her hands in her pockets and stood, smiling.
"Are you ready for the adventure of your life?"
Spencer inhaled and exhaled a long breath. "I'd like to think I am."
Élise moved closer to him. "I'll admit, I'm jealous you're going to Paris without moi," she pointed to herself. But this is a good thing you're doing this for your mother. You two are going to have these life experiences, memories that'll last forever."
Élise's smile ebbed slowly when she saw the questionable look on Spencer's face. "Is that what you're afraid of?"
It'll admit—it's still scared him that his mother will have her moments where she'll forget him, Élise, and the kids, but what if her disease becomes so rapid for her that she'll just forget completely? Or worse, she'll deteriorate to the point where she can barely speak or can't move or go to the restroom anymore.
"Well, don't worry about that. As long as your mother has you and us, she'll be fine." Élise lightly patted his face, winked, and smiled before she left to give him some time for himself.
"Mommy…" Séraphine bounced once. She was in the foyer with the rest of her siblings, Opal, Rose, and her paternal grandfather. "Does Daddy really have to go?" She sounded like she was pleading with him not to go.
Élise rocked Eliana in her arms and used her free hand to stroke the top of her head. "Well, this is a trip for Daddy and Grandma Di; you know we talked about this…"
Séraphine folded her arms and pouted her mouth just as Spencer came down the stairs, heaving his luggage; his father followed, helping him. "Who wants to give Daddy a goodbye hug and kiss?" William grinned as Spencer's arms opened, kneeling down to his children's height.
"Me first! Me first!" Isaac was the first to leap into his father's arms.
Spencer planted a kiss on the top of his oldest son's head. "Be good for Mommy, Rosie, and Grandpa Will?"
A tail-wagging, Opal circled around his legs before snuggling up to him and licking his cheek, making him snicker. Spencer turned his attention to Séraphine, who still stubbornly turned her back half away from her. "Fee-Fee? Wanna say goodbye to me?"
Séraphine still had her back away from him but slowly turned her head to see her father's open arms, waiting for her hug, but his smile and eyes dwindled the longer he held them out. He knew she wasn't happy with him leaving. Still having a semi-grimaced frown, she shrugged her shoulders up, plodded towards his arms, and allowed him to hug her.
"I won't be gone for very long, okay?" he pulled away, wiped the tear from her left cheek, and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. "I promise…"
"Dada…" Alexander suddenly came into his arms.
"I'm miss you too, little man…"
Élise brought a cooing Eliana into Spencer's arms. "Ella's gonna miss you, too."
"I'm gonna miss you all," Spencer gushed with all the attention and love he was getting before his big trip.
Spencer reached Brookfield; his father was in the driver's seat, offering to take them to Dulles. Before he took his mother to the airport, Spencer had a talk with her doctors. According to them, her process is well and steady, and she hasn't had any of her schizophrenic moments. Spencer was given a list of her medications and recommendations on what she can and can't do.
He triple-checked to make sure she had everything she needed before going to Dulles. As expected, the ground transportation and terminal parking at Dulles were hectic, with busy car after busy car after busy car. William pulled and parked the Suburban and helped Spencer escort Diana out and get their bags out of the vehicle.
"Mmm…" William threw his arms around Spencer, and Diana hugged them one last time. "You two have the time of your lives, okay?"
"We will…"
Getting to check in, Spencer and Diana were encountered by a pleasant surprise (via Élise purchasing their first-class tickets). An escort walked them through departure formalities and led them to the Air France Lounge at Terminal A. It was a mixture of art deco décor with mostly warm color furnishings with a pop of red paneling and black and white fixtures. There was a selection of complimentary beverages, self-serving meals, and snacks (including food made to order). And there wasn't anyone else in the lounge, so it was just the two of them.
Diana read one of the books she had on her carry-on while Spencer helped himself to one of the international newspapers. After about thirty-two minutes, a golf buggy arranged to take them to the boarding gate before another Air France gate agent personally escorted them to the Boeing 777 aircraft from the gate and bid them farewell.
Again, it would be just the two of them; there would be no other passengers in First Class. When they got to their seats, there was a welcome drink (which they politely declined), snacks, a comfort kit with facial and body care products, pajamas with slippers, socks, and shoe bags.
He held his mother's hands as they felt the turbulence kick in a couple of times. He wondered if his mother's fear of flying had just gone away since it was the one thing she'd always hated. Perhaps she'd gotten over it. Or something else…
It was a warm and toasty night, with passing clouds in the Washington metro air. It was a perfect time for Élise to lounge back in the chair on the balcony and enjoy a glass of tart cherry juice. At 7, she got a text from Spencer saying he and his mother had just gotten on the flight and were about to have their dinner soon, and another one at 8:30 said they were about to rest.
Élise groaned, squinting even harder when she heard her cell vibrating by her pillow. Shaking her head, she reached for it, blinked to alert her eyes, and inspected the screen. There were messages from Spencer. When she opened them, her mouth dropped.
It was airplane photos of Paris.
There was sublime service throughout the flight. The dinner (mixed green salad with a fillet of duck tandoori, eggplant parmigiana, a couple of cheese selections, sorbet with fresh fruit) was delicious. The attendants made over their seats and turned them into beds. They were even allowed to visit the cockpit.
Spencer and Diana managed to get seven hours of sleep when the captain announced they had landed in Paris and welcomed them to the city, both in English and French. After having their breakfast, getting their belongings, and thanking the crew and staff, the flight attendant opened the hatch and stepped down the staircase onto the runway. The two of them could feel the nice, warm Parisian weather. When they got inside Charles de Gaulle Airport and got their luggage, a uniformed man held a small sign that read REID. He led them to their waiting vehicle, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class on loan from the airport's car rental service. He signed some papers, loaded their luggage into the back, and everyone hopped in, allowing the driver to step onto the gas and drive off.
"So, what brings you two to Paris?" the driver asked, obviously speaking with a French accent.
"Ah, just here to create father-son memories." He lowered the window a tad, and he and Diana could hear the horn honking and passing at the other vehicles, dashing people strolling across the streets. All that seemed to be missing was the accordion music.
Once Spencer and Diana got into the city, they couldn't take their eyes off the sights of the Parisian streets. The architecture refers to ancient Roman remnants mixed with modern contemporary, from Gothic to Renaissance to Art Nouveau to Haussmannian. He immediately knew where they were now: the 8th arrondissement.
Their driver turned left onto Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré until he stopped at their hotel, Le Bristol Paris. Spencer politely tipped the driver before he helped unload the luggage and brought it onto the foyer, thanks to the turned-out doormen opening the front doors for them. There was something about the Le Bristol Paris that exuded old-world charm with its gleaming ivory marble floor, sparkling crystal chandeliers, high ceilings, and French classicism furnishings and fresh cut flowers. There were some high-class-looking people; there was even a white cat (who turned out to be the hotel's residential cat) roaming the halls and watching over the staff and guests.
Spencer and Diana approached the front desk, where the civil general manager checked them in and gave them the access keys. Their suite had Louis-style appointed furnishings and lightly cool-painted walls, fabrics, and carpeting. It also had a spacious sitting area. Spencer drew their bags against the walls.
"Ooh, honey," Diana caressed her hand against the bed linens. "The material is so soft; it just feels so expensive."
Spencer rolled his neck and sighed. "You must be tired after our flight. You wanna rest for a little while?" he suggested.
"I think I'd like that." Spencer ambled towards the window—another breathtaking view of the city.
William hummed a melody tune to himself, cooking berry pancakes and flipping them in the pan over the stove with ease. Élise strolled in, still in her pink pajamas and slippers, yawning and stretching her body. "Mornin', William."
William pulled Élise into a side hug. "Mornin', Élise…"
Élise pulled up a seat at the counter. "So…you heard from Spencer?"
"I did, yeah." William picked up a spatula, lifted one pancake off the pan, took a clean white floral-printed plate from the cabinet, put it onto the plate, and passed it to Élise. "I'm not gonna lie: I'm kind of jealous…"
Élise chuckled to herself, "Who'd you tellin'? But this is something they wanted to do, so…" she shrugged her shoulders. "I give them my blessings and know they'll be right."
The kitchen doors swung open again and out came Séraphine and Isaac, still in their pajamas. "Mommy! Grandpa!"
"Good morning, two of my dear grandkids. " After lowering the stove temperature, William came from around, squatted down to their heights, and drew them into his arms. "Mmm…did you get a good night's sleep?" he ruffled their heads, making them giggle.
Séraphine and Isaac shook their heads. "Uh-huh…"
"Grandpa William made berry pancakes, so who wants some?"
Séraphine and Isaac lifted their hands like lightning. "Me-me-me-me!"
Diana enjoyed her well-rested nap and attended to reading Victor Hugo's Les Misérables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame for the next couple of hours when Spencer announced he booked a reservation at one of the restaurants at the hotel—Le Jardin Français. The courtyard garden looked like a hidden oasis of flowers with a colonnade of scented orange trees. There were numerous chic and stylish people either having lunch or tea time.
"My gosh, this place is beautiful…" Diana was taken aback; she and Spencer ordered what they wanted and were now waiting for their meals. "I'm so glad I'm here in Paris with you."
Spencer smiled back. "Thanks, Mom. So, do you want to explore a little of Paris for today or just rest, and we tour the city tomorrow morning?" He'd extensively studied detailed and interactive maps of all the Parisian arrondissements. Garcia showed him a satellite navigation app on his phone.
Diana closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled, and answered after opening her eyes, "I'm feeling adventurous and want to see a little bit of the city today."
"We're in the 8th arrondissement, so we can see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Pont Alexandre III, the Élysées Palace..."
Their teas and meals came. "Well, we have two weeks of adventuring to do, my son, so in the words of Queen Marie-Antoinette of France: 'let them eat cake.'"
After finishing their tea and meals, Spencer and Diana took the chance and began exploring Paris by storm, starting with the centre of the city, Charles de Gaulle. "The Arc de Triomphe…" Diana took a camera shot of the Neoclassicism triumphal arch.
"It was once rumored that Emperor Napoleon, who commissioned the landmark in 1806, was buried here, but his final resting place is at Les Invalides," said Spencer. "The Arc honors the soldiers who fought and died in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, along with the country's armies, victories, and generals."
Now Spencer and Diana wandered around Place de la Concorde, the large public square in Paris. Diana snapped another shot of the Luxor Obelisks, a pair of ancient Egyptian obelisks said to be 3,000 years old. "So much history…you would never think that hundreds of years ago this was a historical execution site for royals, including King Louis XVI and his wife, Queen Marie-Antoniette…"
"Well, we are close to the Jardin des Tuileries, so do you want there next?"
Diana took a picture of one of the Fontaines de la Concorde. "I'd love to…"
"My word…" Now at the Grand Palais, Spencer and Diana admired one of the dream-like oil paintings that came from one of the exhibitions of internationally renowned contemporary artists that was going on at the Grand Palais, one of Paris' many historic sites, exhibition hall, and museum.
The next painting they admired was an oil canvas of a young girl flocking in the breeze. "I love the innocence," said Diana, analyzing the watercolor. It reminds me of being a child and not having any worries in the world.
Spencer sighed. "Reminds me of Fee…" Now, the painting got Spencer thinking of home. It won't be another week until he and his mother return home, but moments or even images got him thinking of Élise and the kids.
Spencer and Diana toured Notre Dame, awestruck by the medieval Catholic cathedral's French Gothic-early Romanesque-style architecture, spectacular stained glass windows, elegant stone carvings, and spires.
"Mmm…" Diana fancied herself the sweet meringue-based pastry that was the famous macaron. "Delicious."
Spencer sampled a chocolate macaroon. "Wow…this tastes better than any other macaron he'd ever had."
And he'd said the same thing about the petit four, brioche, beignet, crossiant, éclair, gougère, madeleine, mille-feuille, and pain au chocolat. He knew it was a good idea to carry Lactaid; the cheese he and his mother tasted was delicious.
The Louvre is one of the most famous national art museums, not just in Paris but all over the world. It's also home to some of the most iconic collections, from antiquities and artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to limestone and marble sculptures and paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and Leonard da Vinci.
Including his most famous of them all, The Mona Lisa. A herd of people hovered over each other, trying to get a sneak peek and/or a photograph of the painting.
And Diana was one of them who managed to get a dependable photo.
"Wow…" an amazed Diana gasped. "There's something about this picture that seems so timeless…there's some mystery you want to know. Like a secret."
"Such work Leonardo put into this painting," Spencer agreed with his mother. "It has survived nearly 500 years."
Diana held onto Spencer's arm for dear life as the two rode up the elevator to the Eiffel Tower's top. It was all still worth it to see the view of the city hanging over them. It was as if they could see the entire city from here, and the people down below looked like tiny little ants.
The Eiffel Tower looked like a tower of stars glitzing at night.
Remembering his mother's desire to see more of France, Spencer surprised her with tickets and a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles. If Diana could, she wanted to tour all the rooms. From what they knew about the historic baroque-classicalism architectural landmark, the Palace of Versailles was once the home of the French kings; Emperor Napolean used the palace as his summer residence.
Everything about it was exquisite: from the Hall of Mirrors—arched mirrors and windows overlooking the gardens—to the glass chandeliers, the ornately painted ceiling, and the marble walls. The Gardens of Versailles sprawled for thousands of arches (2,000, said Spencer) in the French formal garden style, and nothing was out of place. It was the same with the Trianon Estate, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet.
After all that excitement, Spencer and Diana enjoyed lunch at the Brasserie-restaurant le Flottille.
"Wow, Mom, you look nice."
Diana had a black floor-length dress and had her hair in a bun. "You want to look nice for the opera, don't you?"
Spencer couldn't agree with that (he wore a black suit and silk tie); they were on their way to see The Sleeping Beauty at the Opéra Bastille. And since it was afternoon, Spencer didn't have to worry about his mother forgetting to take her medications if it were nighttime.
Now, the two strolled along the Seine. "Ah, I can't believe this trip is about to come to an end…"
Spencer caressed her hand. "I know."
"Thank you so much for all these memories. I'm grateful I got to spend it with you, my baby boy…" Diana patted his cheek. "I know there'll come a time when I won't remember it, but if I do, know I will always love you, baby."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!