21. Epilogue
Epilogue
The wind was brisk.
It shook the thick canopy of green leaves overhead as it rustled the diploma in my hands.
Funny thing but when I’d fantasized about someday graduating college the diploma that I’d get would be in English.
Never, in any of those young Kinder dreams, had I ever imagined the parchment handed to me by the man I was currently living with would be in French.
That my whole life was now firmly French only added to the unreal aspect of the moment while filling my soul with the warmth of completion.
This was right. All of it. Everything. My schooling, my relationship, my new status as a French citizen thanks to graduating from Barrons.
Sure I’d barely squeaked by the language proficiency test even with tutoring from Claude, but I’d aced the civic knowledge exam so go Kinder!
Income was not an issue either. I’d never been arrested and the primary center of my life was now and would always be in France.
Everything I loved was here. I’d always have a warm spot for the US and had been thrilled to be have dual citizenship but other than travelling back to the States for fashion shows France was now the center of my universe.
My sight left the lone tree in the quad to drop to my degree. I’d read it a dozen times in the past hour as commencement wound down, but now out here, alone save for the tree and the wind, I read it aloud for the first time…
“Académie de mode Barrons, en reconnaissance de la réussite du cursus requis et sur recommandation certifiée du corps enseignant, le conseil d’administration a décerné à Kinder Graham, en reconnaissance du respect satisfaisant des conditions requises, l’obtention du dipl?me de mode.
Avec les droits, honneurs et privilèges qui y sont attachés. Fait le 15 juin de l’année—”
“You’re still not fully grasping the acceptance of silent letters,” Claude called as he and Pamplemousse entered the quad.
The dog bouncing over to me for a scratch before trotting off to ferret out killer earthworms in the flower beds.
We’d gotten close over the past couple of years.
He hardly ever nipped me anymore. The school groundskeeper hadn’t missed the Chihuahua in the bold black vest digging up his flowers I was sure.
“Hey, I passed the language test,” I fired back then moved my father’s hat from the bench we’d spent so many nights sitting on two years ago.
“How is it you American’s—”
“I’m dual now baby,” I teased as he sat down beside me looking too damn fine in a sleek black suit with a green tie that made his hazel eyes pop.
There were no robes and mortarboards for this graduation.
Just perfectly tailored professional attire.
I’d made my own suit to wear, obvs, and it looked great.
Claude had said so last night then peeled it off me before going to his knees to suck me off.
He did get hot seeing me in suits for some reason…
“Of course. My apologies. You passed by the skin of your teeth I think is the correct American saying.”
His thigh was tight to mine. This was the first time we’d sat on this bench in this quad and not had to hide our love for each other. It was pretty damn freeing.
“But I passed,” I replied then heaved a mighty sigh. “It feels really weird. Two years of studying my ass off while working my ass off and all I have to show for it is this parchment with a few signatures and a fancy gold seal.”
“That parchment with the signatures and gold seal will open up many doors for you,” he reminded me as he always did when I’d get whiny about schoolwork.
I’d apprenticed with him for four semesters.
He’d not gone easy on me when it had come to homework or my work at his atelier.
Claude treated me no differently than he did any of the sewists under him.
Well, other than riding with me to his home in Paris after a long day then sharing my bed I was treated no differently.
Something I’d been glad for because there were days I needed to vent to coworkers about the boss.
Claude could be mildly exacting. No, that’s not true.
Claude could be a bitch. Everything had to be perfect.
Which was why his clothing was sought after around the world.
“Someday you’ll wish to step out on your own.
Customers will find your knowledge of basics and advanced design appealing. ”
“I know but I’m really glad it’s over. Now I can focus on other things. Like a capsule collection for your store, one for Mickey’s, and one for women’s spring/summer show in Paris this fall.”
“Mickey was clever to sign you on for a collection in his new boutique. But remember that I get to peruse the designs for my shop then pick the best for myself.”
“As if I could forget you get dibs on everything Kinder.” I let my head drop to his shoulder as he chuckled softly.
My whole being was his and always would be.
The tiny box in my front pocket reminded me of just how much of my heart and soul this man possessed and how I wanted to make a commitment to him that the world would witness.
It was dicey ground. His first marriage had not ended well so I was prepared to be gently turned down.
“First choice for the man you apprenticed under seems only fair,” he said as his hand fell to my knee.
“Agreed, Obi-Wan.” There was a long pause. “I so have to get you to watch Star Wars.”
“Ah, oh, yes. I’m sure that will happen soon.”
Which was Claude speak for not going to happen ever.
He wasn’t a fan of sci-fi flicks, which I respected, but everyone should have a basic knowledge of the franchise.
I didn’t care for his artsy French films either.
They were just too moody, dark, and complex for me so I guess we had our joint likes and dislikes.
Most things we jibed on which was the important thing.
I drew in a long breath then let it out while Pamplemousse darted from bush to bush to piddle on each before joining us to fall at our feet, tongue out, to rest from his exertions.
“Are you soon ready to rejoin the family?” he asked after a moment of serenity. “The twins are most anxious to do some shopping with Soline and your mother before we return to the countryside for our little celebration.”
“In a minute. Is Kabir still insisting on driving us back to the cottage?”
“Mm yes, he does love driving,” Claude hummed as his fingers began a slow circular massage of my knee.
“I think he loves my mother more,” I replied candidly.
Mom and Kabir Farhat, the man who had taken me to Claude that day, had hit it off when he’s been hired to drive Mom and the twins from the airport to Avignon over a year ago.
They’d been dating non-stop since they’d met.
My sisters were cool with it as was I. Mom had been alone for too long.
Kabir loved the twins, me, Claude, but mostly my mother.
“I think that’s very true. Do you think they will wed?”
“Maybe. I think they’ll wait until the girls are off to college. She’s so busy with her new business now, and the twins are keeping her, and all of us, hopping.”
“They are very popular with the local French lads,” Claude said with warmth.
He also adored my sisters. And my mother even though Mom had given him a long talk when they’d first met.
Neither would tell me what the chat was about but I sort of suspected it was about him treating me well.
Which he did. And I, in return, treated him like a precious garment sewn by the gods upon Olympus.
“Yeah, but it’s the horse shows that take all the time.
Good thing Kabir likes to drive.” The poor man had shuttled my sisters and mother all over Europe for horse shows.
The girls had fallen hard for Claude’s horses and were now equestrians right down to their buffed black boots. English attire obviously. Very chic.
“That he does.” We sat in quietude for a moment, just breathing in the sounds and smells of Paris. “I do so enjoy the city. Is there anything like Paris?”
“The farm is right up there.”
“True, it is our little acreage of love and family.”
“That it is.” I lifted my head to look at him. “Is there anything you feel is lacking from our world?”
His brow furrowed slightly. “I can think of nothing that is missing.”
“Oh wow, bummer. Okay, well then maybe I should return these to the jeweler.” I dug into the small front pocket of my jacket, repurposed satin from a discarded gown, and presented my love with a green velveteen box from a jeweler in the village outside our farm.
His hazel eyes flared when I flipped the lid to show off two thin rose gold bands with diamond chips.
I wasn’t Claude Barrons rich. Yet. “I know that you’re wary about marriage, so we can just have a super long engagement.
See how you feel in a few years then possibly make plans for a wedding?
” He sat still as a twig, eyes round, mouth slightly open.
“Okay, this was a bad idea. I’ll take them back to the jeweler and—”
“If you return those I will throw myself in front of an RATP bus.”
The cold band of fear around my heart loosened. “We don’t want that. So, is that a yes to a long engagement? I just…I guess I’m being pushy but I love you so much and…and I want the world to know it and know that you’re mine.”
“I say yes,” he whispered. “Your maman will be in tears. She does adore me.”
I slid the ring on his finger then he placed mine on for me.
“She does adore you. And so do I,” I confessed before leaning over to claim his lips under the shade of the sycamore.
THE END