Chapter 18
Betty is in the kitchen while Dad and Alexa are sparring and I’m heading down to the war room because I want to ask Doc if he thinks Caroline and Mom can have an outing. I’d like to have a spa day, unfortunately Lottie is out of town with her uncle so it’ll just be the four of us, I know Alexa and I need a freshen up and I’m sure my mom and sister would love a look good, feel good day.
The door is closed which is not normal so I place my thumb on the scanner to gain entry, it’s strange and I feel like I’m missing something? I thought they were all in house today well all except Tiny, he is always with Caroline. I walk out of the war room and head back upstairs and decide to call FEKKAI to see if I can actually get an appointment, the receptionist answers and she tells me that I won’t be able to get in till next week and I say I’ll take it, it’ll give me time to arrange the visit .
When she’s reading back my name and appointment time, I hear a commotion then Frédéric’s voice, “Ma beauté.
“Hi, Frédéric,” I say surprised that a busy man like him would want to talk but it makes me smile.
“I hope you’re well, oui?”
“Oui, Frédéric, I was hoping to make a booking for my family, three adults and my four-year-old daughter.”
“Oui, when do you want to come? You’re welcome in my chair any time belle,” Frédéric say reverently.
“You are too kind Frédéric, I need a late afternoon appointment my mom and sister ha–”
“Sister? I thought your sister was gone, mon amour.”
“It’s a long story Frédéric, but they have both been through a lot in the last couple of years and are now getting treatment for their mental health. So, I think having a quiet space would be best but I know that is hard ask in New York.”
“Oui, you come tomorrow, I will move appointments and it will just be the team, no patrons, oui.”
“Oh, Frédéric, I can’t ask you to do that.” I whisper.
“Absurdité, you will come, it is done, mon amour,” Frédéric states with finality, leaving no room for arguments.
“Thank you, Frédéric, I appreciate your kindness. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Ten, Mon chéri.”
“We’ll see you at ten, and thank you Frédéric,” I say and end the call, smiling to myself because he really is the sweetest man, he’s one of those people who can lift your spirits and makes you feel special.
I walk into the main living space and see Betty baking in the kitchen, “Something smells good, what are you making Betty?”
“I’m making gumbo, fresh bread, and for dessert a bread and butter pudding.”
“Bread and butter pudding?” I question because that’s not something I’ve heard of.
“It is a dish to make to use of stale bread, it has homemade jam, cinnamon, and sultanas it is like a baked custard pudding, I picked up this recipe many moons ago when in the UK and it’s fabulous.”
“Okay, I’ll believe you because it does sound good, where is Alexa and Dad?” I ask looking around.
Betty smirks, “Well, Alexa whooped Davies ass and won the bet, so she is currently painting Davies nails a barbie pink color.”
I laugh because Betty really gets a kick out pushing Dad’s buttons, “You’re a wicked, wicked woman Betty, you really do love getting under his skin don’t you.”
“Child when you’re his age, you gotta keep him on his toes, besides Davies loves it,” Betty smirks.
I chuckle, “I’ll go rescue him.”
“Ah, Cupcake, you’re no fun,” Betty says shaking her head with a cheeky tilt of her lips and I just laugh and head to Alexa’s room and the sight before me when I open the door is comical, Alexa has Dad seated at her toddler table and chairs and she is wearing her little cupcake apron being all professional. I take in the sight noting Alexa has her tongue peeking out the side with her concentration, I giggle at them and they both look up and smile.
“You about done there, Lovebug, we need to get going to see GG and Auntie Caro.”
“Yes, Mommy, come look I’s done a good job, Pa has been so good sitting still,” Alexa praises.
I look to Dad, “‘All in, all the time’ sweetheart. Let’s get going, I need a drive to clear my head and damn if the New York traffic is less stressful than Betty riding my... butt.”
“Do you want some polish remover before we go?” I offer.
“No, I lost the bet, Alexa got me to the ground, this little Darlin’ won fair and square today and I’ll wear my pink nails with pride, not that I’ll tell Betty this piece of information.”
Alexa and I giggle and Dad just shakes his head trying to hide is amusement of the situation.
Doc gavehis permission to take Mom and Caro to FEKKAI, we have Jackson and of course Tiny guarding us today. The rest of the team are working on secret wedding stuff and I can only imagine the crazy ideas Alexander has planned, the boys being with him won’t help either.
We walk in and Frédéric slowly approaches us, which I find amusing because this man is on the go at a fast pace usually, he’s doing this for my family and I appreciate his thoughtfulness.
“Mon amour, welcome, welcome, who do we have here?”
“Frédéric, this is my mom Janelle and my sister Caroline,” I say introducing them.
“Welcome, mon beutés,” he says before he squats down in front of Alexa but she beats me to the introduction.
“Hi, I’m Alexa Hawwington,” she says sticking out her little hand.
“Oui, Mon petite amour, nice to meet you, I’m Frédéric, you have stunning green eyes and the most beautiful curls.”
Alexa giggles, “My mommy has my curls all soft and pwetty, I wants to gwow them long, can I keep my curls, please?”
“Oui, oui, yes child they are beautiful, we trim only. Come, come, we have hot chocolat and cookies for you dear girl, and hot tea and a charcuterie board for the adults.”
Mom is smiling happily, and Caroline is looking comfortable which is a relief, I was concerned this may be too much for her but so far, she’s doing well, Tiny and Jackson plant their butts down near the food, which we all know will keep them happy.
“You save me some cookies boys, okay.” Alexa orders, and we all laugh.
“Hooyah,” Is their only response before diving in like no one’s fed them in a week.
All of us sit in our respective chairs and Frédéric steps behind Caroline, ‘May I touch you?’ He asks tentatively.
Caroline looks at him through the mirror with a cautious look on her face but nods, ‘Yes.’
‘Mon belle, merci. I’d like to give you the hair of your dreams, what are you wanting?’
Caroline gets a sad look, and Frédéric nods, ‘Oui, belle, you tell Frédéric what you would like.’
It breaks my heart when Caro whispers, ‘My long hair.’
‘Oui, fait, we do.’
Caroline looks confused and Frédéric switches to full English. ‘Sorry, beautiful, I said, ‘yes, done, we do’. I’ll speak English for you if your wish is to have your hair back your wish is granted, Frédéric can and will make your wish come true.’
Caroline’s face is full of emotion and Frédéric just continues like nothing’s wrong.
‘You want long hair like sister, no? You are twins after all, but you… you like more layers, more volume, oui?’
‘Yes, I’d like that very much.’ Caro says in a small voice.
‘Oui, Frédéric will help bring back your sass, you ready?’ Frédéric ask with a cheeky grin.
Caroline nods in astonishment as Frédéric sets her up with a female washer, then he comes back over to us, and it’s Mom’s turn.
‘For you, Mon chéri, rich chocolat brown, layered for fun and flirty?’
My mother blushes and giggles, ‘I think that sounds lovely, thank you, Frédéric.’
Alexa and I smile at each other as Frédéric has them set up to have their hair washed and a fabulous massage.
“Enceinte mon amour, jumeaux, oui, parfait.” Frédéric gushes and smiles wide, “pregnant my love and with twins, oui, perfect.”
“Oui, Frédéric, and this is my daughter Alexa, my first little love.”
“Oui, I see, so special your energy, I feel the love, beautiful.”
He really is a kind, wonderful human and made me feel comfortable when I was here months ago and now doing the same with my family making you feel special and your day brighter.
“May I?” Frédéric asks moving his hand toward my swollen belly.
“Oui, Frédéric,” I say with a smile.
He lays a gentle hand on my stomach and smiles bright and turns to face Alexa.
“You have brothers little one, you will keep them inline, oui.”
Alexa bounces in her seat and claps, “See, Mommy, I knowed I have bwothaws, I likes you Fwedewic, can I’s have wash and massage too, please.”
“Oui, I’ll wash and give you a nice massage and trim your hair, leave your beautiful curls bouncy and long. La momie will have the same. Then I do Grand-mère and La tante hair, come, let’s get you washed.”
We both giggle because you can’t help but not because as much as he tries to speak in English, when he’s passionate Frédéric just can’t help himself and I find it endearing.
Alexa, Mom and I are sitting with the guys having some refreshments or what’s left of the food. Caroline’s extensions are complete and the girls are giving her a mani-pedi. Frédéric is about to perfect her beautiful long hair, but first he comes over to us but looks directly at Tiny when he speaks.
“Sir, will you allow me to move the screen so I can keep my work a surprise?”
I’m not surprised but Tiny’s face twitches ever so slightly before he answers.
“Yes, you must keep watch on Caroline’s breathing and body language, oui.” Frédéric, nods respectfully and gets back to his transformation.
Alexa has been drawing Frédéric wielding his scissors and I must admit it looks great, and I just know Frédéric is going to love it. I’m thankful today has gone smoothly and can’t wait to see Caroline’s new look. I’m enjoying a hot cup of tea needing the pick me up because being pregnant is really starting to exhaust me, it’s been a long day of sitting and lots of happy moments but I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.
‘Magnifique!’ Frédéric announces and when the women move the screen, he’s standing in front of Caroline blocking our view with a proud look on his face.
Tiny sits straighter waiting to see my sister, and Alexa is bouncing excitedly next to me.
‘Are you ready to see your beautiful transformation Caroline?’ Frédéric asks her.
‘Oui,’ she says with a small smile, Frédéric’s done to Caro what he did with me, her chair is spun away from the mirror and when he steps back, he says, ‘voila’ then spins her chair to face the mirror. Caroline gasps and so do I, instant tears spring to my eyes and there sits the other half of my soul, like time has stood still.
“Mommy, Auntie Cawo looks just like you,” then she yells, ‘Auntie, Auntie, you look beautiful like a pwincess.’
I sneak a side glance at Tiny and there is absolutely no way to deny his feelings for Caroline, his feelings are written all over his face which he tries to hide but I still see it, it’s evident. Tiny is in love with Caroline.
‘Do you like?’Frédéric asks Caroline.
‘I do, I look like me, how?’
‘Your beauty has always been there, we just needed to make it shine.”
‘How can I ever repay you? I-I’m–’
‘You live… the hard is done with, fini, you live free. Oh, and you only allow me to do your hair, oui?’
Caroline stands shakily and my breath catches. She’s wearing fitted black skinny jeans, a hot pink silk shirt with a Peter Pan collar and hot pink Doc Martens, Caro looks simply stunning.
‘Oui, thank you, can I hug you?’Caroline asks quietly.
‘Oui, mon amour, I’d like that.’
Alexa gets up with her drawing in her hand and waits for their embrace to finish and when they pull apart Alexa hugs Caroline’s legs and looks up at her with tears about to spill.
‘You feel bettaw now, Auntie?’
Caroline nods rapidly at Alexa and smiles, ‘I do, honey, I feel like a new person and you look cute as a button, sweetheart.’
‘I knows, Auntie, my hair is fabulous!’Alexa say confidently.
We all chuckle at Alexa’s spunk, she turns to Frédéric and holds up her drawing.
‘I’s dwawed this faw you to say thank you, I loves my haiw and yaw hot chocolate was very yummy.’
Alexa hands Frédéric the picture and his eyes widen and then he looks at her in awe.
“Mon petite amour, you have captured me superbement, ‘My little love, you have captured me magnificently’ I will frame your artwork and put it on my wall, thank you.’
Alexa jumps up and down all excited clapping her hands, ‘Hooyah, Fwedewic.’
‘Hooyah, mon petite amour.’
Alexaand I have just left Mom in her room and Tiny is waiting in the hall allowing us some alone time. I sit opposite Caroline and Alexa curls around my belly and rests her head on my chest and instantly closes her eyes.
“I want to thank you for today, I never thought I could feel stronger by just getting my hair fixed.” Caroline whispers, holding her finger up and pointing to Alexa, now fast asleep.
“That’s all Frédéric, he did the same thing to me when Lottie took me there after I was physically healed and the mental shift when Frédéric wielded his scissors helped me feel stronger and ready to take on the world. Then came this little lovebug who stole my heart the moment she crawled into my lap and asked me to read her a story, it takes time but moment by moment your heart does heal.” I smile at the memory of Alexa stealing my heart.
“She really is a special little girl, you’re very lucky and I’m happy for you Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, but I’m the lucky one. I have something I’d like to ask you.” I say with a small smile.
“Okay, shoot.” Caro smirks.
Cheeky, she’s becoming more herself every day and it really does give me hope.
“I’d like it if you would come to my wedding, it will only be small, just the family. So, that’s the team of guys, Alexander’s parents, Mom, Betty, Davies, Lottie, Frédéric. And an older couple June and Larry, I haven’t met yet but they were there for Alexa when her parents passed, I think that’s everyone.” I laugh softly.
“I’d really like my sister to be there to help make my day special, I’ll understand if you don–”
“I’d love to, I’d really like to be included in your family Elizabeth, I see they’re good people and always protecting you and… me.”
As she says it, she flicks her gaze to the closed door and I feel the warmth filling her chest.
“He’s a good guy, Caro.” I whisper.
“I know, he is, but I’m too broken Eli.” Wow, I haven’t heard my nickname from her till now and it really does give me hope.
“I’m please you want to be with me, thank you Caro.”
“No, I need to thank you, Elizabeth, what you and your family have done for me–” Caroline stops.
“They’re your family now too Caro, and they will protect you and love you.”
The emotions I feel from her and my own emotions combined are overwhelming, once Caroline opened up, she’s really been putting in the effort and has come so far. I just hope she realizes there’s more in this world than horrible men and that one day she might allow herself to let someone in because I know Tiny would give her his all if given the chance.