Nora was taken aback at his candor. She hesitated to collect herself before replying, “I love Chloe and Olivier very much. I’m so happy they found each other, and it is an absolute pleasure to spend time with them.”
“This is what I mean,” Pierre said softly. “You express your love of family so easily, while I have struggled with it for a long time.”
Nora sensed he had more to say. She looked at him with what she hoped was encouragement, and he continued. “With Annalise, my first wife and Olivier’s mother, the three of us shared the love I see you enjoying with Chloe. We were a happy small family. After she died, I tried my best to be both father and mother. I know you experienced much the same situation.”
Nora nodded, and her eyes filled with sympathy. Before she could say anything, Pierre spoke again.
“My second marriage, sadly, was a mistake. I saw too late Angelique was not cut out for a family situation, although before we were wed, she pretended to be. Her desire to party caused us a lot of arguments and quarrels. I could see it affecting Olivier and felt guilty about it.”
“I’m so sorry, Pierre. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we hope they will.”
Pierre nodded. “Yes. I do not need to go on about it. It’s just that since our divorce, I have mostly avoided close family situations and have not been the kind of parent I would like to be to Olivier … and to Chloe too. I’ve always been hard to get along with. Grumpy. I know it’s because I felt so angry and bitter about Angelique’s behavior. I didn’t handle it well. For reasons that are not their fault. “
Nora said, “We often can’t control what happens in life and have to deal with it and move on. I need to have peace and happiness in my life, and I steer clear of conflict whenever I can. My writing helps me with this.”
“I have begun to paint again,” Pierre said. “For the first time in a long time. And I have never felt happier with the kids than I did this Christmas, and also now. They are being so kind and thoughtful … and fun. I want to thank you for that.”
Taking a long sip of coffee, Nora collected her thoughts. She had sat in shock listening to his unexpected confession.But he seems very sincere and almost relieved to be saying his thoughts out loud.
“We share a lovely family with those two, Pierre. I’m glad you’re feeling differently about being around them now. To have a happy family is the most important thing to me. My video chats with them help me feel better about being so far away from them.”
Pierre looked away and then back into her eyes with an intense gaze. “Thank you, Nora. That’s what I’ve been trying to say. Thank you for making me feel part of my family again.”
Nora smiled warmly and tried to hide her disbelief at this intimate disclosure. “I’ve enjoyed our family time together too and look forward to more.”
The waiter appeared with the bill and a treat for Atticus.
They walked straight back home, and Nora and Pierre parted at her door. To add to her shock, Pierre leaned in to quickly bise her as he said goodbye.
“See you later,” he said. “Chloe said something about you joining us for dinner tonight.”
After she closed the door, Nora stood looking out the window into the distance, stunned by the entire episode with Pierre. His revelations had been intense. And then a bise! That elusive bise! She felt he had happily accepted her as family.
She couldn’t wait to speak with Chloe about it and see if Pierre had said anything to her about their talk. Or maybe Chloe would notice a change in his attitude toward her and Olivier. Whatever had happened, it could only be positive. It was satisfying to think she and Pierre could be friends and share the best interests of their children.
Or it could’ve just been the meds talking.
* * *
Her thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. “Luc! What a lovely surprise! How is everything in Lucerne?”
“Everything is magnifique,” he replied. “This is such a charming town in a spectacular setting. We actually went skiing this morning. Engelberg is just a half-hour away by train, and it was a glorious sunny day on the slopes. After four hours, we were ready to come home.”
“How convenient! I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m happy for us too. It’s been a while since I skied with Dominique. She blew me away! What have you been doing?”
“Have you seen the weather here? I’ve been staying in and working on Marie-Louise’s memoir. Atticus is annoyed because his walks are so short. I actually just picked up my umbrella and promised him we would stay out longer this time.”
“Off you go then. I just called to say hello. I am looking forward to our evening together. You can tell me all about the progress on the memoir then.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow too.”
“Je t’embrasse, Nora.”
“Moi aussi.”
Nora felt a flicker of awkwardness and didn’t know if her response had been the right thing to say. There was something so tender about ‘je t’embrasse’—just ‘I kiss you’ in French. But it sounded much more intimate.
