Papillon

Chapter 30: New Beginnings

Francis

I had known. The second I touched Bella Ryder, I wouldn't ever be able to go back. I knew that and yet, here I was–kissing her in front of a goddamn fireplace on New Year's Eve.

When voices sounded down the hall, she pulled away. There was something in her eyes when she looked at me in the last couple weeks–they were soft and so gentle. As if, if I wanted to mold her like pink Play-Doh, she would let me do so.

Before, I enjoyed watching her squirm, throwing her off balance, and pushing her out of her comfort zone. But now, I didn't think I could do that anymore. I wanted to be her everything–her shield from the fucked-up world, the one whose arms she ran into whenever she didn't feel safe, the person she needed.

Because fuck, I needed her. To feel sane, complete, whole.

"I think they're in here," Damon's voice came through and Bella stepped back. "Yes, here they are."

On Damon's arm was my mother. So, this showdown was happening sooner than I expected.

Bella's jaw dropped. As I sat back on the armrest of a chair behind me, she ran to Mama, pulling her into a hug and Mama laughed loud and clear.

"Bella, I'm so happy to see you," Mama brushed a curl from Bella's face.

"I'm so happy to see you! How do you know Damon?"

"Damon is friends with Francis, of course."

Bella whirled around, gears turning behind those brilliant blues. A small smile crept to my face as she looked between us and cup a hand over her face.

"Oh my god, is this your mom?" She asked me, eyes incredulous. Mama laughed, putting things together now as well.

"Bijou, is this the girl you've been telling me so much about?" Mama chuckled. Damon's eyes flickered with amusement and Bella looked at me shyly.

"Mama," I groaned. "S'il vous plaît, ne me mettez pas dans l'embarras pour le moment." Please don't embarrass me right now.

"Espèce de garçon idiot. Si j'avais su que c'était elle, je t'aurais dit sur-le-champ que tu tomberais amoureux d'elle. Si vous ne l'avez pas déjà fait." You silly boy. Had I known it was her, I would have told you on the spot that you'd fall in love with her. If you haven't already.

I froze.

"I'm confused," Damon frowned. "How do you know Adelaide, Bella?"

When Bella couldn't answer, still reeling, Mama continued, a wry smile on her face.

"I've been teaching her French. She wanted to learn it."

Bella's face flushed a deep red, one of my favorite shades on her. She was stuck in a state of disbelief. I resisted the urge to cup her face in my hand and kiss her hard.

"Did you know?" She asked me in a soft voice.

"Yes," I replied.

"Funny how things work out," Damon said, hiding a shit-eating grin.

Mama cupped Bella's cheek. "I am so happy I get to see you today. Promise you'll come find me later on, oui?"

"Bien sûr," Bella said. It made me weirdly proud of her. Mama said she was a good little student.

"Mon élève préféré," Mama chuckled before taking Damon's arm and walking back out. My favorite student.

"I can't believe you knew," Bella pouted, crossing her arms on her chest.