𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 ⚔︎

2

on friday, june 26th, eddie lavigne fell into his usual morning routine. upon the sound of his alarm, he woke up at eight o'clock, put on his silk robe over the vest and linen shorts he had slept in, ventured downstairs, fed the dogs and the cat, and then took his daily walk down the driveway to check the postbox.

the sun was high in the sky, not a cloud in sight as eddie strolled, whistling a tune. the birds in the trees sang with him and there was the smell of freshly cut grass in the warm summer air. eventually, he reached the postbox and tugged it open, grabbing the contents inside — there was only one letter, addressed to him. with quick fingers, he tore it open and began to read it, his eyes scanning the first few lines.

dear mr edward lavigne,

it is with great pleasure that we inform you that your buyers application for the old office block building on 6th avenue and west 48th street has been approved.

he pumped his fist in the air and let out an excited heckle. "yes!" he cheered loudly, kissing the letter as if it were an old friend.

his neighbour, mrs abagnale, gave him a dirty look from across the street as she was watering her begonias. despite his embarrassment, eddie acted normal, bearing a friendly smile.

"morning, mrs abagnale!" he said, giving her a small wave. she ignored him. he turned around and began walking back up the driveway. "fuckin' prick."

when he returned to the mansion, he shimmied into the kitchen and began celebrating by playing his favourite song on the jukebox: 'jump in the line' by harry belafonte. he turned it up to its highest possible volume, the upbeat tune shaking the whole house as he cooked breakfast. dion and charles barked and jumped up at him, filled with enthusiasm, just as he was.

in her bedroom, chantelle awakened from her slumber, lifting her eye mask over her head. "what the...?"

she heard the music blasting from downstairs. intrigued, chantelle got out of bed, clothed in a t-shirt and satin sports shorts. pulling on a dressing gown and tying it at her waist, she ventured downstairs, her brows knitted together in confusion. she stood in the doorway to the kitchen, crossing her arms as she watched her father with an entertained grin.

soon enough, eddie turned around, his hazel eyes brightening when he saw her. "chantelle!"

"what the hell is going on?" she said loudly over the noise.

"guess what!"

"what?"

eddie shook his hips. "i got a contract for the hotel!"

he went over and took his daughter by the arms, dancing with her around the kitchen. she laughed endlessly as they did so, twirling around in a whirlwind of absentminded joy.

minutes later, giovanni joined jesse at the doorway. the younger leaned on the frame, holding back laughter as he gazed upon the scene in front of him.

"what's happening?" giovanni whispered from behind him.

"i have no idea."

eddie soon caught a glimpse of them and beckoned them with open arms. "boys! entrèr!"

they wandered into the kitchen, eddie turning the volume down on the jukebox as they did so. "what's got you like this?" jesse said, taking a seat at the table.