Ophélie

Part 52

"Artie. Wakey wakey." I shake his shoulder lightly.

He groans and rolls over. "S'en aller." (Go away.)

I sigh and lift the blanket, climbing into bed with him. "If you get up now we can go get breakfast with Lily."

He opens an eye and looks at me. "Where's Charles?"

"Training." I shrug. "Please, Artie. I need to go get the rest of his gift as well."

"And my gift?" he tucks the blanket under his arm, watching me.

"I already got your gift. You're going to love it. Please come with me?"

"Like I'd so no Ophy. Let me just shower ok?"

I nod, climbing out of the bed. "I have to shower too. I'll meet you downstairs in thirty minutes."

"You're so spoiled Ophy. I hope you know that."

"It's only because you love me," I call over my shoulder, already walking down the passage to the stairs.

Arthur and I sit and wait for Lily to arrive at the cafe.

"How are you feeling?" I ask him quietly.

He shrugs. "I miss her. But I'll be fine."

I smile at him. "You know you can talk to me whenever you need, right?"

He smiles. "Of course. Thank you."

"What's up bitches?" Lily grins at us as she takes the open seat at our table.

"Hey, Lil." I smile at her.

"Sorry I'm late, work has been crazy. I can only have a coffee before I have to dash again. We're dressing some upper-class wives for some fancy Christmas gala." she gags, rolling her eyes.

Arthur laughs. "If they're paying the good money then dress them however they want."

Lily nods. "All the money."

We order and chat a little.

Arthur tells Lily about Ruby and she gets up and hugs him tightly.

"It's ok Artie, if Jean doesn't step up his game then I'll be your girl." she laughs.

I frown at the same time Arthur says. "You are my girl Lily. You and Oph. You know that."

Lily pulls a tongue at him, winking, then turns to me and shrugs. "Jean's been a jerk lately. I think it's just work. There's a massive merger happening and he's stressed. But I've also been busy so the house is a mess and we don't see each other for longer than ten minutes every day. We'll be fine, don't look so worried."

I smile at her. "I just want everyone to be happy."

Lily smiles. "We are. Stop trying to fix everything Oph, I see your head spinning. Stop. Artie will be fine, and so will I. Tomorrow both our offices shut down and then I'll have my man back and we'll be making the house nice and warm in this freezing weather if you're picking up what I'm putting down."

I shake my head. "Gross, Lil. That's still my brother."

She finishes her coffee and then stands up. "I take it that Mrs. Leclerc is covering this coffee? I gotta head out. I'll see you guys on Saturday for a very Leclerc Christmas."

I roll my eyes, laughing. "Of course I am dummy. Be safe, Lil! See you on Saturday."

She blows us a kiss as she walks away.

Arthur and I finish our breakfast and then we head to the store so he can help me with Charles' gift. When we're done he drops me at the OBGYN where Charles is already waiting.