Under the Oaks, Beside the Bayou

Hearthfire

Both children were sound asleep as Zen rode slowly into town Dr. Briard was finishing up dinner on the porch with Grand-mere Damia, determined to be on hand when they arrived. Zen removed the sling from Yon's neck and handed it to Grand-mere.

"Be careful. It is Yon's little sister"

The two elders held his glance and he sadly shook his head. "The Papa, too?"

"Oui. Doctor, please let me hand you Yon. Please place him in the room next to mine. I wish to hear him if he rouses. There is a small connecting dressing room between us, with the doors open I will catch any sound."

He stretched his back and tied the horses to the front of the shop, then called out to a teen walking home.

"Thierry? May I ask a favor?

"Anytime, Monsieur Zen."

"I need you to follow me. I would like to have you go up into the attic above the house. You will find a crib under a drape near the chimney. Please bring it down, and then I will show you where to place it." The boy retrieved the crib and wrestled it down. Together they carried it to the dressing room next to the bedroom where Yon slept deeply. Zen slipped the teen a coin, and he happily went about his business. After Zen had dusted it off and tucked a crib sheet tightly around the mattress, he went to the kitchen and watched as the physician checked the baby and Grand-mere warmed milk for a bottle. He was relieved when the physician pronounced her healthy and handed her to the woman to feed. After that she bathed her, she dressed her in a gown that had a drawstring at the bottom, which kept the tiny feet covered by the soft flannel. She swaddled her snugly in a blanket and the baby was asleep in an instant.

Zen held the infant in his large protective arms and smiled down. This little scrap of a human was so terrifying yet so adorable, and he felt a twist in his chest as a thumb, no bigger than a stem of a rose, slipped automatically in her mouth. He knew that this helpless human being had won his heart as surely as her brother had. He carried her up to the crib and Grand-mere followed.

"Ah!" The old lady whispered, "Your own crib! I remember when your Maman ordered that for you. She had it sent all the way from France to Canada the day she found out she was carrying you. We can clear this dressing room out and paint it. It is perfect for a nursery. Is the matching furniture still stored away?"

"Oui. It was so precious to Maman, I could not part with it. The white and gold paint is still good. I remember her telling me proudly that it was the latest rage in Europe when she bought it." 

After the baby was settled, they turned their attention to the sleeping boy. He lay in a tight ball and they tried to slip the filthy shirt as slowly as possible but the movement jostled him, and he sluggishly woke, panic in his confused eyes.

"Maman?"

Zen whispered. "You are safe at my house, my brave little man. Your sister is asleep in the little room next to you, and my room is on the other side of that. Grand-mere's is across the hall. You must not worry. We are here for you both."

Yon fought back tears as he slipped from the bed and ran to find her. He sank to the floor to watch her between the rounded bars. He turned to the adults and smiled at them both.

"She is beautiful. Is she not?"

"Yes. She is. Have you thought of a name for her.?" Asked Grand-mere. "That is your job now."

Yon was silent as he thought carefully.

"At first I thought my Papa said she was my treasure. Did he mean Tresor? I know it was on the list of baby names my...my Maman had made.

I think I will call her Tresor and Bernadette will be her middle name. That was my mother's name, and it means brave."

"Tresor Bernadette." Zen pronounced. "I think it suites her perfectly. Let us let her sleep. I am sure she will wake us up soon enough. Come down and have some hot stew. As you eat, we will heat a bath and get you in a proper nightshirt. I am afraid none of your clothes could be saved. There is plenty here in the store that will fit you."

"I cannot pay you, Sir."

"You do not have too. I should have tried harder to convince your father to stay the night."

"Papa has...had...had his ways. It was hard for anyone to change his mind once he made it up. There was no blame, only a storm."

Zen grinned at the boy. "Not only are you courageous, but smart as well. I am glad we understand each other. We will work together to get through this, and we will never allow debt between us, alright?"

He held out his hand. Yon took it and they shook them gravely. The two adults settled the child into the tub and sat on the porch as lilac time washed the sky in deep purples.

"I am proud of you, Zen. Your parents would be too. Not many could bear the sudden responsibility of three intruders into their home."

"First. You are not intruders. You, I have known, all my life. Furthermore, you were my Maman's best friend. You are truly a grandmother to me. This is your home. However, I know the church will want to find a proper family for the children."

She noticed him involuntarily clench his fist, and she smiled to herself.

'Oh, little Zen, those two are already the children of your heart; they own you already. The three of you just do not know it yet. And a plan began to take root in the old woman's head. Sometimes homes are not decided. Sometimes they just happen. One day, they just come together, and a family begins to grow.

Who knew what a few nudges and well-placed suggestions could create? Especially with a whole town of stubborn elders and younger folk, nudging and suggesting at the same time. She would be well-prepared by the time the riverboats were able to negotiate the trek down Bayou Teche and Father Francois came to say Mass and began to make a decision about the Albert children. She knew him as well. He grew up here and had run the forests with Zen as children. He would not stand a chance against a united St. Martinville. Not with General Damia Clary at the lead.