Together In Paris

Mozzie

The bald man with thick glasses was making funny faces. Baby Neal giggled brightly at the silly man. He made his mother laugh when he giggled. His mother was beautiful when she laughed. She laughed more when this strange man was in the house. He was happier when he was in this house too. At least he pretended to be.
Mozzie lifted Neal high into the air and made him squeal with laughter.

"You're so good with babies," Elizabeth smiled.

"Yeah well, I look like one," Mozzie said.

He brought Neal to sit on his hip, and reached for his glass of Château La Fleur. As he took a sip, Neal reached for the glasses off of Mozzies face. Mozzie chuckled.

"You're not as subtle as your name sake yet, but there's still time," Mozzie smiled.

"Do not teach my son to be a thief!" Elizabeth warned.

"Oh El you insult me! I gave up the con life. I make an honest living."

"Hustling tourists with card games?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny."

Elizabeth smiled at Mozzie, making the corners of her eyes wrinkle. While she was distracted, Neal made a break for the wine. Mozzie pulled the glass away from the baby's grip and held it far from his reach.

"Ut ah ah, no. I'm sorry little one but you can't learn about the exquisite taste of wine until your palate develops enough. Not until you're twelve," Mozzie said.

"Twenty one!" Elizabeth argued sharply.

"Seventeen," Mozzie rebutted.

"Mozzie! Twenty one!" Elizabeth said firmly.

She gave mozzie a warning look that had developed to be more threatening since her pregnancy.

"Alright, alright, twenty one!" Mozzie promised.

Elizabeth nodded firmly. Mozzie pushed his glass towards her, pointedly. Elizabeth took it, and headed to the kitchen where the bottle had been left. Once she was gone, Mozzie lowered his head so he could talk to Neal without her hearing.

"Twelve when your mother's not around. Don't worry, big brothers rules won't constrict us," he promised.

Neal's little smile lit up his face, and he giggled brightly.

"Hey Mozzie, don't you need to get going if you're going to collect Theo in time?" Elizabeth called.

Mozzie glanced at the clock. "Oh shoot, I'm going to be late."

Elizabeth came back into the room, without the wine or glasses.

"I won't keep you any longer then," she said. The she knelt down to Neal's level, and kissed his forehead. "Bye baby, I'll see you in the morning!"

"Don't worry Mrs Suit, I'll watch over him like a guardian angel," Mozzie promised.

"I know you will. Otherwise Peter, Diana and the entire FBI will be coming after you," Elizabeth smiled.

"A chilling thought," mozzie said.

"Me as well."

"Even scarier. I promise I will keep Neal and Teddy safe. Nothing untoward will happen."

Elizabeth looked unconvinced for a moment, and then gave a slight smile.

"Thanks for doing thin. Tell June I said hi," she said.

"You know if you really wanted to show your gratitude, I'm sure the rest of that bottle would be well received," mozzie said pointedly.

Elizabeth chuckled. "It's yours. Take it."