After I Chose You

S i x

The rest of the morning went by swiftly, Jean opening La Patissérie Benoit as Amélie and I baked up a storm. Together, we made several types of french bread, croissants, eclairs, sable bretons, and crème brûlées. I had no idea I could accomplish so much in the kitchen before noon!

Amélie had left me to my croissant folding once Loélia woke up a few hours after I had sung her to sleep. She had been gone for a little while, feeding her daughter, I imagine, before she finally returned, in which she grabbed Jean and he announced for her, that it was my very first lunch break.

Turned out, Amélie had fed her child, but had spent most of the hour she was gone, cooking up a feast! We all sat down to a vibrant green salad, fish, rice, and an assortment of cheeses. I had never eaten so well in my entire life! Paris really was the city of love...for food!

Then, after our wonderful meal and leisure, we returned to our posts in the kitchen, and in Jean's case, the bakery itself. I was left alone periodically, due to the full-time mothering job Amélie had, but I ran the kitchen quite smoothly.

While Amélie was in the kitchen, which was more often than not, she taught me how to make the dough for the "Biscuits au chocolat et au sable," which I soon learned were chocolate sable cookies and not biscuits. Besides cracking the eggs, I managed quite nicely and then moved on to making a delicious cake known as the millie-feuille...which I sneaked a slice of when it was finished. Amélie knew, of course...I think. I just couldn't resist! It was the six year old Anastasia in me coming out...

...and then the twenty-six year old Anya felt too guilty, so she told Jean, who then told Amélie in French, who then laughed and assured me it was alright...according to Jean.

Amélie then began to tidy up, so I joined her. It had truly been a busy day and I had sweat more than I had the entire time I had been in Paris...and yet it had flown by. I was enjoying being in the kitchen and sweltering as it was, it was pleasant to me. I wiped down a counter and then focused on washing utensils. I guess we had baked enough for one day.

Jean entered the kitchen, which caught our attention, and he smiled, letting himself sigh slightly. He looked to Amélie and said, "Nous sommes fermés, mon amour."

(AN: "We're closed, my love.")

Amélie wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and smiled tiredly, "Bien."

(AN: "Good.")

Jean then turned to me and informed in English, "We're done for the day. Shop's finally closed."

I frowned in surprise, "So soon?"

He let out a long hearty laugh and nodded, "Yes, Miss Anya. It is six o'clock."

"But where are the children?"

"Upstairs," Jean stated, "They usually always use the backdoor."

"Right," I nodded in realization, remembering how they left this morning, "Sorry."

Jean pat my back and chuckled, "No apology necessary. It's been a long day for you, Miss Anya, and Amélie and I both appreciate your hard work. You and your husband's."

My husband...Dmitry...it felt longer than forever since I had last seen him...

"Will Dmitry be home soon?" I inquired.

"He should be," Jean reported, "I told him to come home once the sun starting setting and it has just started. If he isn't home in fifteen minutes, I'll go get him. Don't you worry."

I smiled in a sort of relief and nodded, "Okay. Thank you, Jean."

"Of course!" He exclaimed, "But there is no need to thank me, Miss Anya."