Choking On Sapphires

83 Baby Says

Arm in arm Alfie and Genevieve walk on a Saturday morning in her garden, in full bloom and lush this time of the year. Gen was freshly out of the bath, her hair starting to curl and bounce in the early summer wind. Her face was unbothered, her limp almost entirely gone and the more superficial of the bruises had disappeared. Her ribs only caused her pain when exerting herself at this juncture and when Alfie was around he made sure she did not. He'd fallen into the habit of treating her much like a child, but in his defense, she was acting much like one. Still prone to bouts of crying, sometimes with clear triggers and others not. The ones without were the hardest, she would sob and scrawl down that she didn't know why she was so upset and Alfie was left to put on his all too frequently worn mask of indifference and guide her through it.

But this particular light and lovely morning was about to take a turn for the emotional for Genevieve. But in a much-welcomed way.

"Mr. Solomons, sir!" a maid that held his favor calls from the edge of the house. "Miss Durand has visitors!" she shouts with a bright smile.

"Don't know why she's bloody smilin'. Told her no one was to see you." he grumbles, bringing Genevieve around slowly as her glazed eyes looked up at him, silhouetted by sunrays. The red in his hair and beard was standing out in the sun, his freckles coming in across his nose and the tight trim on his beard and hair showing off all the handsome planes of his face. She smiles up at him and hums, still medicated and not speaking except for the occasional vocalizations of happiness or upset. "Take her to her room." he orders gently, a hand rubbing over Gen's fluffy mane before another maid chirps and takes her arm. "I'll be with you in a bit, love." he calls out and she gives him a slow nod before turning back to the maid who says something to make her smile. At least she was doing that again. "Who the fuck is here? I told ya no visitors." he mutters with a low brow at the young woman.

"I knew you'd want her to see these visitors." she keeps the same broad grin on her face, practically beaming at him.

"Why are you so fuckin' happy? Has the savior returned?" he snorts and chuckles.

"They're waiting for you in your study."

"Least they got fuckin' manners. Tells me it's not the bloody Shelby's" he grumbles to himself. His footsteps are heavy and none too happy to be making the trip down the hallway. He hated surprises. Someone coming and demanding they see him without prior invitation or forewarning, who did they think they were?

"Fuck me." he says with a mouth wide open, revealing Altar and Alma standing and chatting in front of his desk. "Forgive the language Miss Lafitte, I am... ya bloody well surprised the old boy." he laughs with a shake of his head.

"No offense taken. I rather miss the sort of fellow that would curse in front of a lady." she smiles and reaches out to take his hand and sighs heavily before patting his cheek and kissing it just as lightly and sweetly. She smelled like flowers just like her daughter.

"You're looking mighty well for what you've gone through, lad!" Altar booms with a big hug and pat the back for him that he swears pops a few things.

"Well I've got to keep up appearances, innit I?" she shrugs. "What on earth brings you here? Or HOW I should ask in your case, Miss Lafitte."

"It's Alma. I'll be your mother some day. Almost was a lot sooner if the devil hadn't intervened I hear."

"Yes, ma'am. She disappeared the night I was set to ask her."

"Shame, that." she shakes her head. "But you found her. You brought her home." she coos and hugs his neck tightly.

"Yes ma'am I did. Just as I promised."