The Houdini Bookshop

Chapter 5: A Year After

Pierre woke up to the sound of his alarm. He lazily reached over and turned it off. He rolled to his left side and kissed the peacefully sleeping Serena on the side of her head.

"Wake up sleepyhead." he whispered on her ear and gave her tiny kisses.

Serena started giggling and playfully pushed his face away from her. "Your stubble is tickling me." she said and slowly opened her eyes. "but I must admit you look hotter with a stubble."

Pierre laughed while shaking his head "Enough with the flattering Ms. Hansen." he said and got up, stretching a bit before looking out his apartment window.

The blond remained in his apartment even though his parents and sister told him countless of times to come home. He just couldn't bring himself to live farther from Serena and he actually started liking his place. Amanda was still the same loud latina that knocks on his door twice a month. He got to know his kind neighbors. He got a new job in a law firm office near Houdini as an assistant to his mom's lawyer best friend and things were perfect between him and Serena. He was living a good life he never thought he would get and he couldn't ask for more.

Serena got up from the bed and yawned "Breakfast?" she asked.

"Breakfast." Pierre responded and smiled. He followed her out his room and sat on the dining chair. He watched as Serena who wore a cute bear onesie made coffee for them. "On second thought.. Why don't we drop by Uncle Tom's and have breakfast with them?"

The snow white skinned as ever girl turned to him with a smile. "That would be lovely. I haven't seen Uncle Tom in a while."

After they drank their coffee and got ready they drove to Tom's house and arrived seeing him and his four year old daughter Malory playing on the front porch.

"Daddy! Rena! Pear!" Malory happily called.

Serena can't help but laugh softly and look at Pierre. "I guess my name is really hard to pronounce for kids." Pierre said and took his girlfriend's hand and walked closer.

Tom stood up to greet them, patting Pierre on the shoulder and giving Serena a warm hug. Malory ran up to them and threw her hands up to Pierre asking to be carried. The blond picked her up and smiled.

"It's been a while." Tom said. "Sorry I haven't had any time to check on you." he said to Serena.

"It's fine, Pierre has been looking out for me." she said and watched as Pierre's face was mercilessly poked by the giggling Malory.

Tom motioned for him and Serena to sit on the front porch stairs. As they sat down, both had watched as Pierre placed Malory down and started chasing her while playfully acting like a zombie.

"You're living with him now?" Tom asked.

Serena shook her head "You know I can't leave the shop."

It has already been a year and a few months since Serena's grandfather died. He passed away the Christmas after she met Pierre. It has been hard for her but Pierre never left her side. Tom was there too but he couldn't always be there for her especially that his wife and daughter came back to him.

"He would make a great father." Tom said and winked at Serena.

Serena turned visibly red and watched as Malory came running to her. Pierre raised a brow as soon as he saw Serena blushing. He glanced at Tom and gave him a questioning look which was responded with a shrug.

"Were you guys talking about how great of a father I would be?" he said and chuckled.

The blushing girl turned even more red.