She's Still My Affinity

Being Yourself

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

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The next few days came and went without Catherine and her mother reconciling. In fact, she barely mentioned such an encounter more than necessary, but that was not even difficult, because all at once Catherine had her hands full.

After she decided to move with Fanny, all the little things that went along with such a move had to be done, including a talk with Baladine.

"Baladine" - She greeted her with a friendly nod and sat in the chair opposite the sofa.

"Madame Deneuve" - She said somehow shyly.

"You can call me Catherine, you know?"

"Was it Mama's idea to come here?"

She looked at Baladine in surprise. - "I beg your pardon?"

"I just want to know if you persuaded her to come back here or if was her idea to move to Paris."

"I made her the suggestion and she decided to do it. You can not persuade your mother to do anything against her will, as you probably know very well."

"And that is supposed to stay that way? Forever?"

Catherine raised her eyebrows. - "Are you just asking me in an inimitable way, if I'm serious about your mother?"

"Yes." - Baladine replied - "Are you? I do not want to see her hurt again."

Catherine straightened up and looked her straight in the eye. - "Yes, I am serious about Fanny, I love her and I intent to make her happy for the rest of my days... Of that, you can be sure."

Baladine raised her eyes and looked at Catherine searchingly, then grinned a little shakily. - "Good, that's all I wanted to know."

Catherine moved nervously in her seat before asking - "So is alright then? may I live here? With you two?"

Resolutely Baladine nodded with what she hoped was an unbiased smile.

"Of course you can live here" - She replied, squeezing Catherine's shoulder. - "We have more than enough room here for you."

Before the blonde had the chance to reply Baladine added - "I'm already big, you know. I do not have to be constantly supervised and you can still have your privacy."

Catherine laughed, caught in the act. - "And what do you expect to do while you give us our privacy?" - She asked amused.

Baladine looked at her innocently. - "Watch Paris?"

"Hang around Paris, you mean."

Baladine grinned cheekily - "Something of the sort ... " - She got up and turned to leave, had almost closed the door when called out to Catherine - "I'm really happy about you two, you make mom happy."

Catherine smiled thoughtfully. "And she makes me the happiest" - She said softly. - "Thank you."

"People out there are gonna ship the hell out of you two"

Catherine gestured toward the door, amused. - "Get lost, you annoying."

The girl laughed and obeyed.

Catherine shook her head in amusement and returned to her cigarette. 'Ship us? what's that even means?' - she thought for a second.

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