So, Here I Am

Chapter Twenty Two Home 2

It is decided and arranged to visit a week from that day.  Maggie and A.J. are going to make it a short break, doing some sightseeing, try to get their thoughts and emotions together, ready for "The Meeting".  Mama will obviously want to spend some time with A.J., and the more he thinks about it now, the more he is looking forward to meeting her.  The one thing clouding the visit now, is that of Maggie seeing Laurent again, for the first time since that night in her apartment. There was bound to be tension, and as Maggie had said, she and Laurent will just have to be grown up about it.

Maggie and A.J. fly into Orly, and set up camp at the Hotel de Crillon.  This was Maggie's go to when she visited Paris as the accommodation, food and service are all out of this world.  They had a two bedroom suite, so they can be close if they need to be.

Maggie is still making arrangements with Larry as to the where's and when's, with A.J.'s input, but mama has to be comfortable with everything going on here. They decide they are all going to meet at her home. The twins will be there with her, and she and Maggie will meet first. Then, when mamas comfortable, she can meet A.J.  

Larry has told Laurent that Maggie will meet with him to talk, they have to at some point. He was really happy at this news, but is anxious at the same time.  He thinks she hates him, which couldn't be further from the truth.  A reason why they need to clear the air.  Get things straight. Look each other in the eye again, without guilt, without accusation, and without fear.

Maggie and A.J spend a couple of days sightseeing, shopping, and of course, eating. They have a fabulous dinner in the hotel restaurant the night before the meeting.

Maggie "Are you nervous, sweetie ?

A.J. " A little, but I've come to terms. I just want to meet her now. See me in her, find out what traits we share. There's no recrimination any more mumma, none."

"You don't know how happy I am to hear that, A.J., really"

Then a thought struck him.

"How do you feel about all this, mumma ? You knew her years ago, obviously. Will you still be friends? At the least, do you think she will be OK with you?" Maggie hadn't thought about that, and it was a good question.

"I hope so, I think so. I know I have, and always have had, an enormous amount of respect for her.  She had to make the hardest decision of her life, and she made it, committed to it, she only wanted the best for her family, for everyone.  Except herself.  I think we'll be OK. "

"You two are cut from the same cloth, you know that ?  Women who want the best for the people around them, regardless of the cost to them personally.  You are two strong mothas ...... literally!"    Maggie told him he needed to tell her that, too.

The next morning came all too soon, whether they were ready for it or not.  The car came to collect them from the hotel, and brought Larry with it.  He thought it might be a good idea to have a pre-meeting briefing, to smooth the process a little.  Before meeting mama.  Before seeing Laurent.  The driver deposited Larry outside reception, and Maggie and A.J. came down to meet him.

Larry "Like I said, you don't do things in half" he said in his misconceived English, but they knew what he meant.  It was endearing, it was what made him Larry.

"Look at this place !"

Maggie " I would have thought living in Paris, you would have been here before"

"Nah, too nice for the likes of me, they would have thrown my ass out of here !" he chuckled "You ready ?"  He had already greeted A.J. with a shoulder bump and brotherly handshake, and talked to him briefly about his .... their mother.   In the car they chatted for a while, then