When they returned home they were especially nice to Kylie, never letting her spend much time alone but allowing her enough space to grieve. Even Sophia went out of her way to be nice, bringing her toys and a book about angels. Still, it took a few days before the first smile appeared on Kylie’s face and even more days before they heard her laugh. It would take a long time for her to heal but Celine knew that her little soldier would pull through.
***
“I want a change of environment for Kylie. Since the funeral she hasn’t left the house. She needs to get out, to breathe again.” Pierce folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the marble top island in the middle of the kitchen.
He’d been thinking about it for some time now. He wanted to take her to a place where she could play and laugh again, somewhere that didn’t remind her of her loss.
“Disney World?” Celine rested her chin in her palm as she stared up at him. Today she’d forgone the ponytail and let her dark hair fall gently onto her shoulder.
Pierce gave it some thought then shook his head. “No, a bit too much for her I think. Sort of from one extreme to the other, you know?”
“What about a Caribbean cruise? One of those that caters to children?” Celine asked with a slight tilt of her head. She looked so cute when she did that.
He wrinkled his forehead. “Hmm, no. That’s just more of the same.” He released his arms and stretched them wide to loosen the kinks in his back. “I want to take her somewhere different but I want it to be a more gentle change of environment. Not so fast paced.”
Then a thought came to him. Celine had spoken with such animation each time she’d mentioned her kid brothers and her mother. Would a week or two in the company of a loving family be the change that Kylie needed?
“What about a trip to Europe?”
At his words Celine’s brows lifted and she looked up at him with just a hint of excitement in her eyes. “Europe?” she asked. “So far away?”
Pierce chuckled. “A seven hour flight? That’s not bad. Try fourteen or eighteen hours. I’ve done lots of those. Now that’s far.”
There was a faraway look in Celine’s eyes. It was clear that she was thinking of home.
Pierce decided to press home his point, get her on board while she seemed to be in a nostalgic mood. “How would you like to go see your family?”
Celine turned wide expressive eyes to him. “Do you mean it?” Her voice was a breathless whisper, almost as if she were afraid to utter the words.
“Of course. You’ve talked so much about Marc and Sylvan that I feel I almost know them. I’d love to meet them.” He was smiling as he walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. He sat down across from Celine. “More importantly, it would be great for Kylie. Being around other children is probably what she needs right now.”
Celine began to worry her bottom lip with her teeth. “I don’t know. I would absolutely love to go home for a visit but…the boys and Kylie? I’m not too sure. They can be a bit rough.”
“Don’t underestimate the depth of understanding that kids can show. And even though they’re boys,” he said with a chuckle, “they can be compassionate. Hey, boys aren’t that bad. I know. I used to be one.”
At that comment her face relaxed and her lips curved in a smile. Her liquid brown eyes sparkled as she looked back at him. “You’ve convinced me. I would love to take Kylie to meet my family.”
He put on a mock frown. “What about me?”
Celine burst out laughing. “And you, too, Pierce. I’m sure they’ll all love you.”
***
“So this is Mr. Pierce D’Amato. Bienvenue, Monsieur.”
Claire Santini took his hands in hers then stood on tiptoe to kiss him on both cheeks. She was a diminutive woman with raven black hair caught up in a bun on the crown of her head. Her dark eyes shone in her rosy face and her lips told of much laughter and mirth. She reminded Pierce of a sprightly little sparrow, full a lively energy that could never be extinguished.
She was something of a contrast to her daughter. Where she was tiny and slightly plump with eyes as black as night, Celine was of slender build with deep brown eyes a man could lose himself in. Even though she was of medium height she was at least four or five inches taller than her mother.
When Claire released his hands Pierce looked over at Celine as she stood in the middle of the modest living room. “So where are the young men I’ve heard so much about?”
She rolled her eyes. “Hiding I’m sure, just waiting to play a prank on us.” But then she smiled broadly and her eyes flashed with eager anticipation. She put her fingers to her lips and tiptoed to the door that led into the kitchen. It was slightly ajar and, without warning, she reached an arm around and came back with a boy, now howling with laughter.