Redemption

by Jennifer Bene

  “Okay!” Lianna said, summoning her energy reserves to keep looking cheerful and repeating the same conversation again and again. The older members of the family all wanted to talk about her father, Alain, or about how she resembled the grandmother she’d never met — but who she’d clearly been named after. The younger ones just wanted to chat about travel or school or her hobbies, and after a while she stopped introducing David to them. She knew he hated it, could read it in every line of his body, and he wasn’t very good at hiding his discomfort. It radiated off of him in the tense handshakes, the sharp line of his jaw when he forced a smile, and she wished that Jean-Luc would stop the endless merry-go-round of introductions for just a little while… but it would be rude to ask.

  The Faures, her family, had gone to so much effort to organize the party for her birthday. Many of them had traveled a long way just to see her, and so she kept smiling through every introduction, every conversation, even when it started to feel like a press event.

  “Give her a minute to breathe, Papa,” Mathieu said when Jean-Luc saw another face in the crowd he wanted her to meet.

  “I’m wearing you out, I apologize,” Jean-Luc said, reaching over to hug her around the shoulders. “I’m just so excited to have you here, mon oisillon. Everyone has wanted to meet you since I returned from the States, and when you decided to join us so quickly… it was wonderful.”

  “I really am enjoying meeting everyone, but maybe we can take a short break?” she asked gently, and Jean-Luc just laughed as he raised his hands.

  “Of course, we have plenty of time,” he replied, stepping back. “I will go find Cécile.”

  “Thank you, Jean-Luc.”

  “Sorry about him, he really is just excited to have you here,” Mathieu explained as Jean-Luc disappeared into the crowd. After taking a deep breath, Lianna looked over her shoulder to reach for David’s hand… but he wasn’t there.

  Fuck.

  “I’m very excited to be here, and I am enjoying meeting everyone. Really,” she insisted, turning to search for David’s tall profile. “But I seem to have lost David at some point.”

  Mathieu chuckled, lifting the glass in his hand. “I’m sure he just stepped away to grab a drink like I did. I do have to get back to the music, if I leave Emilie in charge it’ll be nothing but Kesha.”

  “Thanks, Mathieu. You’re doing a great job as the DJ,” Lianna added, waving at him as she slipped through the crowd, acknowledging the various comments from the guests while she searched for him.

  The sun had disappeared completely at some point, and the fringes of the terrace were lit only by the Christmas lights wound around the stone railing — which, of course, was where she found David. As far away from the rest of the party as he could get, his drink resting on the stone in front of him, David was simply staring out at the darkened estate.

  “Why are you all the way over here?” she asked as soon as she was close enough, and he turned to glance at her, shrugging a little.

  “You know why.”

  “No, I don’t. It’s just a party, David.” Glancing back at the small crowd milling around, eating snacks, drinking, swaying to the music and chatting, she had to admit it was a little intimidating. There were so many people she didn’t know, but they knew her name. Knew her father, possibly better than she ever had. But no one had made it uncomfortable. “Come on. It’s my birthday party.”

  “And I don’t belong here,” he replied, his voice almost too low to hear over the music floating across the terrace.

  Stepping closer, she set her wine glass beside his drink and wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning her cheek against his back. “You belong here because you belong with me… right?”

  He sighed heavily, and she felt the expansion of his ribs, the subtle shifting of his muscles. “That’s manipulative as fuck, angel.”

  “True,” she admitted with a grin, pressing a kiss to his back before he turned to face her. “But Jean-Luc is taking a break from the endless introductions, so we can just enjoy the music and the food.”

  “Have you eaten anything yet?” he asked, pulling her hips against him.

  “Nope.” Lianna looked up at him, grinning when she heard him grumble. David could be unpredictable, and completely sadistic — but he was also strangely protective. Especially when it came to her eating.

  “How many glasses of wine have you had?”

  “I think this is number three?” she guessed, because she wasn’t actually sure, but she did feel buzzed, which meant it was more than two. David rolled his eyes, letting out a huff under his breath as he shook his head at her.

  “Come on,” he finally said, letting go of her so they could get their drinks, but then he caught her hand, holding tight as they returned to the party. “No more wine until you eat something.”

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered, and he glanced down at her.

  “Don’t be a tease unless you want me to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of your own party.” He spoke softly so that no one around them might hear it, but she couldn’t hold back the laugh.

  “You wouldn’t dare.” Her laugh turned into an open-mouthed stare when he just raised his eyebrows at her. “David, no.”

  “Better eat something then,” he commanded, stopping them by the table filled with snacks of all kinds. Small sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers, and other hors d’oeuvres. They both filled a plate and found a spot against the railing that was a little closer to the party without being in the middle of it.

  “Thank you for coming with me,” Lianna said, looking over at him as he popped an entire something into his mouth. She chuckled, taking a bite of a small sandwich while he chewed.

  “I told you I wouldn’t let you come here by yourself,” he eventually replied, shrugging a shoulder as he sipped the punch he’d grabbed.

  “You still think I’m in danger?”

  “Not physically,” he muttered, poking at the various things he’d piled on his plate before choosing one.

  “David…” She thought about pushing him, clarifying what he meant, but she already knew. He wasn’t worried the Faures would hurt her. No, he was still worried that Jean-Luc and the rest of the family would try and make her stay.

  That they would take her away from him.

  So, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, whispering the only thing she needed to say in that moment. “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you too, angel. Happy birthday.” Turning his head, he caught her lips in a kiss, but David kept it surprisingly chaste. It was a warm press of his mouth to hers, drawing her attention to the chill in the air now that night had fallen. When he pulled back, she bit down on her lip, smiling a little at the heat in his gaze.

  “Thank you.”

  David merely gave a slight nod, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he looked back at the food. “You need to eat.”

  “I know,” she replied, grinning again as she finished the little sandwich. David could be so wonderful when he wanted to be, and that was really what she’d wanted to thank him for. Not just for wishing her a happy birthday or caring enough to make sure she always ate something… but for all of it. For setting aside his hatred of the Faure family to come with her to their home, for wanting to protect her even when she didn’t need it. For pushing past all the bullshit in his history, and hers, to become the kind of man she wanted to stand beside.

  Their connection had started in the darkest of places, fueled by pain and rage, but they’d both changed. Become someone new. Evolved, together, and she hoped that continued even though the Faures had a place in her life now.

  Because as messed up as their story was… she didn’t want anyone else at her side.

  They got maybe half an hour of peace before the music faded and Jean-Luc’s voice came over the speakers again. “How is everyone enjoying the party?”

  Cheers went up, and Lianna joined in just before he repeated a similar question in French, before remind
ing everyone that he’d be speaking in English for their guests. Leaning over to David, she said, “He’s going to speak in English for everyone.”

  “You mean for me,” he grumbled, and she rolled her eyes.

  “Amanda doesn’t speak French well either.”

  “I don’t speak French at all,” David said, reaching for the drink they’d just got from the bar as he glared at Jean-Luc across the crowd.

  Sighing, she turned her attention back to the man as he called out her name.

  “Lianna? Did we scare you away?” he asked with a chuckle.

  Raising her glass of wine in the air, she took David’s hand as she called out, “I’m here, Jean-Luc!”

  “Magnifique!” he replied, his voice amplified by the microphone as he waved his hand toward the doors. “It is time to celebrate your birthday, mon oisillon!”

  Lianna could see a glow from inside the glass doors to the terrace just before two of the guards opened them, holding them wide for someone to push a trolley through. It held a massive cake covered in candles and real flowers in shades of blue and purple, and her heart tripped over itself as Jean-Luc began to sing bon anniversaire, and everyone joined in.

  Pulling David with her, she approached the cake as everyone sang ‘happy birthday’ in French. It didn’t have the same tune, but she was sure that David understood without any explanation from her. Cécile, Rémi, Anaelle, and Emilie were all standing near the cake, singing along, and Lianna stopped next to it, feeling tears burning the corners of her eyes as she tried to swallow down the lump of emotion in her chest.

  Looking around at all the smiling faces singing happy birthday to her, she had to tighten her grip on David’s hand so she wouldn’t cry and confuse them all, but it was hard. All she could think of were the litany of lonely birthdays she’d had when she was young. And then she remembered the family photos Cécile had sent her, the beautiful pictures of everyone crowded around the dining table celebrating birthdays just like this. Singing to each other like this.

  And now they were doing it for her.

  The song came to an end and Emilie clapped her hands, gesturing toward the cake. “Go on! Make a wish!”

  Closing her eyes, Lianna fumbled through her thoughts, pushing past the confusing emotions to think of something she wanted.

  I just want everything to turn out okay.

  It was simple, more a plea to the universe than a wish, but she took a deep breath and blew out as many candles as she could. There were too many to take out in one breath though, and so she laughed as she moved around the cake, blowing the rest out as everyone clapped and called out “Bon anniversaire!” and “Happy birthday!”

  When the last candle finally puffed out, she turned and waved at everyone, raising her voice to make herself heard over the noise. “Thank you all so much! I appreciate this more than you know.”

  After another swallow to quell the lingering urge to cry, she repeated it again in French, to the best of her ability, and people clapped and cheered again. It was such a surprising outpouring of love, and she moved back to David’s side to squeeze his hand, hoping that he could feel it too.

  “We have a present for you,” Cécile said, coming up to her with a small box, a bright blue ribbon tied around it. Jean-Luc was at her side, smiling as Cécile held it out toward her.

  “You didn’t have to do that! This party was already too much,” Lianna replied, letting go of David to accept the box.

  “It’s sort of a tradition in our family,” Jean-Luc added, shrugging a shoulder. “Normally, we’d give a gift like this when you turned twenty-five, but we’re only two years late.”

  “Open it!” Emilie shouted, her excitement clear.

  “We hope you’ll like it,” Anaelle added, and Rémi nodded next to her as Amanda joined him at his side.

  “We helped Maman pick it out,” he said, and Lianna’s curiosity got the best of her.

  As she pulled at the silken ribbon, the bow came undone, falling away easily in her hand so that she could lift the lid free. There was a smaller, wooden box inside, and she turned to David so he could help her. He took the lid, and then the outer box as she removed the wooden one. It flipped open on a simple hinge, and she gasped when the lights caught what lay inside.

  It was a beautiful bracelet in an old-fashioned style. Intricately woven metal held little sapphires, and what had to be diamonds, in a delicate floral pattern. It wasn’t thick, maybe half an inch wide, but the craftsmanship was undeniable.

  Raising her eyes to Jean-Luc, she shook her head, speaking softly. “I can’t accept this.”

  “Of course you can, mon oisillon,” he replied with a warm smile. “You are family, and that bracelet belonged to my mother, Liliane Faure, whom you are named after. Even though she never had the chance to meet you, I know she’d want you to have it as much as we do.”

  “It’s true, Lianna. We all talked about it, and we chose this heirloom for you. That way, even when you’re far away, there’s always a piece of your family with you.” Cécile stepped forward, wrapping her in a warm hug that felt exactly like the kind of hug she had always imagined a mom would give. In that moment, she didn’t feel like an outsider… she felt like she was home.

  Tears welled in her eyes again, one of them escaping as she managed a soft, “Thank you.”

  Jean-Luc saved her from having to face everyone when he stepped forward to hug her as well, although his was slightly more restrained. “We are all so glad you came. I hope you’ve had a wonderful birthday.”

  “I have.” Her voice cracked a little as she sniffled next to his shoulder, trying her hardest to rein in the emotions before she looked at David. He was probably already comparing the bracelet to the necklace he’d given her on the plane, and she didn’t need to add on by getting emotional. When Jean-Luc stepped back, she looked down at the bracelet again, trying to wipe under her eyes as casually as possible before she glanced at David.

  His expression was blank, but she could read the tension in his shoulders, in the set of his jaw.

  “Maman! What about the other thing?” Anaelle prompted her mother, tilting her head toward the doors where one of the guards was holding a brightly colored bag.

  “Oh!” Cécile hurried over, taking the gift from the guard before she rushed back. “We did have one more little thing for you.”

  “This is already too much!” Lianna said, her heart racing as Cécile tilted the bag toward her.

  “I’ve got it,” David mumbled, taking the jewelry box from her. Snapping it closed, he returned it to the box in his hands, replacing the lid with a stone-like expression.

  Shit.

  Turning back to Cécile, she couldn’t deny the woman’s excitement. Lianna took the bag and reached through the tissue paper until she felt fabric and pulled it out, confusion washing over her. “A Christmas stocking?”

  “We don’t always do stockings here in France, but Cécile is actually quite good at sewing, so she made you this,” Jean-Luc explained.

  “We were hoping you’d like to come back and celebrate Christmas with us this year. Jean-Luc has always hoped that Alain, and you, would come,” Cécile added before she turned to look at David. “Of course, you’re welcome as well, David. We’d love to have you both.”

  Heart pounding in her ears, Lianna glanced at him to find him staring at the present in his hands, his grip on the gift box just a little too tight. Forcing a smile, Lianna turned back to Cécile and Jean-Luc. “That sounds lovely, I think… I think we’re just a little overwhelmed by everything. We’ll absolutely think about coming back in December.”

  “No rush, mon oisillon.” Jean-Luc brushed off the topic with ease, smiling as he stepped to the side to reveal the cake to everyone. “I think it’s time for cake!”

  Lianna traced her thumb over the hand-stitched letters that formed her name at the top of the stocking. It was thinner than stockings in the States, made out of fabric with a soft pattern, but it was hers, and Cécile had
made it by hand. Taking a deep breath, Lianna tucked it away into the gift bag along with any thought of returning in just a couple of months to celebrate Christmas with the Faure family.

  I’ve already asked too much of David.

  Stepping closer to him, she held the bag open so he could put the gift box inside, and then she switched the ribbon handles to one hand, sliding an arm around his waist. She wanted to say something to make him feel better, but he clearly didn’t want to talk right now. All she could do was lean against his side, resting her head on his shoulder as the staff began to cut the cake into slices.

  It was beautiful. Just as beautiful as the terrace, and the gifts, and the entire celebration they’d put together for her. It was more than she’d ever dreamed of in twenty-six years of birthdays.

  But that didn’t mean it was perfect.

  While the party might have been a dream come true for her, it was David’s nightmare… and she wouldn’t rub it in. She could tell he was miserable, but he was still standing beside her.

  A minute later, his arm went around her back, and she smiled a little. He just needed time out of the spotlight again to relax. They could return to their little corner of the party, eat their cake, and everything would be fine.

  Seven

  David

  Most of the guests left after the cake, and that meant Lianna was once again surrounded by random people telling her goodbye, or au revoir. He’d foolishly hoped that as the number of people dwindled that they’d get to go to bed soon, but the party just continued.

  Finally, at almost eleven o’clock, David felt dead on his feet even though he was sitting down. He couldn’t stop yawning, but Lianna was still laughing and talking animatedly with Jean-Luc’s children. The man and his wife had gone to bed almost half an hour before when the last guests left, yet Lianna didn’t seem to be slowing down at all. They’d gathered chairs together, the girls taking their heels off while the men removed their suit jackets, getting comfortable so they could keep talking.