Chapter 56
“Introduce?� Henry asked. “What do you mean? We already know everyone here.�
“Papa, Mama,� the three children ran over to them. Henry smiled and scooped up Louis.
“This will have to soon stop, young man,� he scolded playfully. He looked at him. “You are getting much too heavy.�
“Well, he has to come down, now,� Auguste said, taking Louis from him and placing him down.
“Come along, children,� Monique called, “I need your help.�
“Doing what?� Louis asked, but he never got his answer.
“Come on, Louis,� Henri said, herding him over to join his sister. They had to catch up to Francois, Monique and their children
“But I want to go with Mama and Papa,� Louis cried, looking back at them. The only time he stopped was when Monique bent down and whispered in his ear.
“Come on, we have more to see and do,� Auguste said, pushing the two of them forward.
“Papa,� Danielle said, a little annoyed now. We really don’t have to comb every inch of this place.� She looked around. “By the way,� she said to Henry, “I don’t see Gustave anywhere.�
Auguste smiled.
“Come, children, follow me. Gustave is right in the room next door.�
“Danielle, Henry,� a voice called out, “There you are. Almost didn’t recognize you, so grown up.�
“Oh stop, Uncle Antoine,� Danielle frowned. She hugged her uncle and her Aunt Viviane. We saw you two only this morning.�
“And we will see you tomorrow as well,� Auguste said, pushing them into the next room where Gustave was waiting. “Excuse me,� he said, opening the door to the next room. He ushered the two of them through the door.
Danielle and Henry looked around. “Gustave?� they called out. All that was in the room was a covered painting and a long table. It looked as if all the chairs had been removed.
“Gustave?� Danielle called again, but there was no answer. “Papa,� she said turning toward the door, “I think we made a mistake, he’s not in here.�
“Danielle,� Henry said, looking at the covered painting, “your father seems to have disappeared.�
Danielle frowned. “What is going on? Where is everybody?�
Epilogue
Henry walked forward to examine another door. “What is in here?� he said to himself and opened it.
“SURPRISE,� Auguste said, gesturing to the middle of the room. Gustave stood there with another painting. All the guests had moved in here.
“Henry,� Danielle called. She had walked over to the painting that Gustave had uncovered. He couldn’t stop smiling.
“It’s the portrait of your mother,� Gustave said and gestured to the other room. “Come, there’s another in here.�
“He has done a fine job, hasn’t he?� Auguste said, admiring it. An exact likeness if I say so myself. This boy is going to be famous one day.�
Some of the guest stayed in the other room to admire Nicole’s portrait and some of them walked in the other room to see what the new painting.
“Henry, come here, you must see this,� she said, pulling him over. Henry smiled and let her pull him for it wasn’t far. “This is amazing, Gustave,� he said looking at the painting. This is wonderful. Gustave, where did you find the time?�
“I did it from memory, Henry,� Gustave laughed and walked around to admire it.
The three of them were looking at themselves. It was Henry and Danielle in the back, the three children in the front.
“I am glad you like it,� Gustave said.
“Like it?� Danielle smiled and embraced him. She let him go a moment later.
“We love it,� she said. You are a remarkable painter. If I had known how good you were when we were children together, I would have had you working instead of throwing mud at me.�
Gustave smiled. “I am so glad you like it. I wasn’t sure…�
“Come,� Auguste said, “I must show you the rest of the house.�
“Later, Papa,� Danielle said. “Right now I would like to enjoy my own surprise party.�
“Danielle,� Auguste called. She turned at the sound of her name. “Do you like the house?�
Danielle laughed and ran to hug him as she did when she was small. “It is beautiful, Papa,� she whispered in his ear. “We will spend many happy moments in this house. Thank you for this wonderful anniversary present.�
She released him and returned to Henry’s side. They began to mingle with the guests, while Auguste looked on, smiling. So they would receive the rest of their surprises later. Colette’s gold francs, the broaches, the journal and Danielle’s sword along with a last will and testament, leaving everything to Danielle and Henry. They already saw the paintings.
Danielle had been right, they should enjoy their party. This was the reason he had gotten everyone together, wasn’t it? Of course it was to celebrate their anniversary. He knew the two of them were happy together and he knew that they would spend the rest of their lives together. He wanted to do something good for them and he had done that and was overjoyed that he could. He watched them a little longer, then turned to find his brother.