Chapter 38 - Crêpes

For the little one, the evening must have been just as hard as it was for her. His eyes were swollen and reddish from crying. Carefully, she stroked his soft cheek. "Morning." She greeted him cheerfully, swallowing the lump of guilt in her throat.

She wanted to hit herself. She was too overwhelmed by her feelings, getting carried away and forgetting everything around her. She was such an idiot.

Adrien put his little arm around her waist and pressed his face against her chest.

The argument between her and Alexandre had startled Adrien, she could feel it, see in all his gestures.

Lily could imagine the argument roused the fear of losing someone else who was important to him. It had only been a few weeks since his parents' death.

One more reason for Lily, to be especially gentle with him. She was afraid that he would completely isolate himself from others, withdraw and not allow anyone to come too close. That's what Lily wanted to prevent. She wanted him to enjoy his life. She wanted to give him security. Adrien needed that more than anything else. So that he could get involved with others.

"Lily?"

"Yes, Adrien."

The toddler hesitated, lifting the sleeves of his pajamas to his mouth. It took a long time for him to say something. "Lily, you will not leave me?" Lily found anxiety in his eyes. She shook her head. "I'll be always there for you."

"And Alec?"

"Alec will always be there for you. We will always stay together. I'll promise!" Carefully, Lily rubbed his trembling back and Adrien pressed himself even deeper into Lily's embrace.

"It's alright, Adrien. I'll always hold you." Lily whispered tenderly.

Lily did not know what was going through his mind. She felt anxiety. But she knew Adrien was a silent kid. That sometimes made it even harder for Lily. Often it was not easy for her to take on the role of a mother for Adrien. But she was trying her best to take care of him, but it was hard when he wouldn't tell her what he needed. Sometimes he didn't even point or gesture to anything and only clinging to her silently. Lily knew he needed time. The situation was just too extreme for such a small child to handle emotionally.

All that Lily could do was trying to take care of the toddler and hope for the best. She hoped he would eventually build up enough confidence in her that he would become freer in his actions. She did not fail to notice that Adrien was very insecure. Again and again he was afraid to be abandoned.

Lily often didn't even know why he was sometimes so anxious. She often wanted to know what her little toddler was thinking. If she would know, it would make everything a little less challenging, plus maybe it would help the child feel more comfortable around Alexandre and her.

"So ... what do you want for breakfast?" Lily asked lovingly and gave him a feathery kiss on his hair. Adrien raised his little head and just looked at her for a long moment.

"You can wish for everything." Lily tried to encourage him.

"C-Crêpes…?" Adrien answered in a tiny, shaking voice. She didn't know why he was so nervous sometimes.

"You want crêpes, you said?" Lily smiley brightly at the little boy. "We can eat as many crêpes as you'd like."

✿

Adrien devoured his crêpes with a chocolate cream while Lily enjoyed her crêpe suzette. The sour, sweet orange flavor carried Lily rocket fast into the gourmet sky. At such moments, Lily celebrated being Alexander's wife. Who else could afford a French pastry chef, if not the villain of 'My loyal hubby'. Lily loved to eat well. She was a true food fanatic. Even when she was poor, she had always saved money to enjoy good food.

"Is it tasty?" Lily asked, wiping the chocolate cream off Adrien's cheeks.

Adrien nodded with glowing eyes and led the fork greedily back to his mouth. Lily had to resist to grin. He was so cute.

"Eat slower. No one will steal something from your plate." Lily sighed in relief about the healthy appetite of Adrien.

Lily flinched. As the sound of a telephone ringing echoed through the rooms.