It took them a little over a week, but they got the mess cleaned up and both men buried – what was left of Valdemar, that is. Dr. James and Helene were married, and Ernest’s property was split between Helene and Erik, Helene receiving most of it as Erik had not much use for it.
“Helene and I have been talking. We would like it if you stayed with us for the rest of your visit here,” said Dr. James one evening as they sat around the dining table for dinner.
“Oh, um . . .”
“You are going to be here for another month, right?” asked Helene.
“I, I don’t know, I really didn’t put too much thought into it.”
“Your father did say if you took care of that business in Bordeaux, you could have another month of vacation, right?”
Nico nodded. “He did, but he left the decision up to me if we were going to stay in Paris or head back home.”
“Of course, the choice is yours.”
“But if you do decide to finish your vacation in Paris, you’re more than welcome to stay with us,” smiled Dr. James.
“Thank you, now I’ll really have to think about it.”
The others chuckled and talk continued on to other topics.
Later that night, Erik met Nico in his room. “So, are we going to stay here for the rest of the month?”
“I, I don’t know.”
“My liege, if I may offer some advice?” Nico nodded. “Being alone is the easiest path, I understand, all too well.” Nico scoffed. “Finding someone who will accept us for who we are is hard, as many will run away screaming once they know our secrets. My face, your powers. That is enough cause for fear, especially since you are a son of the Big Three; that makes you very powerful and rather dangerous. But if people will allow you to get close, they’ll see that you have a heart of gold. Dr. and Mrs. James see that, as do Francesca and Gino. You see? Now you have four people who value your company as much as I do. I understand that they may seem more like my friends than yours, but it’s a start, don’t you think?”
“Maybe.”
“So, I suggest we spend the rest of the month in Paris and in the company of our friends. Even if we never see them again, at least we have made some memories.”
Nico nodded and sighed. “Right, well, I’ll think a bit more on it tonight. I’ll have an answer by morning.”
“Very well. Goodnight, sir, sweet dreams.”
“Good night, Erik.”
Nico stayed up for a while, thinking it over. The thing with the couples was that none of them had seen Erik’s face or knew about Nico’s powers. But he knew the instant they found out, they would shun him and Erik. He wanted real friends, people who wouldn’t shun him or Erik, and accept them for who they are. He hugged his pillow, but he also understood why people would fear and shun them. Everyone wants life, everyone wants beauty, everyone wants joy and sunshine and butterflies all the time. And who wouldn’t? Even Nico himself and Erik wanted that; Nico wanted to be able to look healthy, Erik would be happy with just a plain face. But they were dealt an unlucky card and were stuck with it, and most would not look past that. If the two revealed their secrets to the couples, all knowledge they had gained about the two would fly out the window and fear would take over, fear of what they could do. Nico heaved a sigh before his eyelids drooped and sleep overtook him. But as he promised, he had made a decision by morning.
“Dr. James, Mrs. James, I want to thank you so much for your invitation to stay with you,” began Nico.
“I assume you’ve made your choice?” asked Helene.
Nico nodded and sighed. “I have, and I’ve decided . . . to accept. We’ll stay for another month.”
“That’s wonderful! Oh, um, may I hug you?” Nico blinked, but he nodded. Helene smiled as she wrapped him up in a tight squeeze. “That’s great news! Dr. James and I can help Erik with translating.”
“Helene, don’t scare the boy, he could change his mind!”
Nico laughed. “Highly doubt it. I plan to thoroughly enjoy the rest of my time here. No mysteries or anything like that.”
Talk soon turned to things to do around Paris that Ernest wasn’t able to show them before he died, but as they were to find out, Nico spoke too soon.
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