Hotel Vendome

“No, I probably am. But you’re already angry at me. I want to make it clear to you again that I love you, that no one ever could or will take your place. You’re my daughter. And there’s room for you and Natalie in my life. Those are two very different roles. We had a crazy life for a long time, and we both loved it, with only the two of us. But you’re not going to stay alone forever, and I shouldn’t have to either. That’s not fair.” She was squirming in her seat as he said it. He looked at her quietly then and went on. “But since you’re so mad at me anyway, I figure I don’t have much to lose. I want you to be the first to know that I asked Natalie to marry me last night, and she accepted. I’d like you to be part of it. I want you to be my witness, instead of a best man. And no matter how mad at me you are, I love you. And I hope you give Natalie a chance and get to know her one day. We’re going to do it in July, after your graduation, which is a very big deal to me too.”

Heloise stared at him then, with a look of silent pain as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How can you do something like that? You always said you’d never get married again.” She couldn’t believe what he had just said and what he was planning to do. It was the worst news she’d ever had. And then she wanted to hurt him too.

“She’ll probably just walk out on you like Mom did,” she said with an angry look. Hugues made an effort not to react to what she said. He spoke to her quietly from across his desk.

“She’s a very different woman than your mother. I hope our marriage works, but if it doesn’t, it’ll probably be because I screw it up, not because she runs off with a rock star or anyone else. She’s a serious woman. Give her a chance. You might even get to like her too.”

Listening to him, Heloise looked sad. She was losing her father to a woman she hardly knew. She was sorry now that she had gone away to school. She was sure that if she had stayed it never would have happened. She looked heartbroken at his exciting news.

He stood up and came around the desk then, with a loving look at her. He could see how upset she was and spoke to her in a quiet tone. He had just had an idea and hoped the timing was right and that it might help. “Please go to the front desk and get the key to five-oh-two.” They walked out of his office together, and he waited for her at the elevator while she got the key from the front desk. She hadn’t asked him why. She was too upset. The assistant manager smiled when she took it. He had been wondering when her father was going to give it to her. It had been sitting empty for two months.

They rode up in the elevator together in silence and got out on five, and he took the key from her as they walked down the hall. She had no idea why he wanted her there. He unlocked it, pushed open the door, switched on a light, and waved her inside. She walked in and glanced around the room. She could tell that it had been recently decorated. The living room was all done in oatmeal and sand colors. And the bedroom was a delicate shade of pale pink. The fabrics were beautiful. She liked the paintings, and the rooms still smelled of paint. It had an open airy feel to it, and the sun was streaming through the windows.

“It’s very nice,” she said in a flat tone, “and I like the paintings. Am I supposed to be admiring Natalie’s decorating, or is there something you want me to do?” As she asked him, he handed her the key.

“I’ve been waiting to show this to you for two months.”

“Why?”

“Because I had it done for you. It’s yours, whenever you want it. You can stay upstairs in the apartment if you like, but I thought you might like some privacy too. You led a pretty independent life in Paris, and if you want to do the same here, I thought you might like your own place. I’m not pushing you out of the apartment, but whenever you want this, it’s yours. Keep the key.” He could see her face slowly come to life and the excitement in her eyes when he said it, and she didn’t know what to say, and then a worried look crossed her eyes.

“Is this a bribe because you’re getting married?”

“No, Natalie started working on this for you in October. I only decided to marry her two weeks ago.”

“I wish you hadn’t,” she said sadly, and he pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug.

“I promise you, it will be all right. And you’re never going to lose me, no matter what.” He stood there holding her, as tears slid down her cheeks. He hated causing her pain, but he knew that marrying Natalie was right. “You can move into this apartment whenever you want. Or if you prefer, you can stay upstairs with us. And maybe you just want to entertain your friends here. But if you stay upstairs, I expect you to be polite to Natalie.” He was making it very clear to her. She didn’t say a word for a long moment and then she stopped crying and smiled at him. She was touched by what he’d done for her.