Second Chances

Chapter 15: New York

I AM A HORRIBLE WRITER HOLY SHIT. I haven't updated this story in two months now! I'm so sorry! I would've worked on it more during Christmas, but then I decided to write that winter fic that took way too long, and by then school had started again. AND SCHOOL IS KILLING ME, Y'ALL. I AM DECEASED. WRITING THIS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE. 

But, alas, I have finally finished my dear Chapter 15. It's a bit of a filler chapter, with some little cameos of some people you may be familiar with. Mostly just a chapter of Ana and fam settling in New York. Chapter 16 will be similar, but it will also show the move to college dorms and begin the proper introduction to the rest of the Hamilton squad. Woo!

Some angst at the end in the form of a nightmare, but it's fine. We're chill. 

Warning(s): Google translate French & brief angst

Much Love, Krissy

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A Couple Weeks Later (August):

Perhaps New York City isn't the most pleasant smelling place, but it's the place I've always wanted to live in. The skyscrapers are bland, but the people are more vibrant, and it's loud and active. It reminds me a lot of myself. The air is nicer up here, especially around our plants. I look out toward Central Park, watching everything move slowly. It's quite nice up here. I'm broken out of my serenity by a loud knock on the window, and I look over my shoulder. John grins at my annoyed expression and waves a hand at me. I snort fondly and roll my eyes before turning and walking back to the door to go inside.

"Oui?" I ask, giving him a look as I close the door behind me. He grins and wordlessly takes my hand, leading me through our very large apartment. Or, well, my mother's very large apartment. John and I are just living under her roof until we move into the dorms. As we get closer to the kitchen, I catch a hint of something in the air. It smells...Amazing.

"Close your eyes," John says suddenly. I tilt my head and cock an eyebrow, but his grin just widens. I sigh and close my eyes, allowing him to lead me through the apartment blindly. He helps me sit on a bar stool in front of the kitchen island, and I hear shuffling as he sits on the one beside me. There's an incredible smell wafting up from in front of me, and I resist the urge to open my eyes.

"Go ahead!" John cries, as if sensing my curiosity. I open my eyes, and they widen at the spread before me. French toast and crepes with powdered sugar puffed on top, an assortment of fruits, and sides of eggs and bacon. My favorite breakfast. I haven't had it in...I can't remember how long. My coffee is even made in the way I like it best - which, despite my Frenchness, isn't the strong dark roast of France. Creamer and flakes of cinnamon. I look over at John in surprise, and find him with an enormous grin on his face.

"Did you-"

"Your mom and I made your favorite to help you feel better," he says cheerfully. I look to my right and watch my mother as she feeds sliced up grapes to Nicolette, who is settled in her highchair. She makes a small noise, but it's more of a babble. Nicolette hasn't said anything resembling a word yet, but we also hadn't had much time to work with her on it while we were packing for the move. That's not exactly Nicolette's fault. My mother glances up and smiles at me.

"Je veux que tu sois heureuse, ma chérie (I want you to be happy, my dear)," she says. I look down at the food and smile softly.

"Je sais. Merci maman. Merci, John (I know. Thank you, mama. Thank you, John)," I say, looking back up to give my gratitude. My mother smiles back at me, before suddenly checking her watch and frowning. I realize she's in her regular suit that she wears for work, and she sighs. She must have to go in today. She's been working to move her business to New York, but it's taking a lot of work and John and I are usually left home alone to take care of Nicolette. My mother kisses the top of Nicolette's head and coos at her, before rounding the highchair and kissing both mine and John's foreheads.