A Baccano Love Story

Bon Voyage

"Well, that's the last of them."

The next day, with those words, Charlie finished closing up the last thank you letter. She wrote down the address she wanted it sent to on the envelope and added a stamp. She put it on top of the stack of other finished letters she had made. Luck picked up the stack and added it to the bag in which they had already placed the ones they had finished the day before.

"Keith's said he'll mail them for us. We can drop them off at the office on our way to the train station tomorrow."

It was already very late in the day, almost dinnertime.

"All right."

Charlie stood up and followed him into the bedroom to pack for the trip.

"How many days will we be there?"

"Three in the city and about two on the train. Our hotel is in the French Quarter. Place d'Armes. Do you know it?

"I know it. It's on St. Ann. St.. That's a good spot. It's close to everything."

"So I chose well?"

"Yeah."

Charlie picked out three days' worth of her lightest clothing, hoping they wouldn't be too warm in New Orleans. She hadn't been exaggerating when she warned Luck about the heat and humidity.

Luck followed her lead. Soon they were packed and ready to go. They made sure they had everything they would need and placed it all near the door, so they could just grab it on their way out in the morning.

"I'll make dinner."

Charlie made a mild jambalaya with a side of peas. As usual, it was delicious. Luck got a kick out of how much tabasco sauce Charlie added to her own serving of it. She had kept the spice to a minimum just for him.

When they finished, Luck did the dishes while Charlie relaxed. When he had finished, she took his hand and led him into the bedroom, smiling coyly at him. Luck smiled slyly, looking very fox-like.

—∞—

The next morning. Pennsylvania Station.

Keith and Berga were seeing Luck and Charlie off.

"Be sure to actually see some of the sights, other than your hotel room, while you're there."

"......"

"We will. See you in a few days."

"Bye, for now."

"Yeah, see you later."

"......"

Luck and Charlie took their luggage and boarded the train. They found their compartment, settled in, then went to the dinning car to have some coffee. Just as they were sitting down, something surprising happened.

"Charlie Azzura?"

Having only very recently become 'Charlie Gandor', Charlie responded to her maiden name and looked around. Her eyes widened when she spotted a familiar face.

"Lottie Beaumont?"

Luck looked, too, and saw another couple about their ages. The young woman had honey-blonde hair, pale green eyes, and a light spray of freckles across her face. The young man had dark hair, deep blue eyes, and he seemed just as surprised as he was that the two women seemed to know each other.

"Oh, it is you!" Lottie said, smiling brightly. "We haven't see each other in ages."

"Not since your wedding, right?"