Celine
She knew she couldn't deny Jean-Pierre after all he's been through. Her mother laughs softly as they approach and Celine set the bag of food down to hug Jean-Pierre. He groans a littleand she jumps back. Did I hurt you?""Not at all. I just like to play it up." He teases. Rene gets up and Celine's cheeks go bright red. She's missed him so much. Every secondthought has been about him and how he's doing and now here he is, as wonderful and warm as ever. Rene opens his arms to her. "Where's my hug?" She doesn't hesitate for even a moment before throwing herself into his arms. She breathes him in, memorizing his smell as his arms tighten around her. Celine would do anything to avoid letting go. She wants this moment to last forever, for them to never be apart again. How is it possible that one week apart has felt like a year? When someone noisily takes a sip of coffee, Celine draws back, pushing her hair back into place. "Jean-Pierre, you look very good." "Well thanks. I'm managing to do pretty well even if my parents want to do it all for me."Celine giggles a little and shrugs. Ann-Renee gets up and takes her hand. "Thank you so much for your gift. Getting us food and a place to stay when we could barely think about what todo next was so generous." "Well, it's the least I can do. Rene mortgaged his house for my first two records. I'm not close to even yet." Celine assures, waving it off. Everyone laughs a bit, then Rene invites her and her mother to join them for breakfast. Celine would love to. It's such a good moment, everyone is so happy and she wants to bask in it, be a part of it, enjoy it, but she knows that she has other things to do."I wish I could. We have to get home and put all this food away. I hope you all have a good day!" Celine bids while turning back to join her mom. They nearly make it to the car beforeRene is with them. He hugs her fully, no bag between them and no one to hide from. His lips brush her temple and then her forehead. "I love you. I love you completely and I still owe you a date night." "I love you too." Celine whispers, squeezing him tightly. "And I expect this date night to wow me. To be a dream." Rene chuckles and presses his forehead to hers. "Tomorrow?" "I think I could be free then." He glances back at where his family waits and gives Celine a quick kiss. Her lips cling to his and she decides she absolutely has to get something that will stop time so they can turn every moment into a memory. But Rene, ever the gentleman, leaves it at something innocent before opening the door forher to get into the car. "I'll call you later." "Of course you will." She giggles. "You always do." Right after dinner, she gets a call from Rene. He sounds exhausted. "Well if you're too tired to talk, I understand, love. You don't have to call me every day." "I just got settled back at home. It's been a long week, but I'm glad I got to have it. And Ilike talking to you, Celine." She blushes and shuffles her feet. "Are you sure you're up for a date tomorrow? We can always push it back if we need to. I know that life isn't always ... always easy.
