Joie's P.O.V.
I walked into my office. Hue, my husband, had made sure I had one when I first decided to own a café with my childhood bestie, Colletté. She later agreed that having offices would be nice, so we could decorate and "play meetings," according to her.
I took a seat and glanced at the clock. 4:25. Eiffel, my little Peanut, would be running through that door in five or ten minutes.
I looked back at my desk and picked up my phone. As I turned it on, I noticed Hue had sent me a text:
Phone:
Papabear🥰: Picking up Baby Bear. Closed early. Taking us to a movie. Don't tell Peanut. 6 sharp.
'Cause she loves surprises, I thought, smiling. I rested my head on my desk and closed my eyes for a bit.
"I want to go home," I groaned, covering my face with my hands.
"Mami?"
I lifted my head, startled by the familiar little voice. There stood Eiffel, my ten-year-old. Her red plaid pinafore and white short sleeves were neat as usual—her father's daughter. Her long, wavy hair was no longer in a ponytail, and her fringe bangs were slightly scattered.
She grinned at me with wide, curious eyes.
"Peanut!" I exclaimed, opening my arms as she ran toward me. I scooped her up and kissed her cheek, breathing in the sweet scent of vanilla from her hair.
"Why are you hiding, Mami?" she asked, tilting her head.
I chuckled softly. "I'm not hiding, Peanut. Just resting a little."
She squinted at me, clearly not convinced. "Are you tired?"
"A little," I admitted.
She giggled, went to the sofa bed, and laid down.
"Where's Baby Bear?" she asked, referring to her brother, Beauie—my second and last child. He's five and closes an hour earlier.
"Papa is picking him up," I said, rising to my feet. Colleté still needed me downstairs.
"I wonder why," she interrupted my thoughts.
"I wonder too," I replied with a freigned confused expression. "Anyways… let's go downstairs to the café and help Tatié."
"Okay, Mami," she said, slipping her tiny hand into mine.
---
6:20 PM
Hue still wasn't here.
It wasn't exactly late, but for Hue, it was. He was never tardy, especially when he was excited about something — and spending time with us was something he cherished. He usually came home after the kids were already asleep, and by the weekend, he'd be too exhausted to do anything.
I found myself staring at the clock, lost in thought. My eyes drifted to Eiffel and Colleté, who were chatting with a familiar customer who frequented the café.
Then, the shrill ring of my phone jolted me. It vibrated against the counter, nearly falling to the ground as I snatched it up without checking the caller ID.
"Bonjour?"
"Joie?"
My heart skipped.
It wasn't Hue. He never called me Joie, not even when he was angry. But I knew that voice.
"Claude?" I whispered, my breath hitching.
"I'm so sorry to tell you this, Joie…"
My chest tightened. Panic flooded my veins.
"Claude, qu'est-ce qui se passe, bordel?!" I snapped, my voice trembling.
"Hugo and Beau... they got into an accident. You need to come to the hospital. Now."