Chapter Two: Shopping When Leon awoke the next morning, it took him a few moments to realize he was in the guest bedroom instead of his own room. Gabrielle was still asleep beside him, hugging her teddy bear tightly in her arms. Leon stared down at her sleeping figure, marveling yet again how much she resembled her aunt Sophie, until he heard a knock on the door. “What the --?” He wasn’t expecting any visitors. Leon climbed out of bed, taking care not to disturb Gabrielle, and went to answer the door. “Sora, what are you doing here?” he asked, surprised to find his partner standing in the hall. Kaleido Stage was closed down for the week due to routine maintenance, so they didn‘t have practice. “It’s the first day of vacation.” “I thought I would see if you needed any help with Gabrielle. May I come in?” “Uh…sure.” He moved to the side, allowing Sora entrance into the apartment. “This is the first time I’ve seen your place,” she commented, taking a look around after she stepped inside. “It’s nice. Very spacious…and dark.” His style was clean and modern, decorated with very little color. The walls and carpeting were white, but everything else was stark black, save for a collection of vintage circus posters that hung from the walls in silver frames -- they once belonged to Sophie, who had enjoyed collecting them -- and a couple of red throw pillows that sat on the leather furniture. “I like the color black,” Leon said. “I can tell. I hope Gabrielle’s room is a little cheerier, though.” He frowned. “If you’re just going to insult my taste in interior design --” “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” she apologized. “I actually think this place suits you well.” He wasn’t sure if he should take that as a compliment or not. “What is that?” he asked instead, changing the subject. He noticed that she was carrying a bag from a local pastry shop, along with a covered paper cup. “Well, you don’t really seem the type to cook a lot, so I thought I would make some breakfast for you and Gabrielle. Then I remembered that I’m not much of a cook either, so I decided to stop by Marie’s on my way here. I noticed that you sometimes get breakfast from there. Oh, here.” She handed him the cup of coffee. “It’s black. That’s how you take it, right?” “Yes, it is,” he said, impressed that she had remembered. “Thanks.” “Where is Gabrielle, by the way?” “Still sleeping.” “Oh, I didn’t wake you up, did I?” A faint blush colored her cheeks when she finally became aware of the fact that he was dressed only in a pair of silk pajama pants. “No, I was awake.” He ran a hand through his tangled hair. “Look, I’m going to go take a shower, so make yourself at home. If Gabrielle wakes up…” “I’ll be happy to watch her until you get out.” “Thanks.” Leon went to take a quick shower and got dressed. By the time he came back out, Gabrielle had woken up and Sora was entertaining her by doing some simple floor exercises in the living room. As usual whenever Sora performed, her audience was captive, Gabrielle‘s eyes following every move she made with delight. Once she had finished, Gabrielle was clapping wildly, and even Leon gave her a light applause. “Oh, Leon,” she said, standing back up and quickly pulling down her T-shirt, which had ridden up during her performance, exposing her toned, flat stomach. “I didn’t see you there. I was just --” “You’ll stay for breakfast, I presume?” he asked on his way to the kitchen. Sora and Gabrielle followed after him. “Is it really okay?” Sora asked. “I don’t want to intrude…” At the counter, Leon began unpacking the bag Sora brought, placing the pastries on plates. “You’re the one who treated us.” Besides, with Sora there, he thought the meal might not be as uncomfortable as dinner was the night before. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” “No, and I’m starving. Those pastries smell amazing!” Sora took two of the plates and sat down at the table with Gabrielle, handing one to her. “Mmm, they taste good, too!” she exclaimed after taking a bite. “I can see why you like them, Leon.” Leon took the last plate and joined them. “This place us decent, but it can’t really compare to the little patisserie I used to frequent when I lived in Paris.” “There are better pastries than these? I’d like to try one someday.” He sipped at his coffee. “It shut down a few years ago. The owner died.” “Oh.” After a brief silence, Sora changed the subject. “So what are you two going to do today? Any special plans?” Unenthused, Leon glanced over at Gabrielle, who was silently eating a jelly-filled donut. Without practice as an excuse, there was no escape from having to spend time with the girl, no matter how awkward it might be. “I suppose I ought to take her shopping,” he said, saying the first thing that came to mind. “Whoever packed her bags failed to take into account how mild the winters are here.” “Oh, shopping sounds like fun! Doesn’t it, Gabrielle?” Gabrielle nodded, obviously still shy around Sora. “Would you like to come with us?” Leon asked. The words came out before he had any time to think about them. Sora’s eyes widened, surprised. “You’re inviting me to come along with you?” “That’s what I just asked, didn’t I?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Besides, I don’t know much about shopping for five-year-old girls. You’d know better than me.” “In that case, I’ll be happy to help in anyway I can! I’ll do my best to be your partner in shopping.” “It’s only clothes shopping, Sora,” he said, faintly amused. “It’s not like we’re doing the Angel’s Maneuver.” “What’s the Angel’s Maneuver?” Gabrielle asked, speaking up for the first time that morning. “It’s this super-amazing trapeze act your father and I pulled off together a few years ago. If you want, I’ll let you borrow a DVD of the show sometime. Your father was incredible in it. It was like…” She proceeded to go into a long and impassioned description of the Angel’s Maneuver, Gabrielle hanging onto her every word. Leon was impressed by how well the two of them seemed to be getting along and found himself smiling despite himself, his mouth hidden behind his coffee cup. It had been a long time since he had company for breakfast. He had forgotten how enjoyable it could be. “Did you -- Did you ever fall?” Gabrielle asked after Sora had finished explaining. “In the beginning, when I first started training, yes, but I never worried during the actual performances. I knew your father would always catch me.” At that, Leon and Gabrielle both went silent, Gabrielle’s face going as pale as a ghost. It was the same look she wore yesterday, when they had fallen from the trapeze during practice. “Gabrielle, go get dressed,” he ordered, gathering up the plates to clean up. “We’ll leave in about ten minutes.” She did as she was told, running back to her bedroom. “Did I say something I shouldn’t have?” Sora asked once Gabrielle had left. After a long pause, Leon let out a heavy sigh. “Gabrielle’s mother died after falling from the trapeze. She saw it happen.” Sora brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no, I had no idea… So that’s why she suddenly came to live with you?” “She’s not living here. She’s only staying with me for a few weeks until other arrangements can be made.” “She’s not staying? But, Leon, she’s your daughter --” “She’s a stranger,” Leon interrupted. “I didn’t even know Gabrielle existed until a couple of days ago. Her mother never told me she was pregnant.” “Still, even so --” “Listen, I’m not cut out to be a father, okay? If you’re going to try to convince me to let her stay, you can leave right now. I’ll take Gabrielle shopping by myself.” “If that’s your decision…” Sora said in a soft voice, although he could tell she didn’t really want to drop the subject. “It is,” he said. Leon finished up the dishes and wiped off his hands with a nearby towel. “By the way, I would appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to Gabrielle about this.” “She doesn’t even know this isn’t permanent? Leon, she’s going to get attached to you if you --” “I will tell her, eventually. I just have to find the right time.” “Tell me what, Papa?” Startled by the sound of Gabrielle’s voice, Leon turned around to find the girl standing at the entrance to the kitchen, already dressed. “How long have you been there?” “I just came out,” she said, tilting her head to the side. “What did you want to tell me?” Leon shared a look with Sora, but quickly glanced away. “It’s nothing important,” he lied. “Let’s get going.” ***** Upon arriving at the mall, Sora was the one to take the lead, holding Gabrielle’s hand, while Leon strolled behind them, content to follow Sora wherever she wanted to go. “Hey, this place looks nice,” Sora said, stopping in front of a kids’ clothing store. She glanced behind at Leon. “Want to check it out?” He had no objections, so the three of them entered the store. While Sora and Gabrielle browsed the little girls’ section, Leon stood with his arms crossed, bored out of his mind. Shopping wasn’t his idea of a good time. He should have just given Sora his credit card and let her take Gabrielle shopping on her own. “May I help you, sir?” a saleslady asked, approaching him. “No, I’m with them,” he replied, nodding in the direction of the others. Sora was holding up a black velveteen and lace dress in front of Gabrielle. “Sora, she doesn’t need any fancy dresses,” Leon said with a frown. “Just pick out some jeans and light sweaters for her.” “But I like it, Papa,” Gabrielle said. She twirled around, holding the dress up against her body. “It’s so pretty!” “Your daughter would look just darling in that dress,” the saleslady agreed. “Fine, she can have it if she wants,” he decided with a wave of his hand, not really caring either way. The saleslady chuckled. “I can certainly tell that one has you wrapped around her little finger,” she quipped before walking over to answer Sora’s question about converting European sizing to American. Leon sighed, turning around to face a nearby rack of baby clothes. He began browsing through the selection of frilly, pastel dresses with disinterest until he came across a miniature version of the dress Gabrielle had liked. He held the dress up, fingering the soft black fabric. I wonder what Gabrielle looked like as a baby, Leon thought idly, startled when he sensed someone come up behind him. “What are you doing, Leon?” Sora asked. Leon placed the dress back on the rack and coughed into his fist. “I was just looking for something to buy for Sarah’s and Kalos’ baby,” he lied, thinking quickly. His partner laughed. “They don’t even know if it’s going to be a boy or girl yet. I think it’s a little early to be buying it clothes.” “I suppose you’re right.” He turned back around. “Have you finished?” “I think so.” She patted the stack of clothes she carried over her left arm. “In addition to the dress, we picked out two pairs of jeans, four sweaters, three T-shirts, a couple of blouses, a skirt, some nightclothes, and a swimsuit. That should be enough for now.” He arched an eyebrow. “A swimsuit?” Even with Cape Mary’s mild winters, it would be a couple of months before the weather would be suitable enough for swimming. Sora shrugged. “She really wants to go to the beach with you one day, and I couldn’t exactly tell her that she would be leaving before you got the chance,” she said, giving him a pointed look. “Don’t look at me like that, Sora,” Leon said, relieving her of some of the load before heading to the counter to pay. “If she wants the swimsuit, it’s fine. It’s not like they don’t have beaches back in France.” Sora started to protest, but at that point, Gabrielle had rejoined them, preventing her from saying anything more on the matter, much to his relief. He paid for their purchases, then they left the store, Leon turning to head back to the parking lot. Sora and Gabrielle, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction. “Where are you going?” he asked. “The toy store,” Sora said. “Gabrielle mentioned the only toy she brought with her is a stuffed bear.” “I didn’t say anything about buying toys, Sora. This trip was just to buy clothes, and I think this is enough.” “You asked me to come along to help you buy what she needs,” she corrected him, “and I think she needs some toys. There’s nothing fun for her to do at that apartment of yours, Leon.” Gabrielle reached for his free hand. “Please, Papa?” she pleaded. “Okay, fine, let’s go to the toy store,” he relented with a sigh as the two of them began dragging him in the direction of the store, realizing that Sora had a point. ***** The entire afternoon was spent like that. Every time they left a store, Sora inevitably thought of some other place they needed to go: the bookstore, the shoe store, the stationary store... She even convinced Leon to buy Gabrielle a new sheet and comforter set for the guest room to make it “cheerier”. Had she not know the circumstances, she probably would have insisted he buy a new bedroom set as well. “Okay, I think this is enough shopping for one day,” Leon declared once they left the department store. If he didn’t put his foot down now, who knew how many more hours they would spend shopping? “You’ve already maxed out my credit card.” “Oops!” Turning around so that she was walking backwards, Sora bashfully rubbed at the back of her neck and laughed. “I did go a little overboard, didn’t I?” “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t.” “Thanks, I think?” she said, unable to tell if that was a compliment or not. “Anyway, let’s go home,” Leon said, moving ahead of her to take the lead. “Sora, I’ll take you back to the dorms.” After dropping Sora off at the Kaleido Stage dormitory, where she had taken over as dorm manager after Sarah married Kalos, Leon and Gabrielle headed home, neither of them saying much of anything. The awkwardness between them had returned in full force without Sora around to act as a buffer. When they arrived back the apartment, Gabrielle went straight to her bedroom to play with her new toys while Leon prepared dinner. As Sora suspected, he wasn’t much of a cook, but he could bake chicken and prepare a salad, at least. “Gabrielle, dinner,” he called out after setting the table. Gabrielle came out of her room and sat down across from Leon. “I, uh, hope you like chicken,” he said, placing a piece on her plate and cutting it into smaller bites. She shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess,” she said in a soft voice. After that, the two of them ate in silence, Gabrielle again barely touching her meal. Leon sighed, but didn’t say anything about it, adding lemon chicken to the growing list of foods she apparently didn’t like. “I-I liked Sora,” Gabrielle said near the end of dinner, surprising Leon, who had not expected her to speak. “She’s nice.” Leon cleared his throat. “Yes, she is,” he agreed. “Sora is one of the kindest people I know.” “Is she your girlfriend?” she asked, causing Leon to nearly choke on the piece of chicken he was eating. Her eyes wide, Gabrielle jumped up. “Are you okay, Papa?” He held up a hand, signaling her to stay back, and pounded on his chest until the chicken went down the right tube. “I’m fine,” he said after taking a sip of his wine. Gabrielle sat back down. “So, is she?” “No, we’re just partners at work. That’s all.” “Oh.” After a pause, she spoke up again. “Do you have a girlfriend?” “I don’t think this is appropriate dinner conversation.” “I was just curious…” she said, looking down at her plate. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend.” “Why not?” “What is this, Twenty Questions?” he asked, stabbing at his chicken. “I just haven’t met anybody I liked.” “Oh.” She started playing with a cherry tomato, pushing it around the plate with her fork. “Did you like my mother?” Leon set down his fork and rubbed at his temple. He did not like where this conversation was heading. “Gabrielle, go to your room,” he ordered in a sharp voice. “But I’m not finished.” “I can tell you don’t like it.” He reached for her plate and dumped what she hadn’t eaten on his. “Now go play with your toys or something. Bedtime is in an hour.” She obeyed, leaving Leon to finish eating in peace and clean up the kitchen. By the time he was done, it was Gabrielle’s bedtime. He went to her room, finding her already dressed in a pair of her new pajamas and looking through one of the picture books he had bought her. “It’s time for bed,” he announced, lightly knocking on the door before coming in. Gabrielle closed her book and got under the covers as Leon walked over to tuck her in. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and sighed, regretting how he had reacted to her innocent questions. It wasn’t her fault that she had hit a nerve. “Look, I’m sorry if I was a bit short with you at dinner,” he said. She sat back up. “Did I say something wrong?” “No, I just --” Upon glancing over at the nightstand, he noticed the framed circus flyer he had hidden in the dresser had been put on display. Leon reached over and picked it up. “When I asked Maman who my father was, she gave me that picture,” Gabrielle explained. “I always thought you were really handsome, like a prince in a fairy tale.” “Did she tell you much about me?” She shook her head. “I think it made her too sad.” “I imagine it did,” he said in a low voice before placing the picture back on the nightstand. “Did you love Maman?” Leon inhaled a breath, taking a moment to compose his thoughts before answering. “I…cared about her, but I was going through a rough time. I’m afraid I didn’t treat your mother very well because of that.” “Did you know about me?” “No, she never told me she was having a baby.” “If she had, would you have stayed?” Leon glanced away. “I think that’s enough questions for tonight, okay?” he said, tucking her back in. “Goodnight.” She yawned and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Papa.” DISCLAIMER: Kaleido Star doesn't belong to me.