Months later
“You’re doing so well.” I try and help Penny through another contraction.
“I can’t go on anymore, please just pull it out,” she screams at the nurse, who pretends she doesn’t understand English. She also doesn’t realize I understand French and can hear everything she is saying about Penny and the situation with her baby’s father. I give Penny another cup full of ice and make my way over to the nurse’s station.
“Just because we are English does not mean we do not understand French,” I say in French and the nurses all freeze. “Exactly! I heard the things you were saying about my sister, about the former President. There is a strong chance that if I told him exactly what you have said about his baby’s mother that he would fire you on the spot. That man loves that woman, and he will not tolerate such gossip about her. He doesn’t tolerate it from the media and he sure as hell won’t tolerate it from you.” They all nod their heads furiously. “Now, do whatever you have to do to make my sister comfortable.” And with that I turn on my heel and head back into the birthing suite.
“Thank you.” Penny smiles at me.
“Bunch of jealous bitches.” This makes her laugh.
“I like Olivia Taylor, she is a boss bitch.”
“Damn straight I am. Those nurses are nothing more than Julien groupies. I’m used to women like them. I have to deal with Axel’s groupies on a daily basis.” Penny smiles, but it quickly turns into a frown as another contraction hits her.
“Mon cheri, I am so sorry, I had to take that call,” Julien apologizes.
She waves him off. “It’s okay, the world doesn’t stop while I push out a baby the size of a goddamn watermelon,” she screams through another contraction. God, I hope she does hurry up and push my niece out, this is torture.
***
Three hours later, little Genevieve Pearce Soucy arrives into the world. Axel brought my parents to the hospital in Paris once I told him the good news. They were both so excited to meet their first grandchild. The look on my father’s face as he looked down at little Genevieve was precious, he looked every inch the doting grandfather. Of course my mother was beyond happy when Penny finally told them who the father of her baby was. Initially they were shocked, but I know Mother was impressed that Penny had caught the eye of the President of France. Of course, once news broke of their relationship a couple weeks after our wedding, all of Penny’s friends from London started to mysteriously get in contact with her again, but she quietly ignored their calls. Funnily enough, France was okay with the news that their President was having a baby with another woman that was not his wife, even though he divorced his wife only a few months ago. His ex-wife had already remarried and was extremely happy sailing in the south of France. She even sent Penny a baby hamper to congratulate her on the impending baby, which was pretty nice of her. Penny is actually looking forward to moving back to England, to the cottage in the village of our estate. I know, I was as shocked as everyone else, but now that Julien is officially no longer the President of France, he is looking forward to stepping away from the spotlight with his new family. Life works in mysterious ways.
***
“So tell me, does this make you clucky?” Axel quizzes me as I hold little Genevieve in my arms at her new home in Paris for the foreseeable future. Penny was released from the hospital a couple of days ago and I have been on aunty duty.
“Of course it does, I mean look at her.” I look down at the sleeping little angel. “But I have to tell you, giving birth was pretty traumatizing, so I’m not sure.”
“Is it really that bad?” he questions me.
“Much, much worse,” I giggle.
“Well, when you’re ready for me to knock you up, you know where to find me.” He gives me a wink as he walks out the door. I stare at the little baby in my arms, maybe I am more ready than I think I am.
***
One month later
“Hello.” I answer the phone groggily, looking at the clock it’s early in the morning in Los Angeles.
“Livy, oh Livy.” My sister is crying into the phone, the sound of her voice wakes me up really quick.
“What, what is it? Is Evee okay?” That’s our nickname for Genevieve.
“She is fine, it’s Daddy.” My stomach sinks, Axel is now awake beside me. “He’s dead, Liv, he’s dead.”
“No, no, no. You’re lying, Pen, you’re lying,” I scream down the phone. Axel tries to comfort me and I push him away.
“I’m sorry, Liv. He had a heart attack at the top of the stairs and fell down them. The ambulance arrived too late to save him.”
“I’m coming, Pen. Tell Mother I’m coming.”
THE END