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“You sure you’re okay with leavin’ it like that?”
It was an honest question.
It was one thing to have Maxim Lugan, the Z1 Racing champion, as their last client of the day. It was a whole other thing to find out that he and his landlord were a thing in years past and that he was the father of his favorite little squirt as a result of that job.
To say he was a little annoyed would be an understatement.
If he were to be honest, Van would have kept one of the biggest manwhores in the country (debatably the biggest had it not been for a certain sleazy cop whose name starts with a N and ends with an -ate) far, far away from Paulette and Yumé. But at the end of the day, he was a client and he technically did promise him to not keep him away if the woman he was looking for was married.
Van had to mentally slap himself for even presenting the bastard with such a loophole.
But now that things have settled down and Maxim, along with his other employees, had left Montmart, it was just Van and Paulette working in the back to clean the last batch of dirty plates for the night. He made sure to keep Victor out of an earshot before continuing their conversation.
“It’s not like you to keep looking for that fairy tale ending.” Paulette giggled as she gave the plate in her hand one last inspection before placing it onto the drying rack. “I thought you’d do everything in your power to keep him away from me.”
Van scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I mean, yeah, if I had the choice. Though, for what it’s worth, I think he’s trying to be sincere. At least, Agnès seems to think so. I’m skeptical, but I know I can trust her judgement.”
“Wow, you really have changed.”
“Oh, can it.”
“Heehee I’m just joking, Van. You really need to lighten up.”
“Whatever. It’s not like it’s any of my business how you want to proceed.”
And usually, Van preferred it that way. He wasn’t exactly a jaeger where today’s enemy would be tomorrow’s friend considering that he had his own principles to live by. If he didn’t like someone today, he’d almost never devote any of his time towards them tomorrow.
And what he said was true. Paulette’s love life is out of his jurisdiction, even if he valued her and her family. He’d rather she not get hurt again due to some man’s incompetence, especially now that she had a daughter to take care of.
Van handed Paulette a plate he had just finished rinsing off. The two had worked like a machine, him washing the grime off while she dried the plates to a pristine shine.
The two had worked so well together that it took Van a moment to realize that Paulette had been utterly silent since his last contribution to the conversation.
“...What if I told you it is your business? Or that it could be?”
The spriggan of Edith arched a brow.
“What, you plannin’ on hiring me? For what, bodyguard duty? You know you don’t have to do that. You already do a ton for me anyway. Just give me the word and I’ll help you in a flash. No payment required. Hell, if you really want me to get that creep off your back, I’d even be delighted to do it for free.”
Van said those words with so much confidence, but was brought back to reality once he saw how downtrodden Paulette looked in response.
“What? Did I say something weird?”
“No…” The older woman sighed. “If anything, I expected you to say something along those lines. It’s just… not the response I wanted to hear.”
“What do you-”
Van felt a sudden weight on his shoulder accompanied by an inviting warmth. That feeling extended to his hands. His fingers and palm may feel the cold sting of the water, but that was overwhelmed by the comforting heat interlaced between them.
Paulette had rested her head within the nook between his shoulder and neck. Her thumb playfully rubbed the back of his hand as she tightened her grip.
“Let’s say, hypothetically, I found a more suitable partner. Someone who I can trust not only with my life, but also with Yumé’s.” Van’s face grew more red as the diva of the diner giggled. “He’s strong, kind, and reliable. Someone my daughter loves so much that she wouldn’t mind having him as a father.”
“Have you… ‘hypothetically’ found this guy?”
“Hypothetically speaking, I might have.”
Paulette lifted her head from Van’s shoulder and dragged him down closer to her height. Normally the spriggan would have no issues resisting such a pull, but the woman knew exactly how to fluster him.
Before he knew it, he felt a soothing and wet sensation on his cheek. As she pulled away, Van stared at the woman in shock.
“What do you say, Van? Would you be willing to fill the void of a lonely woman’s heart and the position as the father of my child?”
“W-Wha-wha… wha-?”
Paulette let out another exasperated sigh. “Do I really have to spell it out? I would’ve thought a spriggan could pick up what I’m dropping from a selge away.”
“Uhh, well…”
“I suppose I must.” Paulette giggled. Suddenly her joyous and mischievous laughter morphed into a symphony of angels in Van’s ears. More so than ever before. “Will you, Van Arkride, be willing to marry me?”
Van stood there, stunned. Admittedly, he had always had a crush on Paulette ever since he first rented his office above the bistro. She was beautiful, playful, and sweet while still being kind, caring, and clever. He could hardly recount a time where he’s ever known a more perfect woman.
“Isn’t it tradition for a man to pop the question?” He smirked.
“Oh, I’m sure that you’d never let gender roles bog you down before.” Paulette responded with an equally mischievous tone. “From what I can tell, you’ve always liked a woman who could take charge.”
“Yeesh, I think you know me too well already. No wonder you went straight for the jugular.”
“Yes, well, there’s no other way I’d have it.”
It was brief, but the moment that he felt Paulette cup his cheek, Van knew he was in for a ride.
The kiss only lasted for a moment, but it tasted sweeter than any dessert he’s ever had. He wanted nothing more than to savor every momen-
“OH MY GOSH! GRANDPA, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS! MOMMY AND VAN ARE MAKING KISSY FACES!”
“THEY’RE DOING WHAT?! ”
…
It was going to be difficult to explain to his employees why he couldn’t drive on the way to Longlai next weekend.