Dax in Paris (4): A New Perspective

Peering out of the plane’s window, Dax felt a certain amount of anxiety building uncomfortably in his chest. He’d been away from Paris for only three weeks but would Cosette still be there waiting for him?

After Mango healed the various crisscrossing scars across his face, he realized a new life was before him. Now, his dreams had a chance to be fulfilled. All he’d ever wanted was a small studio where he could paint his masterpieces and, hopefully, sell them, too.

Cosette was the first person in the city he’d met. And she was the most important person to him. Looking back now, he understood how he’d not quite appreciated her to the fullest. She wanted marriage and a child. She also wanted to sell his paintings and had the foot in the door he needed in order to display and sell his landscapes.

Back in Winchester, things had gone awry for him. He’d been nervous to take Cosette to the backward community he’d grown up in but she’d insisted on meeting his family which only consisted of two older siblings and their families. He was so concerned about what Cosette would think of him once she saw where he was raised, he nearly pushed her away altogether.

Dax was a mess of feelings when he set foot on the island where his sister Agathe and brother Elliott greeted him with tight hugs and kisses. They welcomed Cosette with open arms and Agathe had even called her charming and beautiful.

During their visit, he’d turned into a completely different person; someone he didn’t know. As if he was watching a movie instead of actually playing a part in the fiascos he caused, he’d managed to alienate Blue and her husband Matt to the point that there was a fistfight.

He lost, of course, There was no way he could ever compete with Matthieu who worked long hours tending to crops and animals. Dax was slender with artistic hands and he’d gotten his butt whooped. Rightly so. It had been Matthieu’s idea that Dax take a vacation alone to sort himself out.

To his surprise, Cosette was in his flat when he arrived. For an awkward moment, they stood statue-still as if it had been three years, not three weeks since he’d left.

When she didn’t speak, he cleared his throat and took the first step.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said in French, which was Cosette’s first language.

Dax noted a barely perceptible nod of her head and cringed inwardly. This was going to be a lot harder than he’d imagined.

“I want to apologize to you,” he began, clearing his throat again.

“Yes? For what?”

“On my trip, I had a lot of time to think seriously about where I am in life.”

“And what did you find?”

“I found that … well, I am the reason for my unhappiness.”

He went on to explain to her how he’d never had the chance to mature into a grounded adult because the life he lived in Winchester was not just lonely but also filled with despair. Once his scars were healed, he hadn’t hesitated to come to Paris to pursue his art. He thought he had loved Blue and regretted at first, leaving her behind. Then, he’d met Cosette who had done nothing but improve his life.

“Do you love Blue still?” she quietly asked.

“Not in a romantic way. My feelings were confused because I hadn’t experienced anything like that before.”

“You proposed marriage to me while we were in Winchester. It was as if marrying me was an afterthought once you found out Blue moved on with her life with a husband and who knows how many children.”

“All I can do is tell you how sorry I am for treating you that way, Cosette. I do have things sorted out now.”

“And?”

Dax fought to hold back the tears quickly forming. “And I love you. I was away for three weeks but I never want to know what being without you feels like again.”

Without hesitation, Cosette ran into his arms, holding onto him as tightly as she could. For a moment, they both cried from relief. Dax knew there would be hard times ahead just as there were for everyone, yet if he had this woman by his side, he could withstand anything.

After professing their love to one another, they sealed their promises with a deep kiss.

Dax was finally home, with the woman he adored and the city he loved.

Their marriage was a quiet affair with only a couple of friends to witness. Not long after they were married, Cosette found she was in the family way. The couples’ joy could not have been more complete.

They took long strolls in the park and talked for hours about the new little life they had created and their future as a family.

Dax’s paintings were not flying out the door, still, Cosette was able to sell many of them. With the money they earned, they were able to procure a larger flat with room for their baby. They also began to save money with which one day, they hoped to open their own art gallery.

Finally, little Bastien St. Cyr was born. He was a happy fellow and his parents could not dote on him more.

Never had Cosette appeared more beautiful to him then when she gave birth to their child.

Dax could stare at the both of them for hours on end. He wanted to be a good father – the best father. Cosette assured him he would be all of that and more. Her confidence boosted his self-esteem and he loved her even more for that.

In time, Dax’s paintings were selling even better and they were able to open their own gallery. The best part was, they had a decent sized flat above on the second level.

Young Bastien was growing by leaps and bounds with his second birthday coming up quickly. His parents didn’t much care for babysitters, so whatever they had planned, they took their son with them.

At times, this bothered Cosette because sometimes she needed a break from the little tyke. While this wasn’t any sort of deal breaker for their marriage, she tried desperately at times to make Dax see her side of things.

He was interested in his paintings and how well (or not) they were selling. It took a lot of money to maintain their lifestyle. Now, Cosette seemed unhappy and he knew he had to do whatever he could to please her.

Finally, Dax listened and understood his wife needed time alone without Bastien. He would not have said he completely “got it,” but at least he made an effort.

Their babysitter took a lovely family picture of them before they left for the restaurant.

When Dax looked at the picture later, his heart swelled with love and pride, and tears reached his eyes. He had Blue to thank for rescuing him from his seclusion. But the real thanks belonged to his beautiful little family because they had given him a life worth living away from the darkness of his past.

 

Author’s Note: Yes! You have just seen a Dax in Paris chapter! Thank you to those who asked about our boy in the survey. 🙂 

Also, I have a fan page! Jes2G made Marty as a TS4 sim! Isn’t that cool? If you would like to add to this page, just let me know. 🙂 

And thank you as always, for reading and supporting me,