4
Chapter 4
Mireille wakes up the next morning with her head pounding, it feels like her brain has been smashed in by an elephant, there is blood all over and she groans as she sits up in bed. She feels a sharp pain in her abdomen and she notices that it hurts to breathe.
It's cold and quiet in their house, everyone else is asleep, except for the three of them who are sitting together downstairs. She tries to remember what happened last night, it's clear she got very drunk or maybe she passed out during the night. Her thoughts are interrupted by her stomach growling loudly causing her to grimace in pain. Her father stands up from his seat and stretches his arms out, he makes his way upstairs and walks into their room to check on her, once he sees her he smiles and goes downstairs for food. Huguel gets off his chair and sits next to her, she stares at him while he rubs circles around her belly to help ease the pain. "Hungry?" He asks her in the sweetest tone possible. She nods and he picks up her plate and brings it back up the stairs.
He puts the plate on the table and sits back down with his own plate. A few moments later her mother joins them as well and takes the food from her son before she sits across from him. As usual she keeps quiet during the meal, her daughter is still recovering from her illness; the doctors say that it's nothing too serious, she will be able to continue school and she will eventually recover, though she needs a long time to heal and recover, she won't have to miss any classes.
Once dinner is over they all clean the dishes, putting them in the sink to soak. Huguel goes upstairs to brush his teeth and get changed for bed while his mother finishes washing them. She looks up to see Mireille standing in the doorway. Her brows furrow in concern, she walks over and embraces the blonde. "Are you okay?" She asks softly and Mireille nods.
"A little sore." She tells her, hugging her mom tightly, her mother strokes her blonde hair soothingly. "You shouldn't strain yourself like that; you don't have to run around so much. You could have gotten hurt; I was really worried." She whispers, trying to calm her. Mireille pulls away to look at her mother and nods, she understands her concern but it also made her feel better knowing that she did not leave her alone. "Thanks for being worried, Mom." She says softly and smiles at her mother; it's always nice to hear that someone cares about her wellbeing. She kisses her on the cheek and leaves her mother's embrace to change into her pajamas.
Chapter 5
Mireille is playing with some string tied to the top of the wooden beam when the loud sound of drums and whistles start echoing throughout the village. All of the villagers are getting up to greet the new visitors as they make their way inside, their parents and older brothers and sisters follow closely behind them as well as Mireille and her father who has followed them shortly. Huguel watches Mireille from afar; they hadn't spoken since they had arrived at Mireille's house that morning. He knew she would need time to process everything after yesterday's events and she does need time, but he can't stand seeing her upset and sad.
The guests arrive at the small hut that the village children call home, their parents give them presents and greet them, Mireille waves shyly at her friend from where she sat beside Huguel in their family's dining hall. Once the people are settled in the large hut and the food has been placed on the floor for them to eat and drink, Mireille decides to join the celebration as everyone settles in. She takes a small piece of bread, grabs a knife and spreads it with butter before cutting it. She hands it to her husband, giving him an innocent smile as she does so. His eyes soften and he smiles at his wife lovingly, grabbing her free hand in his he presses a tender kiss to the back of her hand. "Thank you." He mutters, taking a bite of his bread.
She blushes slightly and smiles brightly at him. "No problem," she replies and returns to eating her own piece of bread. The festivities continued for several hours, the adults were dancing and laughing, the younger kids were running around playing games, the younger girls were gossiping while the oldest played around in the snow and ice. Mireille watched from her perch on the porch roof, enjoying every minute of her time with her family and friends. It was only when it began to darken outside that she decided to get off the roof and return inside, she told Huguel to wait for her inside and he agreed to her request. She finds her brother and uncle lying on the couch watching a movie. They both jump when she enters the living room startling them.
"Mireille!" Her brother exclaims happily as he jumps off of the couch and runs towards her. "Hi, Nino." She laughs as he wraps his arms tightly around her waist and gives her a big hug, making her squeal and laugh again.