It was a lazy spring afternoon when they arrived at the small villa. Gentle sunlight poured into the yard. Delphine went to fetch the two children, while Ignatius Leclair went upstairs to choose a room and instructed Maximilian to cram his personal belongings into it.
The man changed into a set of casual home clothes and came downstairs, just in time to see Delphine returning with the two little ones.
Benjamin Leclair was skipping ahead energetically, dressed in a pink jacket with a tiny skirt. The little girl's hair had grown quickly; it was braided neatly, her rosy, delicate face brimming with innocence. Catching sight of Ignatius, her dark, grape-like eyes sparkled as she dashed over, tugged at his pant leg, tilted her small head upward, and chirped, "Daddy, you came to see Benjamin?"
