Leone slid down the side of Sierra's bed and waddled away into the hall as fast as legs and diaper could allow, "Dona."

Sierra followed, "Leone, come back here."

Every doorbell or phone call triggered the boy who went from a baby-step-a-day to full course marathons to find his father.

Yes, to find Jonas, the baby knew he needed his legs.

Sierra didn't even think of filming what was supposed to be a baby milestone as her thoughts leaked everywhere.

The two stopped in front of the opening door.

Leone's smile inverted downwards like a sad emoji as soon as he saw who it was.

He began to cry, and Jacob scooped him up, "hey, Leone aren't you happy to see me?"

Though Jacob was one of his favorite people, Leone would have preferred to see Jonas.

Sierra gave her brother an apologetic stare, "he's been like that all week. I'm so tired of running after him. As soon as he sees a man with blonde hair in the street, he starts to yell. Sometimes he does that when he hears a voice."

Sierra avoided saying how her head made u-turns whenever she heard a seeming voice or spotted a replica silhouette of the man.

"It's a difficult week, huh, Leone?" Jacob looked down that the boy who now sobbed and wiped his bogey on his shirt.

"Non, Leone ne fais pas ça. [no, Leone, don't do that]."

The little boy turned to give Sierra a dark stare full of meaning. The woman could even translate the don't test me, Maba. Bring Dona back stare.

"You know what, Jacob? I shouldn't go out. I'll stay with him. Vincent will understand."

"No, Sierra, don't fall back into that plastic bubble where you shut everyone out, and you only exist for Leone. Go out, see your friends, it will do you good. Vincent is waiting for you."

Vincent.

If someone crossed the man that week, they would think he won the lottery. Never had the man been so radiant and full of understanding but also excited. Vincent kept sending reminders about his restaurant's opening. Even then, while Sierra got ready, he sent messages asking when she would arrive.

"Is everything okay, Sierra?"

"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't keep Vincent waiting," Sierra returned to her bedroom, and Jacob followed with Leone in his arms.

"Sierra?"

"What?" She asked as she put on her earring.

"Are you happy?"

The woman turned away from her mirror, "yeah, why all of a sudden? Okay, I'm pissed about Jonas's departure. You can't imagine the resent I have for him right now."

"Sierra, we both know that whether he left on the May first or tomorrow, it would not change a thing."

Sierra glared at him, turned back to her mirror, and readjusted the straps of her dress. She was not keen on wearing one, but Jade insisted. She chose a midnight blue sheath dress, the cut was simple, almost formal, but it perfectly married her curves which were enough of an effect for Sierra if one considered her current mood.

Jade was highly enthusiastic. On the other hand, May told Sierra she preferred they had a girl's night at her place to cheer her up. Jade intervened and persuaded May during a long head-banging conversation in Sierra's absence they should all go to the opening. Both knew Vincent wished to propose.

May spoke to no one of Jonas's feelings wanted to delay the fateful proposal as much as possible. Something told her the Viking had not abandoned his land to fall in the hands of the invader.

Sierra sighed, "you're right, Jacob; it doesn't matter. I have Leone, my promotion, Vincent, everything, and everyone is where they should be. I'm going to go out, enjoy the time with my friends. Life goes on," Sierra smiled and replaced a few strands of hair.

She then came and took Leone from Jacob's arms, " in it, Leone? Life goes on. We'll be okay, my love. Sierra gave him kisses on the head and one on the nose when he looked up, "bisous." The little boy hurried to smother Sierra with his kisses.

Jacob felt a prick in his heart. How touching it was to see Sierra, who never knew their mother, show so much love. No one could doubt or contest the bond between the woman and child.

"Sois sage, Leone [behave Leone], Sierra handed him back to Jacob.

"Okay, I'm set."

"Well, enjoy yourself. Don't overthink things," Jacob said as they returned to the living room.

Sierra put on her shoes and coat.

"Maba."

"Bye Leone."

"Mama."

The door shut, the boy began to cry.

What was this?

What was going on with all these tall people?

Why was everyone leaving him?

"There, there, Leone." Jacob returned to the living room, "Listen, Leone, let's make a deal. If you stop crying, I'll call Jonas. How about it?"

"Dona."

"Yes, do you want us to call him?" Jacob took and his phone, picked Jonas's name in the repertoire, and dialed.

The phone didn't even ring on Jacob's side, "hello, Jacob is everything okay?"

"Yes, hi Jonas. I'm with Leone here, and I think he has something to say."

Jonas turned his camera on, and Jacob posed his phone on Sierra's phone holder, "hey, Leone."

"Dona," the boy was ecstatic.

"How are you?"

The little boy wasted no he began to explain.

"I hear you, Leone. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that."

"How are things in Sweden, Jonas?"

"I've got a lot of work, but I'm okay. I'm just readjusting."

"Dona."

"Yes, Leone."

The little boy stretched his hands, and Jacob bought the phone for him. Leone smiled and touched the screen. Perhaps it was possible to pluck Jonas out.

Why wasn't he coming back?

While Leone caught up with his father, Sierra arrived at the restaurant. Lakshmi Palace had nothing to do with the Taj Mahal. It was twice as big and reassembled the restaurants of the heart of Paris with its contemporary style.

A hostess greeted Sierra and showed her the way to the cloakroom. The restaurant was full of friends and a lot of Vincent's family.

"Sierra," Jade waved, and she went to join them.

"Gosh, what took you so long?"

"Eh, I was waiting for Jacob. Where's Vincent?" Sierra said as she scanned the room for the man's presence.

"I saw him go behind those doors ten minutes ago."

"Ah, okay," Sierra looked at her friends, "so what's up?"

"Here, taste this," said Jade.

Sierra took the hors-d'oeuvres and ate, "aww, it's delicious."

May observed her friend. Sierra had no clue what awaited her. What could she do to prevent Vincent's declaration? Perhaps she could lock Sierra in the toilets.

"Sierra."

Too late, Vincent slid his arms around Sierra's waist, "hello beautiful," he kissed her on her cheek.

"Vincent," Sierra faced him. The man looked sharp and mysterious with his dark hair and black suit. For the first time since Jonas left, her mind escaped the torment.

"Your restaurant looks fabulous, Vincent."

"You like it?"

"I love it.

"Vincent." The voice came from behind, and they all turned to see who it was.

"Sierra, meet my sister Elise."

"Hello."

"Hello, Sierra; Vincent has told me a lot about you."

Sierra smiled; she was happy not to be a phantom girlfriend for the members of his family. She always had a slight apprehension. Sierra never bought a boyfriend home or met any of their relatives. The woman suddenly realized she had to make a good impression and began to distribute toothpaste advert grins.

After meeting a sixth cousin, Sierra began to fear the appearance of Vincent's parents. Luckily for her, the introductions stopped there as everyone sat down to taste the restaurant's menu.

Vincent and his brother decided to include more specialty dishes from India's regions. There was also a lot of street food people could eat at the Comptoir.

Everyone was tucking in when Vincent's brother made the first toast," when my brother told me he was moving to France to open a restaurant, I laughed. Two years later, I was impressed to see how well his business flourished. I am happy to be part of the adventure today, and I hope we'll do just as well with Lakshmi palace. Thank you all for being here. I think Vincent has a few words to say to, so I'll leave him to it."

His brother gave him a wink and patted him on the back as Vincent got up to speak.

"When I left London's hectic Square Mile, I had a wish list. On the top, I had my restaurant project. In the second slot, I wanted to buy a house. And at the third slot, I wished to find someone special with whom I could share my life. The order didn't really matter, but things occurred in that order. So I got the restaurants, the houses, and I met someone."

Sierra looked up; if at first, the woman's focus played eeny-meeny-miny-moe to pick a snack amongst the ones in front of her, Vincent managed to capture her attention.

"I knew from the instant she walked into the Taj Mahal she was that special someone."

"Vincent," Sierra whispered.

Everyone's eyes were upon her. Elise, who sat by her, even squeezed her hand.

The woman's heart began to race.

"Saad will tell you. I thought I was going to die the day I spoke to her. Life has given me almost everything I wish for, and tonight I hope Sierra will grant me one more wish. Vincent turned to Saad, who handed him a small box.

Vincent got down on his knees and opened the box, "Sierra Ajani Lennox, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Sierra's eyes swept the room. The smiles she saw attested she was the last to know. Everyone's stare hung on Sierra's expression.

Here was THE moment.

Sierra hoped, wished, and prayed for this day to come. When she imagined her wedding proposal, she saw something intimate. The scene only included her and Vincent, but here in front of everyone, Sierra was giddy.

Vincent waited for her answer while holding her hand.

From the beginning of her relationship, marriage was her ambition, Vincent was present, and he wasn't going anywhere. Her future their future resided in her answer. Sierra took a deep breath.

"Yes, yes, Vincent. I'll marry you."

Vincent slipped the ring on her finger. Everyone clapped and cheered.

Sierra smiled; it was all she could do. No matter how unsettled she was, she beamed.

Shit thought May, who took out her phone and sent a message from under the table.

Hi Jonas,

I hope you are well.

I just wanted to let you know Vincent proposed, and Sierra said yes.

Are you going to let this happen?