A Day Out in Paris

[Zander Ellison]

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<SIZE size="50">The eldest Valentine had a lot on his plate at almost all times. He was just very busy. What with the new born that was about ten months old, and an eight year old boy who did attend primary school in London. Overall it was a pretty busy time all the time for the twenty-three year old. Getting up and to work in the morning always proved to be a hard task, not because he couldn’t get out of bed, but more because he always had something to do. He’d really just started back at work. Before he’d been working directly from home and sending his stuff in via owl post. But it wasn’t the best way to be and he still had to go in every so often. But with a young child at home it was hardly an option. He was currently trying to work things out with his supervisor in an attempt to still keep the same hours and work load and do it most of the time from home. Although at twenty three he knew that asking for special treatment just because he was a single dad. That and he was still hoping that his second working from home muggle job was keeping him up. Overall when it came down to it, Zander was pretty much sure that if he kept going as he was currently he would have a break down. Not just because taking care of a baby was incredibly stressful. He was doing better this time around. After all, it wasn’t the first time he was looking after a baby. It was finally the weekend and unlike most weekends, Zander had pretty much decided that he needed to take the two out. After all, it would get a little boring for them if all he ever did was take them to the local park. Even though the eldest Valentine was pretty much awake in all hours of the day and by the weekend he was exhausted. More than that. But he was always keen on making sure that the two kids in his care had the best possible chance at life. And it meant doing things with them that really only people of magical blood could really afford to do. He had finished up all the work he possibly could that night, working through all hours of the night to ensure it would be almost completely done and then he could spend the day without a worry. It had been five in the morning when he’d finally finished up. and at that time, he had not bothered going to bed, instead he had made himself another cup of coffee, and begun preparing for the day out that he had planned. it wasn’t too much, just a day out in Paris. He didn’t have much planned, but he had enough.

After putting the entire house in order and dealing with the early riser he knew as Abby, the eldest Valentine had gotten dressed in normal clothes and had gotten his youngest brother ready too. He was under strict instructions to stay right by him, and not run off. Zander had been to paris once before, and was pretty excited about going again. He hadn’t really been out much as of late, since caring for two children and holding down two jobs didn’t leave much breathing space. It was why he was glad for the extra time in the weekend to do something nice with the two children. At around eight in the morning, Zander was all ready to go, a friend of his from work was letting him use his portkey to get to Paris. It didn’t take too long, but as soon as all of them were touching it, they were pulled in a suddenly in Paris. Zander had a pram for Abby, but she was currently strapped to his front in a baby carrier with the pram folded and on his back. He smiled to himself and looked around. Paris. Even though this was meant to be a stressless day, most would think it wouldn’t be taking a look at Zander. Since he had a baby on his front, two bags on his shoulder and at his side, a boy at his side, and a pram on his back. Overall, the life of a single parent was not easy, but he didn’t expect that. However it did mean that by lunch, Zander was more exhausted than anything. His back ached, and his shoulder was aching as well. It wasn’t the way he wanted it to be. Although, Abby had really enjoyed the gardens and the birds, the flowers, the eiffel tower, and Tyler had loved almost everything. It had been hard for Zander to keep up with him, since he’d found almost everything completely fascinating. It was good that just beside the Notre Dame cathedral there was a family friendly cafe with a mixture of couples, and familes. He was able to grab the last table. He ordered quickly for himself, and for Tyler. He pulled off the pram and set it up beside him. He placed Abby in the pram, before pulling off the two bags and getting food out for Abby. He was always lost in his own world when it he had to care for his family, because nothing else really mattered. But it was always this kind of point that reminded him how alone he really was.
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[Johanna Murray]

Johanna looked up at the grey,peeling ceilling above her.She than sat up and looked around at the small single-room she was currently staying in.This and a joined kitchen and sitting room and a small bathroom were the contents on the small flat on the outskirts of Paris.This was Johanna's home for the next few months,she was currently looking for jobs to pay for the small rent and try and get a nicer flat wherever her new job would be.She got out of bed and drew back the curtains looking out the small window.It was a nice morning and Johanna cautiously opened the window.It had broken twice already and luckily one of her few neighbours had had the same problem and had fixed it.It didn't break this time and the noises of the city began making there way through the window.It was the beginning of a beautiful day and Johanna breathed in the cool morning air.She then picked out the clothes for today and went into the bathroom where she had a shower.When she was finished she walked into the tiny kitchen and picked out some breakfast cereal.She then took out the milk which was one of the only contents in her fridge.She got out a spoon,glass filled it with water and filled a bowl with the cereal.she then sat down at her small table and ate her breakfast.When she was finished she cleaned and put away the spoon,glass and bowl and went back into the bathroom where she brushed her teeth.She then dried her hair and got her bits and pieces together.All in all her flat wasn't too bad and it felt good to of bought something with her own money.She then put on her jacket and got her bag and left her flat.

She began the walk to the center of town where she would do a bit of walking around Paris.She had nothing else to be doing and she hadn't explored Paris in a long time.She first took the bus to the center.She milled around for a while,looking into shops where she wished she could by clothes.She looked at all the tourists taking pictures and she tried her best to understand them.Before her trip around Europe she had taken English lessons,and since starting they were greatly improved.She could speak perfect English though she was still working on understanding the person but she was quite good now.After this she went to the Effile tower and walked around the parks and did a small bit of shopping.She met her mother for coffee shortly after eleven as her mother had a free class in the secondary school she was teaching in,near the center of Paris.When she and her mother parted she decided to go to the Notre Dame Cathedral.It was one of her favorite french historic buildings.It just looked so amazing,with the flying butresses and all the gothic style.It was lunch tim by the time Johanna was finished so she decided to go to the small cafe near the Catherdral.She had ordered coffee and a wrap.When she went outside she sighed when she saw no free seats.She was looking at tables with couples,families and then her eyes spotted someone sitting alone with two kids.He looked like her had his hands full,but Johanna was hungry and her legs were tired from walking so she made her way over. "Mind if I join you?"She asked trying her best with her english.

 

[Zander Ellison]

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<SIZE size="50">Flexing his back muscles, the eldest Valentine was glad to finally be sitting down a table. He was throughly enjoying the day, but he was more than exhausted. He needed a lot of sleep. He was just glad that he had the next week off from work. It was still fairly soon after he'd been off to care for the baby, but even during that time he had done a lot of work. The next week he was spending sleeping and doing only what needed to be done for his second job and for Abby and Tyler. It was still a lot but he knew he would at least be able to sleep through the entire night. He wouldn't have to worry about if he was going to collapse because of lack of sleep. It wouldn't happen. Since it wasn't the best move. It was dangerous and it wasn't something that Zander could afford. At twenty-three one wrong move and he knew that he could lose Abby and Tyler. It was why he always appeared tired. Why he always looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. It wasn't easy, but he knew the pay off was good. After all he had the most gorgeous baby girl, and he'd raised his brother. And seeing there smiles and their development was something that Zander wouldn't give up the world for. He loved all his siblings, maybe a lot more than they cared about him, but he was the leader, he had to put up with that. It was part of the deal, and there wasn't much he could do to change it. There wasn't much he wouldn't do for his family if he honest, so dealing with that was what he did. While waiting for the food for him and Tyler, Zander got out the prepared food for Abby. She was sitting upright in the pram, and he slowly began to feed her. Smiling as she ate, with her four growing front teeth. It had been pretty bad lately, but he was sure that everything would be fine soon. After all she was almost a year old, so it was getting to the point where while the teeth would continue growing in it hopefully wouldn't hurt as much. Since Zander really hated when she cried. It just wasn't a pleasant sound and did make him doubt all his parenting skills. It was a quick reminder that he was twenty-three, almost twenty-four and he was a single parent. Not an easy task so young.

Although a lot of his attention was on feeding Abby he made sure that Tyler could help out. So that his attention was really on the two of them. Even though at eight all Tyler really wanted to do was play. He was well behaved as of right then for which Kendall was pleased. He had no idea how on earth he would deal with it if he wasn't. He didn't have that many hands or eyes. Once it was clear that the baby was no longer hungry Kendall took out the magically heated milk bottle, and tested it on his hand. He handed the bottle to Abby and closely watched as she tip it and began drinking. It was good that she was doing so well on the scale of advancement. He was pretty sure that she would be an incredibly smart girl when she grew up. She had the Valentine gene after all. He smiled at her, and then thanked the waitress as she brought him and Tyler the food and drink. Kendall had ordered a cheese and ham panini for Tyler and a cheese, ham and tomato one for himself. He quickly warned Tyler that it would be hot. It was as he had turned his attention back to Abby that a voice spoke. He looked round and saw a girl. Clearly french standing at his table. The eldest Valentine just nodded, he didn't mind. He quickly turned his attention back to Abby who was still drinking and then Tyler who was taking a drink of the water because he'd been right. It was hot. "Not at all." Zander said. He always enjoyed the company of other people closer to him in age. It was a break he was always happy to take. "I'm Zander, This is Tyler and Abby." Zander introduced, taking his sandwich and taking a bite of it. At which point, Abby removed the bottle from her mouth and waved it up and down in front of Zander. Zander let out a light laugh and took the bottle from her. He put it down on the table and smiled as she gave a small burp. He took the bib and wiped her mouth quickly. He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "So, you from around here?"
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[Johanna Murray]

Johanna had managed to get an interview with the ministry in two days for a job in the improper use of magic office.It wasn't Johanna's dream job but it would be new and Johanna wasn't complaining.Hopefully she would get the job and actually start having a stable income.She might have a new place by the end of the year which was a pleasant thought.It was nice to be free and independent,she could start her own life,hopefully make some friends,maybe even a boyfriend but that would have to wait for another while yet.Johanna did miss the Beauxbaton academy.She missed the familiar walls and teachers.The security it had offered she also missed the home she had grown up in.the house that had belonged to her great great grandparents.Luckily her mama hadn't sold it when she had moved to Paris.Now they could go on holidays there during the summer.It was great to have more money then they had had before.Her childhood hadn't been the easiest and er mother hadn't had the greatest years of her life either but then again there were people who had been worse then them and probably were still as bad.Johanna hated seeing poorer people,she always felt so bad for them even though for a lot of them it was their own fault.Johanna stopped thinking of all those bad things and focused on the positive side of life.

As Johanna walked around Paris,her love for the city grew.even if she would be working in England she would live maybe at the weekends and apperate or get a portkey over to England and back.There were quite a few advantages of being a witch,it was great being able to use the magic outside of school.It had helped her a lot on her trip and it was hopefully giving her a job.As Johanna walked around the Notre Dame Cathedral she wondered how long it must of taken to build it,it was beautiful and Johanna wondered how people couldn't stop staring at it.Medieval architecture could be very beautiful even if it wasn't as advanced as the renaissance.Johanna wasn't that much of an expert on art of architecture ,she couldn't really do any of either,she was a musical baby at heart.Johanna looked at the two small children.They were very cute looking and Johanna smiled as the little garcon began feeding the little fille.Johanna was glad when first he understood and her and then let her sit down.she laid her bag on the floor and put her wrap and coffee on the table."Thanks"She said smiling,she wondered were the two his own or maybe his siblings?He looked young to be a dad and maybe a single dad.Johanna didn't know and she didn't want to pry either. "Nice t meet you"Johanna said smiling "I'm Johanna"She said before laughing slightly as the little girl called Anna began waving her bottle at the man named Zander.They seemed very happy and for some reason Johanna was glad. "Well from Nice originally but I've been living her for the past few months,what about you"Johanna asked before taking a bite out of her wrap "Brother and sister?"She asked pointing at the two kids.The two of them made Johanna smiled,they were so cute.