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written by fleur
Mandolin016

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

2015

At last Christmas had arrived! Charles may have been 18, but the idea of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season still enchanted him. In the Riviera climate of Monte-Carlo, there was hardly ever snow on the ground, but the air temperature dipped lower in the last month of the year. The streets were adorned in lights and wreaths, and the royal palace was host to a large display. The people of Monaco had hurried to finish their Christmas shopping in the days before and the Leclerc's were no different. Charles and Arthur had been sent by their mother around the city-state's shopping district to find several gifts to compile into a package that would be sent to Camille. Jules had only died 5 months prior, and his distraught girlfriend had suffered mentally since that time. Their child together, little Morgane, was for now living with the Leclerc family as the Bianchi's were going through the trauma of losing a son.

Charles and Arthur picked out many small items to be sent in Camille's "care package". Besides the Polaroid pictures of Morgane that Arthur took with the camera he got for his birthday, there were cards from all the family members and a homemade ornament with Morgane's hand print on it. The brothers bought everything their mother had written on the list of ideas of things that Camille may need: from a nail polish set, to a photo frame, and even a new hair straightener. They also picked up some last minute presents for their family. A new pair of shoes that Lorenzo wanted, a fancy black leather wallet for their father, and a journaling set for their mother. "Easy enough." Arthur told Charles. They had managed to find out ahead of time what everyone wanted.

Shopping for Morgane, however, was trickier. The teenagers had never shopped for a baby before. Charles' goddaughter was now 28 months old. She had the biggest brown eyes and curliest brown hair Charles had ever seen. She looked a lot like the baby pictures of Jules that were still on display in the Bianchi house. She knew a few sentences, and liked to explore the entire apartment. She was so curious and intelligent.

Arthur and Charles wandered over to a baby store. They walked inside, and greeted the owner who seemed a little confused as to why two teenage boys were now looking through the various hair accessories for toddler girls.

"May I help you with anything?" She asked them.
"We are looking for some presents for our sister, she is almost 30 months old." Charles often called Morgane his sister to simplify the story.
"Oh yes!" The shop owner said, "What a wonderful age! What kind of toys does she like to play with? Maybe that will help us find something she will like." The boys looked around the store. "She is very smart for her age," Arthur began, "she likes to listen to books."

The woman nodded and pointed to the back corner of the shop. "You can find some books and poems back there, sorted by most appropriate age group."
Arthur walked over to the book section and began to peek through the various options. Charles examined something he had his eyes on since he walked in: there in the front window of the store was a shiny black toddler-sized grand piano complete with a stool. He ran his finger over the ivory keys, and pressed down on one of the notes. A perfect high E filled the air. Needless to say, Charles was very impressed. He was sure Morgane would enjoy this. "Madame, I am also interested in this miniature piano." Charles said as the shop owner approached. "Ah yes! What a beautiful instrument! I have this for my own daughter and she plays with it everyday. You can customize the gold lettering above the keys with the girl's name."

Charles nodded. "I would like to purchase it then." The woman nodded, and went to get a customization order form from the back of the store.

Arthur tossed a children's book at Charles as he approached. "How much is that piano?" He asked.
Charles sighed. "Does it matter?"
"Does it matter?!" His brother whisper-yelled, "Mumma is not going to be happy if we bought an expensive piano that's so small she will outgrow it next year!"

Just then, the shop owner returned with the order form and directed Charles to fill it out. "Will it be just the piano today?" She asked.

Arthur nodded and began to count out the cash to pay for the instrument. The woman smiled from behind the counter. "It will be ready for pickup on Christmas Eve."

_______

At last, it was Christmas morning! It had been determined that Morgane would be spending Christmas with the Leclerc's as the Bianchi's and Marchetti's were understandably not in the place to take care of a young girl. Lorenzo had also decided to stay at his parent's home for the holidays. At 27, he had already moved out but he still occasionally slept over in his old bedroom.

Pascale was up early, making breakfast for the family, and Hervé was placing the presents under the tree. Charles and Lorenzo were still sleeping in their shared bedroom, but Arthur was wide awake in his. His new roommate, Morgane, had woken up early as well. He gently rocked the toddler in his arms as her chubby little hands played with his hair. "It's Christmas mon amour!" He told her.
When the entire family had snuggled up in warm blankets beside the tree, they began to open presents. The three brothers distributed gifts to their parents before tearing open their own. Merch from their favorite Formula One drivers filled the living room: Sebastian Vettel hats, Kimi Raikkonen posters, Daniel Ricciardo shirts, and tiny model Ferraris.

After the boys' turn, it was time to give Morgane the piles of presents from the Leclerc family. Her biological grandparents would be coming over later. Boxes and boxes of toys and clothes were torn open by the little girl. She giggled as she threw the tissue paper around the floor. After it became clear that she had been very clearly spoiled this Christmas, Charles moved a box out from behind the couch. "Morgane," he told his goddaughter, "this is for you!"

Morgane's eyes lit up as Hervé and Lorenzo unwrapped a tiny grand piano. It was stunning! Shiny black with delicate keys and a soft bench. Her name Morgane Juliette Camille was painted above the keys in sparkly gold lettering. "Cha!" She exclaimed, "Piano!"

Charles laughed as he picked her up and showed her the notes. He whispered into her ear, "Merry Christmas, mon amour!"

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