Dinner was never elaborate, but it was always good on account of Isabella’s mother. Afterwards, Cole usually took Marie into the living room and spent some time with her while Isabella chatted with her parents. His game of choice was to call out body parts and point to them. Marie was just now beginning to point to her nose when Cole did and by the time he’d worked through all the parts of a human face, Isabella was usually there to join him. They’d talk in English, as Cole’s French was still not at a decent level for conversation. A rug in the corner with some toys and stuffed animals was a play area where Marie would give crawling a go and work out the last bits of energy before Isabella or Cole put her to bed for the night.
As they sat on a couch, both watching Marie, Isabella put her
