AN: So 'She Will Be Loved' isn't doing so hot, but this story is doing all right. Guess not everything I write can be a gem. *shrugs* Guess I need to go back to boy love (PruCan & USUK are in the works).
So here we are with Elizabeth giving birth. If y'all still haven't guessed who our little bundle is I'll give you a clue: he's blonde & blue eyed with a cowlick.
I own nothing but the story. The French should be self-explanatory. Constructive comments & favs are love!
"All right Miss Kirkland, Push!" Dr. Wang said and Elizabeth bared down on her body a guttural growl resonating in her chest.
"Bon, Elisabet. You are doing magnifique. Un, deux, trios," Francis said encouragingly as he held tightly to Elizabeth's hand.
"That's good relax now. Okay on the next contraction we'll have a baby," the doctor said as the contraction subsided. The Brit relaxed back into the bed and panted heavily.
"You are doing wonderful, mon lapin," the Frenchman said as he brushed stray hairs away from the English woman's face.
"I can't do it Francis. I can't," the Brit rasped.
"You can, mon cherie. You 'eard zhe doctor. Once more and zhe bebe will be 'ere," the blonde man said gently and smiled reassuringly. Elizabeth smiled back and bolstered her strength.
"All right now, one big push," Dr. Wang said and Elizabeth bore down. Her body burned from exhaustion and strain, but she pressed on biting back a scream. Just when she thought she would give out from the stress of it all relief washed over her body and she fell back against the bed. Then she heard the most beautiful noise she had ever heard in her life. Her baby was crying.
"Look, Elizabet. It'z a boy," Francis whispered as the doctor held the tiny bundle up for the Brit to see. Joyous tears blurred her green eyes as Elizabeth looked at her son.
"I have a son," the blonde woman said as she watched the nurses take care of the new life. Moments later Mei walked over with the little baby wrapped in a blue blanket. The tiny infant was still wailing at the top of his lungs.
"This boy has some lungs on him. Congratulations, Miss Kirkland," the nurse said as she handed the tiny package to his mother. Elizabeth took the crying child and held him gently against her chest. Slowly, the crying subsided into whimpering hiccups. Francis leaned forward in his chair and took the tiny child's hand between his thumb and forefinger.
"Mon lapin, 'e iz gorgeous and look 'e 'as blue eyes," the Frenchman said as the baby opened his eyes for a brief moment.
"Does he really?" Elizabeth said as she felt herself drifting off slightly. The Brit heard the Frenchman chuckle and lifted the baby from her chest. Elizabeth made a noise of protest, but stopped when she felt Francis place a kiss on her forehead.
"Rest, mon cher. You 'ave earned it," and then all was silence.
"I don't mind spending every day, Out on your corner in the pouring rain,"
'What is that lovely music?' Elizabeth thought as she slowly awoke. The Brit blinked several times to clear her vision and the sight she found made her heart swell.
"Look for the girl with the broken smile, Ask her if she wants to stay awhile, And she will be loved, And she will be loved," A very refreshed looking Francis sang as he gently rocked Elizabeth's son in his arms. Noticing that the English woman had awoken the Frenchman smiled down at his little charge.
"Look mon petite lapin, you're mama 'as awoken. Zhall we zay 'ello?" Francis said as he walked over to the hospital bed. Elizabeth stretched out her arms and gently took the baby from the Frenchman. She looked down into her son's sleeping face and felt her heart swell.
"How can I love someone that I have just met this much?" the Brit cooed at the baby as she caressed his downy blonde hair. Francis leaned forward and caressed the baby's cheek.
"What are you going to name 'im?" the blonde man said as he took a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Alfred," the Brit said simply as she stared at her son lovingly.
"Ugh, what a plebian name. It zounds like zhe name of zhe 'ired 'elp. If 'e were my zon I would name 'im zomezing lovely like Mathieu," Francis said as he held the infant's tiny hand. Elizabeth fixed the Frenchman with a death glare.
"Well when you bring a child into this world you may name him whatever you like. So until then I will thank you not to criticize MY choice of name for MY son," the blonde woman said angrily, emphasizing her words, and swatted the blonde man's hand away from the baby. Blue eyes glared at the English woman.
"You don't 'ave to be zo rude, mon lapin. Especially zince I 'ave zpent zhe whole morning arranging zhings zo you and Alfred can move into my town'ouse," Francis said angrily and rose from the bed taking long strides toward the window. Elizabeth stared at the Frenchman in shocked silence.
"Wait? You've done what?!" the Brit asked her voice rising several octaves.
"While you were azleep I arranged zhings zo you can live wiz moi," the blonde man repeated as he gazed out the hospital window.
"Who the bloody Hell do you think you are making decisions like that!? I didn't ask for your help and I don't need it! I am fine on my own!"
"Non, cher, you are not. I checked up on you while you zlept. You lost your job and are be'ind on all your bills. You are about to be evicted from your apartment. I would zay you are far from fine,"
"How dare you pry into my life like that! My life is none of your bloody business. I have been in worse situations. I would have figured things out,"
"When, Elisabet? When you were living on zhe ztreet? When you didn't 'ave food and shelter for Alfred? Why do you do zhis? Why can you never ask for 'elp?" Francis asked angrily as he spun to face the British woman. "I 'ave already taken care of everyzing zo zhis entire argument iz a moot point,"
"I don't need you bloody charity, git. I'm not some damsel in distress who needs a knight to ride in and save her," Elizabeth growled and looked away from the Frenchman. Francis sighed heavily and moved back toward the bed.
"Zhis izn't charity, mon lapin. Zhis iz 'elping a very stubborn friend. I just want to 'elp you. You are my oldest friend. I want what iz best for you and Alfred," the Frenchman said as he reached out and caressed the sleeping baby's downy hair.
"I won't be a kept woman," Elizabeth said coldly as she continued to look away from Francis.
"I would never conzider it," the Frenchman said not noticing that the Brit flinched at his words.
"I'll find a job as quickly as I can to pay you back. Once I'm back on my feet I'll find my own place…"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You 'ave not 'eard anyzhing I 'ave zaid. You do not 'ave to pay me back and I 'ave already found you a job," the blonde man said and smiled at the surprised expression the British woman turned on him. Surprise quickly turned into suspicion and the Brit eyed the Frenchman wearily.
"I'm not certain if I should be thankful or concerned. What kind of job have you found for me? If it's anything self deprecating or indecent I'll take my chances on the street," Elizabeth said haughtily which drew laughter from the blonde man.
"Non, non, mon cherie. It iz nozhing like what you are zhinking. Zince I remember you being tres organized and efficient I 'ave 'ired you as my personal assistant," Francis said beamingly. Elizabeth stared at Francis blankly for a moment and then looked down at Alfred.
"Well, my boy, looks like it's the streets for us,"
"Damn it Francis stop primping and get a move on! We're running late thanks to you!" Elizabeth called up the stairs of the elegant townhouse she and Francis shared. The Brit impatiently looked at her wrist watch as the Frenchman descended the staircase.
"Cher, it takes time to look zhis good every day. I zought you knew zhat by now," the blonde man said as he walked past the blonde woman. The English woman glared at the Frenchman.
"Then you should know by now that I prefer to be punctual. Now get your coat and let's go," Elizabeth said her aggravation evident as she picked up her briefcase and the baby carrier that Alfred was securely strapped into. The infant cooed and murmured contently as his mother carried him out of the house and down to the Mercedes parked on the curb.
"At least one of us is in a good mood this morning," the Brit said as she opened the vehicle and locked the carrier into its car seat base. The blonde woman closed the car door and then moved to the driver's side. She swiftly climbed into the driver's seat and honked the horn several times as she rolled down the passenger window.
"If you aren't in this car in the next five minutes I'm leaving you here!" Elizabeth shouted as she watched Francis hurriedly exit the townhouse, locking the door behind him, and rushed toward the car.
"Mon dieu, Elisabet! Do we 'ave to ztart every day like zhis?" the Frenchman asked as he struggled into the other half of his coat while holding his briefcase and coffee mug.
"If you would get up when I tell you to we wouldn't have to go through this every day. You've been like this since we were children," the Brit said grumpily as Francis climbed into the car. As soon as the passenger door closed Elizabeth maneuvered the Mercedes into traffic. The drive was very quiet except for the occasional nonsensical chatter from Alfred. Francis sipped his coffee and looked sideways at Elizabeth. The British woman dutifully kept her eyes locked on the road ahead of her as she masterfully weaved in and out of the traffic. The Frenchman sighed in aggravation.
"If I apologize for our being late will you ztop giving me zhe zilent treatment?" he asked as he took another sip of his coffee.
"It would be a start," the Brit said coolly never taking her eyes off the road.
"I'm zorry for making us late. 'appy now?" Francis said slightly sarcastic air and rolled his eyes.
"Francis, you hired me to be your assistant. It is my job to keep you on task. If you don't like how I do things then fire me. I can find other work as well as a new place for Alfred and I," the blonde woman said rather coldly. Françis looked at his companion in surprise.
"Elisabet, you are zhe best assistant I 'ave ever 'ad. Zhough zometimes your militant be'avior is quite taxing. I would never fire you and I adore 'aving you and Alfred live wis me. What would make you zay zuch zhings?" the Frenchman said mild concern in his voice.
"You could have fooled me with how much you complain," the Brit said curtly. Francis opened his mouth to protest but was cut off.
"Moving on to the agenda for today. As soon as we get to the office you are meeting with a new client. Some fancy cologne ad. Then Lili needs you to approve the new models,"
Elizabeth glanced at the Frenchman and found him smirking with a lusty glint in his eyes. A small, wicked smile crossed the Brit's face.
"Don't get too excited because they are male models," her smile widened at Francis' crestfallen expression.
"Will we be 'aving lunch togezher?" the Frenchman asked his voice an odd mix of emotions.
"No, you'll be having lunch with that girl you are seeing, whose name escapes me," the English woman said a hint of distaste in her voice. The blonde woman ignored the disapproving look the Frenchman gave her and continued.
"The rest of the afternoon will be for the winter photo shoot and this evening you will be going to the opening of Antonio's new night club. I assume your lunch date will be your plus one,"
"Merde! I nearly forgot about Antonio. I 'ave been looking forward to zhis for weeks. Did you 'ave my zuit cleaned?" Francis said his eyes lighting up with excitement as the Mercedes pulled into the parking deck of the office building.
"I have it in the trunk so you can go straight from the office to the club," Elizabeth said as she parked the car in Francis executive parking place. Elizabeth turned to say something to Francis. The words died on her lips when the Frenchman suddenly placed a chaste kiss on said lips. The blonde man leaned back and beamed at the English woman.
"Mon lapin, whatever would I do wis out you?"
The Brit blushed crimson and looked away from the blonde man.
"Be utterly lost you stupid frog. Now get out of the car. If you will remember we are late thanks to you,"
Elizabeth sat in her office trying desperately to keep from being splattered with baby food as she attempted to feed Alfred. The infant sat in his carrier laughing rapturously and swatting at the spoon his mother valiantly tried to get to his mouth. The tot apparently was in a more playful mood than hungry.
"Poppet, you have to eat. Mummy has you on a schedule and would very much like to stick to it," he Brit found herself pleading as she deftly avoided being hit by the glob of mashed plums Alfred sent flying back at her. The English woman sighed and set the jar of food aside.
"All right, you win. Let's clean you up and we'll go walk around the office,"
The green eyed woman lifted the babe gently from his seat and then laid him on the blanket she had spread on the floor. Just as she pulled a baby wipe from the box in her diaper bag the door to the small office flew open. Elizabeth jumped in surprise and stared at the figure in the doorway. Francis stood there panting and covered in what the Brit guessed was wine.
"What in the world happened to you?" the blonde woman asked as she watched the Frenchman stalk into the room and fall back against the small couch she had in the office.
"What 'appended to me? Zhat crazy bitch poured an entire bottle of wine on me," Francis said anger evident in his voice.
"Get off of my couch! Wine leaves terrible stains and I don't wish to purchase a new couch," the English woman said crossly. Francis gave Elizabeth a withering look, but removed himself from the furniture leaving it unscathed.
"And what would make her do such a thing?" the Brit asked with an approving sniff as she turned back to tending to her son who had nearly succeeded in rolling himself over onto his stomach.
"I may 'ave called 'er by zhe wrong name," the Frenchman said as he stood in the middle of the office looking rather sheepish. This received a look of utter shock from Elizabeth.
"Bad form mate. You are a special breed of stupid," the green eyed woman said harshly as she finished wiping Alfred's face and picked up the disgruntled infant. She then rose to her feet and walked toward the door. She deftly grabbed the set of spare clothes she kept for Francis in her office from the back of the door.
"Well it looks like we need to clean you up before the shoot and you'll be going stag to the nightclub,"
"I can't go wis out a beautiful woman on my arm," the Frenchman protested as he followed behind Elizabeth.
"And why the Hell can't you go alone? You are a grown man. You don't need a babysitter," the Brit questioned and looked over her shoulder.
"Antonio and Gilbert will 'ave dates. Zhe atmozvere will be mozt uncomfortable if I am by myzelf," the blonde man said looking at Elizabeth with sad puppy eyes.
"Then don't go," the English woman stated her irritation rising as the pair entered the executive washroom. The Brit hung the spare clothes on a stall door and leaned against the stall. She shifted Alfred to her hip and stared at Francis.
"I 'ave looked forward to zhis for weekz. I 'ave to go," The Frenchman protested as he began quickly undressing.
"Well I don't know what to tell you, Francis. You can go alone or not at all," Elizabeth said aggravation lacing every word. Francis became very quiet as he stripped down to his rose red boxers. Elizabeth turned her gaze toward the ceiling which made the Frenchman chuckle.
'Ever zhe prude,' Francis thought as he turned on the sink and wetted several paper towels. He quickly began scrubbing his arms, chest, and face. As the Frenchman bent toward the sink to rinse his hair a brilliant idea came to him.
"Zhere iz always option trios," the Frenchman said casually as he finished with his hair and eyed the Brit in the mirror. Elizabeth saw him appraise her features and immediately went on the defensive.
"Oh no. Never in a million years. You know I detest your so called friends," the blonde woman said aggressively. A calculating look quickly crept into the Frenchman's eyes and he chuckled to himself.
"Zhat iz fine. I will just go to zhe opening, 'ave a good time, and end up coming 'ome quite late. Possibly wis an attractive young woman. We'll be drunk of course, zo our escapades will be quite loud. 'oo knows we may even wake Alfred. Zhrowing off 'is schedule. I will be in no condition zhe next day to go to work…"
"Damn you, frog! Fine, I will go with you tonight and play your little game. I have one condition. You have to find someone to watch Alfred," Elizabeth exclaimed and fixed the blonde man with her most lethal of glares. The blue eyed man smiled triumphantly and bent down. He picked up the pants he had been wearing and pulled out his cell phone. He tapped the screen several times and then put the instrument to his ear.
"Bonjour, mama. Comment allez-vous? Bon, tres bon. Mama, I 'ave a favor to ask. Could you watch Alfred for moi cette nuit? C'est magnifique. Merci mama. We will zee you zhis evening. A bientot,"
The call ended and Francis smiled brightly at Elizabeth. The blonde woman simply continued to glare.
"You are a conniving bastard. Now please get dressed. We still have a schedule to keep," the Brit said as she stalked out of the washroom.
AN: So what is gonna happen at the nightclub? I see shenanigans in the near future.