Chapter 4

Author's Notes: Okay, here is where it gets better, I think. I'm going to try to make this romantic and then…well, you'll just have to read it! Okay, now this chapter is harder. I had to find something that fit the time period and made sense. I'm not from France, so I don't know much. Thank goodness there's this thing called the internet/web. XD I give credit for the upcoming brochure description three paragraphs down in italics to www[dot]parisdigest[dot]com. Anyways, R&R with Constructive Criticism!

A week and a half had passed since Frank had sung his feelings to Lucille. But now, all he could do was sigh in despair as he stared at the maps and brochures around him. 'What am I going to do?' His panicking thoughts echoed in his head. 'I want to take her somewhere special, but where?' This had been a dilemma the entire week. This was Paris, but they had already been to many of the places that were famous around here.

The first thing that came to mind was the Eiffel Tower, but that would only bring back nightmares of Maynott and how he had tried to murder Frank. The giant flea sighed and repeated his thoughts, "What am I going to do?" He lowered the brochure in his hand and picked up another one. It had pictures of gardens and palaces with gardens on it.

One of the pictures caught Frank's eye and he read the description slowly, still practicing his reading skills. "Versailles Park?" He read the description of the history from the brochure: Versailles Park is one of the jewels of thePalace of Versailles. It was designed between 1660 and 1670 by Le Notre, the gardener of King Louis XIV. Versailles Park is the perfect example of French gardening: nature is ordered geometrically according to the rules of Classicism. Spread with statues and fountains, the park was the setting of splendid royal parties until the 1789 revolution.

Frank smiled. He checked how far away it was from Paris: sixteen kilometers. Perfect! That wasn't that far, was it? So, for the next few days, he did research on the Versailles Park, using his new voice to express himself. The people he asked could guess his intentions, he could tell by their smiles. They eagerly told him everything they knew. Almost every time after he said thank you, they would say back, "Good luck!" And that immediately told him that they knew.

One day, as Frank was coming back from going out to get more information, Lucille caught him. She blinked in surprise, and then asked kindly, "Where have you been?" Frank, still not quite used to talking a lot yet, blushed and looked away, trying to find the right words. The only thing he managed to say was, "Out." Lucille giggled and gave him a hug, which he happily returned.

"Okay," Lucille said when they parted. "It's time for lunch." Frank nodded in agreement. This was his favorite part of the day. Because of his new diet, Lucille bought all sorts of things for him, all of which tasted different and unique. But more importantly, almost all of them tasted good. Walking into her kitchen, he took off his gloves and took his second set of arms out of his jacket so they were poking out of his suit. Then he waited.

But he didn't have to wait long. "Here you are!" Lucille gave him a plate of spaghetti with meat balls. Then she placed a glass of water next to him on the table. "This dish is called spaghetti with meat balls. I always enjoy it. I'm pretty sure you will too." He nodded and said a quick, "Thank you." Then he picked up the thing she had called a fork and quickly dipped it into the spaghetti. Unfortunately, the spaghetti fell off.

He tried again without success. Lucille saw this and giggled again. She went over and showed him how to twirl the spaghetti onto the fork. "Now you try." She said encouragingly to him. He did and it worked better. Picking up the fork, he took the first bit of spaghetti. It was warm and delicious as most of the other foods were. Lucille knew what he would like and not like based off of previous experiences. And soon enough, less than five minutes later, he was done with the huge bowl of spaghetti, meat balls included.

Licking his fingers and lips, he smiled. "That was the best yet." He managed to say. Lucille smiled, "You certainly have the stomach for these things, don't you? But I guess because you're bigger, that's to be expected." Frank blushed and shrugged. He looked back at Lucille who was holding one of the flowers from a vase that sat on the table. This alone reminded him of the Versailles Park trip he was planning for him and Lucille. All he needed to know was what day they had free time to go there.

"Lucille," He began, "Do we have any free days this week…you know, without any per-performances." He had trouble saying certain long words. Lucille looked at him, "I believe this Friday is our free day. Plus we have the whole weekend. We can do whatever we want. Why? What did you plan to do?" Placing one of his fingers against his lips, he said, "Not telling." Lucille nodded, playing along, "Oh, so it's a secret." Frank nodded with an innocent smile, "And you can't know about it. It's a surprise." Lucille laughed, "All right, because it's you, I'll be patient." Frank smiled.

So, for the next few days, until Friday, Frank planned everything. He planned the transportation, the living arrangements – where they would stay, and he also got the money they would need for the things they would do. Lucille had no idea what Frank had in store, much to the giant flea's relief. Finally, Thursday night, Frank approached Lucille, having everything planned out.

"Lucille?" He called into her room, which had the door closed. "Yes, Frank? Come in." He carefully opened the door and walked in. He had already readied himself for bed, so he was wearing his usual night clothes. When he looked into the room for her, he noticed she was in bed, in her nightclothes, reading a book. "How may I help you?" She asked.

Frank shook his head with a shy smile, "I just wanted to let you know that we're going to be doing something different tomorrow." Lucille looked confused, "Different? As in…?" Frank smiled, "It's the secret." Lucille nodded, "I see, the secret again." She had been hearing that over and over from him for the past week. She was starting to lose patience.

"Are you going to tell me what the secret is now or tomorrow?" Frank thought a moment before answering, "I won't tell you. I'll show you." She looked surprised now. "What do you mean?" Frank sighed, "If I told you, it would ruin the surprise." Lucille nodded sadly, "Alright, I'll let you have your way. I hope whatever you're planning isn't bad in any way." Frank was surprised, "No, not at all…it's–" He shut his mouth before he could spoil anything. "You'll see."

Lucille sighed and nodded, getting up from her bed. She walked over as Frank bent down lower. Placing both hands on his cheeks, she brought him closer and kissed him softly. The warm feeling of satisfaction burned within Frank as he closed his eyes and pulled her close. When they parted, she smiled, "I love you…I'm sure wherever this is, it'll be great. Right?" He nodded and placed his forehead against hers. After about half a minute of snuggling, they each went to their rooms and went to sleep, both eager for the next day to come.

The two got up early the next morning, Frank obviously being the first to rise. He smiled widely. Today and the next few days would be great. Thank goodness Carlotta and the band already knew. He smiled and quickly got dressed into a new slightly more casual outfit than his usual white and dark blue suit, but not much different – same blues and white. He then nearly hopped over to Lucille's room. Knocking three times, he waited. "Come in," He eagerly complied and opened the door. Lucille was about to get dressed into her day dress, but that was one thing that would interfere with Frank's plan.

"No!" He jumped in front of her, still trying to be as nice as possible. "Come with me…" Lucille frowned, "But I need to get dressed." He nodded with a wide smile, "Exactly!" He pulled her carefully out of her room and into his. On a chair in front of a mirror was a box. "First present…for you!" He handed her the box. She eyed him suspiciously but didn't ask questions as she opened the box. She gasped when she saw what was inside.

It was clothing that looked absolutely beautiful, even in the box. The outfit had a white and dark blue undershirt and beautiful light and dark blue top with flower decorations. The pants were similar – white with dark and light blue stripes. The shoes had similar patterns. The outfit, when on, would match Frank's outfit. Just looking at them, she smiled. "This is beautiful. Let me try it on." She rushed into her room to put it on.

When she came out, she was smiling and wearing the new outfit. "Perfect." Frank said as he took in her appearance. And it was true, the outfit was perfect. The only problem was there was nothing to match her brown hair and green eyes. Frank had thought of that and could fix it. He pulled out another smaller box and opened it for her. Inside were two small bracelets with the same brown as her hair, a green stone on a necklace that matched her eyes, and a light and dark blue and white clip for her hair. After helping her get those on, he smiled, "Lovely."

She smiled and hugged him close to her. He smiled and hugged her back, "Come," He said as he let go, "We'll be late." She didn't ask as she watched him carry two suitcases down to the door that was the exit out of her house. He opened the door, took one step, and waited until she was beside him outside. There, waiting patiently on the road in front of him, was a carriage with a man holding the reins attached to a horse. The carriage looked very grand.

Lucille giggled, "You certainly overdid it a little." Frank shrugged as he helped her into the carriage, "I wanted it to be perfect." She smiled and waited for him. He barely fit through the door of the carriage. But he did and came to sit opposite her as he closed the door. He tapped the wall behind him twice to tell the driver that they were ready. The driver understood and they were off.

Frank noticed, through the window of the carriage, a couple whom he had talked to wave to him. He waved back and nodded his head in thanks for their help. Other people on the street recognized them and waved too. Lucille and Frank always waved back. When they had exited Paris, Lucille sat back and closed her eyes.

"Lucille?" Frank's voice echoed dreamlike through Lucille's head. She murmured, "Not now, I'm almost done with the pancakes…" Frank chuckled, "You want pancakes? I'm sure we can get some in a few minutes. But first you must wake up." Lucille sighed and continued to rest, barely hearing Frank as he sighed. But then she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

"What!" She cried as she was carried out of the carriage. "Oh!" She looked up at Frank who smiled down at her. "Good afternoon, Sleeping Beauty!" She blushed, "Where are we?" He smiled and asked, "Can you stand?" She sighed and nodded. He put her down on her feet. "Then…" He said. "Welcome to Versailles Park!"

End Comments: Can you see where this is going? I can. But of course I can. ^^; I'm the one writing it! But if any of you have any guesses, go for it and guess. I'd love to hear your ideas on what you THINK I'm going to do! ;) Go for it…also, I haven't drawn the outfit for Lucille yet. I've only seen it in my head, so it might not look as perfect as I thought. I hope it turns out okay! ^^; This might be the last chapter for a while. I was writing practically all day, I need a break! But I will come back to it! ;) R&R