The following morning, Francis woke up around eight. He found his cat curled up on one of the many pillows. Shooting it a glare for what it did last night, the Frenchman grabbed a towel and headed to the shower. Afterwards, He carefully picked his outfit, made something quick to eat and headed out.
"Bon Anniversaire, Monsieur Bonnefoy!"
"Joyeux Anniversaire Francis."
Francis smiled and thanked the shopkeepers as he walked though the city. He stopped outside of his favorite flower shop and was soon approached by the elderly owner. "What a lovely surprise, It's wonderful to see you again Francis." She said. "Clarissa, I see you are well."
Clarissa smiled and gave Francis a hug. "My you haven't changed at all,I wish I could say the same for myself, Bon Anniversaire." Francis hugged back and gave a small chuckle. "Nonsense. To me you still look as belle as the day I met you." Clarissa chuckled back and playfully hit his arm.
"You flatter this old woman." She teased. "Now then, shall I get you your roses? I'm sure you're heading off somewhere special to be stopping by here so early on your birthday. " Francis shook his head. "Not today Clarissa, but I do have some where special to be soon. I'd like..a small bouquet of Lilies."
"Lilies? Are you planning to go to Rouen today?" Clarissa asked as she got the flowers ready. "Non, not today. But I guess you can say that in a sense I am going to see her today." Francis explained, taking the bouquet and taking out his wallet. "No charge for you, cher. You know I never charge you for Lilies"
Francis smiled and thanked her. "You truly are an angel, Chere. I'm going to be sad when you go." Clarissa chuckled. "That's very sweet of you." The Frenchman turned to walk out but paused. "My offer is still open, if you want to take it." Clarissa looked away as she remembered what Francis had told her many years ago.
"Merci...but no." She walked over to look him in the eye."I want to live a few more lives. Then perhaps,I'll consider the offer." Francis hugged her again before leaving the shop and heading off towards Jeanne's house.
A knock echoed though the house as Francis arrived. "Coming" Jeanne called but was stopped. "Non I'll get it chere."
Outside Francis was fidgeting with the bow he'd used to tie his hair back. Hearing the door open, he turned and straighten up. "Bonjour Ma chere Jeanne. I brought you some- Ah Monsieur!" Francis exclaimed once he realized the person who open the door wasn't Jeanne, but her Father.
The man gave a smirk and regarded the Frenchman's attire before landing on the bouquet of lilies. "Are those for Moi? How kind of you." He said snatching the flowers away. "Oh um they are actually for your daughter." Francis muttered, this situation was making him quite uncomfortable.
"Papa, you're making him nervous!" Jeanne said, pushing past her father so she could greet the Frenchman. "Je suis désolé Francis. Papa just likes to make people awkward. I've got the basket, let's go now." She said holding a large picnic basket. "Boys shall we?" Francis nodded and hurried to walk with her.
"Jeanne, would you like me to carry the basket?" He offered. "Do you not think my daughter is capable of carrying a basket on her own?" Jeanne's father asked, coming up behind the couple. "Oh, non, it's not that Monsieur. I know you're daughter is very capable of doing things on her own!" Francis hurriedly said.
The French girl sighed and stopped walking. "Papa you said you wouldn't tease him! Francis, I really am sorry for him doing this." The personified country just smiled and gave a chuckle. "It's quite alright, chère. Your père is just looking out for you." After that the three of them soon made their way to a park.
Finding a good spot under a shady tree, Jeanne's Father set down a blanket as his daughter and Francis began to unpack. "Ah what a wonderful day, and on Bastille Day." The elder man said. " Indeed it is. " Francis agreed, not bothering to add that it was also his birthday.
"So Francis, I know you've been seeing my Jeanne for the past month but I yet to know anything about you. So tell me about yourself." The blond Frenchman looked up. "Oh, well, Monsieur I-" "Please call me Charles" Charles interrupted. "Very well,Charles, I work as a diplomat or Representative for the country of France." Francis explained.
"Amazing. What about your family? I'm sure your parents are proud." Charles said, taking a bite of the food his daughter was serving. "Well actually, I didn't really grow up with my parents. I never knew my father and my mother died after I was born." Francis said, twisting his history so it would sound more believable to them.
"Oh so then where you raised in a foster home?" Jeanne asked, now curious as well. "Non, I was partly raised by Feliciano's grand-père but mostly I was independent. But during that time is when I met all of mon amis." He finished. "Odd how you all became diplomats, non?" Jeanne chuckled.
They talked a little more, Charles offered Francis some whine while asking some more questions, and Jeanne making sure the two men didn't drink too much. "Excusez-moi, I'll be right back Papa. " The girl said, standing up and walking to the near by restrooms. "My Jeanne really does like you. And you seem like a good boy. "
Charles took a sip of wine and looked over to him. "But I want to ask you something seriously." He said, his voice becoming serious. "What exactly to plan to get from my daughter?" Francis raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?" Charles folded his arms. "I did a little research on you, so I lied when I said I knew nothing about you."
Francis gulped a little. "Apparently you have quite a history of being with a lot of women. Also now that I know you travel a lot, with being a diplomat, I want to know why someone like you would chose a girl like Jeanne." Charles concluded.
"Monsieur Charles, I can't exactly explain why I care for your daughter but I know she is a wonderful young woman. She has this inner strength that makes her like someone I've never met before, I feel drawn to her. I know that you think I want to be with her for other reasons but I can assure you that I have no such intentions "
"Strange, you've known my daughter for a month and yet you speak as if you've known her for years." Charles said, finishing his wine. 'You have no Idea. ' Francis thought, looking over to see Jeanne walking back. "I'm back. Papa you didn't pester Francis too much did you?" She asked.
"Ma chère I would never do that to such a wonderful man." Charles said, in faux shock, as he place a hand on the blond man's shoulder. " Now I must apologize but I have some business to attend to today, it was wonderful to spend some time with you ma fille(daughter) and to get to know you Francis." He said hugging his daughter and nodding to Francis.
Jeanne hugged back. "I'll see you tomorrow at work papa." Charles bid goodbye to them both before walking off in the direction of city. "You're father is a good man, Jeanne." Francis commented. "Oui I know. I hope he didn't, as Alfred would say, drill you too much." She said. "On non, It's noting I couldn't handle."
The pair smiled and finished lunch. Once all the food and wine where done, they cleaned up, and Francis offered to take Jeanne around town so as to help digest the food. "Oh Francis I have some place I'd like to take you." Jeanne said, stopping and turning to him while hiding her phone.
Looking a little surprised at first, Francis agreed but was confused when the girl pulled out a blindfold. "It has to be a secret, so I have to put this on you. " She said leaning up to tie the fabric around the Frenchman's head, covering his eyes. "Very well cher. Lead the way. " Francis chuckled as Jeanne took his hand.
"YOU BLOODY WANKER DON'T EAT THE CAKE!"
"Aww come on Iggy, we could always buy another one or have Ludwig bake another."
"NO!" Arthur shouted as he held a cake out of his boyfriend's reach.
"WILL YOU TWO STOP! " Ludwig shouted as he cleaned up the kitchen. "And Alfred if you eat that cake be fore it's time I will start WW3 on you!" Ludwig shouted.
"Oi west we got the beer. And Tonio should be here with whine and his and your boyfriends!" Gilbert announced walking into the kitchen. "Man they did a good job of fixing things up after Eyebrows exploded it" He commented. "SHOVE OFF!"
'These boys honestly.' Elizaveta thought. "Mattie, Roddy, hold the ribbons right there. Perfect!" She instructed and pulled out her phone. Matthieu and Roderich descended their stairs and looked at the banner. " I like the banner. Michelle did a good job, shame she and Simone couldn't be here."
"ALRIGHT MEN! I just sent the word out, they should be on their way now." Elizaveta announced. "Where is Antonio!" As if on cue the happy Spaniard walked in thought the back door, holding few bags of wine, and being followed by Lovino and Feliciano. "Perfect now hurry and make last minute adjustments!"
Jeanne lead Francis up the path to a simple, but still beautiful, house. "We are almost there. " She said slowing down to a stop. "How exciting." Jeanne smiled and knocked on the door. The sound of locks moving could be heard before the door opened slightly. " Alright Francis. You can take the blind fold off now."
Reaching up to remove the fabric, Francis opened his eyes as Jeanne fully opened a door to a house. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANCIS!" Voiced cried, the words 'Papa' and 'Frog' blending in. "Wha- Jeanne? What is this?" Francis asked once he realized the house was his home in the city.
"Well you see, Gilbert and Antonio asked me to take you out for a while today so they could get this together." She responded smiling. "Bon anniversaire, Francis." A smile formed on the Frenchman's lips. "Merci everyone!" He said and entered the house with her.
"Now that you are here. LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" Alfred shouted, clicking on the stereo. Everyone laughed and the party began to roll.
Hello my lovelies! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, as well as the story thus far, but now I have some news. I'm going to go on a break from posting for a while, 2-3 months at the most, during that time I will still be writing chapters so that by the time I'm back you can all have lots of chapters. I may come back sooner, like in a month/ month and a half, but that all depends on how may reviews I get. So until I post again, enjoy life, stay awesome, and adieu~