Chapter 10
"Oh?" Carmelita asked, frowning at the tight-lipped, mysterious Kitty and Carmen, but then shrugged. "Okay, I'm listening…and I'm sitting down. Go on, Carmen…"
Carmen leaned forward toward her sister, smiling. "I just thought this the right thing to do…to come and warn you, you see," Carmen related, just as mysteriously as she had before.
Carmelita frowned again, and tossed her thick wavy black hair over her shoulder in irritation. "Warn me? Warn me about what?" she demanded, instantly on her guard.
"Oh, not much, sport," Kitty chimed in, waving away Carmelita's suspicions. "Just that you're way of life's about to change is all…"
Carmen frowned and shook her head at Kitty in warning.
"Pff!" Carmelita replied dismissively. "Like it hasn't changed already, Kitty? C'mon…what's this all really about?"
"Yes," Carmen agreed. "Our lives have changed, hermana. In many ways since, well…you know, since you quit." She then reached over and laid her hand atop of her sister's. "Carmelita, I have a favor to ask of you."
Carmelita's eyes softened at her sister's request. She loved Carmen very much, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for her dearest sister. "Ask away, sister dear," she replied.
"Thank you," Carmen replied, smiling fondly at her younger sister. "Oh, I do not think you will mind this favor of mine, though."
"Even if I did," Carmelita pointed out, "I'd still do it…just because you asked me too, Carmen. You know that."
Carmen's smile broadened, her eyes twinkling. "Si, I know," she responded, lifting her hand from Carmelita's to caress her sister's cheek a moment. "Now, as to that favor of mine then…" Carmen then paused, her hazel eyes twinkling even more, if possible.
"Carmen!" Carmelita growled softly, yet still smiled. This was an old game for the two…Carmen would drag out her request until she had Carmelita so flustered she had no choice but to agree with her. "Out with it already!"
Carmen sighed, but her grin gave her away. "Very well, if you must know," Carmen said grandly, grinning. "Carmelita. My sister. My love. I am going to be a mother!" she informed her.
"You're wh-what?" Carmelita stammered, her big brown eyes going even wider still. Then she finally bulled her way through her shock, and grinned. The next thing she knew she was out of her chair, kneeling before her sister, her arms around Carmen's waist. "Oh, Carmen! That's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you and Carlos!" Then, even though she didn't know why, Carmelita found tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Shh, hermana," Carmen soothed, kissing Carmelita on the top of her head.
Then Carmelita released her sister, dried her eyes, and smiled up into her sister's eyes. "You know what that means, don't you, Carmen?" Carmelita asked, which made her sister blink and look back at her in confusion.
"Eh, what would that be?" Carmen replied.
"The pressure's off of me…since you're going to give Momma and Pappa that fifth-generation Fox they've always wanted," Carmelita told her sister, who gasped, then began to chuckle.
"Aiee," Carmen said softly. "You've bested me again, Carmelita." Then she laughed softly. "Ah, but I forgive you…for I am far too happy to angry with you."
"I can't believe it," Carmelita told Carmen, then hugged her, squealing with her joy at her sister's good news. "Carmen, I'm going to be an Aunt!"
"Who's going to be a what?" came a suave masculine voice from the doorway to the salon. Carmelita twisted around to spot Sly, and behind him, both Bentley and Murray. "Buenos Dias, Capitan Fox," Sly bade Carmen with a clever, yet well-meaning grin, and a respectful bow.
"Senor Cooper," Carmen replied rather stiffly, her eyes narrowing, her expression darkening.
"Dios, Carmen," Carmelita grumped, softly slapping her sister's thigh. "You trust him with my care…and yet you still hold him in such contempt?" She looked Carmen in the eye. "And you used to scold me that I saw things in only shades of black and white, my sister."
"My apologies," Carmen replied, feeling just a bit torn still. She eyed Sly warily. "I hope you have been treating my sister well, you rascal."
Sly stepped forward, and nodded. "Look for yourself, Capitan," he told her. "Does she look any the worse for wear?"
Carmen flicked her glance to her sister, and frowned. "Well…no, I suppose not," she admitted. In fact, Carmelita looked happier than Carmen could recall of seeing her in a very long time. That Fox twinkle was back in her lovely eyes again. "Hmmph," she added, mostly to herself.
"You'll have to excuse her behavior, Sly," a grinning Kitty informed him. "You do know how cranky pregnant ladies can get sometimes…" Kitty indicated Carmen with a clever little jerk of her chin.
"Oh?" Sly questioned, looking over at the seated Carmen again, his left eyebrow arching. "Congratulations are in order then, yes?" Sly moved forward closer to Carmen, who eyed him very warily indeed. When he was just before her, he carefully reached down to gently lift her right hand up to kiss the knuckles of her hand. "I will say one thing, Capitan…your children will be very beautiful. As beautiful as their mother, I should think…"
Carmen wanted to be surly with the criminal…but, oddly enough, found she simply could not. First of all, he was so charming, what with the gallant way he had kissed her hand. Secondly, he made her sister a very happy woman. And, last of all, just how could a woman be angry at someone who said such wonderful things about her? She squinted at Sly, a smile threatening to appear any moment. "You are charmer, Cooper…I will say that of you," she admitted.
Bentley wasn't nearly as charming. "Sly," he hissed, his eyes huge behind his spectacles. "How did she get here? This is too much. First we accept a former Interpol Inspector into our gang, and now…now, we're hosting a Captain---this one on active duty!---at our headquarters! C'mon, Sly…she's Interpol, she'll have their Rapid Response Team smashing in our door in fifteen minutes, tops!" By the look on Bentley's face, he expected that crash to happen any moment.
"Relax, pal," Sly admonished his panicky friend. "Carmen won't tell anyone we're here."
Carmen bristled slightly at his smug statement. "Oh? And, how do you know that, Senor Cooper?" she demanded.
Sly grinned, causing Carmelita to grin too and shake her head. "One, if I know Kitty…she's probably got something hanging over your pretty head right this moment. Don't you?" Sly turned to Kitty.
Kitty grinned, then nodded. "Slick," Kitty admitted. "Yep, Carmen knows exactly what will happen if she blabs."
"I do not 'blab', Kitty Petro," Carmen protested, eyeing Kitty with distaste briefly.
"See, Bent?" Sly pointed out to Bentley, who only snorted, crossing his arms before his chest, an unbelieving look on his face. "Two, she won't tell her Interpol buddies because Carmelita's here. And, Carmen would rather cut off her right arm than have her sister arrested. Isn't that right, Carmen?"
Carmen growled softly, hating the fact this rogue seemed to know her so well. Then, suddenly she was able to see past her law-enforcement and familial prejudices, and understand. She chuckled softly. "I can see why my sister is attracted to you, Sly Cooper," Carmen replied. "You have keen instincts, a good head on those shoulders…and exquisite taste in women, I might add." Carmen winked at her sister, who grinned even wider.
Sly laughed, his dark brown eyes dancing. "Smart, bold, and beautiful," Sly said, shaking his head in wonder, his gaze flicking back and forth between Carmen and Carmelita. "There's definitely something special about all you Fox women, I think."
Carmelita smiled at his compliment, and moved to his side to give him a grateful kiss on the cheek. She then looked down to her seated sister. "C'mon, Carmen…after all, wasn't it you that said I should get to know him better?" Carmelita pointed out.
Carmen held her hands up, smiling. "Stop! Stop! I surrender," Carmen replied, chuckling once more. "Gracias, Senor…for making my sister so happy. But, I'm afraid it will be a while before I fully trust you, Sly Cooper."
Carmelita rolled her eyes. "Honestly!" she protested. "I don't know which of you is worse: you or Bentley over there!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" both Carmen and Bentley said simultaneously.
The two then blinked, flicked their glances at one another, then looked away, obviously embarrassed.
Sly chuckled, and was joined a moment later by Carmelita and Murray. Carmen and Bentley first scowled at them all, then at each other, then looked away once more. "That means we all have to get to know one another better, I think," Sly proposed.
"Yes," Carmelita said, agreeing. She eyed Carmen with a pointed frown. "Sly and his guys here have saved my butt more than once, Carmen…even when it made no sense for them to do so. Don't you think that merits just a little trust, hermana?"
"Well…" Carmen replied, falling silent, fidgeting.
Sly turned to Bentley. "Yeah, pal," he said. "Carmelita saved your bacon a few times too…and she didn't have to do that either now, did she?"
"Well, no…" an embarrassed Bentley admitted. "But, Sly---"
"But, nothing, Bentley," Sly persisted. "Look, Carmen has shown a lot of faith in us…coming here, blindfolded," Sly saw the black kerchief tucked in Carmelita's pocket, "just so she could see her sister…knowing full well that we'd all be here too."
"All right," Bentley reluctantly admitted…again. He then looked up at Carmelita, who silently nodded her head, then beckoned him to Carmen with a commanding jerk of her chin. Bentley gulped, but moved directly before Carmen. "Captain," he began, then fell silent. "Truce, all right?" he asked, holding out his thick-fingered hand to her.
Carmen eyed his hand, then flicked her pretty hazel eyes up to look the turtle in the eyes. One could determine a lot from looking into someone's eyes, Carmen always found. She noted grudging respect, and not a little fear in his eyes. She then nodded her proud head, reached out and took his hand, shaking it once. "Truce, Senor Bentley," she agreed, then flicked her gaze to Cooper. "All of you."
Carmelita felt a surge of pride…both in her own sister, as well as in Bentley. "See? That wasn't so hard," she told them both with a grin.
"Carmelita," both growled back, but then they grinned at one another at the second such simultaneous outburst.
Sly smiled over at his lady love, taking her hand to kiss the back of it grandly. Carmelita softly blushed, but smiled very fondly back at him.
"So, hermana," Carmen then spoke. "Since I---and Kitty---are here, do you think we might have a tour of your grand new home?"
Bentley opened his mouth to protest, but Carmen cut him off.
"Aiee! Is it so wrong, Senor, for me to want to see my sister's new home?" she added, her gaze steady. Bentley bit back his initial reply, then reluctantly shook his head.
"Of course, Carmen. I'd be delighted to," Carmelita told her, then mouthed the words 'thank you' to Bentley, over Carmen's shoulder, who couldn't help himself and grinned.. "Let's go, you two," she added, beckoning for Kitty to follow along after the two sisters.
As they toured the main floor, Carmelita asked some of the questions pinging around in her head. "So, Carmen…just how many nieces and nephews am I to expect? One? Two? More?" she wanted to know.
Carmen laughed softly at her sister's eagerness. "Dr. Chen believe two…but, at this point in my pregnancy, it's sort of hard to tell. Carlos and I hope for two…a boy and a girl."
Carmelita grinned at that news. So, a niece and a nephew? Ooh, two new Foxes to spoil and delight in? She liked it! "Okay. So…any ideas on what you're going to call them?"
"Well, yes," Carmen admitted with a smile. "Carlos and I do have some ideas, you know…but, before we decide that for certain, we're going to do some more brainstorming." Carmen was intrigued by the old hotel she found herself in...her sister's new home. "Hey, what about that tour you promised us?"
Carmelita laughed at that. "That's what we're doing, sister dear," she teased. Then, she realized something…her sister was going to be a mother. Didn't pregnant gals have special needs? "Carmen, you just tell me if you would like to sit down, okay? I don't want you to get too tired."
Carmen smiled fondly over her sister's fussing. "Thank you for your concern, dear heart. However, I am only a month or two pregnant, so the worst I've had is morning sickness…and I haven't had much of that, thank goodness. So, don't you worry, okay? I'll be sure to yell if I'm feeling like I'm overdoing it."
Carmelita took Carmen and Kitty around Le Hotel Champlain, the Cooper Gang's current headquarters. Both Kitty and Carmen were much impressed with the place, it's Old World niceties, the attention to detail modern hotels nowadays lacked…like arched ceiling with frescos at their apex, like ornate columns along the main hallway, like the semi-circular staircases that led from the main foyer to the upstairs.
"Wow! Gee, I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't make a mistake in not joining the gang when you did," Kitty observed, falling in love with the place.
"While I'd dearly love having you with me, Kitty…I really don't think you much care for the life, my friend," Carmelita said jokingly. "It's not sleeping in til noon, then lazing about, waiting for dinner every day. We all do extensive and exhaustive training…each and every day, you know."
Kitty frowned, groaning. "Okay…maybe not, then," she admitted, though reluctantly.
Carmen smiled, knowing just how much Kitty hated anything that required heavy exercise. Kitty was in shape, of course…one didn't become an Inspector at Interpol by being a couch potato, after all. However, anything more above and beyond the call of duty left her…well, cold. Carmen knew that Kitty had herself a motto concerning people who tried to get her to train more…just for the 'fun' of it. "Gym…Torture…they're one in the same thing to me. So…kindly stop bugging me!"
"Yeah, didn't think so, Kitty," Carmelita replied with a grin that let Kitty know she was only teasing her. She took them around to see the kitchen, the dining area, the multiple salons…then decided to take the back stairs to continue the tour upstairs. "Here we are, the staff stairways," Carmelita announced, then smiled as they approached the staircase. Before either Kitty or Carmen knew it, Carmelita jumped and deftly landed unerringly upon the banister.
"Impressive there, Montoya buddy," Kitty teased.
"Thanks. Hey, don't call me Montoya," Carmelita said, correcting the rascally Kitty. "That was called the Rail Walk. It was invented by an American fella named Tennessee Kid Cooper way back in the late 1800s." She led them upstairs to tour her bedroom (which Kitty immediately noticed was right across from Sly's. My, she thought, grinning, how convenient!), then the training center. "I spend a majority of my time in here…practicing. Kitty, Carmen…I've learned so much in such a short time." She then led her sister and Kitty toward the front staircases. "Just head down the stairs, ladies, and that'll be our tour of the place. Oh…I'll met you both at the bottom, kids!" Carmelita then jumped up, alighted upon the smooth oaken rail of the main stairs, and proceeded to slide effortlessly down the curving banister all the way down, looking very much like she was surfing. Just before she reached the last third of the way down, she crouched down and vaulted high into the two-story foyer, somersaulting once before she angled down to alight upon the small triangular ornament that adorned the bottom most rail of each stair. "I just performed a combination move. The first is called the Rail Slide---yet another technique perfected by the Tennessee Kid---followed by the far more difficult---yet very fun!---move called the Ninja Spire Jump," from Sly´s old ninja anchestor Rioichi Cooper she explained when the others finally made their way down.
"Well, sister dear, I can see you are doing just wonderfully. You have lost none of your skills…in fact, you seem even more fluid and graceful than I ever remember you being," Carmen said.
Carmelita glowed with Carmen's praise. "Thanks, Carmen. Oh, yeah, and now I can open over one hundred and seventeen different types of locks as well," Carmelita added proudly.
"A skill to be proud of, I'm certain," Carmen observed primly, frowning as Kitty laughed.
"Oh, lighten up, Carmen," Carmelita told her sister, looping an arm around her waist. "You know I'd never use anything I learn to harm innocents. And, neither will Sly, Bentley, or Murray for that matter."
"Well, hermana," Carmen finally told her sister. "Thank you for showing me your home. It's a beautiful old place. However, I must be getting home. Carlos is taking me out to dinner, you see…to celebrate our good news." She smiled.
Carmelita hugged her sister, kissing her cheek, before letting her go. She then reached out to ensnare Kitty in a crushing hug, letting the girl know just how much she had missed her these weeks. "Good bye, you two," Carmelita told them. "Don't be strangers, okay?"
"We won't be," Kitty promised, while Carmen nodded her agreement. As Sly thoughtfully helped Carmen on with her coat, Carmelita took Kitty aside a moment. "Hey, kid…I need your help," she asked.
"Oh? What kind of help?" Kitty asked, curious.
Carmelita smiled, looking meaningfully over in Bentley's direction. "Um, let's say…some of your patented matchmaker help, my friend," she said softly.
Kitty grinned, becoming more intrigued. "Hey, sounds like fun. Count me in, sport!" she replied. "Okay, now…I'm going to drive Carmen home, then I'll head back to my place, get some things, and then I'll be back, okay?"
Carmelita nodded, then kissed Kitty on the cheek in thanks. Kitty only grinned, then turned to Carmen. "Yo, pregnant lady!" she bellowed. "Let's get a move on, okay? I am not catching any heat from Carlos on this one, capisch?"
Carmen laughed, softly pushing that rascal, Kitty. "Oh you!" she giggled. "You are such a prankster."
Now more than an hour later, Carmelita found Kitty knocking on the entry door to the hotel's garage. "Well well," Carmelita teased. "Took you long enough."
"Yeah, yeah," Kitty replied, grinning. Carmelita ushered her into the empty kitchen. As Kitty took a seat at the kitchen table, Carmelita moved to the refrigerator and returned with a can of Coke for Kitty. She herself poured herself a hot cup of coffee, and took a seat beside the younger woman.
"So, I guess you're probably wondering what I'm up to," Carmelita ventured. "Aren't you?"
"Well, yeah!" Kitty answered. "This is a whole new side of you, Carmelita." Kitty then giggled. "I happen to like it."
Carmelita grinned.
"So, compadre, what's going on?" Kitty asked, wanting to hear what was going on.
"Not here, Kitty," Carmelita said warily, chugging the rest of her coffee. "Finish your Coke, and then we'll head up to my room to plot."
"Plot? Ooh!" Kitty replied, teasing Carmelita mercilessly. Kitty quickly downed her cold soda, then the two girls padded noiselessly up to Carmelita's bedroom. "Say, is it a coincidence that you're right across from Sly's bedroom, buddy?"
Carmelita flicked her eyes to the rascally Kitty, frowning her displeasure. She then raised her chin proudly, replying, "I happen to like this room the best. It's the biggest, and it looks out over the gardens below. That's it."
"Sure," Kitty replied, grinning Cheshire Cat-like.
"Kitty," Carmelita replied, then darted out a hand to grab Kitty by her nose. "That. Is. Enough," she declared as Kitty squirmed, her eyes watering. "Understood?"
"Yes, Yes!" Kitty whined. "Just let go of my nose!"
Carmelita released her hold, then led Kitty into her room, shutting the door behind them.
"That certainly wasn't very nice," Kitty complained, gently rubbing her sore nose.
"Oh?" Carmelita shot back. "And, I suppose insinuating that Sly and I are---well, never mind…that wasn't very nice either," she pointed out.
"Okay, okay," Kitty relented. "So, what's the plan, girl?"
As Kitty got comfortable on Carmelita's bed, Carmelita began to explain the budding romance she felt was developing between the taciturn Bentley, and the famous, beautiful Yuri Sing. "…but, it's just so frustrating, Kitty! I know---well, I think I do, at least!---that Yuri's got feelings for him…and yet, Bentley's convinced that she won't even look twice at him…him being a self-proclaimed 'geek', you understand."
"Hmm, yeah…I can see your problem," Kitty offered up, thinking. "So, any ideas on what you want to do then?"
"Well, Kitty," Carmelita began, rubbing her chin with her forefinger. "I was thinking that, maybe something like a sort of casual, yet romantic dinner…just the two of them might be a good first step. I don't know though."
Kitty frowned, thinking hard. "Hmm, this is a poser, Carmelita. Man, I wish I could just see the two of them together, you know, with my own eyes. Then, oh yes, then I could tell a whole lot of things." Kitty tapped her trimmed nails on the maple bedpost at the end of the bed where she sat. "Okay, now you're one hundred percent sure that this Yuri girl is really, truly interested in Bentley then, right?"
Carmelita frowned, unsure. "Well…to be truthful, that's hard to say that for sure, Kitty. But, I think so," Carmelita answered. "I don't know how I know…it's kind almost like a gut feeling, you know?"
Kitty shook her head sadly. "Sorry, girl, I hate to be the one to say it, but that's really not enough to go on," Kitty assured her. "You got to be careful with these kind of things---especially in the early stages like this. If you rush them into things too quick---without being sure---you could force them apart…instead of together, you understand."
"Really? Ooh, that's not good," Carmelita said, sighing. "Well, see? That's why I'm asking for your help, kiddo. You're the expert. Now, O Expert…just how do I know what I think is the case really is?"
"Well," Kitty ventured a moment later. "Usually, I look at their eyes. You know, how they look at one another. Their body language and what they say might say one thing…but what you see in their eyes---now, that's the truth. If they have feelings for one another, you'll see it. Trust me. Hey, that was how I knew were in love with Sly."
"Oh really?" Carmelita replied, crossing her arms before herself.
"Oh, don't go getting your nose out of joint again, Carmelita," Kitty cautioned her. "C'mon…even when you were furious with him for outwitting you or allowing you to misjudge him, your eyes told me you couldn't stay angry with him. Well, not for too long at least, I mean…" Kitty grinned, teasing her friend again.
Carmelita made a face at her, but grinned. "Well," Carmelita said, thinking still. "I---and Bentley and Murray---have an appointment with Madame Sing in five days. So, what I'm thinking is…why don't you tag along too, just to see how Bentley and Yuri interact with one another?"
Kitty nodded, impressed. "Sounds cool," she said.
"Um, just don't bring your badge. Or your shock pistol, okay? Maybe it's just me…but, I really don't think Yuri would feel all that comfortable around a cop," Carmelita told her.
"No, I imagine not," Kitty replied. "That won't be a problem for me, though." Kitty then got off of Carmelita's bed and to her feet. "Oh yeah…before I forget," she then added. "What is this Yuri's profession?"
"C'mon, Kitty!" Carmelita remarked in surprise. "Madame Yuri Sing? Doesn't that name ring any bells? She's got to be the very best clothier in all of Paris! Why…oop." Carmelita then remembered that fashion wasn't big on Kitty's list of likes. "Sorry, I forgot. Well, let's just say she designs clothes for both the legal side of things…as well as the illegal. Remember that outfit I wore after you 'donated' me as Sly´s birthday present?" Carmelita's brown eyes briefly turned flinty.
"Um, yeah…I remember," Kitty said with a gulp.
Carmelita shook her head, then smiled and continued. "Well, that was some of Yuri´s work," Carmelita told her proudly.
Kitty laughed at discovering that. "Well, ain't that something? Hey, I'd love to stay and chit-chat, Carmelita…but, I really need to get going. Ling is probably out there waiting for me..." She stopped when she saw Carmelita's clever grin. "Oh no! Not even one word, Carmelita," she warned., but that smile never left her friend's lips. Kitty sighed. "All right, so Ling and I are together, so what? It's not like doing 'that'…er, yet." Kitty blushed furiously, looking pointedly away from Carmelita…feeling a hot rush at the very thought she refused herself to even think.
Carmelita shrugged, her eyes dancing merrily. "Oh, well. I suppose I'll just have to wait a little longer…say, until after Ling and your wedding, before I can even hope to become an Auntie once again."
Kitty blushed. "Oh, just you hush!" she muttered, putting her hands over her flaming cheeks. "That's not even funny!" Kitty remarked, slamming the door shut, and storming down the hallway…but even then she couldn't completely tune out the happy peals of Carmelita's laughter…