Chapter 18
Le Bistro Bourgeot…one of the, if not the most, exclusive restaurants in and around Paris proper. World-renown cuisine, and a warm hospitable atmosphere were available…if one were rich enough, of course.
Therefore, a most surprised valet watched as first a bright yellow Lamborghini rolled slowly up to the front door of Le Bistro Bourgeot, followed a moment later by a trademark red Ferrari, and finally…an old, but well-maintained panel van. Panel van? the valet thought in shock. The valet blinked his eyes, then shrugged, moving toward the yellow Lamborghini.
Naomi was the first to emerge, followed quickly by Carmelita, then Kitty, and finally a most elusive Sly Cooper, who pulled his peasant cap down to hide his widely known features. Naomi handed her keys over to the beaming young valet, who eagerly climbed into the Roadster, fired it up, and carefully went to park the beauty.
Yuri alighted next, followed a moment later by Bentley, whose spectacles were slightly askew, but his eyes were filled with excitement. "Ah, here you are, young lady," she observed, handing her keys to the startled young antelope girl who was the valet assigned to her car. "Do treat him with care, yes?" she added, carefully slipping a fifty-franc note into the even-more-surprised girl's hand.
"At once, Madame!" the girl thrilled, bowing politely, then taking her keys. She gingerly stepped into the car, and headed off to park.
Murray pulled up last in his sturdy tan panel van, getting out as he left the keys in the truck, keeping it running. "Be sure to park this beside that yellow Lamborghini, would you?" he asked, towering over the small lemur fellow who goggled at the plain work vehicle.
"Is Monsieur certain?" he asked, flicking his eyes over to the waiting maitre'd. The tall elegant goat man nodded his assent. The lemur turned to Murray, eyeing his huge frame, and gulped. "At once, Monsieur," he vowed, sliding into the driver's seat and drove the van away.
"Ah, we are all here then, no?" Yuri observed with a smile. She counted heads, grinning at Sly, who was doing all he could to be unobserved. "Let us all head inside. I am starving!" she proclaimed.
"I hear that, Yuri!" Kitty opined, frowning when Carmelita gave her a dirty look. "What?" she asked softly.
"You embarrass us in here, sport," Carmelita vowed, her brown eyes dangerous. "You'll have another appointment at Le Petite Beauty Salon come Monday. That's a promise!"
"Yeah yeah," Kitty groused, but tried to restrain herself, best she could.
"Ah, Jean-Pierre!" Yuri suddenly gushed, moving forward to the tuxedoed white-furred goat gentleman. She beamed at seeing him, moving forward to exchange a kiss on each cheek with the concierge. "I was hoping you would on duty this evening, my friend!"
"Madame is---as always---far too kind to me," Jean-Pierre remarked, a small contented smile gracing his older handsome face. He was immaculately dressed in a spotless black tuxedo, with a crisp white shirt, and a bow tie and vest of deep maroon. His fur was brushed so well it shone, as did his finally polished horns atop his head.
"Jean-Pierre is the finest Maitre'D in all of Paris!" Yuri told them all proudly. "A true Frenchman, through and through."
Pink showed briefly under Jean-Pierre's white-furred cheeks. "Madame, please!" he replied in a very refined voice. "You are embarrassing me," he told her, though his smile only grew broader still. Kitty nearly giggled at his ramrod straight posture, as well as the fact that his teeth were so white that they fairly blinded her when he smiled.
Jean-Pierre noticed the others assembled behind the effusive Yuri. "Ah, I see that Madame has company to dine this evening. Very good," he observed, pulling his vest down. "Ah, but it is so good to see you once more, Madame! We at Le Bistro Bourgeot have grieved in your absence."
Bentley scowled at all the attention Jean-Pierre was lavishing upon Yuri. "Boot-licker," he grumbled softly to himself. "Keep it moving, Goat Boy…"
Kitty heard his grousing, and had to put a hand over her mouth to stifle her newest bout of the giggles. Her blue eyes watered slightly, as she tried to recompose herself before the surly Carmelita noticed.
"May I introduce my guest, mon ami?" Yuri asked, stopping Jean-Pierre as he began to turn to head inside.
"The pleasure would be all mine, Madame," he replied urbanely, politely, bowing to them all. He spotted the very pretty Naomi immediately. "Ah, no introductions are necessary with le belle Naomi," Jean-Pierre replied, taking Naomi's hand and kissing the back of it most familiarily.
"Jean-Pierre," Naomi replied, smiling back at him. She noticed Murray frown, but softly shook her head, then smiled fondly at him, letting him know everything was all right. Murray shrugged, but did move a bit closer, to just behind her shoulder. "It is so nice to see you again, Monsieur."
"It is I who am pleased, Mademoiselle," Jean-Pierre continued, then blinked somewhat comically as Murray's most imposing bulk caught his attention. He straightened, then clicked his heels together softly, bowing from the waist to Murray. "Hmm, I would say this most impressive young man would be with you then, dear?" he asked, with a tight smile.
"Oui, Jean-Pierre," Naomi replied with a nod and smile. "May I introduce you to my beau? Jean-Pierre…this is Murray." She then turned to Murray, adding, "Murray my love…this is our friend, Jean-Pierre."
Murray stepped around Naomi, thrusting out his hand to shake. Jean-Pierre took his offered hand and firmly shook it once. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Jean-Pierre," Murray proclaimed.
Jean-Pierre grinned. "A pleasure for me as well, Monsieur," he replied. "However, may I correct you? Jean-Pierre is my given name. My full name would be Jean-Pierre Moreaux."
"Oh," Murray replied, then grinned. "Sorry."
Jean-Pierre waved his apology away with a small laugh. "Think nothing of it, Monsieur," he assured him. "May I congratulate you on your good fortune? You are a fortunate man indeed to have won the heart of our fair Naomi." Jean-Pierre then smiled a sad smile. "If you listen closely…you will undoubtedly hear the shattering of hearts all about Paris…" His black eyes twinkled at Naomi's pretty blush.
Yuri smiled, knowing full well the extent of Jean-Pierre's charm…which would nearly rival their own Sly Cooper at times. "This grinning blond vixen here," Yuri then declared, pulling Kitty over to her side, "is our new ami, Kitty Petro. She is simply adorable, Jean-Pierre…is she not?" Yuri's green-gold eyes shone with mischief as Kitty blushed, unprepared for such attention.
"Just you hush, Yuri Sing," Kitty protested, but with a smile. "I'm anything but adorable, and you know it!"
"Ah, I stand corrected then," Yuri said innocently, but the smile she now gave her made Kitty's eyes go wide. "Then your Ling Chu must have been very mistaken then. As I recall…he was most insistent on this point…"
Kitty blushed even redder then, and decided to hold her tongue.
Jean-Pierre lifted his head a moment to study the blushing vixen. "Despite the mademoiselle's protests," he opined just then. "I find myself in agreement with Madame's original assessment. You are a delightfully beautiful young lady. Welcome, Ms. Petro, to Le Bistro Bourgeot."
"Thanks," was all Kitty would say, staring dangerously at Yuri.
"Oh, and Jean-Pierre?" Yuri then suddenly added. "I should warn you, mon ami…I do hope there is no beautiful woman that has captured your attention overmuch. You see, our Miss Petro, besides being an affirmed---what did she call herself again?---ah, yes, an affirmed 'tomboy'…she is also a most gifted amateur matchmaker as well! Is that not remarkable?"
Jean-Pierre bowed, eyeing the pretty Kitty speculatively. "I shall take Madame's council to heart, so I will," he vowed.
Yuri looked back for Bentley, and noticed his scowl. Perhaps it was a good thing that Bentley's complexion was already a bit green…as that green-eyed monster named jealously was written all over the surly turtle's face. Yuri smiled brilliantly at him, which made Bentley blink and smile back at her. "Ah, Bentley, cher," she called, laying her hand possessively upon his shoulder. "I would like you to meet an old friend of mine. Bentley, this is Jean-Pierre. I have known him since I was a very little girl."
Jean-Pierre noticed the twinkle in Yuri's amazing eyes, and understood straightaway. "Ah, an honor to make your acquaintance, Monsieur," he said with feeling, shaking Bentley's hand in the French manner, both of his hands grasping Bentley's one. "An honor indeed. For, I have been waiting such a very long time for you to arrive, Monsieur Bentley."
"Y-You have?" Bentley gaped, completely surprised.
"Oui, I have," Jean-Pierre replied, nodding his head. "Any man that could so win the heart of my Yuri has my utmost respect and admiration. Merci, Monsieur," he added, stooping down to kiss Bentley on one cheek then the other.
Bentley goggled at the display, then discretely tried to wipe his cheeks. "Um, uh, you're welcome. Uh, thanks," he replied.
"I regret to inform you, Monsieur," Jean-Pierre added a moment later. "But I expect that you will not be well received in our humble establishment this day," he said sadly, but Yuri could see his mischievous eyes twinkle yet again.
"Oh?" Bentley responded, looking up at Jean-Pierre quizzically. "Why not?"
"Because, Monsieur," Jean-Pierre replied gravely. "You will be the envy of every man inside, you know," he added, smiling. "And, well you should be, Monsieur. For it is extraordinarily rare that a woman should be exquisite as our fair Yuri Sing."
"Jean-Pierre!" Yuri scolded, frowning…but her cheeks burned a very pretty pink a long moment. "Hush, you flatterer," she admonished him with a smile. "He is such a fibber."
"Yuri," Bentley said proudly, smiling. "Who's fibbing now? You are the most remarkable woman I've ever met."
Yuri blinked, then beamed down at Bentley, bending down to kiss his cheek, then to buss his lips. "Merci, cher," she whispered.
"Now," Jean-Pierre ventured next, looking over to a very quiet Carmelita. "This stunning young woman I do know," he explained. "Au chantay, Mademoiselle Fox. I have seen you many times upon the evening news. I'm quite afraid that your picture on television does not do you justice. For you are far more lovely in person."
Carmelita smiled as Jean-Pierre leaned over to press his lips to her knuckles briefly. "Merci, Monsieur," Carmelita answered, pleased. She then turned to the fellow standing beside her in the shadows. "You paying attention, Ringtail? You could take some pointers from this guy."
Jean-Pierre watched the shadowy figure's teeth shine in the lamplight. The figure moved forward into the light, and he could see it was a slender handsome raccoon fellow, dressed all in blue.
"Ah, but I already know just how beautiful you are, querera," Sly told her, putting his arm around Carmelita's slender waist. "Trouble is…you just keep getting even more beautiful each and every day, lovely lady…"
Carmelita smiled brightly, and her eyes shone with affection for Sly. "Okay," she told him quietly, "maybe not that many…" she said.
"Mon Dieu!" Jean-Pierre exclaimed a moment later, his eyes going wide. "It is you!"
"In the flesh, Monsieur," Sly replied, canting his head and grinning mischievously.
"Sly Cooper," Jean-Pierre observed quietly, shaking his head in awe. He turned to the grinning Yuri. "Ah, I see now why you have come to Le Bistro Bourgeot, Yuri."
"I could never get anything past you, Jean-Pierre," Yuri admitted. "Even as a very young girl. He caught me every single time I tried to smuggle sweets out of the kitchen…"
Jean-Pierre smiled, remembering those times fondly. "Ah, but enough," he said to them all. "Come, one and all. I know precisely the place for your party, my Yuri." He beckoned them to follow, pausing only to open the big ten-foot tall doors to the restaurant, before dashing inside to lead them on.
"Tonight is a special occasion, Jean-Pierre," Yuri explained to him as they moved through the poshly furnished, and grand-looking interior. "Nothing but the finest of everything, please."
"Oui, I shall take care of everything, mon petite," he assured her, his eyes twinkling. He brought them to before a large pair of slender polished oak doors, and opened them, then led them inside. It was a private dining room, fashionably accoutered, complete with a crystal chandelier in the center of the roof, luxurious carpeting, down to the large cheery fireplace in which burned a bright, crackling fire. "Is this to your liking, my friend?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Ah, oui, Jean-Pierre," Yuri replied, sighing with pleasure. "It is perfect." She turned and planted a thankful kiss on his cheek. "You are too good to me, dear Jean-Pierre."
"A moment," Jean-Pierre replied, then stepped outside a moment. He returned soon enough, and he and his staff help seat all the ladies at one large round table, covered in white linen, a beautiful centerpiece of ferns and purple orchids encircling a trio of long blue tapers. A moment later, waiters appeared, and poured long fluted glasses full of sparkling white grape juice.
Sly lifted his glass a moment later, and got to his feet, looking at his new 'expanded' family with pride. "A toast, friends," he proclaimed raising his glass. "To Family!"
"TO FAMILY!" they all answered, clinking their glasses together softly, grins on all their faces.