Epilogue
A few weeks after the triumph at the Fall Fling, everything had began to move more or less back to normal...well, almost. With the fashion show finally over, Carmelita once again began to devote her time to her new profession, laying some world-class hurt on Paris' criminal element…big time!
There were changes for Kitty too. Kitty, for her exemplary work---and well as for her credit for the many arrests provided by her buddies Carmelita and Sly---was soon promoted to Lieutenant. Ling, since he worked hand-in-hand with his Kitty, also received notice and was subsequently promoted to Inspector.
Carmelita one day chose to visit Paris' Interpol headquarters one last time, with the express purpose of assisting Carlos in retrieving the stuff Carmen wanted with her at home…since she would be taking maternity leave quite soon. Chief Rob took the opportunity to desperately beg Carmelita to return to her old job, which Carmelita had adamantly refused to do, thereby reducing the poor Chief to tears of frustration. Kitty could only shake her head at the whole thing. "Hmm, I give him one more month before he ends up at the Overworked Interpol Officers' Society," she wagered with Carmelita, who also shook her head. "You know…ever since we busted Polarsky, he's been…well, even more strange than usual. I mean, he doesn't even yell at anyone anymore. I guess he's afraid of losing them too."
Carmelita smiled hearing that, though deep down, she really did feel bad for the Chief. Bad enough to return to the force? she asked herself. Uh-huh…but, she did feel bad though, she acknowledged.
Yuri Sing and her friends at C´est Sing were having a very good month sales wise after the show….what with the increase in their production capacity from both their original line as well as that of Gaston Ripperoux's operation. Yuri found she had earned more money in just that one month than she had ever had before. Still, of late at least, she had begun…to well, feel slightly weird. She found herself craving the strangest foods, and also found she slept sometimes until noon. Now, after a week of this---and other irregularities---and at Naomi's nagging insistence, Yuri had finally made an appointment to see her doctor to see what was what. The exam was routine, and the doctor promised to get her results back to her within a month's time.
Right on time, a single month later, she received her results back…via a most precipitious phone call…
"Bonjour, Madame Yuri Sing. What may I do for you?" Yuri asked solicitiously as she answered her cell phone ringing. She listened with growing surprise as she listened to her doctor's explanation as to why she had been feeling so strangely of late. "I see. So, Doctor, you are certain, oui?" she asked. She smiled an uncertain smile as her doctor assured her confidently of her diagnosis. "Merci beaucoup, Madame," Yuri said, making her farewell. She then hung up, thought things over a moment or three, then re-opened her cell once more, placing a call to her dear Bentley.
"Bonjour, mon cher. It is I, Bentley my love," she said by way of greeting to him.
"Hey there, Yuri!" Bentley replied with the delighted smile he always had when Yuri called. "So, honey, what's up?" Bentley asked.
"Um, you may wish to sit down first, cher," Yuri cautioned, a smile growing on her face as she spoke. "Now, cher..do you perhaps remember our little private 'celebration'? You know, after the Fall Fling two months past?" Yuri inquired with a smile. She remembered the occasion most fondly…and trusted that he felt much the same.
"As a matter of fact, yes, I do, Yuri," Bentley replied in a somewhat strained voice, which made Yuri smile, adoring the fact that her Bentley was most likely blushing quite furiously just now. He was such a dear…
"Well, mon cher, that leads me in most a round-about way to the answer as to why I have not been quite feeling myself of late. You see…I just got off the phone with my doctor, Bentley dear," Yuri explained.
"Okay," Bentley said, wondering just why Yuri was telling him of this. "So…what did she tell you?" he asked patiently, already trying to get his thoughts back on to a change to the binocucoms he was working on.
"Oh, mon cher, you will be most surprised…as was I," Yuri admitted with a smile. "Brace yourself, my love…but, before too much longer---say several more months, in fact---you and I will become parents." Yuri awaited his reply, but alas, the only thing she heard was a clatter followed by a dull thump. She frowned, asking, "Bentley? Bentley, are you there?" No one answered for a long moment.
Just as she was about to dial emergency services, Yuri heard Carmelita's voice come on the line. "Yuri, it's me…Carmelita. Don't you worry about your beau, lady. Bentley's fine…" Carmelita assured her, then giggled, "he just fainted dead away is all..."
"Ah, I see," Yuri chuckled, tickled but by no means surprised by her beau's reaction to her most surprising news. "I was somewhat afraid that might be his reaction."
"Okay, Yuri…give! What the heck is going on here?" Carmelita demanded as she gently patted the unconscious Bentley on his cheeks.
"Well, cheri, the Sing family, before you know it, is about to become larger, shall we say,"Yuri said mysteriously, grinning from ear to ear.
"No!" Carmelita gasped, then squealed happily. "Oh, Yuri! That's wonderful! Are you excited? When are you due? How are you---?"
Yuri laughed at Carmelita's excitement, but was most pleased by her obvious interest. "Carmelita, cheri…please!" Yuri replied. "I shall fill you in on everything, ami…when I arrive your way later this afternoon."
"You'd better, Yuri Sing," Carmelita replied, her brown eyes twinkling, as she saw Bentley begin to recover from his shock. "Because you and I have some wedding plans to talk over, lady…"
"Wedding?" Yuri now gasped, surprised. She then thought it over, and smiled a soft radiant smile. "Ah, how silly of me, cheri. Of course," she replied, the cautioned her friend, "ah, but not a word of this to Bentley, oui?"
"You got it, girl," Carmelita assured her. "See you later, Yuri. Oh, I'm so happy for you and Bentley! Bye!"
"Adieu, Carmelita," Yuri answered with a smile, ending the call. She then laid her slender hand over her still flat abdomen and tried to send silent greetings to her unborn children.
Le Hotel Tangiers was abuzz in muted excitement. For, you see, this day marked the one year anniversary of Carmelita joining the Cooper Gang. Sly could not let such an auspicious event go by unnoticed, of course…so all those most dear to the lovely Spanish vixen were invited over to participate in the impromptu gala. Sly, admittedly with Svetlana's help, even managed to convince Carmelita's sister, Carmen, as well as her husband, Carlos, to attend. All the Interpol Capitan asked was if it were possible to bring her two children along with her, which Sly most heartily approved on the spot. The Master Thief had a soft spot for the little ones, and enjoyed having them over.
At promptly five o'clock, the back door's bell rang. Sly grinned, and then turned to his lady love nonchalantly. "Um, querera?" he asked, "do you think you could get that?"
Carmelita put down her book---which, was not the Thieveus Raccoonus---and looked over at her beau. "Yeah, sure, I can do that," she answered, then grinned. "I can see just how busy you seem to be, Ringtail." She laughed and made her way back to the back door.
"Carmelita!" Carmen exclaimed as the door opened, and her sister came into view. "Buenos Noches, mi hermana!" She held little Enrico in her arms, and the little boy cooed upon seeing his Auntie Carmelita, holding out his little arms to her.
"Carmen?" Carmelita answered, surprised. But, she didn't linger on that, as she quickly took little Enrico from his mother and hugged him to herself, smiling as Enrico gave her a great sloppy kiss. "Oh! Come in, come in!" Carmelita added in embarrassment, realizing she had left her poor sister on the doorstep. "Good evening, Carlos," she then added as Carmen's handsome husband came inside bearing a much bigger Maria in his arms. "How have you all been?"
"We have all been fine, Carmelita," Carlos assured her. "Except that my Maria has become such a big girl now, hasn't she?" He smiled a doting smile at the little dark-haired charmer in his arms. Maria giggled at her silly Daddy, and kissed his cheek…which she liked to do.
"What brings you all here?" Carmelita asked as she ushered the four Foxes into the hotel proper. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you all, you understand," she hastened to add.
"Do I have to have a reason to see my only sister?" Carmen demanded with a smile, looping an affectionate arm about her sister's waist.
"Well, no," Carmelita answered, smiling a bit sheepishly. "Come…I left Sly in the living room, and I'm sure he'll be glad to see you all."
"Ah, Senor Cooper," Carmen murmured, just a hint of doubt on her lovely, freckled face.
"Carmen, you still don't trust him yet?" Carmelita challenged her sister. "After all he's done for me?"
Carmen had the good grace to blush humbly. "I do apologize, hermana," she explained. "He has been so very good to you, I know. Still, I guess my old policewoman's instincts are hard to control at times."
Carmelita shook her head, but grinned over at her sister to let her know she understood. Just before she led them all into the living room, she called out, "Sly! Honey? Carmena and Carlos are here!"
A thunderous "SURPRISE!" was her answer, and it stopped her dead in her tracks. Enrico blinked in surprise at the noise…but then, instead of crying, he giggled and called out in happy childish gibberish.
"Happy Anniversary, mi muy bonita querera!" Sly announced as he drew his Carmelita to him, and carefully hugged her around little Enrico.
"Huh? Anniversary?" Carmelita gasped, her big brown eyes huge. "What the heck is---?"
Svetlana, dressed in her favorite purple dress, moved forward to kiss Carmelita on the cheek. "Da, my friend!" she explained. "Today, Sly Cooper has informed us all, is the one year anniversary of your induction into his Gang. Congratulations!" Svetlana smiled, then looked into little Enrico's innocent eyes, and her big brown eyes melted, a most maternal smile appearing on her little face. "Um, may I?" she asked, holding out her arms tentatively.
"Enrico?" Carmelit answered, looking at the little boy. "Do you want to see Auntie Svetlana?" she asked. The little boy gurgled happily and leaned over toward the waiting Svetlana. Carmelita laughed, and handed him over to her, saying, "I would take that as an unqualified 'yes'…"
The smile that blossomed on Svetlana's pretty face made Carmelita's heart swell a moment. The little Russian woman held the cute little fox fellow and cooed over him, making him giggle. "How is my little zaichik?" Svetlana asked with a grin---'zaichik' meaning 'little bunny' in her native Russian. She then hugged the laughing little boy in her arms, snuggling her cheek to his a moment. "I shall see that he is content, Carmelita," she then said, "after all…you do have guests, nyet?"
"Da," Carmelita answered, thanking Svetlana with her eyes. The Russian tigress noted the fond look, and with a happy smile, moved into the crowd, allowing everyone to fuss over the darling little child she held in her protective arms.
"Carmelita!" Yuri Sing exclaimed, moving toward her, her lovely green-gold eyes alight with her pleasure. "Cheri, it so good to see you!" she fussed. "I have been busy…else I would see you far more, mon belle ami." Yuri shrugged apologetically, holding her youngest boy, a snow leopard, upon her smooth hip.
"So, Yuri," Carmelita said after exchanging kisses on the cheek with the beautiful snow leopard woman. "Who's this charming little man you have here?"
Yuri, as mothers are wont to do, smiled with pleasure as Carmelita complimented her son. "This, cheri, is mon petite Philipe," she answered, snugging her cheek to his once in sheer delight. "He is my baby, you know…my youngest."
Carmelita felt her hands itching to hold the oh-so-cute little Philipe. "Do you think I could---?" she ventured.
"Please do!" Yuri answered with a laugh. "My hip is killing me, mon ami." She handed Philipe over, and the agreeable little boy snuggled pleasantly in his Auntie Carmelita's arms.
"Mmm," she murmured, softly ruffling the soft fur atop his head. "He's so soft and cuddly."
"Oui, he is," Yuri agreed. "Children are adorable at this age…so I take every opportunity, cheri, to hold him. Far too soon, he shall become too heavy for me to hold." She gave little Philipe a look of soft regret.
"I've missed you and Bentley," Carmelita told her friend as they moved over to where a fussy Bentley was looking over his other three children. "But, after the wedding---which, by the way, was just heavenly!---well, me and Sly figured you two kids needed some time alone…you know?"
"Oui," Yuri replied, smiling over at Carmelita. "And, I thank you both for your courtesy, cheri." She patted Carmelita's cheek in fondness once. "I now find myself deluged with children and a husband," she pretended to moan, then smiled, adding, "and I could not be happier, cheri!"
"That's great," Carmelita replied, pressing her cheek to Philipe's small warm head, then grinned when she saw that he was sound asleep…despite all the hullabaloo. "Aw, he's asleep."
Yuri smiled an adoring smile at her sleeping child. "Hmm, I am not surprised, he has had a busy day, my Philipe," she explained.
"Celeste!" Bentley chided his oldest girl, as he saw her heading for the nearby curio cabinet. "Come back here right now, young lady." He reached out a thick-fingered hand to corral the inquisitive snow leopard girl. He then turned his attention to the newly developed tug of war going on between the two middle children. "Austin! Belinda! That's enough!" he snapped softly. "Austin, give your sister her doll back."
Carmelita grinned to see Bentley instructing his charges. "So…how's it goin', Papa?" she quipped. "It's great to see you again, Bentley."
Bentley gave Carmelita a quick hello smile, and then gave her a look. "I think you can see precisely how things are going, Carmelita," he professed, then grinned. "Not that I mind really. They're all pretty good kids, for the most part."
Yuri moved over to take the sleeping Philipe from Carmelita. "Go, cheri," she instructed. "You must say hello to your nieces and nephews, no?"
"This is my little Celeste," Bentley said by way of introduction, indicating the just adorable little snow leopard girl he held by the hand. "Celeste, this pretty lady is your Aunt Carmelita."
Carmelita knelt down to bring her eyes to little Celeste's level. "My…aren't you just a pretty little girl?" she said sweetly. "Do you think your Auntie Carmelita could get a hug?" She held her arms out in invitation.
"Yeah!" Celeste exclaimed before she toddled her way into Carmelita's waiting arms, giggling as her new Aunt lifted her up and squeezed her. Celeste took an immediate liking to her Aunt's thick soft hair. It was fascinating to touch, so soft and smooth…and it smelled good too. Celeste then looked into her Aunt's big rich brown eyes, saw the love there, and then giggled anew, throwing her little arms around Carmelita's neck.
"Oh," was all Carmelita could say, a lump forming in her throat. She softly hugged little Celeste back, rocking the little girl in her arms. She then drew her back, and gently brushed one cheek with a finger, making the little girl giggle at what must of tickled her. "So…you're ticklish, are you?" she asked in a clever voice, then began gently tickling Celeste's neck and cheeks. Celested loved it, and her giggles and laughter could be heard quite well. Carmelita could not get over just how much Celeste resembled her lovely mother…she could quite imagine Yuri looking just this way as a child.
Bentley smiled to watch Carmelita with his eldest child…he still couldn't seem to get over the fact that he was a father. That fact amazed and terrified him each and every day…but, he couldn't really be happier if he tried. Once Celeste tired of her Auntie's tickling, Carmelita put her down, where she toddled back to her father. "This dapper young man would be our Austin," Bentley said by way of introduction between the two.
Austin blinked, then looked up into the smiling face of his pretty Aunt. He then did what came naturally to him…he smiled back, then bowed just a bit clumsily though most cordially to Carmelita.
"Buenos Noches, Senor Austin," Carmelita replied in her native Spanish, being sure to smile encouragingly at the small turtle lad, before she bowed in response to his courtesy.
"And, finally, this is our Belinda," Bentley announced, his face beaming with pride and love for the little blond-haired turtle girl. He then grinned and turned to Naomi, who was gaily chatting with her Murray. "Say, Naomi…I think I may have some upcoming talent for you to consider at C'est Sing."
Naomi and Murray moved over to where Bentley, Carmelita, Yuri, and the Sing children stood. "Oh, Bentley?" Naomi replied, curious. "Who did you have in mind, mon ami?"
"My Belinda here," Bentley replied, puffing up his chest in pride. "You should see her room back home. All of her dolls sport the height of fashion…don't ask me how. It's a gift she has, I think…probably comes from her mother, no doubt." Yuri smiled thankfully at her husband's observation.
"Cheri? May I see your doll?" Naomi politely asked little Belinda. Belinda stopped to consider her request, her eyes staring up a moment as she did so. She then nodded, making her blond locks sway, and handed her prized doll over to the tall cheetah lady.
"Merci," Naomi told the little girl, eyeing her doll inquisitively. The little plastic doll was attired neat and tidily, and in a very fashionable ensemble of white shirt, midnight blue vest, and long black skirt. "Your doll, she is very pretty, Belinda. Thank you for letting me see her." She handed the doll back, turning to Yuri and Bentley. "She dressed her doll then…all on her own, oui?"
Yuri nodded the affirmative. "Oui, oh yes," she affirmed. "It is somewhat uncanny. She also quite regularily puts together fabric samples on her own…many of which, I must admit, I am planning to use in next year's collection."
"Amazing," Naomi opined, looking closer at the little turtle girl with the seemingly innate fashion sense. She then spotted the last member of the Sing's in his mother's arms. "That is your Philipe, oui, Madame?"
Yuri smiled warmly and softly kissed her sleeping child's head. "Oui, it is he," she answered.
"Is it true, Madame," Naomi asked, grinning, "that he already can spell his name in full?"
"Oui, yes, he can. Isn't that remarkable?" Yuri responded, immensely proud of her little Philipe. "You see…one morning I had given him applesauce. Nothing unusual about that, no? However, that morning I had spilled my coffee, and had to take the time to clean up the mess, oui? Well, let me tell you, amis…when I turned back to my little boy, I was stunned! For on the tray of his high chair he had---quite clearly!---spelled out his own name! Is that not the most amazing thing?"
"Yeah," Bentley then added, fishing in his vest pocket a moment. He brandished a small snapshot to them all. "If you don't believe us…here's your proof, folks…" They all dipped their heads down, and sure enough…there was a picture of a grinning little Philipe, his applesauce neatly arranged to spell out his own name…plain as day!
"Wow," Murray replied just a little awed. "Say, Bent…he must be a chip off the old block, huh?" He playfully nudged his small friend, who had to step back to reclaim his balance after his friend's little 'tap'.
"Well, maybe," Bentley admitted with a grin.
Carmelita watched little Maria playing nicely with Yuri's Celeste, while Svetlana sat cooing over Carmen's Enrico, playing peekaboo with the delighted little fox boy. Yuri continued to hold her still sleeping Philipe, while Naomi knelt down to softly question a most curious Belinda. Sly had Austin seated on his lap, and both were having themselves a spirited softly spoken conversation about who knew what.
Naomi, once Belinda was through with her, of course, moved her way over to where Yuri stood by herself, gently rocking back and forth on her feet to keep Philipe asleep. Naomi smiled at seeing this most maternal side of her dearest friend. Yuri noticed her, and smiled, beckoning her over to talk.
"So, cheri…how is everything at C´est Sing?" Yuri wanted to know, only flicking her exotic green-gold eyes over toward the rest of her family every so often. She then grinned at her dear friend. "Or have you already begun to call it C´est Rousseau yet?"
"Madame!" Naomi exclaimed, her cheeks going pink in indignation. "I would never do such a thing, you know that!"
"Shh, Naomi," Yuri softly chided her friend with a chuckle. "I know you wouldn't…I was only teasing you, ami."
Naomi grinned. "That is not funny, Yuri," she replied. She then looked around, found Bentley talking with Sly and Austin, and moved close to her friend. "So, Yuri…have your parents visited you yet?"
"As a matter of fact, cheri, they did…just last week," Yuri informed her. Yuri's perfect face adopted a frown momentarily. "It was a---how you would say---a lively conversation, oui?"
"I don't doubt," Naomi said, agreeing with her friend. "So…how did they take finding out you and Bentley have been married…and have children?"
"At first, not well at all, Naomi," Yuri recalled. "Father had the gall to demand I have my marriage annulled! While Mother only worried about my children being considered 'bastards'." Yuri's normally sunny disposition was decidedly stormy now!
"Mon Dieu!" Naomi exclaimed softly, her hand covering her mouth in her shock. "That is terrible!"
Yuri then turned to Naomi, her faithful Naomi, and replied, "Do not worry, mon ami…I set them straight. Well, after the shock wore off of course, that is…"
"Shock?" Naomi replied, curious. She crossed her arms before her chest, then demanded, "Very well, my friend…what did you do?"
Yuri grinned a triumphant, much satisfied smirk. "Well, first off, I told my pompous father just exactly where he could stick his demand about annulling my marriage…and in no uncertain terms. I regret to say that I unfortunately quite lost my temper with him."
"And, what did he do then?" Naomi asked, her amber eyes huge, but her face was consumed with curiosity.
"Well, after the blood returned to his face," Yuri said, chuckling in rememberance. "He told me he would disown me if I didn't obey his demands. 'Obey'! Ha, that is rich! I obey no one but myself!"
"Good for you, Yuri!" Naomi said with approval.
"He thundered at me that 'you are no longer a Sing' then!" Yuri continued, and Naomi could see the flicker of pain that angry pronouncement of her father had caused, no matter how much Yuri might deny it. "That is when I told him a thing or two. I informed him that I was much a Sing as he ever was. And, that if he didn't consider me worthy of the Sing name, well…that was too bad for him, for I was not changing my name to suit him!"
Naomi grinned, having met Yuri's normally well-meaning, yet still proudly aristocratic parents once before, knowing how Yuri's father, Paul, would have been near a state of collective apoplexy by this point. "I'm sure that did not sit well with Monsieur Sing," she ventured.
"Oui, you are right," Yuri agreed, yet grinned fiercely. "But, he knew there was nothing he could do to prevent me. Oh, he was very angry with me for a time, quite. However, after he stormed away for a half an hour…I was most surprised to have him return to tell me that he was withdrawing his demands. Oh, and…that he was sorry."
"He apologized to you?" Naomi replied in triumphant disbelief. "No!"
"Oh, oui, he did," Yuri countered. "And, do you know why, mon cheri?"
"Non, why?" Naomi wanted to know.
Yuri's face underwent a transformation, and she smiled…even though tears leaked down her smooth cheeks. "Because, cheri…he did this because…because he loves me. He actually came out and told me he loved me, Naomi." Yuri stood there proudly, not a sound did she make, though tears splashed again and again on her cheeks.
"Oh, Yuri…that's wonderful," Naomi exclaimed, reaching around her dearest friend to hug her, drawing her head to her shoulder. It was only then that Yuri finally wept, softly and with release. "Shh, mon ami," Naomi soothed, jerking her head to Carmelita, who came over immediately to relieve poor Yuri of her little Philipe.
"Papa and I have now reconciled," Yuri sniffled, but smiled. "He was even civil to my Bentley. Mama was so shocked, but she then began to cry to…as she was so proud of Papa. She wants to see her grandchildren, Naomi…can you believe that?" Yuri's green-gold eyes shone with happiness as well as tears.
"That is how things should be, Madame," Naomi replied with a nod.
"Oui," Yuri agreed. "Ah, mon ami…I am so happy." She sighed, then wiped her eyes with a lacy kerchief from her handbag. "Oh, would you look at me? All teary eyed at what is supposed to be a happy occasion. Where are my manners, eh cheri?" She smiled.
Naomi grinned and kissed Yuri's brow fondly. "But, Yuri…it is a happy occasion, ami…even happier now that your family is as it should be, no?" Naomi reasoned. "I think our Carmelita will be willing to turn a blind eye to you this one time, oui?"
Yuri laughed, then stroked Naomi´s cheek affectionately. Then, arm-in-arm with Naomi, she looked over to her friend. "Come, Naomi…let's offer our congratulation to our Carmelita, shall we?" Naomi and Yuri smiled before they both made their way over to Carmelita, who stood happily with Sly Cooper behind her, his arms around her waist.
Finish
AN: OK people the story is done. But before you start crying over the fact that you no longer have an exuse to sit long in front of the screen reading (LOL just kidding) let me tell you that this is not the end of the Carmelita as a thief story. I´m planning a sequel after this story but i don´t know when i´m going to start on it. And just to be nice i thought i´d let you know how i made the Sing/Turtle Children:
Celeste: Snow leopard girl. A junior version of Yuri. Long black hair. The spots on her back are similar to the pattern on Bentleys shell
Austin: Looks like a junior Bentley just that his skin is a bit more pale green. Can be as charming as his mother when he sets his mind ito it
Belinda: Turtle girl. Short blond hair .The pattern on her shell looks like spots from a snow Leopard. She has her mothers sence for fashion
Philipe: Turtle boy. Glasses from Bentley´s side along whit his inteligence. A real Wiz kid. Else than that he looks like a normal snow leopard