The morning of Christmas Eve found Babette shivering as she awoke. Stretching, she sat up and pulled the thin blanket around her shoulders as she turned to climb out of bed. But she suddenly stopped when she found Brielle fast asleep on the floor below. Babette shook her head with a grin. She had told Brielle long ago that her door was always open for her, and lately Brielle was constantly taking her up on the offer.
Babette did not mind; the holidays had not been easy for her when she had first come to Le Fleur Noir. Brielle must have felt the same way, simply wanting a friendly presence to share the time with.
Carefully climbing over the younger girl, Babette walked to the window quietly, gazing out to find that Paris had been covered in snow for Christmas this year. She could not help but smile at the thought. Lots of snow would give D'Araignée more of a reason to let them have the night of Christmas Eve off. She always did, but never willingly. "A wretched excuse to pay you ungrateful brats for a day off!" she would say. With snow heavily blanketing the streets, business would be slow; thus the girls had a stronger argument if D'Araignée tried to take away the privilege.
Of course, that was not the only reason for her happiness. A joyous feeling came upon the world during this season, especially for the girls. Reaching blood family was altogether impossible for them as the group was made up of runaways, orphans, or the abandoned like Babette herself. Thus around Christmas, they celebrated together within the newfound families they had created amongst themselves.
Babette did consider herself one of the luckiest, however. As she climbed into bed against, she gazed intently at her precious Lisette, who sat close by on her bedside table. She remembered Odette's story about running away when her father's business had gone bankrupt, feeling that she had to do so to save her family a mouth to feed. More recently, Brielle had confided in Babette that she had been raised in an orphanage since she was born; the first time the girl had left the building without the other residents was the day D'Araignée brought her to Le Fleur Noir.
At least Babette had her memories of better days when her mother and Madame Maigny made Christmas the best possible time of the year, even during hardships. Touching her finger to her lips, Babette then placed it on those of her doll.
"Joyeux Noël, Maman."
"What's that?" she heard Brielle suddenly ask behind her. "I mean, if you don't mind my asking."
Babette smiled and shook her head. "Not at all," she said, patting the spot next to her on the bed. Brielle willingly accepted the invitation.
"This is Lisette," Babette explained, taking the doll from her tabletop seat and drawing her close. "I think I was about six when Maman gave her to me. I did not understand at the time, but money was a bit scarce for Christmas that year. Lisette was my favorite gift, and she has been with me ever since."
Brielle smiled throughout the story. "It must have been nice to have someone to care about you so much. Do you send anything to your maman around the holidays?"
Babette's grin faded a bit, but she did not let it disappear. "Unfortunately, no; she died before I was brought here."
Brielle winced. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Babette shook her head dismissively. "No harm done, silly girl; how would you have known?"
Brielle shrugged, about to respond, when Odette knocked on the door and entered.
"Ladies, you had better get downstairs quickly!" she said excitedly. "The day of freedom begins now and money awaits!"
Babette laughed as she jumped out of bed. "Only took an entire year but it is here at last!"
Odette chuckled a bit before adding seriously, "Babette, you are still coming with Aubrey and me today, oui? We've been planning this day for months!"
Babette did not hesitate as she nodded. "But of course!"
"But…!"
The girls turned at the small beginning of Brielle's protest, but the younger girl simply lowered her gaze before looking at them again, trying to look happy.
"Nothing," she said, a weak excuse for a smile about her lips as she moved to gather her things.
Babette and Odette glanced at one another, smirking as they nodded in silent agreement. When Brielle made her way to the door, she was stopped by Odette inspecting her intently.
"How old are you again, kid?" she asked firmly.
Brielle swallowed nervously. "F-fourteen."
Odette looked once more at Babette, who was trying to contain a grin.
"Well, she is older than you were on your first Christmas Eve here," Odette said thoughtfully. "At least we can still go out instead of staying here with the little one!"
Babette gasped, playfully hurt by the comment. "I am insulted! I was mature for my age; you and Aubrey were the ones who decided to stay here!"
"Uh-huh, blame us for your faults," Odette laughed before turning to Brielle. "So, do you want to come with us?"
Brielle smiled gently. "You…really mean it? You want me to?"
"Absolutely!" Babette replied. "It would not be Christmas without you, ma petite."
"Not a problem at all," Odette agreed. "Aubrey will say the same, I know it. She may be tough with the men, but she can also be the biggest pushover with her friends."
"And I am sure that she will be thrilled to hear that!" Babette said with mischievous revenge in her eyes as she and Brielle bolted for the door.
Odette gave chase immediately, warning loudly, "Don't you dare! Don't even think about it!"
ooo
Paris had never seen such a lively group of friends before that day. With stuffed handbags and joy in their hearts, the four girls felt as though the city was theirs alone as they enjoyed their time off, singing loudly (and sometimes off key). Come the evening hours, they stopped for a small dinner, eagerly chatting like giddy schoolgirls the entire time.
"I do not know about you three," Odette said, taking a sip of wine. "But I still have one last shop to visit before all of them lock their doors."
"'dette, we have already spent most of the morning shopping!" Aubrey whined.
"Maybe so, but I still have not found decent gifts for all of you!"
Babette shook her head. "We agreed that spending the day together like this was enough, remember?"
Odette pouted. "Come on, I could not dream of letting Christmas go by without giving my best friends something! There is a dress shop nearby here that we haven't visited yet, and I would be more than honored to treat the three of you to new stunning dresses!"
Aubrey looked at Brielle. "I think we should have warned you before we left; you are in the company of a gift-giving lunatic."
Brielle laughed before Aubrey returned her attention to Odette. "We will think about it, all right? Right now, the agreement stands," she said, to which Odette nodded solemnly. "Besides, we still have not done anything the kid wants to do, whatever that may be."
"True," Babette agreed as she swallowed a piece of bread. "You have not chosen something to do yet, Brielle."
Brielle grew shy instantly. "Non, it's all right."
"Come now, we have been dragging you everywhere," Babette insisted. "Now you must do the same to us."
"Really, I don't mind; I am perfectly happy just being here."
Odette shook her head. "No, the girls are right. There must be something special you do every Christmas; what is it?"
Brielle fidgeted with her napkin. "Honestly?"
"Yes!" they answered in unison.
"Well," she answered quietly. "The only thing I really enjoyed doing was…going to Church."
The girls said nothing as she paused.
"It was just…so peaceful and relaxing," Brielle said, smiling. "The only place I ever found to be so."
"You're serious?" Aubrey asked blankly, earning her a kick under the table, courtesy of Babette.
"That does not mean we have to go, of course," Brielle answered quickly. "But you asked, and I told you."
"Then that is what we will do!" Babette said, looking to the others pleadingly. "It does sound very relaxing, which is always a good thing…and Odette, it gives us a reason to visit the shop! Surely we will need to look our utmost best!"
Aubrey and Odette looked at each other, silently conversing with their eyes before they grinned halfheartedly.
"Sure, why not?" Aubrey said.
"After all, any reason to do more shopping is also a good thing," Odette agreed.
Brielle smiled brightly, and despite the nerves building up inside of them, the girls reflected the expression.
"Well!" Odette cried, breaking the silence that followed as she left her share of the payment on the table. "I guess we should hurry then; the shop will not be open much longer."
The girls all followed suit as they were off yet again.
ooo
"I still can not believe we are here," Aubrey muttered under her breath.
Babette flashed her a subtle warning look. "It is just one night to make her happy; that is not too much to ask for, is it?"
"I know, I know," Aubrey replied, feeling a twinge of guilt. Tonight had to be the first time she had seen Brielle glad to be alive; watching her race up the steps like a little girl, calling to them excitedly to hurry, Aubrey sighed with a grin. "She's a good kid, so I guess this is worth it."
Babette nodded, mirroring her expression. "Merci."
The girls slowly made their way inside the massive cathedral of Notre Dame, holding their heads high. As always, if they were going to do anything at all, they would do it in style, and this was as stylish as a Christmas Eve mass could be!
So many pairs of eyes watched them intently, Babette noticed as they took their seats, and assuredly all were watching for different reasons. From a few pews in front of them, a group of old biddies started a gossip fest, pointing at what the girls were wearing with horrified looks on their faces. A little farther down from them, a group of boys did the same thing, but clearly with delight and interest in their eyes.
Babette sighed. She did not expect anything less, of course. Although they were dressed more formally than usual, the dresses clearly had not covered the fact that the girls were what they were. Glancing to her left, she saw Odette and Aubrey obviously feeling the same as she did, while to her right, Brielle was far too focused on listening to pay attention to onlookers.
Babette wished she could follow Brielle's example to just sit there and not care what anyone was thinking about her. She had nothing against being there whatsoever; after all, she had gone to church with her mother on Christmas Eve when she was a child. When Celie was ill during her last Christmas alive, Madame Maigny saw to it that Babette attended the service. But that was before life had changed. Babette was no longer the little girl she used to be. Now, all she could feel was discomfort, threatened by gossip and lust in a place that was meant to be peaceful and full of good will, especially at Christmas. In the supposedly most welcoming place in the world, she felt like an outcast.
But as she looked at Brielle at her side again, Babette could not resist feeling that this was where they should be, seeing her young friend happier than she had been since Babette had met her. First a glorious day with Odette and Aubrey treating her with the same kindness they had shown Babette herself and now this familiar setting that the girl adored. It was all worth it, and in time, Babette was able to relax from that solitary thought.
When the familiar ounce of boredom began to rear its head, however, Babette instinctively started to let her attention drift as she used to do when she was little. The cathedral was still the most breathtaking jewel of Paris, with the majesty of stained glass windows shining brightly even in candlelight and statues standing tall and beautiful. A simple nudge from Odette pulled her back to reality, but Babette was puzzled when she received, not a scolding look to pay attention, but a nod gesturing across the room.
A young man, perhaps a few years older than her, turned his blushing face away as she noticed him looking in her direction. Curiously, Babette kept her attention on him for a moment until he had the nerve to look at her again, and she smiled gently when he did. He certainly was not unpleasant to look at, that was certain; light sandy hair, green eyes, and the most gorgeous smile she had ever seen. When he waved subtly, she nodded in return, grinning flirtatiously, a grin that she had perfected in her days of performing. The gentleman averted his eyes a bit, smiling shyly as he blushed a brighter red, and Babette felt a surge of pride. Attentive men were a challenge, and shyness was a victory, she knew, as men were rarely seen in such a state.
Only when the service drew to a close did their attentions return to reality, and Odette and Aubrey smirked teasingly as the four of them stood to leave.
"A true Fleurette if I ever saw one," Odette said softly. "You reeled him in just by looking at him!"
"Please, I hardly did anything, and why should I?" Babette laughed. "Who in their right mind finds a man in church?"
"Apparently you," Brielle said, admittedly impressed, which surprised her companions.
"Really, it was nothing," Babette said insistently, although still beaming at the thought.
"Mmm-hmm, it was nothing all right," Aubrey said in disbelief. "That is why he is coming this way as we speak."
Babette whirled around in her place, nearly falling as she did, but thankfully balance was in her favor. The girls merely took a step back, respectful yet curious.
"Bonsoir, mademoiselle," the gentleman said softly when he approached her.
Babette grinned. "Bonsoir, monsieur; Joyeux Noël."
The man smiled in return. "Same to you. I…simply wanted to beg your forgiveness for my impolite staring this evening."
Babette managed to suppress a laugh; that was certainly the first time she had heard those words.
"Believe me, I did not mind at all," she said reassuringly. "From such a handsome gentleman, I call it a compliment."
The man seemed more at ease with her understanding. "My thanks for your kind words," he said, obviously comfortable now with the meeting. "I must admit, and forgive my boldness, that even if I had insulted you, it was difficult not to look at such a beauty."
Babette raised an eyebrow playfully at the familiar game. "Flattery, the finest weapon a man can use."
The man laughed heartily. "Hardly a minute and the lady's pleasant charm brings me close to a surrender? You must be a marvelous combatant in the field."
"You have no idea," Babette replied with a confident smirk.
The man grinned with admiration, but as he was about to speak again, an elder woman called out behind him.
"Lucien de Bontecou, we are going to be late, and I will not stand for such disrespect towards our friends!"
The man rolled his eyes discreetly. "Mademoiselle must excuse me, although yours is the much preferred company I would rather keep at present."
Babette nodded understandingly, but regretted being on open ground instead of her own territory where he would be free to stay with her. "Likewise, monsieur."
"Lucien!"
"Coming Mother!" he shouted over his shoulder, blushing furiously now more than ever. With a bow and kiss to Babette's hand, he excused himself once again, wishing her farewell before rejoining his family.
When Babette turned to do the same to her own small family, she was met with different reactions from the girls. Aubrey was still sporting a teasing smirk while Brielle smiled with adoration watching the man leave as if he had been complimenting her instead. Odette had an odd expression of thoughtfulness, however, before realization struck intensely.
"Mon Dieu, de Bontecou!" she muttered, quite loudly. "Now I remember!"
"What is it?" Babette asked, puzzled.
"My father used to do business with the Comte de Bontecou," she began but Babette interrupted, her eyes widening.
"Did you just say the 'Comte de Bontecou'?"
Odette nodded quickly. "They are one of the most respected families in France, let alone Paris. That was their son!"
Aubrey could not resist a laugh as she spoke up. "Well, well, when you reel in a man, you sure know how to nab the best!"
"D'Araignée would put you on a pedestal if you brought him home!" Brielle said excitedly. "Not to mention he is rather handsome and extremely charming, which makes him even more wonderful!"
Babette smiled wistfully at the thought. Indeed, nobles were regulars at Le Fleur Noir; it would not be shocking if this Lucien actually went there. But D'Araignée would be thrilled to have someone of such importance as a patron, and it certainly would be nice to see him so often if all nights would be like the moment they had just shared. This had definite possibilities, very distinctly brilliant possibilities…
"And it will never happen," she concluded sadly aloud.
"What?" Odette asked.
"He does not even know my name, nor the fact that I am a Fleurette," Babette explained. "I have never seen him at home before and most likely never will now."
"You don't know that."
"Could always follow him," Aubrey blurted out suggestively.
Babette laughed. "Aubrey, please, there is no way…" She trailed off as she saw that her friend remained serious. "Aubrey. You are jesting…right?"
"Not at all," Aubrey replied, smiling as though plotting. Turning to Odette, she asked, "What is the biggest social event tonight?"
"How should I know?" Odette asked in response. "We were never invited to anything important like a noble affair."
"But surely your father, as a merchant, had to have orders up to his eyeballs for some grand ball of sorts!"
Odette thought for a moment. "The only event I could think of would be the prince regent's ball." The girls looked at her blankly. "The king's brother," she added bluntly; that they understood. "But we will never get in there."
"Oh ye of little faith, why not?"
"Well, you are so smart!" Odette countered, folding her arms across her chest in frustration. "How do you suggest we get in?"
"Easy, just walk right in as though we belong there."
"Oh definitely," Odette said sarcastically. "As though they would just let us in, no trouble at all!"
Aubrey waved a hand dismissively. "You really think that nobles write out the guest list themselves? They have servants for that, servants who can be bribed if necessary like any normal human being!"
Babette shook her head. "Aubrey, you are out of your mind."
"Oh come now, where is your sense of adventure, mes amies?"
"Even if it could be done," Brielle offered nervously, "D'Araignée would have our heads! She said earlier that she wanted us back by midnight!"
"D'Araignée doesn't have to know," Aubrey said conspiratorially. "Even so, if she did find out and if Babette brings in one of France's richest sons, I am pretty sure that all will be forgiven."
The three girls looked at each other, not wanting to admit defeat in battle but finding little left to defend themselves with.
"You really think we can do this?" Babette asked slowly.
"The least we can do is try, but I really believe we can," Aubrey said confidently. "This night has a reputation for being miraculous; we might as well use it to our advantage."
With that, Aubrey put her hand in front of her, looking at her companions expectantly. Babette hesitated one last time before she covered it with her own, followed by Odette and then Brielle.
Aubrey nodded satisfied with the response. "Then it's decided. We go back home, wait until D'Araignée turns in for the night, and then sneak out to spend a few hours at this party. We will be home by morning and still get some sleep before performances begin tomorrow night, simple as that."
