Chapter 3
After Kitty and Ling recovered from their initial shock, they moved quickly over to congratulate Yuri and Bentley on their upcoming parenthood. Ling smiled in his embarrassment, telling Yuri, "I am sorry for my rudeness. I did not intend to---"
Yuri laughed softly, reaching up to briefly touch the back of Ling's hand. "I know," she told him, smiling. "I quite understand. It all came as quite a shock to myself as well…" Ling grinned.
"Is this too cool…or what?" Kitty crowed softly, reaching around to hug her Ling in her excitement. "I'm gonna be an Auntie again! All right!" Kitty didn't know why precisely…but she suddenly felt her heart leap at the prospect of more babies to spoil.
One of Yuri's blond eyebrows rose in an inquisitive arch. "Again? You mean this has happened before for her?" Yuri asked, looking to Carmelita for some clarity.
"Don't mind her," Carmelita counseled with a grin. "Kitty's sort of an anomaly…a tomboy who loves babies." Carmelita grinned further.
"I am not an anomaly…whatever the heck that is!" Kitty protested after a moment.
"Peace, cheri," Yuri soothed. "She meant it in a good way."
"Oh," Kitty begrudged, then smiled. "That's different then…"
Carmelita shook her head, smiling. "Anyway, to answer your question, Yuri…si, my sister Carmen just had two children, my niece and nephew, only a few months back," Carmelita explained. "Now, don't ask me why…but, Carmen---in her infinite wisdom---made our little troublemaker there an unofficial Aunt to both little Enrico and Maria."
"Wait! Yuri, I've got pictures!" Kitty interjected, nodding her head as she tore out her wallet in her haste to show Yuri the picture she had of Carmen's children. "Ain't they just the cutest little things?"
Yuri looked down to the small wallet-sized portrait of the two, and smiled a soft warm smile. "Ah, cheri…they are indeed quite adorable," Yuri agreed. The small vixen looked so much like Carmelita…dark eyes, jet black hair…why, she even had her Auntie's mole! Enrico, the little boy, had the most adorable smile.
Svetlana was listening, and at hearing what was said, couldn't help but add her own two cents worth. "Oh, so there is yet another vixen named Maria, is there?" Svetlana teased, looking over at her friend, who grinned.
"Maria is a very fine name for we beautiful vixens," Maria informed her friend, her chin held high, even though her sunny blue eyes danced. "I would like to meet my namesake sometime."
Svetlana jumped on that idea! Ooh, babies! "So, Carmelita…um, may we? Visit your sister and her children, I mean? Pahoolsta? I mean, please?"
"Yeah!" Kitty opined, her blue eyes suddenly bright and shining. "C'mon, Carmelita…give Carmen a call!"
"Oui, cheri," Yuri added her vote to the rest. "I would like to ask your darling sister for some advice…you understand, she having gone through what I am about to already and all…"
"All right, all right!" Carmelita replied with a laugh. "I surrender already!" Carmelita then fished into her jacket pocket to retrieve her slender cell phone. "I'll give Carmen a call…and ask if we may come for a visit. I don't think she's doing anything today." Flipping open the phone's cover, she thumbed the speed dial sequence, then pushed her thick hair back from her ear, listening to the number being dialed. "If I remember correctly…Carlos---he being my sister's husband, mind you---is out of town on business. A seminar, I think, in Madrid."
"Hola, the Foxes. This is Carmen," Carmen said in Carmelita's phone's earpiece.
"Buenos Dias, hermana! It's Carmelita," Carmelita told her sister.
"Buenos Dias, Carmelita," Carmen answered with a hint of surprise. "Como usta usted?"
"Bien, Carmen," Carmelita replied, smiling. "Hey, you! What are you up to today, my lovely sister?"
Carmen tucked her phone between her cheek and shoulder, as she continued to feed Enrico his lunch of pureed beef stew. "The same old thing, dear heart. Why do you ask?" she managed, giving her little boy a smile of encouragement as he dutifully downed a big spoonful.
"Oh, nothing…really," Carmelita teased, grinning even though her sister could not see her face.
"Eh. So why is it that I don't believe you, you rascal?" Carmen responded in a fond voice.
"Oh, hey…by the way, how are my niece and nephew today?" Carmelita wanted to know, setting the first part of her scheme in motion.
Carmen, like most new mothers, smiled brightly at mention of her darling children, the joy of her life. "Oh, they are both well, mi hermana," Carmen related, even as she fed her son some more of his lunch. "In fact, Enrico is just about done with his lunch right about now."
"Tell him he's a good boy for listening to his Mama," Carmelita instructed.
Carmen laughed, but did as her sister asked. She then brought her attention back to her sister. "So…why have you really called me this day, sister dear?" Carmen demanded in an affectionate tone of voice. "Were you…er, by chance, um…thinking of stopping by today, my Carmelita?"
Carmelita smiled, loving her sister. "As a matter of fact, I can do you one better than that, Carmen," she replied. "I have my friends over right now, and as fate would have it…they all would like to meet you…and your children."
Carmen blinked in surprise. "I would be flattered," Carmen told her, smiling. "Please, do come…all of you. I would so enjoy some adult company." She used a warm wet washcloth to gently wipe Enrico's face clean. "Er…your friends, my dear, would they by any chance like to do some babysitting?"
"Hold on a minute, Carmen…I'll ask," Carmelita told her. She then turned to her friends. "Okay, girls…Carmen wants to know who of you is up for a little babysitting duty?"
Every girl's hand flew into the air, grins all around.
Carmelita laughed softly, then shook her dark-maned head. "You're in luck, hermana…they're all unanimously in favor of helping a poor overworked mother of two out today," Carmelita informed her sister cleverly.
"Muchas gracias!" Carmen voiced happily. "Come quickly, my sister…and bring your friends. I miss you, and love you, Carmelita."
"Love you too, Sis," Carmelita replied quickly. "See you soon!"
A half-hour later, Carmen Fox's neighbors looked out of their windows to see quite a sight indeed…for pulling up to the curb before the Foxes came a bright red Ferrari F40, followed a moment later by a bright yellow Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, and lastly a bright red Peugeot Spyder convertible.
Carmelita sprang out of her convertible with Svetlana, while Maria appeared a moment later with Yuri out of the Ferrari. "Okay, girls…let's go," Carmelita commanded, moving around her car.
Naomi stepped daintily out of the Roadster, and looked over to where Kitty had gotten out of the bright yellow auto. Naomi could see the look of dejection and longing on the cute little vixen's face, reading her like a book. "Oh, do come on now, Kitty cheri," Naomi professed. "It has been a week."
Kitty said nothing, but looked longingly back at the roadster, running one fingertip lovingly over the smoothly painted front fender. "I know, Naomi…but---" Kitty replied, prepared to protest, then just ended up sighing again.
Naomi sympathized. "I know, cheri…she is most wonderful, is she not?" she supplied in a knowing voice.
"Oh, yeah," Kitty proclaimed, nodding her blond-haired head in agreement. "Look, this week…it just went by way too fast, okay?" Even as she said this, she smiled fondly, reminiscing over the obviously envious looks on the many faces of her colleagues at work. Kitty grinned savagely, telling herself, those guys were so jealous of me! However, that was not a new experience for the cute, yet plucky vixen Lieutenant. Oh, no…not by a long shot! She'd endured their jealousy before---not everyone mind you, but those petty ones that had so offended Carmelita---and could frankly care less. They'd all glowered green with envy when the very handsome Ling Chu---the heartthrob of the office---became an item with the office tomboy, instead of choosing one of the other admittedly pretty and much more feminine acting constables and Inspectors. Then, it happened yet again when Kitty was promoted to Lieutenant…even though she was junior to many of the other Inspectors on the force.
"I quite understand," Naomi told Kitty, a knowing smile. "Ah, but perhaps, if you are very kind to Madame…she may allow you to borrow her again, nes pas?"
Kitty blinked several times, surprised. That look was slowly transformed into a knowing smile of barely disguised greed. "Hey, yeah…yeah, you do have a point there, my friend. Thanks," Kitty replied, her mind already at work on a new plan.
"Mon Dieu," Naomi laughed as she linked arms with Kitty, pulling her along away from the Roadster. "Such determination…"
Carmelita led the procession of ladies up the four steps to the Fox front door, then promptly knocked upon the door.
"Hola!" Carmen yelled down at them, "Do come in, amigas…it's open!"
Carmelita opened the door, and ushered them all into the foyer. Yuri took in the room she found herself in and liked it. The small foyer was warm, sunny, and had a Mediterranean feel to it that she approved of. The ceiling was off-white stucco, the walls were painted a soft sunny coral, while the floor was done up in warm smooth oak.
"Carmen! How are you?" Carmelita sang out as soon as she saw her beautiful sister descending the stairs into the foyer, her little Maria perched upon her hip.
"Carmelita!" Carmen replied, her hazel eyes alight with affection for her only sister. "Ah, but it so good to see you, mi hermana!" The two vixens hugged, carefully though, as they did not want to wedge poor Maria between them.
While the two sisters briefly exchanged pleasantries, Yuri Sing watched them. She was intrigued…both lovely women were very similar, very similar indeed! However, as similar as they truly might be, they were not identical. Carmen's hair was a very deep brown, versus Carmelita's jet black tresses. Carmelita's eyes were an amber brown, while her sister's were a bewitching hazel…just the barest hint of green and gold in those pools of brown. Carmen sported a sprinkling of freckles across her nose, while Carmelita had that cute little mole on her left cheek. Similar, Yuri mused to herself, yet still very different.
Carmelita finally stepped back from her sister. "Oh, hey, Carmen…do you remember how badly you wanted me to get you that autograph from Yuri Sing?" Carmelita reminded her.
"Si! Did I ever!" Carmen replied, bending down to place little Maria down upon the sparkling wooden floor. "But, Carmelita…what of it now?" Carmen's expression showed her disappointment.
Carmelita apparently saw it too. "Well, Sis…I'm sorry about that. However, I think I've got you something even better than that," Carmelita offered, her smile becoming very clever.
"Eh? Better? How would you---aiee!" Carmen countered, then staggered when she realized just who the regal-looking snow leopard woman standing just behind her sister actually was! "Madre y Dios!" she gasped, her right hand coming up to cover her open mouth, her hazel eyes wide in surprise. "Madame Sing?"
"Oui, I am," Yuri replied, bowing her lovely head in agreement. "Ah, bon jour Senora Fox." She reached out her hand to offer it to Carmen, a small smile on her face.
"Bon jour, Madame Sing," Carmen replied, her voice full of shaky excitement. She could not believe it…the Yuri Sing, in her foyer! She reached out a trembling hand to shake Yuri's offered hand. "It is…that is, it is quite the honor to have you in my home, Madame." Carmen bowed her head briefly.
Yuri smiled at her courtesy, but then made a slightly pained expression. "Please, cheri…I promise not to call you 'Senora' again, if you will do me the favor of calling me 'Yuri' instead of---ugh---'Madame'. Do we have an agreement, cheri?" Yuri proposed.
Yuri's friends all smiled wistfully over at the softly smiling snow leopard woman, all of them having gone through this before.
Carmen smiled thankfully at the statuesque blond, nodding. "I…I would like that very much, Yuri," she declared, then became aware of the other girls arrayed behind Yuri and Carmelita. "Ah, I think I know you three," she posed, pointing at Maria, Svetlana, and Naomi. "Weren't you models for Yuri at the Fall Fling this year?"
"Da, that would be us, Mrs. Fox," Maria answered in her slightly husky, yet distinctly feminine voice. "I am pleased you remembered."
"Mrs. Fox? I am Naomi Rousseau," Naomi offered, presenting herself to Carmelita's sister, shaking hands with her.
"Dasfindanya, Senora Fox," Svetlana introduced herself, curtsying gracefully in her black calf-length pleated skirt. "I am Svetlana Umanova. It is so wonderful to finally meet Carmelita's famous sister."
Maria followed Svetlana's example, only her skirt was a deep blue instead of black. "Indeed! As my friend Svetlana says, it is a privilege to meet the famous Captain Fox. I always like to see a woman getting ahead in this world." Maria then realized she still hadn't provided Carmen with her name. "Ah, excuse please! I am Maria Folovera, at your service." She then noticed little Maria noticing her silky white hair and fur. She flicked her bright blue eyes to the child's brown ones, and winked. "Ah, hello there, my little zaichik," she said softly and richly to the inquisitive little vixen perched now on her mother's hip again. "I am called Maria too…isn't that a pretty name?"
Maria Fox gazed intently at the pretty white-furred and white-haired Arctic vixen, liking the exotic woman with her snowy white hair and fur, as well as her pretty blue eyes. However, as Maria Foloreva held her gaze, she was beset with an attack of acute shyness, and giggling, turned and nuzzled her face to her mother's neck. Maria Foloreva was touched by the innocence of the child, and felt the desire to hold this one nearly made her palms itch.
Kitty smiled cleverly, striding up to Carmen. "Hi! I'm---" she nearly giggled.
"Ah, I know you, you rascal!" Carmen said with a laugh. "You do not need introductions. However, I know precisely what to do with you, Kitty Petro." Carmen moved close to Kitty, then handed little Maria over into the now ecstatic vixen's arms.
Kitty snuggled little Maria in her arms, and made sounds of contentment.
Carmen grinned over at Carmelita and the others. "Ah, works every time, it does," she commented. "There is no better way to stifle that one than to have her hold one of my children. Shuts her right up."
"Huh," Carmelita ventured then cleverly. "I'll have to remember that."
"Hey!" Kitty said even as she had nestled her cheek to the top of Maria's head and was gently rocking the little girl back and forth in her arms. "I am right here, you know…"
Carmen smiled at the byplay between her actual sister and her 'adoptive' sister as was usually the case. She addressed them all a moment later. "Now, please, all of you, do sit down. It will only take me a moment to make us all some tea," she offered, the gracious host. She then turned quickly to Kitty, "Ah, yes…I have not forgot, Kitty. I will bring a glass of milk for you, dear." Kitty nodded thankfully.
Carmen turned to move into her kitchen, but then remembered Enrico. "Ah, Kitty?"
"Yeah, Carmen?" Kitty replied, enjoying herself.
"Could you be a dear and go upstairs and fetch Enrico for me?" Carmen asked. "I'm sure he'll not want to miss out."
"Sure, Carmen!" Kitty agreed. She then turned to Maria. "Say, Maria…do you think you could---?"
"Oh, da! It would be my pleasure!" Maria informed her friend, an eager smile blossoming on her face. She moved beside Kitty, and then looked into little Maria's inquisitive face. "So, zaichik? Will you let your Auntie Maria to hold you, nyet?" she asked the child.
Maria thought about it a moment, then laughed and held her little arms out to Maria Foloreva, her dark brown eyes alight.
"Mmm," Maria intoned in her exotic voice, gently drawing the adorable little vixen into her arms, snuggling her close a moment. Then, she leaned the little girl back so she could look into her pretty face. "Come, zaichik…it is time for the two of us to become better acquainted, da?"
"Da!" declared Maria Fox, causing all the women to chuckle. Maria Foloreva moved over to a large armchair and sat down to softly talk with the little vixen. In moments, Maria's soft husky voice was interspersed with Maria Fox's delighted soft babblings.
"She is a natural, that one," Carmen whispered to her sister as the two moved into the kitchen to prepare the party's refreshments.
Kitty reappeared moments later, holding the bright-eyed Enrico in her arms. She moved over to take a seat beside Yuri on the Fox's loveseat, and began to gently bounce little Enrico on her knee, which the small boy enjoyed to no end!
Yuri turned to watch the two, finding little Enrico quite enchanting and adorable.
When Carmen and Carmelita returned bearing two trays, one with tea---and Kitty's glass of milk, of course!---and the other a plate full of cookies, they found that Enrico was sitting quite contentedly upon Yuri´s lap, her arms held around him as she sang softly to the entranced child in her native French.
Carmen felt a tug at her heart, and smiled warmly to see her Enrico so happy and content. "I see, Yuri, that you seemed to have developed quite a bond with my son," she observed with a smile.
Yuri looked up and smiled warmly over at Carmen, thanking her with her exotic green-gold gaze. "Perhaps, cheri. But, you see, I am simply preparing myself for later."
"Eh?" Carmen replied, looking slightly confused over at Yuri.
"I am pregnant, Carmen," Yuri explained, her face shining with that revelation.
Carmen's lovely face shone with joy. "Oh, Yuri…that is wonderful news!" Carmen told her, meaning every word. "So…who might the father be?"
"Mon belle cher. My Bentley. Bentley Turtle," Yuri answered, the adoring look on her face leaving no doubt that she loved the man. "You see, that is how your Carmelita and I became such wonderful friends, Carmen. We both have found our loves in the ranks of the oh-so-illustrious Cooper Gang."
"Madre y Dios," Carmen exclaimed, crossing herself in a blessing. "First my Carmelita…now you?"
"Oh, and me as well!" Naomi added, walking over to the other three women. "My beau is Monsieur Murray. I would never of met him---and become so very happy!---if it hadn't of been for Madame and Carmelita here."
"Aiee," Carmen groaned, closing her pretty hazel eyes shut a moment.
"Ignore her," Carmelita counseled with a grin. "She's just having a tough time coming to grips with things is all, gals. Give her time…she'll come around."
"Not if I can help it, mi hermana," Carmen protested, but then sighed and laughed. "Ah, well…perhaps…eventually I will. Who knows…miracles happen every day they say…"
"Patience, cheri," Yuri advised with a grin. "Monsieur Sly and his Gang---as it were---are like sheep in wolves' clothing, nes pas? Outside they seem grim and menacing, do they not? However, once you come to know them---and what they fight for---you will realize that they are honorable and courtly gentlemen, one and all."
"Yeah, yeah," Carmen groused, but still smiled. "On to a different subject: any idea of how many children you are expecting, my friend?" Carmen asked, curious.
"Alas, not yet, cheri," Yuri answered, laying a hand upon her abdomen without thinking about it. "I only received notification of my condition today, you see, so I am---how you say?---still a bit shaken, nes pas?"
"Si, I have no problem believing that," Carmen replied with a laugh, remembering back to when she had received such news herself.
"However, Carmen cheri, I do know one thing," Yuri told her, as she smiled down at Enrico who laughed as he softly pulled at her long hair. "When my little ones do arrive, I shall love them as much as I possible can…and even more if I can somehow manage it!"
Svetlana blinked at Yuri's declaration, then got up and moved up behind the snow leopard woman to enfold her in a soft caring hug. Yuri smiled and leaned her head to Svetlana's, even as she softly stroked the girl's arm in thanks.
Maria Foloreva, with Maria Fox on her lap, nodded to her boss, her friend, her expression soft and solemn…which left Yuri feeling oddly content for some reason.
Carmelita sat beside her sister, holding Carmen's hand, while Kitty sat on Yuri's other side, a bemused expression on her freckled face.
"So," Carmen then proposed, breaking the spell. She smiled at them all. "Well, mi bonita amigas…what shall we talk about, hmm?"