AN: This chapter is dedicated to Heiduska... because she reviews every time i put upp a chappie, because it´s my way to say bad luck in the olympics for Finland and finnally because i say so. (LOL)
Chapter 17
Carmelita and Sly hurried down the stairs to the living room, incidentally where Bentley and Murray currently sat relaxing. Bentley sat in an armchair, browsing a book, whose title was "Fatherhood for Dummies". Meanwhile, Murray was sitting raptly watching his favorite superhero show on the television.
"Say…fellas?" Sly called tentatively, making both of his friends look up and over to where he and Carmelita now stood. "Um, a moment of your time, hmm?"
"What's up, Sly?" Bentley asked, putting down his book, after saving his place,
of course.
"Hmm?" Murray said, dividing his attention between his two friends and his favorite show.
"Ahem," Sly began, suddenly nervous again. "Well, guys…it's like this, really…"
Carmelita was too wound up to put up with Sly's nervous meanderings! "Your boss and I have ourselves announcement, you two," she proclaimed, gazing warmly over at Sly, who couldn't help himself and grinned back.
"And…said announcement would be?" Bentley urged after that adoring look went on and on and on…
"Well," Sly began anew, only to be stopped by Carmelita who smiled, then shook her head.
"Maybe this will help, guys," Carmelita then announced, and with a jubiliant look on her pretty face, she held up her left hand, the back to them, and wiggled the ring finger of her hand, making the diamond there throw off a shower of sparkles.
Bentley gaped, then grinned broadly. "Well, I'll be damned," he remarked, getting up from his chair. "I don't believe it. He actually went and did it…"
"Did what, Bent?" Murray replied, his show finished, moving over to join his friends, his expression curious.
"Oh no, Murray," Bentley replied, grinning, but raising his hands to wave them defensively at his buddy. "You ask those two, pal…"
Carmelita put her arm around Sly's waist, and pressed her head happily into his shoulder. "Sly asked me to marry him!" she declared, her grin wickedly contagious.
Murray gaped like a fish, then a slow grin crept across his face. "Aw, Sly…" Murray observed, just a big softy when it came to stuff like this. "So…er, what did you tell him, Carmelita?" he asked, his voice tentative and quiet, as if he were fearing the worst, and expecting the best.
Carmelita was touched, and squeezed her eyes shut to hold back the happy tears again. "D'uh! I said 'Yes', of course!" she informed them both. "I love Sly, and I want to be with him…all the rest of my life."
"That arrangement works splendidly for me, querera," Sly added, pausing to kiss Carmelita's head in his happiness.
"So, finally found your tongue, eh Ringtail?" Carmelita teased.
"Yep!" he declared cleverly…sticking it out a moment. "See?"
Carmelita giggled at his goofiness. "I love you, Goofy Boy," she told him, snuggling her head against his neck.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Sly returned, pressing his cheek to her hair, inhaling the heavenly scent of her hair.
"Okay, I've got only one---no, make that two---things to say," Bentley tossed out just then. "One...what in blazes took you so long, Sly?" he groused. "Geez, I thought you'd never ask her. I mean, weren't you the one that was forever going on and on about how much you loved her and how you couldn't live without her, and---"
Sly reached over and placed his hand over Bentley's mouth, his expression amused, but also irritated. "Keep it up, Shell Boy," he warned. "Remember who's your Best Man, hmm? Keep up your expose, and I'll be sure to include all the dirt I have on you to Yuri, pal…"
Bentley's eyes goggled behind his glasses, but then he nodded, and Sly removed his hand.
"Wait," Carmelita commanded, grinning. "I want to hear more." She turned to Sly, her big beautiful brown eyes shining. "So…you told these two that you loved me, eh? And, that you loved me over and over again, hmm?"
"Guilty as charged, Inspector," Sly quipped, his most charming grin appearing on his face.
"Then, let me get this straight," Carmelita went on, a husky timbre in her voice. "Then, you told them that you just couldn't live without me?"
"Yep!" Sly crowed, looking down into her eyes, grinning. "Sure did, querera!"
"Ooh, c'mere you!" Carmelita squealed, and hugged Sly fiercely, and sighed when she felt his arms go about her and hold her close. After a long moment, Carmelita disentangled herself from her Ringtail, and turned to Bentley, a wondrous smile on her face still.
"You said you had two things to say, Bentley," Carmelita reminded the softly smiling turtle.
"Oh? Oh, yeah, I did," Bentley replied, blinking. "Yeah, um…" Bentley then grinned, and blushed. "Do you think you two could make sure your wedding date is after Yuri and mine? Please?"
Carmelita blinked, then laughed. "You mean, you haven't asked her yet?" Carmelita asked incredulously. "Sheesh, and you have have the gall to give Sly a hard time?"
"Yeah, Bent…what she said!" Sly added, grinning at his blushing pal.
"Um, well," Bentley stammered. "I wanted to get it just right, you know. I'm gonna though…I promise! Next week, we're supposed to go out for dinner. At Le Bistro Bourgeot. I've been working with Jean-Pierre, and we've got the whole thing scoped out."
"Very clever," Sly complimented him. "Anything we two can do to help?" Carmelita nodded her head eagerly, her eyes gleaming appreciatively.
"Well," Bentley said, hemming and hawing a moment. "Gee, I'd just love it if all you guys---you know, you two, Murray and Naomi, Svetlana, Maria, even Kitty and Ling---could be there. Jean-Pierre can arrange it so Yuri won't see you until after I ask her."
"You got it, pal," Sly promised.
"Ooh, Bentley…that's so romantic," Carmelita cooed, then eyed Sly.
"What?" he asked, then looked back at her, narrowing his eyes speculatively. "Let me guess…you want me to propose to you all over again, don't you?"
"Well," Carmelita replied, looking away, blushing just a bit. "You did offer upstairs…remember?" She grinned.
Sly sighed, but then laughed. "For you, I'd do anything, my Carmelita," he told her.
Carmelita grinned---a grin that melted Sly's heart---and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, then kissed him. "Ooh, thank you," she told him, giving him yet another kiss.
"Hey, keep that up," Sly posed, "and I'll ask you to marry every other week!"
"I'll accept!" Carmelita replied with a laugh.
"What! A! Woman!" Sly exclaimed, then cupped Carmelita's darling face between his hands, looking into her amazing brown eyes. Carmelita could do nothing more than return his gaze, and smile at the man she loved.
"Oh, you guys!" Murray then exclaimed, tears in his eyes and drew a very startled Sly and Carmelita into a crushing hug, each of them to one side of his bulk. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Umm-M-Murray?" Sly croaked after a moment, his teeth clenched as he was crushed by his overeager, yet well-meaning friend, all the while doing his best to shield Carmelita from Murray's powerful grip.
"M-M-Murray…c-c-can't breathe," Carmelita gasped, struggling as she brought up one hand to softly tickle Murray's ribs in the vain hope that---
Murray guffawed, then thankfully loosened his grip…only a moment before he looked down into his friends' faces to see their pained expressions. He immediately let them both down, smiling sheepishly. "Ooh, sorry! You okay, Carmelita?" he asked, concerned.
Carmelita heaved a much relieved inhalation of air, but then smiled, shaking her head. "Relax, Murray," she assured him. "I'm fine." She then chuckled, whispering to Sly, "I think I actually heard my ribs creak that time…"
"Want me to rub it and make it all better?" Sly teased, grinning.
"Sly!" Carmelita shushed him, but grinned back. "Just you hush, mister!"
"What was that?" Murray wanted to know.
"We're both fine, pal," Sly quickly told his big friend. "A little breathless, but otherwise fine. Thanks for being so excited for us both, Murray."
"Aw, don't mention it," Murray replied with a pleased smile, and even a bit of a blush. "This is so great!"
"I couldn't agree more, mister," Carmelita opined to one and all, and then surprised even Sly when she pulled him to herself and gave him a long smoldering kiss, that had both Murray and Bentley looking away and blushing.
"Gee, could you two get a room already?" Bentley groused. "You're embarrassing me."
"Embarrassing you?" Carmelita countered, well…after she had gotten her breathing back to normal, and brushed a hand through her gleaming sable hair. "That's rich!" she exclaimed, "Remind me again, exactly who the only one in this room that's no longer a virgin might be, hmm?" She looked significantly at Bentley, who turned dark green from his furious blushing.
"Yeah, well," Bentley said, verbally backpedaling. "Um…well, that's because Yuri and I are the oldest, and well, the most mature couple, you understand."
"Uh-huh," Carmelita replied, grinning. "I see."
Bentley tugged fitfully at his collar, and happened to flick a glance at the nearby clock. "Say," he proclaimed, trying to mask his relief with a bit of sternness, "isn't it about time for you to be heading out for Yuri's, Carmelita? I mean, you and Kitty are supposed to be there at---"
Carmelita blinked, then looked at the clock. Her beautiful brown eyes goggled at the time already! "Eep!" she squealed, leaning over to kiss Sly one last time on the cheek. "I've got to get ready! See you later, sweetie!" Carmelita dashed out of the room, and they could hear her footfalls on the stairs.
Moments later, Carmelita appeared, her hair freshly brushed until it gleamed, dressed in a modest mid-calf length cotton black dress with a red leather belt around her trim waist. "So, how do I look, Sly?" she asked, even as she donned her long black trench coat.
"More beautiful than ever, querera," Sly professed, taking her hand to kiss the back of it once.
Carmelita grinned thankfully. "I knew there was a reason to keep you around, Ringtail," she teased, quickly bussing him on the lips, her eyes full of her love for him. "Now, I've got to go. I'll tell you all about it when I get home. See you!"
"Love you, Carmelita!" Sly called after her, smiling as he saw her reddish-brown tail slip out the door. He shook his head as he heard her convertible rumble to life, then heard the whirr of her transmission in reverse…then, with a roar of the engine, his love and her cute little car were gone. "Now doubt about it, gents," Sly told his two life-long pals. "What a Woman!"
They simply shook their heads, for once exactly understanding precisely what their boss meant with those three simple words…
Carmelita was practically humming with happiness as she tooled her sexy little convertible down the streets of Paris to Yuri's chateau. She shivered once, remembering the sound of Sly's oh-so-masculine voice telling her he loved her. Ooh, but she'd never get tired of hearing that!
Her reverie was broken a moment later when a flash of bright green appeared outside her passenger-side window. Carmelita chanced a look, and saw she had been joined by a bright green Yahama racing motorcycle…just like the one Ling drove. However, Carmelita could see that the figure astride that bike just now was most definitely not Ling! Nope, no way…that was a woman…and a vixen to boot…if that reddish-blond tail was any indication.
The figure on the motorcycle seemed to realize they were under scrutiny, and turned their darkened visored visage to Carmelita. The figure then reached on hand up and flicked up the face shield on their helmet.
"Kitty!" Carmelita gasped, then laughed, waving over at her friend on her new means of transportation. She was then sure to exaggerate her mouth movements as she declared, "Lookin' good there, girl!"
Kitty's blue eyes gleamed inside her full face helmet, and she then blew Carmelita a kiss in greeting. She slapped her face shield back down, then gunned the big Yamaha, its engine shrieking with new power. Carmelita watched in not a little awe and much disbelief as Kitty popped her front wheel off of the pavement and goosed the throttle, pulling a wheelie for a minute or so. Even through Kitty's helmet, and her convertible's windows, Carmelita could hear Kitty's whoop. "Woo Hoo!" the girl cried, just before she dropped the free-spinning front wheel down to the pavement once more, eliciting a loud chirp and a brief puff of blue smoke.
Carmelita grinned, then upshifted her Peugeot, dashing past Kitty, and then held that position all the way to before the curb of Yuri's handsome chateau. She got out of her car, and locked it…as she always did. "So, I take it that Ling let you borrow his motorcycle, eh?" she observed with a grin.
"Yep!" Kitty affirmed, then grinned, adding, "That´s what soulmates do, girl." Kitty then looked innocently over to Carmelita after she removed her helmet and stowed it away. "So…what's new, Montoya buddy?" Kitty grinned impishly.
Carmelita smiled, shaking her head. "Oh, not too much, you know," Carmelita replied---feeling the fierce urge to blurt out that she was engaged---to her best friend…however, this was Kitty, and well…she had something to do first. "Okay, now I probably going to regret this…but, thanks, Kitty," she put forth to the obviously surprised blond vixen.
"Why? Because I called you Montoya? Is that it?" Kitty asked, grinning even broader now.
Carmelita grinned, but shook her head. "No…that's not it," she replied, trying not to laugh.
"Then what?" Kitty asked, frowning.
"This!" Carmelita announced, then lifted up her hand to show off her sparkling engagement ring.
"Well, damn!" Kitty gushed, blinking and shaking her head. This girl could be quite the actor…when the mood took that is… "Do you mean---?" she demanded, very proud of herself.
"Sly popped the question only about an hour ago!" Carmelita explained, her expressive brown eyes eyeing the ring. "As I understand it…it sounds as if you were instrumental in getting Sly to put this on my finger, am I right?"
Kitty didn't answer right away, which---frankly!---surprised Carmelita. Kitty's attention instead focused on her friend's engagement ring, then Carmelita's happy face, then the ring again. Then, then…Kitty went and did something so girlish that neither she nor Carmelita could scarcely believe she did it in the first place! Kitty squealed happily, rushed forward, and hugged Carmelita, kissing her friend's face over and over again. "You mean he finally asked you? Really really asked you?" she squealed again, nearly hopping up and down in her excitement.
"Si! He did," Carmelita answered, chuckling. "Thanks again, Sis," she added, pausing to kiss Kitty's forehead once.
Kitty's big blue eyes welled up, and her lower lip trembled briefly before she got her emotions back under control again. "Hey, no problem, Carmelita," Kitty said with the barest of sniffs. "Glad to help, Sis." Then Kitty grinned and hugged Carmelita again, making the Spanish vixen laugh softly.
"Hey, sport…save some of that energy for night ahead, hmm?" Carmelita told her.
"Not a problem, Montoya gal!" Kitty replied, then grunted as Carmelita caught her in the ribs with an elbow. She huffed, then glared over at Carmelita a moment, before laughing. "Okay, okay…no more Montoya tonight. Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Carmelita replied sweetly, then grabbed Kitty around the head and drew her in so she could kiss her soundly on her cheek. "Now, you little scamp, let's get a move on. I don't want to be late."
Carmelita and Kitty made their way to the front doors of Yuri´s luxurious chateau. Kitty, ever the rogue, thumped a little ditty on Yuri's oaken door with her fist.
Yuri appeared at the door, saw Kitty grinning at her, and simply shook her head…as if that explained everything. "Ah, bon soir, cheris," Yuri welcomed them both warmly…as was her wont. "Everything is in order. We are all simply waiting for our gentlemen to arrive is all. But…do come in out of the cold, you two!"
Kitty and Carmelita moved thankfully indoors, and Naomi moved up to greet them both and take their coats. "Welcome, Carmelita," Naomi said warmly, taking Carmelita's coat. She then regarded Kitty a bit more coolly. "Kitty," she remarked, taking her coat and with a toss of her platinum-haired head, sauntered away.
Kitty looked over to Carmelita. "What was all that about, I wonder?" Kitty mused aloud.
"I don't think Naomi much approves of your matchmaking, sport," Carmelita explained with a shrug. "Eh, at least when it comes to Svetlana and Maria, it seems."
"Eh," Kitty replied nonchalantly, waving idly with a hand. "She'll get over it soon enough…"
"Whatever you say, Kitty," Carmelita hedged, shaking her head, then following her friend toward the sound of voices. "Whatever you say…"
"Carmelita!" Svetlana then squealed happily, leaping to her feet to greet her friend. She embraced the vixen warmly, wrapping her arms around Carmelita's waist. "Oh, it is so good to see you, tovarisch!"
Carmelita chuckled at the exuberant little tigress, and hugged her warmly back. "Hey, Svetlana," Carmelita greeted her, fondly running a hand through the petite tigress' hair, which was so much like her own, only shorter. "Nice to see you too, my friend."
"What?" Kitty then grumped, but her eyes were mischievous. "I guess no one's happy to see me tonight…"
"That is not true!" Svetlana assured her, disengaging herself from Carmelita to move over and engulf Kitty in a welcoming hug too. "I am happy to see you, Kitty!"
Kitty, who was only an inch or so taller than Svetlana, grinned…knowing that Svetlana truly meant that. She hugged the pretty girl then surprised her by lifting her off the floor and whirled her around once, before putting her back down. "I missed you too, kiddo!"
"Da, I see!" Svetlana replied, a bit out of breath, then giggled, her big brown eyes full of warm affection for the blond-haired vixen. "Maria! Come, Kitty is here!"
Kitty grinned as the eager Svetlana almost dragged her by the arm over to greet her more sedate friend, Maria, who grinned fondly at seeing her friend. "Hey there, Maria…what's shakin', girl?" she asked cleverly.
Maria chuckled, shaking her white-maned head. "Are you certain that you are not American, Kitty Petro?" Maria asked, grinning. "For you are crazy like one, tovarisch!"
"Nah," Kitty drawled, enjoying being with her friends again. "I'm Scandavanian, you know. But…I do watch a lot of American television. Hmm, maybe that would explain it…"
"Da, perhaps," Maria mused with a smile. "But, I think you are just plain crazy, you…" Maria's blue eyes flickered to Kitty's own sapphirine ones, then the two shared a chuckle. "I have missed you, Kitty…things are much too sedate when you are absent for too long, you know…"
"Hey, I've noticed that too," Kitty remarked, then grinned. "Pretty weird, huh?"
"Go!" Maria giggled, gently shoving Kitty away. "Go, and spread your madness elsewhere, my friend…"
The young women---friends all!---soon seated themselves in Yuri's spacious salon, and---as friends are wont to do---engaged themselves in conversations…on many diverse subjects.
"…and so tall, the Eiffel Tower!" gushed Svetlana, her hands moving animatedly as she explained seeing the French monument for the first time. "It took my breath away!"
"Yuri, I don't care what you say," Kitty grumbled, but softly. "I'm not growing my hair any longer that it is now. I happen to like it this way, thanks."
"Ah, but cheri!" Yuri protested, in vain, it seemed.
"…don't you think, mon ami? I mean, both of them are adults…let them alone, I say!" Naomi murmured to Carmelita, out of Kitty's hearing.
Further conversation was brought to a halt by the melodious tone of Yuri's doorbell. Yuri got to her feet, apologizing to the silent, yet still smiling Kitty, and headed for the door. Not to anyone's surprise, she found herself the leader of a line of very curious, excited young women…
Yuri laid a hand on the polished brass door knob of her front door…but then turned to the line of women in her wake. "For shame, cheris!" she chided them, her blond brows furrowed. "Is this the sort of impression you wish to make on our gentlemen? Non! I should think not! Go on, back to the salon!" Yuri shooed them back, and reluctantly, they moved. "Ah, Naomi…please stay, would you?"
"Of course, Madame," Naomi replied with a nod, then glared at Kitty and Svetlana, who still lingered in the hallway. "Avec!" the cheetah woman growled softly, and Kitty and Svetlana scampered inside the salon. Naomi then turned to Yuri, smiled, then nodded.
"Merci, my Naomi," Yuri responded thankfully. She then turned to the front door, and worked the 'S'-shaped knob. She opened the stout, tall oak doors without a noise…
Jack Turner, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his long overcoat, pulled his bush hat down over his brow a bit more, then plunged his hands back into his pockets once more. "It's bleedin' cold out tonight, mate," Jack groused.
Sean, looking very trim in his belted olive-green trench coat, turned to his friend. "I told you that you'd need gloves, Jack me lad," Sean recalled. "But, d'ye ever listen to yer old pal, Sean? Not bloody likely…" Sean flexed his hands inside of his black woolen gloves, making Jack frown in displeasure.
"Yeah, yeah," Jack grumbled, shivering.
Both of them looked up a moment later, as the tall oak door opened before them. Sean blinked, first at the warm, well-lit interior of the home they found themselves at…then at the absolutely stunning pair of women who answered the door. Sean quickly snatched his black beret off his head, and clenched it in his gloved hand. He then noticed Jack still wore his bush hat, and elbowed the big tiger to remind him of his manners.
"Wotcher do that for, mate?" Jack grumbled in a whisper.
"Faith, man…take off your hat in the presence o' the lasses, mate!" Sean hissed, his green eyes chiding.
"Oop! Sorry, luvs," Jack hurriedly replied, snatching his hat off, and grinning sheepishly at the two women. "A cool night…doncha think?" he added.
"Bon soir, Madame," Sean then addressed Yuri, snapping his heels together, and bowing his head. "A beintot, Mademoiselle," he added, repeating his bow for Naomi's benefit. His tufted ears flicked from the slight flurry of snow that had just started outside, which dotted his reddish-blond hair.
"Ah, bon soir, Monsieurs," Yuri answered with a charming smile, one that was reflected in her amazing green-gold eyes. "Monsieur Turner. Monsieur Mallory. Please, do come out of the cold, the both of you."
"Merci, Madame," Sean replied, his accent one would expect from a native born Parisian, and followed his---in his opinion, at least---slightly overeager big friend inside of the chateau. "I do hope you'll excuse my friend, Madame," Sean tried to explain. "I'm quite afraid that he didn't really dress for the weather."
"Of course," Yuri answered, ever the charming hostess, smiling. "It is very chill out tonight, after all," she added, trying to make her guests feel more at ease.
"Too right yeh are, Yuri luv," Jack replied, taking his big hands out of his pockets and rubbing them together to warm them. "It's a right wonker out t'night, an bloomin' cold to boot."
"Jack," Sean chided his friend, even as he stripped off his gloves, and tucked them in his pockets. "We are guests, you big lummox."
Jack frowned, then cottoned on to what Sean was getting on about. He winced, then grinned apologetically. "Sorry, Ma'am…must mind me 'P's and 'Q's, an' all that…" he told her, then under his breath added, "…at least around me tyrannical pal, Sean, that is…"
Sean closed his eyes wearily a moment, then smiled apologetically. He paused a moment to carefully fold his beret in three and slip it under the left epaulette of his trench coat, then began to unbutton it. "Again, thank you so much for your gracious invitation, Madame Sing," Sean reiterated, sincerely pleased to be invited into the famous socialite's home. Of course, it didn't hurt that the beautiful, engaging Svetlana would be in attendance as well…
"Ah, it is my pleasure, Monsieur Mallory," Yuri replied, pleased with the young man's manners. "As we are to be neighbors, as it were, it is only fitting that we get to know each other, nes pas?"
Jack grinned at that, as much a rascal as Kitty was at times. "Wit' a lovely bunch of sheilas like you all, I'd say it'd be our pleasure, Miss Yuri," Jack teased, grinning.
Yuri could detect the amusement in Jack's statement, and heard the word 'lovely'…but 'sheila'? She tried, at first, to soldier on despite her confusion, but after a moment, tuned helpless eyes to Sean.
"I expect, so I do, that the ladies here aren't all that fluent in yer Australian, Jack," Sean answered, then grinned when Yuri thankfully nodded her agreement. "A 'sheila', you understand, is the Australian slang for 'woman'. Does that make more sense then, Madame?"
Yuri grinned. "Ah, oui…quite," she answered. "Merci, Monsieur Turner…you are a charmer, I'm certain."
"Thanks, luv," Jack said with shameless honesty. "Jack Turner, charmin' to the last…that's me!"
"Mustn't forget 'humble' too, Jack," Sean quipped, shaking his head. "Oh, an' polite, an' proper, an' all the other traits you seem to sorely lack, mate…"
"Don't yeh mind him, me beauties," Jack countered, eyeing Sean with a glare. "He's just jealous, is all."
"Jealous," Sean murmured, smiling, and shaking his head. "Of course…that must be it now. I hope yer ladyships will excuse this poor Irish lad his foibles, so I do…"
Yuri laughed, clapping her hands together at the antics of the two. "Such an entertaining pair, don't you think, Naomi?" she asked, as she took Sean's arm in her own and began to lead him toward the salon.
Jack, ever the charmer, offered his arm to Naomi, who grinned, and accepted. "You are the second largest man I have ever seen, Monsieur," Naomi observed.
"Second, yeh say?" Jack replied, surprised.
"Oh my, oui!" Naomi replied. "My beau, Murray, he is larger than you, Monsieur…but, in all fairness, he is a hippo, so that may explain it, no?"
"Too right it would, Miss," Jack replied, nodding. "Y'know…I'd like to meet this lucky feller of yers, Miss Naomi. I mean, it's not often a big strappin' bloke like meself finds a kindred spirit, you see…"
Naomi giggled, understanding how Madame could find this genial tiger giant such a charming fellow.
"Ah, here we are," Yuri purred as she led Sean into the salon, and into the presence of four very lovely young ladies. "Ladies," she added, holding on to Sean's arm possessively a moment. "May I introduce you to Monsieur Sean Mallory, cheris?"
"Oy, an' don't fergit me, Yuri luv!" Jack called out, grinning. He smiled a bright smile at his escort, and patted Naomi's shoulder genially as she moved off to claim a seat.
"Of course not, Monsieur," Yuri said with a laugh. "You need not worry yourself about that."
"God save Ireland," Sean sighed under his breath, as he usually did when Jack vexed him.
"So, now, allow me to make the introduction, nes pas?" Yuri went on, moving away from Sean. She moved over to where Carmelita had just gotten to her feet. "This, my fine gentlemen, is Ms. Carmelita Fox, one of my closest of friends." Yuri moved over to tug Carmelita's elbow gently urging her forward. "Say hello, cheri."
Carmelita moved forward, extending her hand to Sean. She saw a somewhat reserved, yet friendly lynx gentleman with reddish-blond hair, bright green eyes, and a long scar parallel to his nose that ran over, but did not touch, his left eye. "Good evening, Mister Mallory," Carmelita observed, feeling the somewhat dangerous-looking man gently take her hand, and squeeze it firmly once, then let it go.
"Tis a pleasure to make yer acquaintance, Ms. Fox," Sean replied, looking her over. He saw a very lovely vixen with wary, yet friendly brown eyes, long wavy jet hair, and a strong, very feminine figure. In her black dress and red belt, she made a very fetching figure of a woman. "I hope you'll pardon me sayin' so, Miss Fox, but yer quite a lovely lass, so yeh are."
Carmelita was instantly reminded of her friend, Trish Connelly, the accent was similar, yet different. "No apology necessary, Mister Mallory, and…thank you," Carmelita replied, charmed by his polite bit of flattery.
"Crikey," Jack observed a moment later of Carmelita. "Do yeh even know any plain women, Yuri luv? I mean, this one's a face a bloke'd remember, an' that's a fact!" Jack took Carmelita's hand and shook it once, then grinned. "G'day to yeh, Miss Fox, the name's Jack. Jack Turner."
"Nice to meet you too, Jack," Carmelita returned, telling herself that Kitty was just going to love this guy!
"I'm Kitty!" Kitty said, rushing up to Jack, smiling brilliantly. "Kitty Petro. I hear tell you're from Australia. Is that right?" Her blue eyes were most inquisitive.
"Aye, Miss Petro," Sean answered for his friend. "Jack's as Australian as a kangaroo, or a wallaby, or any other of the things he goes on about." Sean grinned over at Jack, his green eyes clever.
"If that's the case then," Kitty observed, then grinned mischievously, leaning back so she could look up comically to Jack's face, exaggerating his height. "G'day up there, mate! 'Ow's the weather up there, eh?" she told him, in her best rendition of an Australian accent.
Jack was delighted, of course! He laughed. "Aye, now there's a sheila to make a gent feel welcome!" he stated, looking down at Kitty, who grinned. "Yer a roight pretty wee thing," he added, laying on the charm, "would yeh be taken, Miss?"
Kitty laughed, really taking a shining to Jack. "Sorry, mate…but, my heart's already been taken, luv," she replied, reaching up to pat Jack's cheek in mock sympathy.
"My loss, that," Jack replied with a guffaw, then reached down to softly ruffle Kitty's short blond hair in amusement. "Eh, Sean?" Jack then added.
Sean moved forward, and extended his hand to Kitty. "No doubt, Jack me boyo," Sean answered, getting into the spirit of things. He then gently scooped up Kitty's little hand, and softly pressed his lips to the back of her hand. He then looked up and grinned. "Are yeh sure, lass?" he asked cleverly. "Is there no chance a fine Irish lad such as meself, or me big strappin' Aussie pal might be able to woo yeh away from yer beau?"
Kitty felt her heart speed up at being the recipient of all this male adoration, be it pretend or not. "Yeah, I'm sure," she answered. "Though, it's awfully nice for you two to try, you know…"
"Ooh, just wait until I tell Ling!" Carmelita teased, laughing.
"You'll do no such thing!" Kitty barked, blushing. The two followed along as Yuri led the two gents over to meet Maria and Svetlana, who were currently chatting amiably with Naomi.
"Ah, now my fine gentlemen," Yuri announced. "You have met these two young ladies before, have you not?" She indicated the two Russian girls with an elegant sweep of her hand.
"Aye, we've met," Sean allowed, a great deal less certain of himself now. Now, that she was near. He looked at the lovely Svetlana---the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen---and despaired. How could so lovely, so innocent a lass feel anything for a scarred washed-up warrior like himself?
Yuri---adept at the subtle nuances of the spoken word and body language---detected the change in Mister Mallory right away, and was puzzled, but said nothing. "Gentlemen, may I introduce you to Miss Maria Foloreva," Yuri observed, beckoning for Maria to get to her feet.
Maria pointedly headed for Sean, avoiding Jack's curious gaze. "A pleasure to meet you again, Mister Mallory," Maria remarked, meeting the dangerous-looking man's friendly green gaze, and smiled.
"And you, Miss," Sean replied, his normal good-spirits restored for the moment, quipped. "Is it just me eyes, Jack…or did this fetchin' blue-eyed lass get even more fair whilst we were away?" Sean knew his big Aussie pal well enough that he had more than a little attraction toward this very lovely Arctic vixen with eyes that reminded him of tanzanite at times. Much to Sean's surprise, Jack---who was usually a most loquacious soul---remained silent a moment…but it was a long moment.
"Er, um," Jack stammered, gazing down into Maria's face, which was averted from his. "Too right, mate! She's a looker, all right." Jack then began to recover some of his composure, and decided to be a bit more forward with the obviously very shy Maria. He reached out a big---yet gentle!---hand, extending his index finger to place it just beside Maria's chin, and he then turned her face toward him and up, so he could look into her eyes. "If I can get her to look at me, I expect, that is…" He grinned his most charming and disarming grin.
Maria felt her heart hammer in her chest, her mouth going dry, her breathing ragged at best. All that, even before he touched her and brought her face up to look into his eyes! As her eyes met his, she felt stunned, her mind seeming to cease working. She felt drawn into his eyes, which were blue like her own, only paler with dark blue rings at the edge of his irises. He had mesmerizing eyes, and it didn't hurt either that he was so handsome! "Mmm, er, uh," Maria struggled to speak, her eyes never leaving Jack's. "I---I have no problem looking at you, Monsieur," she told him. "It is not looking that is problem…" Maria gasped as she caught her faux pas, her cheeks bloomed with her blushing, and she turned away, embarrassed.
Sean realized that the pretty Arctic vixen must be attracted to his pal, Jack, but was embarrassed to be so. He tried to save the poor girl any further embarrassment and hopefully defray the episode a bit. "Faith, Maria lass…we all have that problem, don't you know," Sean explained to her, grinning. "I mean, look darlin'…he fair blots out the sun now, don't he?"
Kitty busted out laughing, and Carmelita chuckled too. Yuri smiled indulgently, her green-gold gaze silently thanking Sean. Naomi simply smiled and shook her head, her smile turning into a most attractive grin. Svetlana giggled, and after a moment, Maria joined her, and the tenseness passed in a round of appreciative laughter.
Jack nudged his pal, and nodded his thanks. Sean might be moody, but the bloke's heart was in the right place. "Eh now, I can't help it I'm this way," Jack pretended to grouse, "it's all me Mum's fault anyway…"
"Your Mother?" Maria asked, intrigued, looking up at Jack again…only this time not so timidly.
"Too right, luv," Jack told her, grinning, nodding his head. "You see…she was a big strappin' lass of a tigress…nothin' at all like yer pretty little friend there," Jack added, indicating Svetlana with a jerk of his thumb. "Now, me Dad on the other hand…" Jack then went on to tell an amusing little anecdote about how his mother and father had met and fallen for one another.
"Vanya," Maria finally said after Jack had finished, wiping her eyes, laughing still. "You are as much a rascal as our Kitty!"
Jack smiled at being called 'Vanya' again. If that cute little vixen wanted to call him 'Vanya'…why, that was all right with him! "Ah, so there's rascal in this group of lovelies, is there? Me hat's off to yeh, Kitty luv!" Jack bowed cordially to Kitty, who---being the rogue she was---bowed back just as theatrically.
"Ah, Svetlana," Yuri said after the conversation waned a bit. "Monsieur Mallory, this is our Svetlana. Svetlana Umanova." Yuri moved between Svetlana and Sean, and then beckoned with her eyes for Svetlana to rise to meet their guest.
Svetlana grinned, nodding her pretty head. She was intrigued with the tall, lithe lynx gentleman with the disfiguring scar. She had grown to like his charming way of talking…which, she had not seen any of during their first meeting. She felt a bit of a kinship with him…as he had had his share of hardships too in his young life. And, she told herself, he seemed to be getting on with his life despite them too. "Dobre vecher, Monsieur Mallory," she greeted him in Russian, not knowing if he might know her own Ukrainian dialect.
Sean felt an initial stab of inadequacy again, but swallowed it down. He smiled, timidly he'd be the first to admit, but smile he did. "Dobre vecher, Comrade Umanova," Sean returned, his accent distinctly Muscovite. "Kak dela?"
Svetlana felt a thrill race up her spine, nearly making her shiver. Oh, but it was heavenly to converse with someone in her own tongue. "Otlichno, spasiba," she answered. She then noticed the glazed looks on most of the other's faces and reverted their conversation back to English once more. "I am quite fine, thank you. I hope today finds you well."
"Never better," Sean replied, feeling not quite so tongue-tied with Svetlana. When he started out with Russian, it sort of gave him the feeling of having something in common with this exquisitely beautiful young woman. "Beggin' yer pardon, Svetlana darlin'…but yer lookin' quite ravishin' this fair evenin', so yeh are…" Sean then blinked, and blushed…but, looked directly at her, instead of turning away, as he felt the urge to do.
Svetlana laughed softly, delighted. "Thank you…er, Sean, is it?" she replied, then blushed, a bit embarrassed to have forgotten his first name that moment. "Of course it is Sean, silly me!" She collected her wits again, and with her heart now racing in her chest, she looked his way again. "Thank you for saying such lovely things about me."
"It is about time that someone appreciate how lovely my Svetlana is," Maria declared, nodding her head proudly, affectionately at her small friend.
"Faith," Sean stammered upon hearing that. "What d'yeh mean, lass? Why, I'd expect that she'd have to be beatin' the lads off with a stick, lovely as she is!"
Now, Svetlana did blush, and quite fetchingly too! "Stoy! Stop!" she cried, but smiled, fanning herself with a hand. "I---I---please, no more. My poor head will explode, nyet?" she pleaded, laughing.
Sean blushed, realizing perhaps he had said too much. But, he told himself, at least the girl seemed receptive to him. Most girls as lovely as she would frown, or give him a look of disgust…but not this one. No, she honestly seemed to be able to ignore his facial scar completely…and, well, and focus on me. He grinned, not even knowing he did so.
"Um, Mister Mallory," Kitty then interjected, clearing her throat. "Sean, if I may?"
"Yes, Kitty…what is it?" Sean replied, arching an eyebrow to ask if he had her name correct.
"Yep, that's me," Kitty responded, imp that she was. "I've a question…if you don't mind my asking?"
Sean steeled himself, knowing most likely her question was going to be about his scar. He sighed, realizing he'd have to tell them…or appear rude. He didn't like it---especially in front of Svetlana---but knew he really didn't have much choice. "Go ahead, lass," he prompted her.
"I don't want to sound ghoulish, or anything, but---" Kitty began, softly chewing her lip a moment before finishing. "About your scar---"
"Kitty!" Carmelita barked softly, yet sharply, her eyes narrowing in her displeasure.
Sean held up a hand, sighing again. "No, it's all right," he assured both Kitty and Carmelita.
"Sean, mate," Jack said softly. "Are yeh certain, pally?"
"Aye, I'm fine with tellin' this, Jack," Sean told him, smiling his thanks for Jack's concern.
"Come, please," Svetlana urged, patting the empty seat beside her. "Sit. At least be comfortable, da?"
Sean thought about it, then grudgingly nodded, and took the offered seat. He rested his elbows on his knees, and beckoned the ladies and Jack to gather around. "All right, I won't go into all the details, mind you," he told them. "But, I'll give you the gist of what happened. Will that satisfy your curiosity?"
They all looked over at Kitty, and she blushed. "Sorry!" she apologized, swallowing hard. "But, tell me you all didn't want to know!" She thrust her chin out pugnaciously. No one argued with her.
"Not your fault, Kitty lass," Sean told her, reaching out to pat her knee in sympathy. He then took a deep breath, and reluctantly thrust his mind back down into his memories. "It all happened when me and my team of commandos were out in the field outside a little town called Assiryah. We were acting as recon scouts for a convoy of armor---you know, tanks, personnel carriers, trucks and the like---that was bound to provide support of a drive into Takrit, Iraq." Sean paused then, almost being able to taste the grit of sand, the salt of sweat that ran down his face back then.
"A glass a water for me mate, eh?" Jack asked Maria, concerned about Sean. Telling this story took a lot out of his pal.
"Of course," Maria said then quickly moved out of the room…only to return a moment later with a glass of water, which she placed beside where Sean now sat.
"Thanks, darlin'," Sean said, almost without thinking. "Well, now…me and me lads and lasses---there was six of us, as I recall---were constantly being ferried ahead by helo, then dropped off about five kilometers ahead, you understand. We were traveling pretty light, only our personal weapons, body armor, and light kit. Our job was to find, and then root out anyone lyin' in wait to ambush the column." Sean then paused and took a sip of water, then another.
"Our regiment's second squad wiped out a bunch of rascals lyin' in wait with some RPGs and IEDs…that bein' Rocket Propelled Grenades, y'know, basically a bazooka…and Improved Explosive Device…basically a road-side bomb, y'see. We were pretty confident that we had the job well in hand," Sean explained, remembering the wind in his face in the helo, the crackle of voices on the command net in his earphones, the heat and scarcity of cover in the sandy wastes.
"So, late that afternoon," Sean continued, and here his voice cracked, the tension in his voice thick. "Me and the lads---and lasses, o' course!---got dropped off again, that bein' the fifth time that day. We deployed as per usual, teams of three on each side of the highway, and then leapfrogged each other in hundred meter intervals." Sean took another drink, and found himself sweating. In his mind's eye, he could see his squadmates, bent over with their weapons and gear, dashing across the desert, leapfrogging scrub and rocks, ever vigilant for the threat of ambush.
"The convoy was approaching, y'see," Sean related, his voice becoming more matter-of-fact. "We, that being my squad, were deployed at the end of our sector, waiting for the convoy to pass us, so we could catch the next helo. I remember seein' the shimmer of heat as the armor hove into view. I was lookin' forward to bein' able to take a long drink. It was so blasted hot! An…an…that's when it happened, you understand…" Sean went pale, and his eyes were unfocused, his vision inward now.
"Jameson, my point man," Sean said hoarsely, "tripped on somethin' in the sand. Queer, I thought, an' told 'im to check it out." Sean took another sip of water, without thinking about it. Svetlana hovered by him, her expression fraught with worry and concern. "Jameson comes back to tell me he's found some sort of cable…an' he wants to check it out. So, I tell 'im, go. That convoy was only two hundred meters away now, and looked might fine, so it did. That was when I heard Jameson shout, and turned to see him uncover an IED. We had stumbled on a well-concealed ambush site…and bloody didn't know it!" Sean was breathing fast, his heart was racing, as he related what had happened. "They must of known we were on to 'em, an'---an' they tripped that IED, shredding poor Jameson into bloody bits! That's when I saw them throwing open spider holes in the ground and leapin' out with RPGs! Fire! I called, opening up on those bastards! Sanders, my commo specialist, was callin' in the warnin' to the convoy. I could see those big tank a-slewin' their big guns around, but we needed to act now!" Sean was sweating profusely now, and didn't even notice that Svetlana had taken his hand and gripped it.
Jack moved over to sit on Sean's other side, putting an arm on Sean's back.
"Fire, damn you! Henbry was hit, and I switched magazines, dragging him back behind a rock. Sanders was returnin' their fire fast as he could. The lead tank got off a main gun round an' sent those bastards runnin'! That's when I noticed them on the other side of the road! 'Ware to the right! They didn't hear me, and Sanders was down now! I had to do somethin'! So, I picked up Sanders' weapon and dashed right across the highway, I did! Firin' at anythin' that moved, I was!" Sean was panting as if he was running a race, unaware at the horrified looks the others---except Jack and Svetlana---was giving him. "I got a good many o' them…but then one of the bastard launched an RPG at me! That bastard! I took him down, good riddance, but the RPG missed me and hit a nearby rock, and detonated." Sean grimaced, feeling again the galvanizing pain of grenade fragments lancing his body, his face. "I knew I was hurt…and hurt bad…but, I couldn't stop! I emptied me magazines, but…then, wull, then I must of passed out. Lost consciousness, you understand." Sean blinked again, and again. "Medic! I called. I've got men hurt! Medic!" Sean lurched forward…but Jack put an arm across his chest and held him back.
"Sean," Jack called gently. "Sean!" he said, and gently smacked Sean's face. Sean blinked one last time, then realized where he was, and blushed. "Excuse me, please," he said, and got woozily to his feet, and staggered out of the room.
"Don't worry, I'll go after him," Jack said, about to get to his feet.
"Nyet," Svetlana said, getting to her feet, waving Jack away. "Allow me." She hurried from the room.
"Wow," a shocked Kitty proclaimed, shaking her head. "I---I had no idea. I mean, had I known I---"
"Kitty, shh," Carmelita soothed, patting Kitty's hand. "I don't think that any of us could of expected something like that."
"Assuredly no, cheris," Yuri agreed. "That poor man…"
"I knew about it, you know," Jack told them in an oddly quiet voice. "I know…because I've been there when he wakes up in a cold sweat, shouting for the medics. He didn't care that he'd been wounded bad…only that his teammates should get attention. It always ends the same way though."
Svetlana found Sean standing outside on the porch in the freezing cold, shivering. She moved out beside him, her arms around herself. "Mister Mallory?" she asked softly from behind him.
Sean seemed not to hear.
"Sean?" Svetlana tried again, moving beside him now to look into his face. "Are you all right, tovarisch?" She laid one hand on his crossed forearms, feeling her heart go out to this brave, scarred man.
"I lost three of them," Sean then said softly, his ears flicking as snow alighted on them. "Three of my mates, my friends."
"In war, people die, tovarisch," Svetlana gently reminded him.
"I know," Sean answered, he then closed his eyes, trying to keep his tears from spilling down his cheeks. "I know."
"It is not your fault," Svetlana said. "You did your best, did you not?"
"Aye, but...they still died," Sean allowed. He turned to her. "Look, Miss…I'm sorry to have burdened all of you with this. This is my problem…not yours. Bloody hell, you don't even know me that well…"
"No, I don't," Svetlana answered then moved around in front of Sean. "But…but, I would like to." She gazed up into his face, seeing his eyes still closed.
Sean opened his green eyes, confused. "Y-Y-You would? But, whyever for, lass?" he asked, no…demanded. He was broken, used merchandise.
"Because," Svetlana told him, "you care. You cared about those men and women you served with. More than you cared about what happened to you. That is a man with a good heart. I---I have not met many such men before."
"Course you have, love," Sean argued. "A pretty wee thing like you? Why, I'm sure there'd be all sort of just grand laddie-bucks just a-queuin up to ask you out."
"Prasteetye," Svetlana disagreed. "Sorry, but you are wrong."
Sean snorted, thinking she was just feeling sorry for him. "Am not," he countered.
Svetlana then thumped him in the chest with her small fist. "Do not tell me what I know, Sean Mallory!" she growled. "You do not know me…in fact, a few months ago, you would have been repulsed by me!"
"What?" Sean demanded, reaching out a hand to stop her fist from striking him again.
"I was a mobster!" Svetlana continued to growl, her face hard. "I was a monster! I preyed on the weak…all to just protect myself. I was vain, I was spoiled, and I was a horrid person!" Tears shone in her remarkable brown eyes.
"Funny," Sean mused, smiling just the most marginal of smiles. "That's not what I see before me, Svetlana…"
"That is because of my friends," Svetlana finally said in a more normal voice. "Carmelita and my Maria…they are the reason I could find my true self again. Not the wicked monster I had allowed myself to become."
"Aye, I hear that," Sean replied, shivering again. "If it hadn't of been for me mate, Jack…well…" he mused, not allowing himself to finish that statement.
"I understand," Svetlana said, honestly, truthfully. "I know just how much one depends on friends…trust me."
"You know what, lass?" Sean said then, smiling a timid yet very charming smile. "I think I do believe you." He looked and saw Svetlana was shivering in the cold, her teeth nearly chattering. "Faith, lass…yer fair to frozen!" He unbuttoned his blazer, and took it off, and draped it over Svetlana's shoulders. "There, that's better now, isn't it?"
"But," Svetlana protested. "You are cold too!"
"Nah, we soldier boys are used to this weather like this," Sean pointed out airily. "Why I consider this but a wee refreshin' brisk evenin', so I do…"
"Now, who lies, eh?" Svetlana replied with a grateful grin. "Though, thank you for your generosity…I am much warmer now."
"Well, lass," Sean then relayed, feeling himself again. "That's good. Very good indeed." He then looked down at the little gorgeous tigress beside him. "You know, I don't know what it is…but, whenever you're around, lass…I feel better. Wonder why that is, eh?"
Svetlana blinked, then smiled a bright smile. "Flatterer," she accused, but then leaned over and rested her dark-haired head against his arm. "Thank you for saying such kind things about me, Mister Mallory," she added.
"C'mon, lass…it's Sean," Sean prompted her, tempted to put a comforting arm around the lovely girl, but embarrassed at the very thought of doing so.
"Sean then," Svetlana corrected, then giggled.
Sean grinned, then decided to risk it. He shyly, very tentatively, put an arm around Svetlana's slender shoulders, drawing her closer to himself. He waited to be pushed away, to have her protest…but, much to his amazement, she didn't! "This is nice," he confessed, then looked up into the starry heavens. "A bit cold now, mind you…but nice."
Svetlana giggled again, then looked up, following his gaze. "Da, it is…beautiful," she admitted, staring at the sky.
"Da, beautiful indeed," Sean agreed, however…he was not looking up…but looking down into Svetlana's wondering face.
Svetlana blinked then looked down to see Sean looking at her intently. She nearly gasped at the adoring look she found in his expression, his soft, affectionate eyes, his small smile. Could he be the one? Svetlana wondered to herself…the one I have been looking for?
Sean pulled her into a soft, one-armed hug, then let her go. Magical, he thought then…that was magical. "Svetlana…let's get you inside, eh? You're lookin' a wee bit blue, so yeh are."
"Liar," she replied, giggling again. She put her arm around his trim waist a moment, and hugged him back. "Thank you…well, for everything."
"Twas my pleasure…fer everythin', lass," Sean told her and then opened the door and led her back inside.
"All right there, Sean mate?" Jack asked as he moved into the hall, having heard the door open.
"Aye, I'm fine, Jack me boy," Sean said in a surprising upbeat voice. "In fact, a might better than fine, mate!"
Jack looked to Sean's expression, then over to the surprised yet most pleased expression Svetlana now wore, and put two and two together. "Super, mate!" Jack said, patting Sean on the shoulder jovially. "Let's head back to the party, eh mate?"
"Sure, Jack," Sean replied, and the three of them headed toward the door to the salon.
"…and I am just saying, leave them alone!" came Naomi's irritated voice. "If they love one another, allow them the right to find out themselves, nes pas?"
"Naomi, you're about as much fun as watching grass grow sometimes," Kitty's voice groused.
Maria appeared a moment later behind them. "I had to use the washroom," she told them, grinning. "What is happening, eh?"
"I am not sure, Maria," Svetlana replied. "Let's go in and find out, shall we?"
Svetlana led the way, with Sean just behind her, while Jack followed in Maria's footsteps. "We are back. Sorry about the delay, all," Svetlana told them.
"Never mind that," Kitty crowed in a happy voice. "C'mere…you got feel this!"
Kitty had her hand over Yuri's slightly distended belly, a wondering glow on her face.
Svetlana and Maria, with the two gents behind them, moved over curiously.
"This is so cool," Kitty declared to all and sundry. "Gimme your hand, Svetlana," she commanded. Svetlana shrugged and allowed Kitty to guide her hand over the indulgent Yuri's abdomen. "Wait for it…wait for it…"
"Ooh!" Svetlana gasped as she felt the small lurch from beneath Yuri's smooth taut skin and fur. "Was that really one of your babies?" she wondered aloud.
"Oui, cheri," Yuri told her, smilng at the miracle herself.
Carmelita moved foreward. "Yuri, do you think that I---?" she asked.
"Come, cheri, give me your hand, no?" Yuri then reached out gently to take Carmelita's left hand and guided it to her abdomen. "There! Did you not feel that, Carmelita?"
"Oh yeah," Carmelita replied grinning. "You've got athlete on your hands there, Yuri!"
"Carmelita?" Naomi suddenly spoke up, taking Carmelita's hand in her own, holding it up to gaze at it. "Is this new, cheri?"
"Um, yeah," Carmelita said coyly. "You could say that…"
Yuri looked over and gasped. "Cheri? If I am not mistaken…that has all the look of an…an…an engagement ring. Did he---? I mean---did you---?"
Carmelita blushed and nodded. "Sly asked me to marry him!" she squealed happily, grinning and laughing happily.
"Congratulations, cheri!" Naomi crowed, throwing her arms around Carmelita.
"Aw, Carmelita, cheri! I am so happy for you!" Yuri triumphed, hugging her friend.
Carmelita grunted a moment later as Maria and a now crying Svetlana hugged her too. She laughed and hugged them all back…best as she could.
Sean laughed, then remarked to Jack, "So, mate…do you think it's contagious?" he mused aloud.
Jack laughed too. "Who cares? With that lovely bunch of sheilas, I say…why not!"
Carmelita then broke into a fit of giggles as Jack and Sean joined in, laughing and hugging the six lovely and giggling girls before them. "Stop! Stop!" Carmelita managed finally. "I've got to go use the restroom!"
They all dissolved into laughter as Carmelita scampered off to do her business…