Chapter 35

Yuri and her closest friends continued to chat animatedly for the next twenty minutes or so….until the cheery front doorbell chimed.

"It would appear that your boyfriend is early, eh Madame?" Svetlana teased, covering her mouth to stifle her giggling.

"Hush, Svetlana," Yuri replied with a reserved smile, holding her proud chin high. "I find it nice to know he is eager to see me, oui?"

"Who would not be, my friend?" Svetlana replied, gazing at Yuri just a bit enviously.

Yuri blinked, then grinned, and hugged the small woman thankfully. "Merci," Yuri whispered to her. "Wish me happiness, cheri."

"Always, Yuri," Svetlana promised fervently. "You know that."

"I'll get the door, shall I?" Naomi offered, and moved to answer the door. She turned the s-shaped bronze lever and swung the big oak door open. "Bon soir, Monsieur," Naomi said cleverly then. "How may I help you?"

Bentley looked up into Naomi's smiling face, and shook his head at her feigned naivete. "You know precisely how you may help me, Naomi Rousseau," Bentley pretended to growl, even though his smile grew. "If you don't get Yuri out here in twenty seconds, I'll---"

"I am here, mon cher!" Yuri assured him, laughing. She moved forward beside Naomi, who moved back out of the way, softly giggling. Yuri smiled adoringly down at the small man that had won her heart and affections. He might be small in stature, but he was a giant in her heart…her soulmate, her everything…even the father of her children. "It is wonderful to see you, cher," Yuri told him softly. "You look very handsome this evening."

"Thanks," Bentley told her, grinning proudly. He looked up at her glorious face, and silently thanked Providence, God, whomever it was that brought this amazing, breath-taking woman into his life. "You look fantastic, Yuri," he told her, then laughed softly. "Though, that wig and those blue eyes of yours nearly threw me for a loop."

"Ah, it is but part of my disguise, mon cher," Yuri told him mysteriously, smiling. "Were you not fooled?"

"Anybody else would have been," Bentley told her, drinking in her loveliness then. "But me…nope, not a chance. I've got that angelic face of yours memorized, sweetheart…there's only one Yuri Sing…and she's mine!"

"Oh, cher," Yuri exclaimed softly, her heart in her eyes just then. "Oh, mon belle cher." She leaned down to look into his eyes a moment, then canted her head and began to kiss him, softly and passionately a long moment.

"Ahem," Naomi teased, her amber eyes twinkling. "Perhaps we should cancel your reservations, eh Madame?"

Svetlana and Maria turned away to ward off a case of the giggles.

Yuri broke off her kiss, and turned to Naomi and her friends. "No, that won't be necessary, cherries," she explained, her voice soft and husky then. "We were just leaving, weren't we, cher?"

Bentley blinked furiously, trying to regain his composure after Yuri's hot kiss. "Um, er…yeah," Bentley stammered, then grinned. "Shall we, my love?" Bentley reached up to take Yuri's slender hand in his own, his eyes seeking hers, his smile just for her and her alone.

Yuri smiled at her beau and they proceeded through the door. It was only then that she looked back over her shoulder to her friends. "Adieu, cherries…don't wait up!" she commented, laughing.

Svetlana, Maria, and Naomi watched as Bentley escorted Yuri to the waiting Ferrari, opened the door for his lovely companion, then closed the door. He then waved once to the three, and moved to the passenger's door and climbed in. They watched Yuri and Bentley wave to them one last time, and then the Ferrari started up and with a brief roar of power, dash away from the curb toward Paris.

"Come, amis!" Naomi declared then, her eyes going to both Svetlana and Maria. "We must prepare…and quickly! Our friends will be here in fifteen minutes!"

Naomi, Svetlana and Maria all hurried upstairs to dress. Naomi chose a modest, yet clinging, bright red dress that showed off her svelte frame and yellow-brown fur rather nicely indeed.

Maria, as was her wont, chose a periwinkle blue dress with thin straps and no sleeves, a matching cape, and darker blue heels. Maria chose also to pile up her lustrous white hair atop her head this evening. She silently hoped that her Jack would approve.

Svetlana chose her own personal favorite, her deep lilac dress that Yuri had given her after the infamous Fall Fling. The lush-bodied little tigress wore her hair loosely around her shoulders and down her back, knowing how Sean liked to sneak his fingers through her hair. Svetlana shivered…almost being able to feel the near-electric feeling he caused when he did that to her.

Fully dressed, the girls all convened in Naomi's room. Here, Naomi helped her friends to accessorize their outfits. Naomi slipped a pair of ruby stud earrings in her ears. She then turned her attention to Maria, her eyes narrowing as she studied the dazzling white-furred vixen. "Hmm. Hmm," Naomi mused aloud, making Maria nervous. Naomi then snapped her fingers and nearly dived into Madame's jewelry box, digging aobut furiously. "Ah ha! I found them! Very good," Naomi proclaimed, then handed a pair of chandelier sapphire earrings and a slim silver chain with an almond-size sapphire pendant to Maria. "These shall be perfect accent for you, cheri…I do know how you like your blue."

Maria carefully slipped the earrings on, then---with Svetlana's help---clasped the pendant around her slender, lovely throat. "Bozhe moi," the Arctic vixen observed, her blue eyes wide. "Spasiba, Naomi…"

"Oh, Maria," Svetlana softly gushed, then put her arms around her friend's waist from behind her to hug her. "You look gorgeous, tovarisch!"

"And now," Naomi then chimed in, eyeing Svetlana now, "for you, my most attractive friend."

"Do not fuss, Naomi," Svetlana told her, worried. "I---"

"Tut, tut," Naomi hushed the embarrassed girl. "Madame would be most upset if I did nothing for her Svetlana. Now…give me a moment."

Svetlana looked nervously to Maria, who could only grin and shrug.

"Ah, I thought so," Naomi finally blurted out. "I have it. Svetlana…come here, child."

"I am no child, Naomi," Svetlana corrected, though with a smile.

Naomi looked the curvy woman over and then laughed. "I suppose there's no doubt to that, Svetlana," she mused aloud, then grinned mischievously. "As I'm certain that our Sean will attest to, no doubt."

"Naomi!" Svetlana gasped, scandalized, a hand covering her pretty mouth, her big brown eyes wide in shock. "I never---"

Naomi smiled indulgently, her eyes twinkling with her teasing. "I know, cheri," Naomi assured her. "I know. Perhaps I am a bit envious of your figure, mon ami." Naomi shrugged.

Svetlana grinned, but then moved over to Naomi's side, and then silently put her arms around Naomi's waist and held her friend close for a long moment. Naomi blinked at Svetlana's display of affection, and then smiled and gently kissed her friend's cheek in thanks. "There is nothing wrong with your figure, Naomi," Svetlana told her friend, then grinned. "As Murray will no doubt tell me!"

"Touche, cheri," Naomi replied a moment later, laughing. "Here, wear these, hmm? They are amethysts, and since purple is your favorite color…I'm sure they will look radiant on you, my friend."

Svetlana slipped the dangly pear-shaped amethyst earrings into her ears, then allowed Naomi to secure a black leather cord, upon which a positively huge amethyst pendant hung, around her slender throat. The pendant rested just below Svetlana's collarbone, the purple striking against her white fur. "Oh, Naomi," Svetlana gasped in awe, "it is so beautiful! Thank you!"

"You are most welcome, cheri," Naomi told her, grinning. "Now, as we are all prepared for our beaus…let's get downstairs, eh? It won't do to keep our gentlemen waiting now, hmm?"

The three smiled at one another, and then made their way

The majestic front door chimed once more…right on cue. Naomi moved ahead of her friends and answered the door. Naomi again twisted the s-shaped handle, and opened the door. Much to their surprise, only Sean Mallory stood upon the porch, smiling.

"Bon soir, Mademoiselle Rousseau," he proclaimed grandly, bowing gallantly to the lovely cheetah woman. "May I say yer lookin' rather ravishin' this evening, Naomi darlin'?"

Naomi's mouth opened, and she blushed. She then snapped her mouth closed, and beamed a thankful smile at Sean. "M-M-Merci, Monsieur," she managed, then grinned. "What a smooth-talker you are, Sean!"

Sean shrugged, grinning cleverly. "Don't know about all that, lass," Sean allowed grudgingly. "I just calls 'em like I sees 'em, doncha know."

"Sean Mallory," Svetlana then boomed, her voice loud for such a tiny thing. "Are you toying with my affections?"

"Err, well now," Sean stammered, his ears angling back under his beret. "I was just bein' sociable is all, angel." Sean then grinned weakly, pointing out. "Yer friend does look very lovely this evenin', don't yeh think?"

Svetlana pretended to consider that a moment, then laughed, and threw her arms around the startled Sean to hug him once fiercely. "Da, she does look amazing, does she not?" Svetlana observed, smiling at Naomi.

"Aye, that she does, lass," Sean agreed, leaning over to quickly plant a quick shy kiss atop of Svetlana's head. "As do the rest of yeh three. My word! Ain't we boyos gonna be the envy o' the lads this fine evenin'…"

Maria giggled at Sean's boldness. "Sean, stop! Else we three will have heads so swelled we'll never be able to fit through the door!" she explained. She then looked around. "Um, er…do you know where Vanya might be, Sean?"

"Aye, that's easy enough," Sean admitted with a grin. "Me pal's finally met yer Naomi's beau…and, let me tell yeh girls, that was one odd set o' circumstances, so it was."

"Oh?" Naomi asked, curious. "How so?"

"Well, luv," Sean said with a grin. "It's not every day, doncha know, that the likes o' those two man-mountains meet one another, do yeh understand?" Sean then led the girls out on to the porch, and pointed. "See what I mean, luvs?"

Jack Turner---two meters of tiger muscle---blinked, grinned, then looked up a bit into Murray's equally curious eyes. The two were pretty evenly matched, but even Jack had to admit that Murray was the larger of the two of them. "Crikey," Jack muttered then. "Never thought I'd see the day Jack Turner'd be thought small."

Murray guffawed at that, shaking his head. "I'm not that much bigger, Jack," Murray told him. "How much can you lift, buddy?"

"Free weights, do yeh mean?" Jack answered with a question of his own. "I dunno, really. A lot, I suppose. Why do you ask, mate?"

"Don't worry about it, pal," Murray answered, then put his big beefy arm around Jack's considerable shoulders. "What do you think about a wrasslin' match between the two of us sometime?"

Jack grinned, liking the challenge. "Sounds bonzer to me, mate!" he replied, laughing. "But, I think it'll have to be some other time, eh? Don't think the sheilas much like the two of us scrappin' just now."

"Um, yeah," Murray replied, realizing that no, Naomi would not like him grappling with Jack just now. "You're probably right about that. Some other time then?"

"Yeh got it, mate!" Jack promised, and the two of them grinned. "Now, let's go see our lovelies, eh pallie?"

"Yeah, let's!" Murray laughed, liking Jack a whole lot.

"Well, there's our two giants now," Sean commented, then laughed as Svetlana gave him a soft elbow in the ribs. Sean watched in gentle amusement as first Murray took the slender lovely Naomi into his arms to kiss her gently on her cheek, then grinned as Jack swooped down on his Maria and kissed the lovely vixen upon her forehead affectionately. "Well, that looks like fine fun to me, so it does," Sean told Svetlana with a grin. "What do you---?"

Svetlana didn't give him the chance to finish, as she stood up on her tiptoes to kiss Sean briefly upon the lips once again. She gazed up into the surprised lynx gent's bright green eyes, a smile on her lips. "I missed you, Sean…very much," she told him quietly, her big brown eyes gleaming.

Sean laughed softly, then caressed Svetlana's cheek with the back of his hand. "So I can see, lass," Sean told her with a warm smile. He then leaned forward until his forehead rested against her own. "Aye, an' I missed yeh too, me angel," he told her. "An' more than a little, mind…"

Svetlana resisted the urge to kiss him once more, especially at how sweet the expression in his eyes seemed to her. "That is good," she opined happily, then laid her cheek against his chest a brief moment, her eyes closed in near bliss.

"Come along, angel," Sean suggested then, holding out his arm to his lovely companion. He was dressed in his only dark blue suit, with a new white shirt, and his commando tie, which was a rich green. His ever-present beret completed the ensemble, looking spiffy with his deep green topcoat. "It's time we best be goin'…"

They all moved to their respective means of transportation. Naomi moved with her Murray toward the Cooper Gang panel truck, while Svetlana and Maria tagged along after Sean and Jack to enter Sean's Jeep Renegade hardtop. Murray opened the door to allow Naomi in, and Naomi started when she was greeted by none other than Sly Cooper and her friend Carmelita, who would be accompanying them this evening to Le Bistro Bourgeot.

Twenty minutes later, at Le Bistro Bourgeot…

As unbeknownst to Yuri and Bentely, their friends made their way to Le Bistro Bourgeot, Yuri's flashy red Ferrari purred to a stop before the valet shack of that posh Paris eatery. "We're here, Yuri," Bentley told his lady love, smiling warmly her way. He briefly fingered the black felt-covered box in his pocket and sweated in silent agony. He didn't have to wait long, and got out of the car, then moved around to help his pregnant Yuri from the sleek low-slung car. Then, he handed the waiting valet the car's keys, as well as a crisp new fifty euro note tip. The grinning young man slipped into the exotic sports car and gentle as a lamb moved away to find a spot.

"Hope you like my choice, babe," Benltey commented as he led his Yuri inside, his smile proud…proud to be loved by such a spectacular woman as this.

Once inside, Bentley and Yuri smiled as they spotted the white-jacketed Jean-Pierre, resplendent in a burgundy cumberbund, bow tie, and white tuxedo shirt. The mountain goat gentleman beamed his brilliant white smile at the happy couple. "Ah, bon soir, mon amis!" Jean-Pierre intoned, his dark, almost black eyes shining with happiness and not a little excitement.

"Ah, mon Jean-Pierre…it is so good to see you, ami!" Yuri gushed softly, giving Jean-Pierre a friendly hug, which he gladly returned, then gave Yuri a fatherly kiss on the cheek before he released her.

"Comme ca va, Yuri?" Jean-Pierre asked, then smiled in happiness as he gazed at Yuri's expanding waistline. "Ah, I see that what I have heard is true. Congratulations, mon belle ami!" he observed. "I am so happy for you that I feel as if I shall burst!" The normally reserved Jean-Pierre fairly quivered with pleasure just then. Jean-Pierre turned his attention to Bentley then, and then smiled down at the beaming turtle gent. He clicked his heels together and bowed with profound respect. "Merci, Monsieur," he told a surprised Bentley.

"Thanks? But, Jean-Pierre…for what?" Bentley asked, his brow arced in curiosity.

"Ah, for making my Yuri so happy, of course!" Jean-Pierre explained, then---much to Bentley's dismay---kissed Bentley on one cheek then the other loudly. "This evening, Monsieur, your money is not accepted," Jean-Pierre informed him. "You both shall lack for nothing, sir…nothing!" Jean-Pierre laughed a soft, warm laugh.

"Merci beaucoup, Jean-Pierre," Yuri thanked her friend, gently caressing the ruffled Bentley's shoulder with her hand. "Please excuse Jean-Pierre's exuberance, cher…you must understand, he is like a much loved uncle, no? He is simply very happy that I am happy…if that makes any sense, of course."

Bentley grinned, understanding better than Yuri would of thought. "It's okay, sweetheart," Bentley told Yuri. "I get it…really." He turned to the waiting Jean-Pierre and grinned at the taller man. "I really do appreciate everything, Jean-Pierre…what you're doing tonight…as well as what you've been doing to make my love happy since she's been a little girl. Thanks, pal."

Jean-Pierre beamed, his grin bright and contagious. "Merci, Monsieur!" Jean-Pierre exclaimed, bowing again. "Your praise is far too kind."

"That's not how Yuri tells it, pal," Bentley argued with a smile. "I still owe you big time, Jean-Pierre."

"Monsieur is far far too kind," Jean-Pierre murmured his immaculate white furred cheek becoming pink a moment in his pleased embarrassment.

"And, you, Jean-Pierre, are far too humble," a dulcet voice said from behind Jean-Pierre…and a moment later, the slim, attractive Paulette Gateaux moved beside Jean-Pierre, her slender arm taking his arm a bit possessively. Paulette, her deep brown hair in an elegant up-do this evening smiled at Yuri. "A bientot, Mademoiselle Sing. I hope this evening will be a special one, hmm?"

"A bientot, Paulette," Yuri answered, then grinned. "Please, Paulette…do call me Yuri."

Paulette smiled softly, pleased. "Very well…Yuri," she answered. "I cannot tell you just how pleased my Jean-Pierre is that you have found happiness with one who loves you so."

"Merci," Yuri returned, her eyes thankful. "Just as I too am happy that Jean-Pierre now has one who loves him too, no?"

Paulette blushed softly, but smiled fondly at the also blushing proprietor she stood beside. "We are happy…and that is what is important," Paulette tried to explain.

Yuri nodded, then laughed softly. "I am also reassured that Jean-Pierre now has someone who can keep him on his toes, eh?" Yuri pointed out a bit cleverly.

"Someone has to," Paulette agreed, smiling a dazzling smile for Jean-Pierre, and then playfully giving his neat goatee a small tug. Jean-Pierre could only shrug helplessly, reaching up to take Paulette's elegant hand in his own then. "You know how he can be at times, eh Yuri?"

"Ah, but I do, Paulette ami," Yuri laughed, patting Jean-Pierre's arm to let him know she was only teasing. "Poor Jean-Pierre, always the gentleman…even when he's being tormented by two such horrible pranksters."

"That's quite all right," Jean-Pierre told both softly giggling girls. "I do not get mad, cheris…I get even." He gave them both a mischievous grin. "But, that is not for now. Come, allow me to escort you to your table."

Paulette bowed to Yuri again. "I will see you later, ami," she pledged, then smiled. "But, I must bid you adieu for the moment…I must be off to be sure everything is prepared." The slender, lovely deer woman seemed to disappear as she headed off to take care of things.

"Wonder what she meant by 'take care of things'?" Bentley asked curiously.

"Ah, allow me to explain, no?" Jean-Pierre answered as he led the two toward their own table. "My Paulette has become Le Bistro Bourgeot's Mistress of Ceremonies, did you not know? You will see soon enough just how talented she can be. But, for now, please allow me."

Jean-Pierre led Bentley and Yuri over to their table, which was off to the far right side of the stage area in a secluded corner. "Ah, I trust you both will be quite comfortable here, hmm?" Jean Pierre asked, just a bit smugly.

"Perfect, as always, mon ami," Yuri told him, smiling fondly up at him.

Jean Pierre smiled happily. "Of course. And, now…if you would excuse me, I do have other guests to attend to this evening. However, if you should need anything at all, please do leave word with any of our waitstaff, oui? I have told them all---as if they did not know, eh?---that you two are our VIPs this evening." Jean-Pierre bowed, smiling one last time. "Adieu, mes amis," he whispered, then left them to their own devices.

A moment or two later, a talented string quartet began to softly play. This went on for fifteen minutes, putting the clientele in the proper frame of mind, it was hoped. Just then Jean-Pierre's Paulette reappeared, a small spotlight illuminating the lovely woman---dressed in a fetching emerald green dress---on stage that moment. "Now, Madames and Moniseurs. Bon soir, one and all," she greeted her guests. "Now, for our entertainment this evening…may I proudly introduce to you to Le Bistro Bourgeot's newest find. Do allow me to assure you that you shall not be disappointed…heavens no! For, you see, this woman who's about to sing has the voice of an angel." Paulette smiled knowingly, and nodded, her big brown eyes shining. "So, without much further ado, please give a warm greeting to our Mademoiselle Katherine Stordahlen!"

The guests afforded Paulette a polite round of applause, and watched in interest as a petite vixen dressed in a sequined sapphrine blue long strapless gown that clung to her figure sultrily ascended the steps to the stage. She wore elbow length matching blue gloves, and blue pumps as well to complete her ensemble. Her hair was a long and lustrous black, but for a flash of red in the part that nearly covered her left eye. Oh, and speaking of eyes, hers were a startling brilliant green, complete with lush and long lashes. Her pretty face glowed with a flawless complexion, and careful make-up, her every hair in place. The vixen singer smiled winsomely to her audience, who was arrayed before her. "Bon soir, everyone," Mademoiselle Stordahlen began tentatively in French, but then reverted to English, letting them all know that French was not her native language. "I would like to start out the evening with a tune I think many here should recognize right off, and hopefull love as much as I do."

She turned to the musicians of her string quartet that had by now settled itself on stage behind her. "All right, fellas…whenever you're ready."

The quartet did their thing and began to---softly at first, then with growing confidence---play a most familiar tune, while Mademoiselle Stordahlen accompanied them with her delightful voice:

There's a calm surrender

to the rush of day,

when the heat of the rolling world

can be turned away.

An enchanted moment,

and it sees me through.

It's enough for this restless warrior

just to be with you…

And can you feel the love tonight?

It is where we are.

It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer,

that we got this far…

And can you feel the love tonight,

How it's laid to rest?

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

believe the very best.

There's a time for everyone,

if they only learn,

that the twisting kaleidoscope

moves us all in turn.

There's a rhyme and reason

to the wild outdoors,

when the heart of this star-crossed voyager

beats in time with yours...

And can you feel the love tonight?

It is where we are.

It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

that we got this far.

And can you feel the love tonight,

how it's laid to rest?

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

believe the very best.

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds

believe the very best!

While the sweet-voiced vixen put her all into her singing, Jean Pierre had been busily and secretly leading some most familiar couples to their seats within his establishment. First, he escorted the oh-so-elegant Naomi with her big Murray to a table to the right of center stage. Then, Jean-Pierre led the periwinkle blue gowned Maria with her gentle giant beau, Jack, to the table one nearer Yuri and Bentley's table. Next, the clever proprietor/maitre' d led the exquisitely gowned Svetlana---resplendent in her purple gown---and her proud and grinning beau, Sean, to their table nearby. Last, but certainly not least in any way, Jean-Pierre---his chest thrust out proudly---led the glorious and lovely Carmelita---who wore her elegant spaghetti-strapped black gown---and her oh-so-famous-yet-neatly-disguised Sly Cooper to their table too, being sure that there were full tables intervening between all of these and Yuri, who was at this point clueless toward Jean-Pierre's clever machinations this evening. That was all the couples of the extended Cooper Gang…well, that is---I'm sure you've realized by now---all but for one.

Carmelita smiled as Sly held out her seat for her, and she sat down. It was then that she looked around. "Everyone seems to be in place, Sly," she observed, then frowned in apparent irritation. "All right, just where in the hell are Kitty and Ling at?" she demanded of her puzzled fiancé, then gritted her teeth. "If those two screw this up for Bentley, they're going to wish they hadn't!"

"Whoa! Hold on there, sweetheart," Sly answered, moving his hand up to gently rub Carmelita's bare shoulder soothingly. "Don't sweat it, Carmelita…I'm sure they're around here somewhere…"

Oh, if only Sly knew just how true his words were!