(Disclaimer: I do not own A Monster In Paris; just Madeleine.)
(Hello again dear readers and fellow writers! As you can tell, I've been rather inspired to upload new content for this story and why not? The ideas just come to me and I must unleash them. Anyways, I hope you've been enjoying the story and thank you all for the support and views. Feel free to leave a comment if desired (no hate please). Until next time, stay safe and happy reading!)
Chapter 9
-The Next Day-
As planned, Lucille and Francœur had taken Madeleine out for a stroll around Paris where they took in the sights and visited some of the shops. As they walked, the young redhead couldn't help but smile as she observed her cousin and singing partner: they looked so happy together. He would offer her his arm when crossing the streets and even after the three of them were safely across, she'd keep a hold of him for a bit longer before reluctantly letting him go.
Of course, Madeleine had told her of what transpired between herself and Francœur last night, so it was no wonder she felt more comfortable and confident with him. He now knew her story and still accepted her for who she was, and she in turn, was also accepting of him.
Stepping into the local bookstore, the three of them browsed through the shelves until Madeleine selected a copy of 'The Tendrils of the Vine' by Colette, to which she made her purchase and left with her companions.
"I see you couldn't resist adding another book to your growing collection," Lucille quipped with a fond smirk, to which Madeleine playfully rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"What can I say, if I'm not playing music or sewing, I'm reading. Besides, I've been meaning to purchase a copy of this book, but the shop back home was out of stock." She then looked up at Francœur and asked, "Do you like to read?"
He nodded and emitted a chirp as he offered his arm to her once more as the three of them crossed the street.
"Well, if you'd like, you can borrow my new book and read it sometime. Or we could read it together," she added with a blush, to which he fondly smiled down at her.
A sudden *AWOOGA* of a horn startled her to where she instinctively pressed against his side and kept a firm grip on his coat sleeve, which he didn't mind in the slightest. In fact, he enjoyed the close contact.
Following the horn, a familiar truck pulled up alongside the road, which brought a smile to Lucille's face. Leaning out of the window, Raoul greeted the three of them with a wave, "Hello there everyone, you're all looking wonderful today. Are you running some errands or just out enjoying the nice weather?"
"Actually, Francœur and I were just showing Madeleine around," Lucille answered. "Have you finished your deliveries for the day?"
"Almost. I just gotta drop off some bags of pete at the Professor's. Wanna come along?"
"That's very sweet of you to offer, but I don't think all four of us will fit up front."
In response, Francœur emitted several clicks and chirps while gesturing to the back of the truck, which was his way of saying that he didn't mind sitting in the back.
With a flip of a switch, Raoul opened the hatch, allowing the giant flea to climb inside and comfortably sit down against the bags of pete.
"If it's alright, I'd like to sit with Monsieur Francœur," Madeleine suggested with a soft dusting of pink lining her cheeks, to which both Lucille and Raoul shared a knowing smile as she climbed in the back and sat beside him before the hatch closed behind her.
