Her servant's instinct unfortunately did not disappear as quickly as Babette would have hoped. She could not have gotten any more than a few hours' sleep when the vile hour of seven approached and her body began to wake up. But thankfully, feeling the cart rumbling along the road beneath her, she reminded herself that she could continue resting as long as she wished without any work waiting for her …
"Who's she, Maman?" a small voice asked.
"Yves!" she heard the woman's voice warning in a hushed tone. "Don't bother the poor lady while she's sleeping!"
…Then again, maybe not, she thought, amused and curious to see who found her presence apparently interesting. Blinking her eyes awake, she gasped and bolted upward, surprised to find a small boy's face mere inches from her own. The boy jumped back a little, startled, landing straight into his mother's arms.
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "I told you to leave her alone," she scolded, lifting him onto her lap. She then turned to Babette apologetically. "I'm so sorry, mademoiselle. Please get some more rest; I promise he won't bother you again."
"Non, it is all right," Babette insisted reassuringly. Smiling at the boy, she joked, subtly winking to the woman, "It is quite nice actually, catching the attention of such a handsome young man."
Little Yves – who could not have been older than four, Babette guessed – hid his face in his mother's shoulder, before looking at Babette again with a blushing smile.
The woman laughed. "Oh there's a compliment indeed! He doesn't look at just anyone like that," she said before turning her attention back to her son. "But I think that's enough flirting for you this morning. Why don't you go sit with Papa up in front?"
Yves gladly agreed to the idea, and Babette watched with a grin as he carefully and expertly climbed up next to his father. The driver laughed, wishing his son a jovial good morning and taking him onto his lap. Handing over the reins – and keeping his own hands over the boy's – he let Yves take a turn "steering" the horses. Yves sat there, so proud and tall, a smile on his face as though the man had given him the world.
Babette's smile faded as harsh reality took hold of her. The child's happiness in his father's presence and the father's obvious love and pride in his son was one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen…but it was a joy her own baby would never know. Babette turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer.
"Are you all right, mademoiselle?" the woman asked, concerned.
Babette nodded after a moment's pause. "Oui, madame. The traveling must be catching up with me; I am simply tired."
"Well I'm still sorry for Yves waking you so early," the woman said. "His curiosity tends to get the better of him more often than it should."
"Really, there was no harm done," Babette replied. "We were all children once, non? With an interest in everyone and anything around us?"
"Very true, but I wish I knew how to control it," the woman laughed gently. Smiling kindly, she suggested, "Riding up front should keep him busy for a quite a while. If you would like rest a bit longer, you won't be interrupted."
Babette grinned gratefully. "Any idea of sleep sounds wonderful right now, merci."
ooo
Two days later, they arrived in Paris. At first, Babette had smiled, utterly relieved that she had made it this far. Part of her had been terrified throughout the trip that one or more of the guards would have been patrolling the roads looking for her. But instead, good luck had finally decided to be on her side.
Now all she had to do was get home, and that thought made her smile vanish. The family had been so kind to her throughout the journey, practically treating her as one of their own. She had gotten so caught up in the warm moments that she had put little thought into what she was going to tell them when they arrived. Actually, make that no thought at all, you fool, she scolded herself.
But now the moment of truth was upon her, and she had to think fast.
"Now then, where does your sister live?" the driver asked.
Babette swallowed hard, but discreetly. "She…works in a shop, and will not be home until later," she said quickly. "If you let me off anywhere, I can walk the rest of the way."
"Non, it's all right; where is this shop then?"
The pressure of the lie was building so fast that Babette could hardly catch up. "Which shop, which shop…uh…it has been so long since my last visit, I hardly remember," she replied, laughing uneasily to buy some thoughtful time. She mentally went over each shop that she remembered. "The tailor and seamstress' shop on la Rue de Grenoble, number 17?" she blurted out, praying it still existed.
"Ah, Monsieur and Madame Veston, I know it," the driver said.
Babette breathed a sigh of relief. "That is the one," she said. "Just leave me there, and I will be all right, really."
When they pulled up in front of the store, Babette gathered her satchel and said her goodbyes. Little Yves gave her a huge grin. "Bye!" he said, waving. He had overcome his shyness during the trip and had been an absolute delight.
"Goodbye!" Babette said, waving back. "Maybe I will see you again one day." She bent down to kiss his cheek sweetly before climbing down.
"I still wish you would both accept a small something for your time," she told the driver and his wife.
The driver shook his head. "Not at all, we're just glad to help."
Babette smiled, taking each of their hands in hers. "I truly appreciate everything you have done for me."
"Then that's more than enough," the woman said kindly. "Take care of yourself."
Babette nodded, embracing them both in gratitude before they returned to their cart and drove off out of sight.
Now that she was alone, Babette took a short walk down the road, taking some time to reacquaint herself with a life she had not been a part of in years. She was happy with what she saw. Different people may have been bustling down the street; maybe a few different shops had opened where older ones had closed. But overall, everything had remained familiar and intact, the same as it had been when she left those long years ago. If she had had the time, Babette would not have hesitated taking her walk farther than this one street without fear of getting lost.
But she had only one place in mind to find. As she turned in the direction of the tailor's shop again, she took a breath, proceeding farther down the path than few cared to go during the day. At the end of the road, in a darker, secluded section of the city, was Le Fleur Noir, the most well known dancehall in Paris. To men, it was a place of sensuous delight and escape, a chance to be with showgirls who lived to please them with dances never seen at a public event, as well as other private things if the Fleurette allowed. To women, it was either unspoken of, a house of sin and debauchery, or the only place to find work when one was in desperate need and streetwalking was still an unacceptable option. To Babette, it was home and family.
As she walked up to the door, however, she paused in hesitation. If Babette was calculating correctly, most of the Fleurettes she knew would be older than forty by now. Would anyone even remember her? Would those girls even be there? Well, if they were not, she still had to try. Raising her first bravely, she took a deep breath and knocked loudly on the door.
A young girl answered, one that Babette did not recognize, raising an eyebrow at the sight of a woman. "Oui?" she asked.
"Bonjour," Babette said, once again thinking fast of what to say. "I used to work here, years ago."
"Apparently," the girl said snootily, giving her the once over. "Seem a little too old for what we offer here." She totally ignored Babette's glare before she added, "Now is there anything worthwhile that you need? There is work to do, and Madame Odette will have my head if it doesn't get done."
Babette's eyes went wide. "Madame…who?"
"Madame Odette," the girl replied, getting impatient.
Babette broke into a smirk. "As a matter of fact, that is who I am here to see," she said. "She will want to see me, believe me. May I come in?"
The girl straightened up a bit, not entirely sure whether to trust this woman or not. But if what the woman said was true, and she refused entry, she'd definitely be in hot water. "Oui, follow me."
Babette followed, though she could have walked the entrance hallway with her eyes closed. The main room was empty now, but the scents of ale, perfume, and smoke still lingered, just as she remembered. Being back in the hall was certainly familiar and therefore comforting, and she felt much more content than she had in a long time.
"Who do I say is asking for her?" the girl asked, interrupting Babette's thoughts.
Babette took a seat, sitting tall and proud. "Just tell her that the Little Lost Waif is looking for the Brain."
When the girl left to oblige her request, totally bewildered, Babette took a bit of time to simply take in the sight. Adrien may have sent her into some hard times by turning her over to this place, but for every bad time, there were good ones as well. Her first dance, the most exhilarating moment that she ever experienced; the family she had found in the other girls. As much as she hated to think of it now, she had even met her first true love here, and at the time, it had been the highlight of her life.
She was thankfully distracted her from that thought by the sound of footsteps running down the back hallway. Moments later, a tall, red-haired woman came to a quick halt, staring at Babette in disbelief. Babette smiled at seeing a face she would never forget, and the woman slowly came closer as though she did not trust her eyes.
"Mon Dieu, it can't be," she whispered.
Babette reached to take her hands. "Odette…I am home."
Odette squealed excitedly. "You little brat, get over here!" she cried, pulling her friend into a tight embrace that Babette returned wholeheartedly. Both of them close to tears, Odette shouted, "Aubrey! Get out here quick! Hurry up!"
More footsteps came from the upstairs. As Odette would not release Babette, the two had to turn together to see a tough, strong-looking blonde come down the staircase with as much of a stunned look as Odette had.
"Look who finally showed up for a visit!" Odette said happily.
Aubrey laughed racing for the pair to join in the hug. "Finally being the key word!" she agreed. Teasingly, though still with a hint of sincere hurt, she said, "You turn a girl into a hoity-toity house servant, and she forgets where she came from!"
"I never forgot about any of you," Babette insisted, as the three moved to sit at a table. "Life has just been…difficult lately."
"'Lately' is only recently, not since Day One," Aubrey clarified. "And just because you can't read or write is no excuse."
"Well, we'll teach her a lesson later," Odette said, gripping Babette's hand as though her friend would disappear if she let go. "I'm too happy to see her to be upset!"
"That is good to hear," Babette said, her voice quieting. "Because…this will be a lot longer than a visit."
"Why? What'd those royals do to you?" Aubrey asked, her famous defensive nature taking hold.
Babette shook her head. "Not now, I will explain later," she insisted. "I would much rather hear what has been happening here! It has been forever, and I missed you all!" To Odette specifically, she said, "You actually took over this place?"
Odette nodded. "D'Araignée died a few years ago, and she really meant it when she said that I was her 'heiress.' It's no easy task, and now I can hardly blame her for being so terrible sometimes. But I kept Aubrey around to help me, and that eases the load a lot."
"Is anyone else still here that I know?" Babette asked curiously.
Aubrey shook her head. "We're really the only ones left. Most girls either left or found a patron to take them in once they deemed themselves too old to keep the men interested." Relief took over her tone as she continued. "Fifi ran off the day Odette was put in charge, just as I thought she would. She knew she couldn't get away with any of her scams anymore."
"What happened to her?"
Aubrey shrugged. "Last I heard from an old customer who saw her, she was walking the streets and making ends meet the only way she knew how. That was at least two years ago, and I haven't heard anything since."
Babette had to admit that it was comforting to hear. After the horrible betrayals Fifi had brought upon them, it was good to know that she had finally gotten what she deserved.
Curiously, however, she turned the tables to more important concerns. "Have either of you heard from Brielle?"
Odette nodded. "Absolutely, she sends us a small something every year around Christmas and – unlike some – constantly writes."
Babette blushed a bright shade of red, starting to feel the guilt. "How is she?"
"She's as perfectly well as we could've hoped," Odette said. "She married Claude soon after you left. His family, luckily, has been nothing but kind to her, taking her under their wing and such despite everything. More miraculously, she has two wonderful children."
"Dieu merci!" Babette breathed. That horrific night that Brielle had 'gotten rid' of her first child still played out vividly in Babette's mind. The poor girl had not wanted to do it, but thought that she would be thrown out of the dancehall if she did not. Babette had gone with her for comfort, but it was not an easy night to bear for either of them. To hear that she had been able to have other children was wonderful news indeed.
"Well there, that's enough about us!" Aubrey declared. "I still want to know what's happened to you that you found it unnecessary to keep us, your best friends, in close contact!"
Babette lowered her eyes, having feared this part since the idea of coming back had first entered her mind. "Believe me, it is much too complicated. You will think I have gone mad."
"Try us," Odette replied.
Babette looked up at them, slowly recounting the entire tale from start to finish. How the young prince grew up to be cruel and selfish and therefore brought the curse upon the castle; how the servants, herself included, were also spelled for raising him the way they did, but slowly lost their humanity over the years; and finally how, when all hope was lost, Belle had arrived and set them free.
Both women stared at her blankly. Ever the blunt one of the three, Aubrey muttered, "You're right, you are crazy." This, of course, earned her a kick under the table, courtesy of Odette.
"I know it sounds unbelievable," Babette said. "But I swear, it is the truth."
"It's definitely hard to believe…although…" Odette mused thoughtfully.
"Although what?"
"Well, men from all over come to Paris, and visit here," she said. "About a year ago, a few had come up from a small town and told some wild story about a monstrous beast and a castle where furniture came to life and attacked them. We always thought they were just insane. But…maybe there was some truth to it?"
Aubrey shook her head. "I say it's good that you came back then," she mused. "At least those royals can't play mind games with you anymore."
"Absolutely, it's wonderful to have you home!" Odette agreed, rising from her seat. "Personally, I say we toast your return; I've been saving the best wine for such an occasion!"
"Non, merci!" Babette declined. "If it is all right, could I have water instead?"
Once again, she was met by looks of disbelief.
"You? Turning down wine?" Aubrey laughed. "And the good wine at that? What are you, expecting or something?"
Babette lowered her eyes. So much for avoiding that subject a little longer, she thought, regretting her request. At her prolonged silence, Aubrey's laughter faded, and Odette slowly took her seat again, the wine forgotten in the unspoken revelation.
"You…you mean you are?" Aubrey asked.
Babette bit her lip, nodding. "Th-that is why I came back," she murmured shakily, the feelings of shame and anger returning after three days of forgetting about what had happened to her. "I am having a baby."
Odette slid her chair closer, hugging her friend around her shoulders, while Aubrey took Babette's hand.
"Did they throw you out because of it?" Odette asked.
Babette shook her head. "Non, no one knew about it, not even the father. I left the night I found out."
"Who did it? Whoever it was, I'll kill him!" Aubrey threatened.
"My…lover," Babette replied, bitterness in her tone. "I misunderstood his intentions as a man who actually cared. For so many years, I thought he really loved me. He was always there for me since the beginning…"
"Who was he?" Odette persisted.
"Lumière," Babette muttered.
Both women looked thoughtful before Aubrey was struck with realization. "That servant that Lucien de Bontecou brought with him the night he broke things off with you? The one that you were supposed to meet at the castle when you arrived?"
"Oui."
"I thought you two were just friends," Odette said. "In the only letters you sent, you said nothing about you and him…together."
"We were friends," Babette confirmed. "I stupidly fell in love with him after the infatuation with Lucien had passed. Lumière was such an incredible man, but like the rest, he does not want commitment. I do not want him to marry me out of obligation, and if he did, my baby would go through exactly what I did in the past. I could not let that happen! So I ran away and came back here." She looked between them pleadingly. "Please, I need somewhere to stay until I can find a home of some kind on my own. I can not be a dancer anymore, but I will do any work around here to earn my keep. Just let me stay for a while, please?"
"Of course, you can!" Odette replied without any hesitation, and Aubrey nodded with sincere agreement. "I told you long ago that we would always be here for you if you needed us. Stay as long as you want. No work is necessary; you are family here."
Babette hugged them both tightly. "Merci, mes amies; I knew I could count on you."
"Always and any time. Fleurettes have to stick together," Aubrey said with a grin as she and Odette gently helped Babette up. Leading her towards the stairs, Aubrey added, "Come on, let's find you a room."
As they walked down the upstairs hallway, the girl who had let Babette in watched them pass as she swept up the floor. Frowning, she muttered under her breath, thinking they could not hear, "Figures, they'll let anyone try to join us these days."
Aubrey turned on her immediately, cornering the girl against a wall as Odette and Babette stopped.
"Watch your mouth," she growled as the girl cowered in fear. Pointing to Babette, Aubrey continued, "That woman right there is a Fleurette legend, raised by both Madame and myself. You either treat her with respect or find yourself out on the street, comprends?"
The girl nodded quickly, looking at Babette apologetically.
"Do not kill the poor thing for my sake," Babette said quietly when Aubrey rejoined them.
"That one has quite an attitude in her," Odette explained. "Showing too many signs of becoming 'Fifi, the next generation.' She's already working off a previous punishment."
Aubrey nodded with a smirk. "So let's just say I'm trying to save her before it's too late, and keep it at that."
Soon enough, they reached a door, and Odette opened it, stepping aside. "There we are, best in the house!" she said, over exaggerating the grandeur of her words. "I'm sure mademoiselle will find it comfortable here!"
Babette laughed genuinely for the first time in days. "Merci, madame, it does look positively stunning!" Seriously, she added, "Would it be all right if I take a quick nap?"
Odette nodded. "Absolutely, no need to ask. I'll have that glass of water for you later on. I mean it when I say we're celebrating your return."
"Très bien," Babette replied before making her way to the bed to lie down. At long last, things were finally going right. She was back where she belonged, and always should have stayed. With the help of her dearest friends, she and the baby would be taken care of and all would be well.