Chapter 2

Author's Notes: This has two songs in it, which makes it twice as long. The first one has rhymes; the second one doesn't, though the second one is more from the heart. I just hope you all like this story so far. I know I am. And since I'm finished this chapter, I can't wait to write more and to get your reactions from this one. I'm not the BEST at song writing, but I did try. Help me out and tell me what I can do next time! ;) Oh, and I decided to just upload the chapters as I finish them. So you get more updates! :D R&R please!

Even with his new voice, Frank couldn't speak his feelings to Lucille. It hurt him that he couldn't. He felt like such a scaredy cat, as she had said to him once. A few nights after he had gotten his voice, they had a party to go to. It was an annual party that they were finally invited to. Similar parties happened semi-often; they were common. But instead of staying quiet with a few chirps here and there, Frank would now have to speak to people.

Undressing out of his casual black and white suit with blue scarf and mask and into his usual mainly white formal attire that Lucille had given him the first day she met him, Frank began mumbling his fears. He didn't want to say anything to anyone that would seem or be stupid or would make him less favorable. He had worked so hard already to become as far from a monster as possible.

"Are you ready, Frank?" Lucille called from outside his room in her house – she had set up an empty room in her home just for him. "Yes," Frank whispered just loud enough for her to hear as he finished putting on his light blue scarf. Lucille walked in just as Frank turned and, as he took in her appearance, his jaw dropped, his blush increased, and all his four arms slackened.

She looked beautiful in her white and blue dress that matched Frank's attire so perfectly. Frank tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat, but it just wouldn't go down. She just looked so perfect to him. She would look perfect to anyone who loved her, even Raoul. Standing up, Frank smiled awkwardly, "You look amazing, Lucille." The girl before him smiled and took in his appearance, "As do you…you always do when you wear that outfit especially."

Frank blushed harder as he walked up to her. The paper with his song written on it was still in his pocket without him realizing. By the time they were out the door and walking down the street, Frank's free arms were in his pocket and his fingers had touched it. He gasped as he realized what it was. His gasp caught Lucille's attention and she asked, "Are you okay?"

He nodded and said a little too quickly, "Yes!" Lucille had still not gotten her answer for why he was acting so strange. So she stopped walking, which caused him to stop too. "Frank, you must tell me what's wrong. Let me help you." Frank looked at her through his white mask and then away, thinking up a plan as fast as he could. The only thing he managed to say was, "Soon…tonight…later…" Lucille, who had been pushing for a while for the information, finally smiled and nodded, "Fine then…later tonight is good." Frank nodded and looked away as they continued to walk to the party, arms interlocked.

They arrived at the party five minutes later and they were greeted by many. Frank said nothing as they walked by people; he only nodded a hello. Lucille realized that whatever it was that was bothering him must've been really bad. She pat him on the gloved hands for reassurance as they sat down together. To Frank's left was Pâté, the captain and new commissioner. He smiled up at the giant flea and said, "So Frank, I heard you finally got a speaking voice. Am I right?"

Frank nodded, "Yes." But he did not sound confident. Pate smiled, "Shy?" Frank shrugged without a word. But Pate, being the experienced man that he was, knew what Frank was going through immediately. Standing up and leaning towards Frank, he whispered, "You love Lucille, don't you?" Frank gasped and blushed, not able to deny the facts.

Pate smiled, "I thought so. Don't you worry…this feeling happens to everyone. Just relax and enjoy the night. In fact, you should tell her during the party after your dance with her." Frank cringed, "No…too much attention." Pate laughed lightly, "No it's not…just relax and tell her. The worst she could do is say that she's not interested. She's too kind of turn you away completely."

Frank sighed again and looked at Lucille who was currently talking to Raoul who was to her right. When had he joined them? And what were they talking about? Fish…the Seine…sunflowers…cats…the straw coat Raoul used to wear? Where did that come from? Just as Lucille looked up at Frank, the giant flea blushed and looked away and mumbled to Pate, "What am I going to do?"

"Just ask her on a date. Tell her how you feel. I doubt she would be so nice to you if she didn't like you." Frank was reminded of the first time he had met Lucille, how she had slapped his face when he caught her. He flinched. What would happen if that kind of thing happened again? What if she got scared or angry and slapped him?

But a feeling inside him told him it was now or never to tell her he loved her. Tonight was the night. And best of all, he wouldn't tell her…he would sing the song he wrote for her. Frank smiled as the thought and looked at Pate with a smile on his face. Pate laughed, "Courage is a wonderful thing, isn't it?" Frank tilted his head in confusion, "Is that what it's called? Courage?" Pate nodded, "When you get the feeling that you can do something even though it's scary or hard to do…that is called courage. Do what you have to do…I'm rooting for you."

Frank nodded to him. "Thank you." Pate smiled, "You're welcome, my friend." He then turned to his girlfriend, Madame Carlotta and talked to her. Frank sighed and looked down until a voice next to Raoul addressed him, "So Frank, are you going to tell her?" Frank blushed and looked up at Emile who was leaning on the table towards him, smiling. He knew too? How many people realized his feelings? Was it really that obvious?

Frank mentally shook himself and nodded, "Tonight, after our dance." Emile nodded, "Good boy, you can do it. I'm rooting for you. As is everyone else…a lot of us know, you know." Frank blushed deeper. "It's that obvious?" Before Emile could say or do anything to respond, Lucille asked, "Is what obvious?" Frank panicked and looked to Emile, his giant yellow and red eyes pleading.

Emile thought fast, "We were discussing your dance with Frank tonight. It's obvious that he's going to play the guitar and try the new song. He's just a little worried about getting the notes wrong." Lucille laughed – a beautiful laugh to Frank – and smiled up at the giant flea, "Oh, don't be so scared. We have this one down flat. We're so prepared that we shouldn't have any issues."

Frank nodded and pretended to fret over the song. He did have it down flat. He knew all the notes and the melody by heart. There was almost no way he could mess up; the only way it would end badly would be because of his embarrassing feelings for Lucille would get out of hand and mess him up.

The lights dimmed and the first of the music began. The first singers walked up onto the stage. Their names were Joseline or, as she preferred, Jose and Nicolas. They were married and had two girls who would sing in the background. Their girls were Marie and Nadia and they were twin ten year olds.

The performance was fantastic, but the young girl's voices ruined it a little. They weren't nearly as experienced as their parents. Next were Adrian and Jerome who were also married with one two year old son who was with his aunt in the crowd of people watching. They too were very good, but Jerome missed a few notes and messed up the end harmony. No one commented, but they all heard it.

The next three couples had better voices and the couple after them was probably the best so far, but Frank was determined to make his and Lucille's performance the best, to leave an impression. Being that this was the first time they were invited to sing at such a party because you needed a partner to be allowed to sing, he wanted this to be the best performance yet. But with over two hundred people watching, his nervousness was becoming worse.

Finally, after two more couples, it was Lucille and Frank's turn. They were the last to go. "Now Frank, remember what I told you," Lucille coached. "Just focus on the music and don't look at the audience once. You look up, you might mess up. Just relax." The next thing that happened didn't help the situation…

"And now, may I present Lucille the singer, and her partner, the giant flea, Frank." Lucille groaned, "Did they have to mention 'the giant flee' part? That's just obnoxious." Frank flinched at her tone and words. She turned back to him, "Don't worry…it'll be fine." She smiled and that made everything better.

The curtains opened the crowd who didn't know Frank gasped. Some even commented about how big he was. Some looked scared. Frank paid no attention; he was only thinking about Lucille's beautiful smile. He fingered his guitar and got into the right position as he saw the band that followed them to every performance send him the cue. He nodded and nodded to Lucille who smiled again.

The performance started with Frank and he began on his guitar, playing a nice, lulling, beautiful melody. The band followed him. The beginning was just music and Lucille danced with Frank on the stage. Frank closed his eyes halfway, listening to the music, until he heard Lucille's enchanting voice. She sung her part first…

(Lucille |Frank | Together)

The melody flows

Like a stream or a river

There it goes

How I shiver and quiver

We're living a song

The world is at ease

This may not last long

But at least we're at peace

You and I together in the moonlight

The Seine is as calm as can be

I laugh and smile at such a sight

It's so beautiful, don't you seeeeeeee~

Life is a miracle

It's filled with so many wonders

The world is so beautiful

The rain, the lightning, and the thunder

Thunder soaks up my scream

Rain splashes onto my face

What could it mean?

What is this place?

I can't begin to explain

I wonder as well

From a place full of sorrow and pain

Comes your voice as beautiful as a bell

You and I together in the moonlight

The Seine is as calm as can be

I laugh and smile at such a sight

It's so beautiful, don't you seeeeeeeee~

Life is a miracle

It's filled with so many wonders

The world is beautiful

The rain, the lighting, the thunder…

The world is beautiful

Just like the rain, the lightning, the thunder…

It's so beautiful, don't you !

There was silence for about ten seconds as everyone gazed at Frank and Lucille. Most were looking at Frank. Then, after the ten seconds of awkwardness, applause that was louder than all the other performances rang through the building. Whistling and cheering could be heard from Raoul, Emile, Pate, and Carlotta. Emile and Pate were the loudest. Frank turned towards them as Pate winked and pointed to Lucille, mouthing, "Now…"

Frank frowned at him. He shook his head slowly so no one else would notice. Pate nodded in encouragement. Frank sighed and turned back to Lucille. He reached into his pocket for the song as he chirped. This small noise silenced everyone and Lucille looked behind and up to face him. "What?" She asked in confusion.

Slowly, Frank pulled out the piece of paper with the song on it. Looking from the paper to her, he gulped once and said in a quivering voice, "I…made this…for you…Lucille." Lucille's jaw dropped, "What?" Frank hesitated, and then said, "It's a song…can…can I sing it for you?" Lucille was immediately fascinated as she nodded quickly, urging him to sing what he had written for her.

Frank smiled a little, but turned to Pate who nodded in approval. Holding the piece of paper, Frank began to sing in a melody that he had created especially for her. It was soft and lulling and contained practically every feeling he got from being with Lucille…

Her hair is the color of dark honey

Her smile is just as sweet

Beauty should be her middle name

And perfect should be her last

Always by my side

Always there for comfort

Best teacher in the world

If only this was enough to show you

How I feel

When we dance

I feel we are one

When we sing

I feel complete

Nothing can compare

To this feeling deep inside me

No other in this world

Could make me feel the same way

Your heart is made of gold

Your eyes sparkle like the stars

Shining ever so brightly

Into mine

The only thing I ask

Is that you accept me for who I am

Not what I could've been

And not as a different creature

I care too much

I don't want to lose you

Just by revealing

What I have kept for so long

Please accept me…

Please…

Please…...

Please…...