"so we're do we sleep for the night? "you asked with a shiver from the cold night exploration. You were down on your feet holding France's hand so you wouldn't get lost.
"I have many houses around the world from the world meetings, so... If I remember, it shouldn't be too far from here.. This is my country, and I should know where everything is.." France says looking around, not many people were out tonight. Shops and restaurants were lightly lit, making them look inviting and warming. Like home. Which is were you wanted to be.
After a while of walking and enjoying the night sounds, you both made it to the house. It wasn't a really big house, nor a really small house. It was just enough and that was alright with you.
France unlocked the front door and opened it for you. You stood at the door looking inside the dark house.
"aren't you going inside?" France asked looking down at you. Sucking in a small breath and finally, you walked inside, your little slippers tapping against the hard wood floor as you really couldn't make out much from the dark. The only thing that was familiar was the scent of roses.
A quick sudden flick of the light switch and the lights flashed on from the ceiling. You couldn't help but want to explore everything, the aroma of roses brought back little memories of what you had with your father, and was because of the fluffy bouquet of fresh roses that sat in the middle the of the coffee table.
"looks like one of my neighbors have been taking care of my house while I was gone... I was afraid my flower garden was going to wilt away... " France stated shutting the door, and noticing the flowers on the table.
Your little eyes trailed up to him, "papa...?" your hands folded together, " are we going back someday? " you asked quietly.
A ghost of a smile graced France's face, as his brown boots he usually wears, echoes through the living room and over to you. His hands scooping you up to hold you in his arms, "Maybe... How about when you get alittle older, you can surprise them? Sound fun? "
You smiled and wrapped your arms around his neck, "sounds fun!.."
France patted you on your back and turned to walk down a darkened hall, "since this house is new to you I can re-pick and decorate your room to your liking.. Or we can most-likely do that tomarrow.. "
"really?! "you say happily and looked around the room. It was white, of course, so it was like a blank canvas just waiting to be painted on.
France Sat you down on the bed with a side frown, "well... I didn't really think of ever taking a child outside of the boarder to a different country, let alone have a set of clothes for them to wear... "
You looked down at your dress then back up at France. Waiting.
"well.... Maybe I can just-"
"I'm hungry... " you interrupted France as he debated on what to do with you,"and I feel dirty.. "
The Frenchman tapped his chin alittle before eventually picking you back up," alright... I will fix you a yummy and warm meal, give you a bubble bath, and then off to bed.. Hopefully I can find something for you to wear.. "
He carried you into a fairly large kitchen and sat you down at the island counter. The chair he put you in had to be a swivel chair. While he got out ingredients and cookery he needed you spun around in the chair waiting.
After a few minutes you got alittle dizzy and decided to stop before you fell off the chair. You didn't really think France could cook since he never really did when he first had you, but what ever he was making smelled great.
Your tummy couldn't keep quiet as France cooked your meal,"are you almost done papa? " you asked trying to look and see what he was doing next," yes my sweet... Just be alittle more patient.." he reached over for a plate out of one of the cabinets and set it down.
You set your forehead against the cool counter top.
The opening of a drawer and Silverware being pulled out made you peek past your lashes, barely noticing past your hair that fell in the line of vision, "head up (y/n). I don't think you can eat properly like that.. "
You quickly sat up right when he put the plate down. (image of what you are eating is at the beginning),"looks yummy.. " you stated as he hands you a fork.
"it is quick French food and is yummy indeed.. I remember eating this when I was around your age..or when I was at least as tall as you."
"what's in it? " you ask digging your fork into it so you could get a peice.
"Hachis Parmentier.. It is mainly just mashed potatoes and grounded beef..."
After hearing what it consists of you decided to eat it. And it was a very decent meal, he wasn't such a bad cook after all.
While you ate, France disappeared back down the hall.
You finished quickly after that and sat the in the chair, not wanting to spin around again because you had a full tummy now.
Sitting and waiting all you could hear was something France was doing. You didn't know what but you really wanted to know.
"papa! "
"...."
"oowwww!"
That last word you shouted brought France to the doorway of the kitchen,"is everything alright? "
You nodded with a smile, "I'm done.... "
France sighed alittle, "so what hurt you?"
"nothing... "
"...alright.... Well.. Then let's get you into the bath and to bed. " France said as he picked you back up and set you on the floor. The tall man led the way as your little feet tried to help you catch up.
The bath was already drawn and full of bubbles for you. France got down to his knees and untied the little bow at the back of your dress, and tried to help you with the rest of your dress, but you shyly declined.
It put a smile on his face as he got back up and was a gentleman, waiting outside in the hall for you tell get undressed.
You quickly pulled out of the dress and pulled yourself over the edge of the tub, slipping into the bubbly warm water. When you sat up your hair was already wet, and covered in bubbles, "OK.. You can come back in.. "
When France peeked back in, he couldn't help but laugh alittle, which made you giggle at him.
You had fun with your father being in your life, he fed you, made sure you were clean, and gave you a room you could make your own. You loved him dearly but missed something farther away.
~~
After the long bath, France drained the tub and picked you up with a fluffy pale blue towel. He wrapped you up like a pale blue little churro and carried you past your room, "while you were eating, I decided to cut up one of my shirts for you to wear. And of course I had to sew it up for it to fit you, and so you wouldn't pull of some strings and leave them around the house. "
He pushed his back against a door that was ajar, with light seeping past it. You both entered a room, somewhat like a sewing room.
He set you down on the cold floor with the towel still around you as he picked up a dark blue button up shirt, now alittle to small for him to fit, "Now you have a little night gown made by yours truly.."
The shirt made you smile as he handed it to you,"I will be back out into the hall if you need me.. " France said walking back out of the room, and leaving the door ajar again.
Dropping towel quickly, you pulled it over your head so you wouldn't have to button it up.
It was soft against your skin and smelled like your dad. He wore this shirt multiple times before... And it was by far, your favorite shirt besides his long usual cloak he wears. Now you have a memory of France hugging you everytime you wear this.
After almost tripping over the towel you left on the floor, little feet patted up to the door and opened it, "I love it papa! " you said enthusiasticly, which made him smile down at you, "good... " his hands picked you up again, "how about you sleep with me tonight... I miss being near you..tomarrow you can try your new room..?"
You nodded lazily and rested your head against Frances shoulder. "time for bed then.. "
He walked to his room alittle farther down the hall, and laid you down on the bed. The first thing you did was curl up under the covers, warming yourself and bury your head into the big fluffy pillow.
While you did that France changed into his pjs. It was just a plain white tee and light purple pajama pants that had cursive French words printed on them.
The bed dipped down at little on one side as he layed down next to you. His big arm pulling you against his warm chest, making you smile alittle. The feeling of happyness was overwhelming that you could have exploded but your body was to tired to express anything but a smile as your father's French words lulled you deeper into a peaceful sleep,"bonsoir ma Belle"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonsoir ma Belle- goodnight my beautiful.
I am quite happy now... I get to read a very interesting book so my brain as alittle fried /and/or/ more educated/ or/ just....anyway, And I can't wait to finish it.... Plus I finished this chapter! Yay! I'm happy about that aswell..