Works here are copyright of Beverly Anne Michel.

You are free to: share, copy, and redistribute – just give credit and link the original works!

Summary: A bonus chapter from the Trovailleverse (In the Eye of the Beholder). From Felix’s point of view, he takes Beau on a date to the museum.

I huffed a sigh. This was not my idea of fun. I didn’t generally leave the house, but Beauregard wanted very badly to go on a date. I decided to oblige her. We couldn’t always have nights in as much as I would have preferred it. At least we weren’t going to an expensive restaurant. I always hated dealing with finding a place for my cane while I tried to eat my food. Or someone commenting that I looked too young to be using a cane. It was exasperating. 

“You already look grumpy,” Beau said as she came up behind me. 

“I always look grumpy,” I muttered. 

She came up on my good side, so I could see her out of the corner of my eye. I turned to face her properly. I held my cane in my left hand and leaned on it. Beau was wearing sparkling red tights under a black suspender skirt and a white button up shirt. She wore sneakers instead of her boots because we were going to be walking a lot. I felt an ache in my right leg already. Beauregard was lucky I loved her. 

“But you also look handsome.” She reached forward and gripped onto my blazer. 

I couldn’t help but crack a smile when she looked up into my eyes with her own beautiful smile. I dragged my gaze over her once more. I loved the way her clothes were just tight enough to show off her curves. I would never understand why people said plus size wasn’t beautiful because she was stunning. 

“Now you’re staring.” She bit down on her lower lip. 

“Because you’re gorgeous.” 

She giggled and blushed. “Stop it.” 

I grinned wider. “You can’t make me-” 

I barely got the words out when she leaned up and planted a kiss on my lips. My eyes fluttered shut and I wrapped one arm around her. She placed her hands on my chest and pressed her lips a little harder into mine. I held her close for just a few seconds before pulling back. I was still getting used to all this physical touch, but it made me happy. We didn’t have sex or anything like that. Neither of us had the desire to, but I was more than willing to kiss her. I loved the feeling of her soft lips against mine. She always tasted sweet. I think it was her cherry chapstick. 

I let out a soft breath and opened my eyes. Her makeup was still flawless, but I had a feeling I had lipstick on my lips. Before I could reach for it, Beau pulled a tissue out of the box on the entryway table. She leaned up and wiped my lips. The tissue came back tinged with red. I rolled my eyes. 

“Thanks,” I said, attempting to keep the laughter out of my voice. 

She giggled. “You’re welcome.” 

Mrow. 

We turned and saw Moscato, jumping up onto the table. The fluffy orange cat purred before I even reached out to pet him. I scratched behind his ears and smiled as his purrs got louder. I stroked a hand down his back before turning back to Beau. We had to get out of the house or I was going to stand there, petting Moscato all morning. I had to admit I was a little excited to go to the Seattle Art Museum. There was currently an exhibition on Rembrant’s Sketches. Beau wanted to see the porcelain room. She told me that she had once taken a pottery class and found the medium interesting. She wasn’t very skilled at it, but she liked it. 

I had a sudden horrible thought that she might take me to a couples pottery class. I wouldn’t argue, but the idea of working with clay in front of a bunch of strangers made me queasy. I shook my head and pointed with my cane toward the door. She nodded and popped the door open for me. I walked out of the house and made my way toward the little blue car in my driveway. 

I waited by the car while Beau locked the door and joined me. She got into the driver’s side and I climbed into the passenger seat. Her car was small, but I was getting used to it. I sat with my legs as stretched out as I could with my cane between them. Beau turned down her pop music and backed out of the driveway. I leaned my head back and relaxed as she drove. It didn’t take too long to get to the Seattle Art Museum which I was thankful for. 

The parking wasn’t too bad because we were visiting in the middle of the week. Most kids were at school and most adults were working. She parked close enough that it wouldn’t be difficult to walk to the Museum. It was already going to be a lot of walking inside but I was ready for it. We made our way out of the car and walked up to the large building. 

Meow. 

I blinked a couple times because I was sure I had just heard mewling like a kitten. 

“I heard it too,” Beau said. 

As we got closer it got louder. There was a box of kittens sitting outside the museum. There was no one around, but the box was labeled “Free Kittens.” Inside the box was about five differently colored kittens. Young, but not too young that they should be with their mother. I looked around and then bent slightly to pet the kittens. 

“We should take one home!” Beau exclaimed. 

I looked up at her. “I don’t know if Moscato would like that.” 

“But look at them.” 

They were adorable and it was awful that they were sitting out on a sidewalk like this. “If there are any left when we get back we can take one.” 

Beau squealed. 

“Let’s go.” I stood straight.

We walked into the museum and paid for our tickets at the reception desk. The place seemed a lot bigger on the inside. My leg was already beginning to ache in anticipation of walking through it. 

“Sir, would you like one of our scooters?” the receptionist asked. 

It took everything in me not to scowl at her. “No, that is what the cane is for.” 

It must have come out meaner than I meant it to because she withered slightly. “Enjoy your visit,” she mumbled. 

Beau took my hand and we began our journey through the museum. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to traverse the entire length of the museum, but I would try. I definitely wasn’t going to scoot around on a damned scooter. I knew I was being prideful, but… I didn’t want to seem helpless. 

I leaned on my cane and squeezed Beau’s hand as we walked. There were so many beautiful pieces of art. It was refreshing and wonderful. I decided I needed to upgrade some of the art sitting on my walls. A lot of it were things my parents had chosen when they were alive, but it was my turn to choose something. I had already hung some of Beau’s photography on the wall, but I wanted more beautiful things. 

We walked through the Porcelain Room which was literally that. It was a room full of pieces of pottery like plates and bowls hanging on the walls. Every inch was covered in a piece of porcelain. Beau looked at almost every piece before we moved on to the next exhibit. I was still excited about the Rembrant sketches. When we finally got to that exhibit, I took my time, and leaned in to view the sketches. Pen on paper. So simple, but beautiful. 

We spent a few hours in the museum. By the time we were done my leg ached something fierce, but I was happy nonetheless. I enjoyed spending time with Beau. I loved watching her view the art and look so thoughtful. She was beautiful. As beautiful as any piece of art hanging on the walls. I was pretty sure I would do anything for her. My heart ached as much as my sore leg, but in a different way. It made me feel warm and happy. 

As we walked out of the museum I walked past the box, but Beau tugged on my blazer. 

“There’s one left.” 

I looked down into the box and saw a small black and white kitten. It had long fur and seemed to be kind of dirty. Beau leaned down to pick it up. The small fluffball purred loud enough for me to hear it. I knew neither of us could leave it behind when all of its siblings had been taken. 

I sighed. “Alright.” 

“Yes!” Beau snuggled the kitten close. 

“Come on, let’s go home.” 

“Happily.” 

We made our way back to the car. “So what should we name it?” 

“I think it’s a boy,” Beau said. 

“Okay, so what should we name him?” 

“Cabernet.” 

I laughed. “Perfect.”