sparks fly | arthur leclerc

🦋 fluorescent adolescent

[this chapter is in direct correlation to an upcoming gold rush chapter but there arent any real spoilers]

─── ⋆⋅✨🐢🐚🦋✨ ⋅⋆ ──

DECEMBER 2022

It was a chilly December evening when Karlee was walking around the apartment making sure everything was put together and ready or Juliette's arrival. There was a knock on her front door, and she heard Arthur call out letting her know he'd get the door. After setting up the guest bedroom for their five-year-old guest, Karlee makes her way to the main room where Arthur and Valentine were talking.

"Thank you so much for doing this," Valentine said. "She's really excited to spend the weekend with you two. Charles is bringing her up."

"Of course, we're happy to have her," Karlee replied as she walked over to see Valentine who had just handed Juliette's bag for the weekend. "We've got lots of fun things planned, don't we, Arthur?"

"Absolutely!" Arthur nodded.

Charles walked up to their front door with Juliette, and she beamed seeing Arthur and Karlee before Benji came trotting over as soon as he heard her voice.

"Benji," Juliette cheered.

"Remember if you need anything, just a call away. I would have asked my brother to take care of her, but he and Morgan are in Italy for the rest of the month and my parents are away as well."

"Val seriously," Arthur interrupted her. "We don't mind."

Valentine thanked them again before they both said goodbye to Juliette. After bidding farewell to Valentine and Charles, Karlee and Arthur led Juliette into the living room. The Christmas tree in the corner twinkled with colorful lights, and an artificial fire crackled warmly in the fireplace.

Karlee watched with a smile as Juliette cuddled Benji, her small hands buried in his fluffy fur. Benji, always patient and gentle, sat calmly, his tail wagging slightly as Juliette talked a mile a minute about her week.

"And then at school, we made these really cool snowflakes out of paper, and I gave mine to Maman to put on the fridge!" Juliette exclaimed eyes wide with excitement. "But today, I'm so happy to be here with you and Thur and Benji! He's the best dog ever!"

Karlee chuckled, glancing over at Arthur who was setting up a board game on the coffee table. "We're happy to have you here too, Juls. Benji especially loves having you to cuddle with."

Juliette giggled, hugging Benji tighter. "I love Benji! Can we play the game now?"

"Of course!" Arthur said, finishing up the setup. "We're all ready to go. How about we play Candy Land?"

"Yes! I love Candy Land!" Juliette scrambled over to the table.

As they played, Karlee couldn't help but feel a warm and so filled with love. Juliette's laughter filled the room, mixing with the occasional bark from Benji who seemed to be enjoying the attention. Arthur let Juliette take her time with each turn.