“Let’s go.” Nicolas took her hand and carefully guided her onto the boat.
It was small enough to feel intimate but still a great size for sailing. Lanterns lined the deck, casting a golden light across the water. The Seine carried them through the heart of the city. Emily felt Nicolas bring her closer as they passed the bridges and the Eiffel Tower which shimmered in the distance. Her head lulled onto his shoulder as the wind blew her hair back.
“This doesn’t feel real,” she whispered in awe.
Even the stars in the sky seemed to be twinkling brighter for them tonight.
Nicolas stepped behind her, sliding his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “It’s real,” he murmured. “And it’s all yours to enjoy. Are you happy, Em?”
She barked out a laugh. “What’s up with you and this question?” Her hands cupped themselves over her mouth, yelling out to the world. “I’m happy! I’ve never been happier!”
Her eyes met his own. “Does that answer your question, sir?”
“No, not ‘sir’. Call me ‘baby’ again.”
She blushed. “Baby.”
His eyes twinkled. “I definitely didnotimagine it this time.”
“No, baby, you didn’t.”
His grin was big. So big that she was hooked by it, returning one of her own.
He then sighed happily. “But yes, it answers my question. I can’t help but wanting to hear you say it,” he admitted. “It confirms that I’ve done my job.”
“Your job?”
“Yes my job. Of taking care of you.”
“Mhm…well, you’ve not just done your job. You’ve done aspectacularjob. As my husband, my lover and my partner.”
He hummed. “Now I really love the sound of that.”
She giggled.
“Are you cold?”
She shook her head.
“Hungry? The private chef prepared a spread of pastries, fruit, and champagne, do you want some?”
“No, I don’t want to move.”
A smile crept onto his face. “You’re being silly.”
“I can’t help it! I was fully prepared to head back to New York with us rolling around in the hotel bedroom being my best memory here with you, then you go and do this.” She sniffled after and it caught his attention.
Nicolas’s face morphed with worry. He turned her around to face him. “Are you crying?”
She didn’t bother denying it. “Yeah…”
“Why are you crying? I thought you said you were happy.”
“That’s exactly why I’m crying! They’re happy tears, Nico. I’m justsohappy. So happy that I stumbled upon your conversation with John that day, that I offered this marriage between us and that we’re still in it. Together.”
The boat rocked gently, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.
His eyes burned through her as his thumb wiped away her tears. “Baby…”
