Epilogue
“Ihave to admit, I don’t mind that view.” Dorian spoke from over Penelope’s shoulder. He was standing deeper in the room, likely from a position where he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view as Penelope was.
“It’s even better from here…”
Penelope was standing on the balcony, hands against the railing, her gaze fixed upon the River Seine which ran just beneath her.
It snaked lazily through the city of Paris, sparkling from the night’s stars and the many candles and torches which lit the city of love.
The city appeared to glow around the glimmering river, taken by quiet, but humming with romantic energy.
It truly was a breathtaking sight, and Penelope doubted she had ever seen something so beautiful. Her heart was full, her body tingled as it had been doing all day, and in the moment she wondered if she had ever been so happy…
“I wasn’t talking about the city…” Dorian spoke in a whisper, and she heard his gentle footsteps on the carpet as he approached her.
“Oh?” she smiled, still not looking back. “And what were you speaking of, exactly?”
His laughter was a deep rumble in his chest, and she breathed in deeply as his hands slipped around her waist and held her to his strong body. Eyes closed, she leaned her head to the side, exposing her neck for him to kiss.
“Perhaps the finest view in all of Paris,” he growled as he continued to kiss her.
“Only Paris?” she pouted.
He laughed. “The entire world? Or should I extend the compliment to the universe? Just to be safe.”
“Better to be safe than sorry,” she laughed softy, and then closed her eyes because those kisses on her neck were so soft and tender and oh how she loved their feel. Just as she loved her husband.
The trip to Paris had been Dorian’s idea – a further sign of how seriously he was taking this marriage. That it wasn’t just words that he offered his wife, but action, proof of his love and how dedicated he was to proving this love every single day.
They had been married for three years but that hardly seemed to count.
Indeed, both Penelope and Dorian decided to treat those three years as if they had not happened, choosing the day that Dorian had rode to her home and pronounced his love for her as the official start of their married life together.
For that reason, a honeymoon was needed. And where better to have a honeymoon than Paris?
“We need to be leaving soon,” Penelope said, eyes still closed as Dorian held and kissed her.
“Do we now?”
“Supper, Dorian…” She pretended to try and wiggle free.
Dorian held her tightly. “I am not so hungry.”
“It sure doesn’t feel like it.”
“Not for supper,” he growled.
She laughed and then forced herself from his arms. It was hard to do, and the moment she was free she wanted to feel herself in their embrace again.
But Penelope reasoned there was no need and she did not have to be so desperate.
After all, they had the rest of their lives to spend together…
plenty of time for Dorian to hold me as if he never means to let go.
It was just the second day of their honeymoon also, and they were yet to do anything with it that existed outside of their room.
Penelope had never been to Paris – she had never left England!
She wanted to explore. She wanted to see and smell and taste the city.
And she wanted to do it with Dorian by her side.
“Come…” She reached for his hand and fixed him with a look that warranted no argument.
Dorian pouted. “Why do I feel like I am being punished?”
“Is that what it is to spend time with your wife?”
“I didn’t mean it like that!”
She laughed. “I know you didn’t. But we can’t stay in the room forever. I wish to be shown a good time by my husband…” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Outside of this room, thank you very much.”
Dorian relented and took her hand, giving the back of it a soft kiss. “As you wish. Supper, and perhaps a carriage ride after. Shopping. Strolling. Whatever your heart desires.”
“Much better…” She stepped in quickly and planted a kiss on his nose. “And fear not, if all goes well, you’ll have me back here within a few hours.”
“And if all doesn’t go well?” Dorian frowned.
She shrugged. “Then I will likely be on my way back to London. Alone – joking,” she hurried when she saw his face drop. “Just joking.”
“Don’t even tease me.”
Further laughter, which Penelope ended when she stepped into Dorian, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a deep kiss. His hands found her waist, held on tight, the kiss growing deep and passionate as if it might never end.
They stood by the doorway to the balcony, the city of Paris glowing under the stars behind them. And yet… it mattered little next to the emotions glowing within her.
Penelope did not care where she kissed her husband.
She did not care where they took their honeymoon.
All she cared about was that she was with Dorian and that he was with her.
They had wasted so much time not being together, ignoring how they felt, not wanting to admit it because neither had known what they wanted.
They knew it now. No more lies. Love found in the truth. Penelope adored her husband, and she knew beyond a doubt that they would spend the rest of their lives together. And from the way he kissed her right then and there, she knew he felt the same way.
It was not an easy thing to do, but she broke the kiss eventually, her stomach rumbling. As much as she loved Dorian and wanted to keep kissing him… a girl had to eat, and there would be time for kissing later. The rest of their lives, in fact.
“Come…” She took his hand and started to lead him across the room and toward the door.
“Where you go, I follow,” he crooned.
She laughed. “And it’s about time.”
“Three years late by my count,” Dorian said.
“Three years you need to make up for,” she responded with a coy smile.
“Just watch me.” They reached the door, he kissed her on the back of the hand, she beamed her love for him, and together they stepped outside and into the city of Paris.
The End?