Chapter 47
The car drove through the service entrance of the Louvre, its tinted windows reflecting nothing but the glow of the outside lights.
Nicolas stepped out first, offering his hand to Emily. He had been adamant on her having at least one more memorable experience before they went back home. Apparently, the first stop was the closed off museum.
David and the now four bodyguards followed them closely as they made their way inside.
“Are we…allowed to be here?” Emily whispered, even though she knew the answer. Nicolas’s team seemed like they could make almost anything happen at this point.
He smiled, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. “For tonight, we are.”
They wandered through the galleries, guided by lights. Two staff members stood in close proximity, making Emily look up at Nicolas.
“Don’t worry about them. It’s precaution.”
She leaned into him, her voice barely above a breath. “I’ve never seen it like this,” she said, referring to not only the Da Vinci painting, but the entire space. It felt magical. Even with his bodyguards a feet away.
“That’s the point,” he murmured. “You deserve a version of Paris no one else gets to see. Paparazzi or not. It’s still your honeymoon.”
“Our honeymoon,” she corrected him.
He grinned. “Sorry, baby. Our honeymoon.”
They kept moving, the bodyguards on their tail, before they paused in front of the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The statue towered above them like a guardian. The air smelled faintly of stone as they glanced up at it from a few steps below.
She turned to Nicolas as his hands settled on her hips. “You must like this one. I know you’re a fan of Greek mythology. From the figures in your study and the paintings on the walls at home. That’s why I got you the gift I did from Leon.”
“I am a huge fan.” Her lips began to spread slowly at the look he was wearing. “But I’m an even bigger fan of that smile on your face. Are you happy, Em?”
“So happy. Thank you for taking me here.”
She had been here before, but somehow it had become even more special with Nicolas present.
“My pleasure,” he said.
They spent a couple more minutes looking around, appreciating the arts before Nicolas aired, “Like I promised, this isn’t the end of your sightseeing.”
He ushered her back outside and into the waiting car. She tried to guess where he could possibly take her now. The museum felt like the most private place possible outside their hotel. Unless he’d rented out a restaurant or something.
Minutes later, when the car slowed in a parking garage near the port, Emily realized she’d been thinking far too small for a grandiose man like Nicolas. She really shouldn’t have been given the scale of his proposal.
“We’re here,” he announced, getting out and opening her side again.
When they reached the waters, the bodyguards swept through the boat first, making sure everything on board was as it should be. Meanwhile, David spoke with the captain and the two crew members. A moment later, he gave Nicolas a small nod, a silent confirmation that everything was clear.
“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 did not imagine 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 a spectacular job. 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 just so happy. 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…”
“Thank you,” she ended sincerely.
He kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me. I just want you to remember this night. That’s all.”
Her arms wrapped themselves around his waist. “I will. For the rest of my life.”