Subtle Endearment

Epilogue

Four months later

Kira

"Hurry up, we're gonna be late if you don't get up now," I say pulling the warm comforter off of Ian exposing his bare back. "Come here, you," he says tugging at my arm until I lay next to him. "Just five more minutes," he whispers causing chills to run down my spine. "No, Violet and Landon are already getting dressed and Violet's already made breakfast. We're the only ones not up yet," I say pulling the covers again that he'd managed to put back on.

"Fine, I guess we should get up. There won't be daylight outside all day. I do want to roam around Paris too," Ian says drowsily. "Then get up," I say throwing a pillow at him.

I'm dressed and have been for an hour already. I'd tried to wake up Ian three times now it's on him at this point. I close the door and exit our room just in time to see Landon and Violet come out of their room. "Breakfast is done," Violet says handing me a cup of coffee. "Thanks," I say taking the cup and sitting at the table with breakfast sprawled across it.

The resort we are staying at is a gift from Ian for our belated first anniversary. We originally planned to go alone but all of a sudden Ian chose to invite Violet and Landon and push back the date. I never imagined I'd spend Christmas in Paris, the city of romance.

The resort we're stying at has glossed floors with a homey feel. The furniture is dark blue with matching accessories placed around. It's comfortable, apparently a little too comfortable since Ian's still in the bed.

"I'm here, I'm here," Ian says entering the kitchen. "About time," Landon says taking a seat next to Violet. "Good morning," Ian says as he enters the kitchen taking a seat beside me. He sits next to me and begins putting the eggs, pancakes, and bacon on his plate. "Good morning," we all say in unison. "This food is really good. Thank you, Violet," I say shoveling more food into my mouth. "You're welcome. Slow down Kira. Paris isn't going anywhere," she assures me. "Yeah, but it's already eleven. The tour is at twelve thirty," I respond. I've memorized the tour like the back of my hand. There's three major stops. The first is The Tuileries Gardens, then Le Marais, and then finally The Eiffel Tower.

An hour and thirty minutes later we're at The Tuileries Gardens. The tour guide, is a woman in her forties and she explains the history of the garden as we walk through it. "Let me take a picture of you here," Ian says pointing to the garden patched with bunches of flowers. I stand in front of the garden posing as he takes pictures. "How do I look?" I ask trying to get a good look at the picture. "Stunning as always," Ian says planting a kiss on my lips. As we walk behind the others I see Landon slip his hand into Violet's. She takes his hand and leans closer to him as they walk.

Soon after the garden we take a tour bus to Le Marais. The scenery is beautiful and I can't help but take pictures of everything. It's clear that I'm a tourist but I don't care. "Slow down, you're not going to have any storage left if you keep that up," Landon jokes. "Ooh, that restaurant looks nice. Let's stop there for dinner," Violet insists as we walk around the open area. "Anything for you, Violet," Landon says pulling Violet closer to him. Violet lets out a chuckle as he does.

The restaurant is very busy but we are still quickly seated and served. We all agree to try the Soupe à l'oignon. The taste is savory and and filling. Landon is engrossed in telling us the story about how he first met Violet. Out of the corner of my eye I see Ian scrolling through his phone. He's been jittery since we arrived at the restaurant.  "What's wrong?" I mouth to him. Ian shakes his head a if everything is fine but I can see his leg bouncing under the table. I slide my hand under the table gripping his thigh in comfort as Landon continues talking oblivious to everything and Violet listens intently to him.

"If I'd never followed Ian to FixedTech that day I probably wouldn't have ever ran into Violet," Landon says as he takes Violet's hand. Ian grabs my hand under the table and his leg stops bouncing as he does. "We should go to the next venue, I told the tour guide we won't need help from here," Ian says. "Great, let's go. I've been waiting to get a good look at the Eiffel Tower," I say excitedly. Violet and I walk ahead of Ian and Landon. It's dark now and I have a full stomach. Nothing can make me happier than seeing the Eiffel Tower now.

"I can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower," Violet says as she prances around on the sidewalk beside me. "Me either, do you have your camera ready?" I ask. "Yup," I assure her. "Let me fix your hair real quick," Violet says adjusting my hair as I walk in front of her. "Perfect," she says satisfied. "Thanks, gotta look good for my picture in front of the Eiffel Tower," I laugh. The Eiffel Tower is in our view now. Violet runs up to the gate keeping people at a distance from the Tower and I follow her. "Take a picture of me," she says handing me her camera. "Okay," I say snapping a few pictures of her. Landon and Ian catch up to us.

Ian seems to be calmer than he was before. Whatever Landon said to him must've worked. "Kira, let's take a picture together," Ian says grabbing my hands. "Okay," I say pulling him to a good spot. The sounds of people around us snapping pictures seems to drown out as I look up at the Eiffel Tower. It's everything that I thought it'd be and more. The yellow glow is beautiful and enchanting just as I'd been told. "Say cheese," Violet says as she takes a picture of Ian and I looking up at the Eiffel Tower. "Cheese," we say in unison. "Another pose," Landon says holding up the bulky camera he'd had hanging around his neck the entire day. He'd barely used it before.

Ian holds me in front of him and Landon snaps a picture. "One more," Landon says smiling. I hear Ian shuffling behind me and I turn to face him for a new pose. He's on one knee and he holds a tiny box in his hand. I stare at him for a second before it finally registers what's going on. "Kira, we've been through a lot these past two years. I never would've made it this far without you. You're my best friend and the one that keeps me going every day. As I promised, I'll replace the promise ring on your finger. So will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" he asks gazing at me as if he'd gotten lost in my eyes. "Yes, Ian. I'll marry you," I exclaim.

"Congratulations, Kira," Violet shouts from beside Landon who's continuously snapping pictures. Ian takes off my promise ring and slips the diamond ring on my finger then stands to give me a hug. His embrace is warm and welcoming just like him. This is everything I could've wished for and more. As I break from the hug I gaze at Ian's face. He seems like he wants to kiss me but before he can I stand on my tiptoes just reaching his face. His warm lips connect with mine as we lose ourselves in the moment. I wouldn't have it any other way.