His Fresh Start ✔ (Book Three)

Epilogue

It didn't snow that much in Paris these days. Rain was more common, but today, as Lou and I got married at the town hall, snowflakes fell from the gray but still breathtakingly beautiful sky.

The small crowd of our guests surrounded us as we plastered our signatures across the papers. Although we opted for a discreet ceremony, it felt special. There was hardly anything better than sharing one of the most important days of our lives with our people. Dad and Sylvie, Jean and Chloe, Aiden and Ellie were with us. Alan and Leo couldn't travel because of work. Neither could Marco and his girlfriend Katie - my assistant had to keep an eye on the business, after all - but we would have another party for our friends once we were back.

I didn't worry about that too much. Truth be told, I wasn't worried about anything at all. Yves was in jail, and I finally left my past behind.

Although we didn't manage to solve my fertility issues, we would start the first round of IVF once we were back from our honeymoon. Lou and I would spend a week in the French Alps and travel around Europe afterward, taking a break from the hectic last year.

Cheers and claps filled the air as I kissed my wife for the first time. Our family barely waited for us to break apart to start the round of congratulations.

Dad hugged me first, for a bit longer than usual. Sylvie followed, and then it was Jean's turn.

He finally learned to let others help him. Even though he got grouchy whenever he needed to delegate some tasks to his assistant, Chloe was happy to spend more time with her husband.

"Is everyone ready to celebrate?" Dad asked.

Lou clapped, making Ellie laugh. Aiden kissed his wife's cheek, drawing an arm around her shoulders. Dad wiggled his brows, and Aiden shook his head. "No. Don't go there. Don't even think about it. It's not in our plans yet."

"Don't tell me you're pestering the kids about kids," I said to dad, giving him a stern look. "Let them enjoy their youth for a bit longer."

"Yes, listen to him," Aiden said.

Sylvie shoved my dad playfully. "Victor needs another dog. It's clear Molly doesn't keep him busy enough."

"Molly is an expert at ruining gardens," Dad huffed. "No more dogs. And no, I'm not pestering anyone. If I wanted to, I'd pester you."

"No pressure." Lou coughed into her fist.

Lucky for us, the conversation moved to our wedding banquet. Our group exited the stately building and spilled onto the snow-covered street.

Jean's bistro was just a block away. Today, his restaurant was ours.

A wave of nostalgia threatened to drown me at the sight of the familiar Christmas decorations. Jean still kept some of the original pieces my teenage self found weird at first but loved later.

I wanted to share them and my memories with Lou. Her blue eyes roamed the cozy interior of the place I adored, and a tender smile lifted the corners of her lips. "I love that we chose to celebrate our wedding here."

"I thought it was symbolic," I said. "I wouldn't have met you if I hadn't started to work for Jean."

I laced my fingers with Lou's and led her into the small banquet hall.

Lit candles flickered on the tables, and the first chords of a ballad floated in the air of the room.

I wrapped Louise in my arms as we swayed to the slow melody. Snow kept on falling behind the windows, but neither of us had ever felt warmer.

After crossing the ocean looking for a fresh start, I found it with the girl who accepted my past and made me look forward to my future.

Maybe starting fresh was never about a place. Perhaps it'd always been about a new beginning with a special person.

***

Tristan Fauber was born fourteen months later. Once he became old enough to appreciate the fine cuisine, he displayed a distinct preference for apple pie.

THE END

Thank you for reading Thierry and Louise's story! I hope I did the couple many of you love justice, and I hope you liked their journey

I'm grateful for each of you and the love and support you give my books and me.

Love,
Alwyn