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Thirty-One

"This is so exciting, Lucas! A real movie premiere."

Lucas chuckles at the excitement on Nikki's face as they sit in the back of the town car. "Well, if you like it, we can go to more." He kisses her cheek as the car comes to a stop. "Stay in the car until it pulls around the back and I will meet you inside."

"Okay!"

He laughs again as she squeals, staying in the car. He takes pictures and greets some fans but avoids any press or questions as it isn't his premiere. When he steps inside the theater, he hears a familiar voice behind him.

"You came here alone?"

He groans right away, turning to face Alba. "Of course not. What are you doing here? You don't come to your own movie premiere, but you are here hiding to support him?"

She shrugs, "I go wherever he wants me to go."

Nikki scoffs, sliding her hand into Lucas's as she finds him. "Is that all you're good for? What are you, a walking fleshlight?"

Lucas snickers as Alba scoffs, glaring at Lucas. "Are you going to let her talk to me like that?"

"Yes," he answers quickly, matter-of-factly as Nikki smirks at her. "Come on, poupette."

Alba scoffs. "You call me a fleshlight and yet you call her, doll?"

"Ma poupette, mon amour, mon ange... ma femme." He smiles down at Nikki as her eyes shoot up at him at the last one. "I'll call her what I like."

Nikki blushes slightly as she pulls him away. "You called me your wife."

"I did." He grins, leaning down to her ear. "And someday, it will be true."

She giggles, pulling away from him. "I'll meet you at the seats. I'm going to the bathroom." She cuts through people, toward the bathroom. She washes her hands when she finishes, staring at herself in the mirror. Lucas had been hinting more and more at marrying her, but still had yet to propose. She feels her phone buzz in her purse, pulling it out to find François's number. "Hey, Frankie!"

François laughs on the other line. 'Nik, please don't ever call me that again.'

"Sorry," she giggles. "What's up? I miss your face."

'Me too,' he responds softly before clearing his throat. 'I have your paperwork and I filed it with your work as well. You can come home when you're ready.'

"Really?! Oh, François that's great news. I can't wait to tell Lucas. I have to go. I'll see you soon, yeah?"

'You bet. Later, Nik.'

She hangs up the phone, shoving it back into her pocket, running into someone as she exits the bathroom. "Hi."

Big blue eyes meet hers as Chris smiles, offering her his hand. "Hi to you. I'm Chris. Who are you?"

She scoffs softly, shaking his hand. "I'm Nikki."

He looks around before glancing back down at her with a smirk. "You here alone? Did you work on the movie? I'm sure I would have remembered you."

"I'm sorry... I'm pretty sure I'm too old for you." She giggles, shaking her head as he looks at her confused. "I'm thirty-five and very much taken. Enjoy Alba. I don't think you really know what you've gotten yourself into with that."

He groans slightly, shaking his head. "That is just PR that kind of spiraled out of control."

"I guess it's true what they say, don't meet your idols." She sighs, patting his chest before walking away to find Lucas. She sits quietly beside him as they movie starts, and she pulls him down so she can whisper in his ear. "François just called me and said I can come home."

"Really?! That's great news. And Paris is home? You're sure?" He glances down at her hopeful as she grins.

"Anywhere with you is home, Luke."

***

Nikki giggled wrapping her arms around Lucas as he slid the key into their apartment in Paris. "I'm so glad to be home. I can't wait to break our bed back in," she states a little too loudly as he pushes the door open, their friends waiting for them as he groans. "Oops." She giggles again, blushing as she is hugged by Marie.

"We're just going to all pretend that we didn't hear you say that."

"I appreciate that." She laughs, looking past her at Sam. "Sam!" She wraps her friend in a hug, whispering for only him to hear. "How's it going with Marie?"

"I've missed you, Nik," he ignores the question with a smirk as he pulls away.

François approaches her with a woman at his side as Lucas comes back from taking her stuff to the bedroom. "Nikki, this is Adrienne. I hope it's okay I brought her with me."

"Of course, it is!" She quickly greets the pretty blonde woman, kissing both her cheeks before François pulls her to the side.

"Can we talk?" They both glance up to Lucas behind her as he nods before she shrugs, leading him out to the balcony alone.

"I really appreciate you helping me, François. With everything." She pulls him into a hug as he sighs, hugging her back.

"Of course. I would do anything for my brother. And you're my friend, I care about you."

"I care about you too, François."

He nods, fidgeting nervously as he stares at the ground. "I should apologize. The last time I saw you, I was a little inappropriate."

She groans, waving her hands at him. "François, whether I met you first or not, it would always be Lucas, okay? But... I do need an older brother."

He laughs, pulling her back into a hug. "I can do that. I missed you."

"Me too."