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Thirty-Four

"Oh my god, Sam. Did you make these?" Nikki takes a bite of the éclair as Sam and Lucas laugh. Sam came over to make them dinner along with Marie and François with Adrienne for wedding planning.

"No. I only cook. I have a pastry chef. You wanted pastries, I brought you pastries. What do you want to talk about first? Dessert or dinner?"

She looks at Lucas and he only shrugs. "Whatever you want, doll."

She sighs, taking a large drink of her wine. "Dessert. I know croquembouches are traditional for French weddings. I want macarons instead of profiteroles."

"I like that idea." Lucas kisses her cheek in agreement.

"If you don't want something, just say so."

He grins. "I know. Keep going, if I don't like what you say, I'll say something."

"Okay. Since I'm not getting a wedding cake, I want a table of pastries. First, the napoleon."

"Mille Feuille," Sam corrects as she narrows her eyes at him. "Chocolate?"

"Yes, and éclairs. And the apple tarts. Those were so good."

Sam grins, writing on his notepad. "Tarte aux pommes," he corrects softly again as she rolls her eyes.

"Don't pretend you are more French than me, Sam."

He smirks up at her. "It isn't for me, it's for my pastry chef."

"And the raspberry tarts with the frangipane cream."

"Okay... perfect. And the food?" Sam asks apprehensively as she sighs.

"I know foie gras is a like a French staple, but I don't like it." She winces as everyone begins to talk over each other except for Sam who just sits across from her, laughing. "Help me!" She begs him quietly as he laughs, holding his hands up.

"You don't like pâté?"

"Eww, no, Sam! I'm sorry, Lucas." She looks at him as he sighs and shakes his head.

"You have to have foie gras. It's part of the starter. You don't have to eat it, but to not have it at all, people will complain."

"He's right. It's traditional," François offers softly on her other side. "And it's three non-French attendants versus the rest of the wedding." He chuckles as she rolls her eyes, sighing.

"Ugh... fine. But for my starter, I want extra scallops in placement of the foie gras." She grins at Sam as he chuckles, nodding as he makes a note. "Beef tenderloins and the duck breast for the main. Let guests choose."

"Perfect." Lucas kisses her cheek as François nudges her.

"Oh!" She turns to François as he hands her a box, and she turns back to Lucas. "François mentioned to me that it is customary when you get engaged that the woman usually gifts the man a watch." She hands the box to him as he smiles.

"You didn't have to but thank you." He opens the box, displaying a watch with a black leather band and gold square face. "I love it, Nik. Thank you!" He kisses her hard before leaning over her towards François. "Thank you."

"I don't have a family, other than Michelle. So, I want to be as traditional as we can be."

"I appreciate that, Nik. But we can combine traditions or do whatever you like." Lucas grabs her hands in his as he leans forward to rest his head on hers. "Okay? It's our wedding, not mine."

"I know. But I won't get the father daughter dance or be walked down the aisle by anyone. Or have my mother help me get ready. It's only me and Michelle."

Lucas sighs, bringing a hand to her cheek to wipe a stray tear from her cheek. "I know, mon amour."

"I'll be there to help you," Marie offers from across the table. "And so will Michelle."

"I can help you too," Adrienne speaks up on the other side of François.

"Thanks, guys. I appreciate it." She smiles at Marie. "You and Michelle will be in charge of my something old, borrowed and blue. My something new will be my dress which we will go shopping for next week."

"I can't wait," Marie squeals as Nikki laughs and looks at Adrienne.

"Eva will be coming if you want to come too. I'll be taking pics to send to Michelle in New York."

"I'd like that, thanks Nikki."

François smiles at Nikki, nudging her shoulder gently. "I can walk you, if you want."

"Really?"

He shrugs slightly, tucking some hair behind her ear. "If you want."

"I'll think about it. Thank you, Frankie," she teases as everyone laughs but François. "Sorry," she offers quietly just for him as she nudges him. "So, we chose the Château Du Grand-Lucé. Which is about 45 minutes from the Bravo house. So, I figured we could all stay there the night before the wedding."

"You'll stay at my parent's house with the women. We'll stay at the Grand-Lucé. I am supposed to come and pick you up and take you to the wedding."

"You're not supposed to see me before the wedding, Luke! That's bad luck!"

Lucas laughs as there are a few more chuckles around the table. "Not here it isn't. Besides, we live together already, and I see you naked on a daily basis. Me seeing you in your wedding dress means nothing."

"Alright, alright," she giggles, blushing as she shakes her head. "And the bachelor party?" She asks apprehensively as she turns toward François.

"Come on," he responds defensively. "I'm in charge, it won't be too crazy. Don't you trust me?"

She sighs, "I guess I trust you more than Sam."

"I'm right here!"

She laughs at Sam as Marie pats his arm and he rolls his eyes. "And when will the parties be?" She looks from Marie to François as they share a look before looking back at Nikki.

"Sorry, sweetheart, we can't tell you that." François stands up with Adrienne. "We should get going."

Lucas chuckles, grabbing her hand as everyone else stands up. "It's customary for us not to know until it's time."

"Ugh," Nikki groans as François laughs, kissing her cheek. "I don't like not knowing the plan."

"But you like surprises," Lucas offers with a laugh. "Just don't worry about it, focus on other stuff."

"Yeah, yeah." She ignores him as they say goodbye before she turns back to the kitchen. "Oh my god, look at all these pastries Sam left. I'm going to get so fat before the wedding."

Lucas laughs, pulling her against his chest with his hands firmly on her ass. "You'll be perfect no matter what. But we could step up the cardio if you like." He smiles as she giggles, and he lifts her up to him. "Let's go to bed. I'll clean the kitchen tomorrow."

"Yes, please," she whispers against his mouth before sealing her mouth over his.