Forever Yours

CHAPTER 15

The day of the trip had finally arrived, and Emily's heart was racing with excitement. As she stood by her suitcase, she couldn't stop thinking about what lay ahead—Paris, the city of love, with Henry and his family. The thought made her both nervous and thrilled.

Henry pulled up early in the morning, honking playfully as he parked. When Emily stepped outside, she saw him already loading her bags into the car with ease. His smile, warm and full of excitement, immediately calmed her nerves.

"You ready for this?" he asked as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"More than ready," Emily grinned, though the butterflies in her stomach begged to differ.

When they arrived at the airport, they spotted Henry's parents, Susan and Mark, standing near the check-in counters. Susan's face lit up as soon as she saw them, and she wasted no time pulling Emily into a tight, affectionate hug. "I'm so glad you're coming with us, Emily!" Susan said warmly, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "It's going to be such a fun trip."

Mark, on the other hand, was more reserved, offering a nod and a polite handshake. "Good to see you again, Emily. Ready for Paris?" His smile was genuine, though a bit quieter than Susan's enthusiasm.

Before Emily could answer, Susan chimed in with a playful grin. "Oh, come on, Mark! Paris is the city of love—of course she's ready!" She winked at Emily, making her blush.

Emily's gaze instinctively shifted toward Henry, who was now speaking with the airline staff about their tickets. He looked so calm and collected, effortlessly handling the logistics like he always did. Seeing him like that—so confident, so attentive—made Emily's heart swell. This trip was a huge step for them, not just because of the destination but because of the time they'd be spending together, side by side.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of you," Susan whispered, pulling Emily out of her thoughts. "I'm sure Henry has a few surprises planned."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Emily chuckled softly, feeling her nerves melt away under Susan's warm gaze. Despite the chaos of the airport, she felt like she belonged, not just with Henry but with his family too. The thought filled her with a sense of comfort.

As they checked in, Susan squeezed Emily's hand, adding a mischievous grin. "You know, Henry's been talking about this trip for months now. I'm sure he's just as excited as you are."

Emily bit her lip, glancing over at Henry again. His focus was still on their tickets, but every now and then, his eyes would flick toward her, and the soft, knowing smile he gave sent a flutter through her chest. Paris wasn't just any trip—it was the start of something big, something beautiful.

Henry had booked a suite for his parents and Trisha, and a separate room for himself and Emily. When she found out, Emily flushed with embarrassment. The idea of sharing a room with Henry, even just being in such close quarters, made her imagine wild things. It was so unlike her to think that way, but she couldn't help it. Just the thought of being alone with him in Paris made her feel a rush of excitement—and a little bit of fear. She never knew she could feel this way about Henry, her sweet, thoughtful Henry.

The flight to Paris was smooth, and before Emily knew it, they were landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Henry's family had chosen a charming hotel right in the heart of the city. Everything about it was exactly how Emily had imagined Paris would be—quaint balconies overlooking narrow streets, the distant scent of fresh pastries floating through the air, and even a view of the Eiffel Tower from their rooms.

Emily's eyes sparkled with wonder as they stepped into the lobby, taking in the beautiful French décor. Susan and Trisha were already excitedly discussing their plans for the week, while Mark was speaking with the receptionist. Henry, ever the planner, was going over some final details.