Crossing Hearts- A Maidstone Love Story

Chapter 61

Jasper's alarm went off at 2:30 a.m., piercing through the quiet of his bedroom. With a groggy groan, he fumbled to turn it off, squinting at the bright screen. It was early — painfully early — but he was wide awake within seconds, excitement starting to bubble up in his chest. Today was the day. He and Alessia were finally heading to Paris.

Grabbing his phone, he sent Alessia a quick message.

Jasper: Morning, Princess. I'll be there at 3 a.m. Hope you're ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

He sat up, ran a hand through his hair, and got to his feet, yawning. After a quick shower, he threw on some comfortable travel clothes — jeans, a hoodie, and trainers. Once he was dressed, he made his way to the kitchen to have a quick breakfast, grabbing a slice of toast and a banana. His mom, who had somehow heard him stirring, shuffled into the kitchen, sleepily rubbing her eyes.

"You're up early," she said, suppressing a yawn. "Heading out soon?"

"Yeah, just grabbing Alessia, then we're off to the airport," Jasper replied, grinning.

She smiled warmly. "I hope you two have an amazing time. Paris is beautiful. Take lots of photos, okay?"

"Will do, Mum," he said, giving her a quick hug before heading out.

In the garage, he loaded his suitcase and backpack into his car, double-checking that he had everything. Passports? Check. Tickets? Check. iPad? Check. With everything accounted for, he climbed into the driver's seat and set off for Alessia's house, the streets eerily quiet in the early morning darkness.

When he pulled up outside Alessia's house, he sent her a text to let her know he was there. A moment later, she appeared at the front door, bundled up in a hoodie and carrying her suitcase. She looked just as excited as he felt, her eyes sparkling despite the early hour.

"Hey, stranger," she greeted him, grinning as she climbed into the car.

"Morning, Princess," he replied, leaning over to give her a quick kiss. "Ready for Paris?"

"Absolutely," she said, buckling her seatbelt and settling in. "This is going to be amazing."

They made their way to the airport, chatting quietly as the city lights whizzed by outside. Jasper couldn't help but glance over at her every now and then, still in awe that they were about to spend two whole weeks together in one of the most romantic places in the world.

As they parked the car in the airport's car park, Jasper reached over to squeeze her hand.

"Let's go make some memories," he said with a grin, and she nodded, matching his excitement.

They grabbed their bags and headed into the airport, checking in at the counter before making their way through security. With their boarding passes in hand, they found themselves at the gate with a little time to spare.

"Alright, travel buddy, what's the first thing you want to do when we land in Paris?" Jasper asked, leaning back in his chair.

Alessia thought for a moment. "Hmm... breakfast, I think. Something French. Croissants, coffee, the works."

He chuckled. "I like the way you think."

Soon enough, their flight was called, and they boarded the plane. Settling into their seats, Jasper and Alessia exchanged excited smiles as the plane began to taxi down the runway. Once they were in the air, they spent most of the flight chatting, planning out the first few days of their trip and sharing their favourite memories of the past year.

A few hours later, the plane began its descent, and Jasper's heart raced as the cityscape of Paris came into view below. They landed smoothly, and after gathering their bags, they made their way to the car rental desk.

"Bonjour, comment puis-je vous aider?" the clerk greeted them with a smile.

"Bonjour," Jasper replied, his high school French a bit rusty. "Nous avons une réservation."

The clerk nodded, checking their reservation before handing over the keys to a sleek little black car. Alessia's eyes widened as she looked at it.

"This is our car?" she asked, clearly impressed.

Jasper grinned, holding up the keys. "Yep! Let's get going."

The drive from the airport to their hotel was surreal. Paris looked like something out of a movie, with its charming architecture, bustling cafes, and picturesque streets. Alessia kept pointing out landmarks as they passed, her excitement infectious.

When they arrived at their hotel, a charming little place with a view of the Eiffel Tower, they checked in and made their way up to their room. As they opened the door, they were greeted by a cosy space with a king-size bed, elegant decor, and a small balcony overlooking the city.

"Jasper, this is perfect," Alessia whispered, looking around in awe.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Only the best for you, Princess."

They unpacked a bit, freshened up, and then headed out to explore the city. Their first stop was a quaint little café around the corner from their hotel, where they indulged in buttery croissants and steaming cups of coffee. Sitting across from each other, Jasper reached out, taking her hand across the table.

"To us," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers. "And to an unforgettable two weeks."

She smiled, squeezing his hand. "To us."

After breakfast, they spent the day wandering around Paris, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. They strolled along the Seine, visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and even took a leisurely boat tour, the sun glistening on the river as they soaked in the romance of it all.

In the evening, they dressed up for a romantic dinner. Jasper had made a reservation at a rooftop restaurant with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, and as they sat down, the city's lights began to twinkle against the darkening sky.

"This is... wow," Alessia breathed, looking out at the view.

Jasper chuckled. "I thought you'd like it."

They enjoyed a delicious meal, the conversation flowing as they shared stories, laughed, and talked about their dreams for the future. As dessert arrived, Jasper leaned over the table, gazing at her.

"Alessia, I know we've been through a lot this past year," he began, his tone turning serious. "But being here with you, it just makes everything worth it. I can't imagine doing any of this with anyone else."

She reached out, taking his hand. "Jasper, you mean the world to me. I'm so happy we made it here together."

They shared a tender moment, the city of lights stretching out around them, and Jasper knew in his heart that this was just the beginning of many adventures to come.

After dinner, they took a leisurely walk back to their hotel, the Eiffel Tower lit up in the distance. Jasper slipped his arm around Alessia's shoulders, pulling her close as they strolled down the quiet streets.

"This has been the perfect first day," Alessia murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It's only going to get better," Jasper replied, kissing the top of her head.

When they finally made it back to their hotel room, they both collapsed onto the bed, still buzzing with excitement and joy. Jasper looked over at her, his heart full.

"Thank you for coming on this adventure with me," he said softly.

She smiled, reaching out to brush a hand along his cheek. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

As they drifted off to sleep, Jasper couldn't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Here, in the heart of Paris, he and Alessia were building memories that would last a lifetime.