Taking Chances [Sequel to Long Shot]

Chapter 1: One Night in Paris

There are times in your life when your entire existence can change in a single second. A car crash, a fire, a kidnapping. These all can change your life in drastic ways. Trust me I know. I've lived through them with the help of my friends. Would you believe me if I told you I was only twenty two? No? Well believe it. My name is Emma Gwendolyn Richardson, formerly Williams, and my life has consisted of these moments.

"Emma, wake up. You need to see this." I awoke to my husband's, Christian's, voice coo to me, stirring me slightly from my slumber.

"What is it?" I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Look out the window," he said, his blue eyes sparkling. Glancing from the window I see Paris, glowing in the pitch black of night. "Welcome to Paris, mon cherie." He lightly picked up my hand and kissed it softly before kissing me properly on the lips. We broke apart, me staring out the window in amazement when a flight attendant walked up to Chris.

"Is there anything I can get you, handsome?" Glancing up I saw a tall blonde staring down at Chris with lustful eyes, too much makeup, and a too small uniform with her most likely fake breasts bursting out of the top.

"No," Chris said looking away from her and over at me, smiling.

"Are you sure? I would gladly show you around Paris on a private tour." She was attempting to sound seductive and it made me want to laugh. We were currently landing and nothing pleased me more than watching her fall on her ass during landing. When we were finally able to get up, Chris grabbed my hand, looking at the attendant.

"I'd rather spend my time in Paris with my wife." Wrapping his arm around me, we grabbed our carry ons, went through all of security and finally grabbed our suitcases.

"We have barely been in Paris and yet numerous women have been hitting on you. What the hell?"

"It's the commitment. I bet money on it. However, the only girl I have eyes for is this gorgeous American who happens to be my wife." Smiling, I leaned up and kissed him lightly.

We dropped our bags off at a hotel before heading down the streets of Paris leading to the Eiffel Tower. I ran ahead a bit and just was marveling the tower when a guy came up to me. "Bonjour. You are very beautiful. Why don't you spend the evening with me under the stars of Paris?" This guy was well built and tall but extremely sleazy. You could see it in his eyes.

"I'm here with my husband actually so if you don't mind, I'd like to spend my evening with him." Pushing away the sleazy guy, I pulled Chris into a passionate kiss right there in front of the Eiffel Tower. Without hesitation he kissed back with just as much intensity and pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around my waist. Kissing underneath the Eiffel Tower was amazing but the next week or so was so much better.

After our night in Paris we traveled to Nice, France. When we got there we had a romantic walk on the beach, a little picnic and then we got to our bungalow. It was secluded and surrounded the beach and ocean. Perfect. "Now this is perfect," I marveled to myself as Chris lifted me into his arms with ease, pushing the door open. "Really?"

"I'm one for tradition," he replied kissing me. It was really late, nearly midnight. "Want to go for a swim?" I nodded as he set me down. "Don't take long, Mrs. Richardson," he whispered in my ear before he walked out the door of a bathroom, removing his shirt in the process. I instantly ran to my suitcase. Hopefully Jack packed some sort of swim suit in there. Upon opening it, I saw nothing of the kind but a load of lingerie.

"Jack Bates, I'm going to kill you." If she was here, she'd be smirking. I instantly ran a hand through my hair before finding a small bikini luckily, changing into it and walking outside, nervous, and joining Chris in the water. "Chris?" He turned to look down at me when I called his name. "Is it hard to believe we are married?"

"It's not hard to believe but it is a dream come true. I'm married to the most perfect girl in the entire world and I wouldn't change a thing." Cupping my face in his hands, he kissed me lightly and passionately before pulling back. "Do you want to swim or do you want to go back to the house?" Kissing his cheek playfully, I ducked away, swimming around for a bit before sneakily swimming towards the shore. It wasn't long before he caught up to me, pulling me into the sand and was leaning over me. I locked my legs around his waist as he kissed me, picking me up and carrying me inside. Let's just say that it was the best night of my life.