Count on Me

Chapter Twenty-Two: New Year in Paris

"I can't believe that you brought me to Paris," Katrina gushed still a little surprised about the trip that they had taken; she knew that Mesut had a match tomorrow but it was a lovely surprise to be here. 

Mesut chuckled and wrapped an arm around Katrina, he was glad that she was excited about this and he was sure that things were going to be fine; he just wanted to relax with Katrina for a couple of hours. 

This was really the only break they would have until the summer and Mesut wished to enjoy it; the football season was going to be pretty busy and then he had the Euros to contend with. 

The cold winter air nipped at the couple as they wandered through the streets sight-seeing, both of them acutely aware of the fact that a couple of paparazzi were following them. 

They seemed fascinated in the couple and what they were up to, especially now that Katrina was wearing an engagement ring on her finger. 

It had been all over the news when they had spotted the ring on Katrina's finger, everyone was now talking about what sort of wedding the couple would have and when it would be. 

"It's beautiful here," Katrina mused pulling her fur trim padded coat around her, it was a little chilly but she didn't wish to stop; she was so happy that they were here right now. 

Mesut nodded his head, he liked the fact that he could travel anywhere he wanted in the world, it was even better now that he could share it with someone. 

He honestly didn't know where he would be without Katrina right now, the idea of spending the impending new year without her was a little frightening. 

They were doing so well and Mesut wasn't going to let anything happen to them, he was going to protect them no matter what anyone else thought; he was very much in love Katrina.

***

"My Ma sent more colour ideas this morning," Katrina mused when they stopped for some dinner, she shrugged off her coat and rested it on the back of her chair; she was starving and was glad they had stopped for a little while. 

The sun had long since set and it seemed like that everyone was getting ready for some sort of New Year party; Katrina was sort of glad that they had no reason to rush around. 

Mesut smiled, Maria was excited about the wedding even if no destination had been selected for the big day or even a date yet; she wanted it to be perfect for her youngest daughter. 

"My Aunt Voula keeps sending me travel brochures," Katrina continued with a smile, she had no idea where they would get married but she wished her family would calm down; between the female members trying to offer up ideas and her father continually moaning about how much it was going to cost, it was starting to get on her nerves. 

Tugging down the sleeves on her striped jumper, Katrina shivered a little as a slight draft blew through the room; she was certainly glad they weren't sat too close to the door. 

"Where do you want to get married?" Mesut asked softly, he messed with his cutlery and wondered where would be good for the wedding; he wanted to slowly start planning for the day that they got married. 

Katrina stared at him for a moment, she had no idea where and she hoped that Mesut had some ideas about where they should be married; they had already agreed that it would be a beach wedding. 

"I'm not sure," Katrina replied feeling a little unsure of talking about plans like that in public, she didn't want anyone to overhear them and sell the news onto the press. 

The last thing they wanted was for the paparazzi to stalk them on their wedding day, they wanted it to be a private ceremony with just their family and friends to see them.

"What about somewhere like The Bahamas?" Mesut suggested liking the idea of being there in the summer, they could go there for a couple of weeks and relax along with the wedding that they had to plan. 

Katrina raised an eyebrow, she liked the idea and she hoped that things would work out for that; she nodded her head thinking about what would need to be done for that to happen. 

Things seemed pretty easy to think about but there was a lot of planning that would go into planning out and organising their wedding; it was strange to think they were moving forward like this. 

"We could stay there for the honeymoon as well," Mesut continued reaching across the table, he took Katrina's hand and squeezed it; he couldn't help but feel excited about the idea of marrying her. 

Katrina smiled at the idea, she could just imagine lounging on the beach after she had married Mesut; she just hoped that things would work out the way that they wanted. 

They would have to contend with both sets of families trying to put in their own ideas about what they wanted to see at the wedding; it sort of made Katrina want to avoid planning her own wedding. 

"We better not tell my family that," Katrina replied softly, she could only imagine how awkward it would be if her entire family joined them on her honeymoon. 

They wouldn't see that the couple wanted some time alone, they would insist on spending all their time with them; it would be best if they kept their honeymoon plans to themselves. 

"Then we'll go somewhere private for the honeymoon," Mesut insisted softly, he didn't know how long it would take for them to arrange their wedding day but he knew that it would happen soon.

***

Wrapping his arms around Katrina, Mesut couldn't help but smile as the final countdown began to the New Year; the two of them were stood on the balcony of their hotel watching the Eiffel Tower. 

It had been a wonderful evening and now they just had to watch the fireworks, they had an early flight out the next morning so that Mesut could be back for the match the next day. 

Resting her arms on the railing of the balcony, Katrina couldn't help but smile at the sight before them; it had been a dream come true to come here even for a short while. 

"I can't believe we're about to enter 2016," Katrina whispered knowing that it couldn't be too far off now, the sounds of celebration were all around them and it would be a night to remember. 

Things were crazy outside and Katrina was glad they had retired back to their hotel room after the day that they'd had; she was a little sad that they would be leaving early tomorrow morning. 

Their flight was at seven so that they would have more than enough time to get back for Mesut's match; they doubted anyone would be pleased if he missed it. 

Mesut leant forward and kissed Katrina just as the fireworks started, he held her close knowing that this was the best new year that he had ever welcomed in. 

"Happy New Year," Katrina said pulling back a little, she brushed her fingers through his hair; she smiled at Mesut sure that whatever they planned for their wedding day would be perfect. 

Mesut kissed Katrina, slowly leading his fiancée back into the hotel room; they had a few hours before they had to leave for the airport and their flight back to London.