Renewing our Vows

Chapter 5: Honeymoon (Part 2)

"Almost ready, love?" he asks through the bathroom door. I love it when he calls me that. I smile to myself and say, "Yeah babe, one more minute."

I take one last glance in the mirror before walking out to meet him. When I open the door, he turns around and his face immediately lights up. 

He smiles at me and says, "Wow, you look absolutely stunning." I am wearing a knee-length strappy black dress with black heels and emerald green drop earrings. I smile up at him before taking his outstretched hand and entwining our fingers. 

"Thank you. You couldn't look more handsome," I reply. He has on black pants and a white button down with a black tie. He pulls our entwined hands behind my back and pulls me into his chest. I stretch up to kiss him and when he pulls back his expression is soft and loving. "Thanks, babe." 

I grab my clutch and we head out the door. We walk a few blocks down the Boulevard Saint Germain towards the Seine and come to a boat dock. "Here we are," he says when we reach the ramp.

I look up at him and smile. "We're going on this?" I ask, nodding towards the huge boat strung with lights.

"Yes we are. It's a dinner cruise," he says smiling and taking my hand to guide me onto the ramp. 

"Wow, you really didn't hold back, did you?" I ask, laughing. 

He follows behind me as we walk toward the boat. "I just thought you deserved a real honeymoon," he replies simply, still holding my hand.

When we reach the boat, I turn to look at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Thank you Alex. This is perfect," I say before kissing him.

"You're welcome, he says squeezing my hips and kissing the tip of my nose.

We spend the next 2 hours drinking champagne, eating escargots, Filet Mignon and Creme Brulee, listening to beautiful live music and reminiscing about the early stages of our relationship. 

When we pass by the Eiffel Tower, the captain turns off the lights on the ship and tells everyone to turn their attention towards the tower. Just when it turns 10 o'clock, a light show begins, the tower shimmering and twinkling like a million diamonds sparkling against a black sky. 

Alex loops an arm around my waist, pulling me towards him so that I can lay my head on his shoulder. The musician on board begins playing "La Vie en Rose" which happens to be one of my favorite songs. I literally never could have imagined a moment more perfect than this. 

A few tears escape my eyes and fall onto his shirt and I feel him press his cheek to the top of my head. "What is it baby?" he whispers. I just shake my head lightly, not trusting my voice as the tears begin to flow more steady now.

He reaches a hand up to wipe the tears from my cheeks before pulling back and lifting my chin so I can look at him.

When I look in his eyes, I sniffle and wipe my face. "I'm just so unbelievably happy I met you, Alex," I say looking down at my hands. "You have given me more than I ever could have hoped for and you make me feel so safe. I am so in love with you," I say and loop back up at his face. 

He closes his eyes and smiles softly. "Norma you are all I will ever need and I want to give you the world," he says, pulling me in for a kiss. "I love you," he whispers when he pulls away.

Later that evening when we get back to the room, we fall into bed, exhausted from the day. He wraps me up in his arms and holds me tights. 

"Thank you so much, Alex. Today was perfect," I whisper. 

"You are more than welcome, Norma. Sleep well, baby," he says back, kissing my cheek before we fall into a deep sleep.

I wake to a soft light flowing through the windows but my eyes won't open yet. Suddenly, the events of yesterday come flooding into my mind and I open my eyes to look around the beautiful room. Smiling, I stretch my arms across the bed, searching for him but finding his side empty.

I find a small piece of paper folded on his pillow and open it:

Norma-
I'll be back soon. 
Ran to the cafe down the street to get us coffees. 
I love you
A

I smile at the paper and sit up, grabbing my robe from the end of the bed. I make my way to the living room and sit down at the piano. I begin playing and I soon find myself singing along.

"Zing went the strings of my heart..."

Immediately my mind flashes back to the night he came home and heard me playing that song. I close my eyes as I continue playing and singing. When I hear the door open and close softly, I smile but don't turn around. I hear him walk towards me and feel his fingers trace down my spine as he stands behind me listening. 

"Please don't stop," he whispers in my ear and I don't.

He leans down to kiss my shoulder before walking around to sit beside me. As I near the end of the song, I feel his hand slide under the fabric of the robe at my shoulder.

I laugh quietly and lean into him. "How do you expect me to keep playing when you distract me like this?" I ask.

He smiles and trails his nose across my jaw. "Don't mind me," he says, kissing my neck.

I moan softly and reach my hand up to twine my fingers in his hair. His hand falls to my thigh and he pulls the fabric aside to trace his nails up my leg.

"Didn't you get coffee?" I whisper, my voice shaking as I try to stay focused.

"Oh I almost forgot," he breathes against my skin before kissing my lips lightly. 

"Let's have breakfast," I say standing and taking his hand. He jumps up to follow me to the kitchen. "What would you like?" I ask, opening the fridge.

"Whatever's easiest," he says, watching me move around the kitchen. I settle on cheesy eggs with croissants and grapes.

He sets the table out on the patio and I follow him out with the plates.

"Norma?" he asks quietly as I sit down at the table.

I look up at him and smile. "Yes?" 

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. "I know we've never discussed this and I don't want you to feel any pressure from me but.." he hesitates. I give him a moment to collect his thoughts as my mind jumps to every possible conclusion.

He opens his eyes again, his face dead serious and speaks. "Do you want to make a baby with me?"

To be continued (again)....