The Atlas Of Love

- twenty five -

Xander and I started our day off pretty well. After whatever happened last night, I felt like we went back in time. It felt like highschool all over again.

We had breakfast at Asher's restaurant, then visited the beautiful Montmartre, climbed up the Sacré Coeur and visited the Basilica. We then walked around and got our portraits painted by a beautiful woman, probably in her mid-thirties.

I took dozens of pictures every minute and so did Xander.

Walking back down the charming street made me feel like I was living a movie. I was in the city of my dreams with the person I loved. What more could I have asked for?

We then headed to the Notre Dame. It was truly the most magical and beautiful place I had ever been to. After which, we headed for a dinner cruise on the Seine.

We boarded a few minutes before the sun set and found the perfect table for us.

My feet were sore from walking around all day but it was all so worth it. After giving our orders, we were ready to witness the most beautiful sunset of our life.

"I've honestly never seen you so happy before." He commented, grabbing my hand from across the table.

I couldn't hide my smile. "I know. I have never been this happy."

"Don't you cheeks hurt though? You've been smiling all day." He let out a snort.

"They do." I admitted, pulling my hand back from his grip and massaging my cheeks.

We both sat silently for the next few minutes, watching in awe as the monuments lit up slowly against the dark sky, the scarlet sun was long gone.

Food arrived just then and we chatted about how good the food us and how we'd definitely come back here just to eat it again.

After the two-hour cruise ended, we walked on the street hand-in-hand, both very tired but satisfied.

"What do we have planned for tomorrow?" Xander asked, his voice sounding groggy.

"Lets see, umm, Champs Elysées, Palais Garnier and the Eiffel tower." I said, my voice sounding equally groggy.

"Ooh yay and when are we going back to the Sei--" he was cut off by a phone call.

It was Madison.

Xander looked at his screen for awhile before looking back at me.

"Talk to her, Xander." I said, giving him an assuring smile.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair. Hesitantly, he swiped the green button and greeted her.

I gestured to walk ahead since our hotel was in view so that he could take his time to talk to her but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.

I stood there not knowing what to do. Madison trusted me and so did Dean. But look what I did to the two of them.

"No, Maddy. I'm sorry. It won't work." He said, shaking his head.

His grip on my wrist tightened. "I should've told you earlier. I'm sorry, I'm a jerk. I never loved you. I lied." He continued, making me feel awkward as hell.

I could hear her screaming from the other line and I winced.

What have we done, Xander?

After what seemed like forever, he apologized once more and hung up on her.

"You okay?" I asked, grabbing his hand.

He smiled immediately and nodded, as if the last few minutes never happened.

"I'm sorry you had to listen to that. I just wanted you to know that things have ended between her and me. You don't ever have to feel guilty about hurting her being with me." He said, his voice getting softer.

I looked up at him curiously. How did he know exactly how I felt at the moment?

"I know you, J. You're always worried about things like that." He tucked my hair behind my ear.

I smiled, scrunching my nose.

"Let's head in, I'm very sleepy." He said, grabbing my hands, leading me towards the hotel.

The receptionist once again tried to flirt with him but shut her mouth once she saw his hand interlocked with mine.

Exiting the elevator, we headed straight to our room without a word. I washed up first and plopped down on the bed, waiting for him to finish.

I didn't feel so sleepy anymore. Ofcourse, with all the things running through my head, it was guaranteed that I'd be staying up all night now.

My phone rang from the bedside table and I squinted to see the name displayed on the screen.

"Heyyyyyy girl! How's everything going? I'm not sure what time it is there but you're free to talk to me right?" Kara excitedly squealed.

I smiled to myself, "hey K, things are great. I didn't expect to have this much fun without you."

She clicked her tongue. "Who knew I'd get pregnant?"

"Yeah whatever. Anyway, how are you doing? How's Nick and everyone else?"

"Nick has been working his ass off these days. He took up some sort of part time job to save up money so he comes home really late. Uh, the baby and I are fine. Dean is still not back but I'm guessing you've talked already, and your parents are fine too and so is Xan's mom." She replied.

"Honey, I'm glad to hear that everyone's fine but tell Nicky boy that he shouldn't overwork. He needs to stay healthy to take care of you and the baby." I said, sitting up on the bed.

"Yeah, I know. I've been telling him that too but I can't stop him. Uh, babe I gotta go. Someone's calling me." She said, sounding distracted.

"Alright, sure. You take care of yourself. I love you."

"I love you too. Have a great time with Collins there! I can't wait to hear everything when you get home. Bye!"

"Bye."

Usually Kara and I would end up talking for hours on the phone even when we spent the whole day together in college.

Xander came out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel. "Kara?" He asked, looking up.

"Yeah, she called to say hi." I smiled.

"I'm honestly worried about her.." He said, sitting down on the bed beside me.

"Why?"

"I know how much my mom had to struggle raising me as a single mother. Ofcourse Nick isn't someone who would leave her but it still won't be easy for them. She hasn't even graduated yet and raising a family without a job won't be easy." He said, looking up at the ceiling.

I snuggled close to him and leaned my head on his shoulder. "Your mom is proud of you Xander. No matter how hard she had it, she still managed to raise you into a perfect man, although you still are very annoying." I teased, poking his cheek.

He snorted at this, taking hold of my hand.

"I'm sure Kara and Nick will be okay. They're stronger together and God forbid, but if it doesn't work out, the baby will have the best godmother in the world to take care of her." I said proudly, taking my hands away from his and throwing them up in the air.

He rolled his eyes, pulling my hands back down.

"This godmother needs to rest if at all she wants to make it through the trip and see her godchild being born." He said, pushing me down and tucking me in, I quietly obliged.

He left a kiss on my forehead before slipping down beside me and pulling me into his chest.

"Goodnight Xander."

"Goodnight J, I love you."