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“I wish we could too, but we have to finish what we started.” He kissed my cheek. “We’ll go back soon for a longer time.”
Paul was right. My internship in Paris hadn’t concluded. Dale and Gunnar assured me that any upcoming testimony could be done by video communication. Paul also had his documentary to finish and a couple more concert dates in Europe in a month. Traveling would be a part of our shared life, and I wouldn’t change any of it.
I took the stairs and went to my seat. Paul sat beside me. “The press already knows about our engagement.”
“That fast?” I asked.
“There were people on the boat, so it would have leaked anyway. Besides, I didn’t want it to be a secret.” Paul pecked my lips. “I want everyone to know.”
“I do, too, and I can turn on my phone now.” We both chuckled at the notifications, which were mostly from my parents.
Mom: OH MY GOD!!! You’re getting married!! Paul told us he wanted to propose to you and make it special. I was afraid to speak to you and give it away. But I’m so happy. He really loves you and treats you like a princess. It was so sweet to see you together.
I touched my smile.
Dad: So, he’s making an honest woman out of you after all. He had me write a list of ingredients for you to cook. I added a dessert. Did you make your moon cookies? He’s a good man. He loves you, and that was the only way I’d agree. I’ll never repay him for saving my life.
My chest tightened, and I dabbed a cloth under my nose. Paul hugged me to him, and the tension I carried around eased. Even though we still had many things to face, we had something to celebrate.
I remember seeing my dad cry after he returned to the living room in New York City. I was now sure Paul had asked for my hand then.
“What are you smiling about, Nadia?”
“Dad giving me away.”
“Yes, he did, and that makes you all mine now.”
Butterflies fluttered my chest, but I half-joked, “It sounds very sexist.”
“It is,” Paul said without shame, and I poked him playfully.
I took a selfie of me showing the ring and Paul kissing my cheek and sent it to both of them with a message.
Nadia: We’re on our way back to Paris. We’ll talk to you soon.
“We’re taking off,” Jim, the pilot, announced over the speaker.
Back to Paris. The city where we fell in love.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head on Paul’s shoulder and drifted, content.
The flight was short, and outside the plane window, I saw Laurence and the car. However, there were also press and cameras waiting with him.
Paul took my hand. “We’re not answering questions.”
The press hadn’t been kind to us since the boat incident. I also didn’t want them to spoil one of the best days in my life.
I climbed off the plane and took Paul’s hands as he walked past the rows of photographers and press with microphones.
“When’s the wedding?”
“Are you marrying to avoid speaking under oath in the trial?”
“Will your wedding affect your lawsuits?”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Laurence moved in front of us with a couple more security guards and helped us into the car.
