Thank you so much for the reviews! They've really encouraged me to keep working on this. So here's a little bit more.
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With arms entwined and her slightly leaning into him, the couple waked the Champ de Mars. And while Sheldon droned on and on the Eiffel Tower's origin and its traumatic history and the symbolism of a new century, Penny couldn't help but be caught in the moment.
The trees stood with no leaves but glittering lights and the thick snow gave them new life. Penny had always dreamed about being in Paris on Christmas. But never in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to be there with Sheldon Cooper.
And even though she wasn't listening to his speech, she was engrossed in the rhythm of his voice. She watched the minute changes of his face as he spoke. The way tiny smiles appeared on his lips and the little sparkles escaped his eyes.
It was in that exact moment when Penny knew she was in love with him.
There had been so many fleeting moments of affection. But this was *it*. This was real *love*.
It took Sheldon a while to realize that she wasn't listening. That she was staring at him. Staring with a look he had never seen on her face before.
Yet, as her name came to his lips, she kissed him. A kiss so sweet and full of longing that he wondered if it could ever end.
When it did, only because they could no longer deny the need to breathe, he was cruelly reminded that their short holiday in Paris would soon come to an end and they would be on their separate ways again.
It was in that moment when Sheldon knew he was in love with her.
So he repeated the kiss.