H is for Honeymoon
I really thought I posted this a while ago. Sorry, I'll try to do better. PM me if too much time goes by between updates.
One of the fun things about this series of stories is that this chapter comes waaaaay before W is for Wedding. ;)
The chapter mostly takes place in Paris, that's because I was there in 2001. I wish I went with a super rich boyfriend who knows French. I made some educated guesses about Italy based on what I learned years ago. Joey's lucky; he's goes on my dream vacation, three weeks in Italy. Though this chapter only covers the first few days. I love art and one time I saw this trip to Italy, it was a three week long art tour. I cried because I am too poor to go.
Joey's opinions are mine about Paris and art and I like European history like Seto.
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After the wedding in a small town outside of London, Seto and Joey traveled back to London to stay for their wedding night. In the morning they traveled by Chunnel train to Paris and spent the first week of their married life there.
Joey thought the Musee d'Orsay was the best art museum. The collections of impressionist art was far superior to what they had back home in Domino. Joey wanted to see the Picasso museum and they had to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Seto was more of a history buff and wanted to see historic sites such as the Arc de Triomphe and Norte Dame. Never the less he enjoyed watching his husband gasp at every painting and sculpture. They were both struck by how small the Mona Lisa is in person, and how huge Norte Dame was. Joey was fascinated by the tame birds outside of the Cathedral; they had completely lost their fear of man. A French man took a picture of them at the top of the Eiffel Tower, with all of Paris spread out behind them.
They spent an entire day in Montmartre, the neighborhood made famous by the people who lived there. Even though they weren't Christians, they still marveled at the stunning portrait of Jesus at the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur (also in Montmartre). The views of Paris from there were excellent. The image of Jesus cloaked in gold seemed to glow and vibrate in Joey's eyes and he needed to sit down. Seto teased him, saying it was a sign he was pregnant. Joey gave him a smack on the arm for that. Seto wasn't overwhelmed by the experience but it was impressed by its majesty. They fully understood why it was illegal to take pictures inside. In fact there were two large signs outside the building warning you not to take pictures in every language imaginable.
At night there were dance halls, romantic river tours, and Seto surprised Joey with tickets to the show at the Moulin Rouge. They ate at five star restaurants every night. Joey was disappointed with the French cooking. They tended to pour cream sauces all over good meat. Joey made up for it by having two desserts. One time Joey was served French fries instead of potatoes. Seto recognized the food as the frozen stuff they make in America. He ordered the waiter to remove the offending side dish. The waiter hurried to correct the mistake. Seto was angry that a luxury restaurant would insult his husband this way. Joey beamed at Seto for coming to his rescue. Joey didn't know any French and thought he made a mistake but Seto said:
"The fault is theirs you came to France to sample the local cuisine, not second rate food. There is a McDonalds down the street and their fries are better than that crap." Joey heartily agreed with Seto and when the food arrived he enjoyed it even more than usual.
They spent a day at Versailles Palace; both the artist in Joey and the historian in Seto were appeased by the trip. The rich tapestries, silk wallpaper, and gold furnishings amazed them both. The highlight of the palace had to be the Hall of Mirrors a stunning room where the light seemed to bounce over every surface. Seto could imagine the Kings of France who lived there, hosting large parties in the room. He could almost hear the music and see the ladies and gentlemen dancing. Seto smiled, he was getting as fanciful as Joey, but it was a remarkable room. Joey and Seto agreed the gardens were superior to the Palace. Bushes bent into intricate designs and statutes everywhere. When Seto was starting to get ideas of how to re-do the back garden at home, Joey knew it was time to leave.
They spent their final day and a half strolling around. Paris is the best city to walk around. They spent hours shopping along the Champs Elysees. Hours just sitting in cafes like the locals, enjoying the excellent coffee and fine chocolates.
In the afternoon of their final day in Paris they boarded the train to Milan, Italy; Joey couldn't wait to get there. Milan was at one time the Capital of the Western Roman Empire and Seto couldn't wait to see it. Both of them were fascinated by the Renaissance period, Joey because of the artist like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci, and Seto because of the de Medici family. This family was one of the most powerful in history, they controlled vast lands and held political power and controlled the Catholic Church, as the Pope was often a member of the family.
The newlyweds spent two days touring the town, their guide recommended places to eat and they danced under the stars. They traveled by train to Venice, once there they took a water taxi to their hotel and they settled in. It was already evening so they went to dinner and was advised to the best place for a gondola ride. They settled into the boats and relaxed against the cushions. They cuddled together. The gondolier was singing in Italian, a language even Seto didn't know, but it sounded lovely. Seto had his arm resting around Joey's shoulders. Joey curled into his husband's chest. They weren't talking, just taking in the scene, the moon was out and some stars were visible. The romantic lights over the bridges, the rocking gondola, soft music, and they cuddled closer. Seto reached over and touched Joey's cheek; Joey's eyes reflected the love in Seto's. Seto bent down and gently kissed Joey. They shared loving kisses and gondola gently rocked them into dreamland.
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Waaaaaa I want to go too. I want to go to Italy, I want to see a show at the Moulin Rouge, and I wanted someone who spoke French, because you don't go all the way to Paris just to eat frozen French fries. Waaaaaa I'll be ok, in the meantime
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