Chapter 13
The Eiffel Tower
After stopping to get a small bite to eat, Lee and Amanda walked through the streets of Paris. Lee loved to watch Amanda react to all the spectacular sights. He himself felt like he was discovering everything for the first time, with the enthusiasm Amanda showed with every detail. As they approached the tower, Lee asked. "So, do you feel adventurous?" Amanda looked strangely at Lee. "There are two ways we can tackle this task ahead of us. There are lifts and stairs that will take us to the second floor of the tower. Which one would you like to take?"
"Well, I think I can handle the stairs. That way, we can go at our own pace and take our time."
Lee smiled. "Okay, but to be fair, there are approximately 700 steps to the second floor. It is less crowded, but I wanted to make sure you were aware of what was in front of you with that choice."
"What's the matter Lee, you don't think you can keep up with me!"
"Challenge accepted."
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the base of the Tower. Lee purchased tickets while Amanda stood taking pictures of all the sights around her. Lee approached Amanda, "We are all set. You ready?"
"Lee, we don't have to take the stairs all the way up, do we?" Amanda voiced, now thinking twice about her choice to take the stairs. Lee just laughed and offered her his arm.
"No, Amanda, we take a lift from the second floor to the top." Amanda looked at Lee, confused. "A lift, you know an elevator." Now a look of relief flashed across Amanda's face.
After thirty-five minutes of climbing the steps, they finally made it, and the view was spectacular. Lee started supplying Amanda with a few facts from the guide he was given when he purchased the tickets. Amanda snapped pictures. "It says that the tower was built in 1887 and is 1,063 feet tall from the base to the tip."
"Wow, I sure am glad we don't have to walk that. I mean, the stairs were worth the climb because this is gorgeous, but I don't know if I'd have the energy to climb all the way to the top."
Lee just shook his head and smiled. "Are you ready to go to the top? There are some pretty amazing areas up there to look at as well."
"Let's go!" Amanda exclaimed. Lee let Amanda walk ahead of him just enough so he could place his hand at the small of her back as they walked to the lifts. They entered the lift, and as it was going up, Amanda was in complete awe with her view. As the lift came to a stop, they stepped out. "Wow, there's more room up here than I thought there would be."
For the next hour, they walked all over the top floor, exploring the office that gave facts about the man who designed the tower, along with various shops available. At one point, they arrived at the side of the Tower that they could see their hotel. Lee took the camera from Amanda. "Here, let me take your picture with the hotel in the background." Amanda posed, then returned the favor to Lee. After taking a picture of Lee, Amanda was approached by a tourist. "Je peux te prendre en photo ensemble, si tu veux?" Amanda looked at the tourist and then at Lee. Lee answered the tourist, "Oui s'il vous plaît." Amanda looked confused at Lee as he guided her back into place. "She basically asked if we wanted a picture together, and I said, yes, please." Amanda nodded; Lee moved behind Amanda and wrapped his arms around her, with her leaning against his chest. Amanda looked back up to Lee and smiled with great love. They both then looked at the tourist as she snapped their picture. "Merci," Lee stated. "Amanda, I'll be right back. While we were walking around, I saw something, and I want to go check it out before we leave. You stay right here." Amanda looked at him with curiosity. "Please, trust me. It's a surprise." Lee didn't wait for an answer and took off.
Amanda turned back towards the scenery and just took in all the beauty before her as she waited for Lee to come back. Not very long after he left, Amanda saw a glass of champagne appear in front of her from behind. Lee then appeared beside her. "I thought we should toast this occasion."
"Where did you get this?" Amanda questioned.
"There's a little champagne bar over there. What shall we toast to?"
Amanda thought for a while. Then she held up her glass and suggested, "To the falling of walls."
Lee smiled at her, clinked his glass with hers, and took a drink. Lee bent down and delivered a kiss full of passion and promise of things to come. He pulled back to look into her eyes. "To the falling of walls." They finished their champagne while just enjoying the view and company. "I can't wait to come back here at night and see all the lights," Amanda cooed.
"Are you ready to head back towards the hotel?" Lee asked.
"So soon," Amanda interjected sadly.
"I don't know about you, but I would like to take a quick shower before dinner. If we leave now, we will still have time to make some stops on the way back."
"Sounds good to me. I wouldn't mind a shower myself."
They spent the next few hours walking around, stopping every now and then at little shops until they worked their way back to the hotel. They both showered, changed into some fresh clothes, and relaxed until it was time for dinner.