Hey, everyone, Hazel here. It's day 1 in Paris, and I've woken to the most incredible smells.
"Morning, Hazel Grace," says Augustus, smiling. He's holding a tray with what looks like a frittata, coffee, and fresh strawberries. The frittata has a candle in it.
I laugh. "Oh, wow."
"It's your birthday candle. Also, happy 1 year anniversary." He smiles again and kisses me, offering me the tray.. I take it and close my eyes to make a wish. After a minute, I blow it out and remove the candle.
"What'd you wish for?" Augustus asks, flicking his eyebrows up playfully.
I giggle and smack his arm after placing the tray down. "I can't say, or it won't come true. Happy Anniversary, my love." I kiss him and eat the breakfast and end up having another coffee. Then, I get up and get the box out of the closet that holds Gus's present.
He smiles and says,"Aww, Hazel Grace, what did you do?"
"Open it."
He opens it to find a new Rick Smits jersey. He hugs me and gives me a kiss. "Thank you, Hazel Grace." He goes into the bathroom to put it on, and when he comes out he looks at me with a twinkle in his eye and says, "Oh. I didn't forget about you, of course." He holds out a box. Inside, there is a unicorn figurine with all the girls names inscribed on the base under "Our Magical Family" I tear up when I also find a ring inscribed with their names.
I slip it on and kiss him. "Thank you. We can put the unicorn on our mantle back home, then if we have more, we can have the new names inscribed. The ring fits perfectly, too."
Augustus blinks. "You... you want more?"
"Well, yeah. Don't you?"
"Sure."
"Having a big family might be fun considering aside from Julie and Martha, we didn't have many siblings."
Augustus nods. "True enough, Hazel Grace," he agrees. "So, what do you want to do today?"
"How bout a walk along the Senne and then a visit to Sacre Couer?"
"Sounds good to me."
I change into my "this is not a pipe" shirt and put it with some jeans and sneakers. Augustus is wearing his new jersey with jeans. I get butterflies because the clothes remind me of our first trip to Amsterdam. Yes, Van Houten was an incredible douche, but I wouldn't trade that time with Augustus for anything.
We walk along the Senne for awhile, admiring the beauty and soaking in the moment. Then, we go to the Sacre Couer, and we're both amazed by the architecture.
"It looks like a castle," I say, breathless at the size.
"It sure does," agrees Augustus.
We walk around inside for hours, snapping pictures and just chatting playfully. I love how relaxed we are with each other and how nothing ever needs explained. Anyway, after Sacre Couer, we find a cute little cafe to have lunch in, and the casual conversation continues. We cover a range of subjects, too many to count, and then after we finish, we go back to the room. Augustus turns on the stereo, and Oblivion by Bastille fills the space.
"May I have this dance?: he asks,
"Of course," I respond as I step over. I realize that this is the first time in a number of years I've danced without having to drag my tank around, and so I say, "Wow."
"What?"
"I'm free, Augustus,"
He smiles and says,"That you are."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
We dance to a few more songs, and I realize once again that this moment here and now is exactly where I'm meant to stay,
