Jean wakes to the sunlight streaming in through the gap in the curtains. She snuggles herself deeper into her husband's embrace. His gentle snoring is sweet music to her. They are in the largest bed Jean has ever slept in yet the two are folded together in the middle as if any grand movement would topple them off the edge. Jean assumed after the first few nights of sleeping wrapped in one another's arms that they would start drifting apart in the course of a night but that has yet to be the case. She find that after so many years sleeping alone that she welcomes the heat, the smell, the touch of a man, her husband, more than she imagined She feels Lucien's arms tighten around her, instinctually holding her closer, lulling her back to sleep.
The absence of Lucien's warmth wakes her next. She stretches in the large bed as her beloved strolls in the bedroom wearing not much more than a grin. She can't help but feel a bit disappointed that once they are home in Ballarat that this freedom with their clothing or lack of will need to change.
"Good, your awake. I just ordered you some tea and a light breakfast." Lucien climbs on the bed hovering over Jean. Starting at her wedding rings he kisses his way up her arm pausing at her neck before reaching her lips. "We have about a half an hour before the food is here." Continuing the kisses down the other side of her body.
"You're pretty confident in yourself doctor." Jean teases. Lucien can't help but laugh along.
"You have no faith in me woman." Lucien begins sliding the blankets down her naked body as his lips follow the exposed skin. She shivers with want caused by the onslaught of her husband's mouth.
"I have all the faith in the world in you." She moans before losing all coherent sense.
Lucien pours out the tea for Jean, a coffee for himself and lays out two plates of pastries and fruit. He is grinning with pride that he can make his Jean come undone so wantonly. His scalp still tingles from her nails that raked through his hair. Her pleasure is his pleasure.
This trip is for her. He never desired to come back to this city that he frequented in his wild youth; during his time in Secret Intelligence. Then Jean told him of her dreams to see the world and that changed. Paris is meant to be seen with someone, a lover, a wife. So Paris is for her. Everything is for her.
"Oh, this looks lovely." Jean comes out of the bedroom dressed in a blue tailored skirt, a paler blue sleeveless top with the perfect neckline to showcase the set of black pearls Lucien gave her after their engagement.
"You look lovely." He tells her. Jean continues to astonish Lucien in her ability to transform her small traveling wardrobe into the perfect outfit fitting each new days adventure.
"Well given the limited time I had to get ready I'm glad you approve." There is a flush to her skin still present from Lucien's earlier attentions. "And don't look so smug about it."
Lucien throws his hands up in a gesture of defeat but can't help laugh at this woman whom continues to surprise him with each passing day. It is Jean that reaches for Lucien's hand to hold tightly through the playful banter over breakfast. It is Jean that strokes his beard, freeing the traces of pastry. It is Jean that gets lost in his eyes as he talks of their plans for the day. And when it is time to get the day started it is his Jean that stands first, sliding on her cardigan with such an elegant motion that Lucien gives thanks to the stars for this woman.
"Shall we go see some masterpieces, Lucien?"
"Of course, but is this really what you want to do on our first day exploring the city?" Lucien is sure that when Jean suggested last night to go to the Louvre today it is more for his sake then hers.
Jean swirls around to face him. "I most certainly want to go there today. I've always wanted to see The Mona Lisa, and The Venus De Milo, and there is a Vermeer. You know there are only a few in the whole world! Oh, and did you know they have a mummy, a real mummy? Fascinating." Jean's eyes are sparkling with excitement.
"Right, then let's go see some art shall we."
They walk through the entrance into the Denon wing that leads them right to the Roman and Greek Antiquities. The large stone sculptures line the walls, filling the space. Jean meanders through the rooms, pausing briefly at some sculptures while barely slowing down for others, knowing the magnitude of the museum in order to maximize their time. At The Venus De Milo they stop and take in the famous greek statue. Farther along Jean pauses again, this massive stone chiseled to show the perfection of the ancient greek male.
Lucien slides up next to her putting an arm across her shoulders. "What do you think of all this?"
Jean weaves her arm underneath Lucien jackets, pulling herself closer, eyes still on the stone male physique. "I think I am a very lucky lady." Giving her husband's bum a squeeze before moving on wearing a devilish grin.
Next they make their way to the Egyptian wing. Lucien watches Jean's face light up with fascination at the ancient riches. Weaving through the crowd they arrive at the mummy that is elaborately on display. The canopic jars and tools for mummification nearby. Lucien begins explaining the mummification process to Jean, trying desperately to retain his composure while watching her face journey through the gory details.
"Hmm…." He watches her process the information. Knows that this magnificent woman's mind is putting pieces together by the look in her eyes. "Lucien, I can't help but think of Boris Karloff."
Lucien lets out a howling laugh that breaks through the crowd making Jean scold him as if he were a child.
"I didn't know you like horror films."
"Oh, I don't. Hate them matter of fact. I'll probably have nightmares for days from this." Adding as she turns, finally bringing her eyes away from the mummy.
Lucien's face takes on a serious look as he thinks of all the times his Jean has soothed his nightmares away. "I'll be there to make them disappear."
Cupping his cheek, stroking his beard Jean gives him a quick gentle kiss, aware that they are surrounded by people. "Yes, you will. Shall we move on?" Weaving their hands together they continue on through ancient times.
Making their way to the first floor they meander through history; Middle Ages, Renaissance and so on. Lucien allows Jean to lead them through time, taking note of what she likes by the pace of her steps. Occasionally, she remarks on a painting or artifact but mostly they walk in an easy silence, hands laced together. Rarely does she stop and stare at a work of art leading Lucien to worry that his darling may be getting bored with the day.
The crowd of people starts to move slower, getting denser. "The Mona Lisa is just up ahead." Lucien says closely in her ear as they continue moving forward.
They are finally in view of the daVinci masterpiece. Lucien wraps his arms around her from behind excited to share this moment with her. He is not able to see the furrow of Jean's brow.
"That's it!" Jean says in astonishment.
Lucien is aghast at his wife's indifference to one of the world's most famous works of art. "Bloody hell! What do you mean is that it?"
Jean is trying to keep her voice to a whisper to not draw attention to them. "It's very nice. It's just rather small and...I don't know. After all we have been seeing it seems simple." Lucien throws his hands in the air in disbelief. "I'm sorry Lucien." She turns and walks away the first time all day without holding his hand.
In a few long strides he is at her side once again grasping for her hand. "What do you say we get a bite to eat in the cafe? We can head back to the hotel after."
"But I want to see the Vermeer."
"Oh, I thought you might be done with all this."
"Just because The Mona Lisa didn't impress me doesn't mean I'm not enjoying myself Lucien. We all have different taste. Now," squaring her shoulders, "let's get that bite to eat then see the rest of the museum."
Lucien is standing mouth hanging wide in awe, not of the painting per se but of the look on Jean's face. They are standing in front of a painting not much larger than the postcard they just sent Matthew. Jean is lost in Vermeer's The Lacemaker not some massive painting or sacred religious artifact but this girl doing an everyday task. Yes, of course this painting resonates with my marvelous wife. This masterpiece speaks to her, of her, like no other they have seen today.
Jean finds herself unable to look away. She sees herself in the young girl, weaving the fine thread, knotting along the pins, creating her own work of art. She thinks how her eyes must strain doing such delicate details with little light and the ache in the shoulders at the daunting task. Jean sees beyond what is on the canvas. She knows this girl.
Finally, Jean finds her voice. "It's so beautiful. Look how she holds the bobbins in one hand and the pin in the other. And all the little pins holding the lace in place." Turning to her husband, he catches the shine of unshed tears in her eyes. "You know she is probably doing this by the light of a window. Just look how it reflects off of her."
This is his Jean, so clever, so much more than she ever was allowed to be. In this moment it comes to no surprise to him that his wife loves and appreciates the beauty of art deeper than even he thought. That this day is exactly what she wants for them. Unable to see anything beyond his Jean, he reaches out to her, cupping her face. "Yes, it is beautiful, my darling." Kissing her longer than is proper for such a public place before pulling away only to nuzzle into her ear whispering. "You are beautiful."
"Now we can leave." Taking a hold of his hand from her cheek, Jean leads the way once again.