Boat Ride On The River Seine

I dip my hand into the water as I lay down in the boat with my head resting on John's lap. The gentle motion of my hand swirling in the water is so calming. It's almost as calming as the temperate swing of the boat as it moves slowly along the river. Being here with John, in Paris is wonderful, after all this is where he was born and where he spent most of his childhood. I can hear the accordion being softly played in the background and I start to hum to it, the melody of the accordion intertwines with my hum, creating a harmony of some sorts.

John stops caressing my face and I look up, wondering why. I look up to see him smiling at me, perhaps in awe of my humming talents surely.

«Tu es très jolie, ma chérie quand tu chantes » *

I smile in reply as I bring his hand between my own, closing my eyes again. I understood what he said but it's nice to revel in the silence. Since we've been together, John always speaks in English with me but in moments like this, when his guard is down, his romantic side comes out.

Now you may be wondering, how on earth did I learn to speak in French? Well mainly due to Moray, I pestered him relentlessly to teach me, and he did, although I may not be fully fluent yet, I think I'm pretty close to it.

«Et tu es toujours beau, chéri »* I say with a smile with my eyes still closed.

"You learn quick," He says as he plants a kiss on my forehead.

"Only from the best" I wittingly reply. I love this relaxed conversation between us. It is so different from almost a year ago, when everything almost fell apart. Now I understand why it is so hard for two people in a relationship to work together, there is always some sort of competition and in order to get the upper hand you destroy everything in-between.

If I had taken on Moray's offer of taking over what he won of The Paradise, it wouldn't have been fair, sure it could've become mine but it would never have truly been a paradise. Moray started it, and he deserves what he worked hard for, and I am quite happy with my little beauty emporium. The creams are selling well and often I tease Moray about the fact that I've stolen an awful lot of his customers!

After a while I sit up to face Moray, and we both stare at each other for a short while. Even if I had left him, I couldn't have loved another, there is no one else in the world that understands me better than John, and there is no one else in the world with whom I would want to be. Sure Moray is very handsome, but he is also someone very special, he not only has the brains to succeed but also the ambition. He had nothing when he started The Paradise and look where he is now.

"I almost wish we were butterflies, and lived but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain". John says as he moves closer to me, our faces are so close together that I can feel his warm breath on my face.

"Three days would not be enough to love you, I would need many more," I reply as I move closer and our lips are almost touching now.

Moray leans in and we kiss. Oh what a joy it is to be alive.

*That phrase in English means: 'you are very pretty my darling, when you sing'

*The other phrase in English means: 'And you are always handsome, darling'

Hope you enjoyed this little one-shot! I don't think it's the best I've ever written but it's more like a filler because I've been super busy this week so I haven't had a chance to sit down and write properly. I have got the next one in mind, and it's a request…so do look forward to that! That shall be posted on the weekend

Happy Morise!