Chapter 14 City of Lights
En Route to Paris, France
Once again Chris lets Isabella have the bedroom. He's read through all of his journals. He's also seen a lot of the footage of her talking about their marriage.
How am I supposed to compete against myself? How am I supposed to live up to her expectations? I know she really loved me, it would be easy to fall in love with her. They were quite alike - background (both came from broken homes and their parents had died young), they loved the outdoors (riding horses, going for walks) and of course the music. Maybe I'm already in love her, but too stupid to realize it.
Paris, France
Zak and Tina have gotten a hotel room and they're trying to decide how to get Chris to lose his fear of falling in love with Isabella.
"Zak at least they're talking now. Your dad is getting to know your mom"
"I think we need to push him", Zak says.
"If we push him too far, he'll reject her. He needs to realize that he still loves her", Chris says.
Paris, France - That night
Isabella and Chris arrive in Paris. Zak has arranged for a private car to take them to the hotel. The hotel and room are the same places that Chris proposed to Isabella. Of course, he doesn't remember it, but she does.
"Oh, God!" Isabellasays.
"I know - this is where I proposed to you, isn't it?" Chris says.
"Yes, how did you know?", Isabella asks.
"I read about it. I wish that I remembered it", Chris says.
"My heart can't take much more of this - this is killing me. All of these memories that you don't share with me. " Isabella tells him.
"It's always going to be that way. Can you live like that if I'm with you?", Chris says.
"If I have you, I can survive anything", Isabella says.
"Well, let's check in", Chris says. They check in and Isabella realizes it's the same room that she stayed in all those years ago. She tells Chris about it.
"I think Zak needs to be disciplined. It's not right that he's putting us through this", Chris says.
"I think you're right. Maybe we should ground him until he's 18?", Isabella says.
"That sounds like a good idea!", Chris says as they walk to their room. They go inside and unpack their luggage.
"I keep waiting for Jill and Jean to pop out somewhere!", Isabella says.
"Do you want to go out to dinner? I know this great place that's near. If it's still around", Chris asks.
"Sure"
Chris and Isabella go out to dinner. They talk a lot. Since he's still stuck in 1990 she brings them up to date on their friends, soccer matches, music, and world events. They have a really good time.
"You can have the bed, I'll sleep on the floor", Chris says.
"Are you sure?", Isabella asks.
"Don't you remember what I said about you and a bed?", Chris asks her as she blushes.
"Good night"
"Good night, Izzy"
Paris, France - Next Morning
"I can't believe our matchmakers haven't arranged something for us today", Chris says.
"What do you want to do?", Isabella asks.
"I think we need to stay here until we hear from them. I know it's cold out but do you want to explore the city?", Chris asks.
"Sure"
They spend the whole day exploring Paris. Chris takes her to some places that she's never been. They laugh, kiss, and touch each other the whole day.
When they come back to the hotel room, Zak's arranged a private dinner for them. Isabella's favorite flowers are on the table and they are served their favorite foods.
"Mmm, maybe we shouldn't ground him until he's 18?", Isabella says as she enjoys the food.
"Maybe until he's 15?", Chris says.
"That sounds good", Isabella says.
"I really enjoyed being with you today. I really wish I could remember you", Chris says.
"That means a lot to me", Isabella says as she reaches for his hand.
"Could you forgive me for lying to you? Could you forgive me for what I've put you through the last months?", Chris asks.
"Yes, but if you ever manipulate me again, I'll kill you myself!", Isabella says.
"Agreed. If anything comes up with MI5 or my past, I'll tell you", Chris says.
"Do you think that you could love me as I am now? I don't want you to forget about the past, but I want you to live in the present", Chris asks her.
"I already love you. I guess I'm consistent; it took a month for me to fall in love with you the first time! It took about a month for me to fall in love with you as you are now"
"I know you're not ever going to be your old self. I know the other half of you now - the guy that was an MI5 agent. I love you as you are now", Isabella says as the waiter brings something to Isabella.
"Oh my! It's my wedding ring! How did Zak find it?", Isabella asks.
"He didn't find it. I found it before we left for Nashville. I brought it with us just in case I needed it", Chris says.
"What do you need it for?", Isabella asks.
"You're either really obtuse or you want to make this very hard on me", Chris says as he gets down on his knees before her.
"I've been trying to fight the feelings that I have for you. It's just so damn strong, I couldn't beat it! Then, I realized that I didn't want to fight those feelings anymore. I never stopped loving you either. I love you! Since I don't remember marrying you the first time, will you marry me again?", Chris asks.
"Love, of course I will!", Isabella says as he puts his ring back on her finger. They kiss and kiss.
"I want to take you to bed. It won't just be sex tonight. I want to make love to you. Really make love to you all night long. If you'll let me?", Chris says.
"Of course!", Isabella says as he grabs her and throws her in the bed.
Paris, France - Next Morning
"Do you want food?", Isabella says.
"I need something to replenish myself", Chris says.
"That was quite a night!", Isabella says.
"You look like a woman who has been thoroughly loved", Chris says as he kisses her.
"Maybe we should forget about that food for a couple of hours..." Isabella says as she grabs him.
A few hours later, they do order food.
"Zak is going to be really happy that we're back together", Isabella says.
"When he does appear, I don't think we should give him the satisfaction. We should drive back home and be terrible to each other! I'd like to see him stew for awhile", Chris says.
"I think you're right. I'll hide my wedding ring", Isabella says.
At that time, they hear a knock on the door.
"I bet it's them! Yell at me", Chris whispers to her.
"Sex. That's all you care about, you dirty old man! I can get that from any man out there! You don't have anything special!", Isabella yells at him.
"Well, sweetheart, there's nothing special about you, either! I'm going to go out and find someone half your age and twice as hot!", Chris yells at her.
Tina and Zak come in the room. They look bewildered. Zak has never heard his dad yell at his mom!
"What do you want, you little brat! Your plans didn't work did, they?", Chris says.
"No, what happened? You guys didn't fall back in love?", Zak asks.
"How could I love that woman? She's nuts!", Chris says.
"How could I love him? He's stuck in 1990 and he acts like it!", Isabella says as she goes to put some clothes on.
"Chris, I'm really sorry that this didn't work out", Tina says
"Well, it's not your fault. Zak, you're grounded until you're 18!", Chris tells him. Zak is stunned - his dad has never disciplined him.
"Our car isn't in town. So, we're going to rent a car and drive home. It should be real fun driving with that woman!", Chris says.
"Can Zak and I come with you?", Tina asks.
"Yes", Chris says.
Isabella and Chris pack. The four of them ride back home together. All the while Isabella and Chris insult each other. Tina and Zak are stunned.
Two hours away from Paris, France - That Night
"Zak and Chris, would you like to come in for some dinner?", Isabella asks.
"I think I'm going to check into a hotel room", Chris says. She doesn't want to be around these two crazy people anymore.
"I insist that you stay. There's something Isabella and I would like to tell you before dinner", Chris says.
They order dinner from one of their favorite restaurants. Before they eat, Chris stands up.
"We have an announcement to make. We're getting married again", Chris says.
"What? You guys fought like cats and dogs all the way here", Chris says.
"That was an act. We didn't want you guys to think that your plan had worked! We wanted to make you suffer!", Isabella says.
"Excellent news! I knew you guys would get your groove back on!" Zak says as the three of them hug.
Later that night...
"So, you think I'm nuts, do you?", Isabella says as she and Chris get ready for bed.
"Yes, you're crazy in love with me", Chris says.
"So, you think I'm a dirty old man?", Chris asks her.
"Well, not really..", Isabella says.
"Well, come here and I'll show you what this dirty old man has in store for you tonight!", Chris tells her. She comes to him and they spend another blissful night together.