Snapshots 4.0

Chapter 23 – What Happens In Paris

January 4, 2040

Jane had called the car service to hire a large SUV to take them to the airport. It would stop by Jane and Maura's first and then stop by and pick up Gen and Steve. It didn't take Jane long to pack at all, she dressed so simply compared to Maura. Jane had one large suitcase to Maura's three large suitcases and one carry-on with wheels.

Maura made sure that Jane had at least one dressy pant suit to where so they could take Kate and Carina out to a fancy restaurant. Jane just shrugged and picked out her best tailored pant suit, the one that she knew Maura adored. Jane through in a few pair of jeans, some shirts and t-shirts and a couple pair of sweats, her favorite Chuck Taylors, some dress shoes for her pant suit and she was done. Maura had a cosmetic bag for all of their toiletry items.

Maura had one suitcase just for dresses, another for pant suits and a third for her accessories to include shoes. The carry-on had their cosmetics in it. Maura didn't want anything to happen to them so she made sure they were with her. Jane had to remind herself that they had left their return trip wide open, no return date so Maura packed not knowing how long they would be there. If Jane could have said one week or two weeks Maura would have been able to plan her clothes better, as it was, she told Jane, "I will just buy whatever I need while we are there."

Jane was happy when they stopped and picked up Gen and Steve and they each had only one suitcase. Jane knew it was impossible for Maura to bring only one suitcase but she would never say anything to anyone about it because she loved how Maura dressed. She just liked to complain about it in her mind.

They were flying First Class and Gen was so excited as she had never flown First Class before. Maura wouldn't let Gen and Steve pay for anything she simply told them, "This is our retirement present to you, so enjoy the trip to Paris." Gen and Steve thanked both Jane and Maura and promised to do just that.

Jane, Maura, Gen and Steve arrived in Paris. Initially they planned for a two-week visit, but left the return date open. Jane and Maura were thrilled to help Kate in planning a surprise proposal for Carina. They were looking forward to see the look on Carina's face when Kate popped the question.

Carina was visiting her family in Spain so she wasn't in Paris when Jane, Maura, Gen and Steve arrived. She was set to arrive in Paris on January 6th. The 5th of January was busy as Maura and Gen helped Kate pick out a ring. Jane and Steve set out to find the perfect place for the proposal.

After getting the ring and finding the perfect location, Kate's confidence rose, she no longer felt like she was going to fuck this up. She wanted her parents to stay and film the proposal for her. Kate knew that her parents would want to be there.

When the plan changed to a double date with Kate and Carina, Jane asked Gen to film the proposal for Kate. Maura changed the dinner reservations and told the manager at the restaurant that they needed a second table in close proximity.

Carina was surprised to see that Jane, Maura, Gen and Steve had come over for a visit when she came back from Spain. Before Kate lost her nerve, Maura changed the reservation date and they went to dinner the next night.

January 7, 2040

The six of them spent the morning looking over places that Gen and Steve needed to visit while they were in Paris. Carina was excited to be talking about all the beautiful sights in Paris. She loved Paris just as much as Maura did. Carina had loved Jane and Maura's visit a few months ago. As they toured around Paris she was walking with Maura as they both added items of interest to each other's ramblings about the sight. Jane and Kate just smiled at each other grateful that their ladies had someone as nerdy as them to talk to.

Carina and Maura sat on the loveseat jotting down a list of 'must sees.' Jane just shook her head and laughed. Carina and Maura were so much alike, it was almost scary. Jane could see why Kate loved Carina. Kate didn't see it but Jane and Gen did. Carina was so much like Maura. Their facial features where different, but overall, they were very similar.

After about an hour Carina and Maura were finished with their list, having listed the places in a logical order that you could easily move from one to another without having to back track. Maura had pulled out a map and numbered all the locations on the map. Kate and Carina had to go back to school on Monday but they would spend what time they could sightseeing with them. They would be free every night for dinner and agreed that they would meet the four wherever they said.

Now that a plan was hatched everyone got ready for dinner. Kate was happy that her mother didn't pick out the fanciest restaurant in Paris. Kate was like Jane, she was fine with dressing up once in a while but she would prefer to be in her comfortable clothes as much as possible.

Tonight, though she was wearing a fancy pant suit that she, Gen and Maura had picked out after they had found the perfect engagement ring. Maura knew that Carina had fancy dresses to wear. Gen and Steve had brought a formal outfit but Gen found a new dress at one of the boutiques she had visited with Maura.

Jane and Steve had decided to get new suits as well. All six of them looked quite elegant for dinner. Jane and Maura went over to pick up Kate and Carina for their double date.

Gen and Steve had said they were going to rest as Gen was still feeling a little jet lagged and needed to rest. Carina knew that Gen had just retired and that she was exhausted. She had no idea that they would be sitting at a table close to theirs at the restaurant.

They laughed and joked as they ate their dinner. They were having a great time. Carina had not noticed Gen and Steve sitting behind her and Kate loved that. Everything was going perfect except Kate was starting to get a little nervous. She had planned to ask Carina after dessert but Jane could see that things were about to change, she motioned to Gen who took out her camera and Steve set his phone up to record as well.

A table behind Kate had opened up and Steve quickly moved over there. Maura handed him a camera to film with, she knew what he was doing. He put his phone away and took the camera from Maura without Carina noticing, she was too wrapped up in conversation.

Before their dessert arrived, Kate got down on one knee and took Carina's hand. She looked into her eyes and said, "Carina, you are the love of my life. I can't imagine spending a single day without you by my side. Will you marry me?"

Carina was so overcome with emotion that she couldn't speak at first. But finally, she managed to whisper, "Yes, I will marry you." Carina was not expecting her to propose with her parents there. She had a feeling that Kate was going to propose as Kate had been acting a little bit nervous. Carina talked with her mother about it while she was home in Spain and her mother also felt that Kate was going to propose.

Jane and Maura had tears in their eyes as they watched their daughter and future daughter-in-law embrace and kiss. They were so happy for Kate and Carina, and they felt grateful to be a part of such a special moment in their lives. Gen and Steve came over to the table and congratulated the happy couple. Gen and Steve passed around their cameras. Kate thanked Gen and Steve for filming the event for them. Thanks to the two of them they would forever have the video of their engagement.

Their dessert was delivered and everyone sat back down at the table. Jane had asked the waiter to move Gen and Steve's chairs over so they could all have dessert together. She handed him a rather generous tip for doing so and the waiter smiled at her as he set off to get the chairs moved.

Gen asked Carina, "Can I see the ring?" Carina smiled brightly as she held out her left hand so that Gen could admire the beautiful 2 caret engagement ring that Kate had gotten for her. When Kate was ring shopping with Maura and Gen, Gen had seen the ring but a beautiful ring always looked better when it is on the hand of the intended. And this engagement ring was no exception, it looked far better on Carina's ring finger than it did in the ring box that Kate presented it in.

Kate was smiling brightly as she took in her fiancée's beautiful smiling face. Carina was happy and that pleased Kate. Jane and Maura looked a little giddy also. They couldn't believe their baby was engaged and that she let them help her plan everything. Carina was sitting to the left of Kate and they were holding hands under the table. Kate squeezed Carina's right hand which caused Carina to smile even more. Kate was left-handed like her ma, she managed to pull out her phone with her right hand and dial Carina's mother, Amelia.

Amelia answered the phone and Kate put her on speakerphone, "Hello, Kate, it is so nice to hear from you." Carina immediately looked at the phone in front of her and smiled, she knew what Kate was doing.

"I finally did it," Kate said and Amelia could tell that Kate was very happy.

"What did you do, my sweet Kate?" she asked. She loved Kate and knew that Kate was the perfect person for her daughter. She had no issues with her daughter being in a same sex relationship, others in her family did, but she loved her daughter. She felt that Carina's sexual preferences were her business. She just wanted her daughter to be happy and she knew that she was very happy in her relationship with Kate.

"I asked your daughter to marry me. I will let you speak to her, although you are on speakerphone so she heard what I just said."

"Mama, I said 'yes,' we have a wedding to plan. I am so happy." Carina beamed as she told her mother.

Maura took out her phone and took a picture of Carina and Kate and sent it to Amelia. Maura tapped Gen on the shoulder to get her attention, "Can you send the video of Kate proposing to this number?" Gen followed Maura's request and sent the video to Amelia. Maura didn't want her to have to wait until it was finalized, she could see the raw footage of the proposal.

Amelia's phone chime announcing the arrival of the videos. "I seemed to have received a video from tonight." She said as she put Carina on speaker and started the video.

"Yes, Maura had Gen send you the video of our proposal." Carina informed her. Amelia could still hear the happiness in her daughter's voice. "We are going to have dessert now. I will call you and daddy later.

"Okay, darling, congratulations to you and Kate."

"Thanks, mama. I love you." Carina hung up the phone and enjoyed her dessert that Kate decided she was going to spoon feed to her. She couldn't stop smiling, neither could Kate. Kate and Carina took a cab back to their apartment after saying their goodbyes to everyone. Jane, Maura, Gen and Steve took a cab to the Eifel Tower.

Jane had told Gen, "I know the Eifel Tower is on your list of 'must sees' from Maura and Carina but you must see it at night when it is all lit up. We can go back during the day to see it but a night view is a must."

"Okay, if you insist Jane." Gen said as she smiled at Jane.

"I do, and you must have your picture taken with Steve with the tower lit up in the background. The first time Maura took me to the tower at night, I loved it. It was so beautiful and the picture that a passerby took of us kissing with the tower in the background was breathtaking. It is one of my favorite pictures of us." Jane said as she and Maura both smiled at each other with such love in their eyes.

"That picture was taken on Jane's first visit to Paris and she insists that we visit the Eifel Tower every time we come to Paris. She likes to have our picture taken there every time we visit." Maura informed Gen.

"Oh, how sweet, Jane is so sentimental." Gen said as Jane gave her a look and Maura just smiled. Gen rather liked the subdued side of her friend and was hoping to see it quite a bit as they traveled together.

Kate sent Jane a text letting her know that they arrived at the apartment and that they would come over to their apartment at 8 AM for breakfast before their day of sightseeing. Jane replied back acknowledging her and fretting about the early wake up, with an 8 AM arrival of her daughter and future daughter-in-law that meant Maura would want to get up at 6 AM to get ready. Maura would then want Jane to get up shortly thereafter. Jane just frowned as she sent her reply.

It wasn't that late when they arrived at the Eifel Tower and there were plenty of people there to take a picture of the four of them in front of the tower. That picture would be the start of their retirement travel book that Gen said she wanted to put together as they traveled around together. The thought of a picture book like that excited Maura and she asked Gen if she could help her put it together. Gen agreed of course.

The four of them were back in the apartment before midnight as Jane had explained that the youngsters would be arriving at 8 AM for breakfast. Maura knew that Jane would want to sleep in so she called one of the local restaurants that she knew was still opened and ordered breakfast to be delivered at 8 AM so she could sleep in a little longer. Jane was ecstatic when Maura informed her of what she had just did.

After saying goodnight to Gen and Steve, Jane and Maura retreated into their bedroom. Maura immediately laid out what clothes she wanted to wear the next day after looking at the list to see where they would be going and then set her alarm for 7 AM. Jane just simply freshened up in the bathroom and then got ready for bed. She was in bed before Maura had accomplished setting her alarm. Maura just smiled at her, she knew her wife was tired. Jane was still in a little bit of pain from her broken foot. The doctor had told her that it would be months before her foot was totally recovered and that she was to take it easy while the foot continued to recover. So, she was still on light pain medication.

When Maura climbed into bed, she was surprised to see that her sleeping wife was naked. She reached over and reset her alarm for her original time of 6 AM knowing that Jane would play her 'five more minutes' routine and Maura would give it to her twice and then she was fair game for whatever Maura wanted to do to her. Jane loved when her wife offered morning sex, she never complained about being woken up for sex, even if she had very little sleep the night before.

Maura snuggled up to Jane and within minutes she was asleep with a smile on her face, she was thinking of what exactly she wanted to do to Jane in the morning. Jane sensing that Maura was in bed with her automatically cuddled into her.