May
Writing Exercise 12: Famous Firsts – One
We had spent the afternoon in a cafe on the Rue Saint-Jacques, a spring afternoon just like any other.
I loved this street more than any other. And I was so lucky that my lover, my best friend loved it as much as I. It was the street in the Latin Quarter of Paris, one where 10 years ago we had laid eyes on one another. Just barely teenagers, summering with our parents.
We walked past the quaint shops and decided to stop for some cafe au lait and croissants. Mindlessly chattering about our plans for the rest of our trip. We always came in the spring, to watch the flowers bloom and bask in their sweet fragrance. It was quite silly, to talk about our plans, that is. We always followed the same agenda. Making love in our room at our favorite bed and breakfast and then going for a stroll in search of food. This small street had so many of our memories entwined in it. We were married on the corner where he first kissed me, when I was a mere sixteen.
Today seemed different, my heart fluttered a little looking into my husbands eyes. There were more alive than I had seen them in months. We’d had a stressful winter this year. With jobs and deaths in our families. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Ma cheri,” he whispered looking at me lovingly. “I have a surprise.”
I couldn’t help but grin, he knew I loved surprises, just as he gave me five years ago when he proposed down the street at the park. He had gotten down on on knee, the sun had been shining and he asked for my hand in marriage. I could only imagine what he had in store for me.
“What,” I said anxiously finishing my cafe. He got up to pay the bill and when he came back he took my hand. He led me down the winding street, and on and on we walked. Finally we stopped in front of a small chateau.
“It’s all ours! I bought it last month and couldn’t wait for our annual trip.” He picked me up and kissed me. I was stunned in disbelief.
“All ours?” My eyes had become wet, “but what about our little bed and breakfast?”
“If you miss it, we can stay there once in awhile,” he joked. “I love you and this year has been hard, but with you by my side we can get through anything. I want to stay here longer than a couple weeks in the spring.”
“You mean move?” I pondered my eyes wide.
“Why not?” he questioned. “Life is short, we should enjoy it and our lives together, ma cheri.”
