Page 49 of It Happened In Paris

When we returned to the room, we paused just inside the doorway to watch Rex and Richard play a game with Paris. They were acting out various words for her to guess, striking goofy positions, and soon everyone got involved, splitting into teams and laughing until time flew by.

Before dinner, Miriam and Mr. Astor had left, and after dinner, Flora and Sophie stopped by. The fun continued with a stack of classic board games brought in by the nurses.

“Mommy, this is so fun. It’s like we’re one big family on a game night,” Paris squealed. My heart tightened. It had been just the two of us for so long, but did she ever think about what it’d be like to have a full, loving family? A dad who was really present. More siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and even grandparents—never being alone and always having all the love and support she could ever need?

How could I be so stubborn, keeping Paris from experiencing the full family life the Buchanans could offer?

Richard squeezed my hand and asked softly, “Everything okay? You need to talk?”

I squeezed back and pressed my lips together. “Later, after she’s asleep.”

When it was time for everyone to go, I couldn’t thank them enough for making the day pass so quickly that I didn’t have time to worry about the operation scheduled for the next day.

Once it was just Richard, Paris, and me, we teamed up to get her ready for bed and calm her down. He read her a story while I braided her hair. In between, there were plenty of snuggles and answers to her random questions about the surgery she’d face the following day, many of them repeats which I simply chalked up to her nerves.

She awed me with how calmly she handled it all. I wished I could trade places with her—to be the one going to sleep, cut open and stitched back up. Or maybe swap with Richard, so that it would be my kidney in her body instead of his. He kept saying how brave she was, thanks to his Buchanan blood, and that it made her stronger.

After lots of hugs and snuggles, I tucked her in with a brief prayer. Richard stood on the other side of the bed, gently smoothing stray hairs from her face.

With one hand on mine and the other on his, her eyes grew heavy as she yawned. “Mommy? Are we a family now with Daddy Richard?”

I choked up, biting back tears.

Richard met my gaze and nodded. “Is that what you want, my little explorer?”

Her answer came as a soft snore as she drifted off to sleep, but I was certain she would have said yes.

Quietly, we left her side and headed to the bathroom, keeping the door slightly open just in case she woke up and called for us. I barely had time to breathe before he pulled me in, his hand resting at the back of my neck, drawing my lips to his like he’d missed me all day.

I welcomed his embrace, craving more, but we still needed to talk. When he finally pulled away, leaving me breathless and speechless, he was the one with so much to say.

“I know you were upset about Miriam today, with all her talk of moving, changing schools, and custody. Ignore her. This is our life, not hers. I have no intention of taking our daughter away or disrupting what she has with you. I can see how much she needs you.”

“Oh, thank God. I thought you were agreeing with her when you said we’d talk later.”

“No. I meant that all decisions regarding Paris are between you and me as her parents. I won’t let my mother interfere. We’ll make our way, okay?”

I sighed, joking half-heartedly. “I thought I’d have to win the lottery to afford to fight you in court over custody.”

He seemed offended by this. “Do you really think so little of me that I’d do that?”

“No. It was a misunderstanding is all. I’m so happy we’re talking things out.”

“Vivian, I want the best for our daughter, and clearly what’s been working so far has made her the adorable and smart girl she is. All I ask is that you make some room for me. Whether it’s one night a week or more. Or if you want a real family, I’m here, ready to jump in.”

”Oh, Richard.” I kissed him again, and the doubts that had burdened my mind all day melted away.“Thank you. This means so much to me we’ve talked.”

“I know. And we’ll have more to figure out, especially once she’s better. Meanwhile, maybe this will help. Rex bought some property in Holly Creek as a wedding gift for Chelsea. They plan to build a house there so they can come up from the city whenever their schedules allow. The property is already divided into a few parcels, and he offered me one. I’m taking it and moving to your town to be closer to you. I run my business and all my investments and interests remotely from my home office now. Doesn’t really matter where that is.”

“You’re really moving?” I asked, grinning through happy tears. It had only been a short week since we’d reconnected, but a lifetime of emotions rushed in.

“Well, it might start as more of a camping setup until I can draw up plans, get permits, build a house—and I suppose even a barn for the horse—but I think Paris would love the outdoor adventure, if you two would join me there now and then.”

I chuckled at how well he knew her so well, so fast. “She’ll love it.”

He drew me close, tucking me under his chin. “Imagine cozy campfires in the summer. The parcel I’m getting is right next to a stream. On nights when Flora is watching her, you and I can make love under the stars.”

I laughed again. “You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”

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