Page 21 of It Happened In Paris

“Hi, where are you?” I asked through sniffles, genuinely happy to hear her voice.

“I’m still in the Maldives. I got your messages. A freak storm has stranded us here a couple more days until we can fly the Buchanan jet home. Is Paris okay?” She asked.

“Her diagnosis is not great. But Richard’s here, and he’s been incredibly helpful. Paris loves his travel stories.”

“And you? How are you holding up?”

“Barely hanging on.” My voice cracked as tears threatened to fall again. I updated her on the latest news from the doctor.

“Oh, dear. I’ll be there soon. Just lean on Richard for support—he’ll do anything you need, and if he doesn’t, then he’ll have me to contend with. And I know you, Viv. You’re too proud to ask for help, but please, do it anyway. Now isn’t the time to hide your needs,” she implored.

Before I could respond, music from the hall caught my attention. I peered out from the bathroom door and saw nurses, parents, and patients all making their way to the common room. The smell of popcorn permeated the usual bleach of the pediatric unit.

“There you are, Mrs. Bardeaux. Come quickly,” said Nurse Kimmie, though I disliked being addressed by that name and thought I’d told her.

“What’s going on?” My heart jumped as she waved me out of the bathroom.

“Didn’t Mr. Buchanan tell you? You have to see this,” she said.

“Chelsea? I have to go now. Let me know when you get here,” I said as I started down the noisy hall. Unable to catch her final words, I pocketed my phone, dabbed at my eyes with my sleeve, and entered the common room.

Gathered to watch a screening of a new animated movie, each family occupied blown up swimming pools filled with blankets and pillows, like having their own box seats at a theater. Twinkle lights on the ceiling above us sparkled like starsin the sky with the lights off, while the staff handed out buckets of popcorn. And what movie would be complete without 3D glasses?

The entire room transformed, and there was my beautiful girl in front, sitting beside Richard, her radiant grin filling my heart with warmth. She looked happier than ever. As they enjoyed a lively conversation, I clutched my chest.

Oh, God—if I kept seeing them together like this, my heart might burst. And if it affected me this way, what must it do to Paris? It was obvious—she was falling for him. After all, besides Keaton, she’d never had a father figure shower her with attention like this.

When everything was over, when she recovered and Richard lost interest once his services were no longer needed here, would it break her heart never to see him again? I should talk with him tonight, and warn him about the impact he was having on her, but then I caught sight of Paris’ face, bright with pure joy…

“Mommy!” She spotted me and eagerly waved me over. I tiptoed across the room, careful not to disrupt the others, my figure cutting a silhouette from the projector onto the wall. From the images and the music, I recognized Paris’ favorite animated cartoon characters, the Globegans, in their first animated full-length movie. But I thought it wasn’t due to be released until this summer?

I climbed into the little pool and got comfortable, pulling her into my arms. “How fun is this?”

“Isn’t it cool? Richard did this,” she said, her eyes glued to the screen.

For Paris’ sake, I forced a smile—because that was all I could muster in that moment. My daughter’s happiness meant everything, and if Richard made her happy, I couldn’t take him away from her right now.

He caught my eye, grinning ear to ear, with Paris between us. “Do you like it?” He whispered.

“Of course. I love it. But when did you have time to throw this together?” I shook my head in complete awe.

“I can’t divulge all my secrets or nothing would be a surprise. And I’m a master of them.” With a wink, he turned back to the show, grabbing a handful of popcorn.

As he sat across from me, something else vied for my nose’s attention—the aroma of his rich and spicy cologne enveloped me like a promise of safety. Like that one night in Paris where I’d escaped a bad scene with Adrien, only to find myself in the arms of this billionaire.

Oh, to be young and to lose myself with Richard all over again? It had happened in Paris; what if something were to happen between us here? I walked my eyes down his body, my fingers itching to touch, recalling every detail of his muscular frame, as if we were together only yesterday.

Paris shifted, snuggling closer into my body, striking a poignant reminder into my heart: she’s all that matters right now. She’s my entire focus, my life, my sweetest baby.

The man beside us was only a convenience. Not forever. Still, this whole room and event impressed me that he’d go to such lengths for us.

Later in the evening,Paris requested an encore, and Richard arranged with the nurses for us to have the common room to ourselves. So sweetly, he carried her on his back down thehallway to the cozy nest of the pool, jokingly calling himself “Paris’ camel ride” to the tune of her giggles.

I settled in beside her with blankets and pillows, knowing it wouldn't be long before her eyes drifted shut, while Richard stood awkwardly nearby.

"Come on, join us for the movie," Paris invited, patting the spot next to her.

"Are you sure you two don't want some time alone?" He looked to me for reassurance. Alone... wasn't that always how it was for us? Paris and I floated through life, depending solely on each other. Richard was like an island we'd discovered, a temporary refuge before heading back out into the world... alone.

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