Page 24 of It Happened In Paris

I shrugged. “I get a kick out of her penchant for adventure. It doesn’t hurt to imagine, to have something fun to look forward to, right? When this is all over, I’d be happy to take you both on a trip.”

“And look at all my new friends.” She pointed toward a cluster of oversized stuffed wild animals in the corner, with the faces of lions, tigers, and bears peeking out over our breakfast. “And here—my ownla tour Eiffel.Richard said that’s where you two met, and that it’s special. Have I ever been there?” She jumped up and stood beside the statue, nearly her same height.

Vivian swallowed a bite of her muffin before replying, “Yes, last year. Remember, we went right to the top with your father?”

“Oh. Him.” The child’s smile faded, and my own turned down too, as if Vivian had suddenly killed our happy morning vibe.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I have some calls to make. I’ll head back to the suite to clean up and rest a bit. The doctor wants me here after lunch for more tests.” I sighed and tugged on my wool coat. “Bye, Paris. I’ll be back later.”

“Promise you’ll come back?” she pleaded, arms outstretched for a hug.

I crouched down for a quick embrace and murmured, “Promise, sweetheart.”

Vivian trailed me to the door, her forehead furrowed with concern. “A trip, Richard? Seriously? You’re spoiling her,” she chided, cocking her head.

“And I’ll spoil you, too, if you let me.”

She chuckled. “You already have, between the things you’ve done here and with all the items in the suite. Just you being here for us is enough. We’re not used to nice things?—”

“Maybe it’s time to let someone in who will truly treat you properly?” I interjected. My hand settled on her shoulder with a gentle squeeze, and I gazed at her with an intense plea. Every single second with these two awakened that dream for a family inside of me more and more.

“Someone like you?” She licked her lips, her gaze dropping to my mouth. How long had it been since a man made her feel truly cherished? And she should know firsthand how good I treat a woman, assuming I gave her the full Richard Buchanan experience our first time in Paris.

I could be everything Vivian needed right now. Forget my vow to steer clear of commitments. Forget my reluctance to get involved with a single mother—I was here and present, every minute yearning to be both the man Paris could call her father, and to be the man whose name Vivian moaned every night in my bed.

Years ago, she’d been foolish to return to Adrien—the mistake of a younger woman. Or perhaps I was the fool for not going after her the morning I woke up to an empty bed.

How different might things have been for us? I could have stayed in Paris a while longer, gotten to know her, fallen for her. Maybe even her child could have been mine. We would’ve married then. She wouldn’t have suffered with Adrien… and never espoused his last name.

Vivian would have been the perfect Buchanan wife—far better than my ex. Over the past few years, I used to look into the future and get pissed at how Janet had ruined my life. But this week, since being around Paris and Vivian, all I saw was them.

Admittedly, I was ready to move on. Rex and Miriam would rejoice at hearing it.

“Yes, someone like me,” I said. “Perhaps you’d give me a second chance…?”

When she looked down and away, I knew I’d pressed too soon. My heart dropped, along with my hand from her shoulder, spying the worry creeping back into her face. I was here, but she wasn’t able to meet me yet. Whatever it took, no matter how long, I’d help her get there. “Can I get you anything else you need before I head back?”

“No, but thanks again. Everything in the suite was incredible, by the way. This sweater... just everything. I’ll pay you back for?—”

“Shhh,” I interrupted gently, fingering one of her curls back off her face. “I see it in your eyes. That’s all the thanks I need. I’ll be back later.”

Taking a chance, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her breath hitched—the subtle sign from her I needed to keep trying.

Until a week ago, I’d had almost no hope anyone would want me for more than my money. Now, spending time with Vivian was slowly turning me from a man who soured at the word “commitment”—one whose ex had shattered his heart—back into a man who wanted it all.

Vivian wasn’t like Janet. She wasn’t demanding or asking for handouts. She appreciated whatever I gave her, and I’d gladly give her the world wrapped in a pretty bow because of it.

I sensed she hadn’t completely let her guard down, yet. Given her past with Adrien, her walls might be too high for even me with all my Buchanan resources to break through.

After lunch,it was time for Paris’ chest X-ray, part of her pre-op checkup to ensure she was fit for anesthesia. Mine, too. The doctors were testing us simultaneously at my insistence—me to ensure my kidney would be the perfect match for her, and her to ensure she was ready for surgery as soon as I was identified as a match.

And my instinct told me I would be. No matter how much Vivian chose denial and, irritatingly, kept trying to reach Adrien.

Meanwhile, every needle prick and test required a boost of courage from us to help Paris deal with it all. Vivian and I made a great team, with her warm, maternal tone, while I rallied us together.

Paris’s voice trembled when she asked, “Will it hurt?”

“No,ma chérie.It won’t hurt one bit. No needles this time. Just taking a photo of your heart. And I’ll be there to hold your hand every second,” Vivian assured her, gently dabbing away her little girl tears.

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