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She giggles and sits straighter in her chair.
“If you would be so kind, Daddy, the Dover Sole Meunière,” she responds in an even more posh London accent.
I bow, then burst out in laughter when she giggles again.
After I prepare the dishes to the exact specifications of the instructions, we sit at the banquette. I join Blair with a glass of iced lemon ginger tea—her new favorite drink.
“So, I spoke with Anita, and she agreed to be my doula until Starr arrives! I’m so excited! Starr speaks highly of her and she’s as much an expert as Starr in health and wellness. She and Norman are fine with staying in Blois and renting a property near the château—”
“We’ll have none of that! They’ll reside in the guest wing of the château or in one of the houses on the property. They’re like family, and we don’t leave family to rent some stranger’s house,” I interrupt.
Norman is a close friend and business partner of Roger Steele. The former world heavyweight champion boxer owns luxury training facilities in Paris. His wife Anita is a highly followed yoga instructor with a flourishing practice who recently finished culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu. Then started a meal plan delivery service. I respect them both and would rather they stay with us.
Blair grins and thanks me with kisses.
“I can’t wait to see the renditions Leonie will come up with for the nurseries. She’s working on ones for all our residences and my parents’ homes.”
“Knowing Leonie, they will be fantastique! Now, enough talk. Time for you to eat.”
Blair claps her hands and digs in to her food.
A comfortable silence descends as we enjoy the savory meals Chef Christophe prepared. Later, we do a FaceTime call with her mother for the latest in the wedding planning. She fills us in on the progress while Blair bounces with happiness.
Then Rod declares they will purchase properties in Paris and in Blois to be close to their grandbabies—and to us, of course, he adds with a laugh. Tilda adds she’ll finally get a lovely property in the French countryside and can’t wait to babysit.
Soon after, we ring off. Blair sighs and rests her head on my shoulder.
“Tired, Mon Amour?” I ask as I stroke her arm.
“A little,” she admits with a yawn. “Nap time?”
I nod and rearrange us on the sofa. Her back presses against my front as my arms wrap around her, resting on her babies bump. Content, we burrow under the cashmere blanket and let sleep take over. As Blair’s soft snores fill the air, my last thought drifts to our wedding in a few weeks. Soon she will be mine forever.
17
Blair
“Guess what today is, my sweet little babies? … What did you say? … Absolutely! Your Maman and Papa become husband and wife forever and ever!”
At five and a half months pregnant, the twins are more active as they move inside my basketball-size belly. I love to talk to them as I rub my babies bump. Now, I feel them stretching.
“Yes, I know! I can’t wait either!” I tell them.
My mobile buzzes with a call from Luc.
“Speak of him, and he shall appear,” I say sagely as I scoop my mobile from the pillow beside me.
No sooner than I press to accept the call, Luc’s deep baritone filters through the speaker.
“Good morning, Mon Amour. Are you ready to become La Duchesse de Blois?” He asks.
I close my eyes and take a deep inhale. My mind wanders back over the last several months we’ve been together, and I smile. Am I ready to become La Duchesse de Blois?
Hell. Yeah!
I exhale, then open my eyes and tell the love of my life just those words. I’ll shout it from the top of La Tour Eiffel with a bullhorn proudly! By the end of this fairy-tale day, I’ll be Madame Luc Montaigne!
Luc guffaws.
