Page 25 of Best Laid Plans

When pondering what to do for your next adventure, you might want to consider something that has it all: excitement, good society and a plethora of opportunities for personal discovery…

Two years later

Indigo paced back and forth, quickly covering the floor space of the home that she and Julien had bought together after he’d whisked her off to Paris to propose, just six months after moving to London.

They’d fallen in love with the bijou but funky flat situated in a warehouse conversion in Brixton as soon as they’d walked into it.

Since moving in, they’d had great fun decorating it simply but stylishly, haunting the antique and flea markets in both London and Paris until they’d managed to put together a collection of furniture that suited and reflected both of their tastes.

With the two of them sharing the mortgage, Indigo had been confident she could comfortably afford her half of the repayment with her wage from the Welcome Cafe and she loved walking through the door and knowing that this place was just as much hers as it was Julien’s.

It seemed like a long time ago now that she’d been worried about having to give up working at the cafe, but she still felt grateful every day for the grants that had turned up just in the nick of time, allowing them to expand and, more recently, open up new branches in other parts of the city.

Even though she’d known Julien would have stepped in and given her as much money as she needed had the grants not appeared, she would never have taken it from him, needing to maintain her financial independence for her own sense of pride.

As it turned out, he’d needed to invest a lot of it in his not-for-profit affordable housing scheme, which had already brought happiness and security to a large number of people who had previously believed they’d never be able to afford their own home.

She was so proud of him for what he’d achieved in such a short space of time. He’d worked tirelessly to make it all happen and was full of positivity for expansion in the future.

It made her heart swell to see him so fired up and happy.

Even though they both led very independent working lives, they’d made sure they were around for each other whenever support was required – either as a sounding board to bounce ideas off, or just to be there to listen to each other talk about the vexations or achievements of their day.

Since they were both incredibly busy during the week, they made sure to take regular breaks away from the city at weekends, when they’d walk and camp and explore the most beautiful parts of England, and occasionally other European countries.

It was a solid and equal partnership, with both of them working hard to make sure they communicated any worries or frustrations they had well before they became an issue.

It worked.

But then she always knew it would. Because they both wanted it to.

Indigo could barely believe it had only been two years since they’d first met in Italy. It felt now as though she’d known him forever.

Their wedding, a year ago, had been a joyous affair, with family and friends travelling from far and wide to the beautiful rural estate just outside Paris – which had been loaned to them by a friend of Julien’s – to celebrate with them.

Indigo had worried about how hard she might find it, not having either of her parents there to see her get married, and she’d shed a tear for their absence the night before, but she hadn’t allowed it to taint her happiness during the day. She knew they were there with her, in her heart.

And she’d had plenty of people who loved her there, rooting for her. All of her brothers had come along with their families in tow, which had made for an entertaining and raucous gathering.

She and Julien had loved every second of it.

Walking into the kitchen, she gave the food in the oven one last check to make sure it would be ready to serve as soon as Julien walked through the door. She’d been planning this special meal since this morning, wanting to mark the occasion with style.

Even though Julien had insisted on her teaching him how to cook so they could share the task and give her a break from it when she’d been on her feet all day, she still loved to make food for him, just to see the look of delight on his face when she presented him with one of his favourite meals.

He was the perfect recipient, making sure to let her know just how much he appreciated her efforts, showering her with affection and love afterwards.

She couldn’t have asked for more.

Except for one thing.

She twisted the much-treasured wedding and engagement rings round and round on her finger as she waited impatiently for Julien to get back from work and walk through the door.

Since the wedding they’d tried and failed to conceive, each month bringing with it a sense of crushed excitement as the possibility of extending their family failed to come to fruition.

They’d stayed upbeat about it, but she could tell just how much Julien longed for it to happen. She knew exactly how he felt because she wanted it just as fiercely.

Her heart bumped hard against her chest as she finally heard the sound of Julien’s key in the front door, and she rushed to meet him, her blood racing with excitement to finally have him home.

He’d barely made it through the door when she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly to her.

‘Whoa!’ he said, nearly losing his balance, only managing to keep them both upright by grabbing hold of the doorjamb. ‘That’s quite a welcome. What’s this about?’

Pulling away from him, and without saying a word, she reached into the back pocket of her jeans and brought out the little bit of magic she’d been checking and rechecking over and over again all day with a ceremonial flourish.

‘Ta-dah!’

He stared at it, perplexed, until the penny finally dropped. ‘What does it say?’ he asked, his voice shaking with anticipation.

She held it closer so he could read the words on the little screen.

‘You’re pregnant?’ he said, his voice lifting with excitement.

‘Yes!’

‘How long have you known?’

‘I did the test this morning.’ She could barely talk for excitement.

‘Why didn’t you call me?’ he said, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her up so he could swing her round and round.

‘I knew you needed to be able to concentrate on the meeting with your investors today,’ she said, laughing with elation at his reaction. ‘I was worried you might go to pieces, and they’d think you were a bit loopy and refuse to give you the money.’

He laughed and put her down, holding onto her until he was sure she had her balance, then flapping his hand in that Gallic way she loved so much. ‘Go to pieces! Me! Never!’ But there was a glint of tears in his eyes now.

Sliding her hands up to cup his jaw, she gently pulled him towards her so she could kiss his eyes, his nose, his mouth.

‘You’re a big softie really,’ she murmured, kissing away a lone tear that had escaped from his eye.

‘I’m just happy. I’ve wanted this so much.’

‘Me too.’

He stroked her cheek, looking deep into her eyes.

‘I’m so glad my child will have a mother like you.

’ He kissed her, his touch firm and possessive.

‘Someone who is dedicated to bringing happiness to everyone she meets.’ He kissed her again, the urgency of it reminding her how loved she was, how wanted.

‘Someone who is full of love for others, no matter their situation.’ This time the kiss went on and on until she was breathless with joy.

She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have him.

With each other’s support and love they’d finally been able to close the book on the regrets of their pasts.

And now an exciting new chapter of their lives was about to begin.