You're the One That I Want(96)

Robert stopped before the Louvre.

‘I’m getting hungry now. Want to walk up there and see if there’s anything good?’ he asked, casually pointing up one of the roads.

‘Yeah,’ I shrugged, not too fussed.

I recognized La Ferme des Beauvais, the restaurant we’d visited with school, straight away. Perched on the corner with windows that covered the breadth of the external walls, displaying its name in silver-framed red lettering that curved like a rainbow on each pane of glass – although the lettering had started to peel at its corners.

‘Are you sure that’s it?’ Robert asked with a frown, not looking too impressed with the place.

‘Positive,’ I squealed.

‘If you say so,’ he said dismissively.

‘We have to eat in there.’

‘Really? I don’t remember their food being the most amazing thing I’d ever eaten,’ he said, looking up the road and squinting at the other restaurants to find something better.

‘I don’t care. Come on,’ I said, as I pulled him inside.

It was exactly as I’d remembered – the same red tablecloths covered the tables, upon which were tealights and single red roses. Even the pictures on the walls were still the same.

‘Surely you recognize it now?’

‘Yeah, I guess. A bit,’ he shrugged.

I asked the waiter to seat us at the same table we were at before, causing Robert to laugh at me.

‘What?’

‘Nothing. You’re cute,’ he said with a wink. ‘I like it when you’re sentimental.’

‘I want us to order the same too.’

‘Really? You don’t fancy trying snails?’

‘Yuck, no,’ I protested, screwing up my face.

‘Okay. I’m up for that.’

‘Although we are getting a dessert.’

‘Of course. And wine.’

I gasped jokingly, ‘What would Miss James say?’

Spaghetti Bolognese was ordered and eaten, washed down with French bread and copious amounts of red wine. Needless to say, it wasn’t to the same standard of fine dining we’d experienced the night before, but we didn’t care. We were relaxed, talking and laughing, making the most of each other’s company.

Once our plates had been cleared away and dessert ordered (I’d gone for a chocolate and hazelnut pastry), Robert started to stare at me with a gooey expression, his face softening and a loving smile appearing.

‘What?’ I asked, a little perturbed – he rarely looked at me like that.

‘Nothing. You’re just so beautiful.’

It was at that point that the ever-familiar piano intro to ‘All my Life’ started playing through the restaurant speakers, prompting Robert to stand up and turn to me, as he gestured for my hand.

‘What?’ I giggled.

‘Can I have this dance?’

‘Here? We can’t, people are watching,’ I whispered, looking around at the handful of other couples who were enjoying their meals.

‘I don’t care,’ he smiled, pulling me out of my seat and into his arms.

We slow danced on the spot, turning in little circles as Robert put his mouth to my ear and sang along to the words K-Ci and JoJo were singing. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment, thinking it was the perfect way to spend our anniversary.

Once the song had come to an end Robert stepped away from me and knelt down on one knee. Using two hands, he held up a sparkling diamond ring that he’d fished out of his jeans pocket.

‘What the –’ I started in shock.

‘I’m not done yet,’ Robert winked, stopping me from talking further. He blew out air from his cheeks, steeling himself before he continued. ‘As you know, nine years ago we shared our first kiss on this very spot. It was the start of everything for me. You’ve always been such a huge part of my life, and I seriously don’t know what I’d have done without you over the years. So, here’s the question … Maddy Hurst, will you marry me? Will you be my wife?’

‘Yes!’ I practically screamed, dragging him up from his knelt position so that I could kiss him. ‘Of course I will!’

A cheer rose from around us at my answer.

I was ecstatic.

I’m thrilled to say that in that moment no one else entered my head. My biggest fear over the years about when that moment eventually came was that Ben would pop into my thoughts and ruin it. That somehow, my heart would hijack the occasion and use it to turn against me. But as Robert said the words, I was touched by nothing other than my utter love for him. He was offering me my forever and I couldn’t have been happier.

‘Did you ask them to play that song then?’ I asked, when we were back at our table, unable to keep from gushing manically.