BACCARA: It's all an Illusion

Two years later

Paris

Two years had passed, and much had changed for Savannah and Blaze. It was the kind of year that brought quiet growth, deeper understanding, and a rhythm that felt uniquely theirs.

Yet, amidst the swirl of life, they'd made a promise to carve out moments just for the two of them, away from the demands of work and the bustle of everyday life.

That promise had brought them here, to France, during the heart of winter.

The cold Parisian air nipped at Savannah's cheeks as she adjusted her scarf, her breath visible in soft clouds as she exhaled. The city was alive with its usual charm, dressed in its winter finery. Lights twinkled from the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and the Seine flowed quietly under arched bridges. But their destination today was the Louvre, a place Savannah had dreamed of visiting for as long as she could remember.

Inside, the museum felt warm compared to the cold outside. The huge halls were filled with paintings from all through history, each one telling its own tale. Savannah moved from room to room, her eyes wide with amazement, until she stopped in front of a painting that really grabbed her attention.

The painting was big, with bright but time-worn colors. The brushstrokes showed a mix of longing, beauty, and something else she couldn't quite name—it felt like it was reaching out from the frame. She stood there, frozen, tilting her head as she tried to figure out the feelings it brought up in her.

Blaze stood a step behind her, watching her rather than the art. He had always been fascinated by how her expressions revealed her thoughts. Right now, her brow was slightly furrowed, and her lips were parted as she quietly pondered. It looked like she was having a silent chat with the painting.

"You're really staring at that piece." Blaze said softly, breaking the silence.

Savannah blinked, snapped out of her trance, and turned to look at him. "It's beautiful." she whispered, as if speaking too loud might disturb the artwork. "Don't you think?"

Blaze's eyes darted to the painting and back to her. "Yeah, it is." he agreed, but his tone made it clear he wasn't talking about the art.

She smiled and shook her head. "I mean it." she said, facing the canvas again. "Check out the details—the way the light hits the figure, the texture in the background. It feels like you can almost sense what the artist was trying to capture."

Blaze moved closer and put his arm around her waist. His touch was warm and reassuring. "You really love this, huh?"

Savannah nodded. "Yeah, I do. It's not just about the painting; it's about the story behind it. What was the artist thinking? Feeling? Why those colors, that scene? It's like peeking into someone's soul."

For a moment, they just stood there in silence, her words hanging in the air. Blaze's gaze softened as he looked her over. It had been two year since he found her painting in the garden, a memory he often thought about. Since then, he'd made it a point to encourage her to paint more, to embrace the part of herself she had put aside. And she did—her paintings now filled a small studio in their mansion, each one bright and full of life.

"You know," Blaze said finally, his voice low and teasing, "You look at this painting the same way you used to look at me when we first met."

Savannah laughed and her cheeks turned red. "Don't be silly."

"I'm serious." he said, grinning. "You had this intense look, like you were trying to figure me out, piece by piece."

"Well-" she said, her voice playful, "You were a mystery back then. Sometimes, you still are."

He leaned down, his breath warm on her ear. "And what about now? Have you figured me out?"

Savannah turned to face him, her smile softening. "Maybe. But I think I like that there's always more to learn."

Blaze reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear. "I feel the same way about you." he said, his voice genuine.

For a second, the noisy museum faded away, leaving just the two of them. Outside, the world with all its craziness felt miles away from this quiet moment together.

Savannah broke the silence with a soft laugh. "We're in one of the most famous museums in the world, and here we are talking about us instead of the art."

Blaze smiled. "You're more interesting than any painting here."

She rolled her eyes, but her heart swelled at his words. She took another look at the artwork, soaking in its beauty for a bit longer before taking his hand. "Come on." she said. "There's still so much to see."

Blaze held hands with Savannah, letting her lead the way through the maze of art and history. As they walked, Savannah felt grateful for the chance to be there, for the year of growth behind them, and for the man who always saw her, even when she forgot to see herself.

Later that day

Savannah strolled through the charming streets of Paris, her hand brushing against the old stone walls of the buildings. The city's timeless beauty surrounded her—street musicians played soulful tunes, and the smell of fresh bread from nearby bakeries filled the air. But nothing compared to the warmth she felt walking beside Blaze.

It had been three years since they were together, and it felt like just yesterday. Savannah couldn't help but be amazed by how fast time flew by. They hadn't spent a single day apart since they met—Blaze had been there through everything. No matter what, he was always there for her. Through her ups and downs, successes and failures, he stuck with her.

She looked over at him and gave a soft smile. Blaze had this way of making her feel grounded. He made her feel cherished in a way she'd never felt before. There was a gentle kindness in his eyes and a quiet strength in how he carried himself. With him, she felt safe, valued, and deeply loved.

For a second, a doubt flickered in her mind. What if Blaze hadn't been there for her? What if she had gone through the last three years alone? Could she have been this happy? The thought gave her a chill, like a cold wind on a sunny day. But Savannah pushed it away, not wanting any negativity to ruin this perfect moment. She squeezed Blaze's arm tighter and rested her head on his arm.

"What are you thinking about?" Blaze asked, his voice calm and steady as usual.

She looked up at him, her smile getting bigger. "Nothing." she said softly. "I'm just really happy."

Blaze chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Good. Because that's all I ever want for you."

They kept walking, the world buzzing around them, but it felt like time had slowed down just for them. In this moment, with Blaze by her side, Savannah realized happiness wasn't something you could take for granted. It was something to treasure, to grab onto tight. And right now, that's exactly what she planned to do.

As they wandered through the narrow alleys, they found a small flower shop bursting with colorful blooms spilling out of old wooden crates. Savannah's eyes lit up when she saw a bunch of sunflowers. Without a second thought, Blaze went inside and came back with the bouquet. He handed it to her with a shy smile, his cheeks a little pink.

"For you, Honey." he said.

Savannah's heart filled up as she took the flowers. "You always know how to make me smile." she whispered, her voice almost lost in the city noise.

They found a small café nearby, with its outdoor seating shaded by a canopy of ivy. They sat down and ordered two café crèmes and shared a plate of delicate macarons.

Savannah couldn't help but notice how Blaze's eyes sparkled when he laughed. His laughter was so infectious that it made her laugh too. Moments like these, filled with simplicity and joy, were the ones she knew she'd treasure forever.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the setting sun bathed the city in a warm golden light. They walked along the Seine, stopping now and then to check out the street art and watch the boats drift by. A street performer caught their eye, playing a soulful tune on a violin. Savannah and Blaze stood there, holding hands, letting the music wash over them.

"I think this might be my favorite day." Savannah said softly but firmly.

Blaze looked down at her with a tender gaze. "Mine too. But honestly, every day with you feels like my favorite day."

Savannah blushed, feeling the warm rush that Blaze always gave her. At that moment, she understood that her happiness wasn't just about the beauty of the city or the charm of Paris. It was about him—the way he made her feel seen, loved, and whole.

As the first stars popped up in the evening sky, Savannah and Blaze kept exploring Paris, enjoying every moment, every laugh, and every step they took together. The future was uncertain, like always, but Savannah was sure of one thing: with Blaze by her side, she could tackle anything and still find joy in the journey.

Blaze stood by the TLDR spot in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower lightens up into the clear dark sky behind them. The night air was chilly but promising spring, and the white moonlight made everything look warm and alive. His eyes fell on Savannah, his woman, his muse.

"Go stand over there, Ana." he said with a smile, pointing to a spot framed perfectly by the Eiffel Tower. His voice had that kind of affection that didn't need explaining—a mix of playfulness and admiration.

Savannah's face lit up, her excitement as contagious as ever. She nodded eagerly, clutching the belt of her trench coat as she headed to the spot he'd pointed out.

The coat, a soft beige that looked great on her, swayed gracefully with each step. Underneath, a chic dress peeked out, showing off her elegant yet relaxed style.

Her black ankle-length boots clicked against the cobblestone path, giving a rhythm to her movements. Her updo, decorated with sunglasses perched playfully on top, showed her practical yet stylish personality.

She turned to face him, her wide, genuine smile the same one that had caught his attention from the very beginning. Then, she started posing. At first, just a few small head tilts and some delicate adjustments to the coat's lapel. But soon, she got more into it, her natural charm shining through in every move. She twirled a bit, letting the hem of her coat flare out, and put a hand on her hip with a playful attitude.

Blaze raised the camera to his eye, but his focus wobbled. He tried to get her in the frame, to capture the perfect shot against the backdrop of Paris's most famous landmark. But his mind played tricks on him. He wasn't just seeing her beauty through the lens; he was feeling it deep down.

There she stood, the woman he loved, in the city of lights, looking radiant and carefree. And there he was, just watching her, still not believing how lucky he was. It wasn't just about her looks—though she was stunning—it was the joy she exuded, the way her laughter floated softly amid the busy city sounds, the way her bright, alive eyes took in the moment with a gratitude that matched his own.

This trip wasn't just a vacation; it was a gift he had worked really hard to make happen because he knew how much it meant to her.

France had always been her dream place—a spot she would talk about when they had quiet moments together, picturing herself walking along the Seine, spending afternoons in cozy cafes, and standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. After two years of dealing with their daily routines, they finally made it there and were living that dream.

Blaze saw her stop between poses and catch his eye with a big grin that made his heart melt. "How do I look?" she asked, her voice playful.

"Beautiful." he replied, setting down the camera for a second to really look at her. The word seemed too small, but it was all he could say.

As he kept taking pictures, he felt a warmth inside him, this moment was exactly what he'd always dreamed of. Sure, Paris was beautiful and the vacation was amazing, but those were just bonuses. What really mattered was her, and the life they were creating together.

For Savannah, this was a chance to finally relax and enjoy an escape she had been waiting for. For Blaze, it was a reminder of how much he loved her and how far he'd go to make her happy.

Right there under the Eiffel Tower, with the laughter of strangers around them and the sounds of Parisian life all around, they felt like they were living a memory they'd treasure forever — a memory from their time together.

Later the night

Opera House

Blaze sat in one of Paris's fancy opera houses, feeling pretty overwhelmed by how grand everything was. Gold designs covered the walls, and a huge crystal chandelier gave off a soft, magical light. As the show started, everyone got quiet, and you could hear the orchestra playing beautifully.

Next to him, Savannah was totally focused on the stage. She leaned forward a bit, her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes wide with amazement. Down below, three ballet dancers moved with a grace that looked almost unreal. Their movements flowed perfectly with the music, showing off their skill and elegance.

Blaze looked from the stage to Savannah. She was totally into it, her face lit up with a soft smile as her eyes followed every spin and dip. This was her dream—she'd talked about it for years: going to an opera house in Paris, soaking it all in. And now, here they were.

Seeing her so happy and at peace made Blaze feel like all the effort to plan their trip was worth it. He had always promised himself he'd give her the world, and tonight, as the music filled the air, it felt like he was keeping that promise, even if just a little bit.

"Ana, enjoying it?" he asked quietly, his voice almost lost in the music. He only called her that during their most intimate moments.

Savannah turned to him, her face lighting up even more. The nickname made her smile wider, a soft, loving grin that warmed him inside.

She replied with a mix of wonder and fondness, "Very much. This is everything I imagined... and more."

Blaze felt proud. He had promised her this experience, and seeing how happy she was made it all worthwhile. His eyes softened as he watched her. She was already looking back at the performance. Just before turning away, she put her hand over his, her fingers curling around his in a silent thank you.

"You're happy, huh?" Blaze asked, his voice barely above a whisper, but laced with the kind of tenderness that only moments like these could bring. His thumb traced the back of her hand slowly as he spoke, savoring the warmth of her touch. "I'm glad I could make this happen for you."

Savannah sighed softly, a sound that filled Blaze's heart with joy. She looked at him, her eyes sparkling, and he saw how the chandelier light made her hair glow.

"I've dreamed about this moment for ages." she said honestly. "Seeing the ballet in Paris, watching the dancers, feeling the history here—it's all I ever wanted. But the best part? Sharing it with you."

Blaze's heart skipped a beat. There was something about the way she said it, the truth in her words, that really got to him. He knew Savannah loved art and culture, but hearing her talk about how much this moment meant to her made the world around him feel even more magical.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and lifted it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles.

"I'd do anything to see you this happy, Ana."

His words were simple, but they showed just how much he cared.

"You've always been my top priority. Watching you enjoy these moments... it's totally worth it."

Savannah's eyes got all soft, and she leaned into him, fitting against him like they were made for each other. Her voice was a gentle murmur, full of honesty.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you, Blaze. You've given me more than I ever thought possible... not just tonight, but every day. I feel like I'm living a dream."

Blaze felt his chest swell with love. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head and held her tighter as she rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her, his heart bursting.

"You deserve every dream you've ever had, Ana"

He whispered, his voice thick with feeling.

"And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you get to live them."

Savannah tilted her face up just enough to look into his eyes, her lips curling into a smile that made his heart skip a beat. "You already are." she whispered back, her voice full of thanks. "You already are."

Blaze smiled and gently brushed his thumb across her cheek. In that moment, he understood it wasn't about big shows or fancy moments—it was about the small, intimate touches, the quiet words, and the strong connection they shared.

As they sat there watching the ballet, it wasn't the show that had him captivated—it was the woman next to him, the one he loved. Her happiness was his happiness. Her dreams were now part of his own. He'd do anything to keep seeing her smile like that, to feel her heart full of joy.

"I can't wait for our next adventure together." Savannah said, her voice sleepy with happiness.

"No matter where we go or what we do, as long as I'm with you."

Blaze's heart raced, and he kissed the top of her head again, savoring the warmth. "Same here, Ana." he said, his voice sure. "With you, I feel at home."

In that instant, as the music played and people danced around them, Blaze knew that no matter where life took them next, they were already living the most beautiful story—one written in the quiet moments between their words, the gentle touch of their hands, and the times they shared in pure happiness.

Together. Always.

Author's Note :

Enjoy reading<3

Hope you had a great and happy Christmas:)

Have a good day/night<3<3