BACCARA: It's all an Illusion

Paris

The cobblestones beneath Savannah's boots seemed to carry the whispers of centuries, resonating with the footsteps of lovers who had walked this square long before her.

She tightened her grip on Blaze's hand, savoring the quiet joy that came with knowing she was sharing this moment, this city, with him. It was their fifteenth day in Paris-a city that felt like it had been designed solely for romance-and they had chosen the tranquil Place Dauphine to celebrate.

The square was tucked away like a secret, framed by elegant red-brick buildings whose timeless charm stood in harmony with the cobblestone paths and the central park where trees reached out like old friends. The air was still, the usual buzz of Paris subdued by the thick walls encircling the square. It felt like stepping into a world apart, a place where time slowed down just enough for couples to truly enjoy each other's presence.

Savannah wrapped her scarf around her neck, feeling the gentle breeze. She was glad for her warm coat. The weather had been cold and gloomy for most of their trip, but today, the sun finally came out. Its light gave everything a soft, warm glow, and Savannah lifted her face to enjoy the sunshine on her cheeks.

"Perfect day, isn't it?" Blaze's deep voice cut through the quiet, mixed with his usual calm and curious tone.

She looked at him, her hazel eyes shining. "Yeah, it really is. I don't think I've ever felt this... peaceful before."

Blaze smiled, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that always made her heart melt. "It's hard not to feel that way here, Ana."

"It's like the rest of the world doesn't even exist. Just you and me." Savannah said completing the sentence.

The restaurant was warm and cozy, a nice escape from the chill hanging in the February air. Sunlight poured through the windows, casting a soft glow on their table. Savannah watched Blaze as he studied the menu, his eyebrows knitting together as he tried to figure out the French dishes.

"Need some help?" she asked with a smile, leaning over the table a bit.

"Nah, I got this, Ana." he said with a soft smile. "Duck confit and gratin dauphinois. Sounds fancy, but I think it's just a fancier version of home cooking."

"Maybe?" Savannah chuckled. "But I bet it'll taste like a dream."

When their food came, the rich, savory smell filled the air. They took their time eating, enjoying every bite and even trying bits from each other's plates. The whole meal felt relaxed, like time had stopped so they could savor the moment.

As Savannah put down her fork and leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh, Blaze looked at her. His gaze was warm but curious. "Are you going to miss this?" he asked. "The food, the atmosphere... this place?"

Savannah paused, her hazel eyes sparkling in the golden light. A soft smile played on her lips as she tilted her head, thinking about his question. "I won't." she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Blaze blinked, scrunching up his forehead. "You won't?" he repeated, sounding confused.

She reached across the table, her fingers touching his. "Of course, I'll miss all the memories we've made here, Aze." she said, her voice steady and loving. "But this place? Probably not. You've already made my dream trip come true. Everything I've ever wanted, I've experienced with you."

Blaze's expression softened as her words sank in, his dark eyes searching hers. She gave his hand a squeeze before continuing, "I miss home. Our home. The mansion-it feels like... more than just a house now. It feels like us. And the food?" She chuckled softly. "I love all of this, but I miss our mansion's food. The simplicity, the comfort of it. I already miss that."

When she called the mansion our home, Blaze felt something change inside him. A warm feeling spread through his chest, so strong it was almost too much. It wasn't just love—it went deeper than that. He felt like he belonged, like he was part of something bigger.

He gave a smile, his voice soft but full of emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Savannah tilted her head, her eyes crinkling with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"That you see it as our home." he said. "Not just mine. It's hard to put into words, but it really affects me when you say that. It feels... right."

She gave a gentle smile and touched his hand with hers on the table.

"It is ours, Blaze. You made it feel that way—for me, for us. That's what makes it home."

For a moment, they just sat there in comfortable silence, the world around them fading away. Blaze looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time, his heart feeling fuller than words could describe. With her honesty and warmth, Savannah had given him something he didn't even know he needed—a sense of home, not tied to any place but to her.

As they finished their meal and stepped back into the golden light of Place Dauphine, Blaze felt a quiet determination settle in his heart. No matter where they went or what happened next, he knew one thing for sure:

Home would always be wherever Savannah was.

That Evening

The evening sky over Paris was like a painted masterpiece, with soft oranges and pinks blending into the deep blue of twilight. The city seemed to glow from within, every light and shadow adding to the magic. Blaze walked hand in hand with Savannah, feeling grounded by her warm grip even as the beauty of the moment felt almost dreamlike.

Up ahead, the little shop called Par'ici stood like a welcoming secret, its warm lights spilling onto the cobblestone street. As they got closer, Blaze noticed Savannah's smile, her excitement pulling him along. He pushed the door open, and a soft chime announced their arrival.

Inside, the shop was like a charming maze filled with treasures. Shelves lined the walls, packed with trinkets, antiques, and keepsakes that seemed to capture the spirit of Paris. The smell of lavender mixed with the earthy scent of old wood, making the place feel warm and timeless.

Savannah's eyes lit up as she walked through the aisles, her fingers sometimes touching a delicate item or stopping to admire something special. Blaze let her take the lead, happy just to watch her explore the space with a joy that made his heart race.

"Look at these." Savannah said, picking up an old locket and showing it to him. "Can you imagine the stories it could tell?"

He leaned in, his shoulder touching hers as he looked at the little piece of jewelry. "Maybe it's been in the family for ages." he said, sounding thoughtful. "Or maybe someone bought it here years ago as a souvenir for a trip like ours."

She smiled and gently put the locket back. "That's what I love about places like this. Everything has a story, even if we don't know it."

They kept exploring quietly, their low voices blending with the soft hum of the shop. Blaze couldn't help feeling the weight of the moment—the kind of stillness that makes you realize you're living a memory you'll treasure forever.

As they turned a corner, Savannah suddenly stopped. She grabbed his hand tighter, her eyes fixed on a shelf up ahead.

"What is it?" Blaze asked, curious.

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she pulled him gently towards the shelf. Her hazel eyes lit up with wonder as she looked at the collection of snow globes, each one a tiny world that captured the essence of Paris.

The globes sparkled under the shop's soft lights, showing different famous landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, and the Arc de Triomphe. The bases were bright and decorated with shiny details and fancy writing that named each place. But there was one globe that really caught Savannah's eye—a couple standing hand in hand under a sparkling Eiffel Tower.

She leaned in closer, her breath fogging the glass for a moment. "Look at this." she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.

Blaze followed her gaze, his own curiosity piqued. The small figures inside the globe were captured mid-step, as if frozen in their own quiet moment of connection. The glitter swirled around them like stardust, catching the warm light and reflecting it back in a mesmerizing dance.

"Do you want it?" Blaze asked, his voice low.

Savannah turned to him, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

"For you."

She said, her tone full of affection.

He raised an eyebrow, looking both amused and touched. "For me?"

She nodded, her fingers brushing the globe's base. "Let's get this one—the couple. It feels right, doesn't it?"

Blaze's smile softened, his gaze steady on her. "Why for me, though?"

Savannah looked up at him, her hazel eyes shining with emotion. "Because this trip—it's everything I've ever dreamed of, and it's because of you. Every moment, every laugh, every quiet walk... it's all been with you. This globe isn't just about that. It's about us, here, together."

Her words hit him hard, touching something inside he didn't know was there. He picked up the snow globe, holding it up to the light. The glitter swirled, catching the golden light from the shop, and Blaze felt a warm feeling spread through him.

"Alright," he said softly, his voice calm but full of emotion. "Let's get it."

Savannah's smile got bigger, and she leaned into him for a quick hug. Her warmth and presence felt as natural as breathing.

At the counter, Blaze gave the globe to the shopkeeper, who wrapped it carefully and put it in a small bag. He couldn't help but look at Savannah as they finished buying it. Her face was lit up with a quiet happiness that made the whole thing feel extra special.

When they stepped back out into the evening air, the city around them had changed. Paris was bathed in golden light, with streetlamps throwing long, soft shadows as the first stars started appearing in the darkening sky. Blaze held the bag in one hand and Savannah's hand in the other, keeping the snow globe safe like a precious find.

"It's more than just a souvenir."

Blaze thought, watching Savannah as she gazed up at the sky, looking peaceful. It wasn't just a reminder of Paris—it was a symbol of everything they'd shared and everything they were building together.

Blaze squeezed her hand tighter, feeling a strong sense of determination. No matter where life took them next, he knew this: as long as they were together, every place would feel like home.

Next morning

The soft golden light of morning seeped through the delicate curtains of mansion's room, casting pretty patterns on the walls. Blaze woke up slowly, feeling the warmth of the Parisian sun. Beside him, Savannah was still fast asleep, breathing steadily and peacefully. Her hair spread out over the pillow, catching the morning light and making her look almost magical.

Blaze took a moment to watch her. She was his anchor, his calm in the chaos of the world, and he felt really grateful for this time together—these days in a city that felt like it was made just for them.

Eventually, Savannah woke up, her eyes fluttering open. She gave him a sleepy smile and said softly, "Morning."

"Morning, Ana." Blaze replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"Slept like a dream." she murmured, stretching a bit before snuggling up next to him. "So, what's on the plan for today?"

Blaze grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I was thinking we could check out some more places. We could start with breakfast at that cute little café you saw yesterday—the one with the croissants that looked too good to be true. After that, there's this market near Montmartre I read about. I figured you'd enjoy it."

Savannah's eyes brightened when he mentioned Montmartre. "A market? That sounds perfect. And croissants? Even better."

They took their time getting ready, enjoying the feeling of not having to rush.

The snow globe from the night before was still sitting on the windowsill, catching the morning light so that the glitter inside looked almost alive. Blaze gave it a glance while he fixed his scarf, smiling at the memory it brought back.

Sometimes later

The café turned out to be exactly what they were hoping for. It was tucked away on a quiet street, looking charming with its wrought-iron tables and ivy-covered walls. Inside, the air was filled with the smell of fresh pastries and hot coffee. Blaze tried to order in his not-so-great French, which made Savannah giggle and the barista give him an encouraging nod.

They sat by the window, their table covered with flaky croissants, golden pain au chocolat, and steaming cups of cappuccino. Savannah took a bite of her croissant, her eyes widening with delight.

"This might be the best thing I've ever tasted." she said, her voice full of wonder.

Blaze chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "That's high praise. But I think you might be right."

They stayed there, chatting and laughing as the world went by outside. Paris seemed to have its own pace, and Blaze loved how naturally they fit into it.

By late morning, they found themselves wandering through the market near Montmartre. The cobblestone streets were lined with stalls overflowing with colors—fresh flowers, bright produce, handmade crafts, and paintings that seemed to capture the soul of Paris. Musicians played softly in the background, their melodies floating through the air, adding to the vibe.

Savannah was in her zone, her eyes wide with curiosity as she hopped from stall to stall. Blaze trailed right behind her, picking up the little things she couldn't resist: an intricately painted ceramic dish, a bunch of lavender tied with twine, and a handmade notebook with thick, textured pages.

At one stall, an old artist was selling tiny watercolor paintings of Paris. Savannah paused, her eyes locked on a painting of Place Dauphine.

"Ohmygod, look at them." she said, pointing at the piece. "That's where we were yesterday."

Blaze grinned. "It's perfect. You want it?"

She nodded, her face softening. "It'll make a nice reminder."

Blaze paid for the painting, and the artist wrapped it up carefully. He gave them a warm smile and mumbled a blessing in French that Savannah didn't quite get but still appreciated.

As the day went on, they kept exploring Montmartre and finally made it to the top of the hill where the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur was. The view was amazing, with the whole city spread out below them like a living painting.

Blaze stood behind Savannah, holding her around the waist, as they took in the view of Paris. The wind played with her hair, and she leaned back into him, looking peaceful.

"This-" she said softly, "is what dreams are made of."

Blaze rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice calm but strong.

"No, Savannah. You're what dreams are made of."

She turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. For a moment, they didn't say anything, just let the city and the moment surround them like a cozy blanket.

As the sun started to set, painting the city in shades of amber and rose, Blaze knew this day—like so many others they had shared—would stay with him forever. It wasn't just about Paris or the beauty of the places they'd seen; it was about them, the love they had grown, and the memories they were making.

With Savannah by his side, every day felt like a masterpiece.

Author's Note :

Happy reading<3

I love writing them:)

Have a good day/night everyone<3<3