Page 5 of Oops, My Professor Got Me Pregnant!

“Perfect. Now you sound like a real Parisian.”

“You’re just flattering me.” But Lauren was smiling, which made Nico smile too. This was something he loved about his job teaching French — the moment when someone gained a new confidence in a foreign language. Nico also taught French literature to French speakers, which he loved for other reasons, but there was nothing more satisfying than watching someone discover a whole new world of linguistic expression.

“I’m not,” he assured her. “It really was almost perfect.”

“You’re very kind.” Lauren was blushing a little now. “Thank you.”

“It doesn’t hurt to be kind.”

Lauren laughed. “That’s cheesy.”

“Why, thank you.” Nico was cheesy — it was all part of being a dad. He had another momentary pang of guilt that he hadn’t mentioned Louis. But at the same time, it was nice to step out of his usual personality of dad and professor and just be Nico for a while.

They finished their drinks and pastries, then Nico flagged down the waiter to pay.

“Let me get this,” Lauren said as she pulled out her wallet.

“No, no. Like I said, you needed a pick-me-up after your hard morning. And I want to remind you of the nicer side of Paris.”

“Thank you again.”

They smiled at each other, then got to their feet. Nico led the way towards the Seine, which was just a few blocks away now. Clearly Lauren didn’t know that, because when they emerged around a corner and saw the river sprawling before them, she gave a little gasp of wonder.

“It looks just like I remember it,” she breathed.

Even Nico had to smile at the sight of the river. On the bank nearest them was a broad walking path with a few pedestrians and cyclists making their way slowly along. The walkway stretched right up to the edge of the blue-green water, which seemed to flow by slowly, taking its time. On the far bank were a series of wooden stalls selling books, paintings, and small selections of cheese and chocolate. Behind them was a park filled with tall leafy trees.

“Okay,” Nico said as they descended a stairway onto the path, “I know there are a few people selling souvenirs here, so please look away if you see any Eiffel Tower keychains.”

“I will.” Lauren tilted her head back toward the sun. “I’m having way too much fun to go home because of a keychain.”

“Just checking. Shall we go left or right? Left will take us toward the city center.”

“Then let’s go right for a little while. Unless you have someplace you have to be?”

“I have time.”

They fell into step beside each other and walked in amiable silence for a while. Nico listened to the sound of the water and the rustling of a faint breeze through the trees. Even though he lived in Paris, he didn’t often walk along the Seine. Every once in a while, he’d bring Louis here for an afternoon, but the both of them had lived here so long that even Paris’s most awe-inspiring sights no longer took their breath away.

It was refreshing to be with Lauren, because her enthusiasm made Nico remember what he liked about his own city. She seemed to revel in every detail, from the dog with a beret she gleefully pointed out, to the serenity of a watery oasis in the center of the metropolis.

“It’s just such a beautiful day,” Lauren said, as if to prove Nico’s point.

“Are you feeling better about your decision to come to Paris?”

“Oh, yes. Definitely. Thank you, Nico.”

“Don’t thank me yet. The day isn’t over.”

“What else do you have in mind?”

“Well, as a start, I happen to know of a really nice gelato stand just a few blocks away…”

Lauren’s face lit up, and Nico led the way to the stand. He’d come here with Louis the last time they’d walked along the Seine, which had been… almost two years ago now. Nico couldn’t believe so much time had passed. He needed to come back with his son soon.

Lauren stepped up to the counter and ordered a small chocolate scoop. Her French was a little wobbly but very understandable, and Nico felt a rush of annoyance with all the people who hadn’t been able to understand her today. His protectiveness surged again. As competent as Lauren clearly was, especially given the time she’d spent in Paris already, Nico wanted to make sure she was comfortable here.

“I think it’s your turn.”

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