A/N: Thanks for the feedback! :) Hope you enjoy this one! I sure had fun writing it.

Robin’s much anticipated visit finally arrived and Wesley went to the airport to get her, leaving Jenna at home to prepare.

Although she had been prepared up to that point, actually having the moment upon her and having to face Robin and live out the lie she had been rehearsing all week, Jenna found herself fidgety and nervous.

Lying to everyone at a party once was one thing, but living with Robin every hour of every day… well, that could prove to be more difficult.

Another wave of unease went through her stomach as she considered that her stuff had already been moved into Wesley’s room. She still had a room, of course, but she would no longer be sleeping in it.

The idea of sleeping with Wesley was definitely unsettling. The only guy she had ever slept in a bed with was Trevor, and he didn’t have the appeal of Wesley Carter—not even close. Besides, it had been January the last time she shared a bed with Trevor, so she was still not used to sharing her bed with anyone.

In a way, Jenna felt like she was back in high school, studying for a big test that accounted for most of her grade. She was trying to remember how long she and Wesley had allegedly been together, how they had decided to start dating, that they had discussed children before getting engaged, that they did not get engaged because she was pregnant, and a whole list of other supposed shared history of them as a couple. On top of that she had to try to remember all the family members in the album, although that was one area she was allowed to slip up on, considering even a true fiancée could forget one of those.

Even though it hadn’t been that long since she had met Robin, Jenna also felt the need to remind herself all the things she could about Robin so that she would be prepared.

An hour before they were supposed to leave for the airport Jenna was getting dressed in some of the mystery clothes from her amazing new closet when the phone started ringing.

“Hello?” she answered, slipping an earring into her ear.

“Jenna, hey.”

Frowning and smiling simultaneously, Jenna said, “Wesley, you’re going to see me in 15 minutes; you will not have time to miss me.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m calling about actually. Don’t kill me.”

Sighing, she said, “Now what, am I pregnant with twins?”

“I’m getting held over, I’m trying to contact one of these damn Parisians and it isn’t really working out. One of my key Paris people just quit without notice because she was having an affair with a co-worker and there was some… drama of some sort, and I’m trying to get the situation settled, but I can’t leave right now. I’ll be lucky if I don’t have to fly to Paris tonight my damn self.”

Grimacing, Jenna said plaintively, “Wesley.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, but can you please go pick Robin up at the airport?”

“You know that I’ve only met her once, correct?”

“But you liked her.”

“I did like her, yes, but… Wesley, I don’t even know how to get to the airport. Do you know how many times I’ve been to that airport? None. Not once.”

He cursed low under his breath and sighed. Then, after a pause, he said, “Okay, I have another idea. I’m going to send Jon to pick you up and he’ll take you to the airport to get her, then he can drop you off and come back to work.”

“I thought we were taking Robin out to dinner tonight.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll try to get this all straightened out and then maybe we’ll still be able to. If all else fails, I could always take you guys with me to Paris and you guys can go out to eat while I go to the office. Robin speaks very fluent French.”

“I don’t want to go to Paris,” she muttered, “I just don’t want to be left alone tonight to convince Robin of our fake engagement.”

“I’ll do everything that I can to make sure you’re not stuck alone with her longer than you have to be. Just… since she’s just getting in hopefully she’ll be jet-lagged and not as inquisitive as she usually is, but be on your guard just in case. Now I have to hang up and try to find my cousin. He’ll be there to get you in 20 minutes.”

After hanging up, Jenna called her mom to briefly complain and vent her hears and frustrations about slipping up in front of Robin. Instead of taking her side, Marie pointed out that when a key person at an overseas office up and leaves, the CEO is bound to have a bit of a problem, and Jenna should probably just chill about losing out on dinner. Then, to ease her mind, Marie suggested that if Wesley couldn’t get out of work, Jenna could bring Robin over to Marie’s house and Marie could make dinner, or Marie could come over to the mansion and they could order pizza.

Once her mother had satisfied her nerves, Jenna did one more run-through of all the information she needed to remember, then she stared out the window waiting for Jon to arrive.

When Wesley’s Ferrari pulledin, Jenna had a sudden burst of excitement that flitted through her stomach, and she quickly shrugged her coat on, grabbed the ugly Louis Vuitton handbag that Wesley made her change into, and ran out the door, locking it behind her and bounding outside with a smile on her face to greet him.

As she approached the car she tried to peer inside, but it was only when she opened the door that she realized it was Jon—just in Wesley’s car.

“Wow, you look so happy to see me,” Jon said sarcastically at her fallen expression.

Pushing her face back into a smile, Jenna said, “Sorry, I saw Wesley’s car and I thought…”

“That I was the rich one? Sorry to disappoint you,” he said dryly.

Rolling her eyes at him, Jenna climbed in the passenger seat and put her purse in her lap.

“Louis Vuitton, huh?” he remarked, quirking an eyebrow.

“I did not pick it, Wesley just insisted that I use the ugly thing.”

“I would definitely like to pick on you about that, but Wesley lectured me about being on my best behavior, so… I won’t.”

“Aw, Jon on his best behavior. What a novel notion,” she teased.

Giving her a sideways smile, he said, “If you only knew.”

The ride to the airport was comfortable, Jon being an easy companion to make small talk with. To his credit, he only made one snide joke about her immediate engagement and asked if Wesley was going to be asking Jon to take her to the hospital when she went into labor, too, or if he would tell Paris to wait for that.

Lifting her nose into the air, she gave the rehearsed, “Wesley would like to have a large family, but I assure you I will not be giving birth to any of those children within the next nine months.”

“I know,” he remarked with a smile. “The rest of my family may be in the dark, but I am one member of the clan who completely understands your ‘engagement’,” he said, the slightest twist on the word.

Sensing that he really did know more than the rest, she quickly tried to figure out the best way to play him to get information. Deciding quickly on a coy laugh, she said, “I’m sure you think you do.”

Giving her a pointed look, he said, “I do.”

“Mm hmm,” she murmured with a tolerant smile, completely unconvinced.

As planned, her disbelief was poking at his pride at being in on their little arrangement, and he said, “You doubt me?”

“I do,” she replied with a little nod. “Why would Wesley tell you?”

“He didn’t have much of a choice now, did he? I’m the one that blew his cover, if he didn’t let me in on the secret I could have unknowingly blabbed to the whole family, and then he would have killed me to avenge his pride.”

“His pride?” she asked, betraying herself by showing a little confusion.

He seemed to realize then that he was saying too much and his expression changed, became lighter, “Ah, I think you’re trying to trick me.”

Cursing herself under her breath, she laughed, saying innocently, “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know,” he said simply.

Sensing that she had gotten all that she would out of him, Jenna gave up her career as a detective and just enjoyed the rest of the ride.

They were arriving at the airport and Jon was parking the car when Jenna’s cell phone began ringing and it she looked to see it was Wesley.

Hoping for good news, she said, “Hello?”

“Bonjour, mademoiselle,” he replied.

“Why are you speaking in French?” she asked suspiciously.

With an audible sigh, he said, “Because I’m not going to be able to get out of going to Paris.”

“Aw, Wesley,” she complained. “You’re going to leave me here and fly to Paris as soon as your sister gets here?”

“I’m sorry, I tried to get out of it, but with the company going through some big changes right now—there’s a really important meeting tomorrow morning at ten o’clock that she was supposed to take care of, and since she’s gone there’s no one familiar enough with the client to be prepared for the meeting. I’m really sorry, I am, but I do have to make this trip.”

“This really sucks,” she stated.

“It does suck,” he agreed. “However, to make it suck just a little less, why don’t you guys come with me? I’ve already called my mom and let her know that something came up and I have her permission to take Robin out of the country, so if you’re up for it…”

“Paris?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yeah. You and my sister can roam the streets, do some shopping, eat some food. It’ll be great, you guys can spend the day in Paris and then tomorrow night as long as everything is settled, we’ll fly back home. If not, we’ll get a room and stay one more day. I swear, we will not be there for more than two days.”

Making a pout that he couldn’t see, she stated, “You know, it really isn’t fair that you can just offer to fly a girl to Paris for a day of shopping to get out of trouble.”

With a little laugh, he said, “That’s one of the perks of being successful. It’ll be fun, I promise. Have you ever been to the Louvre?”

“I can only assume that’s a rhetorical question,” she stated.

“I can fix that,” he said winningly.

“Fine, we’ll go to Paris.”

Chuckling, he said, “Don’t sound like you’re making such an awful compromise. All right, I’m getting the plane ready and everything right now, so I guess you guys may as well just stay at the airport and I will meet you there in an hour.”

“An hour?” she asked, her eyes widening. “But I haven’t had time to pack, I only have what’s in my purse. Eyeliner and lipstick is really not all I intended on bringing with me to Paris. I don’t even have my camera!”

“Robin has an SLR that I got her for her birthday, she can take pictures and you can get copies. As far as clothes, you can buy some when you go shopping. You don’t need to wear anything fancy on my jet.”

Sighing, she said, “You spend money like it’s water.”

Chuckling, he said, “Obviously you’ve never met my ex-girlfriends.” Then, he briskly said, “I’ll call you when I get to the airport.”

Sighing as she hung up, she said, “He is so… infuriating sometimes. Without any notice or any time to pack he just expects me to be ready to fly to Paris.”

With a mocking pat on the shoulder, Jon said, “You have it so rough, cousin.”

Giving him a withering look, she said, “Of course I don’t have it rough, I just would have preferred notice. Do you think for one minute that I would have chosen to go to Paris wearing a pair of jeans and a cranberry button down blouse?”

“Honey, you’re dating someone who has his own private Gulfstream 400. The plane has a couch, for god’s sakes. He can afford to buy you a new outfit after he flies you to Paris on his private jet.”

“I don’t feel right having him buy me things all the time.”

“This is what Wesley does, Jenna. He enjoys it, and every girlfriend he’s had before you has also enjoyed it.”

“Well, it makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel like I owe him something.”

With a smile, he said, “Don’t feel that way. It’s an even exchange. All the money he spends on you is simply compensation for your cooperation in helping him with this delicate, clandestine matter.”

Jenna was left scowling at Jon, but he seemed to ignore it, instead walking toward the waiting area by the gate Robin was supposed to be arriving at.

Before long, Robin was there excitedly greeting Jon and then Jenna and asking where Wesley was.

“Duty calls,” Jon said gravely.

Rolling her eyes, Robin said, “This is why I will never marry a wealthy man who runs his own business. No offense, Jenna,” Robin added as an afterthought.

“None taken,” Jenna said with a little smile.

“But there’s good news,” Jon said.

“What’s that?”

“You’re going to Paris. His business takes him to Paris, so you, Jenna and Wesley are going to fly out tonight.”

Her eyes widening, she said, “Tonight?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t even get to pack,” Jenna stated.

Grinning happily, Robin said, “That’s awesome. You’ll love Paris. How long are we staying?”

“Only two days at most,” Jenna provided.

Wrinkling up her nose, Robin said, “Aw, not long then. Oh well, we’ll still be able to see a little bit.”

Nodding, Jenna said, “Yeah, I guess so. It’s funny, I always thought my first trip to Paris would include luggage,” Jenna said with a smile.

Grinning, Robin said, “Isn’t my brother just full of surprises?” Then, looping her arm through Jenna’s she went on, “But you’re his fiancée, so I’m sure you know that better than I would.”

“Of course,” Jenna said with a slightly more forced smile, thinking over all the things she supposedly knew better than Robin as Wesley’s supposed fiancée.

Jon stuck around to visit with Robin and keep Jenna company until Wesley showed up. Once he did, Wesley thanked his cousin and sent him on his way, wrapping his arm casually around Jenna’s waist as he led her toward his plane, telling her how she would like Paris.

Once they were on the plane and in the air, Jenna remembered that she forgot to call her mother, who was doubtless expecting Jenna and Robin in the near future.

When she called, she was immediately greeted, “Hey, are you on your way over?”

“No,” Jenna replied.

“Oh. Am I coming over?”

“No.”

“I just got booted from the equation altogether?” Marie asked in vague disbelief.

Sighing, Jenna said, “Well, as it turns out we have to fly to Paris tonight, so I’ll be back in a couple of days. We can get a pizza then,” Jenna offered.

“You’re going to Paris and I get a rain check for pizza. What I would give to be young again.”

Smiling, Jenna said, “Well, it really has nothing to do with being young and everything to do with being with Wesley.”

“See what I mean, I have told you from the beginning that man was going to whisk you away from me. Watch, next time he’ll have an urgent business meeting in Aruba.”

Peering over her shoulder, Jenna said, “Wesley, do you have any business at all in Aruba?”

Glancing up blankly, he said, “No.”

“That’s what I thought. Mom, Wesley is not going to whisk me off to Aruba.”

Wesley chuckled, and said, “Tell Marie that I promise when we go to Aruba, she is going with us.”

“Did you hear him?” Jenna asked.

“Yes,” Marie said on a sigh. “He’s like the son I never knew I always wanted.”

“Don’t get too attached,” Jenna warned. “Anyway, I have no clothes but the ones on my back and luckily I do have a travel tooth brush in my purse…”

“See, I have always told you it’s important to have one of those. You just never know what’s going to happen.”

“Well, I guess I should probably get off the phone, I just wanted to let you know so you didn’t wait all night and then have us not even show up.”

“Very considerate, daughter; I raised you well.”

“Yes. Well, I’m about to make my first trip to Paris, so… I’ll bring back a souvenir!”

“It better not be a key chain,” Marie warned.

“I’m sure I’ll find something else. I don’t think we’re going to be there long, but Robin and I are going to go the Louvre, so I’m pretty excited about that.”

“Oh, yay, paintings,” Marie said dryly.

“And sculptures,” Jenna added with a little smile.

“Oh, well, now I am really jealous,” Marie deadpanned.

“Anyway, I’m going to go.”

“Okay. Well, have fun, be safe, bring your mother a trinket.”

“You too. Except for… the trinket part, because I don’t really need a trinket.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too. Bye, Mom.”

Turning in his seat, Wesley said, “Is she mad at me for not inviting her?”

Nodding, Jenna said, “She’s not going to let me marry you now. You’ve totally screwed up.”

Chuckling, he said, “Well, tell her we can bring her another time and stay longer.”

After a few hours on the plane, Jenna got bored and drifted off to sleep, and she slept until the plane was landing, which suited her well since that was when she actually began to get excited.

When she had gotten the promotion, she had only fantasized about taking business trips to Paris, and there she was, landing in Paris on an impromptu visit and she didn’t even have to work.

At least for the moment, life was good.

The only problem was, factoring in the travel time and the time difference between the U.S. and France, by the time they got to Paris it was technically bedtime for Jenna, Robin and Wesley, and in Paris it was early morning.

“So… it’s morning,” Jenna said as she stepped out of the airport and looked around at the morning sky and the lanes of road in front of her.

“It is,” Wesley agreed. “Time change. Anyway, I already have a room booked for us at The Westin Paris, I’ve stayed there before in a pinch.” Then, nodding to a man who jumped out of one of the parked cars in front of the airport, Wesley went on, “Right now Peter is going to drive us to the hotel directly, I’m going to drop you guys off and then he’s going to take me to the office, but I’m going to get you a driver as soon as I possibly can. I’ll have you guys picked up and I already have your day kind of loosely planned out—hope you don’t mind.”

“Um, we already had the Louvre planned, right?” Jenna asked.

“Oh, yeah. But I was thinking you could do that tomorrow. Today I wanted to send you guys to the Palais Garnier to take a tour and maybe do some shopping. Jenna needs some clothes, if I remember correctly.”

“The Paris Opera?” Robin asked in delight. “We’re going inside?”

“You sure are,” Wesley said with a nod.

“I’ve never been! I’m so excited,” she said, grabbing Jenna’s arm. “Are you excited?”

“The Paris Opera? Yes, I… am,” Jenna said dazedly as she watched the man load Robin’s bags into the trunk.

“Then after you go through there I have you reservations for two at Villa Spicy, this little bistro about a mile and half away from the opera. They have menus in English, too. You’ll have lunch at 12:30, then you have some free time for shopping, and I was thinking you might want to make it an early night since you’re both going to be tired. If you want to grab an hour or two of sleep at the hotel before the car comes, that’s possible, too.”

“Well, you have that much planned, but we’ll still have some time to run around after lunch then, right?” Robin asked.

“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “I figured there’s plenty to do and see by the opera, you can be tourists for awhile.”

“Don’t you just love him?” Robin asked Jenna with a bright smile.

“Of course,” Jenna replied with a decisive nod as she got into the car. “I have a question about this driver, though. You said we only have a reservation for two?”

Nodding, Wesley said, “Naturally he’ll wait for you in the car and take you wherever you want to go. He speaks French and English, so Jenna, you won’t have a problem, but if you need French at any time, my little sister happens to be fluent.”

“Aw, you don’t speak French?” Robin said. “Well, that’s okay. I’ll be your guide.”

“I cannot believe I’m in Paris,” Jenna said quietly as Wesley climbed into the front seat and the driver pulled out.

“Will our driver take pictures of me and Jenna? I want pictures everywhere, even at that restaurant. Oh my gosh, can you even believe we’re going in the Paris Opera? It’s so freaking gorgeous!”

“Of course he’ll take pictures,” Wesley replied.

“I can’t wait to update my Facebook with a picture of us in front of the Paris Opera. I mean, who gets to bond with their sister-in-law over an impromptu trip to Paris? Wesley, I love you,” Robin rambled.

“As long as I can buy your affection, little sis,” he replied teasingly.

“Can we go to the Librairie de Paris on the square?” Robin asked. “I really liked the crepe I got there last time, and since we’ll have time and Jenna likes to read too… it would be fun.”

“Jenna, would you mind?” Wesley asked, peering back at them.

“Are you serious?” Jenna asked, wide eyed. “I want to go as much as she does.”

“Aw, my little nerds,” he replied fondly. “Yes, girls, if you’re really good I’ll let you go to the bookshop after shopping and the opera.”

“I love bookstores,” Jenna replied.

“So do I,” Robin agreed.

Smiling up at Wesley, Jenna noticed that he was giving her a long, narrowed look, and she lost her smile, saying, “What’d I do?”

“Nothing,” he replied, shaking his head.

“You look pensive,” she stated.

“I was just thinking it’s funny that you knew it was a book store. Most people who aren’t familiar with the language assume it’s a library, since that’s how it sounds.”

Jenna’s eyes widened slightly as she realized that she had responded as someone who knew that Robin was talking about a book shop and not a library, and she mentally scolded herself for her carelessness.

“I was waiting for you to ask why you would go to a library when you obviously can’t rent any books,” he clarified.

“Well, I would have gone to a library, too,” she said with a shrug. “I just like any building with books in it.”

Smiling, Robin said, “Pauvre Jenna, must you pick on her, you bully?”

“Poor Jenna my ass,” he replied, rolling his eyes and turning his attention back to the road.

Jenna grinned and said, “So, are we allowed to take pictures in the opera house? ‘Cause I’m thinking I definitely want some.”

“Of course. And I’ll take plenty, so you can have any you want.”

“Well, considering I didn’t get to pack, I don’t have a camera, so I’m definitely going to have to rely on you for that.”

--

When they got checked in and went up to their room at the hotel, Wesley walked in with them to tip the bellboy and see them inside before he left.

“Do you have to leave already?” Jenna asked. “No chance you could go see the opera house with us?”

“No, I’m afraid not. However, I promise on our next trip to Paris I’m going to take you to an opera. I would have loved to take you tonight, but I’m going to be exhausted and I’m sure you will too, and tomorrow night I’m hoping we can fly home, so… it’ll have to wait.”

“That sucks,” Jenna told him.

“It does. However, I am going to make it back in time to take you guys to see the Arc de Triomphe tonight. It’s much better by night than day.”

“Don’t you just drive by that?” Jenna questioned.

“No, we’ll go on the tour inside and see the city from the top; you need the full tourist experience your first trip to Paris. Next time we’ll just drive by.”

“What time are we going to the opera house?” Robin asked.

“Ten,” Wesley replied.

“Oh, that doesn’t give us a long time to wait,” Robin said excitedly.

“Doesn’t give me a long time to get you a car, either,” Wesley said with a smile, leaning in to kiss Jenna lightly. “I have to go to work, you two enjoy Paris.”

“I’ll buy you a present,” Jenna promised.

Chuckling, he said, “Good. Use my card.”

Rolling her eyes, she said, “That doesn’t count. I’m using my own money.”

“Good luck,” he said. “You didn’t exchange it for Euros.”

Since that was true, Jenna was disappointed.

“Oh well, you guys don’t need separate money anyway,” Robin stated. “You’re practically married.”

“True,” Wesley agreed with a nod. “Anyway, I have to leave. You girls have fun, take lots of pictures so I can relive it with you later.”

After Wesley left the girls did not take a nap. They were a little tired, but also excited about being in Paris, and sleeping seemed like a complete waste. As promised, Wesley had a car and driver sent to them pretty immediately, and by 9:45 they were heading down to the car that would squire them around the city all day.

The ride to the opera house was fun, just because they got to watch Paris go by as they rode along the streets. The traffic was heavy, and Jenna was really glad she didn’t have to drive in it. When they got down to where the opera house was, she noticed it immediately—not that she could have missed it with Robin pointing it out as soon as it came into view—and had a renewed excitement that she was going to get to see it.

The driver stopped in front of the building and Robin quickly scurried out, but before Jenna could get out, the driver called, “Miss, wait! Mr. Carter wanted me to give you this before you left.”

The driver picked up a black leather case and handed it to Jenna.

“What’s this?” she asked, frowning at it.

Chuckling, the man said, “Well, it used to be my camera, but Mr. Carter bought it, so now it’s yours so you can take pictures on your trip.”

“Oh, I can’t take your camera!” Jenna stated. “No, tell him thank you, but no.”

“He paid me three times what I paid for it new six months ago—please, take it.”

Sighing, she said, “That is such a Wesley thing to do. Well, thank you. I hope you don’t mind buying another camera.”

“Not at all. This one’s great for a beginner, but I’ve outgrown it anyway.”

Smiling, Jenna climbed out of the car and said, “Um, how do we let you know when we’re ready to leave?”

“You don’t have to. I’ll be back at 12:20 to pick you up, so just come outside and I’ll take you to lunch.”

“Wow,” Jenna said, nodding and then walking as Robin called for her to hurry up.

“I want a picture of us on the steps!” Robin stated, taking the cap off her camera.

“Oh, wait!” Jenna said, quickly turning around to face the driver. “Will you take a picture of us before you leave?”

“Of course, mademoiselle,” he replied, opening the car door.

Once they got their pictures Jenna thanked him and then she and Robin went to explore the opera house.

The inside was amazing. The architecture was so rich and beautiful that she and Robin stopped to take pictures every few feet. The staircases were absolutely amazing, and Robin suggested to Jenna that Wesley should check into possibly using the opera house for the wedding.

Laughing, Jenna, “I think not.”

“Aw, but it would be so romantic.”

“It certainly would, and if such a thing is even possible, it would probably cost a small fortune. I would rather sponsor an entire third world country, thank you very much.”

Nodding, Robin said, “I see your point. Ukraine is very poor; you could probably sponsor a family there for a whole month for the price of a pair of shoes in the U.S. these days.”

“That’s so sad,” Jenna remarked.

“It is,” Robin agreed. “You know, I don’t know how you feel about adoption, but you and Wesley should seriously consider Ukrainian adoption. I had to do a report on orphanages in Ukraine last month, and let me tell you, it is not a pretty sight. If you did adopt from Ukraine—which I totally recommend, and I would do it myself except I’m not old enough—you should adopt a boy, because there are actually more boys available than girls. The families are just so poor that they can’t afford to keep and raise their kids.”

“That’s horrible,” Jenna said, scowling.

Nodding, Robin said, “I’m intending to try to talk Wesley into making a donation to one of the orphanages I researched while I’m here, but don’t tell him. I’m going to make a presentation and everything.”

“That’s really sad,” Jenna said, thinking about how painful it must be to have kids and have to give them up because of being unable to support them financially.

“It is, and if you could see the state of these buildings that these kids are living… Jenna, it wouldn’t even be legal to have some of these building open in the United States. If you’d like, I could show you some of the pictures of the places I’m going to show Wesley in my presentation.”

“Well, I’m sure he could make a donation,” Jenna said. “I mean, he just spent a few thousand dollars on a camera for me.”

Smiling, Robin said, “I would love to have you on my side here. It’s always easier when the woman supports your mission. We could even look at some of my information about Ukrainian adoption,” she said innocently. “You never know, it could grab your attention.”

She gave Robin a sideways glance, but before she could say anything Robin went on. “I mean, not only are the buildings decrepit and sometimes full of roaches that surely freak the poor babies out, but they have barely any toys, they have no family at all, they hardly even have enough food to eat! And they’re so adorable and sad. It just seems unfair that while poor little orphans in Ukraine are all crammed together in an orphanage without knowing the joys of having their own birthday party or Christmas morning. Things that kids here take for granted, the little orphans would just love to have. I even read in some stories that the little ones are so eager for families that when any given woman walks in to choose a child, a bunch of them run around calling her momma.”

By that time, Jenna was beginning to feel wretched as she imagined a cherub faced little orphan girl tugging on her shirt and calling her momma, trying to convince Jenna to take her home and be her family.

Robin pressed on. “And really, the cost of a Ukrainian adoption is much more reasonable than many other countries, not that money is even a problem for you, but still. Can’t you just imagine how ecstatic one of those deprived little kids would be at Wesley’s house? It would be like a castle to them. Just having a room of its own to sleep in…”

“You’re making me sad,” Jenna stated.

Nodding, Robin said, “It makes me sad, too. Every time I think about it I just wish I could adopt one myself—one less love-deprived orphan out there alone in the world.”

Narrowing her eyes and looking over at Robin, Jenna informed her, “You know, you should be a salesperson.”

But Robin looked completely guileless and genuinely confused when she said, “Why is that?”

Jenna frowned a little, following Robin up the staircase and she thought maybe she hadn’t been trying to sell Jenna on the idea of adoption….

--

The opera house was gorgeous, and they got plenty of great pictures, then they had to race out to the car to make it to their lunch appointment.

The French bistro was adorable, and the food was absolutely delicious.

For the sake of appearances, Jenna did read the English menu to order, but when Robin wanted to “surprise her” by ordering a dessert for them to split, she pretended to be surprised.

After lunch they went back down by the opera house because there was a store called Lancel that Robin had wanted to stop at, and while they were there Robin talked Jenna into buying a purse that she was certain she didn’t need, but somehow Robin had convinced her in the moment that the purse matched her eyes and she just had to go home with it. Somehow after purse shopping and going to the bookstore, they ended up just wandering around the shops and miraculously Jenna didn’t end up with anything she could actually wear, but night was already falling and Wesley was calling to ask them to go back to the hotel so they would be there when he got there to go to the arc.

Just like when the day first began, Jenna had no clothes, which was vaguely inconvenient. Robin did offer to let Jenna borrow something of hers, but Jenna wasn’t sure if they wore the same size.

“I think we do,” Robin replied. “But we can just go grab you an outfit in the morning before we go to the Louvre.”

Nodding, Jenna was satisfied with that idea. “I’m excited to see the arc. I hope we get some good pictures.”

“Like the ones of us in front of the opera?” Jenna said with a smile. “I love that picture—we look a million feet tall.”

“I’m so glad I told him about the vantage point. Just by getting low he was able to get us ­and the entire front of the opera house in the picture.”

“That was very smart thinking.”

“I took photography and European architecture,” Robin said with a nod. “I knew how to combine the two.”

“You know more than I do; it’s embarrassing.”

Smiling, Robin said, “Hey, since we have some time before Wesley gets here, why don’t I turn on my laptop and show you some of my Ukrainian orphan stuff. I interviewed a family, I can show you the adoption photo and the little girl and boy they adopted at the zoo.”

Sighing, Jenna said, “Fine.”

Twenty minutes later Jenna was fully immersed in Ukrainian orphans when Wesley had the misfortune of walking through the door.

The photograph that Robin was currently showing Jenna was of Luca, the little boy of the couple Robin had incorporated into her paper, and it was before he was adopted. It showed a cute little blond boy standing in a dirty looking room holding a ratty teddy bear and behind him there was a big, gaping hole in the wood floor. It was like she was swimming in pictures of sad puppy dogs with their big, glistening eyes.

“Did you girls have fun?” Wesley asked as he put his briefcase down on his bed and glanced over at the girls behind the laptop. Then he frowned. “Jenna, why do you look like someone just ran over your dog?” Immediately looking at Robin, he said, “What did you do to her?”

Putting her hands up in surrender, Robin said, “I didn’t do anything! I let her read one of my papers and then I was showing her some of the stuff I used to research it.”

“Which paper?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at his younger sister.

Standing up, Jenna approached Wesley, grabbed him lightly by the lapels of his suit, and said, “Wesley, you need to adopt a Ukrainian child.”

Groaning, he said, “I should have known better than to leave her alone you, you devil child.”

“It’s not my fault that your wife has a heart and she feels for the plight of the sweet little orphans!” Robin defended. “And if I wait around on you to give me a niece or nephew I could be waiting until I’m 35.”

“Wesley, you have to look at the pictures,” Jenna said. “The little kids are so cute, and the orphanage is so ugly—like the clothes that they wear, but that’s completely beside the point. They’re poor, Wesley; they need a family.”

“This is your doing,” Wesley stated, shaking his finger at Robin.

“Nope,” she said stubbornly. “I may have offered up the idea, but she’s the one that liked it. I told you she wanted to be a mother; I could tell the second I saw her holding Dawson.”

“And I would happily make her a mother—the old fashioned way.”

Rolling her eyes, Robin said, “But you want a big family—no less than four kids, and that’s on the low end. This could be a good start, and she doesn’t have to go through labor. I mean, it takes a little while to get things going anyway—by the time you went through the paperwork and the home study and everything you probably couldn’t get a kid before six months from now, but you guys could still have one the old fashioned way. You aren’t going to get a newborn, it just isn’t going to happen.”

“Wesley, you have so much room in your house,” Jenna stated.

“Our house,” he corrected mildly.

“And you do like kids, don’t you?” Jenna prodded.

“I love kids, but this isn’t you talking, this is the little bug that Robin put into your head. She does this to people all the time. She just appeals to this inner part of you and guilts you into trying to fix the world’s problem. Trust me, I’ve let her do this to me many times.”

Scoffing, Robin said, “You’re giving me too much credit.”

“Robin, you could convince a person that the ocean is low on water,” Wesley returned.

“Which is why I was considering going to law school, but the point is that you are a perfect candidate for adoption.”

“And then what do I do when Jenna wakes up from the spell you cast on her and doesn’t want to adopt anymore?”

Gasping, Jenna said, “I am not that mean!”

“You’re not mean at all,” he assured her. “I just know how convincing my little sister can be.”

“But… they’re orphans. They have no family. They have nothing. And you… well, you are in a position to offer quite a lot. I mean, you buy me anything I want.”

“And now you want a child?” he asked skeptically.

“I want to give an orphan love,” she stated. “And I want you to give enough money to the orphanage so that they can fix the big hole in the floor. And if you do that you will absolutely be my hero.”

Frowning, he said, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“The hole? Robin was showing me the picture of the orphanage that this woman adopted her son and daughter from, and they were in this awful—Robin, open up the picture,” Jenna said, taking Wesley’s hand and dragging him over to the computer. “The orphanages are not in good condition, Wesley.”

“I’m sure she’s showing you the worst of them; that’s how she uses your emotions to manipulate you and make you feel bad for people.”

“People who need help,” Robin said, glaring at him.

“Look,” Jenna said, pointing at the picture. “It’s dirty and there’s a big hole in the floor of… what I’m assuming might be the living room. People cannot live like that.”

“Is that real?” Wesley asked Robin.

Her eyes widened and she nodded vehemently. “Yes, Wesley! I wouldn’t doctor a photo. That’s a real orphanage, those are real kids in the background.”

Giving him the puppy dog eyes, Jenna said, “Can you see now why I feel so terrible? These little kids are living in this damn orphanage, and it isn’t fair! I want to save them.”

“Of course you do; this is how Robin influences people. If you’re left alone with her for any length of time, she will pick some segment of the world for you to save. Do you have any idea how many times she has convinced me to donate money and mattresses and various other things to places like Uganda and Congo? I once bought 50 back to school backpacks to support one of her causes for educating girls in Africa or something like that, and of course I had no use for 50 backpacks, so I just had to send them to an inner city school and hope someone needed them.”

Blinking, Jenna said, “Is that a bad thing?”

“No, of course it isn’t, I’m just saying that this is what Robin does.”

“Inspires people to make the world a better place?” Jenna questioned.

Behind her, Robin grinned smugly at her brother.

Sighing, he said, “You’re making me feel like a bad person now.”

“Well, if you won’t let me have an orphan, could we at least make a donation? Please? You never have to buy me anything again—ever. Just… we could visit an orphanage and find one that needs some work, and then give them a big donation so that they could fix it and make it liveable. That would make me feel better.”

“Jenna, honey, let me explain something. If you walk into a dilapidated building full of small children without families, we are not going to leave without at least one.”

“I’ll pay for the adoption! Robin said that if you let me use your jet, we could adopt a child without spending a penny over ten thousand dollars. I could do that. I can afford to do that… I think. I’m almost positive. I know even if I would have to pinch pennies for the first few months, I could afford to do that.”

“How long did you say it takes before we would get to go look at the kids?” Wesley asked Robin.

“It depends, but usually in the neighborhood of six months. You might be able to speed the process up a little bit since you could afford to hire the most efficient people, but for the ten thousand, it would definitely not be sooner than six months, and it could be up to twelve.”

Nodding, he said, “Okay. So you’re going to be gone for five months by the time we could even get approved, by which point your influence will be gone and Jenna will actually know whether or not she wants to adopt a child.”

“Yep,” Robin said with a smile.

Sighing, Wesley told Jenna, “I’ll get the paperwork started as soon as possible.”

“Are you serious?” she asked, wide-eyed. “But I’m not going to change my mind—I want an adorable Ukrainian child.”

“If you still feel that way in six months when we can actually go to an orphanage and get one, then you will have any Ukrainian child that you want.”

“And will you give them enough money to fix the floor?” Jenna added.

“Yes, of course I will donate enough money for them to fix the floor.”

“And… can we take them some toys? I will happily buy the toys myself, but I was thinking maybe we could take them some baby dolls and Legos, just a few little toys for them to have,” she said hopefully.

“You can buy the orphans toys; I am not a monster.”

“You should take them some learning toys, too,” Robin added. “Some books would be excellent. Maybe even some creative toys for them, like finger paints?”

Nodding, Wesley said, “You must be pretty pleased with yourself right now.”

Grinning, Robin said, “I am definitely pleased with your choice of wife. She is a kind-hearted and generous soul, and together we could do lots of good.”

“I bet,” he replied.

“And… well, while we’re on this topic, there’s a boarding school that I was planning to appeal to you about; they need basic things like socks, shoes and jackets for the kids—there are over 200 orphans at the school, and it isn’t dilapidated or anything, it’s just basic things they need. I was thinking maybe you would authorize me to shop around and find some items to donate. I’ve been pen pals with one of the teachers there, and… well, it would really help.”

Smiling, Jenna said, “You really can’t be mad at your sister; she’s like a saint.”

“The school doesn’t get financing from Ukraine?” Wesley questioned.

“Well, they do, but it isn’t enough. Sometimes they don’t even have enough soap.”

“And you want me to fix the problems of a country I’ve never even been to?”

“Yes,” Robin said simply. “It’s not like you can’t afford it, Wesley.”

Nodding, he said, “The girl has a point.”

Smiling, Jenna said, “You’re my hero, does that help at all?”

Sighing, he said, “Yeah, actually it does. So… I guess when I get you ladies back home, I’m going to have to send you out shopping for Ukrainian orphans.”

“They would certainly appreciate it,” Robin said with a smile. “You are such a good person, Wesley.”

“Yeah, well, whenever you’re a lawyer you can provide for the orphans on your own.”

“I will,” she said with a nod. “If I become a lawyer. But I’ve already decided that when I turn 21 I’m going to adopt a child. You have to be at least 15 years older than the child you adopt, and I figure when I turn 21 I can adopt a child under 6, and I’ll be almost done with my undergraduate work, so hopefully by then I’ll be ready.”

“She puts the rest of us to shame,” Wesley informed Jenna. “No one else in the entire family has the philanthropy gene, but Robin came out like Mother Teresa from birth.”

“Um… there is a school in more need than that if you’re feeling extra generous. There’s another boarding school—I’m not a pen pal with anyone there, I just did some research on my own—that needs bookshelves, desks and chairs. I actually already did a bake sale at home to raise money for this, but I only made 35 bucks, so… I kind of need a financial backer, but if you would authorize me to get just some of those—even ten desks and ten chairs would satisfy me—I won’t even try to talk to you into buying them shoes or stuff for their wood shop.”

Glancing at Jenna he said, “It’s never cheap when Robin visits.”

“And if you do that, I’ll consider this my Christmas present and you won’t have to get me a single thing. Plus I’ll love you forever,” she added.

“Your sister is so going to heaven,” Jenna remarked with a smile. “Honestly, she makes me want to be a better person. I feel like a sloth because I’m not out there trying to get sponsors to help people. I mean, what is wrong with me? I could be organizing a book drive for inner city kids or something.”

Gasping, Robin said, “I could totally help you with that if you wanted to do one!”

“You know what else we could do? We could probably talk Jon into making a donation. I mean, since Wesley’s already sending stuff to the orphans, why not see if we could talk someone else into adding to the pile?”

“I like the way you think,” Robin said with an approving nod.

“And we could get stuff cheap—I was raised on finding good sales, and how much could socks and shoes possibly be? We need to find out exactly what else we could talk Jon into, and then we can sweet talk him into it.”

“Hey wait, there will be no sweet talking,” Wesley said with a frown.

“But she has a point, Wesley. There are other things that the orphans need—like sports equipment, Jon could easily afford a few balls, maybe a few badminton sets. It wouldn’t be that expensive, and we could just throw it in with what you’re contributing,” Robin explained.

“We can’t save the whole country, Robin.”

Rolling her eyes impatiently, Robin said, “This isn’t the whole country, Wesley, this is only two of the boarding schools that put up orphans; trust me, there are plenty more that I’m neglecting.”

“I’m extremely confused as to how you even decided to adopt Ukraine. You’ve never even been to Ukraine.”

“I know, but it all started with this paper that I was doing… you know how I delve into things once I start researching. You should just be glad that I’m picking some of the smaller things. There’s another school that needs beds, computers, carpet, furniture—I actually picked some smaller items to donate, but I just figured on top of paying to have the floor of the one orphanage fixed and adopting a child yourself…. However, if you do end up flaking on this adoption thing, maybe you could buy a couple of computers, too.”

Sighing, Wesley said, “Robin, if you ever reproduce biologically, please do it with someone stupid. I’m afraid that if you had an intelligent kid with your tenacity and someone else’s humanity, it could be the next Hitler.”

“I haven’t decided if I want to have any biological kids,” Robin stated. “The rest of my family is definitely having enough to carry on the legacy, and there are so many kids in the world without families that I think I might just adopt. I kind of want a little girl from China, too, but that will have to wait until I graduate all of my schooling, because Chinese adoptions cost more than Ukrainian adoptions and there are a lot more rules.”

“Is she making your head hurt? Because I’m noticing a headache coming on,” Wesley told Jenna.

“No,” Jenna said with a smile. “I think she’s wonderful. I hope that our little Ukrainian child has a good heart like Robin’s.”

“And hopefully less ambition, or I’m going to need to expand my company,” Wesley stated.

“Could we go for a little walk around the hotel so we could iron out the details?” Jenna requested.

Nodding, Wesley said, “Robin, you behave yourself and stay in the room, we’ll be right back.”

“Absolutely,” she said with a smile. “I’m just going to shut my computer off so I don’t drain out all my battery.”

Jenna went bouncing out the door and Wesley followed her, firmly closing the door behind him and saying, “Are you having second thoughts already?”

“Not at all,” Jenna said. “Your sister is such a positive person, it almost makes me wish we really were family.”

“My sister… is something else,” he allowed.

“But I wanted to talk to you about this adoption thing—I’m really not kidding, when she showed me those pictures… I mean, I hadn’t planned on being a mother soon or anything, but they just grabbed me, I just wanted to… fix it. And you know, I am definitely old enough, and… well, I don’t really see another opportunity in my future to fly to Ukraine, let alone be able to take all the time off work that I’m going to need to do this. In order to adopt, I’m going to have to just hang out in Ukraine for an extra 11 or 12 days after I file for adoption just waiting for the judge to make it legal. I don’t mean to sound opportunistic, it’s just that right now since I’m living this little charade with you, you’re letting me have time off work, and you could fly me there so I wouldn’t have to pay air fare.”

“Okay, but one of the many issues I want to bring up is the timing. You gave me one month to break the news to my family and break the engagement. The process for being eligible for adoption is going to take at least six, and if I were you, I wouldn’t want to prove my situation unstable by breaking my engagement as soon as I bring home a new child, and breaking up before the adoption is completely out of the question.”

Biting her lip, she said, “Well… I know. I was going to ask you about that. Is there any way that I could possibly convince you to pretend to be engaged to me for a little longer?”

Chuckling to himself, he said, “I think there might be a chance I’d consider that.”

Brightening, she said, “That would be so wonderful, because you would definitely prove to have a stable environment, and if we’re engaged I know they wouldn’t have a problem approving me.”

“You keep saying you, like you’re the only parent,” he pointed out.

Pausing, she said, “Well, that would be another issue. We could do it one of two ways. If you don’t actually want to adopt a child, then I could adopt by myself and be a single parent. Ukraine allows that.”

“And if I don’t like that idea?” he questioned.

“Well, then we can adopt a child together and share custody, exactly as we would if we actually had a child together—and of course I wouldn’t expect you to contribute financially at all, so don’t worry about that.”

Smiling, he said, “My sister has spent 12 hours with you and she has you talked into adopting a child. She really is amazing.”

“It isn’t such a sacrifice,” Jenna said dismissively. “She just made me realize that it could be a really good idea.”

“To have a child with me?”

Hearing him ask in those words made her stomach drop a little, and she had to swallow before she could answer, “Sort of.”

Taking a step closer, he said, “What if I would rather we really have a child together—the biological way?”

Swallowing again, she took a small step away from him and said, “Well, that wouldn’t be very fair. Orphans need loving homes, too.”

“Did it ever occur to you that in six months' time you and I are supposed to be married?”

“We could postpone; couples do that sometimes.”

Nodding, he said, “So, you get a child out of this deal—what exactly do I get?”

“It would be your child too, unless you don’t want that,” she amended. “It doesn’t have to be, and like I said, I really will pay for the adoption on my own if I adopt the child by myself. It would help immensely if I could use your jet to cut the travel costs…”

“I don’t want you to adopt the child on your own, and you’re not going to pay for the adoption. Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money to you; to me it isn’t even a down payment on a car. I just want to know the specifics of the agreement before I say yes. Are you going to keep living with me?”

“That’s up to you,” she said. “It would show more stability if we lived together, but… I could even pay you rent instead of paying rent for my apartment, for that matter.”

Giving her a slightly awed look, he said, “She really reeled you in. I had to beg you to let your apartment go for a month and now you’re ready to give it up altogether and live with me?”

“You didn’t see the pictures, Wesley,” she said, averting her gaze. “Children should not live like that.”

“The hole?”

“Not just the hole, she showed me pictures of the whole orphanage. I don’t know if it’s just one of the worst orphanages in the country or what, but the thought of any child having to live like that just breaks my heart, and even without you I could provide for a child better than that. And… well, I really don’t have anything else in my life. For years I’ve been with Trevor, and I spent a lot of that time lonely. A child would give me purpose; it gave my mother purpose. I could make the life of one little person better, so why shouldn’t I?”

Smiling down at her, he said, “You’re very caring, you know that?”

Her cheeks flushed a little, and she said, “I’m just human. Anyone would be heartbroken looking at those pictures. Anyone with a conscience would feel compelled to help if they were in a position to.”

Shaking his head slightly, he said, “No, they wouldn’t.”

“Well, they should.”

Wesley smiled at her and lightly took her by the hand, slowly walking down the hall. “So, tell me how this is going to work.”

“What exactly do you want to know?” she asked, glancing over at him.

“I’ll pay all the adoption expenses and get the paperwork going tomorrow if possible, but I need to know exactly how you want to do this. We’ll have to share the child, because I’m not letting you do it alone. You’re going to live with me—but how? As my fiancée? Will we be sharing a room, or will you have your own?”

Stopping, she asked in amusement, “Are you trying to ask if I’m going to sleep with you?”

Rolling his eyes, he said, “It was on my mind, but I wasn’t just thinking about sex.”

“Well, it’s entirely up to you. If you would like for me to sleep with you, then I will. I’m open to pretty much anything—except cooking, of course, because the last attempt traumatized me.”

Laughing, he said, “I know, I know; no more cooking. However, you don’t sound very enthusiastic about the idea of sleeping with me,” he remarked wryly. “It’s not a requirement, Jenna; I won’t put it in the adoption papers.”

Smiling, she leaned a little closer to him and said, “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. I just… don’t know what you want. I mean, I’ll play the fiancée, but if you’re going to be with other women, then… I don’t want to sleep with you. But if you’re going to be loyal, I would definitely not expect you to go without sex for six months just because I have a sudden yearning to adopt an orphan. That said, I’m kind of at your mercy. You’re paying for the adoption, you’ve paid for everything; I’m definitely in your debt now.”

“You’re not in my debt. I buy you things because it makes me happy to do so; you owe me nothing in return.”

“Yes, but even so, this is a temporary arrangement, so I don’t feel right about letting you pay for everything.”

“And what if it isn’t?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” she asked, stopping again.

“I mean… if you’re living with me and sleeping with me and we’re going through the process of adopting a child together over the next six months… don’t you think there would be a risk of us developing feelings for each other under such circumstances?”

“Oh,” she said dumbly. “Well… I don’t know.”

He merely raised his eyebrows.

“I really hadn’t thought about that,” she said to defend herself. “I was thinking of sad eyed orphans, not living arrangements!”

“I mean… it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if that happened, I’m just asking if you would be open to those feelings if they did arise?”

Wide-eyed, she asked, “Why would you ask me that?”

“Because you have a mild panic attack every time you get the impression that I’m trying to move in the direction of an actual relationship with you,” he stated plainly.

“I do not,” she lied.

“You definitely do. I see it in your eyes every single time, Jenna.”

Letting go of his hand and glancing away, she sighed and said, “Okay, I’m not extremely good at letting people in, but you have to take into consideration that Trevor is the only real relationship I have ever been in, and look what a train wreck that was.” Then, trying to lighten the conversation, she said, “Plus, you know Virgos are famously difficult to have relationships with, so I was predisposed to being difficult.”

Smiling, he let his hand drop to the small of her back and he pulled her into his side, stating, “Well, I’ve never been afraid of a challenge. I just… before I go adopting a child with you, I want to make sure that if you accidentally developed feelings for me—not that you will; I’m speaking hypothetically—you wouldn’t freak out and refuse to admit it for some deeply rooted psychological reason.”

“You make it sound like you almost want me to fall in love with you,” she said, glancing up at him.

His lips curved up just a little, and he said, “I’m just clarifying that if you did, you would be cooperative. You’ve been a little firecracker since the moment I met you, which is fine, but not if you want to bring a child into it.”

“Well, I think someone’s a little cocky,” she said playfully. “You never know, you might be the one to fall in love with me.”

With a secretive smile, he said, “On ne peut rien y faire, ma chéri.”

It took great effort not to appear startled as she soaked in what he had just said.

It can’t be helped, my darling.

What the hell did he mean by that?

But, careful to keep her face as blank as it would be if she had no idea what he had just said, she merely replied, “What was that?”

“Never mind,” he said with a smile, pulling her slightly closer. “We should probably get back to the room so we can go check out the arch.”

Allowing him to lead her as they turned around, Jenna said nothing, but on the inside her wheels were spinning.

Wesley Carter could not possibly be in love with her.

It would make no logical sense.

He didn’t even know her well enough to be in love with her.

Then, a thought struck her. Maybe she misheard him. After all, while she was quite comfortably fluent in French, her French was by no means flawless. She didn’t use it regularly enough. Perhaps she misinterpreted something he said, and what he had said was something much less… romantic.

Yes, that made sense.

Satisfied with her argument, she followed him back to the room, her mind at rest, and she decided to stop overthinking everything and just enjoy the rest of her vacation. Once she got home, she could concern herself with whether or not she was making a huge mistake. At least for the moment, she just wanted to enjoy Paris.

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A/N: Hey! Hope you enjoyed the update! : ) It was certainly eventful, right? : ) Let me know how you liked it! Thank you very much in advance!