*Amir*

"You flew to France?" Luna said while gazing at the breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower outside my window.

I didn't intend for us to connect at this very moment, with my unshaven face and wrinkled clothes. And my hair was definitely a mess, but she didn't seem bothered by it. But being in her presence like this-unprepared-had my heart doing a trippy dance. My plan was to prepare myself first, connect to her later, and then surprise her. I came here for her. She'd always wanted to visit Paris, and I wanted her to have a chance to explore it. Even if it meant telepathically. Anything for my tethered companion.

Meeting her gaze, I nodded in reply.

"Why?" she asked, her eyes twitching in its sockets.

I stepped close to the window and stood beside her, then turned my head her way and gazed softly into her beautiful eyes, and whispered, "I came here for you, Luna."

She gasped.

Reaching up to stroke her right cheek, a tear escaped her eyelid and slid down to her chin. I brushed her tear off with my thumb, then cleared my throat and shook my head. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I meant-"

"No!" she exclaimed. "You said you came to Paris for me. Tell me what you mean."

Taking a step outside on the small balcony under the evening sky, we watched as the sunset had radiated across the sky, turning the puffy clouds from a molten orange color to bands of purple and pink. The Eiffel Tower looked like a large giant in the center of the city, so tall and majestic.

Luna followed behind me as we took a seat at the table that sat against the wide ledge. Bringing my gaze back to her, her eyes stayed focused on the magnificent structure in front of us as her chin was slightly opened. She was definitely in shock by this, and I could sense how fast her heart was beating.

Trying to ease the anxiety coursing through her veins, I reached for her shaky hand and whispered, "I came to Paris because this was a city that you have always wanted to see. I figured that I would come here and see it for you. I was going to connect to you when I was more presentable and share this experience with you. Paris is your favorite city in the entire world, and I wanted you to see it."

"Amir," she mumbled, giving me a kind smile across her face. "It's beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking. Just so you know, nothing against Paris, but I think I've marveled over Pakistan a little too much. Your country is just as fascinating. However, I think nothing could compare to how extraordinary the Eiffel Tower is. The lights are on, and it's immaculate, more than I ever thought possible."

I smiled a little as we both peered at the cramped streets down below and surveyed how busy the city was in the evenings here. Then she raised her neck back up and locked her eyes with mine. "Despite the heavy traffic down there, I like it here. I think I could get used to it if I ever lived here."

"Well, I don't know about that, Ms. Carlyle," I murmured and cleared my throat, then I picked up my glass of fruit punch and gulped it down, staring straight into her eyes. "Sorry. I meant that you dislike traffic, so you probably wouldn't play too well here." She let out a tiny laugh, something I hadn't heard for days.

"True. I loathe traffic," she said in a deep voice. I laughed.

"Everybody does."

Fiddling with her thumbs and staring down in her lap, I laid my glass down and reached for her shoulder, slightly touching it. "I'm sorry if I opened up our connection like this. I know you are on your holiday with your family, and I didn't mean to ruin it before you spend time with them. I guess I was sitting in the chair in there and couldn't stop thinking about you."

"It's all right. It's early in Texas, and I couldn't stop thinking about you, either." She smiled and then looked away at the tower.

A second later, her eyes met mine again, and she slightly tilted her head to the side. "Speaking of opening our connection... Why did you close me off? And not just to me, but to Faisal and Cyrus and everyone else? People were worried about you."

I took a breath and adjusted myself in my seat, then brought my gaze down in my lap, with my lips pressed into a thin line. "I didn't mean to make everyone worry about my whereabouts. I just-I needed some space and some air. I needed to think about things and get away from home for a bit. I didn't want any distractions."

"So I was a distraction?" she asked me, her eyebrows slightly creased.

Shaking my head rapidly, I mumbled "no" and then stood up and stepped to the side of the ledge, running a hand through my hair.

"Luna..." I mumbled as I turned around to face her. "You are never a distraction. I was talking about work, and how people constantly call me in to work on a private project at the lab, or how my cousin connects to me whenever he feels like it. I didn't want to be in the shower and hear him pop in just to tell me how it's going over there. And believe me, he does that at the oddest times."

She let out a tiny giggle, and I continued. "I took a few days off to go to America, but plans were suddenly changed last minute. You and I kept having these deep discussions, and I had to do something. We'd pretty much split up and came to a decision that was best for both of us, for our future as companions. I came here in hopes of not only reminiscing the moments we shared together, or the dreams we had to visit Paris, but to give you a wedding present; the only one I could give you. I wanted you to see your favorite city through me."

Luna's mouth opened slowly as her eyes widened. She hopped up from her chair and stepped a few inches closer to me, her arms wrapped around her waist. "You can't be serious, Amir."

I nodded and brought my hands behind my head, hating that it had to be like this. But our decision had to be done. We had to split, because there wasn't a future for us. And not only that, I had to respect her choice on staying with Chase, which I get now. Her life with him and Sarah meant a lot to her, and I couldn't live with myself if I broke that up.

Gazing softly into her eyes, I reached forward and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then said, "Yes, Luna. I thought about it, and I want to take you to all the places you've dreamed of visiting. You could literally travel the world through me. I could take you where your heart desires most."

"You don't have to," she whispered, gradually shaking her head.

"Why? You don't like that idea?"

She scoffed. "No, I love it. I guess Paris was the first location. But-" Closing her mouth and side-stepping around me, she closed her eyes and wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. Then she opened her eyes and stared straight into mine. "Amir, you don't have to go through all that trouble. Seriously. It'll cost so much money. And not to mention, time away from work."

"Don't worry about either of them. It'll be fine. Trust me." I didn't know why she was worried about my financial stability. The private projects I perform at the lab for investors were highly compensated. She knew that. And money was the farthest thing on my mind. Exploring the world with her was something more precious than money.

"Money and work mean nothing to me if I can't spoil my tethered mate." She smiled a little. "Seriously... Tell me all the places you'd like to go. I'd rather hear it from you than peek inside that beautiful head of yours."

"You're unbelievable," she said, chuckling quietly. "You'll be exhausted by all the countries and towns I want to see. Like I said, it's okay. Paris is enough. You being here is enough. And this was very unexpected. Thank you."

"No, Ms. Carlyle. It's not," I told her as our eyes stayed locked. Her illuminating eyes sparkled under the shiny full moon, and loose strands of her brown hair dangled delicately from the soft breeze. "Luna, I'm serious. Very serious. For a wedding gift, I will travel to any part of the world of your choosing. We could visit every tourist attraction there is. Just tell me where to next."

She barked out a laugh and stepped around the other side of me, tilting her neck towards the tower, marveling at it. "Well, since you are already in France and offering... I guess... Bali?"

"Okay. Why Bali?"

She shook her head, giggling. "Don't laugh about it, but other than seeing the sunrise on the beach, I wouldn't mind visiting the place the Kardashians stay in when they travel there. Plus, seeing all the places they visited would sort of feel like I was there, too."

"But you will be there. We would be connected, Luna."

She nodded. "I know. I want to explore Bali one day, though, in person."

"I understand. So, what is the third location? We have fifty more to go."

Now she laughed out loud.

"Fifty? No. No. No. Fifty locations is a bit much. Let's say... five?"

"Okay. Your top five."

"I can't believe I am discussing hypothetical places that you would travel to for me."

"They aren't hypothetical, Moon. Your dreams will come true. All before your wedding."

"Moon? You haven't called me in that in a long time," she murmured, smiling gently.

"Luna. Sorry."

"No, you can call me that. I missed it, actually."

I laughed and brought my body around to lean against the ledge with my arms crossed. "I don't know why I called you that. I guess it's because of the moon was out."

"Which is perfect," she said, standing on my side. "Anyway, next country, if you're still okay with that?"

"Give them to me. Anywhere for you."

She smiled and continued to explain to me the other location she longed to see. "Tibet. I wouldn't mind looking at the amazing structures and temples that are scattered everywhere in the country. And maybe you could fly in a helicopter and browse Mount Everest. That'll be a sight for the both of us. A first."

"It would," I nodded as I stepped forward and gazed around, focusing on the night starless sky.

"Then Machu Picchu, Peru. I have always wanted to see the forests and visit the country," she continued, gazing at a church a few yards away.

"Done," I replied, making sure I made a mental list of everywhere she wanted to visit but haven't.

"After that is Switzerland to visit the beautiful and striking medieval town that sits on the edge of the scenic Lake Lucerne. There are very impressive mountain peaks in the country, too."

"Wow. That was also on my Tethered Bucket List," I mumbled, causing her to whip her head my way, grinning at me. Our scene changed with the both of us standing beside the bed in Liberty's guest room, talking.

"Tethered Bucket List?" Luna questioned, her eyebrows scrunched together.

Stepping away from the wall, I strolled toward the window and shrugged a shoulder. "It's a small list that I wrote for places I wanted to see, if I ever connected to any residents that were from there."

"Really? What was after Switzerland, then?"

"Actually, Egypt was next on my list. I have been dying to see the pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza. There is an investor I'm acquainted with whom is from Cairo and has told me about Egypt. I found it quite fascinating."

"Me too. There are so many places in Egypt and the whole continent of Africa I wouldn't mind visiting."

I smiled at her and said, "Well, Egypt will be first after Paris. I'll book a trip there immediately after I leave here."

"Looks like you have everything planned out."

"I think I do. I just want you to explore everything I do. Your private and adventurous wedding gift from me."

"You're ridiculous," she whispered. "But you are also amazing." I smiled and took a quick glance at the tower again.

"Lu?"

Our conversation was cut short as we heard Liberty calling her name outside in the hall. Luna glanced my way and opened the door, smiling back at her sister.

"Are you okay? You've been in there for a while," Liberty said, bringing her arm around Luna's shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I was just reminiscing about some old times. I was gazing at the picture of when we went to see Blake Shelton in concert," Luna said, covering for herself. Great excuse.

"I remember that day. But you've been in here for a long time. And... I-I don't know how to ask you this, but were you talking to someone back here? I heard your voice?"

Luna shook her head. "Oh," she laughed softly, laying a hand on her sister's arm. "I had a client call, and I had to reschedule a photo session. That's all."

"Okay. Well, the food will get cold soon. Why don't we head out there? Sarah is sitting down and ready to eat," Liberty told her, ushering them down the hall.

I FOLLOWED BEHIND THEM as they walked out onto the patio. Luna and I were in the middle of a conversation, and I didn't want to depart from her just yet. We had more to discuss and chat about.

The table outside was decorated with a red and blue tablecloth in honor of Memorial Day, and a massive spread of delicious looking food settled across it. Different juicy and tangy fruits were in the center, cut meats with sliced cheese spread around a centerpiece with red and white sparklers, and a large bowl filled with lettuce and spinach sat at the end. Then I notice some selections Ahmed fixed up from his native homeland of India; Indian Beef Samosas, Mutton Nihari, and Indian Butter Chicken.

I stayed standing in the back against the wall as Luna and the others took their seat. She kept her gaze on mine until Chase laid down a plate of sausages that the guys grilled, and then winked at her.

Oh goodness. I knew what was flowing through his mind.

I ended up snorting kind of loudly by accident, but then I chuckled when she looked back at me with a heavy stare. She knew I was laughing at Chase's style of flirting.

Little Sarah was chewing down on a hot dog filled with ketchup and mustard and wasn't paying attention to anything that was going on at the table. Luna and Liberty then began engaging into a conversation about vacations and wedding details. Ahmed and Chase talked about a sport's game that absolutely bored me to death. It's not that I don't like sports, but I like it better when Luna and I play games together. She's great at Monopoly and Darts, always hitting the bullseye. I smiled to myself reminiscing about the games we engaged in.

After a few minutes of eating and light conversation at the table, Luna rubbed her stomach and started looking full. As Chase glanced over at her, he nodded with his eyes for her to nibble something from his plate, some vegetables he hadn't touched.

As I felt tired and ready to go back into my room, I waved to Luna and turned on my heel to walk through the doorway. But then I turned back around slowly as I heard Chase moan loudly with food in his mouth.

"I don't know about you, baby," he mumbled into Luna's ear, "but I'm almost full. I think I'm ready for desert." He wiggled his eyebrows and licked his lips in front of her.

I rolled my eyes and looked down. He was trying to be flirty around her at the most awkward moment. Luckily, no one was listening to them, aside from me.

She shook her head and picked up a cube of shish kebab and tossed it into her mouth. "What kind of desert?"

"Something juicy and pink all over." I gagged in my spot. The guy was terrible with flirting. Her eyes darted my way, and she quickly stood on her feet, then reached for her glass.

"Where are you going, Lu?" Chase asked, puzzled by her quick movement.

She looked down at the table and held her glass tightly in her hand. "I'm just going to get a glass of water. I'll be right back."

"I could help you," Chase offered, climbing to his feet.

Then Sarah's mustard from her hot dog fell onto her shirt, so she peered over to Chase, pleading with her little eyes for him to help her.

"I've got this," Liberty said, grabbing some napkins. Ahmed dabbed some clean wash clothes under a faucet as Luna stepped closer toward me. Then she turned and looked at the table.

"Sarah, honey," Luna murmured her way. "I will be right back. Let Aunty Lib and Uncle Maudi help clean you up. Okay?" Luna then glanced back at Chase as he was crouched down beside Sarah, rubbing her back and soothing her. "It will only take a minute, Chase. I'll be fine."

"Right. Well, don't take too long. We'll send a search party after you," he remarked, causing my nerves to crawl. There he goes again... the search party line.

AS SOON AS LUNA AND I WERE ALONE, she fixed herself a glass of water and peered back at me. "Sorry. I-"
Quickly gulping down her drink, she finally took a deep breath. "I don't know what's gotten into Chase."

"Me neither. I wasn't planning to follow you and Liberty outside, but you and I were in the middle of something," I said, standing near the kitchen window while she stood in front of the refrigerator.

"Yeah, we were. But I didn't want to brush Liberty off, especially since she went searching for me. I should get back out there soon. Maybe we could talk after I'm back home."

"Okay." I stepped away from the window and stood closer to her. "I'm not sure how long I'll be in Paris for, but reach out to me whenever you feel like it. I might be in another city then. So, who knows?" She giggled softly, making me smile.

"I will. And thank you for showing me what Paris was like. I know it wasn't ideal, but maybe one day you could visit longer and really get a feel of the city."

"Definitely," I said, reaching for her hand. "And I'll still travel to wherever you'd like, Ms. Carlyle. Just say the word."

"Oh yeah? I must say that I have my very own Aladdin. He can show me the world."

"Sure can. We'll go soaring, tumbling, and freewheeling through an endless diamond sky. How's that sound?"

She laughed, and her eyes became red again. "Go back out there, Moon. Connect back to me later. I don't care how long it takes."

She arched her neck back and opened her jaw. "Even if I don't see you for twenty-four hours? Or how about two weeks? Maybe four weeks?"

"Well, now that you went down that route, you better not leave me alone for that long. Chase isn't the only one who can send a search party for you. Now that Faisal can see you, he'll come in handy." She playfully hit my upper arm and shook her head at me.

"Okay. Okay. Not for a whole month. Just a few days while I'm away from home, and then I'll open our connection back up. I won't close you out for good. I'm just glad to know that you are safe."

"I am safe. Nothing happened to me. I lost myself for a moment there, but now I'm better. You might've not gotten to have the full experience of Paris, but I believe you will one day. I hope that for you. Whether it's with me or Chase."

"Maybe," Luna whispered, gazing softly into my eyes.

"Luna!" Ahmed yelled out near the side door.

"I'm going to go. I'm about to take a shower, then pray for a while. Maybe eat something. After gazing at all the food on the table, I'm finding myself hungry."

After I said that, Ahmed stepped through the doorway and pranced quickly towards Luna with his phone in his hand. "Take a look at this," he said, flashing her an image of Liberty and Sarah eating a watermelon together outside. I smiled at her and then mouthed my goodbye.

As I walked to the balcony of the hotel room, I stood against the doorway and gazed out at the tall tower. Coming to Paris was on impulse, but it was worth it to see the look on my companion's face as she stared at the same enormous structure as I did. I would go to the ends of the earth for her, just so she could experience the beauty of this world. It might seem or feel like a darkened one, but life isn't always bad. It's what you make of it. And having Luna as my partner for the rest of my life was a blessing.

She came my way like the light from the sun, her emotions warmed me just as the touches of those gentle rays did. She came with open eyes and open arms, with an opened mind and harmonic words. She was the heart song of so many and in this deep sense of gratitude for her presence in my life, her companionship was the purest joy, the kind that lasted an eternity.

***