PIERRA'S POV

"You promise to bring me souvenirs?"Alice pleaded looking up at me with the same brown eyes Andrew had.

"I promise."I assured her as I pulled her into a tight hug against me.

I'd spent two days with Andrew, his mom and sister getting to know them better. Alice and I had immediately clicked as she had been the small sister I had always wanted. She had a lot of male influence in her life too, after all she did grow up with one older brother and lots of male cousins so my company was most welcome. We talked about anything and everything because for a fifteen year old she was very wise and mature.

Beth loved her children and I respected her for that. She had raised them all on her own and they had turned out as perfectly as they had. She was kind to me and accepted me as her son's girlfriend. It made me happy that they both liked me as I had no idea what I would have done if they hadn't approved of me.

"Let her go Alice, we need to leave now if we're going to make it in time for our flight."Andrew demanded as he pulled us apart.

Alice pouted but let me go nonetheless. Beth hugged me next, giving me an affectionate pat in the back.

"You two please take care of yourselves and each other. Make sure you eat all your meals, stay safe and come back to us in one piece."Beth demanded holding both I and Andrew's hands in hers.

"We will mom."Andrew replied.

I backed him up with a nod of my head.

"Andrew I know I have already said this but Pierra is my sister now so if you mess things up again, I will disown you and mom will adopt her."Alice declared.

I hid a smile behind my hand looking at Andrew who was staring at his sister shocked.

"That's not fair but I won't dream of it so you're not getting rid of me that easy."He replied ruffling her hair.

Alice truly was one of a kind and I was very grateful for her.

After we said our final goodbyes, Andrew and I grabbed our light luggage and journeyed back to school which was our first stop. We were stopping there to pick up our bags and say one final goodbye to our friends.We also made a quick pit stop at Bishop's who had been discharged two days earlier. For the first time ever, I actually saw him give Andrew an honest smile. He did give him the threatening take care of my sister or else speech but it was all in good fun. Whitney would take care of him and he was already making plans to quit the drug business so he would be fine.

When I was guaranteed that my brother was okay, we left and boarded a bus to the city center where we took a commercial flight to Nairobi. From the airstrip we landed in we used an uber to get to the Jomo Kenyatta International airport for our flight to Paris.

My parents and siblings were meeting us at the airport to say their goodbyes before we left. My mom had managed to convince my dad to let me go. He had not been thrilled about it but he had come around in the end.

"Does your dad carry his gun with him?"Andrew asked as we approached my family in the parking lot.

"Why?"I inquired with a laugh.

"Because he might shoot me so we don't get to go to Paris together."He replied.

I snorted another laugh and looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Don't give me that look, I know what I'm talking about."He defended himself.

"You've faced him once before, you'll be okay."I consoled him.

"Yeah before I wasn't about to take his only daughter, his princess away from him for a month to another continent."He argued.

Andrew looked really troubled that my dad would do something to him but before I had the time for assure him it would be okay my younger brothers had already noticed me and ran towards us launching themselves at me. They were growing up so fast and would be my height before they hit puberty.

My parents approached us too and greeted us with smiles and hugs. Andrew looked uncomfortable but only I could see that.

"My princess is leaving."My mom sobbed pulling me into a bone crushing hug.

"I'll be back mom."I assured her with a laugh.

"I know but still, this is the first time you're travelling so far without us. You're spreading your wings and as happy as I am for you, I'm still your mom so I can't help but worry."She insisted.

"I'll be okay mom and we will be back before you know it."I promised hugging her back tighter.

When she was satisfied with mothering me for a few minutes, she let me go before turning her attention to Andrew. My dad looked at me with a serious look on his face, arms crossed over his chest. I mirrored his stance and soon enough his facade fell as he broke into chuckles opening his arms for a hug. I smiled before walking into the embrace of the man who had always protected and loved me even if I wasn't his blood.

"Your mom is right, this is hard."He chuckled holding me tighter against him.

"Dad I'll be back."I said repeating the same thing I'd told my mom.

"It's not that simple. Your growing up baby girl, leaving the country all on your own. Even though we've prepared you to be your own person your whole life, it's still hard seeing you fly away, literally."My dad explained.

"No matter where I go, I'll always know where home is."I replied.

"Good because you will always be my little girl."He answered pulling away and kissing my forehead.

"When you get there take care of yourself and make sure that you keep me updated so your old man knows that you're okay. Make sure Andrew takes care of you and treats you with respect too. If anything happens tell me immediately and I'll get you out of there."He instructed.

"Dad I'm not going for a sting."I laughed as his policeman side was coming out.

"I know but I'm very serious. I know you have money but don't hesitate to ask for financial help, I don't want you lacking for anything."He demanded.

"I hear you dad and will heed to all your words."I reassured him.

Satisfied with my answer my dad gave me one last hug before finally letting me go. I was excited and really looking forward to travelling with Andrew but I was still scared being so far away from my family at the same time. My dad's words and assurance made me feel better because I knew that no matter what he had my back.

"Andrew walk with me!"My dad demanded leading him away.

Andrew looked back at me with a pleading look on his face but I just smiled reassuringly at him.

"What does dad want to tell Andrew in private?"I asked my mom.

"I have no idea, he's just being your dad."She answered.

I nodded even if I want convinced.

"Princess I know you are going to Paris for Andrews sake but don't forget to have fun and live your dream. I know you've always wanted to go so don't hold back at all. Go all out, you're young so take advantage of that."My mom advised.

"I will mom."I replied giving her an assuring smile.

"Pierra what will you bring us?"Reed asked grinning cheekily at me.

"Everything your heart desires."I replied.

His smile got wider and he happily high fived Weston. I had always spoiled my younger brothers and going to Paris was just another chance for me to do the same with more expensive and foreign gifts.

Andrew and my dad came back after ten minutes. Andrew was smiling so I assumed the conversation went well.

My mom pulled out her phone and demanded we pose for a few photos to commemorate the event. Andrew also took pictures with his camera. After all the excitement of photos was done, we said our final goodbyes before walking inside the airport leaving my family in the parking lot.

"What did my dad talk to you about?"I asked Andrew.

"An exemplified version of what Bishop told me."He replied with a shrug.

"You are smiling too much for someone who just got threatened. What more did you two talk about?"I insisted.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself with baby. All I can say is that your dad actually likes me more than I thought he did."Andrew answered.

I didn't want to push it as his answer was already satisfactory enough so I let it go. Andrew was happy with his talk with my dad and I was happy for him. We got to the airport with enough spare time to go through all the required procedures to board our flight.

Two hours later we finally settled down in first class for an eight and a half hour flight bound for Paris, France. Andrew's ticket had been business class and because I booked mine last minute I was unable to get a seat with him so I had him upgraded to first class so we could sit together.

"Are you excited for this?"Andrew asked me as we got properly settled into our seats.

The seats were comfortable enough so I gave up the window seat for Andrew as he was really excited and would probably want to look outside the whole time.

"Of course I am. I honestly can't wait to share this experience with you."I replied grinning at him.

"Me either. Thank you for coming with me."Andrew said looking at me affectionately.

"Thank you for being patient enough to wait for me to come to my right senses."I replied.

"Let's call it a draw then."Andrew grinned.

I smiled giving him a quick kiss.

Putting everything together last minute so I could accompany Andrew to Paris has been hard but I had managed it. My mom had helped with my passport and papers as I handled my exams. Even as I did all that I had been apprehensive that Andrew had changed his mind and wouldn't want me to go with him anymore.

Ned had been the one who convinced me to take that final step. He'd pushed me to go see Andrew at his home and I was glad I listened to him. I loved Andrew and more than anything I wanted to experience and live life with him. Us fixing our relationship had been a turning point in my life because at that moment I realized that Andrew truly was the only one for me. Yes he had hurt me but he had owned up to his mistake and apologized. He was invested in us as much as I was if not more.

My mom always told me that I should find a man who loved me more than I loved him. I had no idea if that was the case for Andrew but I knew we were both meant to be. I would hold onto him for as long as he would have me as I couldn't imagine my life without him.

"What are you thinking so hard about?"Andrew asked interrupting my train of thought.

"You. Us. This trip."I replied.

"I'm right here."He said linking our hands together and kissing the back of my hand.

"I know and I'm right here with you."I smiled.

We were at the very back of the first class section so we had the most privacy. Taking advantage of that, I leaned in and kissed Andrew on the lips softly. He cupped the back of my head and deepened the kiss. It felt so good being able to do that again. Three weeks without Andrew's touch or kisses had been no easy feat.

"I'd missed you so much, you have no idea."Andrew whispered on my lips.

"I missed you too Andre, so much."I admitted.

Spending time with his mother and sister had been great but it hadn't allowed us the space for the both of us to truly reconnect. Paris was that chance for the both of us. It would be great for we would get to work on our relationship, bond and mend the broken bridges.

"I love you and I'm so grateful that you are here with me."Andrew smiled kissing my lips before he pulled me in for a hug.

I soaked it all in as it reinforced my feelings of being loved by the man that I loved back.

Our moment was cut short by the airport announcing that the doors were closing and we should turn our attention to the air hostess at the front who was sharing safety procedures.

I'd never been on such a long flight before so it was definitely a first for me and I was glad to be sharing that experience with Andrew.

"I love you."Andrew whispered taking my hand in his just as the plane started rolling down the tarmac.

"I love you more."I replied squeezing his hand and smiling at him.

"Not possible."He argued shaking his head at me.

"Sure?"I challenged.

We got into a debate of who loved who more to get our minds off the take off. It was smooth but there was always something unnerving about it. When we were finally airborne Andrew turned his gaze outside and was immediately hooked. Retrieving his camera he snapped away and I let him have his moment. I was there with him and that's all that mattered.

Next stop. Paris, France. 

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