Enjoy! Please review and favourite if you've enjoyed this story. My sincere thanks again to everyone who has reviewed and followed all the way along. It's very much appreciated.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ianto slipped back into the hotel room with his early morning purchases, carefully closing the door behind him. Looking over at the bed, he was unsurprised to find Jack still sound asleep, and he smiled to himself at the sight.

Jack was sprawled across the king-sized bed, arms and legs spread out, his face buried in the pillow on Ianto's side and his dark hair a mass of unruly tufts. With the untidy tangle of bedding affording only the barest minimum of modesty and allowing the morning sunlight to paint his smooth skin in a pale, golden glow, Jack was a perfect picture of wanton debauchery. Even asleep, the man was utterly shameless and, with absolutely no effort at all, could still take Ianto's breath away.

Unable to resist, he retrieved his sleek, top-of-the-line smartphone – a surprise wedding gift from Jack – from his pocket and took a photo to add to their collection, knowing that Jack would enjoy the image. Besides, he'd given up on any attempts at reining in Jack's narcissistic streak and wasn't above enjoying a little vicarious pleasure of his own.

He couldn't blame Jack for being a bit lethargic. They'd made the journey to Paris by train the day before, checked into their hotel, then spent several hours exploring and taking in some of the sights. A relaxed meal at a nearby restaurant and an evening stroll along the River Seine had concluded their first day, and their love-making had extended into the early hours of the morning. If not for his body clock refusing to accept that he was on holiday and not required to be conscious at five a.m., he would have still been happily asleep too.

After a few more moments of admiring Jack in all his unabashed glory, he busied himself with arranging the freshly-baked pastries on the table in front of the room's small sofa and then prepared a pot of coffee using the cafetière he'd purchased the day before. He'd enjoyed his early morning outing to visit several of the local bakeries and procure an indulgent French breakfast. With over a thousand bakeries and patisseries throughout the city, the variety and quality of products on offer was nothing short of astonishing, and he was looking forward to once again drawing inspiration from the best of what the Parisian bakeries had to offer. What he admired most about French bakers was their passion, exacting standards and incredible artistry, and while Myfanwy's didn't lend itself to high-end patisserie, these were the same sensibilities that he strived for with everything they produced.

While waiting for the coffee to brew, he stepped out onto their balcony and looked out across the city. The luxurious, boutique hotel was located in the heart of Paris, and the view was spectacular, the streets already bustling with an energy and vibrancy that was so unlike anything else he'd known. In the distance and a little to the right, the Eiffel Tower reached up into the clear, summer sky, and nearer, to his left and only a short stroll away, was the majesty of the Louvre, with the shimmering water of the Seine just beyond.

Jack had chosen their expensive accommodations and insisted on paying for them, despite Ianto's protests. Money tended to be the one thing they butted heads over at times, Jack's unfailing generosity at odds with Ianto's pride and self-sufficiency. He admitted, however, that he could be a bit too sensitive about the subject at times. He hadn't married Jack for his money or lavish home, and he'd never considered the idea of being married to someone with means more substantial than his own. So when Jack spent money on him, such as an unnecessarily extravagant hotel stay, it tended to make him feel a bit uncomfortable. Still, they were both getting better at dealing with the issue, and he knew that Jack's generosity only came from the desire to take care of him and make him happy. Besides, in this particular instance, the nice hotel was as much for Jack's benefit as for his own.

He'd hoped to return to Paris some day, but he'd never imagined being back so soon. He'd definitely never imagined returning as a married man, much less married to a man. Thinking back to their momentous day just over three months ago, he traced the metal band wrapped snugly around his ring finger, warmed by the knowledge that its partner adorned Jack's hand. It all still seemed insane and impossible when he stopped to think about it, but he couldn't deny that these last twelve months had been the happiest of his life. Confusing, strange, and at times terrifying, but ultimately happy. He'd come to terms with the unexpected path his life had taken, and he didn't have any doubts or regrets. When all was said and done, he'd found someone amazing to spend his life with, someone he loved completely and who felt the same way about him. That was what truly mattered.

He was just about to turn back into the room when he heard the rustle of movement behind him. Remaining still, he counted the seconds until a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist and warm lips kissed the edge of his jaw. "Hey, tiger. Sleep well?"

Ianto rolled his eyes but couldn't stop his smile as he leaned back into Jack's embrace and tilted his head far enough to receive a proper good morning kiss. He was forever thankful that Jack didn't have a penchant for nicknames or terms of endearment, this being the one exception and only after an especially memorable night together. Since it was Jack's way of complimenting his sexual prowess, he didn't take issue with it. In fact, it still astonished him that he could satisfy a man like Jack. Admittedly, he'd had plenty of practice since they'd started sleeping together to build his confidence and hone his skills, and he prided himself of being a quick learner.

Turning in Jack's arms, he was relieved to find that Jack had shown uncharacteristic propriety by donning a t-shirt and pair of shorts. He smiled at Jack's sleep-dishevelled appearance. "Yep, but I woke up early, so I went out and bought us some breakfast. Coffee should be ready too."

"Perfect. Since we're on vacation, I'm happy for you to spoil me as much as you want." Jack produced one of his devilish grins. "In fact, I wholeheartedly encourage it."

Ianto laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. Although, I'd better be careful. Otherwise you might get used to it."

He eased out of Jack's arms to move back inside and pour two cups of coffee. Predictably, Jack had already devoured half of a strawberry brioche by the time he put their cups on the table and sat down beside him.

Grinning, Jack licked a smear of jam from the corner of his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of coffee. "Mmm, this is delicious. You know, if we weren't already married, I'd definitely marry you."

Ianto took a sip of his own coffee and flashed him a sideways grin. "Good to know. Otherwise, I might have started to worry that you didn't want to make an honest man of me."

After tucking a napkin into his collar, he placed a croissant on his plate and proceeded to break off a small piece and pop it into his mouth. The texture and lightness of the pastry was every bit as good as he'd expected.

"There was never any question about that." Jack laughed and stuffed more brioche into his mouth. Smiling broadly as he chewed, his blue eyes remained fixed on Ianto. A mischievous glimmer appeared which Ianto knew all too well. "Say something in French."

If not for the imploring way that Jack was looking at him, Ianto might have been tempted to roll his eyes again. For the last month, Jack had been asking him to speak French at random moments and with greater frequency. He'd even tried to teach Jack some basics in readiness for their trip, but it hadn't gone very well and Jack's American accent tended to mangle the language to the point of being painful. Jack was so confident and capable with so many things, but speaking foreign languages wasn't one of them. In a way it was strangely endearing.

Knowing that it was pointless to resist, he sighed and rattled off a sentence, adding a seductive lilt for good measure. "Jack, tes manières à table sont atroces et ce n'est pas poli de parler la bouche pleine."

Jack's eyes glazed over, as they usually did, and Ianto suspected that he might have even swooned a little too. "I could listen to you speak French all day." Exhaling a contented sigh, he gave Ianto a curious look. "What did you say?"

Gesturing at the crumbs scattered over the front of Jack's t-shirt, Ianto handed him a napkin and tried to keep a straight-face. "I said your table manners are atrocious and that it's impolite to talk with your mouth full."

Jack's expression turned suitably outraged. "Oh, you did not!"

Ianto nodded solemnly, but he couldn't quite manage to stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upwards. "I did, actually. Or fairly close. My French might be a bit rusty."

Jack continued to glare for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Damn, you're good. You insult me and get me turned on all at the same time. That's an impressive talent."

"I try my best." Ianto gave Jack his best cheeky grin. He held up his croissant, laughing as Jack bit off a sizeable chunk and made appreciative noises as he chewed and swallowed.

Struck by a swell of affection for his gorgeous, irreverent husband, Ianto put down the remains of the croissant, took Jack's face in his hands and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Then, still smiling, he looked into Jack's eyes, knowing that the love he saw there was reflected in his own. "I love you, Jack."

"I love you too, Ianto." Jack's voice was soft yet intent, the words sincere and heartfelt.

Those words were a promise, a benediction. A reaffirmation of the commitment to their life together. A life that he never could have imagined, but wouldn't change for the world.

###

Despite still being early, Jack failed in coaxing Ianto back to bed, so he contented himself with several more kisses, two more delicious pastries and a second cup of coffee. Not that he had anything to complain about – the night before had been amazing and there were plenty more ahead in what was, for all intents, their second honeymoon.

And, as excited as they both were about being on holiday in Paris, for him, the best part was having Ianto all to himself for an entire week. They'd had a week together at Christmas, but it had been interspersed with time spent with family and friends. This time it was just the two of them, exploring the sights and experiences of the world's most romantic city, with nothing else to think about except enjoying being together.

It was just over three months since they'd tied the knot. Marriage suited him, he'd decided, filling him with a sense of peace and well-being that had been missing from his life. He'd also realised, much to his relief, that he was good at being married, and he loved being one half of a wedded couple. He loved knowing that Ianto would always be there to hold, to kiss, to talk to and share his thoughts with, to be his friend, his confidante, his lover, his companion.

He couldn't remember a time when he'd been happier, which seemed strange in a way since he'd never considered himself to be unhappy. It was more that he'd been lonely, feeling left behind and uncertain of the future, all of which was why he'd wanted to settle down in the first place. He couldn't help but smile whenever he remembered the day when he'd announced to Owen that he'd decided to get married, never imagining the journey ahead of him or the beautiful and unassuming Welshman who would capture his heart. He could admit that he'd been naïve in the beginning, even a little foolish, but his persistence and determination had paid off. Everything could have so easily gone in a different direction and ended in heartache. And although he didn't believe in fanciful notions such as finding one's soul-mate, he recognised how improbable it was that he and Ianto had not only found each other but ended up where they were now. He was just grateful beyond words that they had.

On the surface, at least, they were an unlikely couple. The expression opposites attract sprang to mind. Yet they complimented each other, balancing out the differences in their natures and personalities. Ianto made him a better person, and he liked to think that Ianto felt the same way about him. They had the odd disagreement, money being a bit of a sticking point at times given that he enjoyed spoiling Ianto and didn't have anyone else to spend his money on, but their relationship was remarkably harmonious overall. They both had their own busy lives with their careers, so their time together tended to be a precious commodity. And while the last thing he'd wanted was an overly clingy or demanding partner, he sometimes wished that they had more time together than they did. But he respected that the bakery was an important part of Ianto's life and always would be, and when he wasn't occupied with his own work he invariably ended up hanging out there and lending a hand. He enjoyed being a part of it, loved watching Ianto work, and also enjoyed spending time with Rhys and Jake. All in all, it worked well between them. They valued their time together and made each other a priority, but they retained enough independence not to live in each other's pockets.

With breakfast finished, he showered, shaved and dressed while Ianto occupied himself with tidying up and making the bed. Organised as ever, the Welshman had created a jam-packed itinerary for the seven days of their trip. Although Jack had visited Paris once before on a modelling job, it had been a fleeting visit with no time for sightseeing, so he was more than happy for Ianto to be in charge. From Jack's point of view, everything about the city was new and exciting, and he just wanted to see as much of it as their week-long stay allowed.

They were spending the first four days exploring the capital, then on Friday they were taking a day trip to Giverny, the home of Monet. On Saturday they were going on a tour of the local vineyards, then dining at the Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower, a treat they were both looking forward to since the restaurant had featured in the 1985 Bond film, 'A View to a Kill'. Sunday was more sightseeing in the city before taking the train home in the evening. The rest of their meals were also planned, Ianto having earmarked various restaurants and cafés for lunches and dinners in accordance to their proximity to the hotel and the activities planned for the day.

After pulling on his boots and checking that he had everything they'd need in his backpack, he looked up at Ianto. "So, we're going to the Eiffel Tower today?"

Ianto nodded as he reappeared from tidying up the bathroom. "This afternoon. We'll visit the Arc this morning since that won't take as long. Then we'll have lunch at a café near the Tower and spend the afternoon there."

"And you're going to come to the top with me?" While Jack knew that Ianto wasn't fond of heights, he still couldn't believe that in an entire year of living in Paris, Ianto hadn't done the requisite climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Ianto grimaced, but he responded with another nod, albeit a more reluctant one. "I promised you I would."

Jack placed his hands on Ianto's shoulders and gave a reassuring squeeze. "You'll be fine. And I'll hold your hand if you get scared." Smiling at Ianto's eye roll, he gave him a quick kiss. "Come on, let's go."

He couldn't help but marvel at the ease with which Ianto navigated the city, the Welshman clearly revelling in being back in Paris again, and he loved seeing Ianto so relaxed and carefree.

They travelled via the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe, taking the lift and then climbing the stairs to reach the top. Awestruck by the sweeping panoramic views of the city, Jack took photographs from every angle, not wanting to miss a single detail. He suspected that Ianto would become annoyed with his need to capture everything they saw, but he couldn't help himself. Besides, Ianto had a long list of bakeries he wanted to visit, so they'd both be indulging each other's interests. He took several photographs of Ianto along with some selfie shots of both of them, despite the Welshman's protests.

Leaving the monument behind, they headed east along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Jack loved exploring new places, and he couldn't fault Ianto's patience as he excitedly dragged him into the numerous shops and side-streets along the way. Eventually they turned south, crossing the Seine and following the river until they reached the Eiffel Tower, Jack marvelling at the massive and imposing structure as they approached on foot. Having worked up an appetite, he was relieved when Ianto steered them towards a bustling café for lunch.

There hadn't been many times in Jack's life when he was genuinely lost for words, but standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower with his arm around the shoulders of his husband filled him with a sense of awe, humility and gratitude unlike anything he'd experienced before. Even his camera was forgotten as he took in the breathtaking views from almost three-hundred-metres above ground.

He would have liked to stay there longer, but it was fairly crowded and Ianto was starting to look a little green around the gills, so he squeezed Ianto's hand and ushered him back towards the lift. They spent the rest of the time exploring the attractions on the lower levels and stayed until after sunset so that they could see the tower illuminated at night. It was every bit as spectacular as he'd imagined.

Their love-making was especially tender that night. They took their time, exploring and losing themselves in each other, giving and receiving pleasure in equal measure. Ianto was so much more confident and comfortable within himself than he had been in the beginning, blossoming into a wonderfully sensual, inventive and generous sexual partner. The transformation had been beautiful to witness, and Jack continued to feel both honoured and proud to have shared in that journey.

Afterwards, Ianto was curled up against him, his head resting on Jack's chest as he quietly slept, and Jack amused himself with browsing through the photographs he'd taken during the day and downloaded onto his tablet. When he reached the one that he was looking for – a shot of the two of them in front of the Eiffel Tower, taken by a friendly American couple he'd struck up a conversation with – he couldn't help but smile. They were both grinning at the camera, arms around each other's waists, looking happy and carefree.

Kissing the top of Ianto's head, he turned off the tablet and put it aside, closing his eyes and allowing his thoughts to drift.

It was a few minutes later when Ianto made a snuffling noise and shifted against him, and Jack opened his eyes in time to see Ianto stifle a yawn before looking up and giving him a sleepy kiss. "You're still awake."

Jack smiled and nodded, lifting his hand to stroke Ianto's hair. Wrapping Ianto in his arms, he nuzzled against his neck and breathed him in, then sought out his lips, kissing him tenderly.

Ianto smiled as their eyes met again, his hand caressing Jack's shoulder and down his back. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. Everything." Jack shrugged and sighed with contentment. "How insanely happy you make me."

Ianto slipped his hand into Jack's and brought them up to his lips, brushing Jack's ring with a soft press of his lips. "The feeling's entirely mutual."

Jack returned the gesture, kissing Ianto's ring with gentle reverence. He looked back into Ianto's eyes. "Say something in French." Expecting Ianto to protest, he offered up his most disarming smile. "Please."

A look of mild exasperation passed over Ianto's face, but after a thoughtful pause he obliged and enunciated a sentence in perfect, fluid French.

Jack had no idea what Ianto had just said, but that beautiful, melodious accent rolled over him, sending a little shiver of pleasure along his spine. The words sounded seductive even though it was quite possible that Ianto had just disparaged his table manners again.

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you just insult me again?"

"No. Not this time." Ianto's eyes sparkled with amusement, but the tenderness in his smile conveyed the true meaning of the words. Ianto reached for the switch and turned off the lights above the bed. "Get some sleep, Jack. We've got another big day tomorrow."

Tugging the bed covers over them, Jack wrapped himself around Ianto and closed his eyes. He tangled their fingers together again, smiling into the warmth of Ianto's chest as he touched the band of Ianto's ring and traced the edge of the warm metal. The soft, soothing rhythm of Ianto's breathing lulled him towards slumber, safe in the knowledge that everything he wanted and needed was right here in his arms.

For the rest of their lives, to have and to hold.