1940

Ricky climbed out of the netting that held him and Lucy, who was currently very inebriated. He had only known her for 24 hours, but there was something about this woman that piqued his curiosity. As he got his footing on the deck of the cruise ship, he helped her limp body out while his friend Carlos helped the other woman, her friend Susie McNamara out, as well.

Holding her fragile state in his arms, he knew that between them was more than just a spark, but magic. Powerful chemistry that couldn't be denied, despite the extremely short time they had known each other.

"Ricky…" mumbled Lucy, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Yes, Honey?"

"I think…I neeeda lie down."

"I think so too. Lemme help ya."

He felt Lucy attempt to put her arm around his neck, but her wobbly drunken knees were too unstable to hold her up. Not wanting to prolong the trip to her room, he swept her up into his arms, watching as she instantly cuddled up to him like a frightened child. While carrying her, he wondered how he would open the door with Lucy in his arms. Just as he was thinking that, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Allow me, Ricky," offered Rudy Valley, as he took the room key from his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Valley."

"Please, call me Rudy. After all, you're going to be one of my Yankees."

"Okay…Rudy."

"So, quite a day, wasn't it?"

"Ya can say that again."

"This girl must be very special to you. You're willing to leave your native land and go to a strange country where you don't know anyone."

"She is special. I jus' met her, but I never met anyone like her."

"Do you love her?"

"Yeah…I do. I jus' hope she loves me."

"I have a sneaking suspicion that she does. I saw that kiss she gave you when you were in the netting. Women don't kiss men like that if they don't love them."

Ricky blushed at Rudy's words as he remembered the way Lucy had kissed him. She may have been intoxicated, but it was the way she kissed him when he had fallen into the netted material. It wasn't a peck, but a kiss that held promise. He returned the kiss and it was the best feeling he had ever had.

Arriving at the door, Rudy stepped in front of Ricky and stuck the key in. Opening it, he moved to the side, which allowed Ricky to walk in with Lucy. Laying her on the bed, Ricky quickly turned towards back to Rudy.

"I don't want to pry, but where are you going to sleep?"

"Well, we han't really talked about it. The ship director said the rooms are full so I guess I stay in here."

"Do you think Lucy will mind?"

"I dun't think so. We coul' barely leave eash other las' nigh'. Plus, I wanna make sure she's okay. From wha' I can tell, she musta had some Cuban rum in the jail. She probably though' it was water that jus' taste differen'."

"Well, I'll leave you two alone. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Thank you, Mr…Rudy."

"You're welcome."

With that, Rudy closed the door, leaving the two of them alone for the first time since they met. Ricky was taking this opportunity to really look at the woman he had fallen for. Her beautiful red hair, her gorgeous figure and her long legs. Walking towards the bed, he sat down, not knowing what to do next. Ricky desperately wanted to touch her, but held back. Looking into her face, he saw her face contort in discomfort and he wasn't able to take it anymore.

Sitting back against the pillows on the bed, he began to lightly stroke her hair. Hearing her sigh softly, he watched as she looked up at him, her eyes barely open. Lucy struggled to move her body closer to him, yet feeling something pull her at the same time. Ricky didn't know what to do in that moment. He didn't want to take advantage of her weakened state, but at the same time, knew she needed a comforting touch.

Lucy got as close as she could when her head lightly fell on top of his chest. Ricky looked down and saw she was more at peace laying on top of him. Deciding what to do, he put his arms around her and modestly placed his hand on her back. Smiling to himself, he found he had a lot to say to her that he didn't think he could say to her face, at least not yet. Not wanting to spoil the perfect opportunity, he began to speak.

"Lucy…wha' has gone on since I met ya has been somethin' else. We go from barely speakin' ta dancin' ta me singin' that song for ya. I fell in love with ya even before that famous spot on our carriage ride, I jus' din't know it. Then we have our firs' figh' an' I still have a pain in my head from that flower pot. I dun't care cuz I know ya did it outta love," laughed Ricky, as he thought about what had happened. "An' I wasn't gonna come back ta the hotel this mornin', thinkin' that maybe ya din't want anythin' ta do with me anymore, but then I figure I migh' as well try. If I sang a song like that for ya, it mus' mean somethin'. Our firs' kiss was is somethin' I'll never forge' an' not jus' cuz ya started cryin', but because it felt like my lips an' your lips were made for eash other. Ya know, I never talk like this ta women, but ya are differen'. A wonderful woman that I hope to see every day for the res' of our lives. Although, young lady, I hope these wil' thins' stop here. Ya almos' missin' the boat was the scaries' thin' I ever went through. Let's have a calm life tagether, okay?"

Ricky smiled down at Lucy as she softly adjusted herself in his arms. He thought he might be seeing things, but thought he saw a slight smile on her face. Leaning down, he placed a slight kiss on her forehead and moved his body slightly with hers so they could lay down. Feeling the effects of his lack of sleep the night before and everything that had happened during the day so far, he was extremely tired. Before closing his eyes, he had one more thing to say to the woman in his arms.

"I dunno if ya heard everythin' I jus' said, but jus' in case, here's one more. I love ya, Lucy, an' I'll never stop, no matta wha'."

As he closed his eyes, Lucy began to mumble quietly, not knowing what was going on or where she was. All she knew was that there was something she needed to say right then and there.

"I love you, Ricky."