Admissions From a Busy Morning
The house was in full swing on that very busy morning. Rose had begun spending more and more time in the Blake house, now that she and Charlie had thoroughly reconciled, and she had her Uncle Matthew to visit as a pretense. Jean was kept very busy making breakfast for three hearty men and a young woman who had the appetite and metabolism of a teenaged boy. She barely got a moment to breathe that day as she made toast and eggs and refilled coffee cups for everyone.
"I've got to type my story for the afternoon edition before Edward has my head. Thanks for breakfast, Jean," Rose said, giving her uncle a kiss on the cheek.
Charlie walked her to the front door so they could have a more intimate farewell.
Matthew stood from the table, a bit wobbly on his cane. "Davis, we ought to get to the station," he announced.
Charlie reappeared and nodded. "Right. Let me get my hat." He grabbed a last sip of coffee and bite of toast before dashing to his room for the finishing bits of his uniform.
"Jean, I've got a house call at the Williams farm," Lucien said as he finished his breakfast.
"Yes, Mrs. Williams said her boy's got a bit of a fever," Jean replied, remembering the phone call she'd answered to set the appointment for Lucien.
Charlie came back to the kitchen. "Jean, have you got lunch for us? We won't be home till tonight."
"I made up some sandwiches. They're in the fridge. Hang on, let me get them." Jean crossed the kitchen, avoiding Lucien and Charlie and Matthew, all of whom were in her way.
"Right, I'm off," Lucien said, making his way out. "I'll be home later."
"Alright," Jean replied, distractedly handing the parcel of sandwiches to Charlie. "Love you," she called to Lucien as he left.
Everyone froze. Even Jean, when she realized what she'd said. Charlie and Matthew just stared at her. They'd never heard any explicit statement of affection from her before. Everyone knew Jean and Lucien loved each other; that much was quite obvious to anyone who knew them. But never had anyone witnessed Jean actually say such a thing to Lucien in their presence.
Lucien appeared in the servery window of the kitchen. "What did you just say?" he asked in disbelief.
Jean, bright red from embarrassment, scolded, "Don't you all have places to be? You were all in such a hurry a moment ago!"
Matthew and Charlie shuffled out of the kitchen, and Lucien pushed past them.
Jean was starting to get very frustrated with his strange surprise at her simple statement. "Lucien, I do wish you wouldn't make a fuss. It just slipped out. It's been a very busy morning."
"I know," he said with a smile. "That's how I know you meant it."
She softened. "Well of course I meant it. We're engaged to be married," she said quietly.
"Even so, it's still rather wonderful to hear."
"Afraid you'll forget?" she teased.
"Perhaps. Maybe you should say it again," Lucien said in a low tone, stepping closer to her.
Jean wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "I love you," in a strong and clear voice.
With a grin he could not contain, Lucien kissed her, only pulling away to say, "I love you, too."