Author's Note: Question's Answered (9/1/14)
Hello again! I noticed some of you had a few questions. So, let me offer some explanations and answers:
Q: Why so fast? They haven't seen each other in years and 10 minutes later they are in bed...
A: I can see what you mean by being 'rushed'. Through the actual movies, I feel Luke and Marnie do love each other – I don't know if you've ever experienced not seeing someone you love so deeply for so long. I have, and the last thing I wanted was to "take things slow". I have included more before the "lemon", but the point is they are picking up where things left off and not holding back.
Q: Could you possibly write more Luke & Marnie pairing stories?
A: I've thought about it, and I do have a few more ideas. I'm going to try to finish the stories I started first (but, knowing me, I'll probably start a new one beforehand). ;)
Q: Are you rewriting the plot? Is this story finished?
A: I am actually revising, rewriting, and finishing all of my fanfic's – starting with this one. (I don't know why I'm starting with my Halloweentown FF, but that's what I'm in the mood for.)
2
She walked upon the gravel, not noticing any pavement mentioned. The street sign shaped of a pumpkin read 'Wickford'. A house on the top of the large hill stood on the left, just as the librarian had described.
As she reached the mailbox, the golden letters on it read, 'L. Grochefeld'.
"Well, it's worth a try." She walked to the front door, finding a long chain hanging from the ceiling. Pulling it, the doorbell chimed and echoed as would a church tower.
A few moments passed until the soft sound of footsteps came. The lock snapped and the door opened to reveal a man with short, spiked orange hair rubbing his eyes. "Hello?"
"Luke?"
His gaze lifted and a speck of surprise shone in his green eyes. "Marnie?"
She nodded, her face feeling as if it were sunburnt. "H-hey... I was coming to see Grandma, but Ms. Maggie said she was out of town for a few days and I couldn't think of anyone else to visit."
Luke held his cool smile, widening the door, "please come in!"
She stepped closer, but Luke continued to stand in the frame to hold the door open. Releasing her breath, she squeezed past him, feeling the shock of contact.
The door closed, the lock clicked, and he guided her into the living room.
"Do you drink coffee, Marnie?"
"I couldn't live without it!" She responded.
"Well, let me make a pot – I'll be right back." He smiled and left the room.
She peeked around his home, built up with cobblestone and dark wood, and decorated with shades of both orange and green. A bookcase stood on the opposite side of the couch, with every book alphabetized by title. Nothing was out of place – the hardwood floor reflected the warm Autumn sunlight. Marnie had always thought Luke's home would be a mess – maybe not as much as Gort's, but still, not as tidy as this.
A hint of apple cider filled the air. A breeze flew through the window and she closed her eyes. How much more comfortable this world felt than the Mortal.
Luke reentered the room with two ceramic mugs of coffee.
"So, what do you think?" He handed her the cup smelling of coffee and pumpkin, then sitting on the ottoman in front of her.
"It's beautiful, Luke. How in all of Halloweentown did you afford this?"
He smiled, "well, I inherited some money from the passing of some distant relatives – I am actually the last of the Grochefeld family... don't feel sorry, Marnie, I barely knew them." He looked at her and placed his hand on her exposed knee, triggering goosebumps under her leggings.
"Well, still... it's really great. You should be proud." She sipped the warm drink, loving how her mouth filled with the taste of pumpkins and coffee.
"How have you been? Have you finished High School?"
"Yes – I graduated this past May. What about you? Did you reach your Associate's?"
Luke pointed to the wall towards the left, "Bachelor's in Literature. Now I'm working towards my Master's."
"Congratulations." She smiled, then felt his thumb caress her knee. She let out the softest of gasps, reverting her eyes to somewhere other than him.
It was obvious he knew of her discomfort, his smile spread a bit and he looked in the same direction as she.
"What do you see?"
She took another sip, "I'm actually amazed you're home is so clean."
He laughed, "what did you think it would look like? Gort's junk yard?"
"Definitely not! I don't think anyone could match that disaster." She giggled.
"Are you hungry at all? I just went grocery shopping."
"A little, but I packed a few snacks in my..." but as her hand grabbed the bag, his hand had captured hers.
"No, no 'snacks'. I'm making you dinner." Again her face felt heated. It seemed like he was trying to make her feel this way.
All she could do was nod. His face was only inches from hers as she lost herself to looking over his adult figure. He was a mature goblin now: without the pointed ears, ginger hair, and emerald-green eyes, he would look almost human. His large nose had grown smaller, his eyebrows fit his facial features. He was no longer lanky with nothing but skin and bones; now he had a toned masculine figure.
As she caught her own eyes staring at his belt, her eyes snapped back to his. She stood up, nodding. "I-I'm sorry, I just need some... fresh air." She took a few rushed steps to the window and leaned on the sill.
All he could do was smile wider, walk to her side and lift her arms around his own waist. He knew what troubled her, because it had troubled him before.
He pulled her into an embrace, her ear almost directly over his heart. Between the beating, breathing, and warmth of his body, she felt relief and the sleepiness take part.
They stood under the window in the light of the sunset for what seemed like forever until he let her go, "what about some steak for dinner?"
"Sure." She nodded.
"Let's move into the kitchen, then."
