This one is the last song on my playlist actually. I listen to it while I cool down because it's such a beautiful song, and perfect for L&J.

Jean stood at the window, staring out at the darkness, tears still sitting at the corners of her eyes. She knew she shouldn't let the gossip bother her, especially not now when she and Lucien would be married in just a few days. But she'd gone through so much, especially with Mei Lin's sudden appearance. And despite the temptation of living in the same house with her handsome, virile fiancé they had gone no further than some very intense kissing. She had vowed to wait until they were married to consummate it, and although she could often see the want in Lucien's eyes, he had never pressured her to go further.

Yet every time she went into town these days she could hear the whispers and snickers behind her back, many from women she'd known since her school days. Women who'd served with her on Church committees. Women she'd considered friends at one time.

Each time she swore she wouldn't let their pettiness bother her, and yet it seemed she returned in tears every single time. She had fled up the stairs quickly, hoping Lucien wouldn't see how upset she was. But as she heard the footsteps ascending the stairs, she knew he had noticed. He always noticed these days.

He knocked politely on the door of course. He would never enter without her permission. And she could never deny that permission.

"Jean?" he said quietly.

She wiped her eyes. "Come in, Lucien."

He stepped inside carefully, looked at her for a moment then held his arms out. She walked into them and felt herself enfolded in his embrace.

"My beautiful Jean," he whispered. "You're so much better than those biddies."

She shook her head. "Those 'biddies', as you call them, are the people I grew up with, Lucien. If I don't have them any more... I'm not like you, I need friends."

She saw the hurt in his eyes. She knew her Lucien - she was enough for him. He had been a loner for most of his life, especially after losing Mei Lin and Li, so finding her was all he needed. But as much as she loved and needed him, she needed other people, too.

Right now, though, she needed him desperately. She leaned into his broad chest and let the tears fall. He was the only one she would allow to see her tears, knowing he would never take advantage of her weakness.

"Let it go," he murmured. "Just remember that by this time next week we'll be on our honeymoon. Far away from here. And by the time we return, they'll have found someone else to gossip about. You'll be a properly married lady. And they'll still be biddies."

She couldn't help snorting at that. He always made her feel better.

"And until then?" she asked, looking up into his beautiful eyes.

"Until then ignore them, pretend you don't hear them. It will drive them crazy. And in the meantime, we'll go down to the studio, put on some music and drink to all the happy years we're going to have together."

She managed a smile just for him. "You know," she said, "sometimes I'm convinced those 'biddies' are just jealous. I have you and they don't."

He beamed at that. Hand in hand they walked downstairs.

Close the window, calm the light

And it will be all right.

No need to bother now.

Let it out. Let it all begin.

Learn how to pretend.